Saving Summerford Part 1 - Not As Advertised - RPLOG
Participants
Date
18/9/478
Log
The carriage crests over the summit of yet another hill as it creaks forward on its way to Summerford, the distant village which had sent the request for assistance from the Freeswords. The beautiful, sun-kissed hills all around are streaked with tilled farmland waiting to be sown and pocked with small herds of livestock being led around by their shepherds.
A salamander being waves lazily at the carriage as it rolls past him. He's leaning back against a tree, taking solace from the sun under it's shade. In his hands are his simple meal for the day, little more than a piece of bread, some foraged berries, and a bottle of rye beer to wash it all down with. In the distance, another salamander can be seen leading a flock of bovine livestock creatures to their pasture. This sight is one that repeats itself as the carriage rolls along, until the village itself comes into view.
The farmland all around gives way to scattered cruck houses, all simple structures of mud, wood and straw topped with thatch roofing. The clear air of the countryside gives way to the scents of a being-inhabited area. The aroma of cooked foods and lit hearthfires snakes in the air alongside other, muckier, less pleasant smells. The carriage rolls past a rather large graveyard on the very edge of the village. As the First Text commands the burial grounds are well-kept in respect of the dead that lie beneath the soil.
Rokarion is seated in the carriage. The plant being decided to come for various reasons, to help the populace, to see this strange beast, as well as to get more accustomed to Sweetwater's countryside. The plant being spent most of the trip drawing sketches of the various vistas, giving his doodles more attention as they get closer to the village which seems to be mostly populated with salamanders, not that odd for small villages. The plant being peers again through the window, looking at the graveyard and then the village itself, looks like they will dismount soon.
Reginald , currently sitting inside the carriage, was busy taking in the passing scenery. The lynx hadn't said much during the journey, but could very rarely be found without an arm placed, with care, around a certain shadow wolf. Despite being well travelled, the feline had yet to pass out this way, and part of him enjoyed the experience of being on the road again.
Fenris sits in the back of the wagon beside a midget, mechanical gladiator. The big tiger looks kitted out for a fight, but is currently happily playing a long, ornately carved flute.
Bazalt Rests his head on teh lynx's Shoulder-STaring out the Window for now-He himself hadnt been out this far and was Quite looking forward to it, oh and you know helping people too!
Kazel has not payed much attention to the scenery. The heavily armored bat has been passing her time with her current book, but has put it aside for now to peer out of the window of the carriage, her fingers strumming on the helmet on her lap.
The mute nurse shark of course didn't say anything during the journey, merely listening and watching. She's in a different mood than normal, more protective than anything. A clever eye probably sees the folder0 of grid-lined parchment in her oilskin coat's pockets, though little protection aside from the creator wetsuit and her jacket. She idly draws different lines as they ride along, trying to see if her random musings approximate spells.
The carriage stops next to a large, very well kept garden. It seems to form the center of the village, and several important-looking stone-and-wood buildings surround it. At the center of the garden lies a small shrine to the Creator Saints, surrounded by wooden benches spread all around it in a semicircle. A blue-spotted salamander being dutifully tends to a rose bush nearby, only briefly stopping her labors to glance at the carriage.
A salamander being wearing a militia outfit stands outside of one of the buildings, which on closer inspection is identified as the Mayor's Office. Immediately attached to this building is a Guardhouse, and next to that is an imposing building with an elaborate, well-maintained sign identifying it as the Trading Post.
A Ringed Salamander emerges from the Mayor's Office in the distance, and makes his way across to the carriage as you begin to disembark. "Ah, finally!" He remarks as he looks over the gathered group. "We've been expecting you for quite a while. You're the Freeswords, yes?" He smiles. "Not many folk arrive here in a fancy carriage like that."
Rokarion closes his book as the carriage comes to a full stop. The plant being exits the wagon, stretching his limbs after the journey before looking at the apparent mayor. "Greetings there sir. I am not a Freesword, but I would be happy to help." the plant being answers in his usual nonchalant tone.
When the lynx sees that the carriage has come to a stop, he gives the wolf a gentle nudge, before rising to disembark. Upon reaching the ground, Reginald takes a moment to look about him, and can't help but let a smile grace his face. What he saw before him was quite a beautiful and cosy village, a sight welcomed, and a sight not as frequented as it should be on Promise. It is then that the feline's attention is brought to the ringed salamander, to which he makes his way, and nods in greeting.
Fenris hops down off the back of the carriage with his golem and gives a lazy salute as he stows his flute and awaits orders.
Bazalt Blinks and follows the Lynx and He blinks again and gasps. "Wow.. a.. a Villaige of.. Zuri's! so.. many!" he says smiling. He moves to Stand beside the Lynx and walks with him "well... Nice place." he says quietly, tail wagging softly in teh dirt behind him.
Kazel gets out of the carriage after putting on her helmet. The bat casts an eye about the village and rolls her shoulders, while she waits for the details to be announced.
Cirra nods a bit as she disembarks, looking around. She slides her chalkboard out, knowing it will be more useful than trying to sign to folks. She looks around, then writes on the board, trying to speak with the salamander who stepped out. /Is there a description of the beast? Someone seen it?/ She keeps her writing neat and short, not having a lot of room.
The ringed salamander once again nods in greeting. He smirks rather than smiles at the jasmine being. "Call yourself what you want, so long as you're here to deal with the whateveritis." He offers Fenris a wonky salute in return, but addresses the group as he speaks. "Name's Zane, town's bailiff. We thought you'd never come. We sent out for help weeks ago after the Royal Rangers gave up. I'm afraid the situation's only grown worse since then." He pauses as Cirra presents the board with the written message. He looks briefly confused, but smiles at her and gestures for the group to follow as he walks away from the carriage and towards the shrine of the Creator Saints.
The short-statured female salamander being currently tending to the gardens offers the group a shy smile before darting off behind a tree. "No one has seen the beast yet, but as ill-luck would have it several new oxen have turned up dead the past few nights, out by the Mudlick farm to the west." He stops and turns, seemingly to address Cirra. "Bless the Creators, no beings were harmed. Most of those that live nearby are holed up in the Inn until this situation is dealt with." The bailiff gestures towards the Inn, and it's at this point that it becomes obvious the arrival of the Freeswords has caused quite the commotion. Several salamanders and one fox peek up from behind their drinks as they laze about near the Inn. Two salamanders trade whispers in the corner. A pair of children giggle as they point at the strangely-garbed beings.
Rokarion nods idly at Zane, "Indeed sir, one always have to identify themselves correctly." he answers back as he follows Zane, eyes glancing around. "Hmmm, so no idea what this beast is then? Well I guess we will have to actually visit the Mudlicks farm and inspect some of the oxen, or have they been buried already?" he asks as he gives the village another peer, the curious plant rubs his chin but decides to keep his unrelated questions until later.
Reginald ponders the problem at hand. It could be any number of creatures that prey on cattle. The lynx just hopes that it isn't one of the more dangerous ones. Turning to Zane, he offers up a question. "You said that the Royal Rangers were here for a while, before they gave up. Do you know what they've already tried, so that we don't pursue any dead ends?"
Bazalt Hums and nods. Looking To Cirra He smiles. "If you wnat to talk in Sign, I'll Happily Translate for you." the Shadow wolf states, adjusing one of his bandoliers slightly. "And.. how are you?" he asks, One ear on the mayor, Eveything else focused on teh mute shark.
Kazel rolls her shoulders. "Whatever it is. We will make sure to dispatch it once we found. I think that will be the hard part, honestly." The bat is frowning, but it is not visible to anyone thanks to her closed ventail.
Cirra frowns a bit, signing to Kazel. <Going to need a bit of help. My ability to communicate with people is going to be compromised unless someone speaks for me.> She nods to Rokarion, also wishing to see the oxen. She blinks at Bazalt. <That would be most appreciated, sir. I wish to see the oxen, as well as any other signs of the creature the locals have established.>
Fenris keeps his ears open and his mouth shut while gis golem chugs gamely along beside him. The tiger is happy to let others lead the way.
The bailiff nods at Reginald. "A-yep, they were here for about a week. Found several dead animals, but couldn't track down the beast that did it. Said it left no tracks they could follow, no trampled grass, nothing. They went all over the countryside, as far north as the creek and as far south as the ol' oak tree on the hill. None of them found a thing." He shakes his head. "Reckon the lot of them thought we were pranking them, one morning they just up and left without a word."
He shakes his head at the jasmine. "Mayor's been tellin' everyone to stay away from where the beast has been. All them dead oxen are still out there, being a nuisance." He turns to Kazel, his smile turning to a grin. "Now that's what I like to hear. You fellas are costing us a pretty crown, even with the Mayor digging into every favour he had to cash in and Lord Elvin sending us aid of his own." He crosses his arms. "I reckon the Mudlick farm is the place to start. Might even be where it's holed up, whatever it is." He sighs. "Well, off ya go then. Do come back when it gets dark. Lilly will be preparing fresh food and beds for ya lot if you have to stay the night." He tailflicks as he regards the group, then turns and leaves back towards the Mayor's Office.
Rokarion nods his head at Zane remembering the promised twenty crowns, "Ah, as for the crowns you do not to count me. Seeing this secretive beast is payment enough." he answers back, "Very well let us go visit the Mud lick farm then."
Reginald mutters quietly. "A creature that leaves no signs of its passing ..." The lynx shakes his head. "... well, so much for an easy contract - that doesn't sound like a harmless beast ..." He seems to pause for a moment, deep in thought, before coming back to reality. Nodding in agreement with Rokarion as to where they should start, the feline does not, however, match the plant being's generosity. Having nothing further to say, he waits to depart, once again wrapping an arm around Bazalt protectively.
Fenris nods an affirmative to the Bailiff and saunters off in the indicated direction, his hands jammed deep in his pockets and a whistled tune on his lips. Pretty carefree for a guy just told to hunt down a vicious predator.
Bazalt Nods to Cirraa and Askes Zane what she Wished. He then Smiles to her and waits for an answer smiling at Reginald. "Yeah,, Keep the coins. YOu need it more-I jsut came to see the place and help." he says nodding again. fighing.. Fun times..
Kazel nods at Rokarion and Bazalt. "I do not need your crowns either." She then turns to the shark being. "Seems someone else fast faster in agreeing than me, Cirra." The bat crosses her arms and stares into the sky for a moment. "Shall we go then?"
Cirra sighs. <Tell them I'm okay without their payment.> She follows the group, at the moment unsure what she can contribute in tracking the beast.
