Farming Out Part 3
Log Info
- Title: Farming Out Part 3
- Emitter: Williwaw
- Characters: Jinks, Lyme, Paenitia, Randolf, Seyardu
- Place: Alexandros Farmlands, a town in a marsh, the Mann farm.
- Time: Tuesday, November 09, 2021, 8:07 PM
- Summary: The adventurers get back together after their night guarding the farm and researching in town. They compare notes, and question the Manns further. Jinks and Seyardu stay behind to see if the Mann children know anything, while Lyme, Randolf and Paenitia search the farm and nearby swamp. Paenitia and Ramirez do so by flying high, which keeps them safe, and they successfully find the dog's collar. It doesn't look good for the dog. There are also several smashed fences and drag marks. Finally, the youngest child explains that he's seen 'flat dragons', nearby. Lyme surmises they are crocodiles.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Williwaw -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The new day dawns.
Thankfully, at least in the town proper and the Mann farm, there is no new tragedy or incident to report... perhaps attributed to the uncooperative Sith swamp person's promised deadline not yet coming to pass, or perhaps it was just fated to be an uneventful night. The barn was not the most comfortable sleep; the stockpiled hay was a bit old and perhaps a bit moist, but it was at least free of rodents and smaller critters. The morning is overcast, and as the sun begins its first attempt to pierce the gloom, Fiona Mann has even prepared breakfast.. though it's nothing more than a pot of porridge.
Those who stayed at the inn probably got it a little better the past night and morning; beds and cots for sleeping, and some preserves to go along with the porridge. The town is not exactly wealthy.
But it is a new day. A fresh day to tackle the challenges ahead of you.
Out at the Farm
Paenitia, the little lucht Knight, slept on a perfect featherbed that is also known as Ramirez. She did so with some of her armour on, and a shield does not make for a great blanket, so it may be a fresh day but she is not as fresh as she could be.
The sound of a yawn pairs oddly with the stylized grin of her mask, the Smiling Man coming off as a little like a haunt. It is only the ghost of energy, she manages some enthusiasm.
Even for porridge. "Much thanks for the breakfast! This is porridge like I remember it being."
Randolf is fortunate--he doesn't have to worry about heavy armor ruining his sleep. His low, growly snores, on the other hand, might have made sleep a little bit more frazzling for his comrades. Blame that big dwarven nose of his. He sits up in his haystack, bits of straw poking out of his ponytail and making a nest of his beard, yawning mightily as he stretches his arms over his head. He rubs his face briskly, giving his cheeks a couple smacks. It's well known around the Arcanist's guild that he's not a morning person. But Mrs Mann's offer of porridge does bring a weary smile to the burly dwarf's face. "Och, that's verra kind of ye, missus," he says, plumping himself down at the table. He digs into his hip satchel for his spell book, setting it down on the table with a mighty THWAP. He flips open to the middle and begins scanning lines of text, his eyes riveted to the pages as he shovels porridge into his bearded maw. He's good at multitasking.
So far the party faces: Farmers who refuse to leave; Attacks that may or may not be related to the threat delivered by a sith swamp person; Musings about the possibility of something dangerous having been awoken in the swamp; A missing person who may or may not have been the victim of foul play; and more missing people who went into the swamp to look for them... which may or may not be of concern.
"So, there are the many things facing us." Paenitia says conversationally to Fionna, "The lost men, the lost sons, the beast in the swamp. The Friend Dragon who tell us to stay away."
She's struggling with eating porridge while wearing a mask. It gets in the way. She has to sneak food under it, making for even smaller bites. After taking one she waves the spoon around for emphasis. A dollop of porridge flies off, landing in Randolf's beard.
She does not notice. Others might.
"You have live beside it, what experience and warning have you to say to us?" She asks cheerfully.
Randolf looks over at Pae just as that glob of porridge goes flinging into his beard. He hunkers over, curling his arm around his spellbook to make sure it doesn't get porridged as well. "Gyah! -Damn- it, Pae, me beard's filthy enough as it is!" he grumbles. He shovels another bite of porridge into his mouth (heedless of the crust of cooked grains he's built up on his thick mustache), turning his attention back to his spellbook. He lifts his spoon, making a few swishes and flicks with it, as though it were his wand. "Zos... allegros... right. Got it." He glances back up to Mrs. Mann, chompfing another big bite of porridge as he lets her answer Pae's question--porridge-beard or no, it -is- a valid question, and he's just as interested in any potential answers.
Having been invited in for the porridge shows at least a certain level of acceptance by Fiona, though neither of her children are anywhere to be seen. Perhaps actually going through with sticking around to watch over the farm warmed her to you. At least a little bit. And she seems to be at least open to a little bit of discussion... after warning that she absolutely refuses to leave until her boy returns. "At night. It always seems to happen at night.. but never while we watched. Once we brought the rest of the animals in, away from the edge of the property, it seemed to help.. but then Deid had to go looking for the dog." The sturdy woman scowls at that; maybe a brave front for not wishing to seem weak about losing her husband. "Whatever took the animals before, we were able to follow... it dragged them right to the waters, but then the trail disappeared." Because, well.. water. The mask slips, then, when she shifts the topic to Naoah. "Naoah said he was sure he could find his father.. or the dog. Claimed one of his friends was a hedge wizard of some sort... Frenkles is an odd one, I have to admit. But.." There's a shrug, a trailing off, and her gaze moves to stare out the window towards the swamp.
"The beard is better then the hedge, and we have the beard wizard here." Paenitia says happily. She has a straw for her drink, this is fed under her mask. There is a slurping noise. A nod towards Randolf follows, "he have the finding spells, locate the dog."
She sets her cup down, "The water I do not do, but we have our own friend dragon that swim under to see the things. There are no tracks beside the drag marks, no duck feet or boot print?"
Implausible as a goose-billed platitude might be, she does ride a giant peacock (part horse), so the little Knight is keeping her mind open to potential creatures.
Randolf shakes his head. "I cannae find -people- yet," he says. "I don't have the spell fer it. Best I can do is find objects. An' even that's only got a limited range. I'd have tae be relatively close to 'em." He finishes off his porridge, setting the bowl aside. "I -could- just go up an' down the swamp 'til I find summat. Assumin' I dinnae wind up nabbed by this whatever-the-hell it is meself. Or et by alligators. Or bit by a poison snake. Or sinkin' in quicksand. Och, -there's- a dreadful way tae go, innit?" He shakes his head, shutting his spellbook and stowing it in his hip satchel. Drawing his wand off his belt, he makes a quick flick. "Re ex re io prestos!" He takes ahold of his beard and pulls it out, twiddling his wand over it, sending a cascade of shimmery silver-blue sparkles down. Soon enough, his whiskers are clean as a whistle. Sweeping his wand over the dishes, he does the same for them. Mrs Mann was kind enough to cook, so he doesn't mind doing the washing up. "What's the pupper's name?" he asks Fiona. "Maybe we can whistle for 'im while we're out in the swamp. If we can find -him-, then maybe he can lead us tae yer menfolk."
"There is the dog collar, the favourite walking stick of Died, the lucky wizard hat of the friend. The clothes, the some things that belong them to look for, for the Object Locate." The Red Knight suggests. She's finished her porridge and water. "Much thanks again, it is like I am back home."
A gnome can be heard, singing outside. The rest of the party members approach.
In Town
Jinks finds his way into the common room of the inn at the tail-end of the morning meal, yawning and bleary-eyed. He rubs the back of his fist against his eyes and drags his bundled kit on the floor still half-asleep. A little prestidigitation to make eating the gruel less grueling and a few self-inflicted smacks to the cheek and he's awake. A little something extra added from his hipflask to the provided juice and he's nearing the right frame of mind to deal with uncooperative and isolationist hardworking-folk.
The gnome stands, arching his back with both hands just above his rear, and issues a groan of complaint. Neighsayers may be a good pony but he still isn't used to all of this riding. A few minutes later and his coat is buckled closed, his belts and harnesses in place, rapier and quivers on his hip, and pack and bow on his back. His hair is still a mess but it doesn't seem worth bothering; he hadn't found any gnomess in the settlement worth impressing yet.
Seyardu had a pleasant enough sleep in the town, but it was mired by concern for those who went out to the farm, but she would have to trust they would be alright. It was worry when she was eating her breakfast, but it was alleviated when Jinks arrived, tired as he was.
"Peace on your nest Jinks, is everything alright?" She asks, leaving her seat and pulling one out for the gnome. "You look as if you have been up all night."
So far the party faces: Farmers who refuse to leave; Attacks that may or may not be related to the threat delivered by a sith swamp person; Musings about the possibility of something dangerous having been awoken in the swamp; A missing person who may or may not have been the victim of foul play; and more missing people who went into the swamp to look for them... which may or may not be of concern.
Jinks found Seyardu before going to sleep to let her know what was up, to prevent her spending the whole night worrying.
Jinks and Seyardu are currently the only ones in the main room of the inn, though Hariet's daughter was up before them... long enough to get the fire in the hearth going, and food ready for them. Others might start trickling in at any time, perhaps, though the population of the town itself is, of course, minuscule.
"Never been a morning Person," Jinks answers the silver sith with a tired smile, "but the smell of gold is quite the motivator." He squats down and stands back up, turning at his trunk one way and then the other, and finally sets to adjusting the various little straps and buckles about his person. "... and I'm a long way from being as comfortable as the paladina in the saddle," adds the gnome, rolling his hips and rubbing vigorously at his left inner-thigh.
"If we're sticking to the plan we should get out to the farm. I think we can have a good look around in daylight before coming back for the metting." He squints subtly, scanning across the room. It's always odd seeing a common room empty. It might not be Alexandria but he'd still expect a bachelor or widowed shopkeep to come breakfast here. Hm.
"Well, gold is good, but I am more concerned about the help for the town." Seyardu notes and sighs. "But we should head back to the farm? I hope meeting with the owner has worked out alright. If the others are there, then I should finish my meal quickly. The more time we have in the day for our plans, the better. I could even carry you, if you need time to rest."
"I'll have the girl get Enness ready; it's not a long ride but definitely faster than walking." Jinks agrees, as ready as he'll ever be to get back in the saddle. He finds the innkeeper's daughter and asks that the mounts are readied, then heads into the crisp morning air for them to be brought out while Seyardu finishes their meal. Traversing the distance between town and farm for the third time in less than a day-- it's almost familiar at this point.
The gnome is singing as the farm comes into sight, as much to warm his voice up as to make sure no one is surprised upon their arrival.
All together now
The adventurers regroup, and discuss options.
Seyardu kept decent pace with the mounted gnome, but she was still slowing them down on the way to the farm. But they managed to arrive in decent time on the farm, and the cleric goes to meet up with the rest of the group. "I hope you are all doing well." She greets, offering some dried meats out of her pack to the group, before she turns her attention elsewhere.
Taking a look around the farm where the animals were killed or taken, would be a good first step. Then find out where the boy was planning to go look for his dead and check that out. Perhaps they can look through the dad and the son's personal effects that might be helpful before we forge out into the wilds. Maybe there's some sign of other things going on.
If Mother Fionna isn't averse to them looking.
Lyme will assist folks who would like to investigate the animal disappearances.
Talk to Mother Fionna and the kids to see if anyone has seen something odd they'd dismissed up to this point, could produce results.
Randolf does have one scroll of Locate Object, but it results in a very small circle and lasts barely four minutes.
The gnome and the sith'makar decide to work on the mother and family.
Fiona shows everyone to the edge of the farm, there still might be evidence of the disappeared animals to be found. She also shows where Naoah set off from. And she is able to describe for objects, that may be good subject for locate object magic. Lyme's survival skills come into play, he assists marvelously Sub-lyme-ly.
Some careful diplomacy with the mother could convince her to let the kids come out. She's obviously more rattled by what's going on than she tries to let on... Her husband and eldest son are both missing. Things don't seem all that well here. Too many people talking to her at once would be counter-productive. One of the team will have to take the lead.
Likewise, with the time constraint, anyhow who isn't assisting with that, who is perhaps more action than words, might want to engage in the search efforts and head out.
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (3)+13: 16 GAME: Jinks rolls Diplomacy: (12)+16: 28 GAME: Williwaw makes Lyme roll survival:(7)+11: 18 GAME: Paenitia rolls survival: (4)+2: 6 (Aid Another - Fail) GAME: Randolf rolls Survival: (5)+2: 7 <OOC> Randolf says, "Yep, Randolf's goin' in the quicksand."
Having reunited at the farm, with reasonably full bellies (if you so chose) you proceed along your investigation. Fiona is very reluctant, but ultimately convinced to allow the earnest sounding Seyardu and smooth talking Jinks to speak.. briefly.. with her children. The directions she gave were enough to set Lyme, Paenitia and Randolf on the right trail. Lyme is able to identify at least one of the areas where an animal was attacked, and confirms definitely drag marks leading to the swamp itself. Nearby, perhaps because of the attack, or perhaps merely out of convenience, there is also signs of where a relatively small skiff or raft may have been launched.. the swamp in that area definitely seems more water than land, and who can say how deep it gets.
GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (3)+6: 9 GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (15)+5: 20
The Red Knight and her Ivory Steed take to searching, or at least assisting. Attempting to. Turns out that it's even harder to see tracks from thirty feet off the ground, and difficult to shout details about anything that is spotted.
She's ignored.
After a while she ranges in larger circles. It's much easier for her and Ramirez to fly out past the edge of the farm into the swamp interior. It's certainly safer, she's past and out of reach of most threats before it is even realized that they're there.
An odd glint catches her eye. It's the dog's collar. She finds it on a small hillock some hundred yards from the broken fence of the farm. The collar has been snapped. The metal tag, what she saw glinting, is deformed, dented. As if something pointed but not razor sharp tried to punch through it.
A few things come to mind. The name is still legible, 'Hunter'.
The Red Knight returns, sharing her discovery, "I find this. Maybe, we do not tell Fiona yet."
GAME: Jinks rolls Diplomacy+5: (3)+16+5: 24
After some cajoling, Fiona's kids are trotted out. Doeneda, a girl on the cusp of adulthood, and her brother Nodda, who has yet to see eight summers. She hovers over them; there's no way you're going to get to talk to them without her present. They both look at Seyardu, somewhat wide-eyed, the younger one shying away just enough that it looks like he might dart behind his sister's skirts at the slightest provocation.
The point.. or points.. of entry to the farm from the swamp are relatively easy to spot. In fact, parts of the swamp seem to be encroaching back upon the farm itself as in areas where dikes had been raised to help keep the waters out have since been... opened up, at least slightly. Something massive dredging a trench through them to let the swampy waters trickle back on to the Mann family land. In these areas the fencing has been broken down as well.. and it's at one of these that there is evidence.. blood, flattened vegetation, and clear drag marks have pulled something into the water. You are unable to identify what may have done this, though you can probably narrow it down to creatures that live in the swamp.
Randolf follows Lyme's lead, turning his gaze hither and yon as he trails after the ranger. That area where the skiff was launched has the dwarf eyeing the murky water with a dour scowl. "Och, are we goin' tae have to take a -boat- out there?" he grumbles. He looks down at himself. "I might be too heavy fer that." He peers out into the gloom, shading his eyes as he looks this way and that, then straightens with a hefty sigh. "Well -I- sure's hell cannae see anything from here. Suppose we'll -have- tae go out there. Somehow. Bah!" He kicks a stone into the water with a soft 'bloop!'. "Maybe if we got a -big- raft..."
Jinks is glorious to behold even with a few hairs out of place and tired. He's a gnome-- arguably the coolest sapient species around-- with eyes like polished onyx orbs, shock-white hair, and all manner of sparkling jewelry. With the cut onyx setting in his headband it's almost like he has three eyes, too!
The gnome crouches down with a wince when the kids approach, smiling a wide, warm smile and busying his hands with a platinum coin. It's foreign mint, with eight flat edges and a small, diamond-shaped gold bit in the center. The coin rolls over and under his fingers like a log tumbling down a hill, occasionally blinking out of sight only to appear back in his other hand. Then there are two of them-- one in each hand-- before he makes a fist and opens them to reveal both coins are gone.
The gnome frowns, and turns over his hand. He grunts, annoyed, and gives a little cough into his right hand. A startled look and he's holding up both coins. Two things lost. Two found. An icebreaker and a metaphor.
"So we've come all the way from Alexandria," the gnome begins, casually sliding each coins into a small, stitched pocket on the inside of his sleeves. "We're here to find your dad and your brother and make sure they come back safe. We just need to know if you saw something. Maybe heard something? Even something you weren't supposed to." He leans back on his haunches, looking left and right, then in close and cups a hand to keep mom out of the loop. Conspiratorially. "Coyote knows the rules get broken sometimes. And it's no big deal. He just likes to hear people laugh. If you can tell us something that helps... imagine how happy you'll all be to see each other again."
Seyardu knew that she may not be the most approachable sort for the children, so she decides to let Jinks take the wheel, in spite of evidence otherwise previously. But she is a good help for the group at the farm, and does a few chores to give the children time to speak and play with the gnome in the meantime. Hopefully with less stress of life on the farm, they would have more time to share what they could.
GAME: Seyardu rolls Sense motive: (6)+8: 14
There isn't much more to find outside, for now.. though the ruined collar definitely speaks of an ill fate, at least for the family dog. Back at the farmhouse, Seyardu and Jinks seem to be making some headway as well. When Seyardu steps back, giving Jinks space for his work, the eys of the children, particularly the little one's, follow her.. at least until Jinks starts distracting them with his coin trick. Nodda's eyes go even wider, something that might have been thought impossible.. yet the gnome's plea seems to make no headway.
The older girl just shakes her head, looking at her mother for several seconds before looking back at the gnome again. "Don't you think we'd tell you if we knew anything, mister?" Doeneda all but demands, one of her arms holding Nodda close to her even as she leans into her mother's grip on her own shoulder. "Don't you think we want Naoah and daddy and Hunter back?" She seems almost on the verge of crying, or yelling, or both... enough that she doesn't initially notice her brother tugging on her dress. When she does he tiptoes and whispers something... to which she shakes her head. But the boy stubbornly whispers it again, prompting the mother, eyes narrowing, to demand, "What did you do, Nodda?"
The boy, predictably, shys away again, almost disappearing behind his sister now.. this time to escape his mother's glare, while the girl quickly says, "It's nothing mama! Nodda just keeps talking about the flat dragon lizards.. says they took everyone away."
Lyme, Randolf and Paenitia did some investigating around the edges of the farm where it meets the swamp, checking out the attacks and looking for clues about the missing peeps. Found where a boat had probably been launched, as well as evidence of stuff being dragged into the water. Pae found the dog's collar. Things look bleak for the family dog.
"Flat dragon lizards sounds pretty neat. Like a smushed kobold?" Jinks grins, encouraging Nodda. He slides his pack off his shoulder, reaching in and digging out the last of the sweet bread he'd brought with him from the city. "Tell you what; no secret is free. If you tell me a little more about the dragon lizards I have a..." The gnome unwraps the bundle and considers the contents, "muffin-and-a-half you both can share. Cinnamon and apple," he explains, holding it out.
Lyme comes back from tracking, "Well," he offers, "we know where the boat went into the water, and drag marks as well." He waits -- he sees bribes being deployed.
Seyardu had more than a bit of experience with farmwork from making good on several chained requests for very nosy farmers in order to secure a relic charged with the energy of Animus. And she was strong enough to do much of the heavy work, that the kids may struggle with. When she is mostly done, she joins Jinks and the others.
"I understand, things have been difficult with your husband and son missing, have they not." She states, mustering as soft a tone as she could manage. "We will do everything that we can to find them, and any information you can share will help. If you need help at the farm, I can see if any back in town would be willing to help in the mean time, and pay for them to do so if necessary."
Randolf trundles along after Lyme, crossing his arms and leaning up against the wall near the others. Seeing Jinks with the two wee ones does manage to soften his dour demeanor a good bit. Sweets are their own arcane school, proven by lengthy research with his nieces and nephews, and very effective in behavioral augmentations! He tugs at his beard, considering all the information that's been gathered so far, such as it is. "I -wonder-," he mutters under his breath. "Are these sith-makar usin' druid magicks tae turn the swamp hostile? It'd explain a lot, fer certain..."
Paenitia also returns, clanking in. While not as perfect as specimin as Jinks, she is not a divinely crafted gnome, merely a right-sized bucolic alternative, she has a similar aire of absurdity about her. A pocket knight, and one that likes weapons.
Her tracking efforts were revealed, and she listens to the questioning. "The smushing is less pleasant than you imagine, and the dragon lizards come in many forms. Friend dragon Seyardu, it is looking like the water needs the search, and you are the best for that."
She looks at Mrs Mann, "If you have the boat, that would be the great help also."
Bribery in the form of sweets can certainly be effective... and between Seyardu's assistance and words, mama Mann squeezes Doeneda's shoulder. "Nodda.. tell the nice man about the dragons." There's been a shift in the elder Mann's aura.. maybe the way she stands, or simply the way she holds herself. As the party comes together, assembling... like a band of seasoned heroes... the atmosphere inside the small farmhouse seems to warm, just a little. So, between his mother's urgings, the gnome's cajoling, and the beginnings of the smell of sweet, sweet muffins.. Nodda starts speaking. It's a child's voice, a child's vocabulary... and one who hasn't been to a schoolhouse.. but he tells his story. Flat dragons, crawling out of the waters. Sneaking out at night to chase the light bugs, hiding from the dragons as they crawled through the reeds at the dikes, grabbing one of the pigs, thrashing about and dragging the squealing animal back into the darkness.
With the story done, Doeneda blurts out, "Naoah took our boat.. but the Stensons have one. Maybe they can lend it to us? Their boy went with Novah... if we tell them you're going to look for them, I bet they'll let you use it!"
"Okay, I ask the Stensons if we borrow the boat." Paenitia says happily, with a glance towards Seyardu. The chain seems to be forming again. She stands where she can look at the children and the sith'makar without staring upwards too much. "The information is great help. I do not recognize these flat dragons but am sure another will."
"We may need to ask them to borrow the boat, if it is necessary. But thank you for what you are able to share, we will do what we can, this is a promise." Seyardu states with a nod. "I do not wish to cause alarm, but it would be best to be packed to move at a moments' notice. If things are too bad in the swamp, there are many who may leave, there is a group helping others to do so. And I would not wish for any of you to go missing."
Jinks' eyes turn glassy as he listens to the child, breathing in deep and exhaling a breath that seems to echo as he looks over the child's shoulder. Right at a fellow that wasn't there a moment ago.
The old hermit kneels in the fields, gnarled fingers reaching down into the soft earth to pull herbs free by the root. He inspects them wtih eyes that have long since lost any luster, set deep in a boney, ancient face. They go into his sack and he takes his staff in both hands, standing up with supreme effort as he looks towards the waters out beyond the farmland. He only has the thumb and first two fingers on his left hand, a portion of palm missing from the same bite that took is ringfinger and pinky.
"Croc-o-diles," comes the reedy voice as the figure bobs his bald head in confirmation. "They get big, too. Usually the salties are the biggest-- from the seas and inlets... but the others can go through fences'n take your big livestock, yessiree." His lower jaw sticks out in thought, the lips of his wide mouth pouting in thought. "Don't explain the damn dam, though. Peculiar. Maybe someones keepin'm as pets... Hmmmm..."
"Peculiar," he repeats, smiling a toothless smile with a squint that folds his eyes in a knot of wrinkles. He turns and shuffles off then, a memory stepping sideways back into the Weave.
The appearance of the old hermit has an effect on the farmhouse's residents... Fiona tenses, Doeneda's arm goes protectively around Nodda again... but Nodda, having been disarmed by the gnome's tricks, his wariness having given way to the fantastic and diverse nature of the visitors, sees the image with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. By the time the hermit and his surroundings fade back into the weave, the elder woman has at least recognized it as some amazing trick of the assembled group. "There weren't supposed to be anything like that here.. our druid told us so."
Jinks falls onto his rump when the hermit vanishes, the thread between them cut when the bard's hold expires. He blinks, stunned, and then laughs and claps his hands together. "It's back...!" He can't believe it. His right fist pounds into his left breast twice and he falls onto his back, laughing on the ground. He covers his face and basks in it, the jubilation. It's back.
He's back.
The Red Knight is startled by the appearance of the old hermit. Her hand goes to her warhammer, there is the creak of her armour. Her expression, as always, is hidden by her grinning mask. Any fear, concern, worry or doubt concealed. Her reaction may have been one of glee at a potential fight. Instead, with the mask, she is like an automaton, moving suddenly, then stopping. Her head turning to watch.
Where, she realizes it is more informational than threatening. There's another squeak as her ready posture relaxes and she returns to standing and watching Jinks roll around on his back on the ground, giggling madly.
She waves a gauntletted finger, "I... yes.."
Seyardu squints when they see the person walking by, and disappearing suddenly. Then they look to Jinks, and they chuckle. "I understand, but there is a time and place for it. crocodiles would make sense, and that would be cause for concern. Something about a dam? I have heard that non makari lands have giant rodents with flat tails, and they can create them. But crocodiles would likely slay them."
One brow raises a moment, and she looks back to the family. "What is this about a druid? Could you tell us some about them, what they told you?"
"There was not one in town when I was there, so I was wondering about that."
Lyme listens to it all, then blinks. "Who the hell would keep them as pets? That's stupid." And probably lethal to farm dogs.
OOC
GAME: Jinks rolls Diplomacy+5: (3)+16+5: 24
<OOC> Jinks says, "HA!"
Jinks pages: These fuckin' dice, I swear.
You paged Jinks with 'I know. I know so much.'
<OOC> Jinks says, "Did he see them later or after while, Willi?"
<OOC> Jinks tries to determine if they're crocodiles or alligators.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Wait"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "flat lizards"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "oh gosh darn it"
<OOC> Jinks says, "reptiles are notoriously tone-deaf. No wonder they've gone flat."
<OOC> Williwaw says, "Meanwhile, Jinks, sharp as ever. Treble before him."
Inspirational Art
https://www.deviantart.com/ondrejhrdina/art/LROA-Expedition-Leaders-Arena-897415834
https://i.imgur.com/U1xXskY.jpeg
<OOC> Jinks says, "To bring you up to speed, Randy; the farmers are doing so-so. They sow the fields and sew in their homes."
<OOC> Randolf says, "Sounds like they have everything patched up."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Darn"