Zassil heard Bunny's words. He tried to take them to heart, he tried to think the words weren't said in pity to him. Nevertheless, regardless, he straightened up, deciding he should show that he wasn't some petulant child. Everyone had their time to shine - this just really hadn't been his.

The discussion on the undead was not comforting. "I am even more glad than before that we stopped this budding...necromancer." The last word was said with disgust and disdain.

He began to gather things up and carry them outside closer to Lunk and just to have them outside the cave honestly. He paused when Bunny asked them to gather round. The last of his wounds re-knitting themselves back to normal once more. He let out a sigh of relief and went back in to the cave for another load.

Lunk stood as you exited the cavern, ending whatever contemplation his mind had been working on.  He nodded when Bunny reported the death of the Ogre Mother, "She was a bad mother.  It's good that she's dead.  There was an evil man too?"  He asked, though he seemed little interested in the answer.

The giant perked up when Bunny's magic mends the majority of the wounds he had received.  His massive body was a glutton for the healing effects of the positive energy, and even all that Bunny released did not get the giant back into top shape.  But Lunk was happy for it regardless, "That feels a lot better than the medicine you used yesterday."  He commented on the divine healing versus the non-magical treatment.

"We should leave."  He looked around the destroyed ogre home, "Nothing is left here.  Maybe more ogres will live here again someday.  Or bears.  But nothing will come here for a long time."  Lunk peered curiously at the baggage you all carried out from the ogre cave, "Friends didn't go inside with all that."  He nodded, "Ogres must have stolen those things from the people they fought."

With assistance from Lunk, grateful for the healing and the help you were in eliminating the evil ogre mother, you set out from the ogre cavern.  It's easy going with Lunk's seeming inexhaustible strength to carry the weight of your loot; it is not difficult to reach his hut once more, with the giant leading the way through the mountains.

Once there you find Beatie in good spirits as well as her cart undisturbed.  The hut is the very picture of how you had left it earlier in the morning.  Lunk set the baggage he had carried down into the cart.

By then the day had worn into the afternoon.  If you left Lunk's hut soon, you would be marching back into the gates of the Roc's Roost at dusk; and the traveler's stuck at the inn would be able to leave again by morning.

Zassil gave a nod to Lunk. "Thank you for all your help, Lunk. It was...nice to meet you." It didn't quite sound like that pained him, per se, but it had been clear that there was no love lost between Dracil and Giants for the most part. So maybe it was progress.

"I think we should load up the cart and head out now, try to make it back before dark. It would be better to let everyone know what we found, and did, as soon as possible." He hastened to add, "Not because we need to take credit or get glory or thanks or anything, just so that visitor can feel safer to leave if they wish and so the guards don't have to be on such high alert as they are now."

Bunny let her eyes wander the interior of the giant's hut.  Everything neatly in place.  It made for a calming feel of satisfaction that helped to push the madness, horror, and death of the ogre cave firmly into the past.  There, given the time to reflect, it could safely be examined with the clinical objectivity that Daddy had once drilled into her.  Given the time.

"You have a good point there, Zassil."  It was time to say goodbye's.  Keep your place neat and tidy, y'hear, Lunk.  Tidy is organized."  And she tapped a finger against one temple to indicate where the real organization would be happening.  "Y'all are a fine host, Lunk, and Ah enjoyed myself here quite a lot."  She tugged at his arm to draw him down to her level, whereupon she placed a kiss on the giant's cheek.  "Y'all take care now.  And with luck we will find ourselves through this way again some day."

She turned from the giant and the hut, the night of life and the day of death.  And she joined the cart and the mule, loaded for the return trip to Roc's Roost.  Then Bunny waved farewell with one last look before beginning the journey back.

Lunk stood at his doorstep waving goodbye as you left with Beatie and the cart.  The decision to reach the Roc's Roost before dark meant there was no time for visiting and little time for goodbyes.  The giant seemed sad to see you go so soon; but he lived a solitary life and was unlikely to be that way for long.

The trail back through the mountains was quiet except for a whistling breeze that blew through the passes.  When you reached the site of the ogre ambush from the previous day a flock of scavenging vultures took to the air to avoid you and your cart.  The dead ogres were ravaged in a scene that was not worth spending much time near.  Beatie would only pull the cart as close to the bodies as she had to in order to skirt around them.

Of the wyvern, there was no other sign.

The sun was just starting to dip under the mountain horizon when you reached the trade road.  Turning west you headed to the Roc's Roost, the sign of the original ogre attack days ago.  Dim twilight was all that was left before the gates of the fortified inn finally came into view.

A shout from the guard started a flurry of activity within the palisade.  By the time you were at the gate they were already in the process of being opened up.  Kimaiyo the Rooster stood within, arms wide as he welcomed you to the inn.

"My friends!  You have returned; and none too soon.  I was getting worried that I might have to commission Master Merrick's plaque after all."  The dark-skinned innkeeper grinned widely.

"Come inside, my men will take care of the cart and your things.  You are just in time for a late dinner.  If I recall correctly, I promised to supply the drinks in exchange for your tales, eh?"  He gestured to the door of the inn.

The crowd of other guests had gathered nearby as well, clearly interested in seeing what you had to report themselves.  They had the look of a crowd grumpy at being forced to stay put (the dwarves especially), while at the same time relieved that your return meant they were likely able to move on.

"You don't perchance happen to have hot chocolate?"  With the sun now down a chill had set into the mountain air.  The hat had come off with the abating of the sun's glare.  But it had quickly returned for its warmth.

It had been a long day, and Bunny was grateful for the seat she found along the wall.  She set her pack down at her side, laid the hat down on top, and settled in, content to take in their story as told by someone else.  She pulled the material of her poncho closer around her, and waited for the hot chocolate.

"I mean, you could still put it up," Merrick replied nonchalantly to Rooster with an innocent looking face; “Nothing’s stopping you.  Though I’d beseech you to add the other’s names as well,” he continued as he face took on a graver tone.  ”You don’t want to know the horrors they faced in the mountains.  That way lay worse than Ogres.  So much worse…,” Merrick trailed off hauntingly.

“I’ll tell the tale if you wish,” the young man sighed as he took a seat.  “But I’ll need what she’s having,” Merrick declared with a nod to Bunny.  “Except skip the chocolate.  And by hot; it needs to burn on the way down,” he added with a shake of the head.  “There are things we saw that I’d like to forget…”

After Claissa helped load up her own backpack and Niri's saddlebags as best she could, she hustled out with the others to get Niri healed up as quickly as possible. She was happy to see Lunk again, and visibly relaxed when both he and her tiger were healed. She continued tagging along after that, with a happy greeting toward Beatie and a fond, regretful farewell to Lunk when they left his hut. "I hope our paths cross again sometime," she said as she shook his hand with both of hers as best she could.

Despite the horrors they'd seen in the cave, Claissa was in fairly high spirits compared to the others as they returned to Roc's Roost. When she and Niri weren't directly in the way of danger, her attitude tended toward the sunny. "Hello again Kimaiyo, good to see you. I'll have some hot chocolate too, please." Since Merrick had been good enough to volunteer to tell the tale, Claissa just found a seat near Bunny and began giving Niri some snacks.

Lissabytta helped drag all of the things out of the cave.  She'd been relatively quiet on the way back to Lunk's; seemingly lost in thought for a fair portion of the time.

Back at Lunk's hut, Lissa seemed eager to go - pushing to get Beatie's cart loaded.  They'd already been gone for over a day.  She did, however, linger once farewells were being made.  The blonde Rembaran scholar gave the giant's leg a pat and she wished him well in his native tongue [Language unknown: "Hianus st, n pohaev!  Ard ofmen Testerat nd witme Wilwiters Addi ofcksi icpe any."]  Though the tone was a bit halting, she'd been trying to integrate all of strange rumblings from the ogrekin and Lunk at various points and some of the vocabulary had started to click.  Lissa recalled some of the ancient texts that she'd previously studied on the one-eyed giantkin and noted some similarities there, too.  Though she had never been fluent in Cyclopean, either.

Thankfully, the trek back to the Roost had been uneventful.  She'd passed the rotting ogre remains in silence wondering if they'd ever see that wyvern again.  And also wondering if they should ever see it again.

Once back at the Roost, Lissabytta seemed visibly relieved to be back amongst some trappings of civilization.  Even after the cart was unloaded (Lissa wanted to make sure that the higher quality and magical items were properly accounted for) there was still plenty to do.  Items to study, weapons to repair and maintain, resupply, and next steps to be hashed out.  But, first food and reporting to Kimaiyo seemed in order.

She ordered some mulled spice wine and a bowl of stew for herself, as well as a plate bread and cheese for the table.  Lissa smiled when Merrick offered to regal tavern with their adventure.  Ripping off a piece of bread to dip, the blonde archaeologist was interested in what Merrick had to say and seemed more than willing to urge him on.  She settled into the meal, but was offering the appropriate murmurs and gasps or encouraging "Huzzah" where necessary during the Kataaran's harrowing tale.

"Hot chocolate?"  Kimaiyo asked with some small bemusement as he led you to a table.  He chuckled, "Well, never let it be said that Kimaiyo the Rooster questions his friends' choice of beverage.  Sanjay!"  The inn proprietor called to the kitchen, "I need a hearty dinner and drinks!"  He turned to you, "Please, sit, relax."  Kimaiyo left towards the kitchen himself, "I had best make sure that Sanjay gets everything correct myself."

You were all left at the table for a few minutes before Kimaiyo returned, carrying a bottle of brandy and followed by a server with a tray of drinks.  He set a glass out for Merrick, Zassil, and himself while Bunny, Claissa, and Lissa received their hot chocolates and mulled wine.  Kimaiyo poured the brandy into the three glasses, setting the bottle on the table before raising his glass, "This first toast is to you, my friends."  He rose his glass, "You saved the Roost, stopped the ogres, and even made friends with Lunk if I am not mistaken.  A full set of accomplishments worthy of a band of heroes, eh?"

Toast finished, Kimaiyo sat down at the table with you.  "So what are these horrors you tell me the ogres had concocted up in the mountains?  More than just the ogre magician who led the attack?  What were they planning then?"  The proprietor of the Roc's Roost listened to your tale told by Merrick.  Your meals arrived shortly after the story had begun; a thick stew served with cornbread.

"They had a horde of undead that you stopped?"  Kimaiyo's face was in a frown as you finished, "Led by a foul necromancer, raising travelers and ogres alike to press into his growing army.  That is...distressing news, my friends.  Nothing of that like has ever been in the mountains, at least not in my lifetime.  A necromancer gathering undead to his banner spells danger for more than just my inn.  And it was using the ogres too...most distressing.  Well, at least ogres will no longer be a problem on this part of the road for years to come."

"But you put a stop to whatever its plans were, so the immediate threat is gone."  He rose his glass to you once more.  "Now messengers can safely reach Gonan, the dwarves will dispatch a crew to clear the road, and a month from now it will be as though nothing ever happened.  I imagine tomorrow morning I will lose all my guests; even those heading west are unlikely to stay until the road is cleared.  If there is no trouble in my asking, where were you heading before getting...inconvenienced by those ogres?"

"Ah cannot pretend to understand the mind of a necromancer, but can you think of any reason that anyone mahght want to build an army of the undead here in this mountain pass?"  This Bunny speculated over the hot chocolate held in her two hands before her.  "Or, Ah reckon that is not so much the proper question.  The proper question being moah who than why.  Ah cannot imagine a lone necromancer wishin' to control the trade on this pass with nothin' moah for company than ogres and undead.  He must have been workin' with others.  Possibly to greater purpose."

She shook her head at the mystery, and took a slow sip, noticeably having avoided the question of where she might be headed next.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Thu 25 June 2020.

Merrick ensured to heighten the heroics of his companions whenever possible as he spun his yarn.  The might and fortitude of Zassil, Lissabytta’s tenacity and frightening accuracy, Bunny’s bravery complemented by her heart warming empathy, and of course, Clarissa’s mastery of magic and the fearsomeness of her pet.   There was, in the end, only a smattering of humble, almost self-deprecating, references to his own minor contributions to the tale after which the young man busied himself with the food and drink provided.

“What reason does anyone do anything,” Merrick quipped as he glanced towards Bunny and raised his glass to his lips.  “Money and power.  Though not necessarily in that order,” he added before downing another shot.  “Though,” the young man paused, pursing his lips thoughtfully, “I believe I get your point.”

“It’s sort of like…,” Merrick continued thoughtfully as he slouched back in his chair gesturing with his hands.  “You know, when you palm a few coins to the local constable, it’s not because you think he deserves a tip; it’s because you want him to look the other way when you get to what you’re really… up… to…ahem, or so I’ve heard.  Not that I’ve… you know,” Merrick hedged at the end.

“Anyway, there is a certain means and not ends feel to it all, if I catch your meaning. ”

Zassil bowed his head a bit in respect and greeting to Kimaiyo when they first met back up with him. He didn't say much other than to say that "The roads should be safe for traveling once more, though the pass will need to be cleared still." He let the others do the rest of the talking and storytelling.

"I would prefer ale or wine myself, instead of hot chocolate." He accepted the toast and nodded to his allies. He ate hungrily and drank thirstily at first, but then he slowed down soon thereafter.

He mulled over the question of where he was going. He hadn't had a clear destination in mind, really. He was out looking to make him name. Traveling with, and being a guard for, merchant caravans wasn't going to cut it either. He needed bigger things, epic adventures and danger.

However, he slowly turned his head and glared his narrowed eyes at Merrick as the little man began talking of bribery and unstated but likely illegal activities. "I am going to be looking for more trouble, more danger and more adventure. However, I will state that confidence scams, robbery, illegal activities and the like...are unlikely to be welcome for those in my company. Fair warning." Though his tone was conversational and theoretically for everyone at the table, it was clear that the warning, at least, was squarely directed at Merrick. It was less a glare and more a disapproving look honestly.

”Hear hear,” Merrick nodded in agreement as he looked to fill his glass again.  “”Distasteful business all that – yes?  Makes it harder for decent folk like us to get on with our business.  Honestly though,” the young man puffs up as his spine straightens with a bit of umbrage, ”I think Kataar has an unfair reputation in that regard.   Started by outsiders ignorant to our ways.  Very sad,” Merrick trailed off almost regretfully.

"Two legs, not more."  Bunny sighed, her gaze fixed on a distant memory mirrored in the depths of her hot chocolate.

"What about you, Lissa?"  She pulled herself out of the well of memories, forcing her lips into a smile.  "Which way are you headed after this?"

Lissa continued to eat heartily at the food before her.  She pulled one of the servers aside as story continued to ensure that she got a tankard of mulled wine as well; the blonde scholar had always been partial to a pinch of cinnamon and a twist of citrus.  But in the mountains sometimes they used more bitter spices.  Still, the variety was always welcomed.

A slightly lopsided smile touched her lips when Bunny prompted her for her plans.  "Well," Lissabytta noted idly, tracing the edge of her bowl with her spoon for a moment, "I was heading into Arnia to meet with my old academic advisor, Professor C.B. Clarke, and help him with a new expedition - an archaeological study.  He's a brilliant, passionate scholar, but definitely not the most organized planner."  She looked to the others gathered at the table and gave them a slightly wan, slightly mischievous, smile, "That's sort of what I am likely there for - at least in part."

She perked and waggled her utensil at her table companions, "You are all quite handy and versatile, we could definitely use your talents on the expedition.  Not always glamorous, but good honest work.  They'll be plenty of travel some to areas quite remote, I suspect.  We'll need guides... " with a nod to Bunny and Clarissa, "... and local liaisons ..." she added with a nod to storytelling-Kataaran and the wyvern-negotiating Dracil.  Likely, Zassil's muscle would be a welcome plus, also.  Lissa beamed, "And as I noted, since I'll probably have a hand in organizing things - likely we can come to terms on compensation and such."  It was a nonchalant shrug, one that seemed to imply that she knew a guy who knew a guy that might be able to help out there ...

Claissa was better with direct negotiation than things like table manners, and wasn't sure whether she was supposed to raise her mug to a toast partly directed at herself. She opted to just smile appreciatively at Kimaiyo before drinking her hot chocolate along with him and the others. It was a nice feeling to be recognized for her hard work like that. For her part, she had no particular issue with Merrick's explanation, and she smiled at him when his tale-telling kindly embellished her and Niri's role. The tiger herself was content to keep eating at the side of Claissa's chair.

"I can't really say I was going anywhere, I'm just seeing where the road takes me while I work on my magic," she answered Kimaiyo's question lightly. It was a truthful answer, if a slightly reversed one. Her journeys had a definite destination when she reached that level of magic, but the intermediate steps were a mystery even to her. This had certainly been a good opportunity to practice in the "real world."

"An archaeological study?" she asked Lissabytta curiously after that. She was obviously interested, though in an unformed sort of way since she had little idea what that even was, apart from the surrounding details sounding appealing. "What does that entail? I don't think I've ever even heard of people doing that."

"Ah, so you are seeking glory,"  Kimaiyo nodded to Zassil, then grinned at Merrick, "And you are seeking fortune, yes?  Sounds to me like you make a ready pair."  He chuckled at Merrick and Zassil's odd couple as he refilled their glasses.

"Oh ho, an archeological study sponsored by the famed Academy?"  The innkeeper turned his attention to Lissa, "You are full of surprises, My Lady D'Argento.  Scholar, marksman, explorer, and archeologist; I imagine these are only a few of the many hats you no doubt wear."  He rose his glass, "Well, if it is help you need I can vouch for these fine people.  Something tells me that this remote expedition of yours will prove far more stimulating than resting on one's laurels."

"Well my friends..." Kimaiyo stood, "The time is late and I must take my leave."  You were the only ones still sitting at a table; it was late evening.  "Enjoy yourselves, the road through the mountains is still hard even without ogres and undead barring the way anymore.  Good night, and good rest; you earned it."  He left to exit the building, "I will see you tomorrow morning before you go!"  The bottle of brandy was left at your table.

"Well, Ah wish y'all the best of luck."  The voice of the dark-haired gunslinger was overly loud, and did far too much to intentionally call attention to itself.  "Ah will be goin' mah own way t'morroah.  Headed *WEST*."  A subtle wince rippled across Bunny's face, brought to the surface by her own voice, and its ham-handed attempt at misdirection.  Her eyes flicked in the direction of The Rooster's retreating back for some sign of reaction.

After a sigh, however, she broke off.  Daddy would not be thrown off the trail so easily.  Perhaps only distance would prove sufficient to shake pursuit. She reached forward to pull a piece of cheese, and with pensive reflection, she dipped the cheese in her hot chocolate before nibbling one corner.

OoC: Bunny Cotillion rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Bluff.

Merrick shot Bunny an empathetic grin, the sort of grin you give to a puppy desperately trying to catch its own tail.  Winking at the young woman he gestured between the pair and nodded in a manner that suggested he'd be happy to help her work on that particular life skill.  For now, however, the Rooster had left the brandy at the table...

More than appreciative of their hosts generosity, Merrick poured himself another round as he watched the Kimayio move off.  Taking a drink, he scooched his chair over to Claissa in a manner that was likely intended to be subtler than it was.  Leaning over and half-covering his mouth against Zassil's direction he only half-whispered conspiratorially to the young woman.  "It means they steal from the dead.  They just can't call it stealing because, you know," Merrick continued in a not-so-whisper as his hand transitioned to point subtlety at the Dracil before the man raised a single finger to his mouth and gave an amused "shhhhh."

Lissabytta smiled slightly, mischievous quirk to her lips as well as a turn of bemusement, as Clarissa asked about archaeology and Merrick responded rather tongue-in-cheek.  The young Kataaran scoundrel was right... in a certain way, even if her academic nature rebelled at the thought.  "Well, we aren't exactly tomb raiding..." the blonde scholar chimed in, as Merrick's besmirched her profession, "But, the field has its proponents and opponents.  And the study of archaeology, of human history - mostly ancient human history - through clues and remnants left behind.  It's like solving a huge puzzle, with many of the pieces missing..."  Her enthusiasm perked up, and the young Rembaran blonde droned on a for a bit about the storied history of field as well as her and Professor Clarke's place in it, before noticing rather glazed expressions that might be developing.

Lissabytta sighed, and looked at the others gathered for a moment, then added rather self-deprecatingly, "But, yeah, we are often digging around in the dirt looking for really old things - from people that are long dead, and usually can't complain.  And taking that stuff ..."  She paused for a moment to playfully stick out her tongue at Merrick, "... for study as we try to figure out how and why they were used.  And then, generally, to store them in museums for posterity.  And not just the Museum of Me."

She thanked Rooster, as he excused himself, waving a cheerful farewell.  Though she presumed that she'd see him in the morning before she left.  It was likely the last time for a while; she needed to get on the road pretty quickly to make the timetable originally set by her mentor.

Lissabytta nodded sagely at Bunny's pronouncement about the direction she was heading.  Turning to the others, she simply reiterated her offer, "The pay is likely to be good<Green>" though perhaps, admittedly not as good as any scheme that Merrick might cook up, "<Green>and the expedition could definitely use your skills.  And you might see and learning something new!"  The latter of which was always a good thing in her book.

She smiled more brightly, "Anyways, it'll be fun.  Sleep on it tonight.  I'll be heading out in the morning, and I hope you can join me..."

"Speakin' of which ... "  Bunny put a hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn.  Her shoulders moved, shifting the muscles there in languid circles in lieu of an unladylike stretch.  "Ah do believe Ah will turn in now.  We should see to tradin' some of that brick-a-brack for useful supplies tomorrow.  Hopefully, the mornings around here are not as, shall we say, eventful as the first."

She stood and hoisted her bag from the floor.  "Ah wish y'all a good evenin'," she said, then departed for her room.

Zassil nodded at Kimaiyo, "Of course! I must build my reputation, my renown, my story, so that I can earn my name. Only with great deeds may I earn a great name." He smiled slightly.

Ne listened to the others speak. It seemed most were heading to sleep. He would soon bring out his pad and begin sketching some of the scenes of battle during the fight with the Ogres. While he mainly acted as a shield to blunt the spells and attacks of their enemies, he still was part of the group that took down the necromancer. That was something. He would need to do much more to earn a great name, however.

As Merrick watched Bunny stand his gaze shifted to the bottle, clearly not yet empty, with a slightly confused look.  Shrugging a moment later he grabs the bottle and gives those remaining a little top-up before doing the same for himself.  "Well I for one love hard and honest work, and that sounds like both," he declares with jovial sincerity.  "But for the record; if any of those dead people stand up and object to your taking of their things.... for study" he emphasized those last words with wink to Lissa, "I fall firmly on the 'putting it back' side of things..."

"Unless of course we can run faster than them, then it's fine," he added after a beat before taking another swig.

"Good night, Kimaiyo," Claissa said amiably when their host excused himself. Her eyebrows lifted when Merrick described what Lissabytta was talking about in rather unflattering terms, but she still heard out what Lissa had to say about it. "Is that so," she mused. "I'm not sure that sort of fancy scholar work is for me, but if everyone's going along and there's new experiences and new money in it, then perhaps I'll give it a go." She'd enjoyed the company of the others thus far, after all.

She chuckled at Merrick's words, then said "I think I'll turn in as well. I have some thinking to do. Good night, everyone."