As Izayah, Malkus, Wightvane, Alban, Enialis, Elisar, and Gabriella made their up to the village they were greeted by one of the guards, a male elf, "Welcome back. Your quest went well?"
Each of you, except Gabriella, remember this elf as you had met him on the way out start your journey. His name is Aaron.

Malkus greets Aaron warmly.

"Thank you; it's good to be back! We scouted the area that Hexia is interested in, and I'm certain we have information that Erret Smith will be happy to hear, as well.

What news from the village?"

Izayah smiled and gave a small wave to the elf that greeted them. "Hello again, I hope you fare well." He nodded. "We have returned alive, having overcome odds and  become slightly less poor, hopefully."

He chuckled a bit as he continued to walk. He continued to walk towards Hexia's shop.

"Indeed. We lost a hunting party of ours a little while ago, but the chief has already sent a team from Smith's Gambit after them. With any luck they'll have found them by now, safe, I hope. Other than that things seem to be going normally. The village is still well protected thanks to the lady wizard." Aaron looked over his shoulder back toward the center of the village for a moment. "Not too long ago another from Smith's Gambit made his way here and with quite the haul. He was carrying some fresh meat on his shoulders. We sent him on his way to see the chief."

"The one with the meat; he came in alone? We may need to talk to him after, to be sure everything's alright. Is there anything other news you've heard of recent happenings?"

Elisar trudged in with the others. Seeing civilisation again lifted his spirits, as he knew that soon he would be able to have a bath, find some clean clothes and enjoy a decent glass of wine, or two, and maybe even the company of a good woman, or two.

As they entered the village he spied some of the local children. He whipped out his viol and played a merry little tune, accompanied with the occasional shower of illusory sparks is a spectrum of bright colours.

But he didn’t dawdle, he was intent on finding Hexia and getting back to town with his reward.

Izayah's eyebrows shot upwards as his eyes widened. He glanced at Wightvane when they spoke up but didn't interrupt that.

But he spoke up afterwards. "You lost a huntin' party?" He frowned. "I hope they are well, an' the people sent after 'em find 'em just delayed or somethin'."

Malkus grimaces at Izayah. Going missing in the Rimewood is no joke, and a lot can go wrong in the perpetual winter.

"I imagine Smith's got this under control," he muses aloud. "If not, I'm sure he'll send us out after them. The sooner we get this squared away with Hexia the sooner we can speak with him about our new 'allies'"

He smiles at the elfish guard. "Stay warm, and hopefully your hunters come back sooner than later!"

Alban continues on with his companions and looking forward to being amongst familiar faces again.  As he floats by the elf Alban waves at him...

To Wightvane, Aaron answered, "Yes. He's with the chief now at the feast table. No other happenings to report."

To Izayah, Aaron nodded, "Yes hopefully that's all it is, of course they haven't been gone for long so hopefully nothing delays them to begin with."

To Malkus, Aaron smiled, "You as well friend and yes hopefully sooner than later."

Wightvane followed the others to see Hexia.

Elisar followed the others to find Hexia, keen to update her on what they had found.

(Something Public.)

Everyone going to Hexia's please move to that thread. You all reach her tent at about the same time.

Brohm returns to the village, several papers carefully packed in his backpack.

After the evenings feast, and a good rest, Brohm rise early to catch Hexias' portal.  Walking through, he found himself again in Smiths' Gambit.

As the expedition group is passes through the gate by the guards and arrives back in town, a bit worse for wear, but in decently high spirits, a buff blue man with silver hair equipped with battered leathers kneels in the middle of the icy city streets.

He seems to be addressing a small, feminine figure.

"Lady gnome... you are safely returned. My Sylvan Oath to you now ends... I, Tidelan Wavyrus, have succeeded in stopping you from any harm; as I swore to do. Now, my binds of True Honor return from you to my heart." As Tidelan spoke heavily, powerful gusts of steam escaping his frozen lips, a powerful pressure grew in the air. It was completely harmless, but a doubtless sensation nonetheless. Perhaps it was simply his own magic, but if anyone were around to Observe it, it is possible that they might sense Fey origin.

Once more, Tidelan repeated, almost as if reverently reciting verse, "My oath ends." and the genasi flashes pure white.

Then, in Farradi, "Vazo arvelico finas" and the barbarian flashes verdant green

Finally, in Primordial, "[Language unknown: Al ousos eeul]" and the druid flashes a regal golden, that has for ages inspired reverence in allies, and despair in enemies.

The perhaps-magic seemingly passed, Tidelan gives a bright smile to the others in the grup and stands, before inquiring, "Shall we drink?"

He no longer seems to be paying the same close attention he has been to Galenna for the last few days. He's not really cold, but is now treating her like an acquaintance rather than the empress he had been treating her as.

For a man who values strength so much, even that bit of acknowledgement was something for someone with no combat talents (though exceptional at cartography!)

Verbannt shook his thick mane, and with a cracking of bones and a tearing of flesh stood tall. Where before had been the massive grey Direwolf, now there stood the hulking Bugbear. He stretched, and eyed the Genasi with an unreadable expression.

"Aye, friend, now we drink."

The word did not sound familiar on his tongue, but Tidelan had shared his heart's thoughts more than once on the journey. Verbannt would not shame the man for having done so. He had heard that the Clan he had once claimed was strange among Bugbears, for they found strength in many things that others of his race considered weakness.

"And then perhaps we go running with the wolves."

He grumbled amicably, moving towards the portal with easy strides.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Tue 20 July 2021.

"Just about Tidelan. Your oath may have ended, but if you want your pay then you'll have to finish your contract getting back Smith with me. I suspect you'll be heading back to Smith's Gambit anyways so dropping by the town hall with me shouldn't be a problem. Then we can all get paid..." She cheers her last sentence then adds, "including me."

Tidelan beamed happily at Lukas' comments. He seemed a lot happier lately, as if he had grown truly content with life here among his friends and the rough landscape.

In response to Galenna, he just shrugged and said "Yes, there is no problem!"

Frankly, Tidelan had so much money at this point that he could easily live a quiet life. What mattered to him now was fighting with his comrades to grow stronger and strengthen their bonds.

He had finally met true friends, he had to be there to protect them, even if they would be safe on their lonesome. It would not do for him to be idle while they fought. It would be shameful not to fight side by side. This was how he felt.

"I pay for drinks, friends! Hahaha drinks!" the genasi exclaimed before stomping off carelessly into the snow and looking for a well-stocked tavern to ruin for everyone else for the night.

The funny thing is, Tidelan wasn't really much of a drinker. In fact, he probably wouldn't recognize half the alcohols nearby. The guy just wanted to have a good time, and this is how he figured friends did that. Absolutely fearless of hangovers, because he had no idea of their existence, the genasi roared raucously, disturbing the night.


This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Tue 20 July 2021.

Santio, however, wasn’t finished with Galenna.    Until she/they had returned to Smith, he didn’t feel his job was done.
He held no judgement on Tidelan’s choice, but his own honour directed him as such.

However, if she seemed safe, and was willing to allow Santio some time, there was one store he wished to visit this evening, before bed.

Spark would have breathed a sigh of relief once the group was safely inside the village, except the warforged didn't need to breathe. He shared in the merry mood, however, and took up the offer of a drink, if not for the actual beverage then more for the social aspect of it.

"This was indeed a long journey, but hopefully the maps resulting from it will make travel in the parts safer and quicker."

The group reveled in the joy of being back in the safety of the village. As Santio asked Galenna about the shop he wanted to go visit she said, "Certainly, though the only shop I can think of here we'll be stopping by in the morning anyways. That is where the portal is after all."

Santio nodded.
What Galenna said was true ... and he could, indeed, wait until morning.

He didn't go drinking with his allies, though:   he stayed with/nearby Galenna (as his honour required, until the job was done).



But I'll begin the IC interaction for that next morning now ... to speed things alone

After returning from her trip to save the missing hunters, Carmen says goodbye to the Fierce Hearts village and thanks them for their hospitality. "If you need us again, we are only a portal trip away. I would be happy to have you visit my tavern, if you care for such things as alcohol and gaming." she says, recommending they stop by for a visit.

Then, she leaves through the portal at dawn.

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