The Reliquary of Ahazi, part 1
Log Info
- Title: The Reliquary of Ahazi Part 1
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Davienne, Aryia, Paenitia, Venom, Seyardu, Ravendar, Lyme
- Place: Farmlands of Alexandros
- Time: Wednesday, June 09, 2021, 8:59 PM
- Summary: The Explorer's Guild hire a bunch of adventurers to go and see a man about a horse. Well, a woman about a goat. Goats. There's a giantborn in there too, and a lot of halflings. Backing up. The adventurers are searching for the Reliquary of Ahazi Part 2, based on a tip provided generously by Akoniril Belvade. It takes them out the Farms in Farmland where the owner of the property is not about to let them explore it without payment. They better not bother the goats either. She demands a great reward for being the lucky steward of the place it was lost, also, that they sort out an issue with her neighbour. Paenita, surveying from the air on Ramirez, returns and informs all there's a lot of overgrown ruins and they're really going to need the owner's help on this. So they move to the next farm, who has sheep, and a problem with his neighbour... It's going to be a long, short day's task.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Davienne 5'1" 101 Lb Half-Elf Female A ranger with a cat. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a curious look about her. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Venom 5'6" 130 Lb Human Female A woman(?) about 5'6" in a ragged black veil and poncho. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Ravendar 3'1" 40 Lb Halfling Male A red-haired Lucht Siuil man. Lyme 7'2" 435 Lb Orc Butch Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature. =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool Otyugh I am stinky! =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The name is Akorinil Belvade and she's a Charnese delegate. A shadow elf. A taaran. You know, not Alexandria's friend.
So when the scarlet-haired shadow elf announced to the Adventurer's Guild that she has located something that might be of use to them, alarm bells went off for numerous people, and yet, here you are. About to be hired through the Guild of Explorers to investigate the delegate's statement.
All currently at the guild, where a Guidsman is explaining.
"She says she found the Reliquiary of the Ahazi. The Ahazi," begins the Guildsman, an officious looking clerk, "were an early circle of Magi working to redisover lost arts in the days after the Sundering. The reliquary is a legend of their combined knowledge. Obviously, if its been located, we want to get it to our local mages for study."
Sometimes the reason a job gets bodies is because people are strapped for cash. Sometimes it's because of a promise or debt. For Davienne, it is the later. She knows that the knowledge contained in that reliquery could be great, and her mother would surely praise her for having a hand in it's finding and retrieval. The half-syl sits wrong in her chair, with it flipped around and her straddling it. Her cloak still had travel mud caked on the rim. Dust and dirt clung to her pants and boots. "Mmmm...okay. So what's the reward on this one? Will we have access to the knowledge within?"
To say that Aryia did not like the premise of this mission was an understatement. The scarred mul'neissa crosses her arms as the clerk explained. A Taaran one at that. This had something bad written all over it. And it sat wrong in her gut.
Aryia, a shadow elf in somewhat tattered clothes adjusts the dark metal half gauntlets on her hands as she takes out a journal and tucks it under an arm. She pulls a page out, and shows it those in that party that she had yet to meet. It reads in a scrawl:
"I am Aryia, I canot talk. I wil do my best."
One of those who answered the call is a Lucht Siuil, in rusted red armour with a wide brimmed hat, a white cloak made of gigantic peacock feathers, and a mask with a stylized male face in a wide grin sporting a curled mustache and pencil beard. From the shape of the armour, the Red Knight is distinctly female.
She is also not a friend of Akoniril Belvade. She is to Aryia and Seyardu, and is present as much for them as her own motivations. "We find this, the mages, they get it. It is not hers, on loan, yes?"
The mission itself held some promise to her morbid curiosity, and the promise of augmenting her available finances. A shrouded figure, familiar to some, offers an offhanded wave to the others and drifts over toward Aryia. She pulls a small notepad out of her own, flipping back the rumpled cover page and holds out the single word scrawled on the second toward the group at large like a badge:
Venom
The veiled head turns slightly toward the agent and cocks sligtly as the details bring some questions from the assorted speakers.
The task, or rather, the one who set up the task was a concerning thought for sith'makar, but more concerning was the task failing, or someone ending up in danger because of it. So Seyardu took up the offer, finding herself at the adventurer's guild, waiting and listening, and conversing with some who stopped by , while she waited to hear more about what would be happening.
Yet no more answers were forthcoming.
...and so you're on your way, after getting the map from the Guildsmen. Following it is a bit easier and it's taking you towards well north of the city. Mounts were provided, simply to help assure everyone was able to move quickly. They don't want to waste time, just incase Belvade's tip is good and you're not the only one's who are aware of this thing. She gave no indication to Alexandria's government either way, but...
In any event, you're on a trip through grassy farmlands at the moment.
Davienne had given her name before they left the hall. Though the ranger had been quiet and thin lipped as they headed out. Riding in quiet through the city. Though once they were outside the city she fell back and gave a soft series of whistles. Then began to ride again. Soon, off to the side of the road, padded a shadow. A feline shape that kept far enough away so as not to spook the horses. "So...this is a trap. Obviously. One person should be solely responsible for getting their hands on the relic. The rest of us keeping whatever there is off of them."
Aryia still didn't like it. Not one bit. Even as she saddled up and got out of the city. She nods in agreement, taking a break.
"It really is a trap. It has to be. I can't trust a Taaran priest," she signs with some movements, her getting a better grasp of the language now. <Handspeech>
"We do not know much about what this artifact even is. It might be dangerous." The sith'makar said. "It may be a trap, or it may be them asking us to do their work for them. Either way, I do not trust someone who would follow what you call Taara. Such a person would not do something like this for the benefit of others."
The Red Knight declines the mount, for she has one of her own. An actual Ivory Steed. A horse-sized peacock that is in fact, half-horse, making him a most unusual hippogryph. His name is Ramirez, this soon becomes obvious as it prefaces every command the little knight gives him. In addition to his own tail-train of feathers that's as large as a cart, there's a strange collection of numerous pole-arms in a fan-like formation attached to the back of the saddle.
"Hola. I know some of you, but not all. I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harana, Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien. I have battle alongside Aryia and Seyardu." She announces proudly, "I agree, it seem a trap. The last task I do for this woman, it was honourable. I do not understand her ruse. I am best on Ramirez, okay on the ground, and we are like shadows."
Ravendar comes riding up on a dapple grey pony with a violin case strapped to it. "Hello everyone! Are you the group that's going out to look for the artifact? I've been hired to go along with you. My name's Ravandar Tamwood, it's a pleasure to meet you all." He says as he carefully maneuvers the pony towards the others.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Okay. To read the maps directions properly, I need everyone to make a SURVIVAL roll!" GAME: Aryia rolls survival: (9)+3: 12 GAME: Venom rolls survival: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Paenitia rolls survival: (9)+2: 11 GAME: Seyardu rolls survival: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Ravendar rolls survival: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Davienne rolls survival: (15)+8: 23
Whatever objections are rolling through the head beneath the veils, they aren't spoken of, if that's even a capacity the figure has.
Astride the mount, a somewhat trying bit of business given her.... lack of experience with them, Venom catches the flickers of sign from the Mul'niessa and she signs back in turn, "Of course. If we can study the relic, we may learn the final plan." <handspeech>
Then the little masked woman on the extravagant mount is making herself known. In response, with reins hooked about two fingers, she smacks a fist into that palm, then, brushes the poncho back from the Dragonspitter holstered along her thigh, and... finally, brings a finger to where her lips would likely be.
With Davienne's expert pathfinding abilities, reading the map is not terribly hard. She's able to correct the mistakes being made in the process. Following a detailed, but not exactly one hundred percent perfect, map is a difficult chore. Sometimes, it's just how it goes.
You soon find yourself, after several hours of riding, passing through several farms and their corresponding intense smells. Pastures are not known for their sweetness, after all, and the workers and farmhands observing your daylight ride definitely keep their distance.
Finally, you're approaching the correct area. It too is a farm.
The reliquary is appanretly somewhere on a piece of land belonging to one of these farmers, it would appear. In fact, if this map is accurate, it belong over there to whatever family owns that goat farm in the distance. Swarms of goats. SO MANY GOATS.
Ravendar is happy to take out his fiddle and play as he rides, the pony is doing most of the work. It's pretty good for being on pony back. He stops every so often to give himself a break, but the music is for the most part lively music that you would hear in a tavern. He does stop playing as they get to the farm, "Whoa that's a lot of mutton."
Davienne reviews the map frequently. Having gone from the back towards the front as she tends to do. When Aryia signs she glances her way and nods, apparently understanding the movements well. "Studying it is the final objective. Let's hope we can manage whatever it coming," She says with a sigh. "This way," Davi says and kicks her horse into a trot once more.
As they approach the area she slows and frowns at the goat farm. "Ah...crap. I know I should have memorized how to speak with animals this morning," She says before dismounting and rubbing her horses side. "Thank you for carrying me, Applejack," She says to the horse, taking time to rub down the horse before tying her to the fence of the goat farm. "Goats...it just had to be goats," She can be heard to mutter as she rubs her gloved hands together. "Who wants to talk to people and who wants to join me in communing with the hoofed folk?" She shoots a half-smile over her shoulder at the others.
"Ah, the honest air of the country folk!" Paenitia says cheerfully, apparently appreciating the smell, or the outdoors, or a long ride in mounted company. This doesn't happen too often.
And then the farm comes into view. "The last one she send us to, it a farm also. With Goblins." She laughs, turning her grinning mask towards Davienne, "Maybe they are Goblins turned into goats. You can do both!"
After which, she stares at the goats, watching for anything goblin-esque, like suddenly exploding or catching fire.
Aryia didn't outwardly jive with the music, but she taps her fingers along with the beat on the ride up there. Though, as they stop, her gaze settles on the goats. She blinks, sighs, and scratches at where the tear on her stitched shirt was idly.
The scent didn't bother her, but she shook her head and shrugs. "I don't think I'm well suited for speaking with anyone. I'll just help wherever I'm needed," she motions, fingers clinking from the metal on them. <Handspeech>
"I am glad I elected not to borrow a swiftclaw from the temple. So many, goats, yes, in one place would make it difficult to keep them in one place." Seyardu chuckled once they reached the farm. "I am not sure what to expect, but if it is on the farm, then perhaps it is good to get it out of here for the sake of the farmers. Though I wonder if it is in such a place, why they did not simply collect it themself? There is likely more to this than livestock."
The veiled rider turns toward the ranger, nodding in assent to her return on the silent discussion. She flicks the reins with a click of her tongue as the pace picks up anew into an altered vector and she starts to scan their environs until it seems they've reached their destination. Or, at least close enough to it. She somewhat awkwardly dismounts. At the end of Aryia's remarks, Venom nods and gives a little thumb's up before bringing her hand up to her 'brow' and panning her gaze about.
Approaching the goat farm and stashing your mounts is easy ehough. The farm appears populated yb a family of Halflings. They're all peeking out at you, alongside the *one* clear Giantborn amongst them. YEs, it's a bunch of Halfs and a Giant.
In any event, one of the halflings is coming out greet you. She's tall for one of her's, a redhead, and clearly in no mood for adventurers getting in the way of the business of the day.
A goat screams.
"What do you lot want here?" she demands.
Davienne glances at Aryia and nods before turning to Seyardyu. "Perhaps they don't know it is there? Maybe they have a cave or something similar and there's some sort of local legend keeping folk away? Tends to happen in these places," Davienne says as she fishes an apple from her backpack. Cutting it into slices she leans over the fence and offer once slice towards the goats.
That is when the redhead approaches and she leans back. A glance at Ravendar and Seyardu then back to the halfling. "I'd like to buy a goat for eating, if you please ma'am." And she reaches for her belt pouch.
Paenitia did not stash her mount. Ramirez is vain and doesn't like being left behind. He would find insult and end up challenging one of the ponies. Hot-blooded men, you can't take them anywhere. Well, she does, riding her peacock-andalusian close to the fence, turning sideways so she can gaze down at her fellow Lucht.
As she's about to speak, the goat screams. She gives it a moment.
As she's about to speak again, Davienne offers to buy a goat. She gives this a moment too.
As she's about to speak a third time, Ramirez calls back at the goat, 'Ruuuuaaaahh!' He will fight anyone. Yes.
She waits, waits some more...
Ravendar smiles, "I'd be happy to talk to people, once I start playing and talking well people just seem to naturally open up to me." He offers before they make their way to the goat farm. He is happy to speak right up as he starts to play on his fiddle as he walks up behind Davienne to stand next to her, "Good day good madam. It's a beautiful day isn't it. That's a mighty fine herd of goats you have there. We'd like to look around your land if that's all right. Obviously we don't want to cause any trouble for you or for you kinfolk. We'd like it very so much if you'd let us look around. I promise we won't cause any trouble." The song he's playing is a soothing one. "In return for you letting us look around your land I'd be happy to play you and your family some music once we have stopped looking around."
Venom turns her shielded gaze toward the unhappy Lucht, for a moment observing the other's attempt at diplomercantile mollification. She, instead starts to look around at the gawkers, and the high places while a hand shifts slightly under her poncho.
Aryia does the same, watching the onlookers and flinching from the goat yelling. And Rameriez yelling. Was she going to have to add goats to the list of animals she didn't like, too?
Seyardu dismounted her horse, too large for a pony. She looked around, taking in the sight, the sounds, and the angry looking halfling in front of them. She did not say anything, but offered what she hoped was an appeasing smile to the halfling.
"Yes, what the man say." Paenitia says rapidly.
"... just look around my land. In exchange for music. Uh *huh*. Did the Rordacks send you?" She looks deeply wary about this. Oh, sure, the OFFER seems legitimate. She has no doubt Ravendar will play music while other people hunt around her land.
It's just clear szhe isn't sure she wants to let anyone hunt around her land for something.
More screaming goats.
Davienne does not seem very phased by the animals yelling at each other. All she does is roll her eyes when the stallion makes his own opinion known. Turning to the bird-horse she says, "Do you mind? The humanoids are trying to have a conversation. You're more noble than a bunch of goats, aren't you?" THen she turns back to the woman and smiles. "I mean it, I want to buy a goat. I've a hungry cat to feed. Then we'd like to look around your land. I mean, it *is* special right?" She glances at the goats and throws the apple into the pen to distract the lot. Then pops the slice into her mouth. "So...what...10 gold for a goat?" And she starts counting out money.
"I have no idea who that is," Aryia mentions with a flick of the hand. <Handspeech>
Ravendar continues to smile as he plays, "Not just any music, good madam, I am Ravandar Tamwood, of the Triumphant Traveling Tamwoods. I have trained for years under my grandmother, the famous Elouvaria Tamwood, the Silver Throated Nightingale. I can assure you that the music that I would play for you, would be one that you will tell your grandchildren about and they will tell their grandchildren, that you got to hear it." He says as he does his best to pour on the charm and shoots a look over to Davienne as she starts to bring out the gold.
GAME: Ravendar rolls perform/string: (2)+8: 10
"I will say that she is not trying to speak around the issue. We know not who the Rordacks are, and the offer is sincere." Seyardu added as the bard continued to spin her tale, but not address the question. "Who are they, and why are you concerned about them looking around?"
Venom isn't entirely reassured at the way the negotiations are going, and the critter noises was starting to get on her nerves. In any case, the veiled woman looks around some more, wanting at least some warning if things go sideways on them.
You don't usually invite large yrch to the party for delicate negotiations -- you invite them to make the party more fun. Lyme keeps a serious face on as he listens gravely to the talking and the screaming animals. Let's see how long his patience lasts...
The Giantborn is wandering closer, now. Takes a step up behind the halfling. Just to back her up. Just in case.
She reaches back to pat him on the knee.
"My answer is no. Not until you tell me more about why. And these goats are for goat milk, though if you want some, I've got enough to sell you. We make cheese here."
Goat cheese. Of course.
"Now, if you aren't going to tell us what you're doing here, I'm going to need to ask you to leave."
Ramirez is affronted. Davienne's statements were technically true, but he doesn't want to hear them. Paenitia feels him tense up beneath her.
She laughs, and pats his neck. "Ha, do not listen. She is not important."
To no one in particular she says, "He is hot now, so we must run." At her click, the peacock-andalusian starts trotting, then breaks into a gallop. Paenitia guides him along the fence-line. When he reaches full speed, he starts taking long, gliding leaps. Wings spread, flashing white in the sun.
It may be to work off some of his steam. It may be to rile up the goats and see if they'll chase after him. Both. She's trying both.
Aryia blinks, he halfway dismounting from the horse as Rameriez and the Red Knight take off. "O.... kay.," she signs, bewildered. The elf shakes her head and makes a hurry up motion to the group's bard. "Just be straight with them." <Handspeech>
GAME: Davienne rolls diplomacy+2: (17)+0+2: 19
Davienne looks amused as the peacock-andalusian prances off. Then she turns back to the giantborn and halfling. "My name is Davienne. The adventurer's guild sent us. There is supposedly a reliquery of knowledge somewhere on your farm. Problem is that it's magical knowledge so we are likely but the first of people who will be seeking it." She says and pauses in her counting. "You have any herbed cheese? I'll gladly take two pots of soft herbed goat cheese," She means what she says and looks rather excited when cheese is mentioned.
Glancing at her companions and then back she continues, "Do you have any meat animals I could buy? I'd rather sate my companion before she chooses her own meal and everyone gets upset. You know how animals can be," Davienne offers a half-smile to the farmers.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Paen, roll..." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Handle Animal :)" GAME: Paenitia rolls handle animal: (16)+8: 24
Venom turns as big and beefy steps up to back the fiery Lucht and there's a cock to the veiled woman's head as she turns that way.
Ravendar doesn't let his smile or his playing although he changes the music he's playing to one with more of a country twang to it. "Of course it was foolish of me to assume that you'd just let us onto your land to look around without telling you exactly why we are here. The Rordack's didn't send us, as my companion said we are adventurers from the Adventurer's Guild in Alexandria." He catches on to Davienne's line and tries to go along with it, "Although I too would be interested in any of the goat cheeses you have. Alexandria has many great things, but a really good goat cheese is hard to come by."
Lyme watches all of this, trying to keep a stern face, what with the sweet talk and the running mounts, and... STERN. STAY SERIOUS< YOU'RE WORKING. He's /trying/.
The goatsherder amongst them makes a rude gesture at Paentita and her flying mount, and the red-head is staring off in that direction too.
"Oi! Don't mess with the goats," she yells after them.
Still, Paen is able to rile up the goats and herd them wherever they wish. Being oin a big flying mount can do that.
"Now cut that out," yells the red-head. She turns back to Davienne with a slightly flummoxed and annoyed look oin her face that's salvaged by her words, explanatory as they are.
".../ah ha/. So you think there's some kind of treasure on our land? On THIS land? Really? WELL THEN. We want a share."
Davienne says, "The treasure is magical knowledge. Can you use that?" Davienne asks very simply and bluntly. "The Adventurer's Guild will be happy to recompense you. And if you can make use of magical knowledge, they'll see to letting you have acess to it. Of course it could be horribly cursed as well. That's why they sent us. They think it's a trap. We're the trap finders.""
Aryia pinches the bridge of her nose. It's not...
She sighs in relief as Davi says what the elf was feeling. She steps a bit closer to Venom, looking at the Giantborn.
"Paenitia and I managed to beat one in a wrestling match," she mentions with a flick of a hand and subtle pointing to the Giantborn. Attempting conversation. Practice and what not. <Handspeech>
"If it is safe, then I see no reason why you could not share in the value of whatever it may be, as I am not here for monetary gain myself. But we also do not know what it is, if it is safe. It may be dangerous here, until it is resolved." The sith'makar said in a lapse of conversation, watching the goats and peacock taking off. "Could you tell us about these Rordacks perhaps? Have some people other than us been bothering you of late? I apologize as well on that matter."
Venom glances sidelong as Aryia sidles up to her, then turns her head slightly in that direction in a more overt sign of awareness.
"I wrestled with one against a good sport called 'Man Roar,'" she signs in reply, while herd control and diplomacy happen around the two, "And a cheater named Jeneura." <handspeech>
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (4)+4: 8
"So sorry. The wild horse carry me awaaaaay..." Paenitia's high pitched, Lucht voice fades as the distance grows. Perhaps in deference to the angry request, she pulls her steed away from the fence to frighten less goats. She keeps galloping, with Ramirez occasionally making loud avian noises, as peacocks are wont to do.
She's looking for a tall hill to jump off of, unusual features on the property. Without trespassing, of course. Things of interest. Sadly a mask and pollen do not go well together. She's not seeing much of anything.
Ravendar stops his playing as it seems that the time for diplomacy is over. He picks up on Seyardu's point, "Are you having trouble with your neighbors? Perhaps we can talk to them if there is a point of conflict and come to a resolution that would benefit you both." He offers and gives Seyardu a smile for bringing up that point, maybe they can barter their services.
"Always trouble with the neighbors. You solve that too, you can do what you want, but don't go digging up my farm willy-nilly, you hear?" The ginger Lucht glances up at Paen again, warily, then back to Aryia curiously, then to Ravendar and Davienne.
"Don't need to know magic to know magic is valuable. We get a share and you solve oour issue with a neighbor. That's the deal."
The Lucht is more than annoyed with this whole situation. She spits on her hand and holds it out to Davienne.
Davienne glances back at the others and then sighs. "What is the exact problem with your neighbors? Can't fix anything without details," She says. Then there is a shake and she spits and shakes the hand. "Really, we don't want to cause you trouble. And we'll see about this neighbor situation. What's their names? And yours for that matter."
Lyme crosses his arms across his chest. "Yes, tell us about your neighbours -- and what the issue is."
The Red Knight and her Ivory Steed keep galloping all over the place. Away, around, back. Around some more. Away again. They both enjoy it, the wind, the long glides, the feeling of power as the peacock-andalusian dashes about. She has her weapons stowed, so there's no charging, but they both want to.
Ignorant of the conversation, the pair remain an odd background distraction. A brilliant white peacock with a crimson breast, looking much closer because of his size than he actually is, and a small Lucht Knight, who seems even tinier because of it.
"I wonder what she considers 'solving' a neighbor." signs Venom with a nod toward the negotiations. <Handspeech>
She continues trying to discretely observe the locals for signs of foul play while the others handle negotiations, aid in keeping watch, or keep the kids entertained.
Paenitia and Ramirez spend some time up in the air and... examining this area closely she can see the shapes of what she thinks MUST be foundations in the grass. Old ones, ancient buildings that have since been covered by earth. Standing amongst them, a person would never have noticed them. Up here, however, it's much easier to see. The problem is there's so many it'd be forever to poke through all of them.
And to dig it up is the work of weeks, not hours.
If the reliquary is here, they're going to need to find a good way to narrow the possible locations.
There's nothing obvious, like a bunch of goats all in one of the building, or an inexplicably deep pond.
GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/military theory: (19)+9: 28
However, With some time, the Red Knight is able to at least deduce what the central structure would've been, which is as good a bet as anything but hardly a promise.
Aryia shrugs to Venom. "I don't know. Maybe it's a family dispute? Or they didn't pay for cheese? Or stole some?" She sticks her hands in her pockets and leans on her back foot. <Handspeech>
Ravendar continues to smile politely as Davienne makes the deal, but his attention is now on the goats. He's totally going to prank this goat farmer, she needs something to liven up her life and there is nothing like a good trick to do it. Maybe he'll spend some time once the mission is done and color her goats. Nothing that would hurt the goats at all. His attention wanders back towards the farm and the other Lucht Siuil that are on the farm.
Lyme watches the handtalk flutter by, and just shrugs, arms folded, looking at the neighbours. He, too, awaits an answer.
"We can help you, depending on what assistance it is you need." The sith'makar chimed in. "But not without specifics. So please share what you can on the matter."
Ramirez actually gets some air time. A small hill and a conveniently fallen tree serve as an adequate ramp for the peacock-andalusian to launch into the sky. He glides in an arc, then banks, eventually landing.
Immediately hippogryph and rider turn and head back to the hill. They are skybourne again. And Again. Their flight path almost exactly the same each time. A fourth time suggests something was seen, especially when the pair returns.
Paenitia slows Ramirez to a trot, then a walk and pulls up beside the group. She gazes down on everyone, her mask a wide grin, her voice cheerful enough. "Hola again. You have sort it out? There are ruins, grown over with grass. I see them from the air. A central building, many side ones. Weeks to search and much digging, we will need the Lady Farmer help to cut down. Make small the search."
"Right," says the Lucht.
"Ruins? Are you kidding me?" She turns to look at Paenitia, rolling her eyes. "Bloody well figures. Well, deals on. You go talk to the neigbors, the Kempas, and get them to keep their sheep off our hills, and we'll let you dig up these ruins. So go on, go talk to 'em. We'll deal with it from there." She taps her fingers on her sleeves.
Feuding farmers. Great.
Aryia snerks. "Called it, close enough," she simply signs with a snap of a finger and a self satisfied grin. <Handspeech> It isn't in the veiled woman to suggest the farmers settle this with banjos at noon.
Still, as Paenitia returns with the fire run out of her mount and news of some ruins, she nods and gives a little thumbs up for the good of the group. There is a little huff that puts a little billow in Venom's veil at Aryia's signing and she nods twice.
Davienne listens and glances at the hills about the goat farm and back. "Gotcha. Is there a fence needing mending?" That would be the easiest way to fix things of course. "Or putting up I suppose...?" She wrinkles her nose slightly, but with the five of them they could get a lot done in a couple days. But it looks like more people dealing is ahead of them.
Turning to Paenitia Davienne nods slowly and purses her lips. "Right. I've an axe for cutting things up and the like. Never leave home without one. As Aryia signs she catches it this time and gives a half-smile. "Well...more people talking is ahead," She says and turns to look around. "Which farm would theirs be?" She asks, before heading in that direction. She looks less than pleased, lips thinning into a line.
Ravendar hmms and looks at the other red haired Lucht Siuil curiously. He goes to turn away and then ohs as he doubles back, "Just so we are clear, you are feuding with the Kempas? What about the Rordacks? You were concerned about them having sent us, is there a reason that they would send a group over to your farm?" He asks politely.
"Okay!" Paenitia says, sounding like she's grinning as wide as her mask, repeating what Davienne said in her own way. "We tell them fix the fence. Then build the fence they do not have." She chuckles some more as she rubs at her mount's neck.
Ramirez snorts happily. He's breathing heavily, the bellows sound of horse lungs. It's warm near him, from all the exhertion. He smells very horsey, which fits in with the farm country.
She clicks again, and Ramirez starts walking once more. "This the right way to the Kempas?" At least she's on the road.
Lyme gives a grunt. "Right. Well, time to talk boundaries like civilized people." His smile lighens his whole face.
"I know not of territorial disputes of this nature, if the land on this hill is yours or not. Why do you not wish these sheep to be up there in the first place." The sith'makar inquired. It was certainly new territory. She was not used to people caring so much where animals went, as long as they weren't trying to kill somebody, or in the kitchens. No one seemed to mind when Ramirez was in the taverns either, or they did not wish to bring it up. "And yes, the Rordacks and Kempas, are they the same, or different?"
Venom turns one last time to regard the little ginger and her muscle before turning to follow the others, guiding her horse by the reins without remark.
And once again, some questions remain unanswered beyond a stern stare.
Time to head out to the other farm so that you can get permission to dig up another farm. Hopefully, this won't descend into a series of iterative requests.
"...fine, but you're gonna need to keep the Algrims out of my well water," remarks Aldis Kempa, looking annoyed. "They've got a well too close ot mine, and they need to move that shit here. WE're drawing on the same water!"
He points in the direction of another farm.
Oh no.
Lyme looks towards Kempa. "Good sir, you do not happen to know if a registry of grievances exists already?"
Paenitia looks in the direction, then back at Aldis, "How much you charge to stable Ramirez and a bed for the night? I have feeling I will want to know this later."
Lyme sighs. If only we had a registry like civilized people, praise Serriel.
Aryia eyes the direction of the ruins. They didn't have time for this. "Need to do these later. Don't want others to get there first." She looks antsy. <Handspeech>
Davienne scrubs at her face and nods. "Well, we got an agreement with Kempas. How about three of us go and get started on the ruins? Two of us go and help work out the social isses. Because, I mean, seems like these folks need it anyway." Rubbing the back of her head she wrinkles her nose.
Venom takes all this in with her usual, presumed, stoicism as the prerequisites for completing their objective begin to mount.
By farmhouse ten, though, should it get that far, her gun may well start talking to her.
Still, she notes Aryia's agitation and begins to sign in turn, "Perhaps we should set up a guard." she recommends. <handspeech>
Then, she whistles to try and get Davienne's attention, and repeats the signalling should she get it.
Ravendar keeps his smile as they explain to Aldis Kempa why they are here and what they are looking to. He nods, "Of course we'll see what we can do." He looks to the others, "YOu don't think that this is all some sort of set up where we are just going to keep ground around to different farms each with it's own problem with their neighbor." He nods in agreement with Davienne, "Sounds like a good plan to me."
"I do not understand. You both have wells, and they are both on your own property, I am assuming. Do they take too much water? Is it not good for the both of you, that you can use the water in the ground from the other persons land?" The sith'makar inquired, trying not to get too confused. "Would it even be possible for land this close together to move the well so they would not interfere?"
"This thought come to me, yes." Paenitia says, "And we go around until we circle to where we started."
"Oh, be careful Friend Dragon, they will ask us to dig that well."
Dramatis Personae
Davienne
This young half-elven woman is maybe five feet tall or a scant bit over. Her skin is tanned gold by time spent in the sun. Which only makes her odd eyes stand out more. One is a vibrant blue and the other a golden hazel. Surrounded by thick lashes she is otherwise unremarkable, though she has her human ancestors curves rather than being slim and flat. Faintly pointed ears are pierced with simple golden loops. Blond hair is braided back from her temples to fall in a short tail to between her shoulder blaids.
Aryia
This mul is built lithe and quick, body honed to be its own weapon. She doesn't stand too terribly tall, yet her stature doesn't help with how she squirrels herself away.
Heavy scarring lines every inch of exposed dark colored flesh, that almost a dim grey. Her face shows youth, yet her milky eyes betray a hard life were her self not evidence enough. Moon colored hair comes down to just past her shoulders, though it a damaged and a tangled mess. The entire front of her throat is a mass of scarring, deep wounds from long past.
Attire wise, she doesn't have much. A simple, somewhat tattered looking long sleeved tunic (the back is stitched together) and pants, coupled with some nice looking dark blue boots that have yet to be broken in. Underneath the sleeves are leather cords that press against muscled arms. Small, cold iron plates adorn the back of her hands and knuckles, the palms and fingers exposed.
Paenitia
Small, dark and winsome.
On a Giant white peacock.
Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harrana, is a crimson knight astride an ivory steed. A dark skinned Lucht Siuil, her black hair hangs in ringlets to mid-back, wild, untamed, loose. Matching fetlocks curl about her shins, demure, tamed, tied back with crimson bows. She wears a broad feathered hat, a matching single shoulder cape, both crafted from the bold feathers of her mount; striking white with red eyes. Beneath that hat, a smiling mask with rosy cheeks and a wide upturned moustache. Her armour has the same patina, an elaborate breastplate, rusted to match the mesas of her homeland. Paenitia's deep eyes smoulder behind the mask, and her skin, where visible, is a warm mahogany that is both heritage and time in the sun. She moves with an intensity overwhelming for her size.
Ramirez, her mount, is an eye-catching hippogryph. An albescent peacock gypsy-andalusan breed. Glorious, the size of a strong warhorse, his tail could cover a cart and easily hides his fluffy equine hind. His forelegs are the delicate and deceptively strong legs of the avian, and his body flows well into his feathery trail. Almost completely white, Ramirez is blood red on his neck, shoulders and breast, with the same bold colour in his crown and his many tailfeather eyes. He struts about regally, staring imperiously, proud and beautiful. Paenitia's saddle straps his midsection and has its own tail fan, a scabbard candelabra of pole arms that lies along his back.
She's from the land of the wind, tilting against windmills. A self-appointed knight, tiny and trite, riding a fancy and brings twice the fight.
Venom
This is a slender, shrouded figure a little over five and a half feet in height, though the rest is mostly up for speculation. From within dark, tattered veils, a feminine profile could be discerned in certain light, while black silk hair pours from beneath the matching train. Clad in rough, heavy oilskin folds of a frayed, black poncho; engraved brass fittings weighing most of it's tapered knee length hem. Beneath that is a pair of loose trousers of deep, ruddy leather, bloused at the knee by boots best described as leather straps that wind from near the top of the calf to two, blued steel cups, much like the foot of many War Golems, with a heavy, waffled sole beneath. Along the left leg, emerging from the hem of the poncho is a lovingly tooled holster for what is probably a dragonspitter of some pedigree, while studded leather gauntlets protect this entity's hands. In the event that speech occurs, a smooth voice, feminine, midranged, issues forth with a steady cadence, accent too schooled to have a regional tinge.
Seyardu
While not as physically imposing as many others of her kind, Seyardu still towers over most regardless. The sith-makar is covered in bright silver scales, with almost metallic, silvery eyes that are usually found in what looks like an appraising squint. Two long, ridged horns curve forward on their face, and a long tail trails slightly on the ground, keeping them balanced. Usually they are seen in town with simple, plain clothes, a simple vest and accompanying gray skirt. A large rucksack is usually slung over her back with most of her worldly posessions, with a large wooden shield, well used but completely bare, save for a rough dark black painting of a dragon's head.
Ravendar
Ravendar Tamwood is a 29 year old Lucht Siuil of average height and weight for his race. He has a shock of unruly bright red hair, that looks like it's only ever been finger combed. Ravendar has lightly tanned skin and a round face, with dimples on either side of his mouth. His eyes are a vibrant green and he has a smattering of freckles across his face. Going down the sides of his face towards his chin are well manicured side burns, the same bright red as the hair on top of his head. Ravendar has wiry arms and long thin fingers, with callous on his fingertips. He has short legs, as is to be expected of his race, as are his feet, with a thick carpet of bright red hair on the top of them.
Ravendar wears a reversible jacket, it's dark brown on one side and the others is a bright blue. Under the jacket he often wears a deep red vest and under that a bright blue shirt. He wears billowing blue breeches with a stripe of red going down the outside of both pant legs. Each of his ears is pierced towards the tip with a small silver earring, each having the symbol of Tarien.
Lyme
This is undoubtedly an oruch -- his skin is black as night and glossy, his ears are large, swept slightly and pointed. More importantly, at least in oruch circles, his hair is thick, black and lustrous -- if nothing else, he cares for his hair. It hangs to his shoulders, pushed back from his face carefully. Matching the mane is a thick, black beard -- again, it looks like he oils it and trims it away from his mouth and very oruch pointy teeth. Admist this monochrome presentation, his eyes are grey and piercing. Also, he's broad for an oruch and tall, thickly muscled, even if it's hidden most of the time.
In the city, he wears a well-tailored jacket, over pants and well-worn boots. On a job, he wears a combination of leather, quilted cotton, and a breastplate, armoured skirt, greaves, elbow guard and vambraces. It's not fully articulated plate armour in the Myrrish style, but it's close. Accompanying this is a beatifully-made two-handed falchion, with leather over cord on the grip. Along with the falchion, he carries a bundle of javelins slung across his back. Generally, over all of this until it's needed, he wears a blue-grey cloak.
OOC
<OOC> Venom says, "It's the Violence of the Rams"
<OOC> Davienne XD Exploding goats. Not what Davi would expect for sure.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Exploding Goat Simulator?"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Not following. You can drive them."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "They're scared of you. :)"
<OOC> Ravendar says, "Oh no, stress is bad for the milk"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Are they fainting goats? That would be hilarious"
<OOC> Davienne says, "Nah. Those goats aren't all that good fro milk"