Silent Slough

[Drathiranon]

The orc farmer almost seems giddy as he steps out the door. He can be heard whistling a tune while walking away.

Bludgeon grunts in approval with Tarvis choice. The orc woman almost gleefully, returns the other weapons to their placements then begins loading up a gunny sack with dried meat and other assorted provisions.

Tinkering with her clover charm, the little fey happily takes a tuning key from her dress pocket to ready her harp. There is a quartz crystal inside which she proceeds to charge with static electricity from her fingertips.

Outside, Llelanni is standing with a bucket of water in one hand and with the other, waving goodbye to the moose as it walks back into the woods. She turns around, startled to see Tarvis behind her.
Oh, I'm coming with the water! Just, the moose over there says he saw a giant shadow moving over the woods this morning!
Her large red eyes glisten in the morning sun and her face seems a sadly cheerful in expression. She moves forward, placing her hand on the back of his shoulder.
Everything will work out, Sir Tarvis. We have to believe that or it wont.

[Bhaern Quel]

Considers her talking to moose, maybe she could use birdcalls staff.

It must be useful to be able to talk to the moose without becoming one. Can you speak with many animals?

A Shadow over the woods. It seems that if I think it might happen it does. I wonder if I think of things that will help us will also happen?

Like a band of Paladins in full armour escorting two high Priests, Grins, add one battle general as well.

Yes a leader has to believe his decisions are right. Until a better leader appears it appears I have to be right. However there is not the time to know the fighting force before the battle starts. Which is why the next move I asked for when to move to clear that place. How long to get ready effects in part how soon we go. They have not answered me. Maybe you will. Would you be ready to depart this afternoon or would it be better for you to leave here tomorrow morning. To ready your spells, prays and equipment and supplies?

For now we shall make tea.

[Drathiranon]

Her red eyes sparkle with mirth. A laugh escapes her lips.

Why, Sir Tarvis, a cup of tea would be wonderful.

Llelanni offers her arm to walk inside beside him.

I have a bit more research and spell prep to finish. I think we should all exercise more diligence in preparation, if possible, so leaving tomorrow morning bright and early might give us a good rest and maybe time to prepare plans.

With a chuckle, the dark elf thinks back to Tarvis first question. As she pours the water into the kettle she responds.

I didn't know I could talk to him until he started laughing at me. Sir Tarvis, have you ever seen a moose shake off his antlers?

[Bhaern Quel]

Takes Llelanni's arm to walk her to the store

Nay Lady Llelanni I have rarely seen one, and never heard any make a sound or see lose its horns. It must be interesting that this one spoke to you. Now the tea making and to tell the others my plan.

Orders I might have said.

Enters the store with you and walks with you to the fire place.

Speaks to Bludgeon
Lady Bludgeon we will plan to leave tomorrow morning. Some of the food you collected will fit into my pack. While Lady Llelanni makes the tea, I will go outside to collect some stones and I will also tell Slog about the plan.

Steps to the front door

I will be back soon

Steps outside, with staff in hand, takes off on a quick run intending to circle around the buildings on a scouting search for near by danger of shadows, planning to return to the mill to speak with Slog. If there is nothing interferes will soon be talking with the orc, with what has been learned .

[Drathiranon]

As Tarvis circles the area he finds the boar in their pen. Some are awake rooting the ground, some asleep standing up. Slog is not in the mill. As Tarvis may notice, the air is heavy with the scent of molten metal and mingling aromas of smoke and charred wood. Nestled into a small but rugged hill south of Slog's shack is a make shift forge made up from large stone blocks embedded into the side of the hill, the stream just below. Slog is hard at work. His muscular build is highlighted by crackling fire light. The orc farmer is hard at work pouring moulten iron into molds to create bearings. Slog has a pair of tongs, a hammer, a chisel, a tall axe and a thick magnet the size of his hand setting on a stone slab. The stream he has is handy for cooling each piece he creates. The orc has already made a flail and pole sickle. He stops to take a drink of water from an old canteen. His red eyes look toward Tarvis coming his way. Slog wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and moves closer to meet Tarvis.

Slog have flour for you. Ready in the morning. More work to do. Tarvis have more plans?

Slog removes his floppy leather hat to fan himself.

[Bhaern Quel]

Slog rests his staff as he looks at your forge and work. Nods and speaks.

After talking to the elf, the best time to leave will be tomorrow morning as far as she is concerned. As for other plans not really any changed to that. We equip and go there to clean the danger. One thing that has changed there has been a hint that the danger is reaching out. Hints of shadows that might reach this far. So be need to be on guard for danger to attack here.

glances again to the South and the path there.

I have traveled there and back the walk should not take us many hours and we should be able to enter before lunch. The tunnels that we saw had touch lights. Which makes it easier for me, but provides foes shadows to hide in. I will need to relie on your eyes and the elf's to see what I can not. Very much so if the torches end or fail. But the most important thing is if I fall, the person to take over leadership. I think it should be you.
This because out of us only three have been there and willing to return. The fairy I do not see willing to serve as a leader. How do you feel about the idea if you need to?

[Drathiranon]

Slog is concerned at these words. He scratches his head.

Torch fire? Sound like someone expecting someone maybe. We stay as one group or split in two? How many rooms? We know skeletons there now, but who throw fireballs?

A giant shadow quickly passes over the two homesteads. Slog looks up and around, doesn't see what made it. He waits a moment, hoping to hear a sound but only a wind passes over them.

Second time this happen today. Not sure what it is.

Slog reassuringly places his big green hand on Tarvis' shoulder.

Slog not let friends die. Slog give his life for friends. We need meat, make us strong!

The orc farmer then shows Tarvis the pouches of iron bearings he has already made.

Elf can make these steel so fairy won't get hurt. Maybe we see what else she can do with them? Slog hungry, maybe Bludgeon have something good to eat now.

The orc man loads up the pouches of bearings into a burlap sack and pours out a bucket of swamp water on his fire. Hot steam rises in the air around them.

Cough, cough... Come Friend, cough, cough...we go now, talk more...cough, cough... on the way.

[Bhaern Quel]

Slog replies to his comments with steady voice even as the shadow passes over.

The torch light was likely from magical torches, however we did not look at them closely. The fireballs might be magical trap, triggered. None of them came close to hitting me. A person would likely have better aim.

Pauses unless can not see well in daylight, so adds.

Unless the caster does not see well in daylight.

Glances at the shadow. Feeling no direct sensation yet.

It may be their scouting of us.

As Slog puts hand on shoulder smiles to him.

It is good to have a strong friend like you. I am not planning on death or letting any of you die either. But as you say at times we might be in two groups and there should be a leader for both when that happens.

The iron balls in pouches would be easy to carry, though turning iron to steel might not be a spell a Drow would use. Their magic tended to more powerful metals, also not sure a fairy that much reactive to iron.

We can ask the elf, also the fairy how close she can be to iron.

Considers what herbs he has to deal with illness. Though it could be just smoke from the fire.


As Slog douses the fire and starts to cough looks a little concerned, though smoke from the smoke could be the reason

So far the shadow has not caused harm, Let us get away from the smoke and go eat now.

[Drathiranon]

As they walk, Slog ponders the fire balls.

Slog think Tarvis right. Bad aim not good for shamans. Must be triggered since fire fly when Tarvis leave. What caster have bad day sight?

Slog stops at the mill to take a bag of flour for Tarvis and look at the boar in the pen.

Slog hate to let them go. We all work hard to get and keep them.

The orc farmer turns to face the store across the way. He smells meat cooking, sees smoke rizing from behind the store, and smiles. Slog looks to Tarvis.

Maybe something good in Rozdrurra. Red Eye Clan of old was rich in many things. Why want more power when big prosperous empire enough?

[Bhaern Quel]

Looks at the boar and takes the sack

If gone even two or three days without feeding them. They would eat the fence to get food. The only way to keep them would be to leave at least one person here. We do not number enough to split into two parts.
I do not like it, but to go there we can not keep here. Also if leaving any should leave more than one.. We can not keep them penned. They might stay near or come every day to look for food well we are gone. The tome shift might male it we will not be gone for a week, but we can not trust that. Unless we find more people we should not keep them trapped. We open the gate when we go South has to be plan now.

Walks toward the store with Slog.

I was not planning on first visit to take anything. However this visit if we succeed in cleaning the place. A reward will be earned. WE might find something to pay for the boar that you might loose. Come let us go eat and find out about iron and iron to steel.

[Drathiranon]

Slog rubs his chin under his beard.

Slog think Friend right. Maybe we get compensation. Slog feed boar and turn loose at dawn.

It is about noon in the little abandoned village with its stark beauty and harsh conditions. Though the sky is clear blue with no sign of snow to come, the icy air is a swift reminder of winter's calling card.
This seems to be a time of contrasts. A time for introspection and celebration, solitude and togetherness, before embarking on a difficult journey.

As the two friends walk closer to the Grab, Root, & Growl, the fairy, seeing Tarvis return, zooms out from an opened window to greet him.

Me laddine! I canna believe it if I didnt see it with me own eyes! Me direwolf is not dead!

A rucus can be heard coming from the back of the store. With a boar leg in his mouth, the direwolf runs around the building with Bludgeon carrying her broom, chasing behind him.

[Bhaern Quel]

Walk with Slog

We to not count on it, but it may be earned.

Looks at Mouxsie and her excited exclamation, then looks at the dire wolf. Considers and nods,

Yes I have heard of this thing, the summoned returns when the caller no longer needs and can heal injuries until called again. I would say when you fell your wolf was returned. Then able to heal. This is good news indeed.
If the wolf is not a raised undead, but eating meat should soon prove that out.


Lady Bludgeon, please let our mighty warrior to rat in peace. Her manners are poor however she has earned a meal

[Drathiranon]

The direwolf trots about happily with.the leg hanging out from his mouth. Bludgeon stops short after seeing the guys return. She lowers her broom and turns around blushing a deep purple.

The fairy laughs, buzzing after her familiar.

Inside the store, on the counter top, Llelanni is wrapping dumplings the size of an orc's hand, ready to be cooked. Over the hearth is a small savory pot of mushroom ketchup that had been prepared a day before. The sauce is rich and earthy.

Slog sits on a barrel stool near the counter to rest and watch the elf mold the dumplings.
Shaman, what spells good for bearings?

The fairy returns, dark and dusty from flying in through the chimney. She smiles brightly.

[Bhaern Quel]

Sits at the counter to listen as well speak with the fairy when she settles down.

Mouxsie It is good your Wolf survived when she disappeared she looked near dead and still bleeding. She must have had powerful healing. Oh a question , how does iron effect you?

Well leaving tomorrow allows for some things to do before night falls. Considers what to do after lunch.

[Drathiranon]

The fairy touches down on the counter top, looks to Slogs bag on the floor.

I dunno, let's find out. Orc man, lemme see one of those iron things.

Slog sheepishly looks around at the others before reaching down to his bag. The orc retrieves a single iron bearing. He carefully sets it on the counter top in front of him, making sure to leave it steady and still.
Mouxsie first has a good look at the object then circles around the stationary bearing. She bends her tiny legs to crouch closer down as her tiny finger stretches to touch the iron ball. Suddenly it starts to glitter an ominously bright opalescent hue. She starts to quiver and shake, her tiny body flutters around the ball, sparkles dripping from her tiny wings. The fairy falls to the counter top. Her tiny eyes flutter as if the iron is sucking the life out of her. Her body flops around like a tiny fish on land. She then lay still, motionless.

Nope, I guess not!

Mouxsie hops up, brushing her tiny hands free of sparkles, she looks to the others.

Aww...g'way! Me fairy folk ancestors lost a battle for the lands of light because they thought bronze would protect them. Iron weapons were much stronger, of course.

Mouxsie giggles. Have any more sweet rolls, me laddine?