Pyros Litehand (Nocturno) - Private Thread

[TristenC]

[OOC: Isn’t that always the way it goes! Znot feels your pain keenly this morning thankfully the checks weren’t needed… dodged a bullet there ]

Pyros tests the water, having at least some survival skills, and finds it fresh and pure. He quickly fills his waterskin and tucks it away in his pack. Scanning his surroundings, he determines that North should be opposite the sun… then he realizes that can’t be so as long as the sun still rises in the East… then again… he muses, it could be different here…

Finally he approaches the higher end of the shallow valley in order to get a better view. The forest thickens abruptly, and it is nearly impossible to see very far into it. On the crest of the rise is a sweet-gum tree, spreading wide compared to the pines and cedars surrounding it. Standing almost 90’ high, it is only a little taller than most of the others nearby. The branches are quite plentiful and easy to reach, and Pyros has no trouble scaling it. He continues to climb until he is just a few feet from the top, which sways gently in the breeze.

Looking out he can see that There are some low mountains perhaps five miles to the east (or at least in the direction of the sun), and much taller ones tens of miles beyond that. The immediate area is thickly covered with forested Oak, Hickory, Pine, Cedar, Fir and other sorts of trees. The thick canopy is nearly impenetrable, and the thicket he awoke in appears to be the only open space nearby. To the North there appears to be a long break in the tree-line running east-west. That could indicate a road or a stream…

[Pyros fills his waterskin. Pyros is now moderately encumbered at 58.3 lbs. Light encumbrance is below 58 lbs]

[Nocturno]

Pyros feels the weight of the waterskin pull on him, but it will be worth it if he does not come across clean water in the next few days.

He decides to head for that clearing to see what it is. Road or stream, either will likely lead to somewhere with people!

[TristenC]

Since the forest is so thick and the clearing somewhat far, Pyros decides to get going right away. He deftly descends the tree and cinches his pack tight for the hike. There isn’t much of a trail, and the combination of rocky soil, dense forest and heavy gear slow him considerably. Still, he makes headway and maintains his bearings well enough.

The greenery is full of life and most every type of creature seems out and about today. He passes a variety of birds, many of them chirruping happily, curious yet cautious squirrels and chipmonks, he even spots a stag just before it bounds away. After a few hours his stomach begins to growl a bit and he recalls that in his excitement he skipped breakfast.

[It is now noon. Judging by the way the sun has moved this morning, he should be able to make the clearing an hour or so before dark.]

[Nocturno]

He pull munch on the chicken and bread as he walks, drinking from his waterskin.

If any of the wildlife get too bold he may stop and check them out.back. Otherwise he will keep walking at a steady pace.

[OoC: I will leave it to chance or your decision to see if anything is interesting enough for him to go off course.]

[TristenC]

Pyros weaves through the tangled trees with his chicken and bread in one hand, and water in the other. He tears off a chunk with his teeth and juice dribbles down his chin, which he quickly wipes with the bread before taking a bite of it.

Sunlight filters through the trees and a cool breeze stirs his cloak, but is mostly broken up by the forest. The air is somewhat chilly, but his exertion with the pack and his cloak keep him well warm enough. Something teases the edge of his mind, but he doesn't quite know what... it seems like it might be urgent, but he shrugs it off in typical Kender fashion and continues on.

[Wis check (need 10 or lower):1d20=18. Failed. Pyros notices nothing unusual.
Ooc: revenge of the useless high-rolls!]

[Nocturno]

He will keep walking until he sees something he wants to check out, or till he gets to the clearing.

Once he arrives he will quickly make up his mind on which way to go, based on anything he can try to relate to going to civilization.

[TristenC]

The Kender continues on for most of the day. Some of the animals return soon after his lunch, and only then does he realize they were absent for some time. About an hour before susnet, he breaks through the trees. Short shrubs and tall clusters of purple flowers grow all around with tangles of huckleberry interspersed. There are also some thin vines bearing hard, greenish berries; one or two of which have begun to freckle a maroon color in blotchy spots.

A sloping embankment leads to a swift river, with stony red cliffs on the far side. The river runs basically east-west, lying about 30 yards from the treelline which stretches along with it. Gradual bends in the river to either side run Northward, but nothing of civilization is visible save a fallen structue on a rocky rise near the water.

A dillapidated old stone tower stands partially tumbled here, though the lowest floor is still standing and appears fairly secure. The purple flowers lie thick among the fallen stones along with thorny weeds. The base of the tower is about 20' in diameter. A thin mist has begun to rise in the low areas near the water.

[Nocturno]

Pyros will start to collect kindling on his way to the tower, he probably won't realize that he is doing it.

He will think about the space of no animal noises for a bit, but the water, the tower, and the mist will take up most of his thoughts.

He will head to the tower and drop the twigs at the doorway. His sense of curiosity will not allow him to do anything other than check out at least the entry way to the tower.

He figures the big folk love their "things" so much he should approach cautiously checking for any irresponsible traps left behind.

[TristenC]

Scooping up a couple of dried sticks, Pyros begins idly drumming on tree trunks. The silence... why would tthe animals go quiet? Maybe they heard something... something I didn't... He grabs a third dry stick and juggles a few seconds before they get away from him and fall to the ground. Never did spend enough time on that... Retrieving the fallen wood, he grabs a little extra just in case.

The lake had seemed so normal, could it have had something to do with his being here? Or the fog? The mist did seem to come from the lake, but that wasn't all that unusual... was it? He certainly recalled seeing mist on water before, typically when spring or fall were near and the water was warm but the air cool...

With his bundle of sticks he approached the structure, intending to check the door. To his surprise, it stood open already. Light from outside showed an entry hall with a thick rug covering the cold stone floor. Wall sconces held torches, and several wall-hooks and cabinets lined the small 10x10 room. Double doors in the back wall stood closed, and a small door lay in the center of each wall to his left and right. The rightmost door was open slightly.

He dropped his bundle of sticks, which made a bit of a clatter. Suddenly a young girl appeared in the doorway. She was armed with a mace and shield. Her gold and blue trimmed white robes under silvery chainmail shone brilliantly. Her face was quite beautiful, as was her short cropped blonde hair and deep brown eyes.

One look at her face told him that he was mistaken. This was no young girl, but a woman. She was too short to be a human, but taller than any Kender he had ever seen. She had a full foot of height on him, though the thick boots she wore might account for an inch or two. When she saw him she looked confused. Who are you?

[Nocturno]

"My lady! Pyros will bow. "I am sorry if I startled you! I am Pyros Litehand, traveler extraordinaire!" he will puff out his chest a bit and grab his belt, trying to look heroic.
He will then start to speak very quickly, as to not allow any answers unless she cuts him off.
"May I ask your name? Do you live here? Where did you get such a fascinating mace? Where do you hail from? Do you need help? May I offer assistance?

[TristenC]

Pyros strikes a cutting figure, which might have been more effective if he had been armed, armored, or not a foot shorter than the lady. She looks at him quizzically, then lowers her weapon. Rather than answer his questions immediately, she asks one of her own. How old are you?

The question was understandable, given his youthful appearance and exhuberance. Finally she answers him. My name is Elsa. I don't live here, and I'm not really even sure where 'here' is...I'm from Hilldale, but I'm afraid that isn't where it should be anymore... Hefting the mace she continues, I'm a cleroc, but how did an elf-child like you get so far out here alone?

[Nocturno]

Pyros will strike the most indigent pose, "I happen to be 22! Elfling!" he will let out a huge sigh.

Hilldale? Can Pyros recall if he has been to that area?

"I know what you mean by things not being in the right place! I had a whole lake change places on me. Pyros will look genuinely confused.

[TristenC]

22? Well, you can't be an elf, then. You'd still be a... nevermind. You can't be a human, either. You aren't a halfling are you? You're pretty short for a Tallfellow, but you're much too lean to be a hairfoot or stout... and you look pretty young, besides... She stops for a moment, realizing she may have been rude. Her cheeks flush a bit.

Pyros tries to recall a hilldale, bit cannot come up with anything. She was unlike anyone he'd ever seen. Too tall for a kender, too short for a human, and nothing of the look of gnomes or dwarves about her. She looked for all the world like just a short human... He voices his concern about the lake and it seems to strike a chord with her.

The same thing happened to me! I came to clear some goblins out of this abandoned tower. After my friend and I were done, we decided to rest here since it was dark and the threat dealt with... This morning I woke up and the whole world outside had changed! The tower was still there, but almost as if it had been dropped in a different place... She takes another long look at him. What did you say you do again? Traveler extraordinaire? What does that even mean?

[Nocturno]

"Half what? I am a Kender!" Pyros will look pretty upset that she does not seem to understand what a Kender is.

This does spark a bit of interest, as how can someone NOT know what a Kender is!

"I travel, around not really doing much, but I seem to be blamed for a lot. I tend to accumulate trinkets and doodads such as these." He will pull out 3 random things from his pockets.

"Goblins eh? I do not see any trace of a camp here! Just like at the lake. I do think you will need my company for a bit My Lady"


[OoC: The Kender handler gets a handler? lol]

[TristenC]

She looks at him incredulously. Halfling. she says flatly. I'm a halfling... though I'm part Tallfellow, so I'm almost tall enogh to pass for human; whereas you... She stops, mouth agape as crimson returns to her cheeks. sorry... she mutters quietly.

Pyros furthers his explanation of his profession with visual aids by digging out a ball of red string, a fairly well-done map of haven, and a whetstone. Upon hearing of the goblins he glances around but sees no evidence of them. Again he offers his assistance.

Well, I could use someone to talk to who is in the same pickle. Wait, how do you know about goblins but not halflings? Nevermind. A tribe of them took over the tower, but my friend and I took care of about a score of the green rat-eaters ourselves so the threat is gone now... the bodies disappeared in the night... she seemed nervous, along with my friend and the landscape... she added.

So where did you come from? Before. And, you know, today too?

[Ooc: more like a party-wide handler. The closest thing we have to a cleric atm is the fighter/druid...]