The Land of Revi — IC

[Namelessjake]

"Quick, everyone needs to help fight the fire," Stolos says, rallying the others to help aid in extinguishing the flames.

Mechanics

Lead/Int: [2d6]=11

[Fialova]

Through combined efforts, you are just able to finish stamping out the remaining embers of the spreading grass fire before it encroaches too close to camp for anyone's comfort. Ereden lets out a heavy sigh, before turning to each of you. "That was hectic, but you all did well," he responds, before turning to the now-charred corpses of the recently-deceased man and girl. "I suppose we should see them buried as well," he continues, a frown growing over his weary face as he gazes at their lifeless bodies.

Mechanics/OOC

Round 4 results: 6/5 successes, the fire is fully extinguished. 

Ereden has suggested that you bury the bodies. You may do so now, or return to the camp.

[Namelessjake]

"Yes they should be buried," Stolos agrees, looking over to Dravos and Atropos. They should be the ones to do it.

[FinalTemplar]

"Let us bury them, and quickly," Deimos says, now having a moment to catch his breath after being startled awake, but his anger and frustration now clearly showing, "But you damn well better expect I want a full explanation of what happened here." He says, clearly on the verge of raising his voice but using every ounce of his willpower not to yell. It better not have been one of them to start the fire, or they should have jumped in themselves to save them from me. I can't get to them in hell. He quickly finds a shovel and digs, which seems to be helping with his anger.

[greysigil]

"I... cannot dig their graves, but I shall prepare them for the earth. Have we any cloth to spare, for their shrouds?" Atropos says, a flicker of life coming back to his voice, before leaving as swiftly as it arrived. He moves stiffly, his steps crunching on the burnt grass, approaching the dead pair to begin the burial rites. I suppose that is the pyre done, then. One less consideration for this grim business. He muses dolefully, as he kneels amongst the ashes.

[Scratcherclaw]

Let those with more robust physiques to the digging, and I will placate myself with the view. Lyseros stands to the side, giving room for those readying the graves. "Allow me to assist in performing their final rites. A prayer should be said, regardless of their circumstances," he says plainly to Atropos, preferring to let the others harbor their collective anger.

 

[BartNL]

Dravos angrily looks at the enraged Deimos as he joins him in digging a grave. "I kept us safe is what happened." Dravos replies angrily.

[greysigil]

"I agree, we should say a few words for them." Atropos replies, his deadened eyes softening slightly as the priest approaches him. He can't quite manage a smile yet, but it's apparent in his body language that he appreciates the other man's calmer demeanor, as opposed to the anger and high tensions of the others. "Would you like to lead the prayer? I am, less than familiar with the, proper verses."

[FinalTemplar]

"Kept us safe, Dravos? I don't know if you've noticed but the entire camp was nearly burnt to ashes, how exactly is that *safe*?" He says and lets out a low growl as he digs. With THAT level of an answer he's lucky I don't knock him out right now and throw him in the pit. He thinks to himself.

[Fialova]

The digging goes quickly, the soil providing little resistance for Deimos and Dravos as they make two holes for the two bodies. Hara and Imhe remain near the cart, speaking to Oradia as she berates them for the actions of the cohort. From this distance you are not able to make out specific words, but the volume and tone of voice make her feelings clear. Ereden stands off to the side, directing the family's servants to assist in the digging. He eyes the lot of you with a look of concern, but seems less disappointed than his sister.

While two of the men dig, Atropos and Lyseros scavenge some unneeded linens from a pack to wrap the bodies, preparing them for a proper burial. As they leave, Mina - the middle of the Moltove children, and the one who'd been asking to use Stolos' sword before - jumps from the cart and follows after. "Mina, stop!" you can hear Oradia shouting, now clearly aiming to be heard from afar, but the girl does not. She follows after the men to the corpses, stopping short when their charred, lifeless bodies come into view. Her face contorts from the excited curiosity it had initially shown, to one of abject terror at the sight. She screams as Ereden turns and makes his way to her, grabbing her and shielding her eyes from further view. 

"Hurry up and get this done," he barks at the lot of you, his voice much more stern after the arrival of his niece. Turning back to her, and in a softer tone, he says, "come back to the cart, now; it's not safe out here. You've got to get more rest before the morning." The girl appears still in shock from the sight, but she nods up at the man and allows him to escort her back to the cart.

OOC

Feel free to RP out the funeral rites as you see fit, before returning back to the camp. 

[Namelessjake]

As the graves are dug, Stolos stands off to the side, out of the way. Normally in such a situation he would pass the time fiddling with his lyre, but he decides in this instance it might be considered in poor taste. He does mull over potential ways to spin the night's events into a tale, but quickly gives up, thinking it is one story best left untold.

She'll remember that, he thinks as a screaming Mina is pulled away from the two corpses.

[BartNL]

Dravos stops digging after Deimos insult. "I noticed you took your sweet time to get out of bed after I started calling for aid. So what would you know?" Dravos replies almost shouting.

After burying the bodies, Dravos starts packing and preparing to take up his position as forward scout.

[FinalTemplar]

Deimos' face contorts with a small amount of anger, and he keeps an eye on Dravos as he continues.

---

Deimos stands off to the side, leaning against the shovel he has stabbed into the ground. He turns quickly as he hears the yell, and the subsequent scream, feeling a shadow eclipse his heart as he sees the young girl come across the bodies. He gulps, watching the display.
"May your spirits go on into the afterlife, blessed by the sun, and forever taken away from shadow." He whispers, blessing the dead from a distance. He walks back over to the others and looks calmer now than he had minutes earlier.

He helps bury the two bodies and fills the graves back in as their rites are given. He looks up now, and finally speaks; "So now that things are less, well, on fire, can someone explain to me what exactly just happened?"

[Scratcherclaw]

Lyseros helps Atropos prepare the bodies wordlessly, not keen to let anymore emotions fester within him and sour his mood. A night of poor sleep is punishment on my psyche enough. Let us simply bury this, in both senses.

Once prepared, the man quietly clears his throat and prepares to speak. "Often, we are reminded of the fragility of life, and how one mistake may draw one's last breath," he says solemnly, as expected for such a service. "Yet it is not the end, and even such a painful mistake may lead to eternal joy and peace. I know not of the circumstances which led these two here tonight, but I may say this. Whatever pain or hardships they endured are now over, and they are greeting our loving and forgiving god Ervemnon, as we shall all someday."

He takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Oh great Ervemnon, guide these two weary souls to your warm embrace as you grant them rest. Great Ervemnon, guide us on our trials ahead, granting us your strength and comfort. To you, we pray."

[greysigil]

Atropos relaxes a fraction, focusing on the solemn and mundane work of preparing the two corpses with Lyseros, grateful for the silence. Once done, he stands next to the priest as he speaks, his head bowed.

"May they rest in peace." He adds softly. With the prayer finished, he looks to Lyseros. "Well said, thank you."

[Namelessjake]

"You have quite the way with words," Stolos commends Lyseros. Although I'm sure he's just quoted some holy scripture he committed to memory in a stuffy temple years ago, he thinks.

"I was also asleep," the musician says, turning to Deimos' question. Not overly interested in hearing the answer to his fellow cohort member's inquiry, he starts making his way back to the camp intent on returning to his slumber.

[BartNL]

Dravos continues ignoring Deimos.

[FinalTemplar]

Deimos sighs and gives Dravos a piercing glare. "Fine, then don't tell me," He says, looking around one last time between them, "But next time do be more careful." He grits his teeth looking down at the bodies, then quickly turns and walks back towards the camp.

[Fialova]

With the corpses laid to rest, the camp begins to die down once more. Hara and Imhe finish their consolation of the Moltove family, who quickly close the flaps of their tent and return to their slumber. Ereden and the servants likewise return to the places beneath the cart, until all who remain awake are Dravos and Atropos to finish their watch.

OOC

With this mid-watch scene finally reaching its end, your PCs should return to sleep until the morning, except for Lyseros who will be awakened for the final watch shift with Imhe after awhile. Rat and I will continue to do the watch RPs in discord and post them here before moving things to the following morning.

[Namelessjake]

Stolos returns to his bed and soon falls asleep, dreaming of an old lover.

[FinalTemplar]

ooc

I have nothing to add, Deimos will simply go back to sleep.

[ratwizard]

Watch Shift RP

Stolos & Hara

editing in later

Atropos & Dravos

editing in later

Lyseros & Imhe

editing in later

Stolos, Atropos, Lyseros, Dravos, Deimos

The rest of the evening passes and eventually you awake to the sounds of birdsong and a soft breeze. Within the hour, you eat a quick breakfast together, and the campsite is packed away. The Moltoves climb atop their cart, their demeanor noticeably colder and tighter than before.

You take your positions alongside the caravan once more, and the cart begins to roll the last few hours to Anfeli.

Following the lazy wind of the river, you pass through wooded thickets that soon give way to an expansive valley teeming with farms, pastures, and orchards. Traffic along the road picks up. Your caravan comes to a crawl, its wide profile competing for space amidst the fellow travelers, traders, and farmers hauling their crops from the fields to the city to sell. You pass by numerous other carts carrying all sorts of folk — some packed full with peasants young and old, the load straining their oxen, while others travel in more imposing of circumstances, scores of attendants commanding well-built carts decorated and painted with what must be ancestral heraldry.

Farms and hamlets turn to estates, then to more developed pockets replete with stables and drinking halls. Merchants line the road, hard at work to sell off supplies or trinkets to passersby.

Ahead, the walls of Anfeli loom. Built from light grey stone, they encompass the inner city, no small feat for its sprawling shape. Passing under the gates, you find a rich presence of guards posted along the main road in. Some stand on raised patios or even balconies of buildings, providing overwatch to the bustling crowds.

Your caravan pulls to a halt at a large, open plaza not more than a few streets within the gates. Lining the plaza are a number of businesses and taverns. Queues have began to form at many of them, snaking into the streets and causing tight detours for others simply meaning to pass through.

Hara separates from the band, leaving Imhe behind to oversee the lot of you. For the last several minutes, you have seen him in a deep discussion with Oradia and Ereden. Oradia's arms are crossed, leaving her brother to do most of the speaking. Hara's hands are on his hips, and his usual calm and collected demeanor is gone, replaced with one more tense. He nods frequently when he isn't gesturing in a defensive manner.

"Let him handle this," Imhe warns, putting a raised palm up in a halting manner. "He's been battling with this all morning."

Cassia

The last few months have brought you toward Anfeli, following distant rumors of the Ervemnon-related statuette that has been seen around the hub city. Instead of your prize, you've found an overcrowded city bustling with all sorts of travelers, merchants, and potential heirs of Ervemnon that have arrived for the upcoming Calling of the Heir.

Your trail has gone cold, your coin is waning quicker than you had anticipated, and most leads for work have turned out to be too temporary or transfixed to Anfeli to be a fit for you.

You find yourself at the Wilted Rose, a somewhat upscale tavern and inn near the city center where you have been staying for a couple weeks. While there has long been a bustle to its drinking halls, the approaching event has turned it from packed to overflowing. There is talk of rich Jenores visiting with a complete procession of their staff and advisors, as well as famous Cohorts whose ranks are full of soldiers and scribes and logisticians. While work has been scarce as of late, you sense your luck may have just turned around. If Anfeli was a dead end, surely there may be other travelers leaving in a matter of days — paying travelers who could use your particular skillset.

The burly bartender steps over to you, wiping away a bead of sweat from his receding hairline. "Miss, you need another drink?" His booming voice escapes the din of heavy chatter and drum-beating. "If not, I apologize, but I've gotta give your space up." He gives you an apologetic half-smile, and you follow his glance to a line at the bar that leads out the door.

[Scratcherclaw]

Lyseros feels himself invigorated as the hustle and bustle increases, looking forward to a much needed break from the quiet countryside. Pretty and peaceful for a time, but I do miss meeting interesting people. His eyes trace the growing lines from the various taverns and other businesses. I wonder if I might find Kallias again. Even if I cannot stay long, I might mend his feeble heart for a night or two. He smirks to himself.

His daydreams are interrupted as Imhe brings him back to reality. He frowns, watching the argument from afar with crossed arms. "What more argument is to be had? Do they refuse to pay?"

[Namelessjake]

"So this in Anfeli," Stolos thinks aloud as the cohort approaches the walled city. His travels had taken him across much of the land of Ervemnon's people, however they had mostly been contained to the North of the isle. Anfeli was new to him. Why did they have to chose somewhere so... provincial, for the calling of the heir. The cities of the North have arts and culture, this is little more than a large market town, he thinks, unimpressed by Anfeli's size alone.

"They might not agree with what happened last night, but they can hardly argue we didn't escort them here safely," the musician says as he looks on at Hara's dispute with their clients.

[ratwizard]

Everyone but Cassia

Imhe frowns at Lyseros' question, glancing back toward Hara as he continues the tense negotiation. "No, it's... just the opposite," she explains, turning back to you. "They have already paid us in full. In fact, that paid us more than was agreed upon. For the lives that were taken on their behalf, as Oradia put it. It is a great dishonor to exchange coin for blood in this direct of manner, especially for someone like Hara."

She nods at Stolos. "That is precisely their point. The intention is spiteful. They mean to place the blame all on his shoulders."

[Eintei]

Cassia leans on the bar, her legs restlessly swaying back and forth as she plays with a silver coin. It's one of her last, much to her dismay - money goes away quickly so fast if you're alone on the road. She's been out for a few weeks now and it's been rough. This isn't at all like the family trips she remembers. Those were all much faster and still much more relaxed. I'm doing something wrong, but I don't know what exactly.

She turns away from the bar and observes the people coming in. Her parents recommend the Wilted Rose and so far, it's been a pleasant stay. But I guess after the Calling of the Heir, I'll go and make my way elsewhere. Question is, where? Everything else was a dead end. She looks at the groups of people who come in. She used to jump up every time someone entered, hoping it would be one of her parents' friends, but no dice. She gulps down the last bit of her drink as more and more people gather at the bar, leaving her with very little personal space to speak of. She likes busy places, but this is too much.

It's almost a relief when the bartender asks her to leave, and she jumps off the seat. "Sure, no problem. They look like they're going to spend more than me, anyway." She smiles at him and wants to make her way towards the door, but then she stops in her tracks. A group of friends enters upon seeing her get ready to leave and an idea forms in her mind. I'm useless on the road by myself. And friends is not an option for now, but maybe... "Could you help me with one last thing?" she asks, turning back towards the bartender. "Say I were in the market for finding a group to travel with. Merchants or minstrels or mercenaries, or anything of the likes. Where would you recommend me to go?"