[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

At the sight of the Utensils and cook book, Sylvia felt elated. The utensils were a lot like the ones she was familiar with at home, and she was sure she could make some familiar dishes in these new tools! She accepted the cookbook and she answered happily, "This is fantastic! Thank you so much!"

She then remembered, "Oh! Before I head out, I think you might be interested in these tools," She then brought out the tools Pylia refurbished earlier this morning, placing them on the counter, and she told him, "Pylia and I went out and found Dirk's old camp, fought off some goblins, and refurbished these this morning. I thought you and Iola might be interested in these tools,"

[Lucius Cypher]

The older man looked honestly surprised, picking up the tools and looking over them. "Aye, I remember these. Couple of stuff I made a while ago, one of the first things stolen by that young thief boy. They're nothing too special but the fact you managed to bring them back to me in one piece says something. Say, how about this? I'll let you keep one of these for your travels. Never know when you'll need a handy tool by your side." He laid the four tools down in front of you.

The sickle was of a crescent shape, an almost wicked looking hook were it not for it's humbler agricultural purposes. The blade was much more broad than usual sickles however, and you imagine that if you ever needed to hack through some brush, this tool would be perfect for the job.

The handaxe was almost literally as big as your hand. Unlike most hatchets you may remember the handle on this one was very small, so much that it's curious to know just how well it would work as a hatchet tool. Yet at the same time, it's hefty blade would no doubt be useful for working thicker and heavier pieces of wood such as tree branches or logs. Even though it's compact, it's still a handy-dandy survival tool.

The hammer looked almost like your typical carpentry hammer, but now that you're actually looking at it you could tell that the claw end was not a claw, but rather a spike, much like what you'd expect from a pickaxe. Indeed, this hammer could also double as a pick should you have the need for hard pointy things, such as prospecting or something. And of course it still served it's purpose as a hammer too.

Finally the hunting knife was basic and utilitarian. As you saw before, it was still well balanced for throwing, but otherwise served what you'd expect a hunting knife to do; skin animals, butcher game, and if need be kill them. Of the four tools it was also the lightest, you could strap it onto your arm and wouldn't feel a thing. Just don't be too rough with it.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia looked at the four tools carefully, and after carefully considering each tool, she answered Andras, "Thank you! That would definitely be helpful! I think the hunting knife would be of great help on my journeys,"

She may not like killing, but she had a feeling that the hunting knife would definitely help if someone hunted for food. She could not only use it for defense, but she could also use the hunting knife to prep meals and sell pelts as Pylia had mentioned before. So in a way, the knife seemed like the wisest choice.

[Lucius Cypher]

"Of course, here let me get you a little something extra for it." Reaching behind the counter Iola's Husband put the hunting knife into a scabbard. "There we go. Wouldn't want you to be running around with a naked blade now. Son, put the rest of these items back onto the shelves." The young boy took the three tools and put them away. Looking back at you the husband smiled and waved. "Now then, I'll need to see to my wife before she chews my ears off. In about half an hour we'll be open for business though. See ya around, hero."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia thanked Andras for the sheathe, and after he told her that he'll be open in half an hour, she nodded and answered "Understood. Thank you again, Andras. I'll see you and Iola a little later then," She did need to come back to get herself a new bedroll, especially if she was going to be traveling, since her the one she found was burnt to a crisp last night.

She left the store, and as she walked away she realized that she hadn't exactly sold the tools like Pylia had hoped.

Oops...

But then again, it probably wasn't right to ask both Iola and Andras to pay for something that was originally theirs and was stolen. Especially since they just gave her practically modern day cookware for her journey, and Iola's cookbook. As her grandparents taught her, a cookbook is not just full of recipes, but also memories of the past, and means of making memories in the future.

Shaking her head, she decided to go and find Chief Arduo. Since Iola's store isn't open now, Yerro's probably isn't open either. So she figured that she might as well talk to Chief Arduo in the meantime.

[Lucius Cypher]

As you leave the shop, more and more people are waking up to start their day. You can see most of them head towards the docks and the beach to do what you would assume to be fishing. The smell of various soups and breakfasts waft through the air. Among the crowd you’d find chief Arduo advising some fishermen. After giving them his counsel he notices you and nods. “Sylvia. Up bright and early I see. Is there something I can help you with?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia looked around as she made her way through town. At first she was just taking in the peaceful scenery, but soon enough, she found Chief Arduo at the beach advising some fishermen. She greeted Arduo with a smile and a nod, "Good morning, Chief! Just wanted to let you know that I'll be heading out of Cassari today," She then added quietly, "I was also hoping we can discuss something in private?" Her tone was quiet but also serious. She wanted to convey that she had something important to tell him, but also didn't want to scare anyone nearby.

[Lucius Cypher]

"Oh, leaving so soon? Suppose that's expected, but just know that you'll always have a home here!" Upon asking to speak in private the chief seemed concerned but nods. "Of course. Come, we can speak at my home. My daughter should be the only one there." The chief would lead you up to one of the higher points of the village to the chief's home. Aside from being built into the cliff like many of the other homes, it didn't seem very fancy. The only indicator that it was even the chief's home was the fancy wreath on the door. Inside was a tall, dark-skined, long-haired woman who was cleaning up.

"Oh! Father, I was not expecting you to be back so soon. Who is this?"

"This young lady is the one who helped Ricks and the others with their thief problem a few days ago. This is my daughter, Quleena. Do you mind setting up the main room for me? I must speak in private with our friend here."

Quleena bowed towards you and nods towards the chief. "Of course. Just give me a minute." Sure enough she has the room prepared for you and the chief. There was a large but low table near one end of the room, with cushions on the ground to provide comfort. The table and cushions themselves stood on top of a large ornate rug, as oppose to the bare stone beneath. Some tea had been set out for the both of you as Quleena steps out and lets you two speak in private. "Now then, I can tell from the look in your eye that what you have to tell me is very important, not just about you but about Cassari as well. What is it?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia followed Chief Arduo to his home, and when she was introduced to Quleena, she nodded and greeted in return, "Nice to meet you," She followed the chief to the room, and took a seat on the cushion across the table from Chief Arduo. After he asked, Sylvia started, "That's very astute of you, Chief Arduo. Indeed, this is about Cassari as well as what I have learned,"

She then got to the point seriously, beginning with her story, "On the night I got to Cassari, after I caught Dirk, the thief, and I went to sleep...I had a dream. I saw a black dragon appear, flying over the ocean with a horde of monsters with it. Now...yesterday, I started the day thinking that it was nothing more than just a dream. But...while I was out foraging at the beach outside of Cassari, I found a magic item that was enchanted with divination magic. I thought I should test it out, and I thought to ask about the black dragon. From that item, I learned that the dream I had was not a dream..."

She summed up seriously, "Chief Arduo. There is a black dragon out and about, and I don't know where it is going or what it intends to do,"

[Lucius Cypher]

The chief’s face turned very solemn. He was quiet for a good few minutes as he thought, taking a few sips of tea. “If i were a younger man, I would not have believed you. The tales of dragons are things of fantasy, tales to tel children. But... When I was a young minnow, I had seen a dragon with my own eyes. I saw him being a storm which destroyed Gransys’s navy, which even to this day had never fully recovered.” Sighing Arduo stood up and began to pace around the room.

“I thank you for telling me this, Sylvia. This is most troubling news. If the dragon has truly returned then... Then please, I have a request for you.” The Chief left the room for a moment before returning, carrying a gold ornate medallion. It had a marvelous red gemstone at the center. “Many years ago, I met with Duke Erod and we came to an agreement. For my village, Cassari, to serve under the duke and his kingdom in exchange for his army’s protection. Because we have been at peace for so long we never truly needed his soldiers here, only to patrol the roads so traders can come. But their presence prevents bandits or monsters from trying and attack us. But this amulet is the symbol of our agreement. With this you should be allowed an audience with the duke as my messenger, and please, tell him about the dragon and to send his warriors to protect us.”

Sighing the chief say back down to finish his tea. “It shames me to say this, but Cassari is not a village of warriors. Our sailors will brave any storm and can cross the entire ocean, but fighting men or monsters, that is not our way. We’ve had champions before, great heroes, but we have always been a peaceful village protected by our walls and good fortune. But those things will not be enough if the dragon comes here. He could take out village in an hour alone, not to mention what his minions could do. To that end I must call upon the treaties I’ve made and ask the duke for help. And to do that, I need your assistance once more.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia listened and watched as Chief Arduo reacted to the news of the dragon. She thought it was kind of funny that dragons were considered fiction here just as it was back home. She remained quiet as he spoke, and brought out a golden amulet with a red gemstone in the middle. After he finished speaking, asking for her assistance, she nodded and answered him without hesitation, "Of course I'll help. I'll deliver the message to Duke Erod,"

She then advised, "I don't think it would be a bad idea to come up with a back up plan as well, just in case. Like an evacuation plan, or coming up with a place where everyone can hide if the dragon does attack Cassari,"

[Lucius Cypher]

Arduo put some thought into it before nodding. “Aye, I suppose that will be needed as well. There is an old Well in town that we have not used since it dried up. Perhaps if we get a few of the men to go inside and make some space, it can serve as a shelter for the townsfolk if the dragon comes.” Arduo went to grab some papers and ink wells to draw up a plan. When he returned he sat back down with you. “I can only hope we can complete the shelter before it is too late. But don’t worry about that. The men of this village are hard workers. And... Thank you again. Twas one thing for you to rid us of a thief problem. But to warn us if the dragon as well, you’ve saved more lives than soldiers and swords could. For that, I cannot thank you enough.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was relieved to hear that there was a place that they can use as a shelter in case the dragon does attack Cassari. When he thanked her for warning him about the dragon, she rubbed the back of her head. She answered his words of gratitude, "It's not a problem. I'm glad I could do something to help,"

She honestly started to feel sick at the thought of everyone in Cassari...dead, and burned to nothing but ashes and cinders. She was glad she could prevent the loss of lives by warning Chief Arduo.

"Well, that's all I needed to say," She then looked at the medallion the Chief brought out and she decided to ask before she took it and deliver the message to Erod, "Before I go...what would you like me to do with the medallion once I've delivered the message? Since it's a symbol of a treaty between you and Duke Erod, I think you might want it back once I've spoken with him," She didn't mind a trip back to Cassari, but backtracking might slow her journey down. Also, she wanted to be sure. She would rather not be accused of theft as well.

[Lucius Cypher]

“I would imagine that when you do show the duke they will keep the amulet, though they may give you something to return to me as well. As long as you do not sell it to a shady merchant for a forgery or some such, they will know that you are honestly speaking for me. Until then keep it safe and hidden. It is valuable not just because it is gold, but because it serves as a favor from the duke. An amulet like this can request anything from the duke, from a criminal pardon to a vast amount of wealth. The fact that I use it now for his protection speaks highly about the dangers this dragon possess.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia listened to Duke Erod. She wouldn't even dream of selling the medallion to some merchant if it had this much importance. She nodded at the instructions, and she answered "Understood," She place the medallion around her neck, with the medallion itself hidden under her shirt. She then stood and she told Chief Arduo, "Well, I better go and finish my preparations before I head out of Cassari. Thank you for the tea, and for listening,"

After saying her respectful goodbye, she headed out of the Chief's house and heads back into Cassari. She still needed a bedroll and maybe some food for on the road. Plus, she needed to check and see if Pylia was done with the potions of healing.

[Lucius Cypher]

Leaving the Chief’s Home, it was well into the morning now. People going about their busy lives as if it was just another day in the world for them. The threat of the dragon from your dreams did not weigh on their minds as much as it weighed on yours.

By the time you return to Pylia, she seemed to be working on those potions in your room. She had a small setup involving the herbs, a small candle-lit stove, and other tools needed to make medication. The smell was the most noticeable. It smelled of the old times folk remedies of your world, except much stronger. How she was allowed to make these potions in the inn was a mystery considering you could smell it from outside.

“Ah, Sylvia, you’re back. Just putting the finishing touches on these potions. Only enough for two, but they’ll go a long way. With a few good berries we should be set for healing during our travels.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia noticed the stove, and realized that she could use that stove for when she needed to use her cook's utensils. She then greeted Pylia and responded to the information about the potions, "Hey Pylia. Awesome work!" She then informed Pylia, "I just came back from talking with Chief Arduo. It looks like we'll be meeting with Duke Erod after all,"

She showed Pylia the medallion and she told her, "I'll be delivering Chief Arduo's message and request to him. Not only that, but Chief Arduo will also be starting on making a shelter for Cassari in the dried up well,"

[Lucius Cypher]

Pylia looked surprised. "Is that so? Well, that was easier than I thought. I guess now we just need to reach Gransys." Blowing out the candle Pylia put a small bundle of herbs into the vials, shaking them lightly before putting them into her pocket. "Just need to let the herbs steep for half an hour and they should be ready for use whenever." Pylia put away her kit quickly and seemed ready. She had all of her gear and a bit more, including a crossbow and a quiver of arrows. "Then we should hurry. Like it or not, the Duke would have whatever we need should this dragon truly return. With any luck they already know and are making preparations. With this amulet and what we know, they may offer us some form of aid against the beast. Hopefully..."

If there was no other preparations, you and Pylia would be ready to leave. Though you could see the wooden towers in the distance, it still felt like it was going to be quite a walk. But there was plenty of daylight for you. By Pylia's estimates, you should be able to reach the outpost by noon at the latest. She also handed you six goodberries, similar to the ones you had before, which have long since dried up into tasteless raisins. "Eat one if you need a little pick-me-up. In any case... Ready to go?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia accepted the goodberries with a thank you. She placed them in her backpack while tossing out the old goodberry raisins. She answered Pylia's question, while she packed her new cook's utensils into her backpack, "Almost. I still need to get a new bedroll, and getting some food or rations beforehand couldn't hurt either. Taking care of those two things shouldn't take long," Once she had her equipment packed and her staff in hand, she hurried to Iola's and Yerro's to take care of the bedroll and food.

For food, she would want to find ingredients that didn't rot too quickly, nor would attract animals immediately, and would probably be good ingredients for a basic meal that she could cook. She could easily go with just rations if that wasn't possible. But she figured that it would take a while to reach Gransys, so she looks for enough rations to last the journey from here to Gransys.

Once those two chores were done, then she would meet up with Pylia and head out of Gransys.

[Lucius Cypher]

The shopping would be quick and easy. With Yerro, he offered a few choices of pickled or salted vegetables that could easily be made into a stir fry with the fish oil he had in stock. He also had some salted beast steak for 5 gold that will last you a week. The key to keeping animals away from your food is spices; most beast will smell things like peppers and such and assume it’s poisonous, while for the human palate it’ll just be a tangy taste. Though she should do well to keep everything sealed from insects. In total, you can buy enough raw ingredients to cook with for a week for a total of 10 GP.

Iona’s shop had plenty to offer, and bedrolls would be easy enough. Utilizing fabrics designed by Aestella and her weavers, this bedroll was light but warm, good for cold nights in the road. That would simply cost 1 gold coin. They also offered a tent as well. It was a small style traveling tent, but enough to fit two people. It looked a bit like the sort of camping tents you’d find in your world, however it was notably heavier, at least twenty pounds as it utilizes weighty wooden poles instead of the lighter metals and plastics. If you could afford to carry that weight, it was only 2 GP.

Regardless, when your shopping was done you two would head out. There was plenty of daylight left, with all its splendor, and all its dangers as well.