Ticked Off
Somewhere in the heartlands of Alexandros at noon...
The brief from the Explorers' Guild was simple enough. A group of farmers in the Heartlands have reported that they keep finding their livestock drained of blood. The reports safely ruled out vampires, unless, as testimony from one farmer put it, there's a vampire running around with only one huge fang, as the site of drainage appears consistently to be just one large insertion wound.
There's just one problem with investigating all of this. The brief... doesn't have a clear direction to actually /find/ the farmers. They do, after all, live in a rather rural part of Alexandros, so the directions are a bit quaint and are along the lines of 'follow the scraggly river til it runs dry and take a left at the fork in the dirt road, then keep going til you see the great big tree stump, then take a right...' And so on, and so forth.
Which means you've ended up at a building marked as Lusi's Fine Cattery. There's a gnomish woman outside (presumably Lusi) holding a very long-haired cat that's rather large and bears a rather regal-looking face. "Well! Are you all lost? You all look lost to me. Say, are you here about the big buzzing?"
The what now?
Sora isn't always the best sort to be doing the talking. She looks around at the others for a moment and gives a bit of a shrug, which in her mithral plate doesn't make quite as much noise as one would expect.
Razen's patience is... a little strained. It's not the gnomish woman with her cat and odd comments' fault. It's the fault of being lost. Being lost is boring. Being lost is frustrating. Being lost is _not_ beating up on vampires or whatever else it is that's killing livestock. He can hope for one-toothed vampires can't he?
The half-ourch stands there idly, letting someone - anyone really - do the talking, but... The woman beside him shrugs and he sighs. "Sure!" He says, agreeing with the gnome just to get things moving along. "We are looking for whatever killed those cows. Or were they sheep? Whatever. Just point us in the right direction!" Please.
GAME: Nemori casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17
Well, it had been some time since Eztli had actually gone on any adventuring guild work. It took some time to recover from the vacation the guild had set up, in fact. But eventually, the small makari did find themselves out on another job, with more uncertain directions and expectations.
"There is a good chance that we are lost at this point." Eztli sighs when they happen upon some semblance of civilization. "The directions given likely did not account for the fact it is now winter, with various ponds and riverbeds frozen and snowed over, with unused paths obscured. I don't know about buzzing, we're here about something draining the blood from animals? Would you happen to know anything about it?"
Nemori folds her arms, doing her best to hide her own impatience... and the disdain and general bad mood. She, too, is not feeling great about being lost. But she'll also be damned if she agrees with an orc. She also isn't prepared to listen to another admonishment from Eztli.
So Nemori puts on her best smile after the gnomish woman's query. "Perhaps the two are related. There are, after all, other creatures that drain blood.. more likely than a one toothed vampire, I would hazard to suggest. Perhaps a giant mosquito."
The gnomish woman, Lusi, scrunches up her nose thoughtfully, while the regal-looking cat in her arms just continues to stare placidly at everyone else. "Adventurers! You're always so itchy to go. Granted, with the weather the way it is, I don't blame you," Lusi says, looking particularly at Razen in particular. "/You/ should come in and get some cat snuggles for some of those frayed nerves. But later."
She nods to both Eztli and Nemori. "That's my theory. The farmers aren't too far from here, and occasionally they drop by to give me the food I need for my pretty little babies, so I hear all of their business. I keep hearing the buzzing sometimes, but I don't have livestock to feed on. Just cats. And they're kept in the house, 'cept for when I bring them out for a little winter walk like right now. Isn't that right, Mayabella?"
Mayabella the cat slowly blinks.
"Sure is," Lusi says with a wide grin. "Point being, if they're giant mosquitos, I haven't seen them, but I sure have heard them in the distance. Anyway, sure, I can point you in the direction of the nearest farmer. He's got sheep that keep getting targeted."
Sora nods her head, at least it doesn't sound like a vampire, big bugs isn't much better, but they at least might be easier to kill, only time will tell though. The girl checks to make sure her Greatsword is secure in its hanger and ready to be pulled. She glances at the others a bit, "That would be most appreciated," she says softly and hopefully the directions are better than the ones they got to get here.
Razen glances irritably in the direction of his other two companions, but studiously does not comment. He should have known better than to speak up. He sighs and nods in agreement with Sora's comment. "Indeed." He says, keeping the rest of his commentary to himself.
"Staying inside is probably the safe bet for the time being, especially if whatever is causing this hasn't been seen." Eztli nods. "I used to have a cat, I wouldn't want anything happening to you or the ones you're keeping."
"We'd appreciate any directions you can give, hopefully we'll be able to figure this out there. Thank you for your time miss, I hope that this will be sorted out soon for everyone's sake."
Nemori eyes the held cat with a small and brief measure of distrust before she promptly turns away... Eztli doesn't need her help with the negotiations. Instead, she looks back out into the rural landscape. "Hopefully the cat woman gives better directions than the ones left at the Guild Hall," she mutters, unknowingly agreeing with Sora's unspoken sentiment. Then she eyes Razen out of the corner of her eye.
"Well, alright then. Let me hop inside and draw you a map. Off and away, Mayabella!" Lusi declares as she turns heel and walks back inside, her cat staring at the party as she goes.
She emerges a short time later with... Oh thank goodness, that's an actual map. Lusi's marked it up with a bit of chalk, drawing a kitty-face on the map where her house is supposed to be (complete with a speech bubble that says 'Meow' next to it), and then a frowny face where the farmer's house is supposed to be. "That's Farmer Theodorianus, but I just call him Ted. Nice fellow, but he's getting a bit old for the business, I think."
Then Lusi blinks as she hands the map out. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've heard head nor tail from him in two weeks. Anyway, you see him, tell him Lusi says hi."
The good news is that it's not far from Farmer Ted, according to the map. The bad news, or maybe the good news, depending on your perspective, is that you also hear buzzing in the distance as you approach.
GAME: Eztli rolls perception: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Sora rolls stealth: (15)+12: 27
Sora makes her way along with the others. As she hears the faint sounds, she works to move a bit more stealthily, which is quite the thing given that she is in full plate armor. Of course it is mithral, so maybe that makes the difference.
The sound of the buzzing is loud enough for Razen to notice it, and he eagerly slides his heavy flail free of the catches that keep it secured to his side. Holding the large weapon in one hand as he moves along. He is not stealthy of course, his armor makes rough noises as he moves along without an effort to hide himself.
Eztli stops when they reach near the edge of the camp, and the small makari squints, and sighs. "I can't tell what exactly that is, outside of annoying, and probably dangerous. Can't even tell if it's more than one, but I wouldn't rule that out." They offer to the others, and particularly turning to Nemori. "Not sure what to expect with this. Just be careful, okay?"
GAME: Nemori casts Hide From Undead. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17
Nemori smiles; as is the usual when she's not deliberately attempting to appear genuine and guileless, the smile is sharpened with a bit of an edge. "When am I not careful, Eztli?" she asks, before casting a spell to place upon all four of them. "In the unlikely event that this is a vampire," she explains, letting the magic saturate. "It should briefly veil us from them." Then she gestures to Razen and Sora. "Lead the way?" She's always quick to pick out who in the party should be taking the beatings before they get to her.
Things become clearer once the group sees the fences around two barns. There's, sadly, a few sheep out in the pastures, drained of their blood and surely deceased, laying down almost gently in the lightly snow-covered ground. The awful sight is also compounded by the sound of some very scared-sounding sheep coming from within two of the barns...
As four giant insects hover mid-air, wings buzzing in overtime to keep them aloft.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Sora rolls fort: (14)+6: 20
Eztli is able to finally pinpoint the source of the sound to some degree, and they realize quickly that whatever it was, was particularly large. "Just one moment!" She shouts to the others as she runs up, gesturing in a warding gesture as their robes and scales shimmer for a moment, before returning to normal. "Just give me a spot to hit them, and I'll see what I can do!"
GAME: Eztli casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (19)+14: 33
One of the mosquitos takes notice of the woman with the sword as big as she is. Since the sheep are closed inside of the barn, the insect goes for the obvious target, biting and latching onto Sora.
While the first mosquito to draw blood is occupied, two more of the giant mosquitos take flight and go to surround the small sith-makar, buzzing in an overly menacing fashion. Their wings can take them quite the far distance in a short span of time, it seems.
GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+6: (3)+6: 9
Razen grins as he spots the incoming insects, his flail already in hand as he rushes forward and... SMACK. The heavy flail's unusual head connects with the giant mosquito solidly. "FIGHT ME YOU INSECT!" He roars with pleasure and begins working himself up into a familiar fervor. Well... familiar if one has fought at his side in any case.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Razen rolls Fortitude: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (16)+14: 30
The last of the mosquitos to approach answers Razen's call for battle. It charges forward, buzzing as it successfully bites and latches onto the half-oruch, a hard bite that's sure to sting a bit later.
GAME: Nemori casts Liberating Command. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17 GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Ally. Caster Level: 8 DC: 20 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (10)+6+6: 22 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d10+2: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Razen rolls escape artist+16: (3)+-1+16: 18 GAME: Razen rolls escape artist+16: (6)+-1+16: 21 GAME: Riptide rolls 2d4: (5): 5
Nemori is really not one for rushing in to things. She is decently protected, sure, and the rapier she pulls from her hip does look sharp... but she's fine keeping those things at a distance, thanks. Eztli gets a dark look, though, as the latter chooses to do just that.... rush forward. "Foolish little sith," she mutters, then focuses on the token she's pulled from her pocket, a large coin with the emblem of Ceinara, and utters off a pair of well practiced verses. Razen gets an influx of inspiration, prompting an opportunity to potentially pull away from the legs and stinger of the giant mosquito, while a ruby tinged, translucent dancer made of force appears behind another of the large insects, gracefully attacking it with a rapier.
GAME: Sora rolls cmb: (18)+9: 27
Sora can't get a good grip on her sword with the bug attached and so she tries her best to wriggle free. She is successful, getting loose as she grips her greatsword again, "That pissed me off, Bug." she glares at the one that was sucking her blood.
GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+1: (7)+1: 8
In hindsight, Eztli should have expected the mosquitos to be moving as quickly as they were. And suddenly they were face to face with them, one already just next to them. The sorcerer hops back, conjuring a pair of flaming lance that are sent flying at the one closest to Razen, one flying several dozen feet before dissipating harmlessly in the air, while the other sears into the insect soundly.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
There's a /din/ of buzzing as the giant mosquitos try to go for their targets. The mosquito on Sora lunges for her and misses. The second tries to catch Eztli after she sends flaming lances at one of its brethren, but goes far too wide. And the third goes too far forward at Razen to the point where it actually dips to the ground, correcting itself before its weakness can be tactically exploited.
GAME: Riptide rolls 2d4: (5): 5 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14+5: (4)+14+5: 23 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (17)+14: 31 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d2: (2): 2
The giant mosquito latched onto Razen actually slips for a moment. For a brief moment in time, Razen is free.
But only a moment.
The mosquito lunges back forward and catches the half-oruch in its grasp, plunging down and beginning to feed anew.
GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (18)+6+6: 30 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (20)+6+6: 32 GAME: Nemori rolls 2d10+4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Razen RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 16 temporary HP GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14+2: (2)+14+2: 18 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14+2: (4)+14+2: 20 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+9+2: (11)+9+2: 22 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (1)+8: 9 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (6)+8: 14
Nemori watches the fight with attempted impassivity... but observing the big orc unable to keep himself free from the swarming insects when he's supposed to be protecting Eztli has her fail at that. And while the human seems to be doing alright...
The shadow elf's indecision comes to an end when the last skeeto keeps going after the sith sorcerer. She hustles forward, directing her force construct to follow its target.. as she does, an aura of liberation and spontaneity flows from her, instilling an urge to move, perhaps to dance, with little inhibition. Which is a bit at odds with her expression, and the tone of her voice when she snaps, "Eztli! Get behind me!"
GAME: Riptide rolls 2d4: (5): 5 GAME: Riptide rolls 2d4: (3): 3 GAME: Sora rolls strike: aliased to finesse+3: (6)+13+3: 22 GAME: Sora rolls 2strike-2: aliased to Finesse+3-5-2: (3)+13+3+-5+-2: GAME: Sora rolls 2strike-2: aliased to Finesse+3-5-2: (3)+13+3+-5+-2: 12 GAME: Sora rolls powdam: aliased to 2d6+3+2+1+1+6: (5)+3+2+1+1+6: 18
Sora starts to dance with her greatsword, focusing more on strength than accuracy she whips it at the bug, once and then a second time, but she is off balance on the second strike, so only the first hit, though it does carve into the creature for a significant blow.
Razen's gray-green eyes flash with lightning, and he hits the ground with his feet. Steady. "DIIIIIIE!" He screams at the mosquito, not caring that it can not understand him and beats at it with his flail. The first attack barely hits, almost doesn't, and in the end does little damage, but the second one lands more solidly.
GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (19)+7: 26 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (3)+14: 17
Eztli is nearly skewered by the proboscis of one of the oversized mosquitos, but it bends just off course right before it hits them. The small sith-makar looks back To Nemori, blinks once, before ducking behind the elf, not in a position to be arguing too much, and the distance giving them another chance to toss a pair of flaming projectiles at one of the insects. "Hard to hit them even when they're this big." The small makari grumbles. "Sora, fall back! I have a plan, but I don't want you getting burnt in the process." They shout out.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+1d8+6: (5)+(1)+6: 12 GAME: Nemori rolls fortitude: (12)+7: 19 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (20)+14: 34 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Riptide damaged you for 11 points. 50 HP remaining. GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (18)+14: 32 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
The mosquitos continue despite it all, with one striking a glancing bite into Sora, one striking a deeper bite into Razen, and another striking a deeper and more grievous wound into Nemori.
But Nemori's aura that radiates into her allies prevents the mosquitos from grasping them still long enough for them to truly draw blood. It is this aura that seems to stagger the last one enough to miss Eztli entirely.
GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (7)+6+6: 19 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom-5: (13)+6+6+-5: 20 GAME: Nemori rolls 2d10+4: (15)+4: 19 GAME: Nemori spends THREE uses of CHANNEL ENERGY. GAME: Nemori rolls 4d6+4d6: (18)+(8): 26 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14+2+2: (16)+14+2+2: 34 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+9+2+2: (2)+9+2+2: 15 GAME: Razen rolls 2d6: (10): 10 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (2)+8: 10 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (2)+8: 10
The ruby dancer twirls and stabs, force blade cutting into the buzzing, oversized mosquito.. but for the moment Nemori pays it no mind. Mostly because the same insect gave her immediate and emphatic reason to regret having moved into the fray. Lesson learned, she backs away from it a step, then opens herself up completely as a conduit to the positive energy realm, drawing in enough of the healing power that one could almost swear she was glowing, a dark figure seeming about ready to bleed with holy energy... before she releases it in two pulses to wash over her comrades, restoring energy, slowing bleeding, clotting wounds. With its release, she staggers, momentarily out of sorts.
Razen swings his flail overhead, roaring at the mosquitos with fury in his eyes. The weapon sings through the air, and he can feel the pulse of it in his hand. Knows that his weapon enjoys the blood of his enemies as much as he does. The face on the flail screams silently, and the half-oruch manages to hit both of the creatures, damaging them, but not quite bringing them down. All the better to smash them to bits.
GAME: Sora rolls strike: aliased to finesse+3: (13)+13+3: 29 GAME: Sora rolls vpowdam: aliased to 4d6+3+2+1+1+6: (6)+3+2+1+1+6: 19
Sora dances more with her greatsword. She takes a deep breath as with a bit of focus, she seeks a vital area on the bug and then whips her greatsword at the bug with a powerful vital strike, hurting it but not taking it down.
GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+5: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (3)+14: 17 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14+2+2: (12)+14+2+2: 30 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (7)+8: 15
Eztli looks at the surrounding insects, and everyone else getting hurt, and the small makari winces. "I'm sorry 'Mori, I'm trying my best to deal with them. Have to fall back to hit the things." They apologize before again ducking under the mosquito's attack, and making enough distance to send another flaming lance, this time splitting into two the moment it left their hand, one veering north and the other to the west, but only once makes connection, causing the mosquito to collapse to the ground, smoldering.
The mosquitos are quickly on the losing side. One goes wide of Sora, while the second finds its mark on Nemori but is unable to grab hold of her well enough to drain her blood.
But the mosquito that remains by Razen tries to protect itself. It tries to fly away, and--
As one of the mosquitoes that Razen had been beating on decides to flee, the orc - already somewhat enraged that one of them had been taken down by an ally rather than his blows - vents his frustration on the one trying to escape. The sound of squishing insect is drowned out by his yell. "AND STAY DOWN!" _Squish, squish, squish_.
GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom+2: (6)+6+6+2: 20 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom+2-5: (12)+6+6+2+-5: 21 GAME: Nemori rolls 2d10+4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Nemori rolls cleric+wisdom: (20)+8+6: 34 GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (6)+6+6: 18 GAME: Nemori rolls bab+wisdom: (9)+6+6: 21 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+14+2+2: (18)+14+2+2: 36 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+9+2+2: (19)+9+2+2: 32 GAME: Razen rolls 1d20+9+2+2: (14)+9+2+2: 27 GAME: Razen rolls 1d10+8: (6)+8: 14 GAME: Razen rolls 2d10+16: (9)+16: 25
Nemori considered calling for a retreat. It was fairly obvious to her that in his fury, Razen was unlikely to. In her righteous drive to do the right thing, Eztli was unlikely to. And Sora... well, she doesn't know the woman well enough to say, but she didn't seem like the kind to want to either. In fact, it was on the tip of her tongue... but then the mosquitoes start dropping. The smell of burned insect still lingers in the air, and the squashed remains of another are a clear indicator of how things are turning. So she scowls instead, and side-steps around the buzzing insect trying to make a meal of her. While her force construct continues to stab and slash with a grace the elf can only be envious of, she summons a second construct.. this time simply a rapier.. which proceeds to cut.
Razen isn't done. Not by a long shot. Fury at having been _eaten_ courses through his veins. They are trying to flee! With his blood! With the blood of his allies! He is having _none_ of it. His eyes catch on one of the few remaining insects and his first blow brings it to the ground, but in his rage he doesn't wait to see if it is still alive or not. He mashes it. Pummels it. Ichor sprays in every direction as the thing is pulverized into an unrecognizable mass. Razen's breathing is uneven, and his eyes unfocused as he looks up again.
GAME: Sora rolls strike: aliased to finesse+3: (8)+13+3: 24 GAME: Sora rolls vpowdam: aliased to 4d6+3+2+1+1+6: (12)+3+2+1+1+6: 25
Sora hears as the others have been taking down the other bugs, but there is the one that keeps coming after her. She whips her greatsword around again focusing on the spot that she cut into it before and the powerful blow strikes that vital area and cleaves it in twain.
Nemori keeps her summoned constructs in place, just in case there is more unpleasantry to be dealt with.. but while things seem relatively calm, at least for the moment, she turns away from the carnage.. doing her best to wipe some of the mosquito guts from her pants and very deliberately not looking at Razen. So deliberately she may as well be scowling right at him. Then she looks to Eztli. "Are you hurt?"
Sora takes the opportunity now to check herself over. She is humming to herself as she does and cleans her greatsword with a cloth before putting it back on its hanger as she looks for the spot she had been bleeding earlier.
Eztli lets the last of the flame that was flickering to life in her hands die out with everything seeming to be dead, and the sith-makar looks around, back to Nemori, and shakes her head. "I'm alright, really. I'm more worried about you, and everyone else." They sigh. "That looked bad, are you all okay? And what about those sheep in the barn? I thought I heard some. I hope the owner is still okay."
Razen doesn't move from where he is, breathing heavily and his weapon tight in his fists. It takes... a long moment for him to come back to himself, but once he does he nods. "We should check the barn." Indeed, he moves to do just that; not seeming to notice the wounds unhealed on his body, or the blood that he displays as he makes his way to the barn.
"The own..." Nemori trails off, even as Razen starts heading towards the barn. Her eyes on him also noting Sora's seeming lack of concern. "Oh. Yes. The owner." A pause. "I hope we were here in time," she says, doing her best to sound like she truly cares about his well being.
GAME: Nemori rolls bluff: (11)+12: 23
The barn has closed doors, but there are glass windows, and the sheep seem considerably less noisy now that there aren't giant mosquitos hovering in front of the barn. As Razen cracks open a door, he can see the sheep gathered around...
A very scared-looking boy, maybe about ten years old. His half-elf ears are drooping a little as he looks at Razen, holding what appears to be a walking stick out in front of him with a shaking hand. His blue eyes are filled with tears, but he looks relieved as he realizes that's a half-oruch and not a giant mosquito. "Thank Dana, you aren't a big... buzzy thing!"
When nothing jumped out at Razen as he cracks open a door, Nemori, satisfied Eztli is not, in fact, injured, makes her way over to the orc, peering around him to see the sorry looking half elven child. A phrase is on her tongue, almost escaping her mouth before she snaps her teeth closed. No. As amusing as she would find the child's reaction, it probably isn't worth the tongue-lashing she'd suffer from Eztli, or the disapproval she'd get from the others. So she sighs instead. "I suppose we ought to make sure he's okay."
"Yes, the owner." Eztli nods. "Wouldn't you want someone to help you if you were in need? And people other than the owner, too." She continues, looking to the barn as there is sound of talk, leading her to quickly head over and look in. "I don't know if they're used to makari, but it's okay, we're here to help." The small makari offers. "Nemori, can you make sure they aren't injured?"
It's Razen that actually walks up to the boy, putting away his weapon and kneeling before the half-elf child. "I will not hurt you, and those things are gone now. I smashed them." He grins at the youngster toothily and offers his hand. "If you want, we will help you find your family. Okay?"
Nemori's expression is sour when she looks at Eztli. "What a..." Pause. A physical effort to change what she is going to say, but she manages. ".. a good idea. Of course." So she follows Razen into the barn. She hangs back from him, not wishing to startle the child or interfere with the orc's attempts to calm him.. but she does give the half-elf a visual once over, looking for clues or signs he may be injured.
GAME: Nemori rolls heal: (2)+6: 8
Thankfully, the boy seems to be physically uninjured, only a bit shaken from the events that have happened.
"My family?" the boy asks curiously, although he eagerly takes Razen's hand. "It's just Grandpa Ted and I here. I can take you to him if you want."
Along the way back, the boy introduces himself as Farmer Ted's only grandson, Nedanius, or Ned for short, who only recently arrived to the farm to help his grandfather out with the sheep. He explains that he's not too good at everything yet, but he didn't think the giant mosquito stories were real until, of course, they showed up looking for the flock of easy pickings. He blames himself a little for not being able to save all of the sheep, but considering that he managed to get the sheep that he could into the barn as a novice shepherd, it's kind of impressive.
The reason why Farmer Ted hadn't been seen in two weeks is actually the reason why Nedanius is here--Farmer Ted had a bad fall, and while he was able to be mended by a cleric of Althea who resides in the farming community, she'd ordered him to bed rest and light duty following it to not aggravate the injury.
While Ned can't offer a great lunch, as it's in the middle of winter and he's only about ten, he tries his best. It's a light meal, but satisfying after killing giant mosquitos. As additional thanks, Farmer Ted offers everyone skeins of finely-spun wool. "Makes great socks if you know what to do with 'em," he says.
"Say hi to Lusi for me, please," Ned asks Razen pleadingly. "I hope she'll let me adopt one of her cats one day. They're so cuddly and sweet."
As for /what/ caused the giant mosquitos, especially that they're out of season... Farmer Ted offers his wild guess. "Y'know, about a week ago, 'afore I broke my leg, this young-lookin' half-elf fellow was passing through. Saw him talkin' to a neighbor of mine. Had dark hair, pale skin, and eyes that seemed almost like th'dead. Somethin' wasn't right about him. Just a hunch."
Who knows. Either way, at least Farmer Ted and Ned are safe because of your actions.
-End