Journey Day 20 Hunnuli

\The conversation between the two dragons continues on for perhaps another half an hour before they both decide they're done. Neosodos returns to just quietly contemplating his mistress, communing with her as she restores her magical power.

Jyslin comes out from the tent at the dragonoid's summons and takes her watch, checking with him about what has been detected - not much - and then shoos him off to get some sleep of his own. She then later wakes up the princess knight to take her own turn.

When everyone awakens the next morning and Andie works on breakfast Honoria mentions to everyone that Jyslin should probably take a sweep a bit to the south of their line of travel this morning, as she saw something going on earlier in that direction. Since nothing came near the campsite, the lady knight stayed quiet and let them pass. "It looked like a gathering, perhaps a small herd, of rather large creatures. Large horse sized, war horses or the like."

<OOC> Syval says, "Is there a steady wind blowing away from the mountains that'd put the creatures up-wind?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "There's a moderately steady wind blowing towards the mountains."

Syval's sandals crunch softly on underbrush as he ducks beneath a branch on his way back from the privacy of the woods. To attentive senses the young man's gotten more comfortable in the wilds since they first set off. "That's a strange sight this far along the Toadsquat," he considers with a light frown. "Maybe they're stock for the barbarians we met."

<OOC> Syval facerubs. "Sorry for the short pose. I think my mind's shutting down a bit for bed now."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li smooches. "S'okay. We can pause here and pick up another time. It IS 9pm at this point."

<OOC> Syval was thinking to add a concerned look towards Jyslin at the prospect of her wandering off alone again. Her being downwind would have helped. Upwind means getting close to things.

<OOC> Syval says, "Correct me if I'm wrong, we're now on morning of 29th of Mar, day 20 of travel, and about half a hex from the White Bog?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Yus."

<OOC> Syval says, "Thank you. Not much for notes this morning but I'm going to try to keep things accurate this time."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li snugs.

<OOC> Syval hugs back.

Syval's sandals crunch softly on underbrush as he ducks beneath a branch on his way back from the privacy of the woods. To attentive senses the young man's gotten more comfortable in the wilds since they first set off. "That's a strange sight this far along the Toadsquat," he considers with a light frown. "Maybe they're stock for the barbarians we met."

The wizard looks to the sleeve of his robes as they blow south towards the rising slopes of the mountain range then he casts a wordless glance to Jyslin. Moving downwind with her scent ahead of her, Syval might not be keen on their roamer making another excursion alone.

<OOC> Syval says, "There, same pose as before with a little more subtlety and substance in a bonus paragraph."

Jyslin frowns. "I don't want whatever it is following or shadowing us where we won't smell them coming." she comments. Honoria doesn't do anything by scent, but she does understand the concern and she nods. "Hence why I mentioned it."

Though Jyslin seems quite prepared to trek off and investigate Andie speaks up. "I think not, Jyslin. We have other options." She looks down at the small drake curled up on one of the fire ring stones, soaking up the heat. "Would you mind, Old Friend?"

The dragon uncoils himself languidly and sighs, stretching his wings. His sing-songing raspy, almost but not quite squeaky voice answers "Verrrrrry well. But I want berrrries." he protests, turning to look at Jyslin accusingly.

The priestess smirks, and pats the pouch at her waist. "I promise."

With a harrumph, the little dragon coils himself, then launches up into the air, wings beating at the sky to claw and climb his way further up ... and then with a shimmer that starts at his nose and ripples down his length to his tail, Neosodos disappears. And after only a very little while even the beat of his wings is gone, leaving no sign whatsoever of his passage.

<OOC> Syval says, "AFK for phone, almost done."

Syval's shoulders sink in quiet relief as Neos gets the task ahead of Jyslin and as the mottled pseudodragon takes flight, the therianthrope focuses on him and thinks, <Thank you, Elder Brother.>

Walking fully back into camp once the little wyrm is out of sight, the young wizard takes a deep breath of air flavored by the witch's cooking fire and looks around the remaining women. "We're almost there now. Half a day's journey, or about that much, and we'll be at White Bog's edge."

<OOC> Syval says, "Sorry for the wait."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li smooches. "NP."

<< Berrrries! >> Neosodos replies as he flies away, beyond even his reach of mindspeech to perform the scouting mission asked of him.

Jyslin and Andie both nod. "Yes. About that. And time is very tight. Come, sit, and eat. Once Neosodos returns, we should get moving as quickly as possible."

<OOC> Syval laughs!

"It's done? Let me get my bowl, then," Syval responds before hastily ducking over to his tent to retrieve his breakfast dishes. No fancy levitation this time; the small displays of Art might be cute, but the young man's hands are faster.

"It is still the 29th of Marpenoth," he reminds as he brings his wooden bowl to the communal pot for food. "That's time enough to get almost to the core by nightfall if your domain is with us. One full day to scout the coven and deal with them, another to rest and prepare for the month-ending alignment. Truthfully I've never been to a bog before," Syval confesses with something of a smile. For some reason he seems to be looking forward to it.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Neos knows what he wants. :)"

One the bowls are provided, Andie serves up breakfast and then cleans things up as they eat. "I cannot promise the domain will be with us, which is why I am as concerned about our timing as I am. But we can only do what we can do."

Jyslin shrugs. "We amble around the Dread Bogs all the time, back home. A lot different than plains, or jungle. A lot of uneven grounds, high water table, frequent sinkholes and pooling water. I haven't been to this one, but the water can often go stagnant, leading to insect infestations. There are salves," she looks to Andie, then back to the others, "that can convince the insects to go elsewhere. But they aren't universally effective. Some things are just too stubborn. And watch out in the water for leeches, or worse."

Honoria frowns, clearly discomfited by this. But this is where they're going, what they are going to be doing. "This is going to be messy." she mock-complains. She cleans her armor and gear every night, regardless. But she can still be less than thrilled.

"A great deal of humidity will be trapped within. Expect things to feel a great deal hotter, and for perspiration to be less effective at body cooling as a result." Andie offers as advice. Of course a hybrid green dragon is unlikely to care at all, and the lady knight has magical armor that will cut the worst of that.

"That doesn't sound so different from Delzimmer's floods then. The rainy season always brings plenty of mud, water, and insects along with its snakes. I wouldn't mind if we could make some scaletail and roast insects tonight for meat," Syval considers hopefully. He can't help grinning a bit at the lady knight's only half-joking discomfort. "I don't charge for cleaning Art," the young wizard reminds as he settles in to eat. After a few bites his attention shifts inquiringly to Andie. "What of the horse? And how are you feeling?"

<OOC> Syval says, "I'm good pausing after this pose for rest. That'll be my last good one for tonight. It took a little longer because I forgot to write down "scaletail" in my notes."

<OOC> Syval says, "It's a local Delzimmer dish of snake or lizard filleted into strips, typically fried in a spiced oil as a street food, but it's also smoked and dried as a trail ration. According to the Forgotten Realms wiki, there is a good chance if you three went shopping for cheap meat rations in Delzimmer that's what you got. Especially as October shouldn't be terribly far into the dry season so I'd think there were still plenty of them around to catch."

<OOC> Syval would have brought some among his own rations at least. He certainly doesn't mind them. "Apparently roasted boar will in a hundred years or so be imported from Luiren, so I guess they're not really a thing here - which seems odd. I thought boars lived basically everywhere below the frost line."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "They do."

<OOC> Syval says, "Hmm :Ia Then again, monster ecosystem too. I should remember what else is out there and probably eats boar."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li tucks in dragon.

<OOC> Syval should bed prep, then much appreciates. :)

<OOC> Syval says, "Gah, wrong button."

Neosodos returns to the party; Andie is the first to know this, as she has been paying attention to her link to the tiny dragon, and she looks up from her seat astride the horse even as the tiny drake ripples back from invisibility to normal and flies down to gracefully land upon the witch's shoulder. << I do now understand why their passage seemed to alert you, Lady Honoria. It seems we have a small herd of hunnuli. >>

This draws some rather excited commentary from Andie and Honoria, whom clearly know what this means. But Jyslin clearly does not. << Quite amazing. I had thought the last herd long passed from the Shaar. Did they seem safe, Neosodos? >> his witch mistress inquires.

<< So far as I could tell, yes. As you will remember, their kind are not easy prey. The natural animals seem to know this and are not bothering them. I saw no sign of other threat. There seemed to be four dams and three stallions. I could be mistaken, but I believe the leader of this herd is the largest of the dams. Her mark was the most pronounced. >>

<OOC> Syval says, "Are they a magical critter I might have heard of in my studies (K:Arcane)?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "It is within the realms of possibility."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "They are in fact a magical and a critter."

Syval rolls K:Arcane (1d20+13) and gets 31 (18)

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li applauds.

<OOC> Syval says, "Magical critters are my speciality and historically I've used trips like this to study. :)"

<OOC> Syval says, "Lay it on me. What's so special about them despite being so rare?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Hunnuli are an exceedingly rare - believed to now be extinct - breed of magical horses. They were noted for being larger and stronger than standard horses, as well as vastly smarter. And legends imply that they were able to bond with magically-gifted riders, becoming a sort of familiar, complete with telepathic communication, and a wellspring of additional magical energy."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Their nickname was 'witchsteeds'"

<OOC> Syval glances at Honoria.

Syval turns his head in surprise to the little drake. "You saw witchsteeds? They haven't been sighted in the Shaar for years - the High College thought they were extinct."

"It'd be a helpful miracle if we had the time and means to tame one. They'd make a far better mount than what we have," the young wizard considers with a baleful look to Andie's distant horse.

<OOC> Honoria glances back> "Mmmm?"

<OOC> Syval says, "Admit, one would be a fitting mount for you, and smart enough not to spook from Jyslin and I."

<OOC> Honoria nods. "OK. This is true. Yes."

Honoria mentions, "Hunnuli are also very fast, and have incredible endurance. But they tend to only accept and bond with very special riders. Even in my time they were rare."

Andie considers this. "Perhaps, then, we should make a point of trying to track the herd after we are finished in the bog? Then we would not lose time on our deadline, and we could take the time in an encounter with the herd to prove our good intent and wait patiently for them to come to trust us enough to allow our approach."

Jyslin glances around to the others, and draws some context clues together. "OK. Magical horses of some such? Sorry, I've never heard of them. 'Witchsteeds' sounds very interesting." She looks pointedly at Andie, who holds up her hands palms out.

"I did not name them. None of my sisters did, either. Though if I recall correctly, Autreanne did bond with one."

Honoria nods at this. "Indeed she did. And that mare survived through the entire war and our retreat up into the mountains. I, of course, cannot know how long the mare survived thereafter."

"Hunnuli are larger, magical horses that are supposed to be like natural familiars; intelligent, magically-charged telepaths like our Eldritch Wyrm," Syval supplies for the priestess. "Beyond that their abilities are wizard speculation, but since we have a couple experts here maybe you three can tell us more while we travel?" he suggests to the witch and princess with a smile that's not entirely magnanimous. Oh yes, the young mage will definitely be taking notes.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Scribble-scribble-scribble! :)"

<OOC> Syval says, "Knowledge is power! In the Electrum Circle I can sell this information."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "So also money! :)"

<OOC> Syval says, "Which can become spells, supplies, food, raw materials for enchantments... so yes - power."

Andie and Honoria seem happy enough to share what they know. "From what I saw, yes. The hunnuli are very intelligent. Autreanne's mare was the natural leader of all of our horses throughout the retreat. The only competition were a few of the holy mounts. I cannot say if her dominance was helped by Autreanne's power and influence or not, but no mere horse however well trained could hold a candle to her. She was also able to telepathically communicate even with those who were not their bonded riders. I also witnessed that hunnuli carry loads half again as great as my own warhorse with ease, and maintain greater speed and endurance while doing so."

Yep. Honoria speaks very, very highly of the pretty, pretty horsies. She might have a bit of a fangirl crush on them.

"I must admit that we were never entirely sure whether Azuth summoned them from another realm, or created them by magically altering natural horses." Andie explains. "The first stallion was bonded to Dastian, one of Azuth's first holy blades. They were never very numerous, but by the time we left Raurin, there were thousands of them."

The witch shakes her head. "Many, many died during the Great War, slain on both sides of the conflict. And they seemed to become very depressed after the war ended. Their birthrates plummeted. I thought they were all gone. The last hunnuli I saw or read of was bonded to Volthuma Tredes."

<OOC> Syval giggles. "Ooh she's a horse girl. Honoria would get along so swell with Karen."

<OOC> Syval says, "Who for that matter would make a half-decent roamer without a lot of tweaks."

<OOC> Syval says, "That last one's not a name I'd recognize right?"

<OOC> Syval recalls belatedly the idea of a dragon mount and considers that a Hunnuli might be needless competition. :Ia

Syval rolls K:Religion (1d20+6) and gets 11 (5)

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Volthuma Tredes is a legendary, if not outright mythological, figure of a wizard of great power loyal to Selune who went on a massive crusade against the forces of Miclante (god of the dead), especially the undead and his fire giant shaman."

<OOC> Syval says, "Around when was that, according to the legend?"

<OOC> Syval says, "And no relation of the fire shaman to the Raurin genies, or are the descriptions possibly compatible?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Newp. No relation. Genies are creatures from Beyond (the planes); fire giants are one of the breeds of giants (hill, stone, frost, fire, cloud, storm are the classics)."

Syval pulls a wooden tablet from his pack and listens studiously while quietly scratching away with his stylus. The wizard smiles a bit at Honoria's clear enthusiasm for the magical creatures and gives a small nod to Andie at the mention of his obligate patron. "Azuth's teachings aren't specific on that as far as I remember; they're simply credited to him. Hunnuli did exist within the Shaar going back for centuries but owing to their speed and selectiveness it was rarely more than lone sightings - similar to unicorns. After a long enough time without any being seen I think it was assumed they were extinct; living this far out I can begin to see why. They must keep distant from any signs of civilization."

Turning a skeptical eye towards the immortal witch Syval adds, "Don't tell me you actually met Volthuma..."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "And Tredes was supposedly from around 3k years ago."

Andie meets Syval's gaze and smiles. "I promise. I won't tell you that." But she does not say it is true.

Hey. She's immortal. Neosodos is old enough to have met him, so surely his mistress could have as well.

Jyslin just rolls her eyes. She still has not made all of her peace with Andie's immortality.

<OOC> Syval says, "Hehe! This actually seems like a nice FTB spot and it's late enough for winding down tonight, yes?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li chuckles. "It's not a bad spot, no."

<OOC> Syval hugs. "Thank you for another nice session. You kept me busy between poses doing note updates tonight." :)

<OOC> Syval says, "I'm having to get a little more organized with OneNote. Maybe I'll start learning hotkeys at some point too."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Heehee. I need to learn OneNote hotkeys, too. I use it a lot for work. And it seems most places still lean heavily on O365, so I'll likely keep that up."

<OOC> Syval says, "It's the gold standard for students too since schools have been picking up Office accounts for students. Cloud storage of documents must be nice; no more rewriting an essay because of a hard drive failure..."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nodnods.

<OOC> Syval says, "I've Googled the hotkeys a couple times and there are quite a few. It looks pretty powerful, I just haven't learned more than a small handful."

<OOC> Syval gets settled. "Ahh, now to shift mental gears back to dragon therianthrope things."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li pets. "Yus."

<OOC> Syval debates testing Ghost Sound...

<OOC> Syval says, "Sorry I can't offer much for setting. That was easier from in front than behind. Thankfully this arrangement shall eventually pass."

Syval pulls a wooden tablet from his pack and listens studiously while quietly scratching away with his stylus. The wizard smiles a bit at Honoria's clear enthusiasm for the magical creatures and gives a small nod to Andie at the mention of his obligate patron. "Azuth's teachings aren't specific on that as far as I remember; they're simply credited to him. Hunnuli did exist within the Shaar going back for centuries but owing to their speed and selectiveness it was rarely more than lone sightings - similar to unicorns. After a long enough time without any being seen I think it was assumed they were extinct; living this far out I can begin to see why. They must keep distant from any signs of civilization."

Turning a skeptical eye towards the immortal witch Syval adds, "Don't tell me you actually met Volthuma..."

---

Andie meets Syval's gaze and smiles. "I promise. I won't tell you that." But she does not say it is true.

Hey. She's immortal. Neosodos is old enough to have met him, so surely his mistress could have as well.

Jyslin just rolls her eyes. She still has not made all of her peace with Andie's immortality.

<OOC> Syval says, "Yes, I still have backscroll. Were we not doing an FTB here?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Well, if you were going to test Ghost Sound, this seemed like the place?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "But we can just tromp along and work on that at camp tonight."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li fetches water while she works on composing.

<OOC> Syval says, "I'll add to this then. That works."

<OOC> Syval yawns a little." "Sorry, post-dinner lazy caught up with me for a moment. Good news is I'm feeling a bit more centered again.

<OOC> Syval *"

The green-haired wizard holds his gaze on Andie then shakes his head with a dry smile. "Well then, in another 3,000 years you can say you met us." After finishing his notes the wooden tablet is closed and slipped back into its pouch, then Syval scans the sparse woodlands around them. "Before we get too far this morning there is a spell I'd like to test. It should be about as loud as all of us shouting, so it's better to cast when we're ready to move."

"Well, we're ready to move now. So let's go ahead and go." Andie offers. She glances ahead at Jyslin "Keep and eye and a nose out, please. If they draw close to us, I would prefer to find a way to peacebly encounter them rather than run them off." The woman who smells like magical tiger and the man who smells like the half-dragon he is would be the challenges with that effort; they're intelligent, not noseblind or stupidly reckless.

That said, everyone spreads back out and gets ready to go, waiting while Syval makes the attempt at his spell.

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh, before I hit send, should I Will check for this?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "No stress. No need."

<OOC> Syval says, "Thank you for confirming. :)"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "If this was in a conflict scenario, with consequence for failure, the answer would be yes."

<OOC> Syval says, "And that would be separate from a Concentration check (if applicable), yes?"

Adjusting his pack to one side, the young mage dips his head in appreciation then closes his eyes and focuses inwards. First he seeks out the familiar spark deep within his mind and grasps hold of it. Outside, his form thickens and scales with the therianthrope's transformation back into the weredragon form he'll likely hold again until well past sunset. It's a transformation that's gotten smoother and faster with practice but remains at best an act of concentration and effort. Syval releases a few large breaths when the shifting stops and at first gingerly flexes his wings until the post-shift tenderness fades.

Then after a long pause he speaks a word that hisses naturally past his serpent-like tongue and rumbles around thorny teeth. Neos alone is likely to understand it.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Yes."

<OOC> Syval says, "And if it's alright with you I shall leave the DM to portray the result as she feels fit since your resident drake-o-mage just cast a full-powered dragon roar via Ghost Sound (CL8=32 humans' volume which is the example dragon roar)."

<OOC> Syval says, "He is thinking 'well my normal spell is about as loud as 4 people so this so be as loud as 4, maybe 8, and a muted mini-dragon roar would be fitting."

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh hah. I have an unassigned sorcerer cantrip slot. Something to fill in later."

And out amidst the trees some fifty feet away emerges a full-throated draconic roar. There might be some dragons that can roar louder; that would be a question for those that know them better. But it is not at all the 'miniature and muted dragon roar' Syval is expecting.

The dragonic hybrid will be a bit surprised, even shocked. And his mental instinct connects that sound with the one he 'hears' only in his mind every time he embraces his spark and his memory-shadow of the vision.

It should come as no surprise that the horse chooses this moment to take off like a shot. It takes Honoria every bit of effort she has to restrain the beast and not let this become a pell-mell chaos.

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh no I just realized something hilarious... XD"

<OOC> Syval says, "Dismissing a spell is a free action but you must speak "words of dismissal, which are usually a modified form of the spell's verbal component.""

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods. "And Syval didn't practice the councelation words."

<OOC> Syval says, "I might not know those words. Do I know those words? Did the spell come in a pair, so to speak--"

<OOC> Syval says, "Exactly."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "He should know them. He has not practiced them. So I think it's worth asking the dice gods how good of a job he does at properly pronouncing them."

<OOC> Syval says, "Which kind of check would you like?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Spellcraft to recall, and Linguistics - Draconic to pronounce."

<OOC> Syval says, "I don't have separate Linguistics skills per language, so that's a general Linguistics check?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Yus"

Syval rolls Spellcraft (1d20+13) and gets 14 (1)

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li oofs.

<OOC> Syval says, "I am a teensy bit distracted. It'll burn itself out in... oh only 7 more rounds. <.< >.>"

Syval jumps as much as anyone else when that terrible din fills the trees and turning in the direction of the roar he hastily fans down with his hands while trying to shout down a dismissal. Actually hearing the young mage is probably a lost cause until his spell ends.

<OOC> Syval says, "Hmph. That pose would have a lot more life if I had a language to use for incantations Not having one for wizard spells gets in my way here. I should Google for one later."

<OOC> Syval says, "Sorry the pose is small and kind of junky."

Andie struggles not to be flung from the saddle and trampled as the horse continues to panic. In that condition she can do little to assist. But Neosodos launches himself from her shoulder up into the air and then glows momentarily as he hisses out - in his tiny dragon voice - the Word which commands the magic to stop. It's a targeted pulsewave that Syval can feel as it brushes the edge against him, snuffing out his spell and silencing the noice.

This at least allows everyone to reflect on this while order is restored. Wow, what a mess.

And yet Neosodos mindspeaks to Syval. << Well done, Little Brother. Next time, perhaps, practice your cancellation Words as well as Activation. But well done. >>

The green-scaled mage looks up in surprise when the roar stops without his help, only to relax when he realizes what the Eldritch Wyrm has done. Syval turns aside and coughs sheepishly, eyeing the terrified stallion rather than the pseudodragon. << The human Art for that doesn't work, I see... >>

<< 'Words' for activation, Little Brother. 'Words' for deactivation. >> Neosodos explains. << Practice both. >>

with silence restored, Honoria is able to fully control the horse, and its wild-eyed panic subsides to sheepish confusion, and then finally to slump-shouldered if brief exhaustion. Neosodos then returns to Andie's shoulder and curls around her. "I think your experiment worked out a bit better than you planned, yes, Syval of Amlar? Still, congratulations. Perhaps a bit further away, next time, if you do not mind?"

The guilty mage rests his bardiche upon his shoulder to raise both hands placatingly as he shakes his head, but even so there's an excited buzz of sorts at the edge of the dragonoid's features. "If I had known it would be that loud I would not have cast it. My normal magic is a whisper compared to that -- by Azuth's beard, the Journeyman who taught me didn't cast that loud..."

Syval checks himself before he starts /actually/ smiling and looks with concern between the witch and her mount. "Are you okay up there?"

Andie checks with Honoria, and then turns back to Syval. "We are, now. Thank you for asking. Let's get started. Our apologies, Jyslin, for making everything more complicated."

And off they go. Yet even as the small party regathers themelves and gets started, a new sound is added, this time coming from the southeast. A low, basso thundering. Subtly, the earth beneath feet, claws and hooves vibrates. And then come shrill, neighing challenges. And the clear blue sky above crackles with lightning, shockwaves across the heavens.

Andie reacts swiftly. "Scatter!" she cries.

Of course the party is pretty scattered already. But the reason for the witch's concern becomes evident as the source of the vibrations becomes clear: a charging herd of almost completely night-black horses, each one of them easily half-again as tall and broad as the battle-hardened barbarian pony upon which Andromeda sits. And largest of them all, leading the charge, comes one mare whose coal black coat sparkles as lightning crackles across the eyes and shoots down from her hooves to join those of the others.

The sound, ever so real, of a dragon's raging roar sounded. And this herd did not flee, but as actually charged out and is shouting their challenge at the beast, as if prepared to do battle!

<OOC> Syval looks around innocently and whistles. "Uh... Eldritch Wyrm, you're up." O:);;;

Any hope of a smile slips from Syval's face as he hears the rising thunder of the herd as well. "Oh no..." he bemoans before hastily running behind the nearest and largest tree he can find on short notice and tucking his wings in close. On a quick thought a moment later, the apprentice mage hastily recolors his High College red robes into a less eye-catching woodland brown.

<OOC> Syval says, "Hurray Prestidigitation. :D"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Color cantrip. Yus. Very handy."

<OOC> Syval says, "Not changing the scales though. That's going too far. u_u"

<OOC> Syval taps the pause button.<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li snugs dragon.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Mad hunnuli! Mad hunnuli herd! Run for your lives!"

<OOC> Syval says, "And you know what's even funnier? Syval'd originally planned on trying the spell in human form first."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "But trying to spark-cast it?"

<OOC> Syval says, "Yes. Of course that'd be more difficult."

<OOC> Syval says, "It's a skill he'd like to develop eventually, since spending all his time in hybrid form isn't desirable."

Displaying aplomb and intelligence, the charging hunnuli bank and wheel, never letting themselves slow down enough that anyone would dare approach or obstruct them, and it is patently clear to every member of the tiny party that they have been spotted and assessed. While the massive black horses do not see the dragon they are seeking, they do smell him, and their wheeling brings them back around and aimed straight for Syval and his tree.

Which is when the madcap dash of the heavily-armored Honoria brings her up in front of Syval, shield raised but no weapon at hand as she erupts in light and bellows forth a commanding shout: "Stop!"

The herd splits in twain and chargies around Honoria, the tree, and the dragon hybrid between them, before rejoining and wheeling back around, finally slowing as they trot forcefully, still sparking but no longer crackling with doom's own hellforge of power.

Honoria winces as the lead mare's mindvoice shouts mightily and nearly levels her. << We heard the dragon prepare to attack, and came to help! Why, then, lady knight, do you dare defend this foul creature in its ill intent, as it even now attempts to disguise itself and pretend at humanity?! >>

<OOC> Syval says, "That's audible to me as well, yes?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "'audible'. Yes. But you're catching the 'backwash'; the majority of that mental force is being directed right at Honoria."

Syval grimaces at Honoria's reaction to the mindvoice and casts a betrayed glance at his tree before steps out into the open, relaxing his posture enough that his wings half-open as he jabs his bardiche into the ground and its Azuth pendant jingles against the haft. Sensing the moment's fragility he doesn't dare step close to the herd nor the lady knight. Even so the young man can't help staring a little at the mythical creatures.

<OOC> Syval folds his arms. "They better not mess with my lady knight."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li grins.

Still wincing, a gauntleted hand raised to press against the side of her head, Honoria speaks powerfully in spite of and through her pain. "I swear to you, honored hunnuli, that this dragon means and intends no harm at all, and is not pretending at humanity. He is in fact a hybrid, and what you heard was not his roar of challenge or ill intent, but a mistakenly-enhanced magical creation of sound, I believe wrenched from his own memories. I swear this on my life and my sacred honor."

And then Honoria moves back in front of Syval's changed position and kneels down, shield still in front of her but head hung low in submission, and awaits the judgement of the herd ... and the herdmistress herself.

The herdmistress trots forward and stops, lowering her muzzle to wuffle at Honoria's hair. She then turns her head, wuffling again towards Syval consideringly. << A hybrid, you say? >> This time the voice is the herdmistress alone, and not nearly so mind-shatteringly forceful. << None such as that have been seen in many herds upon herds. >>

Now that the herd is not attacking, the lightning abates across sky and ground. Their eyes become warm, rich and impossibly dark blue horse's eyes. But now all can see that each bears the same mark upon the left foreshoulder: a jagged white lightningbolt pattern.

<< We come to aid, not to condemn. If this creature is truly no threat to those in need, we leave it in peace. >> the herdmistress promises.

<OOC> Syval ponders...

Syval looks down with a moment's worry when Honoria kneels to the Hunnuli and his features betray a tense watchfulness until the herdmistress speaks. When she offers absolution he dips his head in gratitude. "The only aid we could ask is for safe passage to the White Bog as we seek the hag coven in its depths. My apologies for the fright caused by my miss-cast Art."

<OOC> Syval says, "Eh, I can't quite thread that needle. That'll be a job for a later pose."

The herdmistress trots a couple of steps closer, wuffling at Syval curiously. << Mmm. Learning your way. >> She looks up towards Andie, still astride the - by comparison - tiny barbarian war pony, and the tiny dragon resting on her shoulder with wings spread in the sunlight. << Apprenticed to a proper teacher, then? Good. >> That massive black head bobs up and down, demonstrating her approval.

<< Not yet a master of your wings, then? >> the herdmistress questions in good seeming humor.

Assured that the crisis is averted, Honoria climbs back to her feet as the headache slowly ebbs, the pained expression not as dominant on her features. "I thank you, great Hunnuli, for sparing me and my companion." she intones formally.

The herdmistress turns and bumps Honoria's chest with her nose. << Lady knight, your kind are quite rare these days. Perhaps even as rare as we of the herd. We would not eliminate such as you if there were any other choice. >> The herdmistress then looks around and questions, << Where then is your steed? I see only the one, and it far too small for your size and mighty armor. >>

Honoria answers softly. "My dearest friend was left behind across more time than I can tell the herd, and I have found no new companion. We have traveled afoot, save now for the lady witch, who due to exertion required aid if we were to make our deadline."

The herdmistress considers this for a bit, looking around the party and then back to her herd. << So it is as the young hybrid has said? You go to the bog, to confront the hags and their coven? >> When Honoria nods, the herdmistress continues. << Can your hybrid do the shifting of forms yet? Easier, then, to carry when its heels do not puncture the ribs. >> She gazes out past Andie. << And you can tell your tiger woman that we will not stomp on her, so long as she does not try to eat us. >>

<OOC> Syval snickers. "Now Jyslin gets to feel included."

<OOC> Syval says, "I don't completely follow what you mean by "Easier then to carry when its heels do not puncture the ribs.""

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Dragon feets has rear-facing/heel-pointing claw points."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Put a dragon hybrid onna horsie, and the normal riding position means attempts to nudge the horse will instead open up its flesh."

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh! I thought she was talking about me shifting fully dragon for Honoria to ride. Thank you."

Syval coughs under his breath before shaking his head as the comment jabs at his pride. "You are right that I am still learning - the wings and the magic side of dragons. I have full control of my human form, the rest is coming with practice."

"And I am a male wizard," he clarifies.

<OOC> Syval had to bite back a few far more provocative ways of saying that 2nd paragraph.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li chuckles.

<OOC> Syval says, "Yeesh that pose took me longer than I thought."

<< Of course then, Mister Wizard. >> the herdmistress offers, without a trace of irony in her mental tone. << As we understand it from the Memory, the changing of the shape is an uneasy feat. Perhaps, then, you should begin that effort? Soonest done, soonest we can leave. >>

What? Did they forget to explain that the hunnuli will be transporting the party to the bog? Whoops! Well, now everyone knows.

Honoria gasps at this. Then she steps forward, resting her gauntleted hand gently upon the mane and neck of the herdmistress. "We cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Might I ask which of you might be willing to serve, however briefly, as my mount?"

The herdmistress bobs her head up and down forcefully. << I will, Lady Knight. You are, after all, the heaviest of your brood, and I the largest and strongest of mine. Go then, and fetch your accoutrements. >>

<OOC> Syval says, "Welp I did ask for that..."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Or tried at least, yes. :)"

"It's as you say," Syval affirms as he reaches back for his bardiche and grips it supportively before mentally releasing the grip upon his spark. The transformation back from hybrid to man is slow but comparatively uneventful, and the apprentice's robes fade back to their natural red at about the same time - their brief disguise expiring.

While Honoria goes to fetch her saddle, saddle blanket and more the herd moves amongst the party, sniffing experimentally. One of them sidles up to Syval after what seems pretty clearly to be some 'discussion' to which the two-legs are not privileged.

Another approaches Andie and then bows her head respectfully. << Sister, it is an honor to see one of your family again. Might we humbly suggest that you send your little friend on his way? He will not be able to keep up with us, he should not hurt himself trying. Allow him to return to his herd. >> the hunnuli advises.

Jyslin too is approached and sniffed by the remaining hunnuli, until one of their number chooses her as well. << Rest assured, Sister's mate, we understand your blended nature and do not fear you. We will carry you safely to the bog as quickly as we can. What training have you in the riding of our lesser brethren? >>

Honoria returns with saddle blanket, sattle and bridle, and gently, even reverently puts on and adjusts each for the hunnuli herdmistress. Then she sets about helping Andie down, transferring her saddle and gear to the volunteered hunnuli, and then getting the witch back up on the much bigger, much taller horse. Some assembly required, there.

Jyslin's strength and agility allow her to leap up and land lightly bareback on her hunnuli, and she settles quietly, petting the mane. "I will let you steer yourself, honored ally."

Honoria does then check to see what aid the change-weakened wizard may require before daring to mount the herdmistress so that their ride may begin.

<OOC> Syval says, "Nice pose. :) Do you mind a pause here for the night?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li snugs. "Nope. Do you?"

<OOC> Syval says, "Only as far as I'd like to keep going if I weren't too tired."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li tucks in dwaggin.

<OOC> Syval says, "Lucky Jyslin... it's been a while I'm sure but she at least learned to ride a horse before."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods. "True that."

<OOC> Syval is probably going to relax the herd by totally farking up 'climb on a saddle and don't fall off'.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Well, it'll be a blanket, not a saddle; we only have the two, AFAIK."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li kisses. "Nini."

<OOC> Syval says, "I've got a bit of bed prep first. Are you off to rest now?"

<OOC> Syval kisses back. "Sleep well and pleasant dreams."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li buffs dwggin scales.

<OOC> Syval reclines. ~u~

<OOC> Syval says, "Ah yes, the part where I'm getting on a horse for the first time..."

<OOC> Syval yawns and laughs. "Wishful thinking I suppose. I'll need to be a little more alert for this. Not sure how it's 8PM already..."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li scritches dragon.

Once he's shifted into human form, Syval spends a moment catching his breath from the shock of transformation then looks up to the Hunnali waiting on him and bows his head politely. "Be at ease. I don't bite in either form." Then, taking his bardiche from where he jammed it into the ground, the stocky mage ties the weapon over his shoulder and approaches from the side. It takes a little fiddling with his robes first but with a practiced hop the green-haired weredragon mounts as well. He's had at least some practice

Once she has seen everyone safely mounted and under control, Honoria smoothly and gracefully mounts the herdmistress and then leads the way. What follows, then, is largely a blur for any not used to such rapid transport. The hunnuli herd thunders across the ground until they are up to speed, and then they progressively start sparking again, and they start running up the sheets of lightning they create until they are flying, if only a dozen feet or so off the ground.

To those riding it feels no different, as the enormous horses' bodies still bunch and compress and spring open, running flat out simply without the earth itself beneath their hooves. But once they are charging across the air itself, the hunnuli pick up speed, continuing to an almost ludicrous degree. The herd crosses three quarters of a day of travel in a mere few hours, coming to a halt outside the bog's outermost wooded perimeter before the highest point of sun for the day, and they do so unwinded, as though this feat is of no import whatsoever.

The herd and their passengers do seem to ride past or above several of what might have been potential encounters, including a band of gnarled and twisted giant-sized humanoid creatures whom attempt to intercept the herd with launched rocks and spears but fail. Once the herd lands it takes them a while to slow down and come to a halt so that their passengers can then disembark and work to remove the saddles and bridles and blankets, setting the hunnuli free once more.

<< We would be of little use within the bog. But since this is thy domain, we shall leave you to it. Perhaps we shall return in one moon to see if you have been successful. Travel well, and go with the blessings of your faiths, one and all. >> the herdmistress sends, before gathering up her four-footed people with a sharp neigh, and charging off across the grasslands.

<OOC> Syval will imagine he passed some of the trip sating his curiosity with his mount. "If you don't mind we can fill in a little of that offline to fill out my notebook with Cool Horse Facts."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "You can feel free to come up with a list of questions you'd have asked, and I'll do my best to answer them in proper hunnuli non-herdmistress manner. ^_-"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "I'm really super proud of myself for deciding that the hunnuli are 'unnatural' enough that the boss of a herd is a mare, not a stallion. That just tickles me all kinds of shades of lavender."

It's a bracingly fast trip and the singularly unique experience isn't lost on the wizard at the back of the herd. By the time the Hunnuli stops and it's time for everyone's disembark, Syval slides off wide-eyed and visibly a bit buzzed. Whether from excitement or a stray spark from the lightning road is hard to tell.

<< Elder brother, >> he thinks with a discrete look towards Neosodos, << How fast was that journey compared to normal dragon speeds? >> Then aloud he says foremost to his mount, "Thank you for your aid and the honor of your visit."

Watching the herd literally thunder away, the wizard takes his bardiche again in hand and stretches out from the long ride before shutting his eyes and restoring his half-draconic transformation.

<OOC> Syval laughs. "Credit to you that I barely took notice. They're clearly sentient so I assumed at that point they'd organize as they please."

<< There are dragons that can fly faster. But none can maneuver so well as a hunnuli, save the very, very small. Like myself. >> Neosodos answers. << The larger dragons can travel faster by reaching higher, to the thermal inclines. But they can only do so because of both their enormous wings and their massive sizes to stabilize them. Else they would be tossed about like spare baggage, as I would if I tried. >>

It takes the party about fifteen minutes to reorganize themselves in no small part due to a need to change their progress and pattern. Now that they have reached the bog they will be staying in closer order. Without a horse to handle they can do so well. But Jyslin will range ahead of the party a bit - remaining within easy sightline - to scout the right paths. Once again, it does seem that Syval will be traveling at the rear, but this time 'the rear' is only five or so feet back from the middle.

"I know the racket I make is less than ideal." Honoria offers to Jyslin and Andie before they begin.

Andie merely shrugs. "It is what it is, Honoria. I would no more ask you to walk these paths unarmored than I would ask Syval to shed his scales. Those about whom I am most concerned will know we are coming and where we are regardless of mere silence."

As the party begins moving into the bog, Syval will of course notice the increase in temperature - slight, at first - but also the increase in humidity in the air. His draconic nature luxuriates in this, leaving him feeling loose-limbed and at ease on a subconscious level he has not experienced before. And the shaded presence of trees all around seems to speak to something deep, deep inside his soul.

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh that's a fascinating thought. Fly up to the jetstream to get a wind speed boost. Now that'd really be fast travel."

<OOC> Syval says, "Do I have a sense for where the primordial magic deeper in the bog is located? I assume that's our heading?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "You're kinda steeping in the outer bounds of it from the moment you step inside the bog, because the bog is (comparatively) so small."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "But yes, there is a 'brighter' center to it, and that does seem to be the direction Jyslin is heading. She doesn't __seem__ to discuss with Andie or converse to plan, but she does seem to still know where she's headed."

<OOC> Syval says, "50 miles wide seems pretty big to me. That's some potent magic to be felt like that at 25mi. :>"

<OOC> Syval, excited wizard.

<OOC> Syval , also excited dragon.

<OOC> Syval says, "Just to check: Google's showing me bogs are generally sparse in trees and heavy in moss and peat. Is the White Bog then more open and spacious than the foothills we'd been trekking through earlier, or is it more swampy with a canopy of brackish-adapted trees spread overhead?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Again, we seem to have had some issues of understanding. We have been skirting the low-lying hills of the foothills; so we haven't been traveling through light forest. We have been traveling through open grasslands with intermittent copses or lonely trees."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "That being said, here in the bog, at the outskirts you have big, healthy, heavy-canopy jungle trees. Further in you will find boggier conditions, fewer interspersed trees, a slightly thinner, higher canopy. The bigger trees will become infrequent, but subsequently taller and more massive, with higher upper canopies but fewer layers of canopy."

<OOC> Syval says, "Sorry I didn't mean 'yesterday' earlier, more 'when we brushed the edge of the Toadsquat'. Really I was thinking of the Weathering Heights I'm ICly familiar with for what forest looks like. Thank you for clarifying. :)"

<OOC> Syval says, "I started googling "bog" and now I'm down a rabbit hole of bogs vs. fens vs. swamps vs. marshes. I'll play with that more later and set aside RL definitions."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Also, there will be a sort of fog closer in to the heart and northern edge, owing to the fact that the water here is the assemblage of a plethora of tiny - thusly map-invisible - streams coming down out of the Toadsquats and down into here."

"If it helps, lady knight, I can color your armor to better match our surroundings," Syval offers as they walk. The bog is unfamiliar territory to him and its sights and sounds both give him plenty to adjust to , even as the stocky mage seems to find no difficulty in keeping his footing over tree roots and through sloppy peat. Catching a glimpse of bright insect life he even smiles a bit. "This is a nice bog so far. It's like an apothecary store in here."

<OOC> Syval says, "Ah~, so we're in a fen. :D"

<OOC> Syval says, "Alas, too small for dragons to swim down. Note to self: invent innertube."

<OOC> Syval could probably lash a couple waterskins together to make one for Neos at least.

"There is good reason why I chose the territory of the bogs and swamps." Andie murmurs from a little ways off, though she does not try to insert herself into the conversation.

Honoria glances at Syval and shrugs her shoulders with clanking. "None of that will dampen the noise I make in moving. And I think changing the color of my armor would only make me ... not quite me?" She smiles, though. "I do not think a store would let everything roam free."

Andie chuckles at that. "No. But Syval is not far wrong. A vast array of the greatest natural healing agents come from plants and animals found in places like this, or in the deepest jungles. They are the wellsprings of life. It is a lot of what Mai and I have in common, and why Vitarie loved to visit us both."

The dragonoid can't help but grin, and flashes more teeth than he probably means to. "The gentle brook visiting the jungle and fen witches? Selune sorted you all right," he remarks in amusement. "The insects here can also be used in glow ink, and they cost a great deal once they travel as far as Delzimmer. Plenty more than healing effects exist in this place. I've sometimes wondered if the Halruaa chapter has a more developed apothecary tradition. Delzimmer's always seemed a little light."

<OOC> Syval says, "I am an idiot. ^_^;"

<OOC> Syval says, ""White Bog /Woods/""

<OOC> Syval says, "So yes, there are plenty of trees here."

<OOC> Syval says, "So woods with a foggy fen-to-bog transition in the middle? Like a tonsured forest?"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li laughs.

<OOC> Syval says, "Apparently from my brief reading so far, ignoring valley bogs, bogs are elevated by peat accumulation in a river-fed fen until it's too tall. Then with only rainwater to feed it the soil pH changes and you go from lively weed-filled fen to mossy anaerobic peat bog. Valley bogs form when the soil is naturally acidic and river-fed, and take all this with a grain of salt because I still have a lot of reading to do and that's before anything gets translated into Shaar terms where magic is a normal thing."

<OOC> Syval says, "'Elevated mound of peat surrounded by trees' makes me think of a tonsure though. :D"

"I rarely visit Halruua." Andie admits. "And that despite that they have one of the largest fresh water swamps in all of the Shaar. Nevertheless, I can say that they are not shy about apothecary tradition. But they are less inclined to it than one might think. Their representation of the other faiths, outside of Azuth, are limited, and they are ... ill inclined towards witches."

And though Andie does not explain this, witches are the font from which constantly revitalized knowledge of and appreciation for alchemy and apothecary traditions flow, and most often and most directly into the divine traditions than the arcane.

Honoria just snorts at this and shakes her head. "Only fools pick fights with witches. Sometimes necessary, but never wise."

<OOC> Syval says, "Oh! Educational moment please: what was the High College's position on apothecary and alchemy traditions?"

<OOC> Syval says, "I recall potion brewing is more of a witches thing than in PF standard, but there's some apothecary/alchemy knowledge outside that for things like glow ink at least."

<OOC> Syval says, "And poor witches, they get a bad rap. Blaming Shakarn and Cantare's group for that one."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Within civlization, yes, there's a lot of negativity or unease about witches, and yes, Shakarn as the Betrayer, and Cantare and the 'wild witches' did not help that."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "The High College respects apothecary and alchemical traditions as knowledge worth preserving. But it is rare amongst their teachers that they have someone considered authoritative enough to teach it to a high degree. They often bring in cultists to teach higher classes for those few students who show an aptitude and interest. Or send them out to classes with those specialists."

<OOC> Syval says, "I see! So pursuit of that knowledge isn't frowned upon like necromancy (it's not zenemas), its original teachers just aren't well regarded. :)"

<OOC> Syval $u$

<OOC> Syval says, "Ah good, I do have a single rank in Craft: Alchemy. That plus class skill from Wizard should reflect a full but not focused study of the matter."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods. "It is not frowned upon. But they openly acknowledge those with the real talent for it are few and far between amongst arcane traditions. They do their best to support those who find themselves called to it, but they do so by looking outside of just themselves."

<OOC> Syval says, "Actually that's something I should integrate more into my background. My wandering would have been good for ingredient gathering as I've mentioned before, and well, green dragon. If there's any color that'd take an interest in magic plants..."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "It would be like those choosing to study engineering and mechanicals. They would bring in gnomes or dwarves with acknowledged skill at such things."

<OOC> Syval says, "A dwarf at the High College must feel horribly out of place. XD"

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Indeed."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "In no small part because dwarves have no arcane tradition of their own."

<OOC> Syval says, "E-yup."

<OOC> Syval also ICly likes the idea of turning 'cheap thing' into 'expensive thing'. Thus, Craft: Alchemy.

"After Shakarn and the Great War some of that is warranted," Syval opines from the rear, "But it is good to know the truth of the matter a little better. If the true nature of witches wasn't lost at the tattered edge of Maenast legends, the Electrum Circle at least would view you all more properly I think."

"I'll admit alchemy was never my best subject but it is the easiest tradition to earn a living from. The challenge is in knowledge and gathering - the preparations aren't so bad." Here the dragonoid cringes lightly and adds, "But I will still leave the making of bombs to the gnomes. Drunken urine is a terrible ingredient."

<OOC> Syval says, "History lesson: phosphorus was first isolated and identified by alchemists who distilled it from urine. A common means of gathering urine for these experiments (and later production) was to leave a bin outside the local tavern."

Andie does not bring up that the gnomes cannot hold a candle - quite literally - to the craftings of a witch of Talos. Andie has seen the transparent gelatin they create, and its aftermath.

"Any path, any tradition, can lead to those who misuse it." Andie offers honestly. "There have been dark knights. Fallen holy blades. Wizard who embrace zennemas. Shadowy assassins. Yet none of these quite evokes fear in mortals as does the lone witch on their outskirts." She shrugs. "I have always believed it comes as much from a lack of true understanding - so uncommon are we, and so often held far away from them - that the worst rumors spread, and are never dispelled, feeding on one another."

<OOC> Syval says, "Is there a witch of Talos? <.<"

<OOC> Syval finished Googling as a refresher. He seems like a deity who wouldn't get a lot of devotees in civil circles.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "But not everyone in the world is civil."

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "There's a coven of his called the Destructoria. Yes. Talos has witches. Not many, even compared to other faiths in the Shaar. But he has them. And they are scary as fark."

"I think you speak truth," Syval agrees. "Most Delzemaer at least aren't inclined towards open trust of things we don't understand. There are plentiful enough evils about the Trader's Way and Weathering Heights to teach that lesson. And as to witches specifically, you witches of Selune are somewhat the exception. Most witches and warlocks I've read of were cursing farmers or disappearing children, not teaching alchemy."

"Hags do not help, rare as they may be." Andie admits. For indeed the hags are witches, too. And they can and do steal children, curse farmers, and much worse. "It likely also does not help that witches find it very difficult to explain themselves to others who do not follow their ways. And what they do say will often make little sense without that basis." Does make one wonder how one trains to be a witch, doesn't it?

<OOC> Syval reaches over and hits the pause button. :)

<OOC> Syval says, "Thank you for the session this morning. We covered some nice ground. ^_^"

want to pick back up where we were or slide forward?" <OOC> Jhiao Ting Li hmms. "Why don't we give it a shot at continuing from where we were." <OOC> Syval offers fresh hummus and chips while working on a pose. <OOC> Syval says, "Homemade with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and walnuts for lack of more appropriate nuts." <OOC> Syval says, "Oh! And I need to give it a dusting of cumin." <OOC> Syval says, "Better. Okay, now I'm posing."

"Most wizards can tell you that's wasting breath. Explaining the Art to a commoner isn't worth the time either. It's not their fate to understand such things I think; too many big and complicated ideas," the dragonoid opines as he steps around a thick tree trunk and glances up in appreciation of its thick and healthy canopy. "Now an open-minded member of the Electrum Circle might pay you handsomely for the privilege. It seems we have forgotten a disgraceful amount over the past ages."

"But I was not speaking just of commoners, Syval." Andie responds calmly as they make their way into the jungle growth of the outer ring of the swamp. She moves with a calm, easy grace that makes it clear she isn't just comfortable here; she was born for this. Even Jyslin doesn't quite look as comfortable as Andie does. "Even an open-minded member of the Electrum Circle or similar sets finds it near-unfathomable to understand what a witch has to say about what she does, how or why she does it." But she does not argue about what has been lost or forgotten; that much is patently true, but has nothing to do with 'witch' and everything to do with her unique perspective as an Immortal.

"Oh? Perhaps you can try me once we've dealt with the hags," Syval offers gamely to the small slight towards his pride. "After learning of Kyreska on this trip I think my mind is open to anything regarding magicks. There's much more to touching the Weave than Azuth's faith..." The verdant-scaled mage doesn't notice the calm ease with which the witch navigates but it's perhaps because he's have no trouble keeping up. The same sure-footedness the towering wizard had entering the bog woods continues to bely his size and there's no sign the muggy air is bothering him either.

<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "To which honestly the witch only needs to point back to the start of their interactions, when Syval was all furious with her for not telling him everything he wanted to know the instant he wanted to know it once he realized there was anything to hear. ^_^" <OOC> Syval says, "Syval would say that's neither here nor there." <OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Uh-hunh. Sure. Right. ^_-" <OOC> Syval says, "Not understanding an explanation of how witch magic happens is different from not getting one. He's at least come to accept keeping secrets and knowing more than she lets on is stock and trade for Andie." <OOC> Syval says, "And for what it's worth he's assuming that's a Sister thing not all witches necessarily." By comparison, the lady knight seems to be having the most difficult time of this transition, though the weather aspect - heat and humidity - thankfully does not seem to bother her too much beyond the frizzing of her hair. Thankfully that is bound up tightly enough to restrain its rambunctiousness. But she is still quite heavy, thanks, and she sinks - quickly and deeply - whenever she manages to set a foot wrong. Which she does more than a few times. She is strong enough to pull back out, but that takes time and requires leverage, which can at times be in short supply.

Jyslin comes around to the lady knight and offers some assistance, then recommends that she start following one of them, footstep for footstep. It's the easiest solution.

Andie's answer to the young dragonoid is simply to smile beautifically. "I think we can assume I will be continuing to do so."

Riding the witch's shoulder, Neosodos coughs at this. << Not more of that, please. >> He sniffs around, and then comments to Jyslin, << Jyslin, would you be a dear, please, and take three steps to your left. Yes, right there, within the void of the bole of that tree. Could you gather some of those berries, please? >> The tiny dragon sighs with contentment when Jyslin gathers up the berries, pulls them up where he can see them, and then tucks them into the belt pouch at her waist.

Syval snorts lightly in dry amusement at the witch's reply but doesn't give her a verbal response - he's begun to learn her sense of humor by now. His brow furrows with concern for the more clumsy-footed lady knight as Jyslin steps in to help. "Follow the tree roots. The ground is firmest where they hold it together," he advises from behind. <OOC> Syval could Tensor a floating disk but is pretty sure it's neither sturdy nor long-lasting enough to be particularly helpful. And Honoria is a stubborn chevalier. <OOC> Syval says, "And time for phone. That's a pause for my side but you can keep typing." <OOC> Syval stretches. >.< "Harder to do when my hard boots skitter off and can't fit in the space." Honoria confesses. Still, she does her best and with Jyslin to help she does better; not perfect, but better. She clearly does not like being the slowest and least able amongst the party, but there's not much she can do about that.

Jyslin shakes her head in amusement at the drake but is happy to help, and then she is back to guiding Honoria. In this case Jyslin is clearly deriving her sense of direction not from a map or an ability to see or sense the sun or the moon, but is instead visibly watching Andie and following her lead.

The party will continue this effort for about three hours. Challenges abound, but all are overcome since most of the party seems to be almost innately comfortable with this biome as it unfolds. Insect populations pick up here in the swamp, and there are lots of snakes. But it is not hard to discourage the snakes, and the insects seem to leave most of the party alone, and prove largely incapable of reaching Honoria through her armor.

But as the party gets just past mid-day those most attuned to the swamp will know, instinctively, that all is not well. Some may or may not be able to pinpoint the problem, but the changes in sound and 'pressure' speak to something moving. Drawing closer. And then Jyslin holds up a hand. She says only one word.

"Trolls."