Silent Slough

[Drathiranon]

The wild boar with the swine weed stuck to them become the paria of the sounder. These become angrier, tearing up everything in sight.
The other boar run off in the opposite direction to follow after the other rooting boars who have just found some field mice to chase.

A puzzled Llelanni finally finds the map in one of her robe pockets.
I just looked there, three times total.
The dark elven woman shakes off her confusion and proudly extends the rolled map to Tarvis.
I found it!!

Bludgeon is still watching out the back window, amazed at this new deterrent she has never seen used by a human or anyone.

Slog is still watching out the front windows. He crouches down and takes up.his hat. His red eyes turn to Bludgeon to steal a quick glance. He taps his big green grey hand on his chest pocket to make sure the horse chestnuts are still there. His grimace returns to his face.

Mouxsie watches everyone's reactions. Feywild beings would have already stopped this problem before now, but it sure is entertaining to watch others and observe their ways of dealing with such dilemmas.
The anticipation is too much for the little fairy. She flings her palms outward. The map drops on the counter top, rolling open for all to see.



Mouxsie looks at the map, it's interesting. She rubs her tiny hands together as if warming herself at a fire and takes note of the size of the whole slough.

Tarvis, me lad, take a gander at this!

The fairy points to the odd cross marking.
My orcish isn't so grand. What does it say?

[Bhaern Quel]

Nods as at least most of the boar gone. The few still about have to be dealt with.

Turns to the call about the map.

Also looks to Slog.

Well I chased off most of them here, Master Slog how is it your side?

As Mouxsie displays the map and asks her question, steps over to the map. Studies it for a moment.

Reading is different then speaking, however I think it is a temple. Maybe The Lady or Master might read this dialect better. However I would be more concerned about the boar right now then the map.

There is more a desire to have the place safe before going about into the wilds of boar. Though knowing the swine weed worked will make things easier, It can be planted to form the barrier with ease and not more powerful herbs have to be used. At least for know. The power herb can be used until the plants are established. The pen made for Slog became easier and a search for salt done with greater safety,

[Drathiranon]

Slog cautiously opens the front door looking side to side. The boar have dragged away the two.he had killed for Bludgeon. No matter, he is happy to report back.

Slog no see em.

Bludgeon turns away from the back door.

Boar in brush. Not safe. We wait.

She lifts her emerald eyes to see Slog. She blushes deep purple, her eyelids flutter like an innocent young maiden. She quickly turns away to look at the map on the counter. The orc woman squints, trying to understand the writing. She can't read writing but she understands symbols.

Mouxsie sighs thinking, mortals, always worried about something. She is glad she is a fairy. She then answers to Tarvis.

Sure, don't wanna sell yer hen on a wet day.

The fairy looks more intently at the parchment, noticing the swamp has changed a bit since the drawing was created.

Sheesh, that map looks as old as Elminister's cat!

Still angry, the swine weed covered boar tumble over bushes while moving further away, back over by Slogs mill, uprooting plants and dodging each other in their retreat. Slog listens and turns his head to follow the sounds. He then looks to Tarvis

Have much swine seed? He asks.

The dark elf woman pours more water from an earthen pot to the kettle. The pop and sizzle of cracking wood in the fire brings its own life into the alchemy of beings in the room. The hearth seems to take part in the drama, bringing comfort and calm to moment of uncertainty.

[Bhaern Quel]

Slog

Mir, shal ekko liwo gajup dat (Good, in time will hunt rest)

Bludgeon looks to you.

Tug tanoz nalkruska gone nart vadokan (Only safe when gone or dead)

Mouxsie smiles to you.

This poor human can not fly away from them. I face problems differently. We have some tools though.

Turns back to Slog and his question.

I have a pouch of dust and a pouch of seeds to grow more. As for being enough. It depends on how much area to protect. Some powder might be needed to protect people, even hunters if they get hurt.


The fire does warm the room and does bring a sense of comfort.

[Drathiranon]

Slog nods his head slowly up and down, a wide grimace forming with the thought of revenge for the loss of his crops and lost wages. He answers Tarvis with an orcan oath.

Afar Angathfark!
(By the forge of my soul!)

Bludgeon also nods with a wide grin, thinking of all the delectable meat to be cooked with the new spices.

Pik shum ma maush dorr pajat sha bulmos agh kraup
(Cook many more boar meat dish with spice and salt! )

Mouxsie looks at the others. The fairy ponders the plight of the orcs. On the surface it seems just as difficult as her own plight.

Right, every dog is brave on his own doorstep and an old dog for a hard road. But, suppose the work itself will teach ye crowd of uruk (orc) how to do it.

The human, she thinks, he must be part orc. The fairy also wonders if his ears are green. On the lighter side, she finds all this quite entertaining. Except for the elf. She seems too homely to be a drow. Maybe she is an imposter.

Llelanni is cheerfully stoking the fire and making tea. The dark elven woman turns to face the group,

Kis zau nazot! Thag baraushat kokar pam pi uk bosnauk?

(Kettle boil hot! Dry herb berry fruit drink all ally?

The fairy's eyes grow wide. She hides her face in the palm of her hand.

Suddenly it's like a lantern lit up over the top of Slog's head. He looks to Tarvis.

Slog nudertog torb tok baj kurth!

(Slog build peat earth make pitfall!)

[Bhaern Quel]

Well no need to worry about upsetting the elf, it appears she does speak orc. The fairy not counting her magic has her wings and size to not worry about the boars so was not that worried about her knowing the language. They all might know orc better than he does.

Considers what should be next step. No one is leader as such. To deal with the boar there needs to be a plan by bargin or leader. So time to bargain. Slog wants dead boar, Bludgeon wants meat. Those two goals mesh well. The longer term Slog wants protection from for the fields, the Bludgeon will want her cooking area and likely at least a clear path to and from her store. The pit fall a way to gather boar for death and meat. guiding them with weed certainly part of any offer. What though of the elf and fairy how to include them in the deal

So a pitfall is a good way to trap some. The trick will be how to get them to it. The swine weed can help that and protect your fields and buildings. The herb is fairly common so cost are low. Some scouting might need to be done to try to find out how many they are. Someone with wings might be able to find out best. Maybe help pay off her debt. The Lady Llelanni has some healing skills and certainly can help with fighting and cooking. I know she needs to find a place close to plant some herbs for her healing craft.

We might all agree to agree to make this agreement to deal with the boar.

Looks toward each while speaking and now is prepared to listen to comments.

Let us drink some berry juice and decide .

[Drathiranon]

Everyone enjoys the warm drink, slurping the rejuvenating mixture from small bowls.

For most involved it would seem launguage is no longer a hangup or creating division in the ranks. Maybe, in time, it will bring in a wealth of understanding.

It would also appear everyone is in agreement with Tarvis' taking up the mantel of leadership. His opinions and concerns usually well received!

The fairy hearing this news, excitedly stands up on the counter, puling a tiny cloth cowel of leaf green over her head.

A good start be half the work, captain!

She looks up out the window behind the counter. It's opened slightly for ventilation.

Lookin a bit drachy out, mate, but me think to give it go.

With a little fairy salute, Mouxsie lifts up to the air and flies out the slightly opened window.

Llelanni chuckles as tusks sprout from her lips.

Bludgeon, do you have any corn to attract the boar?

The dark elf's ears and skin thicken into a dark, course, bristly hide. Her eyes become more angular, turning yellow. Whiskers stretch out from either side of her nose. Her fingernails form into two-toed, clawed hooves. The drow's nose grows more elongated with a flattened pink snout at the tip.

Unfortunately, the morphing process ceases without fully shape changing in entirety.

The orcan farmer, who had been wittling a spike tip on a stick, loses his composure, jumping up from his barrel seat, brandishing his spike, and quickly backing away toward the front door.

Bludgeon's green eyes fly wide open in horror as she also is taken aback, grabbing the handle of her mop in a defensive stance.

Llelanni trots over to look at her reflection in the front windows. Her laugh sounds more like whinning with gunts and oinks.

[Bhaern Quel]

The berry drink does taste pleasant and at least so far what he has proposed has no objections. The Fairy treating it as fun. He hopes her efforts do count toward paying her debt. But as that goes well, the elf has to cause a problem. As well as displaying a skill, talent or magic that was not known about. Most likely spell, however she might be were.

To prevent panic speaks.

I see the elf has the talent to change shape. She could scout or maybe even entice some boar for us. She is not a danger to us, though it would have been kinder to tell before show.

Chuckles to show he is not worried, so that the others might calm.

My Lady Llelanni, so what is your plan?

Not sure if she can speak or will have to read actions. Ready for either or even danger from her with blade and herb also close to hand.

[Drathiranon]

Llelanni's senses become more acute. It's a strange and exciting feeling! She can smell the earthy scent of the bog floor hidden just beneath the fresh clean snow. The scent of blood in the air sends a primal shock through her system. Well, she wasn't planning on that. The panic hasn't set in yet until she realizes she is stuck mid transformation! She tries to answer Tarvis but the words come out in squeels and grunts.

Roink roink, urh roink roink!

The orcs keep their eyes open, staying vigilantly aware of how dangerous a situation like this can be.

Concern in Slogs face seems to give way to doubt as he backs away, still holding his spike and moving closer to Tarvis side.
Earth magic make druids wild!

Bludgeon stays put, still holding her mop and her ground. She calls to Tarvis.

What we do? Let her out?

Llelanni has trouble maintaining her composure. It's unsettling, even if it's temporary. Afraid of what she might do, the drow/boar plows through the front door, kicking her hooves up and squeeling all the way across the road to Slogs farm. .

[Bhaern Quel]

Watching the boar exit

No need to open the door, now we better close it until the scouts return.
Her magic will have to end before she can talk with us. One of the problems with most shape changers.

As to digging your pitfall. We should decide where, as well as where to use the herbs. Bait of corn appears to have been last idea we heard from the Elf. Also collect tools to dig the pit and build pens.

Starts to look at the tools in the store.

[Drathiranon]

It takes about an hour for the little fairy's return. She again climbs inside from the opened window. Her buzzing wings carry her down to the map on the counter. She gives her report directly to Tarvis.

Twenty one boar in the new sounder! Twas two groups. The bulls of opposing group ya hit with the powder, Mate! They were fightin' over the sows. Deed now, so no worries.

Mouxsie makes a few marks with a bit of charcoal to show their current positions as dots. She also updates the map with foot paths around the homestead locations and a bit of yellow colour for Slogs fields.

Banging and yelling can be heard coming outside at the back door. Bludgeon looks out the window to see the drow standing there in the snow with disheveled hair and torn robe. The orcan woman squints her eyes, looking to make the transformation has been cleared before letting Llelanni back inside then latches the door. Bludgeon furrows her black brow and points a big green/grey finger.

No more change!

The orc woman turns to Tarvis.

Poison boar make meat bad food?

The orcan farmer moves over to the counter to have a look at the map.

Hmm...boar moved. Some on other side of river, behind Slog mill.



The dark elven woman quietly sits by the fire to dry her clothing from snow melt. She pours a bowl of berry tea and starts pulling twigs from her hair.

The fairy shakes her head.

From finery to disabells. Poor cray-ture. Some tay an stirabout, she'll be good as new.

[Bhaern Quel]

Mouxsie

That sounds like a good finding. Though 21 will be hard to deal with.

Bends to look at your marks on the map. Then looks up to the door banging, watches as Llelanni enters and settles.

It might have been best to tell us, before, now rest.

There is no plan yet to poison them. The swine weed is not a poison for them or us. It just not smell good.

As Slog speaks turns to him as you speak and looks to the map.

So maybe we built the pitfall pen at the east end of your south field. That has them close to feed. So eaier to harvest for cooking,

[Drathiranon]

The fairy flies over to Llelanni.

So, what's it like being a pig and all?

The dark elven woman shivers, leaning closer to the fire, holding her bowl of tea in both hands.

I never knew such base sensations could exist. It was scarey!

Mouxsie is intrigued. She continues her line of questioning.

Do you remember anything else?

Llelanni set down the bowl.

Yeah, the sows were talking about something. There are no bulls left and they are having trouble finding food for winter.

The fairy listens intently.

That's interesting. So you had a chat with em? Remember anything else?

Llelanni pours more water from the kettle and smiles.

No, I couldn't manage talking but I heard there are going to be babies this spring.

The orc woman is pleased to hear the meat will be safe to eat and now the sounder is growing. She speaks again with Tarvis. Her common is beginning to show improvement.

We plant seeds inside or they grow in snow?

Slog's eyebrows raise. The orc farmer gets excited thinking many thoughts at once.

Tarvis, this good! How we move? Can we raise boar? Slog farm will get big now!

The orcan man stops to take a breath.

Boar clear land good for farm. Sell meat go to market. Buy chickens!

[Bhaern Quel]

Considers , if no males survived battle the problem is solved until spring about being more of them. If that is all the boar in the territory near enough to be a problem. So trying to catch them makes sense, killing a few at a time. There needs to be feed for them, it seems unlikely the orcs would store food for an extra 20 swine so that becomes a near problem to solve after catching . Do that is the first big problem. Making pen also a big task. So how to answer?

Well catching them is the first step, however many farms do grow swine as a crop. The one important thing needed to work is supply enough food for them to eat when fenced in. The weed will not stop them if there is no food on their side of the barrier. They might even eat it if extremely hungry, which would then no longer stop them.

Takes a sip of tea, trying to gauge their current reactions. Moves on to a few more answers.

No seed does well planted in show. Plants could be started inside where it is warmer, but also sunlight.

Yes they can clear land for you, it takes time and building pens or fences to keep them . I think that will be nexy big problem after food.

[Drathiranon]

Slog harvest big wild oat crop. No make flour though. Just fixed mill. Want to sell but snow fall. No way to move oats now.

The orcan farmer seems more engaging, getting more comfortable to speak freely with the group.

Bludgeon has been dusting shelves and about to mop behind the counter. Standing with mop in hand, she answers Tarvis.

Will clean table outside. Will plant seeds inside by store window. Make little green house. But first, I clean.

Llelanni turns around to warm her back at the fire, looking away from the group and out the front windows toward Slog's Mill.

The fairy's wings buzz, lifting her up to sit on a shelf to position herself a little higher when talking with the group. Her voice seems to carry better this way.

Well, me be thinkin', to create a portal to a Plane of Holding, a fine temporary destination for the swine. But, t'will only last an hour. About the length of time the drow's transformation lasts.

She adds the pit location and the abandoned outpost as well. She then looks to Tarvis and Slog.

How long ye reckon it'd take to build a pen or dig a pit?