Sister Aliana shrugged.
"I have magic from my god that can enchant weapons for a short time, as a last resort."

Amara stayed on the edges of the conversation. Like Myarra, she knew that her looks tended to make people edgy - at least at first. Though most males eventually were won over by her beauty.

She wasn't a huge fan of spending a lot of time here. Yes, it was defensible. But it was also the middle of the day and they had a mission. But she remained quiet. If the boy's friends were still alive, they would likely return here. And it seemed obvious they would need help similar to the boy.

Finally, after hearing the fuller story from the boy, she stated, "If your friends do not arrive by nightfall, tomorrow we should return to where you fought the monsters. From there, we might be able to track the others." Or, at least, what happened to them.

She also felt like something wasn't quite right. The taxes the boy mentioned were extremely high for a farmer for a year - either they had been building up for a long time, or these were very large farms or growing very expensive crops.

Byron smiles at Aliana's reply.  Unlike some warriors Byron appreciates magic cast by clerics and by magic users.  Even his earlier teasing of Nolan, was done in good fun and with the understanding that Nolan's spell casting was meant to shorten the battle as much as possible in our favor.

That is a good thing, but the limited duration and limited number of spells that you may use per day limit the value of that.  We definitely want to have that option available should we need it, but not depend on it.

Twiggy took out his dagger of returning and held it by the blade to hand to Lorrik "Here. It is enchanted to return to you. Throw it and it reappears in your hand, no need to get close and your dexterity is your best aspect right now."

Kali looked at Byron. "I can likewise enchant a club or staff to have magical qualities, and though the blade would not be fully effective in his hands, if he used it i could use other spells. But more to the point is should he be with us when we search for them. Though he held his own, it was mostly luck that saved him. He isn't a seasoned fighter, and though i don't doubt his spirit, his inexperience could be hazardous."uid looked at the boy. He himself said he was a farmer, and only searched for riches to pay for his farm.

The druid reached over her shoulder and drew her new blade, feeling its balance. "Perhaps the blade was of low quality and normal weapons can hurt it, or the plant is just strong. We will not know. All we can do is prepare him. With this time we should teach him, with swords, clubs, staffs....even ranged weapons. It could tip the scales in saving his life."

You may be right Kali, a ranged weapon for the kid would be best.  The only unknown; are the dangerous creatures here hurt only by magical weapons.  He can fire off four arrows from a bow in the time he could reload and fire my crossbow one time.

Looking at Kali's blade as she feels the balance of it.

You saw the other items in Amos' shop.  While there is some stuff of average quality and priced accordingly, He does his best to sell to better quality weapons to customers, while being fair to everyone.  I can't ever remember him trying to cheat a customer, but I'm sure some customers have tried to cheat him.  Unfortunately, there are people in the world who are more interested in profit than integrity.

Looking to Nox and Aliana.

Arm him with some better quality arrows?  The ones he brought with him will be lucky to be reused if they miss again.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Wed 31 May 2017.

Kali looks at the sword with a smile, remembering the deal the kindly old man had with her. She sheathed the sword with a smile. "Though i have had little to do with other people, Amos is a rare man....kind and fair. I have no doubt he has been cheated in the past, but speaking for myself, because of our agreement, i will honor him and more."

She looked at byron and her smile faded. "I have been wracking my brains on flying plants, but none come to mind. Animated plants they can vary, but those which fly..." She shrugs her shoulders

The only flying creatures I know that are hard as rocks are gargoyles. That could explain why your sword broke, Lorrik. Gargoyles are usually found near old ruins and the ruins in this forest are hundreds of years old.

Byron gently pats Kali on her back.

It's ok Kali.  I suspect that these creatures are not normally found in nature.  Rather they are a creation by someone or something or a magical alteration of something.

Turing to the others.

As Aliana said to me earlier today we should treat Lorrik as a fellow adventurer.  Yes, he is young and not as experienced as us, but anything less will hurt him and cause him not to trust us.  Lets arm him with the something better than the junk he has.  Aliana, for now I suggest you keep the flame tongue for yourself.

Looking back towards Nolan and the others.

We better get back to them now.

Teasing Twiggy some.

Hey Twiggy, you got anything sharper than a needle on your person?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Wed 31 May 2017.

In reply to Byron Rockhead (msg # 938):

Aliana nodded eagerly.
"I have a spare sword, we'll made, too.   Perhaps we can make him a man at arms, or hireling,  so we can have the excuse to keep him back from the main fight until he's more experienced."

Aliana, that is a very good idea given the poor armor the kid has.  Lets hold off on making him an offer of any sort until we complete our mission of restoring the stone of balance.

Aliana, that is a very good idea given the poor armor the kid has.  Lets hold off on making him an offer of any sort until we complete our mission of restoring the stone of balance.

In reply to Byron Rockhead (msg # 940):

Aliana nodded,  accepting the logic of the statement

Kali looked at the two with a note of agreement. Kali didn't want the boy in unnecessary danger, but if he chose this life, he needed to be prepared. She looked at Byron with a smile. "Perhaps this is an opertunity to train him uniquely. Maybe you train him a bit for a few hours tomorrow and i can take over...see what he would do against some nature magic, or against Raie...a stalking animal."

She looked at Nolan "Perhaps some tips on arcane magic? Who knows, he may be magically adept."

The discussion Lennox came down to participate in ends abruptly, and the warrior finds himself wonder why he'd been solicited for input if they were going to return to the main group prior to allowing him a chance to speak... but finding himself content with the resolution, and having nothing better to add beyond assurances of capability for his own armaments, he bobs his head and then vanishes to rejoin Myarra on the rooftop.

"Thank you! I'll return it to you anytime you want it back." Lorrik said as he accepted the dagger and looked at it with wide and interested eyes

Twiggy nods at Lorrik and then looks at Byron "I have my rapier that I can start putting holes in you so that I can practice my stitching skills." the Halfling says with a grin

You won't be putting holes in me tonight. However you will be practicing your stitching tonight.

Turning to look at Lorrik.

I hope you are well rested.  You are going to be up for a while helping to repair your armor and then later standing watch with me and Myarra during the late shift.

Myarra raises her eyebrow as Lennox reappears on the roof.  She'd barely had time to make one circuit before the discussion below ended.  She shrugs and returns to her corner of the roof to watch the forest and listen to those below, even given that she can't see them, and they can't see her.

"The man is better plated than most dragons, Twiggy.  A rapier would be about as effective as slapping him with a haddock.

Don't wear Lorrik out too much, Byron, no matter what he says.  It's going to be a long night, he's still recovering, and the young frequently overestimate their abilities.  My old raid leader had a couple of pieces of advice.  Among them was: Never ask someone to stand guard if you're not confident they can stay awake.

Let him take a nap, if he's able.  I know it's all very exciting, but near death experiences take a lot out of you."

Looking up towards the roof in Myarra's direction.

I agree to an extent Myarra.  I won't wear him too much as we all need our sleep.  At the same time Lorrik has to learn as we have learned that a good watch is needed in unfamiliar or hostile territory.  This place is both for us.

Looking at Twiggy and with no teasing in my voice.

Time permitting tomorrow you and I are going to see how well Lorrik picks up the skills needed with a rapier.

"Let him stick with throwing the magical dagger for now, it will return each time. Once we find some better armor or give him more training then we can let him get up front.  Myarra, he is well armored and that is why I use a rapier. The fine blade can slip through the fine joints or places like the under arm or crotch, which is my height. Although I think you girls want me to stay away from that area for Byron. I really shine when I catch people unaware, I am small so I take advantages where I can.

Lennox resumes applying the sharpening stone to theedges of his greatsword, aask likely intended to focus the mind and occupy the hands rather than have any meaningful impact on the enchanted weapon.

Nolan was lying down on the ground looking up at the stars, tracing patterns with his finger.

I'm tired of this hiding and sneaking stuff. When are the two of you going to come down here and introduce yourselves to Lorrik? It's already bad enough that Amara is hiding from him.

"I'll take middle watch then. Do we just stay in the house and look out the window, or do we walk around the building during our watch?"

"I am not hiding," Amara retorted to Nolan. "I am  simply not bringing myself to the forefront of attention."