[h2][center][color=aba000]The Aedelfarri - Turn 2[/color][/center][/h2]
[hider=Order Summary]
Event: I - Attempt diplomatic action. Eric calls out to the creatures of the forest with his symbolic offering of foodstuffs. It is clear they wont be able to enter the forest unless it allows them and an alliance with the natives would help his kingdom more than conflict.

Town: A&C Improve food and infrastructure through the construction of a smokehouse. This will improve the quality of the fish they have caught and any future meats that are gained, as well as allowing them to hold more supplies by protecting it from local scavengers.[/hider]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lSXDcSRt.jpg[/img][/center]

"Hold fast to your courage, men! We are sons of new Aedelfarr and warriors true." Eric shouted to the thanes around him. It wouldn't do for them to return to Waebury with their tails between their legs and unable to defend their homes. 

Yet Eric would have been a fool to deny that they had good reason to be afraid. There were eyes upon them in this forest. It felt as if the trees themselves acted as spies and sentries for whatever was making this strange music. The way the vines and branches came together to turn them about and how the music seemed to change to show displeasure... yes there was magic at work here that was far beyond their ability to face down. 

There was still hope though and it rested in Eric's left hand. These creatures from the carvings - if they [i]were[/i] the ones behind this - had not attacked yet, perhaps they were as nervous about the idea of invaders living near their home as well. There was only one way to find out. 

So Eric called out to the forest in the hopes that their unseen watcher would hear him. "Hail to thee noble wardens of the forest! This is a fine sort of magic you work here across your green realm! Finer still is the music you play... when it greeted us into these lands many among my people thought it a blessing from the choir divine. Why to have it fill the air for the rest of one's days would be a blessing indeed." 

Shouting at trees and begging them for friendship was not how Eric had thought he would begin his reign but only a fool would pick a fight they were not ready for. Luckily for him the legends were also full of heroes who won their names through cunning and wise words. Right now he could only send a silent prayer to the angels above that they might bless his tongue with the gift of silver that he might win the hearts of these mysterious and powerful seeming creature. If he was able to win an ally today then things would be easier indeed. And better yet... he could win the name of 'Eric the Wise' or 'Eric the Peacemaker'. that would be a pretty prize indeed. 

"My name is Eric ap Edrin, first king of Waebury and the Aedel people that call it home. My people have traveled far to find a home where all our days will not be filled with war and strife. To find a place we might call our own. It seems you and we are of a similar taste! Yet I hope this will prove to be but one of many things that we might agree on! For we are weary of war and blood. I have mothers under my care who wish to see their children grow up not bent under the weight of the shield and I would be loathe to disappoint them. You have not met us with spear or sword in hand so I am left to think that perhaps we are yet again of one mind. Prithee good masters of the wood, may you not show yourselves so we might speak properly within your house? My gifts are small but to one in my state they are a fortune to be given. So let us offer these words, and each be called friend and in time let there be music of two peoples flying over these woods."

And so Eric places his sack of food offerings in the curving embrace of a trees roots and sheathed his sword at his side as he motioned for his thanes to lower their own weapons in kind. Now he could only wait to see if he had been heard. It never occured to him that these creatures would not be able to understand him, obviously they were creations of Dow and the angels and it would be by the grace of the divine that they would get through this meeting somehow. 

[center][b]Back in Waebury[/b][/center]

A smokehouse sounded like just what they needed. It would certainly help add some flavor and save them the trouble of having to place a watch just for seagulls. The younger working hands were sent out to roam the nearby bay and bring back the largest stones they could manage. Once enough were gathered they were placed in a small circular foundation that would form the lower part of the smokehouse. Until Eric returned and they could safely take their axes to the nearby trees then the Aedels would have to improvise with what building materials were available. What few leftover planks were left of the longboats could form the thinnest skeleton for the little round house as the walls were filled in with yet more earthen works. Shattered pieces of slate were driven into the floor around the small fire pit and a thatched roof was put up and many were thankful that it was to be left partially done so that a chimney could let the smoke flow freely because putting together enough of the reeds needed. The Aedelfarri could only hop that their new king would return soon with a way to gain fresh supplies delivered to them.