Book 1 - Chapter 2: The Road to Aite-Aerd

[pringerbeam]

     "Of course, I'm glad we have come across some small fragment of civilization in these lands. Perhaps a meeting with your chieftain is in order? I have been told we should present some kind of gift." Said Thedrin as he caught up to the horseman.

[Asta]

"Of course of course, the elders will want to meet with you. I am sure your gift will be well received."

Eventually, your group arrives at the outer edge of the collection of yurts. The man who rode in with you hops down from his mount and ties the reins to a nearby post, indicating some places to secure your own horses.

The camp is lively, around 30 people total move about doing the last of their daily chores; each of them regardless of gender or age carries a weapon of some sort either holstered at their side or slung across their backs and all of them wear some variant of the clothing the rider that met you wears. There are children present as well, some as young as probably three or four years old running around playing games. A handful of them stop their play to gawk at you for a few moments speaking to each other in a language you cant understand before running off again.

The yurts that make up the camp are arranged in a rough semicircle around a handful of sizable campfires. Each of the circular tents is probably large enough to comfortably hold a family of five and is basically the size of a very small house. Near the campfires, there are some women cooking the evening meal in large stewpots. The smell of heavily spiced meat and vegetables wafts through the air, promising a hearty meal.

The rider leads you to a specific Yurt, somewhat smaller than the others but still large enough that several people could fit inside comfortably. The outside is decorated with broad stripes of blue on white. He pulls aside the heavy curtain functioning as a door and motions you inside, where you find what you can only presume are the elders; one woman and two men, all three are old but not showing any sign of it. To the contrary despite their lined faces and streaks of white hair each of them looks to be in incredible physical fitness. One of the men stands and offers your group a short half-bow.

"Mergen you've brought guests, a joyful occasion. Welcome travelers, our hearth is yours tonight."

[pringerbeam]

     As they proceeded through the encampment Thedrin looked at their primitive homes. They were crude at a look from the outside but at the same time spacious for traveling compared to the tent he had to leave behind. Of course, after a few nights of enduring the hardship of his bedroll, anything would appear a welcome respite. He looked over the tribe itself as well, their unisex garb disappointing him as he tried to inspect the women. There was too much bundled up for him to get a good idea of their physical traits and while a little left to the imagination usually intrigued Thedrin, an entirely mysterious body was a bore. He sighed, resigning himself to a lonesome night once again as they came up to the leadership's tent. "Ah yes, of course. I am Thedrin Ashewake, knight errant, we're on our way to Aite-Aerd from Telan. We come bearing gifts." He said as he pulled out the box with the dagger and presented it one handed to the man that had greeted them. "And you would be...?"

[Asta]

"I am Kaigal-Ool, first among the elders in this Gathering. This is Sayin-Khöö and Kañ-Ool." He replied, gesturing first to the woman and then the other man. He took the box from Thedrin's outstretched hand and bowed slightly, "The People thank you for your generosity. It is good that the old ways still continue in these darkening times."

Kaigal-Ool gently placed the box containing the gift dagger on a nearby low table before turning his attention back to your group. "Come, let us eat and share news of the Steppe the evening meal should be nearly finished. It has been too long since we last had guests and this is cause to celebrate."



Outside, it seems most of the people living in the camp had begun to gather near the central bonfires to sit, eat, and socialize. Laughter and conversation fill the air as the nomadic peoples settle in for some relaxation after a hard day herding. Kaigal-Ool offers you each a bowl of spicy smelling stew full of vegetables and mutton. Atop the fragrant dish floats a dollop of yogurt, most likely made from steppe bison milk. In addition to this, into four clay cups he pours what is easily recognizable as wine, and a quick glance of the bottle indicates its of a particularly fine vintage.

"We received this as a gift some time ago when last we had visitors. I know our traditional drinks are... not suited to the tastes of the Settled People, and how can one be hospitable if your guests are not enjoying themselves." The elder offers your group seats on folding stools and sits down himself. "Food first, then some entertainment, after we can trade news friends. Please enjoy yourselves."



Following the meal, several of the nomads fetch a variety of instruments from nearby yurts. The collection includes a handful of small drums and a stringed instrument you aren't familiar with, but it resembles something like a violin with a long neck and small octagonal body. The trio of musicians begin to play a slow but powerful song with a deep thumping beat and forceful yet melodic rhythm. One of them sings out in a clear voice with words you cant understand but they sound important, the other players join in a chorus of low throat singing. Accompanying this, a pair of younger women begin a slow, sweeping dance. They've shed the more conservative outfits that seemed to be the norm for the camp and are now wearing long flowing high collared robes that cinch tight at the waist. The song, and its dance continue for a few minutes before they switch up the tempo into something more fast paced, and the dancers respond in kind. Eventually, the performance comes to an end and the performers are met with applause.

https://www.youtube.com/v/nxpaxQqaYWk

While the nomads return to their evening revelry, Kaigal-Ool and the other elders turn to speak with your group. "So, what news elsewhere on the steppe? We saw a large cloud of smoke on the horizon several days ago to the south, is all well?"

[Throndir]

"Goblins actually." Rhenri replied. "Our town of Telan was attacked by a lot of them, caused some fires they did. We done killed the lot of them and lookin' for more though. Y'all had trouble with goblins yet?" Rhenri asked, curious to see if the goblins attack was something more widespread.

[pringerbeam]

Dinner

     Thedrin wrinkled his nose at the strong scent of the meal. The stew lacked subtlety with its powerful spices and the yogurt exuded a terrifyingly tangy smell that almost made his eyes water. He picked at the meal to get to the meat, nibbling on the mutton only to be almost overcome by its spice. He coughed and grasped for the first drink he could, surprised to find it a fine vintage wine. "Oh thank goodness, wine! And good wine too, better than anything the village produced." He said as he took another drink. Another cup later and he was a little bolder in his consumption of his meal. The wine helped to lubricate his tastebuds and he managed to eat the meat and vegetables but not even the finest wine could get him to go for the yogurt.



     When the dancing girls began to shed their thick garb Thedrin perked up only to be disappointed by their only slightly less modest garb. His disappointment came out in a sigh as he mumbled. "And here I was hoping it was going to be like one of Shalette Mornigaunt's parties. No bangles, no sarongs, no carefully painted bodies, no Shalette Mornigaunt and her... assets." He mused as he drank the remains of the wine in his cup, the last of the bottle offered by the tribe, and leaned back to try and digest the foreign stew assaulting his delicate intestines. "Oh what I would do for a glass of port right now." He said absentmindedly.



     Thedrin, now getting more and more uncomfortable with the spicy stew warmly slithering through his guts, perked back up at the question of their quest. "Yes, goblins. Terribly troublesome creatures. They had the gall to attack the village just a few days ago."

[Asta]

"There is always trouble with goblins..." Kaigal-Ool answers, and his peers nod in agreement. "Though it seems of late they have grown more bold, though I cannot say I know why."

"They have taken to trying to harry us as we make our journey across the Steppe to the shelter of the east mountains. Easily slain, but daylight wasted fighting delays our arrival before... what is your name for it? The Dark Time?" the woman, Sayin-Khöö adds. "Other Gatherings have told us similar tales when we cross paths."

"It is distressing to hear they have attacked your village, we hope you will recover quickly. This Gathering will send a rider south with what aid we can spare, the herd is large this year and it is only right we help a friend in need. Where is it you travel to?"

[pringerbeam]

     "We head for Aite-Aerd to petition the Righ for troops so that I can lead a force to exterminate the pests." Replied Thedrin. "A simple task but one requiring haste nonetheless. Speaking of which, we require some additional food for the trip. Surely you are capable of providing some rations to see us to the next settlement?"

[Asta]

"I see, I have heard your Righ is a good man. I am sure he will send the fighters you seek. As for travel rations, we certainly will provide you with enough to reach the next town before you leave tomorrow."

Kaigal-Ool motions for a man who is standing nearby to come closer and says something to him in the language of the nomads. "Anay here will provide you space in his yurt to rest for the night when you are ready. This Gathering will remain here for another day so do not feel as though you must depart too early."

[info]If you have anything else you want to discuss with anyone here, go ahead and do so. I'll move things along to the next morning when it seems like your business is finished.[/info]

[Throndir]

"Thank ya kindly." Rhenri said in an effort to be friendly. These people were strangers, so she couldn't help but feel stiff. "I'm sure the yurt will be a mighty fine upgrade to the camps since." Rhenri smiled at Anay and threw him a gentle wink.

She wasn't sure if Anay understood their language, given the fact Kaigal-Ool spoke to him in their own language. But at the very least, she hoped the smile and wink was something more universal.

[Asta]

"To aid another, is to aid oneself." Anay replied with a nod, clearing up Rhenri's curiosity about his linguistic skills. "The Steppe is a hard place without friends."

Eventually, the energy of the evening meal died down and people returned to their yurts; except of course a number of sentries in their distinctive yet unremarkable cloaks that had come by to get something to eat one at a time as the night progressed. Anay guided your party to his yurt, which was large enough to comfortably house the five of you and provided remarkable shelter against the cold evening air.


Location: Nomad camp north of Telan
Date: Sehstam 28, 795
Time: ~0600

In the morning, when at last all of your group was awake you met with Kaigal-Ool at the edge of the encampment. The elder carries with him four small packages wrapped in some kind of course fabric. "Rations for your journey. It should be enough to reach the next settlement without having to stop and hunt. Travel safe, the Steppe is more dangerous than it has been."

[info]From being well rested and having a decent meal the night before, your party receives a circumstance morale bonus of +1 to attack rolls made in the next combat you might encounter[/info]



Resuming your ride north, the weather remains clear and the air crisp and eventually after an uneventful day the sun begins to set once more. The following day however, you awaken to find that a thick fog has settled over the land reducing visibility a considerable amount and by noon the sunlight that filters through the overcast sky has failed to warm the air enough to disperse it. Suddenly, Scathach quietly calls for a halt.

[info]Book 1 - Chapter 2.1 Trouble in the Mists[/info]

[Asta]

Location: Road Between Telan and Caer Mog
Date: Sehstam 29, 795
Time: ~1300 - 1700

After your protracted encounter with the ambushing kobolds in the mist, the rest of your day proceeds more smoothly. Scathach rides ahead to scout the road, keen on preventing another unpleasant surprise. After traveling for another few hours, she returns to the rest of the group to report she's found a copse of aspen trees another couple of miles ahead that would make a good campsite for the night. The cold mist from the morning has still yet to dissipate, and the amber light of the setting sun gives the impression you are riding through a golden cloud.

"Su. Thoughts on usin' the wee woods as shelter for the night?"

[Throndir]

"Sounds 'bout alright with me." Rhenri replied.

[pringerbeam]

     "Anything to keep the ungodly wind of the steppe out."  Remarked Thedrin. His mind was already drifting back to the warmth of the yurt from the night prior. The plethora of shaggy hides and furs was especially appealing given the chilling mud and dirt that had sullied his clothes when he fell into that damned put. The memory was made even warmer by the phantasm of one of those nomad girls curled up at his side maybe with a less windswept face, a wider set of hips, a more voluptuous chest, a more revealing dress, nay no dress, warm lips, soft hands...  Thedrin blinked and shook his head before letting out a huff to dispel his wandering thoughts. "How far to the Righ was it again?"

[Asta]

"Aboyt fifteen days ride from Telan. We've gone aboyt foive, another two should 'ave us 'alfway and in the town of Caer Mog where we can find an inn and restock" Scathach answered. "Then it's another seven days to Aite Aerd."