Lucius Cypher

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

You would find something off as the rain started to pour. While everyone else was getting quite soaked, water seemed to just slip off your dress. Even your skin and hair didn't feel wet as the rain just slipped off your body, never really soaking anything. Even as you stepped through the mud in your boots, nothing stuck. It seemed that somehow water just didn't bother you. Very strange.

As you mentioned the hill Ferric grimaced. "Unfortunately, we need to follow this road to reach the camp. Short of running off the cliff and into the ocean, this is the only path heading towards the camp. Maybe... If we move fast enough, we'll be able to avoid the bandits?" Ferric asked the other two. Pylia shivered underneath her cloak and shook her head. "If you had horses, m-m-maybe, but your mules can't possibly hustle fast enough." Shortfang's eyes notable seemed less strained once the rain clouds covered the sun. He licked his lips as he raised his crossbow and shortsword. "Shortfang think get ready to fight! Clear path, go through easy." He looked to the other two eagerly.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Pylia and everyone else agreed. While they were certainly stronger now, it was best if they could avoid combat instead of taking their chances. Ferric directed the mules off the road, going a fair bit a ways away from the stone building. Even during this clear calm before the storm, it was hard to make out any details of the ruins. It was made of stone and slightly bigger than it seemed from the angle they saw it from, but it was impossible to see who might be over there. Fortunately nothing seemed to go after the group as they passed the stone building.

Once they were in the clear Ferric got back onto the road and continued on wards. However taking that detour ate up quite a bit of time and soon the party could feel some raindrops fall on them. "Ah damn." Pylia cursed quietly as she pulled her hood up from her cloak. Ferric grimaced. "It's unfortunate, but nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to keep on moving. Son, get me my cloak please." Soon everyone cloaked up in preparation of the coming storm. And in the distance the party could see a hill in the distance, with a large tree at the very top.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Cool, so we stealthing. Roll me stealth checks please!

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Pylia nods in agreement. “We shouldn’t split the party. We could either scout or go around, though I do though I do think scouting is a good idea. The grass on the outskirts are tall enough for us to sneak through if we’re careful.”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Ferric nodded and stopped the cart. "That stone building up ahead? Barely looks like it'll stand up to a swift breeze. But I'll follow your lead Sylvia." Pylia and Shortfang leaned over and listened in. "What's the plan Sylvia? The area here is mostly flat, we could try to go off the road and put some distance between us and the ruins. It'll be slow going but we don't need to risk ourselves if we don't have to." Pylia suggested. Shortfang squinted as he looked towards the building. "Ugh. Sunlight no good for Shortfang... But can fight still. Maybe we ambush? Bad guys never expect ambush ambush!" Shortfang said with a grin as he loaded a bolt into his crossbow.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Pylia seemed surprised at your statement. Shortfang seemed a bit hesitant. "Ooookay, you the boss." Shortfang nods as he gets into the back of the cart. Pylia patted you on the shoulder. "Don't get too hasty now. If you need a break don't be afraid to switch off with me. Oh, and here. I managed to brew up another potion yesterday, it finished settling this morning. Just in case we need it." Pylia handed you a small clay bottle, presumably filled with the healing potion. Afterwards Pylia also got into the wagon. Now that you're fully awake, fed, and limber, you do indeed feel notable stronger. You realize that all your life you have been coasting along as if you were in a dream. Suddenly, facing the trials of the last few days, you have come alive.

Soon a new shift moved out for the guards, and the gates opened. By now quite a few other caravans and adventurers had already stirred, awakened, and made their preparations to leave. Once you and the others settled out, you were not alone. The sun was rising in the horizon to greet the new day and so the party left. For the first few hours things were quite peaceful, there was even company. A caravan consisting largely of orcs traveled with you for a while. They weren't heading for Gransys but did mention having a shop there, and offered some advice about how to deal with other orcs on your journey. Namely, never be meek. Respect and strength are one of the same for them, so trying to be passive or submissive is a quick way to earn their ire. Be aggressive and stand your ground even when you're outnumbered. Orcs may not be honorable, but they understand force. Shortly after they'd split ways, leaving your caravan with only themselves as company.

About three hours in and the sun was high how, and the crew was still near the ocean. However everyone could see roaring storm clouds in the distance, and occasionally even hear a crack of thunder. Shortfang and Pylia vigilantly kept watch when you notice something in the distance; the ruins of a stone building. You remember Dirk mentioning that this was one of the locations where the Iron Hammer operated out of. It was a fair bit away from the road you traveled, but still in clear sight. There was hardly any cover to hide behind if there was anyone at the stone ruins.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

The trio easily finish off the chicken and the bread. Gathering up their gear they'd soon meet back up with Ferric and Mica. Their cart was set up to go already. The mules seemed healthy, though the one that was wounded seemed jittery. Ferric gave them both an apple each and turned to the other three. "Now, unfortunately there isn't much room in the cart for more than four people at a time, including me who'll be up front to handle the mules. We'll be traveling at a steady pace but one of you might need to walk alongside the cart at some point. I'll let you decide for yourselves." Shortfang raised his hand into the air. "Shortfang can do! Shortfang always walk anyways. Shortfang tough!" Pylia turned to you and whispered. "I think he's just trying to compensate for you saving him. I don't mind if he wants to walk, but maybe wean him off the idea he needs to go all out. For his own good, you know?"

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

"Just meet me back at my cart. The gate's don't upon until an hour, so no need to rush. But the sooner the better, yeah?" With that Ferric waved the trio goodbye, leaving them the chicken. Shortfang was quick to take his choice cut of thigh and leg, but before he took a bite he looked to the others with a bit of a guilty expression. "Um... You want?" He held out the juicy piece of meat. There was a bit of salt, pepper, and what seemed to be cilantro on the meat. Pylia just smiled. "Go ahead Shortfang, just leave one of the legs for Sylvia. I like the wings and neck." Taking out her knife Pylia cut off the neck and head of the chicken before daintily peeling the meat off and eating it bit by bit.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

With a heavy sigh Pylia nodded. "Yeah, wishful thinking on my part." It wasn't long before Ferric arrived with a basket, pleasantly surprised to see everyone already up. "Oh! Well then, I thought I'd surprise everyone, but it looks like you've all surprised me. Don't suppose you're hungry?" Ferric opened up the basket to reveal a boiled chicken. "Had this steaming since last night. Me and my boy already ate our share, so we figured we'd give you the left overs for breakfast. We're also ready to leave too, so when you're ready just meet up with us and we'll head out."

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

“About an hour I think? Shortfang was actually up before I was.” The kobold snapped the stick he was using in half before tossing it into the fire. “Shortfang sleep in cage all day. Not tired, so kept watch. Stinky humans try get close, Shortfang scare them away!” He raised his arms up like he was about to roar at someone. It might’ve been more intimidating if he was bigger. Pylia handed you a cup of tea. It tasted like a green tea.

“Seems that most of the camp is still asleep, and the moon is still out. However I checked outside the walls and I can see some of the horizon in the distance. Red skies.” She says ominously. She dipped her short bread into the tea and munched on it. “It’ll be about a six hour journey to the second camp, but that’s with clear skies and no trouble. If we’re lucky maybe other caravans are leaving and we can travel in a herd, but so far we’re the only ones awake. I gathered a few wild berries and herbs outside, so we have some supplies for the road. Oh, and here for both of you.” Pylia handed you and Shortfang three of the white magic berries. “As usual, eat the goodberries if you’re hurt or hungry. Should be enough to last you a while.”