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--- story:ravi_promise [2024/12/03 12:45] – [Chapter 3: Tiger in Man’s Clothing] Cinder
+++ story:ravi_promise [2025/12/05 10:14] (current) – [Chapter 4: the Curious I,B, Travel North] Cinder
@@ Line 246: / Line 246: @@
 The fight was intense. Against trained killers in unfamiliar terrain the fight was messy. The soaked muddy marshland seemed out for blood as the party lost their form or messed up their swings and spells due to the poor footing. \\
 Vivacious slug spells and offered support as best he could but early in the enemy focused Vic down. Furgus ad to pull back from the front line to protect the Tiefling mage, Beating back his assailants with riachous bludgeoning. \\
-Without the element of surprise Carbork was also on the backfoot. As Furgus left the front line to protect Vic, the rouge Carbork was left without the ability to flank meaning the few eyes that didn't chase after Fergus were locked on him. Carbork was very dexterous for his size, Slippery and able to avoid the attacks coming is way.
+Without the element of surprise Carbork was also on the backfoot. As Furgus left the front line to protect Vic, the rouge Carbork was left without the ability to flank meaning the few eyes that didn't chase after Fergus were locked on him. Carbork was very dexterous for his size, Slippery and able to avoid the attacks coming is way. ut not forever as he was being pushed back. The ground betraying him. His steps slipping getting caught on the sharp end of a few foe's blades. until he was backed against a tree. \\
+The next attack froze mid swing as thier body bubbled and sharp blood crystals spurted from the foe's skin. Carbolk took no 2nd glance as he drove is dagger through his target's heart. Te body fell to the mud as Carbork caught Ravi's glowing eyes and outstretched hand from across the battle-field. Another one of her Blood-Curses it seemed had turned Carbork's tide in his favour. \\
+Ravi had gone right for the head of this snake. Taking the tiger Felnaas head on. Her teeth bared sharp as her body pulsed and hair flared. Unleashing her rage as she bombarded Felnaas with slash after slash. He retaliated wit a few punches and claws of his own doing little to temper her fury, Pushing him back until he unleashed a trick of his own. is body pulsed as he roared. Transforming into a Wearbeast a Wear-Tiger to be specific. Putting Ravi on the backfoot right away. Se responded with her own transformation unleashing her Wearwolf blood though it did little as Felnaas managed to catch a stray claw attack and break her hand. Yelling in pain she fell back a few paces unable to use one of her arms. She cursed as Felnaas let a smug grin cross his face. \\
+It was satisfying to see that smug face blasted with a few spells as both Furgus and Vivacious came to Ravi's aid. Wit the three of them on Felnaas it wasn't long before he fell. Furgus striking at Felnaas's knee and clocking him in the jaw with is mace as he came down. a small stagger then fell in the mud to bleed out. \\
+The party fairly wounded but victorias in this battle. Furgus wen about healing Ravi's wounds but her broken hand would require a longer session to heal.
+Vic and Carbork went to inspect the main cabin that Felnaas had come from to find it stocked with supplies. weapons and fair few other trinkets. gold and a few letters. Most of them burned but there was the latest one that seemed to have only just been opened.
+It reads TEXT
+==== Chapter 4: the Curious I,B, Travel North ====
+The party retrieve the fist shaped rock and return to Carbork's friend. They receive a large portion of gold which they split evenly amongst themselves. \\
+Discussion about the letter they found as well as some additional context from Ravi as she reveals her mission in more detail leads the party to believe they are dealing wit a group of defected //Blood Hunters//. \\
+They figure out the B in the initial //I,B,// must be Bexly as that is what Felnaas mentioned before their fight began. though learning that name does little to give them more information.
+The party spend the next few days recovering and restocking. Ravi's Injury means they are held back a day or two longer but as soon as she is fighting fit once again the group pay for travel further north. \\
+//"Are you sure you are fit to travel Ravi? Its only been a few days, I may be a Cleric but even my miracles don't work that fast."// Fergus would say as he undressed Ravi's wound. finding no swelling and no evidence of injury. \\
+Ravi flexed her once injured hand, testing the range of motion on her arm and even wielding her sword. //"yep, i am all good to go. You were a big help Fergus, thank you for your healing aid over the past few days."// \\
+Fergus looked somewhat stunned. //"That's astounding! most men would need a full week of recovery after an injury like that."// \\
+Ravi gave a concerned smirk. //"well...its lucky i am more beast...than man huh?"// There was a bit of an awkward silence and cough before the subject was changed to final preparations for the travel ahead. \\
+The change in scenery is dramatic. as the marshland gives way to more pleasant forest. though most of it untamed the roads are mostly makeshift with twists and turns around boulders and trees. The group's drive didn't say a word the entire trip even when Vivacious tried to speak to him.
+The trip is interrupted a few times. one time they are eld up by a group of bandits demanding "valuables or your life." \\
+Ravi replied //"Your Lives it is then!"// As she almost single handily took out the entire group in a savage display. \\
+Another night during Carbork's watch he caught wind of Goblins. A bit more organised ta a typical Goblin raid but our party managed to defeat them without too much hassle.
+Days of travel turned into just over a week. The underdeveloped routes causing delays. The group stopped by in the sparce few settlements they passed through. asking about Bandits, //Blood Hunters.// Felnaas, Bexly and any other interesting rumours. \\
+Though they herd of great Dragon Turtle Islands off the Northern Coast. The vast undersea city of Tritons off the north west shores of the south Island (The one they are on now). They couldn't learn much of their target outside on a few targets they hit over the months and sightings of a Dragon on the northern Island. \\
+There did seem to be a pattern to the attacks. They were specifically targeting the settler’s peace offering supplies being sent to Islander locals. Perhaps to upset the delicate political balance. \\
+The letter they had recovered had mentioned something about a reward in a settlement named //Sholedzig// \\
+\\ 'Your reward for your faithful service can be found in a shack to the north of [[town:Sholedzig]].' \\
+//"According to the map we should arrive in Sholedzig by the end of the day!"// **Vic** seemed keen, perhaps the idea of sleeping in an actual bed rather than the wilderness was becoming more desirable now he had experienced 'camping' first hand. \\
+**Fergus** leaned over **Vic's** shoulder to look himself. //"aye! seems like it, It will be good to be off the road and out of this rickety cart for a few days. I am needing to restock my ingredients."// \\
+Ravi pipped up, questioning Fergus //"So what makes a Cleric a chef? or was it a Chef becoming a Cleric?"// \\
+There was a hearty chuckle from the Dwarf before leaning back as if to recount old memories. //"Its no Grand tale i am afraid...Many Dwarven cities are always looking for Dwarves to work in the mines, You never know a Dwarf who cannot tunnel into the mountains. Its honest work and many dwarves do it for their entire lives. But we can't have ALL Dwarves in the mine, Some need to craft, to forge, to cook, to clean, to govern."// A simple nostalgic smile crosses Fergus's face as he recounts the story. \\
+//"I did my time in the tunnels like any other Dwarf, But my calling, My true passion came when i was in the kitchen. We had cooks sure but it was food without the enjoyment of taste, at least in the city i grew up. My mind would always be thinking of ways to spice up my lunch. Until I stopped thinking and started action. "// \\
+Fergus dug through his bag pulling out a few ingredients and utensils as he started to craft a sandwich along with his story. \\
+//"So I would order the same boring ol' sandwich but at the table I would add things, sauces, veggies, other things I thought would work. almost immeditantly I had success but it took time to refine. Eventually my brother and sister dwarves took notice."// \\
+The Dwarf finished his sandwich and passed it over to **Vic**. \\
+//"Well never stingy in my life, I offered my alterations to those around me. ahh seeing their face light up with those first few bites. One Dwarf devoured it whole before my eyes."// \\
+The party watched as **Vic** took a bite of the food offered, Nervous now that everyone was watching him. The flavors were strong, it was nothing fancy but honest and made with purpose. **Fergus** had been cooking for the party about a week now, so **Vic** already knew just how good the food was but every meal always surprised him, this simple sandwich included. \\
+Fergus beamed with excitement //"Haha! see?! that look of small pleasure and satisfaction of good food, ah mother Ulaa, it makes my heart sing."// \\
+**Fergus** sat back as the food was passed around to **Carbolk** then **Ravi & Remi** so everyone got a taste. \\
+//"And well. after that it all just became apparent, I stopped working in the mines soon after and started working as a cook....over the decades I trained a few young dwarves in my skills and eventually....i had a calling from a higher power. My apprentices took over the store at home and I began my journey I am on now."// \\
+**Fergus** looked conflicted in those words, and **Ravi** spoke up. \\
+//You regret it? Having all you wanted suddenly uprooted by some divine presence doesn't sound like a benevolent act.."// Her words were sharp as the air suddenly had a whiff of tension. \\
+Fergus Chuckled. //"hehe...Regret? no Ravi no...just...longing. We all get homesick. Sometimes people just want a simple life. Reaching importance or grandeur in any society is sure to get you recognized but only a few may ever reach that. Most like myself are content with my shop back home, making food for hungry faces....i have found, on my adventure thus far, I am most at peace when making meals for those less fortunate than myself, setting up a makeshift kitchen and helping those i can..."// \\
+His words trailed off as his mind swirled with memories of the past.
+**Vic** Would speak up to break the quiet. //"I have no regrets!...ah, well as to say I don't have much to regret. All I know is only the past few years, Everything before is unknown so I have little to reflect on, I Can't say I get 'Homesick' as I don't remember a home to be sick about. But its interesting to hear about it from you Fergus...it sounds like a conflicting feeling. Perhaps one day i will feel it too."// \\
+**Vic** turns to **Ravi** who is looking out the back of the cart //"What about you Ravi? you seemed to have lived a long while. Are you homesick?"// \\
+**Ravi's** Ears twitched then slowly lowered but she does not turn around. There was a long silence causing **Vic** to speak again. \\
+//"Ravi? is everything okay?"// \\
+There was another long pause before Ravi finally spoke, softly. //"Yea Vic...i am homesick"// She turns around to face the group, tears running down a face of anger. //"More than you could know..."//
+----
+The party Reached //Sholezdig// by sunset. The town was fresh, in the sense that it was new, The wood and stone showing little signs of wear or age, Nails lacked rust and the roads are only vaguely defined by the passage of many feet and carts. Leaving the marsh a few days ago now there were in a more hilly forest region.
+Unexplored ruins. The Major city was still another few days travel. \\
+The Party decided to stop here for the night, restock and once again try to gather information.
+The Town is relatively gloomy and its quickly learned that the settlement is being plagued by a powerful spectre of sorts. \\
+//“How donya know?”// Fergus was doubtful, they had encountered many kinds of beasts along their weeks journey but nothing as dramatic as this. \\
+//“Because!”// The village visiblely frustrated. //“The dam thing stalks our streets ever other night. An ominous fog rolls in and i have seen it! Wrapped in ethereal rages as tall as a Goliath!”// \\
+Fergus looks to his party who all look rather concerned. //“Very well. We will just have to slay the fiend then”// He said as he stood up proud. \\
+Ravi shook her head. //“It would be mad to chase after it now, Its almost Dark. I saw we wait and see if we can catch it tonight, If not i bet its lair is those ruins nearby.”// \\
+The party nodded in agreement. Vic eager to see something so ominous sounding.
+The party found accommodation as well as good dinner, eating Rations on the road was a farcry from a hot fresh meal. The party restocked their supplies and Carbolk purchased a new magic dagger from the local store. He seemed quite proud of it. Showing it off to the party but not really saying much about it.
+Only two rooms available. Fergus and Carbork took one while Ravi, Remi and Vivacious took the other. \\
+The Night was light on Shenanigans. Ravi and Carbolk decided for diffrent reasons to simply sleep. Vic and Fergus planned to stay awake, watching the window for signs of the Specter. Though when that ominous fog rolled in both quickly came under the effects of its magic and fell asleep. \\
+Carbork however awoke and like a soldier marching he followed the voice in his head. Being lead off into the dark night and out of sight.
+Morning came and the party quickly realised Carbolk was missing.