[center]━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━[/center][table][row][/row][row][cell] [h2][color=00aeef][i][b]Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=00aeef]Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05[/color][/b][/i] [color=00aeef][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 40 / 40 [color=00aeef][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 16 [color=00aeef][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A [color=00aeef][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] on the road again [color=00aeef][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A [color=00aeef][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A [color=00aeef][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A [color=00aeef][i][b]Ki:[/b][/i][/color] 5/5 [/cell][cell] [right][img]https://i.imgur.com/j0Vz324.png[/img][/right] [/cell][/row][/table][center]━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━[/center] 20 Gold Pieces. The little bag the famed Sheriff Gregory Arbelast had given him contained 20 gold pieces. The number still him somewhat dumb and when he had counted the pieces in the little bag he was give, his mouth had flapped soundlessly for a few moment before his voice decided to make an appearance. [color=00aeef]“This is rather generous Sir especially as I wasn’t even under your employment. Not to sound ungrateful of course.”[/color] His conscience wrestled with itself for a moment. He placed the bag of coins onto the table alongside the other offerings he had inadvertently received. He wondered who it was the Sheriff had otherwise been expecting given the collection of quills, ink bottles, a book, another smaller satchel of various implements he had only a passing understanding of, now tucked safely away in his backpack. [color=00aeef]“If I may. There is actually another matter I had hoped to discuss with you.”[/color] He gestured towards a more private area of the Public House a little away from the rest of the group. It was nothing personal, as he had already informed the others his whole journey had simply been to find their employer, but he didn’t see any reason to inform them of the specifics. He didn’t wish to burden them at this point [color=00aeef]“I do hope that this is not unseemly Sir, but I was hoping to ask if not for aid then perhaps for some information. Though I do not know if the stories are true I had heard tale that you travelled the Celadon Coast on some of your adventures.”[/color] His words tumbling out towards the end of the sentence before he took a breath to compose himself. [color=00aeef]“I Apologise I appear to have misplaced my manners and neglected to introduced myself. My Name is BlackBerry, a Monk of the Hiltoszin Monastery, one that is on the very edge of the coast itself.”[/color] A polite small bow with a hand to his chest. [color=00aeef]“Unfortunately there has been come trouble brewing. A…ah.”[/color] His voice faltered for a moment. His thumb tap, tap, tapping along his fingertips. A breath rattled out of his chest. [color=00aeef]“A creature of um…A creature has been terrorising our waters now for several years. Decades, even. Unfortunately, very little is still known about it as it appears to attack only during storms, however I have no doubt it is responsible for many more of out ships which have gone missing.”[/color] [color=00aeef]“And so I was hoping that you may know something…anything.”[/color] He shrugged and slowly shook his head. [color=00aeef]“I assure you that there nothing too small or insignificant about the creature you may know that I wouldn’t want or need to know. I…you…you are.”[/color] He gestured weakly towards the Sheriff. [color=00aeef]“Please.”[/color] There wasn't anything more to say. [color=darkgray][b]"Rumors, mostly. Rumors and stories about events affecting a nation that was not my own. I gave them as much consideration as I would other rumors. My campaigning years were mostly spent on land, fighting in the Southlands and a bit near the eastern expanses. Was on saltwater but a handful of times, and nothing came of it - not to what you were speaking about. And I have retired to the quieter life of a regional Sheriff for many years now. I apologise, Adventurer. There is nothing I can offer here."[/b][/color] Admittedly, much of BlackBerry had expected Gregory’s response. But even more of him had been so desperate for another answer. As Gregory continued, BlackBerry’s face shifted took on a mask of neutrality. Each of Sheriff Arbelasts words grinding away at his hope without malice or unkindness, but with plain explanation and sheer honesty. [color=00aeef]“Nothing?”[/color] BlackBerry whispered. [color=00aeef]“Nothing?”[/color] He said. [color=00aeef]“Nothing?”[/color] He snarled the mask fell off, sparks crackled but died just as suddenly as they arose. [color=00aeef]“Sir. You…Do You. How could.”[/color] Frustration quickly turned to anguish and strangled the words in his throat. . [color=00aeef]“Sir please.”[/color] BlackBerry then caught himself and took back the few steps away from the Sheriff he hadn’t realised he had taken. He drew a breath in through his teeth, an audible wince at his own embarrassing, practically shameful outburst at a man who had given him several marvellous gifts. [color=00aeef]“I…I apologise Sir I appear to have forgotten myself. I had rather…hoped for another answer as you can plainly tell. I…I thank you again for your time and your generosity. If you have any need of assistance or hear anything…I…well…”[/color] The words died in his throat caught and choked between despair and shame. He quickly excused himself from the Public House. He was as good as back to where he started and with only one more option left to him. — The days following the battle, and BlackBerry’s outburst at Gregory Arbelast, were relaxed and calm despite the fear and the baseless rumours of a revenge attack by Cavendish’s escaping allies which thankfully never came to pass. And with the Harvestide Festival back in full swing there wasn’t even time to contemplate such worries for long. BlackBerry took every opportunity he could to enjoy the Harvestide Festival and all the games, music and food such an event entailed. On more than one occasion BlackBerry found himself as a not-entirely-willing participant to the various street performances on display, for equal parts to his apparent rarity in the area and the role he played in defeating Cavendish. On top of this excitement there were also the townships children, the youngest of whichc would rush towards him with their parents either dragged along or hurriedly running over with frantic apologies as he was beset upon with furious questions. He would of course laugh away the parents concerns every time; [color=00aeef]“It is no worry. A child's curiosity is to be enjoyed and nurtured.”[/color] He let the younger ones touch his scales and horns absolutely fascinated by the colour and texture. The older ones of course kept their distance with a feigned air of disinterest which was quickly forgotten when he demonstrated his extraordinary breath, except one who insisted that “real dragons breathe fire.” Of course, he hadn’t been the only one to have spent the past few days exploring the Township as he had bumped into Kosara also been buying her own set of cooking utensils. Now granted having multiple sets of anything seemed somewhat wasteful, but it was better to be overprepared than under prepared. Additionally, BlackBerry had spent enough time on the road with nothing but rations or leftovers and was determined not to do it again. Besides, having multiple sets of cooking wear meant they could make more complex and tasty meals, and he had no doubt Kosara had some interesting recipes up her sleeve even if some may just be a sandwich by another name. Between all the festivities, and consoling a child he had accidentally upset after suggesting a lack of vegetables made his arm drop off, he was able to find sometime to himself to sit back and simply be in the moment. Sitting atop a low wall in the cool sunshine he also let himself enjoy one of the many, many treats he had found at the market. Not long into his snack break a vaguely familiar halfling woman came up to him with a parcel in hand. When she unwrapped the package to reveal his old sword in much better condition than he ever remembered it being, he then realised where he had seen her before. As an added bonus the wrapping it was in was also a gift! A marvellous scarf dyed a beautiful crimson colour. He expressed his joy to see the woman again in much better condition than last time, as well as thanking her repeatedly for the gift and returning his sword. He wasted no time trying on the new scarf, not even bothering to take off the other one, and wrapping it around his neck and even his entire head half a dozen times. [color=00aeef]“Oh this is marvellous.”[/color] His voice come from somewhere within the scarf. — BlackBerry was looking for someone. After stopping a few merrymakers to ask where he might find the person in question he was pointed towards towards one of the few pubs within the Township. He glided past the clientele who had spilled out determined to enjoy the last rays of morning sunshine of the season and entered the Pub, casting his gaze around the easy conversations taking place over breakfasts. Above them all though Lady Kathryn still managed to tower above them all even whilst sitting down and leaning into her own breakfast with gusto. [color=00aeef]“Ah, Lady Kathryn.”[/color] His voice energetically crashed through the conversations around him as he drifted over. [color=00aeef]“You are well this fine morning I trust?”[/color] [color=00aeef]“If I may trouble you for a moment I do have a request.”[/color] Still standing before her he continued, barely waiting for her reply. [color=00aeef]“After…acquiring some new equipment.”[/color] He patted the Viscous Sword in its sheathe hanging on the left of his hip, his newly returned sword hung on his right. He thought it best not to mention where he had gotten it from within ear shot of the townsfolk. The puzzled frowns of recognition it had already gathered over the past few days probably weren’t for the best. [color=00aeef]“It struck me that I likely didn’t take the best of care of my last one, or even knew how best to wield it even. If you might have some time to spare I was wondering if you could train me further in the art of sword fighting?”[/color] Kathryn perked up hearing her name called. Despite not being as lady like as her title would imply, she still answered to it when she heard it. Looking over, she found Fjord calling out to her. Having just finished her breakfast, a nice bunch of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a breakfast beer, Kathryn met her new travelling companion with glee. [color=007236]"Some assistance can be arranged."[/color] Though the blade was still in it's sheath, she understood the weapon well enough. [color=007236]"It's used a bit differently than what I am used to, but I'm sure I can give you a pointer or two. Just looking for tips and tricks? Stances and advice? We can practice a bit in the barn if you'd like?"[/color] She asked gleefully, excited to have a sparing partner who could provide her with an interesting challenge. [color=00aeef]“Marvellous. Well, all of the above if there is time and you are able?”[/color] He smiled with his arm out wide in then added with a kind chuckle. [color=00aeef]“I assure you that however unfamiliar with such weapons it will likely still be leagues above my own, being more accustomed to uh more martial practices.”[/color] He then gave the air a few quick jabs to demonstrate. [color=00aeef]“Truth be told, however, I had based my assumptions upon your dress; rarely have I seen anyone with as many weapons upon their person.”[/color] [color=00aeef]“Shall we begin presently or would later be more suitable?” [/color] Kathryn chuckled at the assumption. Though it was an accurate one. She carried an abnormal amount of weapons on her person, and was well versed in all of them. Watching Fjord jab at the air, and seeing how he handled himself in the fight, Kathryn knew the foundations were there. [color=007236]"Come on, let's try it out. A lot of it is handling. SO I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly enough."[/color] Kathryn would lead her new ally towards the barn, and either make a master bladed warrior of him, or they may both walk away bruised and beaten. Once they were both inside the barn, Kathryn would turn and draw the dagger from her boot. The closest instrument she had to his short sword on her person. Though she was sure that the other blades and daggers were about here somewhere. [color=007236]"It's important to note that a short sword is more a stabbing instrument than a slashing. Quick decisive stabs to break defences, and dish some punishment before your enemy can react. Making sense so far?"[/color] Kathryn asked as she planted her boots into the dirt floor of the barn. Bringing her right hand forward as if she were holding a shield, the metal glove held high ready for defence, and her left hand holding the dagger ready to close the distance. BlackBerry nodded as he followed Lady Kathryns example sinking into his usual stance; somewhat side on to her to reduce contact area, left foot forward, right sliding back across the dirt and hay, and his knees loose. In his hand the short sword was raised to the challenge and glinted wickedly in the sunlight stabbing through the barns seams [color=00aeef]“Ah I see. Not quite as the tapestries and tales of mighty heroes slashing through their enemies then. Not too dissimilar to Boxing then in fact.”[/color] He commented as his thoughts wandered to several fights held before Kathryn's advice. Thinking his arm was resting too high he let it fall so the swords point was aimed lower towards Lady Kathryns stomach. But their weight of the sword made his wrist begin to ache at that angle so pulled the point higher aiming more towards her chest. [color=00aeef]“I must admit I had never given my sword fighting form much thought beyond ‘hit before being hit’. It feels rather strange to have my arm resting so low.”[/color] He tested the path of the sword, striking hard and fast into the air in front of him. Kathryn would take the dagger in her hand, and use it as if a guiding rod to straighten Fjord's blade and approach angle. Taking extreme care to make sure the blade never touched her friend himself. Merely the weapon he held. [color=007236]"Don't get me wrong, you can use it as a slashing instrument. And skilled fighters do. But that is not it's intended role. Clansmen from Arcanaple used to tell of soldiers they would fight in tight formations, short blades piercing into them mere inches at a time. But always landing true as the formations they faced would continuously hold true. Brutal stuff really."[/color] Kathryn would step back again attempting to show a few different stances one could take. [color=007236]"You can fight with weapons like these in all sorts of ways. But the original piercing styles seem like they would suit you better. Easier to get into a weak point in armor, between ribs, links in chainmail, and harder to parry against an inexperienced fighter. And can throw off an experienced once assuming you know how to handle said blade. Though make sure you watch yourself yeah? Knife fights are a great way to find yourself cut to bits and near dead before you even realize it. But I've seen ya fight in melee. Honestly, you can probably keep doing a lot of what you're doing as long as you're handlin' that blade with a bit more precision." Kathryn would step to the side of the dragon born, slightly correcting his stand, though this time with her hands and boot. Before guiding his hand with the blade to show good potential approaches with it. "Honestly I think you got most of it already. Just make sure you're practising with a blade as well as that fist of yours. Lots of similarities, but the differences will show when you got some goon trying to gut ya in return ya know?"[/color] BlackBerry nodded enthusiastically as Lady Kathryn explained all this to him, committed it all to memory as best he could, and he allowed her to nudge him limbs into the correct position. He rocked back and forth slightly on the balls of his feet as he tested the new stance. Throwing another jab with the blade it practically sang along its new path. Giving a few more forward jabs he found the movements Lady Kathryn instructed him on were surprisingly similar to his own Martial fighting style; pushing off his back leg towards his imagined foe and then just as quickly pushing back, or even continuing the forward motion to press the enemy into a corner. [color=00aeef]“Why that is very kind of you to say Lady Kathryn. I should indeed be saying the very same of yourself during the battle against Cavendish you fought most valiantly and thought on your feet. There is no doubt that you are a testament to the fighting prowess of your people.”[/color] Taking another few moments he tried slipping from side to side, to the right he stepped moving his right foot first and similarity moving his left foot first to move in the same direction. Giving another few jabs he found holding his arm at the angle Kathryn suggested was much more comfortable and steady than the one he had initially tried. Becoming more comfortable with the initial motions he then gave a few testing jabs at different angles trying to imagine a foe before him and aiming for their weak points and even around their own attacks as Lady Kathryn had mentioned. [color=00aeef]“I must admit that I did receive some lessons many years ago. However, they simply pale in comparison next to your tutelage and you can trust that I will be practising as much as I may.”[/color] The pair spent a few more hours as BlackBerry was put through his paces with the new sword, and under Lady Kathryn's diligent teachings he found himself able to wield the viscous blade with, at the very least, satisfactory precision. And as the lesson came to its natural end with BlackBerry earning himself a few nicks from his own mistakes, Lady Kathryn also passed on along several tips she had learned to keep his blades in decent condition when on the road. Overall, a successful lesson with a bag of animal feed as the only fatality. — BlackBerry walked alongside the mule as it heaved the wagon along the path, choosing to spend much of the journey walking rather than sitting inside the wagon not because he didn’t want to, (though Morty II did take up a lot of room and raise a number of questions BlackBerry didn’t want answers to) but because it was a rather fine day, and he could never sit still for very long. Instead, he ambled with the other adventurers along the road as they all talked about nothing of consequence, or otherwise enjoyed the sounds of the world around them. The chill winds that would occasionally rush by them reminding BlackBerry in no uncertain terms that the season were beginning to change and he rubbed his arm trying to convince some warmth back into it. The scarf he had been given sat at the bottom of his backpack unused for now as he couldn’t quite bring himself to give up his current scarf. Regardless he was thankful to himself to have taken the halfling woman's warning of the cold and purchased a worn though still respectable muted red shirt and grey sleeveless fur lined jacket . While neither articles were as brightly coloured as he liked, he couldn’t complain as they did the job keeping him defended against the worst of the winds biting chill. He had initially found it somewhat surprising that he had received an invite to their current destination, but as far as he knew none of the other party members had protested. Though BlackBerry did wonder if it was likely down to Marita being asked to stay in the Township to help it recover, and from the sounds of it other members had left before then. He debated asking about the members who had since left. Regardless he was enjoying having the company on the road again. But the otherwise uneventful journey left his mind to wander to more…concerning matters and even more concerning thoughts. The message from the Voice and it’s offer was never far away from BlackBerry’s mind. Kosaras squeal coming from the wagon shattered his thoughts and dragged him into the present, to her excited cries about Friendship Rings. BlackBerry turned mid-stride and started walking backwards so he could face Victoria atop the wagons seat. He gave Victoria a puzzled frown and repeated, [color=00aeef]“Friendship Rings?”[/color] [color=00aeef]“Well, I suppose the pair are getting along. How are you doing Victoria? If you require a rest at all I’m sure no one would protest to find somewhere for lunch.“[/color] [hider=Shopping List] - cooks utensils 1gp - foods - dried meats 3cp - cheese 1gp - jam 3sp - shirt and jacket (travellers clothes) 2gp - replacement bag of feed 2gp - various days spending 2gp - total: 8gp, 3sp, 3cp [/hider] Thank you again for the collab scene [@Shoe Thief]