Session 3 (Skultan)

14th Firstbloom

I haven't seen Che so well rested as this morning. Him and Val sharing a room seems to be working well. Something seems different about Val's face as well. I think humans call it makeup.

Cypher doesn't seem very good with money, he left a whole gold coin as a tip for room service, for a room we got for free. Most confusing. I need to speak to him about investing wealth. After he sees how well I employ Firbolgs funds he might be persuadable. The sooner the better before he squanders it all.

Che has voiced to us his desire to avoid dense populations. In my experience the denser a population the more they cluster together. From one moment he seems to say he comes from money but the next moment that he has none himself. His past is something of a fighter for prizes and he was going to take a dive. He elected not to and as a result a mysterious spectre killed his opponent for him. Firbolg mistook the 'dive' for Che being wary of swimming and pools of water. I didn't have the heart to tell him. He will gain context soon enough.

Valkyris asks lots of questions. Either he is dumb or clever. I haven't decided yet. I'll let him know when I do. He mentioned a Mr Gray and The Shroud. No one seems to recognise these acquaintances of his. I will keep my ear open.

I had to remind them again that Firbolg and I were not in prison but only a corrective facility for unproven misdemeanours. Our time was served and any after malingering accusations are unacceptable. Cypher says he accepts us as we are and won't judge us by our races. Firbolg had to leave his home to save his family. From what he says it may not be possible for him to see them again. Strange species. He may need my help more than I realised.

Valkyris smokes cigarettes. His exhalation is pitiful. My offspring when they were hatchlings would put him to shame.

The group united around our goal of the Meat Festival. Democracy wins again- me being leader and making the decisions. There were other riskier options and the festival may cost us some funds but with risk comes opportunity. Kobold must put themselves forward to be recognised by the world. It looks like Alaris has a similar goal. Seeking adventure and renown. Alaris says to beware people eating sausages on sticks. I don't think he understands what a Meat festival is. He will learn.

Val acted strange around Wagon. He kept tilting his head towards it like he was expecting it to talk to him. I'm not sure he only lost an arm to that creature. Firbolg is befriending Wagon. Wagon transformed to offer tea services at Firbolg's suggestion of refreshment.

A little while later on the road to Hogshaw Alaris decries 'Not centaurs again'. The sound of hooves roars past Wagon and the flash of a riderless horse's rear disappears from sight. Terrifying howls come from the road ahead and a chill crawls down my spine. We round the corner and see a Large trading cart under attack from two quadruped beasts. The owner taking refuge on the roof looks worse for wear.

Fear grips us and hesitancy takes hold. Valkyris emits some sort of calming aura and the momentary lull is broken. His spell steadies our nerves, maybe he is some sort of.. Confidence man? Alaris identifies the creatures as Githhounds and that special attacks will be required to harm them.

A fierce battle ensues, where Che throws his silver coins at the creatures, Cypher uses his guns to blast noise at them and then shouts at me to hit them harder, Valkyris stares at them intently whilst I assume expending magical powers, Alaris turns into a giant mushroom and summons a lizard to hem them in. His explosive mushrooms were impressive. I gave a rallying cry and unleashed fierce blows of elemental fire. I was almost laid low by a savage bite but was saved by magical healing from Firbolg, just in time to see Stick crush the final beast's skull under it's claws.

Val calls Stick the nickname Twigg. Did he not witness the power of Stick's jaws?

It has become clear that the humans need our help more than we need theirs. Stick repairs the travellers cart's wheel.

The man we saved calls himself Alistair Richard of 'Exuberant Acquisitions'. He offers his thanks in the form of a 10% discount on future purchases with him as well as a gift of a trinket each from his shop. After hearing the prices of his goods 10% is quite generous. He is clearly a shrewd business man and a good contact to have.

His cart folds out with glowing lights that capture the attention. An array of goodies are offered.

Cypher picked up a small silver bell. Alistair says it is a bell of silence. Of course it is. It doesn't have a clacker. Silly Cypher. Poor choice.

Firbolg selects a wonderful egg with a red shell. Eggs should be treasured. Nutritious too.

Che chose a clockwork goldfish. It didn't even come with a bowl. Potential resale value.. To a Tabaxi, or a child. Or a child Tabaxi. From a wealthy family. Do Tabaxi have wealthy families?

I chose the piece of warming obsidian. If I keep it in my mouth I can keep warm when it is cold. Or I can keep my tea warmer longer. Or I can keep an egg warm easier. Or I can melt ice for water easier. The possibilities are endless.

As useful as my obsidian is I did also long for the mysterious jar of pickled meat. Alaris picking up on this curried great favour with me by gifting me his trinket as tribute. He is worth keeping around.

Valkyris elected to not choose a trinket, the fool, it was free. He started talking about favours and past travels and other things. I stopped paying attention. I have decided he is foolish. I will tell him later.

Firbolg makes use of the discount immediately. Clever. If we don't see Alistair again then the discount wouldn't ever be utilised. The discount must be maximised. Firbolg obtains a brewing kit. I look forward to its output. Cypher buys silver bars. Now I understand the purpose of his bullets. Once coated in silver they will exploit Githhounds weaknesses.

Alistair has a selection of rare items. A scale from a Blue dragon, likely a great gift bestowed on a hero from years ago, a blade of immeasurable shinyness, a bowl containing a firepit-Firbolg was sure to warn Che about the pit, also a potion of hasty action. Cypher makes another purchase of good berry boiled sweets and gifts them to the group. Everyone is pleased by this. Cypher is uniting the group. His expense of gold is not unwise.

Cypher and Alaris scout for the signs of any more beasts and find that the tracks magically disappear a short way off the path. Alaris says the creatures are usually controlled by another entity. His Fey knowledge will prove useful if more of those beasts are out there.

I decide we should all camp together and delegate setting up the camp to Cypher. Firbolg weaves us all very comfy hammocks from the vines of the forest. The others talk about setting watch so I leave them to it. Che asks Cypher about the knights of Idris, clearly he picked up on the additional discount Alistair afforded members of that organisation. Not as silly as he looks. Humans look silly. As long as Cypher is here, we will gain the discount. Turns out this is Cypher's first patrol and aims to help as many people as possible. A good policy to build a reputation. More reputation means better pay. Claims his grandfather fought a giant one on one. Respect.

I remember to thank Firbolg for saving my life and we debrief on the formation of the group. It grows apparent that we were doing most of the work in seeing off the beasts earlier. Maybe we are the rubes. I don't mind it though, room for growth. "Rubes for life".

Val keeps talking, this time to Alaris. I plug my ears and roll over in my hammock, clutching the newest additions to my hoard. Do these creatures not understand my need for rest?