[IC] A New Day; Cozy Fantasy Village Life

[Remram]

--- Near the northern edge of the settlement ---

@Rune_Alchemist@Dragonydas@BunniesOfDoom@LupusIntus@Zeroth

Brom looked at the foolish bard with wide eyes as he came to a horrifying realization. Oh Mother Mountain's beard, he has stupidity stuck between his ears. No matter what Brom said, no matter what he did this man was never going to listen. In fact, this was the sort of man that went by the beat of his own drum, or in this case, went by his own tune regardless of how he effected the others around him. In short, the worst kind of person to have in a kitchen let alone a little community trying to bring life back to this ill begotten town.

It took all Brom had not to push the bard's hand off his shoulder. They must live in peace; he could not contribute to any tension within this band of people. He had to be civil, polite, and courteous even if the fool in front of him kept prancing around like a peacock in heat parading his feathers for any potential, dissatisfied potential mates to appear. However, not even he could maintain his cheery smile as he listened to the peacock prattle on and on. Gods above did the man love the sound of his voice or what.

"Don't make yourself the final verse," Brom muttered to himself though lo and behold the seemingly immovable object met a greater unstoppable force. Adrilla led him away with an arm around his shoulder and honeyed words coming from her lips not before she flashed Brom a grin and wink.

The dwarf returned with a satisfied mischievous grin and a thumbs up. "Oh we know when we aren't wanted!" He said with a hardy chuckle. His attention though turned to the Myrr and for a split second he thought he heard her give him his thanks. His grin softened into a warm smile of acknowledgement and a nod before he focused onto the matters at hand. So, they had a blacksmith, a herbalist, and a farmer, and at least some of them had combat abilities. He wasn't sure on the farmer though.

"I know my way around a sword," chimed in Brom. "If possible, I would like to try and find some wood for smoking as one method to preserve food. Hard woods like alder, hickory, oak, and so on." If they were going to be okay in the future, then they needed to stockpile on resources that would help extend the shelf life of food though whether or not they could lug back both wood for firewood and for smoking awaited to be seen.

However, a new problem arose; it appeared that he had accidentally discouraged the farmer from looking at the plains completely.

With a shrug Brom said, "Come along anyway. Worst case scenario is that if we don't have time to look then we have an extra pair of hands to help bring wood and food back. Besides, you'd be safer in the forest with a bear than with him anyway." He briefly glanced over in the direction of the bard.

He made sure the straps of his backpack were tightly secured around his shoulders, pots and pans gently clanged against each other. "But we are burning daylight, I'm with Myrr and that we should leave now."

[CitrusArms]

Niara Rootwick

~ Center of Town ~

@Rune_Alchemist@Dragonydas@Zeroth@LupusIntus

A farmer and a blacksmith. A strong combination, though any farmer she’d ever met was much bolder. The woman in question was timid, maybe even afraid. Poor thing. Unfortunately, the things the young lady farmer had with her would not help with their rickety old well. Food plants did tend to either be very small or rather too brittle, not hardy at all. None of the plants the young lady listed had the qualities she would need to encourage from a seedling. Wheat had some potential, but Niara was unsure if she could mutate the brittleness of the stalk away, or make the plant last long enough to have any utility. No, they would need some kind of vine or other, more fibrous plant.

The group seemed to be organizing itself quite well - a party for firewood and scouting, not a bad idea - when another joined their midst. Someone with rather too many compliments on his tongue, and no few for himself. With a roll of her eyes, Niara turned back to the well in front of her. Though she made great statements about the thing, she hesitated. Already, she’d managed to get some parts free, but as she looked at the rest of it, she pursed her lips and frowned. Replacing the rope and bucket would be easy enough, but to work on the rest of the thing might be impossible, her original words seemed correct. Much of the assembly was rusted through, the magic she used for hearing the earth could tell her that much. If she took it apart, it would likely crumble and be nothing more than scrap. Working on this well, as it was, was pointless.

The technically skilled elf turned to the farmer girl, “Yingmei, was it? Did you catch mine? Niara.” She popped this part and that back into place before leaving the decayed contraption, and gathering her tools back onto her person. “I can go with you, to investigate your field. Think you can help me find a nice, sturdy replacement rope growing somewhere, while we’re on the way?” Niara grinned, bundling up her tarp and sticking it into the pouch on her back.

“You’re right, though. There might be monsters. I’ve got a couple things for that, at least,” she pat the buckler and dagger sitting together on her hip, “I’ll be able to fend off anything that’s reasonably sized. No bears.” She smiled at Brom and motioned to his suggestion with a wave of her hand, "or we all go together. Hehe, I think I'd rather not wander around alone."

[Zeroth]

--- Village Center > Springwood Forest ---

Akitsugu

Late Morning / Early Midday
@Rune_Alchemist@CitrusArms@Xaltwind@Dragonydas@BunniesOfDoom@Remram@LupusIntus

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---

The bard apparently had a rapier to flourish, but before he could do so the elven woman called Adrila suddenly entwined her arm with his. She seemed so certain of his sophisticated background Akitsugu was a little taken aback, but then again bards tended to have reputations as ladykillers for a reason, he supposed. In any case, it kept the man from bothering the other elf girl who was clearly uncomfortable with his advance.

Myrr seemed to quietly speak to Brom, before she answered the blacksmith's question. She apparently didn't have much in the way of weaponry, but could use two different kinds of magic. To Akitsugu, being able to affect an enemy's footing was good enough---he certainly couldn't do magic himself, so that fact alone was impressive.

"Keeping a sharp eye out will certainly be appreciated." he said, though as the woman began to mutter to herself and jot her thoughts down in a notebook, the blacksmith remained politely silent. Clearly, she was a bit like himself---he tended to think silently, but was also a note taker when needed. He knew that in his case, voicing one's thoughts aloud or whispering to one self was like imagining a conversation with another part of the brain---what if this, how about that? To evaluate thoughts as they occurred, and come to a conclusion only after considering both positive and negative aspects of an idea.

Brom chimed in that he was also familiar with swords, to which Akitsugu nodded with a positive "Mmh." Yingmei's grumble, however, caught his ear next and he turned to the girl with a look of concern. She declined his offer of an escort, which brought a slight frown to his lips, but he nodded in understanding. Best not to try and force his presence on anyone, especially when they seemed the naturally timid sort, and when he had only met them mere moments previously.

Although...what was that she'd said? Something about a divine beast? Again, the same way he allowed Myrr's thoughts to run uninterrupted, he merely blinked and did not draw attention to Yingmei's nervous stammers.

Brom, however, tried to encourage the girl into coming along with them anyway---to which Akitsugu held up an empty palm.

"I disagree, Brom-dono. If Miss Yingmei's specialties lie elsewhere, let her put them to the use she deems best. I trust her judgment. The three of us will be enough."

Myrr and the dwarf both seemed ready to go, so Akitsugu gave Yingmei another soft smile and a pat on the shoulder, before turning away and walking in the direction of the Springwood Forest. Best to take the lead and let those who would follow do as they willed---and leave those who did not wish to follow to their own devices, without making the situation more awkward. He did, however, hear Niara offering to accompany Yingmei, which brought a smile to his face despite not turning back.

---

The wild grass, dotted with shrubs and patches of flowers, was tall but not impedingly so. Aside from the occasional rabbit or bird, the most fearsome beasts out here seemed to be the trundling, membranous masses that Akitsugu knew to be called "Slimes" in this land's tongue. He wasn't even sure if the creatures were sentient---they simply rolled about, in their ponderous way, eating at bits of already dead or decaying things. Personally he only saw one; a blue specimen in the distance, tumbling down a gentle slope until it hit a particularly thick patch of grass, which formed into a ramp beneath its gelatinous body and launched it perhaps a foot in the air. It disappeared into the brush with a sound like manure being dumped out of a bucket.

There weren't really any noticeable landmarks, but the way was clear enough--entirely one-dimensional, in fact. Within less than half an hour they came to a line of thin and short trees, which thickened past their line of sight but never came close enough to shut out the sunlight. The day was warm and pleasant, and the canopy rustled every so often with a pleasant breeze. Akitsugu turned to Myrr first.

"If you have any idea what types of trees these are, have Brom-dono--ah...Sir Brom, mark the ones he wishes to use for smoking. I'm going to look for deadwood first." So saying, he pulled the hatchet from his pack once more, and began to search for twigs, tree limbs, fallen logs, or anything else that would be dry-but-not-rotten, flammable, and most importantly, within easy reach on the ground.

[LupusIntus]

--- Center of Town ---

Rinn Arniman

Interactions: @xaltwind, @dragonydas, @Rune_Alchemist, @CitrusArms, @BunniesOfDoom, @Remram

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---

Another stunning beauty was at Rinn’s side in a moment and he nearly blushed at the way she took charge, guiding him through the square. “My lady, you speak only the truth as I see it and I would, of course, be honored to aid you with any task you might desire.” Rinn flashed her a brilliant, ernest, smile. “I do so wonder what stories YOU will create in this land of opportunity!” Before he was passed off again! It was, of course, not unexpected to be the most popular person in any space.

He simply had that effect on people.

“I am at your service, my lady, though I’m afraid I can weave a tale only half as well as you weave a blanket.” He marveled a moment at her current project and the way her fingers flew through the work with nary an instant of hesitation. “Many a heart kept warm by her touch, shared through-“ He stopped suddenly as Deryl entered the room, large muscles bulging beneath his tight shirt as they strained beneath of a crate full of metal tools. “This village has done nothing but amaze.” He said softly, mind already spinning through a rather raunchy limerick about a blacksmith who could handle every tool.

“Good ser,” He began with a slight bow, looking to both Sheryl and Deryl, where his eyes lingered a bit longer. Absently, his fingers flicked lightly at the strings of his instrument in a relaxing improvised melody. “I am Rinn Arniman, teller of tales and seeker of stories. It seems we’re to be neighbors in this endeavor! How might I assist you and this burgeoning community?”

[Xaltwind]

--- Springwood Forest, outskirts ---

Time of Day: Late Morning (10:00 AM~)
People of Interest: @Zeroth Yasunami Akitsugu, [@Dragonydas} Myrravel Velasien, @Remram Brom Stronghammer,

Those who took to the road and left the village behind in search of firewood would travel eastward, towards the Springwood Forest. While the trip there would msot likely be uneventful and mundane, with little to stop and gawk at along the way, the trip would give those walking there a peaceful and pleasant stroll, and a moment to talk amongst themselves and get to know one another a little better - if they so chose. The walk itself would take about half an hour, if they kept a steady, regular pace and didn't stop or take any detours along the road. Speakng of, there weren't any actual roads or paths leading to the forest per se. Instead, those travelling there would have to rely on not but choosing a general direction and heading that way.

Upon arriiving on the outskirts of the forest though, they'd be greeted by the fresh scent of woodlands. Bark, leaves, moss, grass and dew all mixed together in the air to form a familir and well-known smell to all, or well at least those who frequented the outdoors. As one looked around, it became clear that the forest divided into layers of a kind, with the outer-most one at which they were now was home to mostly thin trunked trees. But the deeper you wandered into the acual woods, the thicker and larger the trees started to get. Additionally, one's who knew where, how and what to look for, would soon realize that there were more useful plants, bushes and resources further in.

In the outer-most section of the forest there seemed to be mostly thin trees and basic ferns or other leafy plants, but if one kept going, they'd soon stumble upon things like wild vegetables and berry bushes, further still and you may come across nut or fruit-bearing trees. But, as with all things, the deeper one went, the more potential danger may appear. While the forest would certainly offer plenty of dry branches, fallen logs and ingiting sources, it also held the residents of the woods - and some of them may not be too friendly... Or they might just be hungry.

But it was still midday and fairly early. The sun was high and there was plenty of light. The green and brown of the forest beckoned, inviting the travellers in to forage and explore.

What would they do next? Where would they go? What, or who, would they find?

---

--- Center of the Village ---

@Lupusintus Rinn Arniman, @BunniesOfDoom Adrila Jaaxa

Sheryl only glanced up momentarily from her work when she heard the elf's voice. She cocked ehr head sideways when the other woman flashed her an pologetic smile and then quickly dumped the string-spinning fop at her doorstep. Only when the man opened his mouth and began to babble did she realize why.

"Ah... ha.... Very, uh, nice to meet you too, young man." She said, a streined smile on her face.

Fortunately, her ox of a husband came barging into the stone house soon after, placing down a big crate full of tools and utilities. When he spotted Rinn and heard the lad ask what he could do, the big oaf laughed heartily and wandered himself on over to the yuonger man. With a firm, repetetive thumps on the youth's shoulder, the man spoke in a friendly tone.

"Perfect! It was gonna take a while to unload the cart all by myself, but with you here we'll get it done in no time! Wahaha!" Daryl said in an excited tone, completely missing the fact that the bard's physique wasn't exactly... Otpimized... For carrying large and heavy containers with who-knows-what inside of them.

"Let him carry the lighter things, dear." Fortunately, the red-headed woman had a good head on her shoulders.

Laughing again, the big carpenter clasped onto Rinn's shoulder and pulled him along out to the couple's wagon. Upon arriving, the bard would find that there was no small stock of things in the cart left. Many barrels and large, heavy-looking boxes were still there, but there were also smaller sacks and less burdensome-appearing crates and containers too.

"Well, you heard the wife! You take the small stuff and leave the heavy things to me, alright boy?" Daryl said with a big old goofy grin, before leaning over the side of the wagon and grabbing a barrel, which he then proceeded to hoist onto his own shoulder and start carrying off, as if it were not but a wee child playfully getting a ride on the big man's broad, muscular shoulders.

Rinn would find that Daryl was a chatty fellow, happy to share tales of how he and Sheryl had first met, where they used to live, where they'd come from and what road they'd traveled. All while moving back and forth between the cart and the building, never stopping to rest of take a breather. The man was a machine!

Meanwhile, a certain administrative-focused elf would find herself with a quickly diminishing roster of people to boss around as people set off to take care of whatever tasks or personal matters they had decided upon. Alone in the town square now, she'd find herself sandwiched between the wooden lopg house, the stone building where Sheryl, Daryl and Rinn were pre-occupied with, and the strange, star-like statue at the very central-most point of the village.

What would she do next?

---

--- Northeastern Part of the Vullage ---

@ERode MacKinnon

The little scamp would come into the northeast part of the ruined settlement and find... More of the same. Like, really, there wasn't any actual difference between the ruined buildings here and the ones she'd just scoured back at the heart of the town. Sure, some of the structures may have looked different or been of varying shapes and sizes, but all in all they were just more abandoned, rickety, falling-apart-dye-to-lack-of-maintenance buildings.

But, these were also places she hadn't explored and pillaged yet! Who knew what kind of treasures, trinkets or other items were left behind? Maybe none? Maybe a ton!? Maybe there was a diamoned-encrusted flagon that'd been enchanted to always keep its contents cool? OR perhaps a bear-skin rug? What about a complete collection of some ancient scolar's enyclopedias on various sciences and topics? ... Well... Maybe none of that, but you never knew! The ruins were, as they say, her proverbial oyster, ready to be violently pried open to see what was inside!

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--- Southwestern Village outskirts ---

@CitrusArms Niara Rootwick, @Rune_Alchemist Yingmei Okudaira

Those who left for the south-west of the village would find a small dirt path leading out of the town. Of course, not long after you exited the settlement, the 'road' was gone, completely swallowed and overgrown by nature that had reclaimed it. But, it didn't take long to spot something interesting.

In the distance, a small ways away, were the remnants of a fence, or perhaps a low wall? Bits of it was made of wood, and other bits of stone, but all of it either crumbling or ruined by now, thanks to age and weather. But, beyond this sad display of a barrier, lay what was truly intriguing. The remains of... A field? A crop field?!

Yes, although largely grown over and reclaimed, it was clear as day to anyone with any sort of knowledge about agricultrure that this was, or at least had been, a field for growing food in at some point. And while indeed most of it had been consumed by nature, there were still bits and pieces that looked as if it could be worked right away, with only a little bit of effort involved in clearing and fixing it up! Moreover, there seemed to be some sort of shack or small building at the very far end on the opposite side of the village.

... And, there was something... Small... And white... Leisurely waddling about in the field-area...

[ERode]

//Northwestern Village > Western Village
_@Xaltwind

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. One man’s pain, another man’s PLEASURE!”

The pickaxe swung hard, a tip polished and sharpened by piercing stone now piercing deep into the front wall of yet another abandoned, dilapidated structure, before MacKinnon pushed her body weight against the haft of her trusty partner and dragged it further down, creating an eye-catching ‘i’ in the building.

Was she mad about something? Nope, sweat beaded over her forehead but her smile was as cherubically greedy as ever.
Was she trying to get into something? Nope, the door worked (because it had already fallen off the rusty hingers) and she had already ducked her head into the building.

Instead, MacKinnon had simply done this to mark the buildings for others to take a look in later. Sure, a common wage-slave would see broken and rotten furniture and think they were too good for it, but when the nearest forest was still far away, wouldn’t the best firewood be chairs that could no longer be chairs, tables that could no longer be tables? Certainly, she wasn’t a lumberjack and had no intention of bringing those bits and bobs of dry wood back herself, but the jovial treasure hunter was always willing to mark where her trash was, in case others saw it as treasure.

And oh, the treasure she did find!

A vase with a pretty picture painted on it that’d definitely be a winner once she washed it off by the well! A grimy carpet that just needed a nice beating to reveal the artisanal patterns and historical value that it inherently possessed! Those were what she placed in her rucksack, carefully using the carpet itself as cushioning for her more brittle discoveries as she continued to stick her head in, mark buildings with free furniture/firewood, and…

MacKinnon’s head lifted up as a cold draft blew against her back, her hair billowing in response. Her green eyes followed the direction of the wind. At the outskirts of the northwestern parts of the village, she could just make out the holes in the earth, the caves that promised safety and profit, security and familiarity. It drew her in, as certain as gravity.

But she blinked instead. Shook her head. Spun on her heel. Headed down to the western section of the Village instead, continuing the cheery little work shanty that spun itself into being upon her lips.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. One man’s pain, another man’s pleasure!”