Zarth nods somewhat with Harbek.

"Generally those that run ahead with disregard for potential assistance are the first to die. A stubborn mind is difficult to sway anyway, I wouldn't pay it any mind."

Nodding once again, clearly pleased with his social skills today Zarth becomes quiet once more and looks around for signs of goblins... and potential ambushes.

"Goblins kidnapping children in broad daylight?!" The woman gasped in surprised shock, her drawling accent making the words sound strange as she unnecessarily drew out the vowel sounds. "That's horrible. May I join you in helping to recover the children?" She asked, addressing the dwarf who had spoken, genuine concern showing in her tone voice and body language. "The folk here have been kind to me, a stranger to these lands, and I would repay their kindness if I can." She would have gone further and introduced herself but she still habitually followed the customs of her native culture, which demanded that she wait until her hosts had the honor of introducing themselves first -- and as far as she could tell these lands belonged to the dwarves too.

"Indeed," she agreed, as another one of the procession -- a man who kept his hood pulled up --  commented on the behavior and implications of the one who they had named the Tracker.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Sat 17 Aug 2019.

"Time will tell," Harbek replied, affably enough, to the Human male who had strolled up and joined the conversation. It was a Human phrase that Harbek actually liked, acknowledging as it did one of the inexorable primeval Forces of the multiverse, although the Dwar very much doubted that Time meant the same thing to Humans as it did to his own people.

Harbek turned back to face the Human female who had responded to his comments. He decided that he liked her, mayhap because it seemed that she was also a stranger to these lands. It was not her accent that gave it away -- his ears were not yet accustomed enough to hearing the Human tongue spoken to be able to distinguish the speech of one region from another -- 'twas the fact that she came right out and said it.

"I do not believe that this is an organized group, although mayhap the female holy warrior in armor who is at the head of the column might be considered a leader of sorts. But insofar as I can tell, all who have a desire to rescue the children and punish the raiders -- and who are willing to put their own lives at risk to do so -- are welcome to join in."

"The more the merrier," he added, giving a slight shrug. This was another Human saying that he had heard, although truth be told, he thought it quite silly. He found himself wondering if the Elves had originally coined the phrase.

After a moment's thought, Harbek decided to honor the Human female -- and, by extension, the Human male who had joined the conversation -- by gracing them with the Greeting Ritual. He squared his shoulders and sketched a bow to the two Humans. "'Tis time to perform the formalities, methinks. I am Harbek, of the Hardstone Family, of the Hardshaft Clan. Although I would not expect either of you to recognize it, I hail from Krak Vestri -- 'Westhold', in the Human tongue. 'Tis in the foothills of the Worldtop Mountains, and guards one of the approaches to the High King's Hold."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sat 17 Aug 2019.

"Zarth Willowstriker, I'm from... here and there."

The hood visibly rustles a bit as Zarth dodges introduction with the grace of a cat avoiding water. He does return the bow though it feels a bit forced, clearly he's not the type that bows much.

"I may be a bit harsh, I'm not very accustomed to interacting with other people lately and have been left with my thoughts of late."

He trails off a bit awkwardly at the end of his last statement, as if to leave an opening to speak more though no more words spill forth from the hood.

The woman smiled at the dwarf's invitation, her expression turning serious though as he continued on to introducing himself. She was no stranger to ritualized greetings, her own people had similar customs, and she returned his bow with a graceful curtsy. "Honored I am to met thee, Harbek of the Hardstone family of the Hardshaft clan," she replied sincerely, her words taking on a more formal tone.

(Edit) "And also thee, Zarth surnamed Willowstriker," the woman continued, including the hooded man.

 "May Rahashu's winds bring both of thee and all thy kin favor and fortune," she added, spreading her hands, palms up, in a symbolic act of giving, as she dipped her head slightly in respect. "I am Raven of the city of Arvada of the Sapphire Empire, which lies across the eastern sea and beyond the Acanti coast."     
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Sat 17 Aug 2019.

Harbek pursed his lips thoughtfully as the two Humans replied to his Greeting, and smiled broadly when the Human female replied with what he recognized as a Greeting Ritual of her own people. Truth be told, it sounded quite well-mannered and cordial to his ears, although he found it odd that she did not name her family. He had grown accustomed to Humans not giving a clan name, since belonging to a clan was seemingly not oft-practiced in their realms.

Nodding in acknowledgment of their replies, he completed his portion of the Ritual by speaking the words "The pleasure of the meeting is mine, Zarth of the Willowstriker family, hailing from Here and There, and Raven, hailing from the city of City of Arvada of the Sapphire Empire."

Turning to Zarth, he added "I will admit to not being familiar with your home place of Here and There. Admittedly the name sounds a bit odd to my ear, but I do not mean to give offense. Mayhap you can tell me more of it, once we have vanquished the Goblins and are talking to one another over ales, back in yon village."

Although all Dwar were tutored in basic geography before they reached adulthood, Harbek had to think for a moment to remember the whereabouts of the Sapphire Empire. He found that he was unable to place the city of Arvada within the general location of the afore-mentioned empire.

"And although I am sadly lacking in details concerning your homeland and your people, Mistress Raven, I would also be honored to learn more about both, as time allows."

After a moment's hesitation, he added "Lastly, there is a matter concerning my people that I am most anxious to better understand, Mistress Raven. I would be interested to hear if your people have ever experienced such a thing, to your knowledge."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Sat 17 Aug 2019.

Feeling a bit more refreshed, Karadin put his waterskin away, stood up and grabbed his pack again. "The more we talk the further away those goblins are getting. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad y'all came to help, I just hope there's enough goblins for the rest of you." He started walking after the human already heading toward the south.

Mari left the stick she had drawn her map with laying on the ground among the other discarded branches and walked towards the south following the track, carefully seeing if there was any footprints diverging from it.

Assuming you all follow Karadin and Mari, you head southwards through gently rising land, progressively rockier and drier as you head southwards. You all note Daniel, far ahead, taking a sharp turn to the east and continuing upwards into the hills.

It was not by mere chance that Raven had not given a family name. True, humans tended to put more emphasis on belonging to a location rather than a bloodline, but "Raven" wasn't even the woman's real name, only the one she had assumed on arriving in Merinthia. She was starting life anew here, and that meant setting down new roots and building new family ties... and right now she had no family ties to name. Besides, any family she still had left in Arvada likely didn't want her back anyway, not after the...

Her thoughts trailed off as she realized Master Harbek was addressing her again...



"Of course," Raven replied. "It would be my pleasure to help in any way I could, Master Harbek. I..." She began, but was interrupted by the other dwarf.



"Oh, yes! Of course!" Raven exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment at holding up the posse from following the goblins -- even then color barely flushed her face and her complexion remained almost unnaturally pale.

"By your leave, Master Harbek, I'll walk beside you and we can talk as we go," she offered, awaiting the armored dwarf's response.

In reply to Raven (msg # 42):

"Aye, 'twould be best if we walk along as we talk, I believe," Harbek replied to Mistress Raven. "I have learned that once I fall behind Humans, I cannot catch up to them without running -- which I deem to be highly undignified in such circumstances." Someone else might have laughed and made a jest out of the reference to a running Dwar looking undignified, but Harbek stated it very matter-of-factly, as if he was simply speaking the facts.

He glanced over at Raven as they moved along at the tail-end of the column. "I will admit to finding you most intriguing, Mistress Raven," he said after a moment.

"As you may know, many of us Dwar do not travel far from our Home-Place. Some live out their entire lives amongst family and kin, in the very same Krak were they were born. But you ... you have traveled what must be many hundreds -- if not thousands -- of leagues, leaving family and kin, hearth and home behind you. Ah, the sights you must have seen, and the peoples you must have seen along the way!"

Harbek paused for a moment, and then continued. ""If you do not mind my asking, Mistress Raven . . . I will admit to finding your situation intriguing, in part because it is so un-Dwar-like . . ."

"But, any way . . . is it proper amongst Humans to ask personal questions when one has just met the other? If 'tis, please do tell me what has lead you so far from your Home Place -- and your family and your people?"

"Oh, and before I forget, do Dwar live in your Home Country?"

Now Harbek did smile. "I must admit that I found basic geography to be quite the boring subject when I was being tutored as a young lad, so I am sadly remiss when it comes to knowing such details. I was day-dreaming of weapons-training nearabouts the entire time that our tutor -- Master Thorin, the Floating Nose-Bleed -- was droning on . . . and on, and on."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Sun 18 Aug 2019.

Mari was quietly singing a hymn while she walked, just to calm herself and focus to the task at hand.

"Glorious Mother, who nurtures us,
we praise you.
Good Lady, who banishes darkness,
we praise you.
Shining Lady, who teaches us,
we praise you.
Gentle Lady, who soothes our pain,
we praise you.
Righteous Lady, who helps us fight evil,
we praise you.
Ellantha, creator of all life,
we praise you."

While it wasn't meant as marching song, it lend itself to it well. She felt the weight of her gear lessen, her mind elevate to shed the boredom of walking and she even forgot to be conscious about her less than perfect voice.

Mari was taking note of the change in terrain and seeing the man at front change direction she grew worried of losing the track, since the ground would turn only more rocky the further they would go to the hills. Paying even more attention to the ground, she continued following the track.

"Much haste makes great waste," Raven replied sagely, purposely taking smaller strides to match pace with the shorter-legged Harbek. "Besides, if we recall the moral of the tortoise and the hare then 'tis slow and steady that wins the race."

Raven laughed at Harbek's imagined fantasy of what her journey to Merinthia must have been like. It was a beautiful sound, like crystal chimes in a gentle breeze. "If you count endless leagues of oceans and waves, then I have indeed seen sights beyond number," she said. "Arvada is a sea port and it was by ship that I left. We did stop at several ports of call before crossing what the folk here call the eastern sea, but truth be told I never left the boat. Acanti sailors are a superstitious lot," she explained. "And a woman on board is said to bring a ship and her crew bad luck. The captain was gracious enough to grant me passage, but the bargain was I had to stay out of sight. On the bright side though, Rahashu's winds were kind and I found that the first mate was a Merinthian. It was he who taught me the language during the voyage."   

Raven's expression then grew serious and she was silent for a several paces before she answered the dwarf's question about why she left Arvada. "In only the short time we have spoken I have already gathered that you Dwar," she began, using the same word Harbek had used for his own people. "Value kith and kin much more than we humans, but it would be a mistake to conclude that it is simple for us to pull up roots and leave our homes so easily. I don't think I'm prepared to tell the tale of why I left Arvada... not yet anyway. Suffice it to say that staying would have meant my death, and life without a home or family is still life -- and where there is life, there is always the chance to build something new."

"But please don't let that discourage you," she continued, favoring Harbek with a kind smile. "Ask what you will and if anything else is too personal, I will be honest and say so without taking offense."

"However, perhaps you can answer a question of mine first. Since I arrived in Merinthia, I have encountered many people, but I have seen or heard of no wizards or sorcerers here. The people I've met are very reluctant to talk about such things, and I think they take offense when I ask -- which I quickly learned not to do. But you aren't human and seem an honest sort, so I think you will tell me plainly. Are there any mages in these lands? Any that practice the arcane arts?"     

In reply to Raven (msg # 45):

Harbek's expression turned serious when Raven asked about arcane arts and whether they were practiced in Merinthia. "I believe that you are speaking of what my people call Alfr fjolkyngi -- which would, I think, be rendered as 'Elf-magicks, or Elf-sorcery' in the Merinthian tongue."

"We consider true magicks to have been gifted to the Dwar by the Allfather and our other gods, whereas Elf-magicks are considered by Dwar to be a black art, and are shunned by my people."

Harbek sighed. "We Dwar are very good -- nay, superior, even -- at most things that we attempt. Most of my people would not admit to it, but I have a niggling suspicion that part of our distaste for Elven magicks may come from the fact that we have no affinity for such things, and hence are unable to . . . well, to do whate'er 'tis that magickers of that sort do."

"In any event, suffice it to say that Elf-magicks are frowned upon and shunned in the realms of the Dwar."

Harbek walked along beside Raven in silence for a short while, then spoke again. "I have not been in the realm of the Humans for very long, but my impression from snatches of conversation that I have overheard is that Merinthians also shunn . . . what was it that you called them . . . Arcane magicks? But, in all truth, I believe that you would be better-served asking that question of a Human Merinthian . . . one whom you deem to be worthy of your trust, I might add."

Eying Raven solemnly, he added "The circumstances that led to your departing your Home Place sound quite dire, Mistress Raven. I believe that you are wise in refraining from speaking of them -- to me, or anyone else, for that matter. For now, any way -- circumstances may change over time, as you well know. In any event, I take no offense in your decision."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Sun 18 Aug 2019.

As the group was walking Dorian kept paying attention to the conversations. An interest one in particular was being held by on the dwarves a the black haired woman. How he could have missed her? That accent brought so many memories that almost brought tears to his drunk eyes. As she was talking about the time spent in the sea he almost joined in, feeling that they had so many experiences to share. And also the dwarf seemed really interested in them and Dorian have always loved an audience.

But the moment he was preparing to start his passionate talks, she mentioned being a crew member in a ship from Acanti, probably a merchant ship. Just the kind that Dorian used to loot in his pirate days. Arvada didn't seem an unknown name as well. He knew what his crew would do if they found a woman like her in some of their plunder, so maybe, just maybe, they have never met in unpleasant circumstances. Still, it would not be ideal for him to bring that up. Instead he takes off his hat, the one thing left from his captain, and put it into his bag.

Having done that, he decides to join in "Hello, fellas! I couldn't help not to hear It seems that we will be together for some time so it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Dorian 'The Snake' Payne!". Oops, his middle name could betray his origin, but he was so used to say it. So he quickly add "Raven, if I heard it correctly? And..I'm sorry dwarf, but I had some difficulty understanding yours". His breath is highly alcoholic, and the Acanti accent also very pronounced.

The vegetation gets thicker and wilder once you move away from the heavily cultivated lowlands, and thanks to the uneven ground and obstructed view you have by now completely lost sight of the tall fellow who'd been striding ahead of you.

It seems that the goblins you're tracking became more careful with their movements once they left open ground, and the trail is not as obvious. Thanks to Mari's skill and knowledge of the local terrain, though, you see the point where they cut sharply eastwards and head off that way, as you'd seen Daniel do from a distance earlier.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Mon 19 Aug 2019.

As Harbek finished speaking and gave his view on her keeping some information about herself secret, even implying that he would keep her confidence, Raven again smiled and briefly bowed her head. "You are a fair and wise ma... Dwar," she said and let the matter drop.

Raven was quiet as she pondered Harbek's words. So no mages among the Dwar and they seem to think magic is nothing but elvish witchcraft. Raven thought. It was the same among the human folk she'd asked about it too. There were no mages here in Merinthia, except perhaps among the elves, and everyone who had the courage to speak to her about it claimed magic was an evil and wicked thing. I'm going to have to be careful, very careful.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival and self-introduction of a man, who by his accent and dress was surely an Acanti sailor. Now Raven had spent a lot of time among Acanti sailors recently and she had learned that they seemed to have an unofficial hierarchy among themselves, which depended a great deal upon one establishing oneself as proficient in either brawn or brains. Raven wasn't much with the former, but she'd developed a rapier wit with the later.

At the mention of his moniker, "the Snake", she arched an eyebrow and pointedly looked directly at his crotch. "Of the smaller garter variety, right?" She replied dryly.

About half an hour's trek through the rocky hills passes without encountering anything more interesting than the odd squirrel, until you eventually hear some rustling up ahead. You cautiously advance into a relatively open clearing, where you can see a figure rummaging around in some laurel bushes at the base of a rocky outcrop up ahead.

As the figure raises its head and turns at the sound of your approach, you all realise that it's the tall, brown-haired tracker you'd been following before.

Map added for Group 0. Grid refs are included to allow you to specify precise positions as and when needed. On this map, boulders represent rocky exposures. You're on a hill sloping upwards to the right.

As the hills grew rockier and the path harder, Mari's hymn quieted. She had to concentrate on her breathing, so she wouldn't be huffing and puffing in undignified manner unsuitable for a priestess. Mistress Selena had always said to the novices that they were the to act dignified in every situation. Not that it had worked much. Sweat was glistening on her brow and she reached for her waterskin often enough to drain half of it.

She stopped for a short moment to survey the scene in front, when seeing the figure out ahead. It looked to her that either he had lost the track or was trying to find something in the bushes.

Mari approached carefully towards the brown-haired man, looking to see if she could see any tracks herself. She stopped at a careful distance away from the stranger, but close enough to speak quietly to him. "Could you please tell what you have found? You've been keen on the track as far as I could see." She strained to see why he was trying to search the bushes.


OOC
Move to about M17.
Depending on scale, trying to stay out of melee range of the tracker.

Zarth will cautiously approach, staying on the periphery of the group if possible just in case this person is hostile. He doesn't speak, merely observes at first but does have his weapon at the ready.

OOC
Move to K6
Have shortbow out and ready.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Mon 19 Aug 2019.

Daniel sees folks finally catch up and shakes his head, "Gods, but you people are loud. And who was doing all the shouting? If you were trying to make sure the goblins heard you and knew they were being followed, I'm thinking you succeeded. Luckily there was no indication they just killed the children and ran for it. However, I'm reasonably sure they know we are here. Hell, I suspect they're mere feet away. I just hope they haven't hurt the kids. Yeesh."

Harbek smiled at the dark-haired Human female's complimenting him as being fair and wise. "Well . . . as long as I have, ah, pulled the wool over your eyes -- as I believe the Humans say it -- in that respect, I shall hazard a suggestion."

"Please understand that I do not wish to cast . .  aspersions upon your character, I merely suggest something that I might do, if I were to find myself standing in your boots."

"I will say that if I were you, I would quite audibly give praise to . . . Rahashu, was it? To your god or goddess when . . . well, at the appropriate times. Much like our priests and clerics give praise to Moradin, Clangeddin Silverbeard, and our other gods and goddess, in thanks for Their divine blessings."

"The Merinthians think nothing of it -- or at least accept it, seeing as how we are Dwar. And you -- well, you are from a far-away foreign land, with customs, gods and goddesses all your own. Who is to say what unusual powers They might have gifted to you, in Their divine wisdom?"

Harbek smiled again, and shrugged his shoulders. "'Tis what I would do. Do with it as you will."

Just about then the Human drunkard staggered up, having not fallen into a ditch, to Harbek's great disappointment. He addressed Mistress Raven and Harbek as "fellas" -- seemingly a Human word that Harbek was unfamiliar with, but which, to the Dwar's ear, sounded as if the drunkard was being presumptuous and taking ungranted liberties. The Human fell even lower in Harbek's estimation when he addressed him as "Dwarf", making the lame excuse of having difficulty understanding his name.

~Undoubtedly the fact that you are staggering-around drunk had something to do with that,~ Harbek thought to himself, rather sourly.

Harbek did not at first understand Mistress Raven's comment about a garter snake, but suddenly he realized, ~She is speaking of his private parts! That . . . that is hilarious~ He turned away and covered his mouth with his hand to hide his smirk.

---

OOC: Will move Harbek up with the rest of the party, once Raven, Dorian, and HH have finished their conversation. Physically, HH would have marched along with everyone else in the column (so it can be assumed that he is there), we just aren't quite in the same spot yet, posting-wise. :)

Karadin fond the rocky, hilly terrain pleasing to his mood even if it was harder than traveling the road. As their scout finally came to stop and looked back, Karadin grabbed his axe and headed to the southern point of the rock outcropping. "Well if they're here, then lets root 'em out like the vermin they are. I'll circle this way" he points in a counter-clockwise motion and then begins scanning the rocks for any sign of the goblins.

---

OOC: Move to M18

Daniel blinks, "Um, if they were around the rocks, I'd hardly have waited and chatted with you folks while they could ambush us. You weren't the genius that shouted at me, by any chance?" Daniel shrugs, "In any event, I think we need to go THAT way" He points down.

Dorian was caught off-guard by Raven's commentary. First a bit of anger came into his head for she had mocked his acquired name, the one that really mattered, the one that posed him as a member of the crew. But then he remembered other names such as "The Toothless", "The Coward" and "No Knees"...oh the "No Knees"...life was not pleasing with that short kid. Soon Dorian was smiling "Hahaha what a sharp tongue! It looks like you're the viber around here after all!".

Just as he was exclaiming, the man who was chasing the tracks returned with an urgency in his face. Dorian remembered why they were there after all, and could tell that the man's words about all the noise could be applied to him as well, and he was done playing the fool. It seemed that they were close to where the goblins could be, so it was time to be quiet. He followed the directions pointed by the tracker, joining the others. But first he couldn't resist not whispering to Raven "You will soon see why they gave me this name. I just can't say it will be gentle"