The Sudden Approach of Unexplainable Power: IC

[unleashed]

[SBLOCK=OOC]That’s fine with me, as I wasn’t looking forward to making all the search posts myself, as there’s no real interaction to be had. Though I was hoping to perhaps find a broken piece of jewellery or something that could only have come from her. I guess the dress will have to suffice though. [/SBLOCK]

Finding nothing more, Aekalos departs the village and returns cautiously, but quickly, to the place where the half-orc woman was waiting, hoping she hasn’t left yet... and that the dress is singular enough that it will clearly identify the wearer.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=OOC]Well, for the record ... Aekalos hasn't yet discovered anything in the village that would indicate that they can work with metals. So ....

*SPOILER ALERT*:

BIG HINT COMING, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

.... I wonder what does happen to jewelry and other metals that are not in the form of weapons which can be put back to immediate use.

*SPOILER ALERT*
[/Sblock]

The half-orc woman is waiting, and Errast is now bound and loosely gagged. He has not yet recovered consciousness, and doesn't really appear to be going to do so any time soon. The good news is that he isn't looking like he is worsening, either.

Aekalos' spell wears off after he leaves the village but well before he can reach the half-orc woman. Upon seeing him she comes out from behind a tree where she had been planning an ambush should it have not been Aekalos, "He has not gotten better, and I did not want him to suffocate on the gag. So that is why it is loose. I assume since you are still alive and back that your search was successful?"

 

[unleashed]

[SBLOCK=OOC]Yes, I’d already assumed they’d bring metalwork to the half-orc smiths in Janston (wouldn’t have had any idea though if I’d instead taken the route suggested by the sailors. ). I was just hoping there might have been more sign of Ella in the village itself, perhaps something they missed or lost when they stripped her of her possessions.[/SBLOCK]“Yes and no. I found a torn dress, but nothing else to even hint that a woman had ever been there... especially a woman from a prosperous family. Then, I think I was fortunate to find the dress in as good a condition as it was, as I found it on top of a pile of material which had been torn into long strips. Hmm, I don’t suppose the orcs have brought any jewellery to your shop recently, have they?”

“As for Errast, well if he doesn’t awaken soon, I may just have to go unsatisfied as to why he did what he did, as there’s no way I can heal him or take him with me when I leave,” Aekalos replies to the news that Errast’s condition hasn’t changed. “Perhaps I should just have left him there, after his actions...”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The half-orc woman looks to Aekalos in surprise. "You would leave him in the woods rather than kill him?"

Regarding the jewelry, the woman replies, "They do bring me jewelry - often in exchange for their repairs and to pay for new items they need made from steel. I also think that in their mind the jewelry compensates for the other things that they do. The metal has already been melted down and fashioned into cubes for when I need it later. But I do have a few gemstones that don't melt down."

 

[unleashed]

“Actually, I meant I shouldn’t have bothered to save him in the first place... I should just have let him go. I’ve done it now though, so I won’t just leave him to be a problem for you,” Aekalos replies to the surprised look.

He sighs when she mentions she’s already melted down the metal. “That’s a pity, as a complete piece of jewellery might have been the best indication she was there. If you don’t mind though, I’d like to take a look at the stones when we get back... perhaps one or more of them will give me the proof I need.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

"You will need to take the stones?" She looks a bit worried at mention of removing the stones. "Although, I suppose if they were from a woman killed they should be returned."

The half-orc smiles as she looks to Errast and Maris' body. "I could build a simple sled and pull them as far as my shop if you would like. Perhaps by then the mage would wake up and you could make him drag the body of the woman he kiled back to the town from which you came?"

 

[unleashed]

“Hmm, I don’t know... I mean you’ve surely earned them, even if those you got them from gained them by loathsome means... so I think I’ll leave that decision until I see the stones,” Aekalos offers.

“Yes, that would be a most just start to his punishment I think,” Aekalos smiles in return, as the woman suggests Errast pull the sled, “Though I wouldn’t want you to put yourself in any further danger by dragging a sled from here to your shop, unless you think it’s safe to do so. If so, well then I’d be most grateful if you would, as it will take some time for me to carry Maris all the way there.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The half-orc nods and sets to work collecting branches and leaves. She directs Aekalos to look for a specific kind of vine that when split open can be quickly woven together to make a sturdy makeshift rope. "I can have a little sled and some rope made up in no time - probably less than two hours. It'll get us back to the edge of the forest around my shop - where I can get better tools and equipment. I've been doing a bit of thinking and you may be right. I might just have you wait at the forest's edge rather than bring you back to the workshop. It'll be safer that way."

 

[unleashed]

“Yes, well better to be safe than sorry, I’d say. I’ll go look for those vines you’ll need then...” Aekalos says, as he looks around for the vines in question.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

It takes a little longer for the half-orc to build the sled and bind the makeshift ropes. However, in two and a half hours time she is ready to be on her way with the bodies in tow and Aekalos beside her.

She looks to him once he indicates he is ready to move. "Is this what you do? Do you hunt down captives and try to free them? You have done this with the woman and you have come to my aid in my captivity - strange as it is.