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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 12, 2022 18:06:28 GMT -5
Gerhart readjust his clothes a bit, tightening up his boot laces and sword belt before they entered into the forest. Being relatively new to adventuring he was willing to take any job he could get. He was more than happy his new gnoll friend was more than willing to tag along with him on this quest for oozes. It was admittedly something far and away outside his normal hunting experience.
"So, I imagine we aren't going to trap these things with a snare huh?" He gives a small and nervous laugh, wanting to appear competent, but not fully sure of Fenrear's personality quite yet. Gerhart tread as quietly as he could in the forest.
He was able to relax a bit, knowing this job was only about researching the oozes. Fighting one didn't exactly sound fun and he wasn't flush with money to be buying new clothes or getting them washed every time they got dirty. Plus what if oozes were acidic? Wait, are they acidic? He didn't prepare for that. A sudden panic overtakes the young adventurer.
"Have you ever faced oozes before? What are they like? An ooze can't be that scary....just like a big blob of stuff right?"
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 12, 2022 19:54:31 GMT -5
Fenrear looked all around the forest as they entered. He could smell all of the tastey living things scampering around and he could barely stand it. He knew however that he needed to focus on the task at hand. Hanging out with researchers and adventurers would surely help him with his own…problems. At the very least this trip might yield some good ingredients for his necromancy.
No human, no nets for the slimes of hunger..oh..you call them oozes yes? Fenrear replied trying to act casual. I was a great fighter and hunter among my people. But I cannot say I hunted oozes. We just wipe them off our feetttt. Fenrear tried to smile in a way that did not come off too creepy.
Bwak Bwakkkk! Clucked Kyle, Fenrear’s undead chicken.
Yes Kyle, I am sure there will be lots of bugs here in the forest.
Fenrear considered Gerhart’s other question. To be honest, not too many ooze where I am from. Too dry I think yess? They are all small and not very delicious. I have heard they get bigger in water. I wonders how biggg? Fenrear cackles a bit at the thought of a giant snot ball. But do not worry young adventurer. We are friends now yes? If you die, I will just bring you back! No problem! Fenrear cackles and grabs a lizard and bites off his head for a snack. He offers the lower half to Gerhart as a friendly gesture. He wonders if Gerhart got his joke.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 12, 2022 20:24:18 GMT -5
It's at the last comment that Gerhart has learned an important lesson to maybe be a bit more discerning about adventuring partners...or at least ask a few more questions to start. Maybe lay some ground work about not wanting to be an undead, but he would save that for another day. No sense in putting unnecessary strain on the new partnership. "Let's hope we don't have to consider that." He laughs a bit trying to move on.
"Thankfully, these things should be pretty easy to find. No tracks, but goo trails shouldn't be that hard to find you know?"
Gerhart turned his attention to the path ahead of them, looking for any slight disturbance in the natural look of the area. As they walked he would occasionally stop to kneel down and inspect a branch or pick up a feather. The smallest frowns pulls at the corners of his lips, "I am much more used to hunting beasts, not oozes. Do you think they might have a different kind of scent we can pick up on?"
He puts his hands on his hips, surveying around and taking the moment to pause. If Fenrear didn't have any ideas, then it would just have to come down to good old fashioned leg work.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 12, 2022 21:10:56 GMT -5
They smell but there is no point sadly. Fenrear shook his head a bit. The ooze eat whatever they find. They smell like what they eat. They are ambush hunters so quiet, like death, yes? So you can’t smell or hear them.
Bwaaak bak bak. Clucked Kyle
Yes Kyle, that is a very good point. Fenrear looks at Gerhart as if he is expecting him to say something. Oh right. Kyle says that they need water, more than most things, to survive. It is best if we look for still water, pond or lake. Not running water or they wash away. And…..water is something we can smell. Fenrear takes a deep sniff in the air. Stale water. This way, yes?
Fenrear finishes off the rest of the uneaten lizard. One of the things that he found the hardest to understand about people was how much good food they wasted. Here they were in a virtual smorgasbord of gastronomic goodness and most humans would probably starve. It was ok. His new companion was still young. Maybe he could save him from his own ignorance. Yes, he would keep him alive. You must always protect your companions. You must always care for, the pack.
Come come he motioned. We go with the light
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 12, 2022 21:21:36 GMT -5
"Huh....good to know." Gerhart nods and files away the knowledge that they smell like what they eat. He stares blankly down at Kyle as he bawks, trying to focus and see if he can pull anything out of it.....but nothing. Thankfully Fenrear seems to understand the chicken. "That's a good companion you have there, did you raise him from a chick or?"
When Fenrear mentions following the light and looking for water, Gerhart dutifully follows after. "If it's water they are after then we have a few options. Traveling south we would eventually hit the coast and the ocean.....Plenty of water there, but also all the sand which I imagine just from the name ooze they wouldn't be too fond of......That means we should start heading east. There's a lake just outside of the Shadewood here that I'm sure has a tributary running to it.....Not to mention the other little creeks and brooks that are likely in this forest."
It was rare for Gerhart to actually be fairly knowledgeable about something, but growing up in Moonglade and spending so much time hunting there, thankfully some of what he saw is sinking in. "Careful though, the longer we travel in the woods the more likely we find something with actual teeth."
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 12, 2022 23:27:47 GMT -5
Fenrear starts laughing a raspy laugh. Did you hear that Kyle? He wants to know if I cared for you and loved you since you were a wee chick! Feed you and read you bed time stories?
Beaaak bak bwak bagak!
Kyle! Such language for sensitive ears . Fenrear starts laughing again. After he manages to calm down a bit, he smooths his cloak.
No my young friend, I did not raise him. I ATE him. And after I ate him…I brought him back. Fenrear gives a wicked smile. The crazy bird has been following me ever since. Do you know how to hard it is to get rid of an undead chicken? I didn’t.
Bagh baaa bagh.
Yes Kyle , it makes sense. Kyle and I think making our way to the lake is the best option. There should be plenty to eat out there. With plenty to eat, we can probably find an ooze or two yes?
As the group moved down the path, the sounds of wild animals could be heard all around them It was also starting to get dark.
Hmmm it seems to be getting dark. We may need to make camp yes? No good walking around in the dark. Well no good for finding oozes. Might need to get something…for dinner.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 13, 2022 7:38:35 GMT -5
Gerhart is again caught off guard, not sure how to respond to this new revelation about Kyle. Why would you raise a chicken after eating it? Why would it follow the person who ate it? There were so many questions and not enough time to properly ask them all.
As it gets dark, he pauses to look around and listen to all the noises beginning to pop up. It didn't sound like there was anything too big or scary nearby. A couple of wolves or something like that should be easy enough to handle should they feel emboldened enough to attack the pair.
"Setting camp isn't a bad idea, we'll have plenty of time to find something in the morning. I don't think we are too far from the river anyways."
Gerhart began collecting some wood for a fire as they made their way to a clearing for camp. "If you'd like I can probably catch something quickly enough, unless you packed food with out."
He led them both to a small clearing in the woods, something open enough that they could at least start a fire and put down some bedrolls. Taking another glance around, it didn't seem like a recently trafficked area, so it seemed safe enough at least for the moment.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 13, 2022 8:43:29 GMT -5
Ughh no no adventurer, must be lake, LAKE, still water. Rivers move too fast for ooze, they get washed away. Calm water.
This was going to be harder than Fenrear thought. He was too tired and hungry to deal with this right now so it was time for a supply run. You make the fire and stay here to be safe. I will find the food. Kyle, you stay and watch. After a moments thought, he added. Don’t try to eat Kyle. The only thing worse than an undead chicken is an angry undead chicken on fire.
Bwak bwak. Clucked Kyle
Yes yes, lots of squishy bugs for Kyle.
Fenrear disappeared into the shrubbery with a swish of the bushes. He wondered what his tribe was up to. It had been nearly a year since his “incident” but it seemed so much longer than that to him. He missed going on the hunt with his pack. He missed His brothers and sisters. He missed his favorite swords and his armor. He was never really alone but times like these he certainly felt like it. Ugh, banishment was the worst.
It didn’t take very long but he was soon able to snag a brush rabbit, a couple more of those tasty lizards, a clutch of eggs, a couple centipede for Kyle and a forest rat. As he was running out of pockets, he made his way back to the camp to check on the fire and to see if his companion was still alive.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 13, 2022 9:09:51 GMT -5
"The river will lead us to the lake, and also give us a chance to refill waterskins, but that's a good note." He nods, filing away the tip on running water being bad for slimes.
Gerhart does start work on building the fire, getting some dry brush and pine needles as kindling. The bigger pieces of wood are steepled together with smaller twigs and branches set underneath. Gerhart fishes a flint and fire starter out of his pack to begin send sparks into the kindling. After a few tries, it finally lights up and with some gentle encouragement a fire starts to burn at the center of the would be camp.
While Fenrir is out hunting, Gerhart starts to set up his cooking spit as well. They would need something to cook it on....or at least he would. He was entirely uncertain if Fenrear actually needed to cook food or if he could just eat it raw. Would it be insensitive to ask? Also....can you eat an undead chicken? But Fenrear already at him once.....could he be eaten again?
Fenrear's arrival back at camp is enough to snap Gerhart out of the spiral of questions in his head. "Looks like you had a fair bit of luck out there!"
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 13, 2022 10:34:07 GMT -5
Yes yes, young adventurer, lots of tasty goodness. You must eat, keep up your strength. Fenrear lays out all of the food and Kyle starts to peck at the bugs. Good job with the fire, good size. We sleep here tonight, start back again at the first light. Hopefully we can find oozes or something even more valuable yes? Important to always watch for things of value. Things of value are hidden so you must look.
Fenrear pushes the rabbit, rat and eggs over to Gerhart. I can see cooking rack. Very good. You cook them good yes? We will eat the lizards as snacks. Fenrear shows the lizards and turns them over. You look at lizards. This one is purple. Good for food or stomach ache. This one yellow. This one gives you stomach ache so you eat the purple one right after. Fenrear bursts into laughter. Amongst the Gnoll, his lizard jokes were always very popular. Is joke! It’s not funny because you need to eat more lizards. Look look, I caught this one special for you.
Fenrear opened up his pouch and pulled out a green and red lizard. It skittered around his hand for a moment but Fenrear deftly recaptured the creature. You eat this lizard now yes? It special lizard that can help you see in the dark. Only for a day but still, very good lizard and has crunchy bits. Very nice.
Fenrear eats the yellow and purple lizards whole and holds out the remaining lizard to Gerhart. You must try things. You can survive much longer the more you are willing to eat. Gnoll are always hungry so we eat almost anything…except each other. Always watch out for the pack….Fenrear drifts off in deep thought for a moment until Kyle interrupts his thoughts.
Bwakka bawk bagah clucked Kyle
No that is friends magic lizard, you eat crunchy bugs yes?
Fenrear stares at Gerhart expectantly to see what he does with the lizard.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 13, 2022 18:27:17 GMT -5
"I don't know about good, but I can cook them." He smiles and laughs gently before settling back to watch the lizards. The gnoll has a strange personality that's sure to Gerhart, but he can't help but listen. He watches the lizards carefully, listening, and laughing albeit a bit after Fenrear reveals its a joke.
"See in the dark huh?" Curiously, Gerhart reach out for the lizard. Once the reptile is in hand he looks at it a moment before quickly killing it in his hand, trying to be as quick as possible before eating it whole. That might have been a mistake done trying to impress the gnoll, but too late to go back.
"I'm used to scrounging up whatever is enough for a meal. Spent plenty of time as a kid learning to pick around the mold in bread the bakers had thrown out...or shaving off gray bits of meat to try and get something that will only give you a bit of stomach poisoning." Another little laugh as he turns the rabbit on the spit slowly to make sure he gets an even cook on it.
"You have a family then? A pack? Is it all relatives or just...some people you know?"
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 13, 2022 19:38:14 GMT -5
Fenrear claps his claws together very loudly. Yes, Yes! Very good. I know many of the deep magics. You wait a couple minutes, lizard make you see like the creatures of the night. He smiles broadly happy that Gerhart didn’t quit. He was brave so Fenrear wouldn’t have to worry about him too much. Fenrear probably would have cooked it first but a win was a win.
Do I have a family? Yes I have lots of different kinds of family. Amongst the Gnoll, you have your Rah and Ka Rah…father and mother. Then, you have Sisu ..that is brothers and sisters. Birth family stays close till you are 16. Then, you take Rah Des Ka..right of the pack. If you pass, you belong to and protect the pack. The pack over all. Failure means…death. So all who survive, belong to the pack…they very important.
Fenrear started to drift off again in thought. It made him sad being away for so long.
You have family yes? Tell us about your home. The Gnoll don’t stay in one place long. I like listening to stories of houses and yards. I would like to hear a story please.
Bak baggh clucked Kyle.
Kyle is also very interested in your story, especially if it has bugs. Fenrear whispered to Gerhart on the side Please add bugs. It would make Kyle very happy.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 13, 2022 19:59:00 GMT -5
“I didn’t expect to find so much in common with you to be honest Fenrear.” Gerhart gave his traveling partner a wide grin. “Sounds like we both have a pretty strong family bond.”
He pauses a moment as he turns the rabbit, thinking about how exactly to talk about his family. It was complicated to say the least and he didn’t want to bore the gnoll, but he was asked. “I suppose we are kind of like a pack of sorts, just not one where we are all related. A grew up in a small village outside the forests here, but uh one day we were attacked by werewolves. Lot of us kids lost our parents, I think I was the oldest of our group, maybe 8. Helped a few of us move to a different city, we were basically family at that point. Eventually a traveling bard and his wife were making their way through, he sort of adopted us even if he didn’t want kids, but he helped feed us, make us laugh, make everyone forget we were just a bunch of orphans for a bit…It’s a really messy family I know.” He grins still and laughs, hoping he didn’t ruin the mood of the night. “We look out for each other, related or not we are family.”
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 13, 2022 21:05:25 GMT -5
Fenrear listened intently to Gerhart’s story about his family. His parents were eaten by werewolves, how very sad was that.
Thank you for sharing your story. Being with people who watch out for you and who you watch out for. Yes that is a good clan.
Fenrear was surprised at Gerhart’s history for several reasons. Silently he reaffirmed his own commitment to get home, someday.
Bwak bwak
Don’t be a child Kyle. Gerhart has no bugs in his history. Fenrear rolls his eyes a bit.
The next time I meet a werewolf, I promise I will eat him for you. But no more stories for the night yes. Time to rest and hunt oozes in the morning.
Fenrear curled up next to the fire. He had a lot to think about. Who would have thought that a simple expedition would bring up so many memories for him. He could hear Kyle cooing close to him. What a crazy little clan indeed. He listened to the sounds of the night and slowly passed into slumber.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 14, 2022 7:39:51 GMT -5
"I did make friends with a pillbug for a morning." He laughs gently. "But he was eaten by a robin, so there's not much to that story."
Gerhart agrees with getting rest, tending to the fire a bit to make sure it keeps going for awhile as they start to sleep. Eventually he tucks himself into his bed roll for the night, drifting off pretty soundly.
He wakes up fairly early in the morning with a stretch and a little grunt. He rolls up his bed roll and packs it away before starting to get his armor and weapons back on. Each strap is double checked to make sure it is secured before he's ready to move on with the day.
"I am ready to head out whenever you are." Gerhart looks to his companion with a grin, bright and ready for the day. They still had a bit of walking to get to the lake so it was better if they got started sooner rather than later.
As soon as Fenrear was ready, Gerhart would take point for the morning having a decent amount of familiarity with the area. Like yesterday, he keeps his eyes to the trail looking for any hint of slimes along the way.
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