Sylvia nodded and answered her, "Yeah. I think it was about Buddy. Everything about him so far matches what I saw with the figure in the dream, down to the whole heart business," She then commented, "It really does feel like this whole venture in finding Buddy was planned way before I ever arrived in Keratia..."

“Indeed. It made me wonder if... If maybe you aren’t the first one to have come to this world, from your world.” Pylia says quietly as she stirred the fire. “The riddle on the door, Buddy being a robot, the fact you had a vision of him... I know I prayed to my god to send you here, but I wonder if others had been sent here before you. If maybe all the arisens were outsiders somehow.” Soon Buddy came back with a huge armful of wood and other flammable materials. It looked heavy and prickly, but fit a large robot like him, he had no troubles carrying it as he gently set it down next to Pylia, who used it to fuel the flame.

“Say Buddy, do you remember anything about your past?” Pylia asked the robot. He just shrugged. He pointed towards his axe, then towards himself. He pointed towards the ring you found on him and points to his core. Then he shrugged. “Hmm. So the axe is his, and the ring has... Something to do with him. Well... When we’re done washing you up, I’ll see about getting you a book to write with. Now get in the water so I can clean you up.” Pylia began to strip down to her small clothes as she wets a hard hair brush. Buddy walked into the water, his heavy footsteps causing him to sink a little as Pylia went about scrubbing him clean. “Also Sylvia, you’re water should be ready in about ten minutes or so, just use the ladle so you don’t burn yourself.” Your private shower was set up in the river and near the boiling pot of water, with a wooden ladle in it so you can get some hot water. If it’s too hot you just needed to let some cold river water in it.

Sylvia answered Pylia's thoughts with her own, "I've read the stories of some of the Arisen back in Cassari. Orchid definitely sounded like she was an outsider as well, if her beginning is anything to go by. The star-crossed nobles and Duke Erod sounded like they were born in Keratia though. But still, since we're going to see the Duke, it might not hurt to ask him..."

Soon enough Buddy returned with kindling. After Pylia asked Buddy about his past and he answered, Sylvia commented, "I think I've got a pretty good guess as to what the ring is for,"

After Pylia mentioned the water was ready, Sylvia answered "OK! Thank you, Pylia!" She then went behind the curtain and stripped so she could take her bath. Once the water was ready, she used the ladle with hot and cold water to help her bathe. She bathed as quickly as possible while trying to get the dirt, grime, and blood off of her. Once she was done, she would put her clothes back on before exiting the shower curtain covered area.

By the time you finished washing yourself, Pylia had also finished washing Buddy, thanks to some magic as well. He wasn’t very shiny, but at least now he doesn’t look like he’s been sitting in some dank corner for who knows how long. Buddy expresses his gratitude with a thumbs up. “You done? Great, my turn. Why don’t you head on up with Buddy and I’ll catch up with you a bit later? Shortfang should also be up there, I think they’re making dinner right now.”

Sylvia nodded yes in response to Pylia's question. She answered "OK. We'll head on back to the camp. Just shout if you need anything," She then told Buddy, "Come on, Buddy. Let's meet up with Shortfang," She then started leading the way back to the camp. Now that Buddy wasn't so musty, she was curious as to how Andrews, Ferric, and Mica would react to Buddy.

Buddy followed you as Pylia went to go bath. Back at the camp Shortfang was helping Andrews and Elena cooking with Andras was helping move his cargo from the wagon to the cart. When you arrive with Buddy almost everyone stops to gawk. Utter silence as Elena and Andrews were practically marveling at the sight while Andras nearly dropped the box he was carrying. He in fact did, and it would’ve spilled all over the ground had Buddy not continued walking forward and caught it before it could crash. “He’s the hero from my dream! The one who can help us!”

Elena stood up and approached Buddy while Andras, mostly out of paternal instinct, stood in front of her protectively. “How... Who... What is this? I’ve never seen armor like this!” Andrews walked up to Buddy to look at him closely. “Dad, he can help us get to Gransys! I remember see him carry out wagon to Gransys! He’s strong!” Buddy was indeed quite large and, and you personally saw when he fought the Zombie Ogre, had considerable power.

Ferric came over with Mica as they saw Buddy. “By gods! Shortfang told me you found a ‘robot’ but I’ve never expected to see something like this! Why I’ve only heard about these things, golems they’re called. And I’ve never heard about one like this. And he was just sitting nearby this Nameless camp this whole time?”

Sylvia felt somewhat uncomfortable as people stopped to gawk. BUt she couldn’t really blame them. After all, the three of them gawked when they first found him. When Buddy caught the box Andrews was carrying, Sylvia nodded to him and said “Nice catch,”

After Andras and Ferric asked their questions, she answered, starting with Ferric’s, “Yeah, he was! If it hadn’t been for Shortfang and Andrews, we never would have found him. Let me introduce you! Guys, this is Buddy,”

“Buddy?” Andrews said with awe as he looked up to the robot. He helped move boxes for Andras much more easily than the old man himself, capable of carrying the huge boxes with one arm. In just a few minutes he would be done. Shortfang came over and looked up to you. “Hey boss, think Buddy hungry? Food almost ready.” Buddy just stood there allowing people watch and prod him as they surrounded him.

Mica looked at Buddy with childish glee. “Enchantment! Much enchantment!” Meanwhile Ferric took a look at the rusted axe. “My my, this one is full of surprises. This is an ancient dwarven urgrosh!” Ferric looked at the blade and more importantly the spear tip at the bottom. “Not many make weapons like these anymore, but this one is practically a relic! Looks like it’s seen many battlefields as well.” He turned over to you with a gleeful look. “I’d be more than willing to take it off your hands if you’d like Sylvia. In exchange I can offer you one of my own dwarven battleaxes.” Hearing this Buddy shook his head, though Ferric was laying more attention to you than the robot.

Sylvia couldn’t help but smile as she witnessed Mica’s and Andrews’ awe. The fact that Buddy took the initiative to help Andras. When Shortfang asked his question, Sylvia answered “I’m not sure. We’ll need to ask him and see if he can eat at all,” She watched as the people surrounded him in curiosity.

When Ferric made an offer for the urgrosh, Sylvia looked to Buddy and she saw him shake his head. She immediately got the sense that he probably cherishes that urgrosh just as she cherished her hairpin.

She answered Ferric, “Er...Sorry Ferric, I don’t think Buddy wants to give up that weapon. But it does need to be touched up, I’m surprised it’s still intact after that last attack,”

“Hmm, understandable. Well, I can certainly give it the ol Ferric touch, make it look good as new! Mica, if you could prep the forge please.” Mica nodded and went back to the wagon while Ferric extended his hand out to Buddy. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re a dwarven creation, with that weapon and your armor, you certainly look dwarven made. Now then if you don’t mind Buddy, I can take that axe off your hands and fix it up right.” Buddy handed over the axe to Ferric, who left to go fix it up.

Pylia would soon arrive with the pot and tent. Elena waved her over. “We made some bean paste and boiled fish. We also have some flat bread. Oh, and water. Buddy is free to have some too.” Hearing this Pylia looked to you. “Can Buddy eat?” Looking at Buddy he was just standing there looking at you.

Sylvia watched as Ferric spoke to Buddy, and the robot friend entrusted his weapon to Ferric's hands for repair. It wasn't long before she was invited, which was boiled fish and bean paste. Bean paste...like in mochi? When Pylia asked about Buddy, she answered "I'm not really sure myself," She then looked to Buddy and she asked, "Buddy? Do you need to eat? If you do and can, you're welcome to have some food,"

Buddy shook his head and simply stood to the side as everyone gathered up to eat. Seemed that Buddy either didn’t need or didn’t want to eat. As for dinner, the bean paste was more akin to refried beans ala burrito. Combined with a bit of Ox Cheese, fish, and cabbages, it almost was like a burrito except far more improvised. Andras’ family made it using some of their foodstuffs, though Andrews and Elena got the fish from the river. Andrew was quite excited to see Buddy and ate his food with him, trying to talk to Buddy. He seemed to be listening or at least watching the boy.

As you and our party are Andras, who had eaten his full, approached you. “I’m... Sorry of this sounds presumptuous of me but... Well, I was wondering if you’d help us reach Gransys. As I said before we could never make the journey without an oxen or some beast to pull our wagon, but your friend there... He seems strange. And if he is a golem he wouldn’t tire out like a beast would. I... I know that is a lot to ask. But I’m sorry. I just wanted to take this opportunity while I can.”

After eating her burrito, Andras had approached. She listened as he asked for her, well, Buddy's help in getting to Gransys. She answered him with a nod, "It's alright. Of course we'll help you get to Gransys. Even with the bandits gone, the roads are still dangerous," She then commented, "I think Buddy wouldn't mind helping you out either," She then turned to Buddy and she asked "Right, Buddy?"

Buddy put his thumbs up in affirmation that he doesn't mind. Andras let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much! You are a true hero. Your kindness will not go unrewarded, I promise you. Right now we don't have much, but feel free to use any of our produce as you see fit. We have vegetables, butter, and all manner of goods that I'm sure you'll enjoy. And naturally once we reach Gransys, I'll make sure to pay you proper wages." Meanwhile Elena took Andrews by the hand and lead him to their tent. "Come on now Andrews, we have to wake up early tomorrow. I know you want to talk to Buddy some more but you need to rest. We have to work hard." Andrews gave no protest as he followed his sister back to their tent. Shortfang was cleaning up the leftovers while Pylia handled dishes. It seemed that now that the sun was setting people were going to go to bed early for tonight, wake up early for tomorrow. "The journey through the mountains will be treacherous, at least for terrain. I've heard there are a few monsters out and about, but we have something for that. With any luck maybe it'll keep us safe throughout the journey."

Sylvia felt her face redden a bit as she was praised as a true hero. She watched as Andras, Andrews, and Elena headed off to sleep. She helped Pylia with the dishes by drying them. After Pylia spoke, Sylvia agreed, “Yeah. With four of us now, hopefully we will reach Gransys in one piece,”

She then asked Pylia, half joking and half serious, “So, what are the odds are that I’ll have another vision tonight?”

“I’d say eighty-to-one. If a vision is what lead you to Buddy, I’m sure you’ll have another one tonight. Bet on it.” Pylia says jokingly as she hands the last of the dishes to you. Once she finished cleaning up she dumped the wash water off the side of camp and went back to the fire. “You can go ahead and sleep first, I’m going to try and make a few more potions for tomorrow’s journey now that we’ll have a few more people accompanying us. I’ll come in a bit later.” Pylia day by the fire, taking out her Herbalism kit to brew some more medicine. Shortfang had always gone to sleep, having dug himself another shallow barrow near the tent with only a small hole to perk out of. Buddy was simply standing nearby watching the fire. He didn’t seem to be asleep, but then again it was hard to tell if he was even alive.

Sylvia chuckled and joked back, "Oh boy. Can't wait," She accepts the dish and dries it off, once she had finished, she nodded to Pylia, and yawned "Alright. Night, Pylia. Don't stay up for too long," She then heads to the tent, ready to sleep. After today, she felt pretty tired, despite having regained her ki. She quietly muttered a 'Good Night' to Shortfang and Buddy before heading into the tent and curling up in her own bedroll. She closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep. She wondered what visions will come to her this time if the odds are as Pylia said.

As you fell asleep, you would drift to an odd world. It looked like the camp, but devoid of anyone else. Pylia wasn't by the fire or in the tent, Shortfang's barrow was empty, the guards were gone, no Ferric or Mica, not even that merchant family. The only person here was Buddy, sitting by the fire. His eyes were a slight green, though everything was in grey scale in your eyes right now. "You're awake." A strange ethereal voice called out from Buddy. He remained motionless as he continued speaking. "I'm sure you have questions. I'll answer to the best of my abilities. I should let you know though... I truly don't have many memories, at least none of my own. Not even my name. So Buddy will suffice. It's a cute name."

Sylvia woke up to a grayscale world and when she walked outside, she saw that everyone had disappeared...except for Buddy. She couldn't help but ask when she saw him, "Buddy...?" She was surprised to hear an ethereal voice come from Buddy in response. Was she awake? She was pretty sure she just fell asleep. She was glad to hear that Buddy liked the name she gave him, and that it was cute. She stated in response, confusion and surprise clear in her voice, "Yeah...I have a lot of questions. What's going on right now? Are you actually speaking, or am I just dreaming this?"

"Yes. You are dreaming. Or rather... In simplest terms you're having an out-of-body experience. Only those connected to the ring or capable of traversing the Astral Plane is here. Thus, I can speak to you, even though my body is not here. My being is stored within this body, which is connected to the ring, and try as I might I would not be able to physically interact with you as I personally cannot interact with the astral plane. Merely communicate with you due to the ring and only when you are asleep, when your consciousness is most open to this sort of thing." To demonstrate Buddy stood up and walked towards you. But instead of bumping into you, he phased right through your body before he sat down and continued to watch the fire. "In short, you are dreaming, and we can only have these sort of conversations while you're asleep. Probably."