In reply to DM (msg # 64):

Krackor looks over the chitinous shells from his Armourer perspective to ensure only the useful parts are collected, he hasn't practiced with making armour in a while and that has been mostly fixing or Dwarven sizes, so he suggests a few smaller pieces too which although may not be full armour bits, they may be worth for patching up. ((ooc:  this reflects missing by 2 points but not making it, just checking for use))

"We can see what you can make of it Krackor. For now, let's get back on the road.  We'll rehearse the battle signals--visual and audible."  The ranger whistles a bird song and gives the accompanying gesture to move forward.

Ankheg Wrap-Up

Almareth is able to extract three of the ankheg enzyme sacks. Figuring out how to safely travel with them is a bit difficult, but eventually a way is found.

((ooc: Each sack is effectively a vial of acid. Someone should add them to your character sheet. They won't last indefinitely, but they'll at least last you through the start of your time in Myth Drannor.))

The ankheg hide, though it will eventually become light and tough armor, is heavy and bulky fresh from the creature. But Krackor's sure that there's enough material for a single suit of armor.

((ooc: The hide weighs 60 pounds and is rather bulky. Who's carrying it?))

Corym glances around in the ankheg tunnel, evaluating options.

((ooc: Doing anything else down here?))

Pick up the 200 SP and flip on Mage Sight to see if the buckles or buttons are magic.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Mon 25 July 2022.

They are normal buckles and buttons.

Back out on the surface.

Corym emerges just as the rest of the group finishes with the ankheg corpses.

((ooc: Where to now? And who is carrying the various ankheg parts?))

Tie them in a bundle and strap them to a Mount. On to Essembra. Essembra has armorers, or else we can have them shipped to Glen from there.

Torvek keeps careful watch while Corym is in the tunnels.

Krackor was more than happy to use the mount rather than walk like they had before and was happy to keep watch over the Ankheg Shell bits.

((OOC: I'm assuming that we were all riding Mount spells--otherwise, we're holding Krackor back now.  Fair enough?))

Corym will prepare a mount for Krackor each day.  There's no benefit in mounting everyone.

As the company prepares to move on, Torvek asks: "How far did you say our destination is again?"

Travel through Eleasias 23

With the ankhegs summarily summarily dispatched, it's as though everything else in the forest has retreated and decided to leave you be. Nothing bothers you the rest of that day, or all of the next. And by mid-afternoon on the second day since your fight, you see the first cottages that are the outskirts of Essembra.

Even by the standards of the Dales, Essembra is small and strange. It basically consists of a single row of cottages and small houses that line either side of the road. The trees of the forest crowd close, only occasionally giving a grudging back yard or garden. The road is busy, however. You count almost a dozen caravans, all intently bargaining with Dales farmers for wagonloads of produce and healthy livestock. In the mid-summer boom, a group of adventurers isn't even worth a second glance.

The center of town is marked by little more than a watch post (currently empty) and a small field (currently full of caravan horses and other livestock). There are several open-air stalls selling food and another filled with skeins of wool. It's a happening place, at least by the standards of a farming village.

((ooc: Welcome to Essembra! What would you like to do?))

"Kali, we're looking for information on the Sable Borne--a Sembian adventuring company that wore a bear emblem. They had one elf in the party--Syndra.  I'd like to know if they had a specific interest in Myth Drannor.  Something that might help us orient ourselves. If there's an inn or tavern it might be a good place to check."

"Krackor--we got our lead from the Blacksmith, but maybe he'll remember a little more if he's talking shop with a fellow craftsman."

"Both of you pick a companion--your choice--to cover you."

"Any other ideas?"

In reply to Kitheras Sunblade (msg # 81):

This was an easy choice for Krackor, he saw Kora as an apprentice and someone special he would look after, after all, he didn't make the her "Mistress Lightbearer" for nothing.  He looked at her with his cheery demeanour and Kora, care to join me and see if they have anything you'd like, maybe a nice dagger that goes well with that sword I gave you from our last trip to Myth Drannor?  He was more tahn hopeful, Kora had joined him many a time and it wasn't as if the place held much in the way of other entertainment, plus, she can be a good distraction when discussing trade with people, he enjoyed watching her twist traders around her little finger.

Guardian Priest and wannabe berserker (Mistress Lightbearer aka Kora) headed to chat the Blacksmith.

Being new to the area, Torvek will quietly follow behind the group while trying to listen for rumours and have friendly talk to the local folks.  Torvek  also checks for anyone selling interesting trinkets, just in case something of value was hidden in there.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:09, Sun 31 July 2022.

Krackor leaves it open for anyone else to join him. I will be going to the Tavern afterwards, being around a Forge is thirsty work.  I'll see any of you there that have done some checking or there for such a purpose.

"I'll seek out the headman of this town.  Almareth--will you accompany me?"

“Kali, should I join you looking for info about the company? Cities and people are things I am used to” says Torvek

Afterward, Torvek will join with Krackor and Tora.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:19, Sun 31 July 2022.

"Sounds like a place to start, so sure."

Tarron joins Kitheras in his explorations. "I'll also join you. Can't let you have all the fun now, can we?"

Krackor and Kora

As in most towns, it's easy to find the local smithy. In this particular case, it's on the western edge of the only large, open space in this forest-enshrouded community. Asking about, apparently the open area is the Battle Court, an agreed-upon marshaling ground for Dale armies. Its relatively confined nature rather speaks to the low population of the Dales.

The smith's name is Durn the Red, and he is a massive, jovial human standing closer to seven feet than to six, with a physique to match. There's a bit of grey in his hair and beard, and more than one faded scare across his gleaming torso, as he works stripped to the waist in the warm summer afternoon. He and two apprentices are currently churning out horseshoes to add to a half-filled bar on one side of the anvil, though you see a sword to two around the smithy as well. When you step inside, he glances up and smiles. "Welcome, Master Dwarf! Always a pleasure to see a friendly face step through the door." He shoots Kora a wink; the young woman is staring at the muscled smith with wide eyes.

Kitheras, Tarron, Almareth

After some asking around, you eventually find the leader of Essembra, War Chancellor Ilmeth, at the Hitching Post, Essembra's main tack and wagon supply store. He's deep in conversation with the proprietor about the minutiae of road conditions along Rauthauvyr's Ride, and turns to you with a frown. "Yes? What is it?"

Kitheras gives a country bow, and compliments the War Chancellor's settlement.

"War Chancellor, I am Kitheras Sunblade and my companion Tarron Ianfiel--formerly of Evereska.  And this is Almareth Siannodel of Deepingdale who has newly joined our company.  A young maiden from the village of Bristar joined herself to a Sembian band of adventurers and hasn't been heard from since. As far as we can tell they were last seen here before passing on to Myth Drannor, and we wanted to get a better sense of what they might have been hunting there to improve our chances of locating our lost maiden. Did the Sable Borne attract your attention while they passed through?"
This message was last updated by the player at 04:04, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

An eventful day passed as Kali went about her usual business whenever she arrived at a new place and was in need of information.

As she walked back to the group from an informative, yet slightly off-putting conversation, she paused as she regarded the elves in her party.

“Forgive me, if I were to say to any of you ‘Damned Symbaern,’ how offended are you?”

Kali carefully regards everyone’s reaction to the words.