The Large Dumbo

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

Kythor quietly sighed as he watched Jitter disappear into the crowd. He'd much rather the four of them all stick together than split up so quickly, especially since they barely knew the layout of the town. Still, he did at least tell them exactly where he was going. He supposed no harm was done. As for whether or not to visit the captain, Kythor thought about it for a moment. Taking on more jobs than what their little group could handle could be an issue, and he wasn't too keen on picking up a bunch of new jobs - obligations - to a town they may not even be staying in for that long. Still, if it was something they could do on the way or something that wouldn't take much time, Kythor couldn't see the harm. More money was more money, after all. As long as they kept in mind their original job, Kythor wasn't about to turn down the opportunity.

Besides, he quietly wondered to himself if Imdra could give him more information about where Avarice was headed. He was admittedly quite impressed by the prospect of a tiefling who apparently belonged to the Arcane Brotherhood, a rather prestigious sounding organization, and he couldn't shake her potential involvement in the recent murder of the adventurers. While she may have not had a direct hand in the murders, she did receive his spellbook - perhaps that would have some answers. Granted, he was less interested in finding out if the spellbook held any secrets than he was in meeting another of his kind. The way he saw it, this 'mystery' had already been solved by the townsfolk. Unless they were paying them to investigate further, he didn't see much of a point in chasing down 'what-ifs' or humoring any such fantasies further.

Facing Kendra and Theodorick, he gave them an affirmative nod. "Looks like we're all in agreement then," Kythor said. "Don't see the harm in us chasin' down another job offer, just as long as it doesn't get in the way 'a what we came here to do. We wouldn't want to go through all the process of capturing a chwinga and bringing it to Dannika only to find out she's gone and got one already and skipped town. Who knows? Maybe Imdra's seen a chwinga or two around here and can set us in the right direction."

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Got a quick post up since I'll be out for a good bit of the day and figured I might as well try to get one in before we get too much further. I'll style it up when I'm available.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

"Perhaps the killer wants to try to keep a shred of dignity before he dies," Kythor speculated. "'Far as I care, he's got no place among any on this world. Murderers and those kinds of people... I've no sympathy for them."

Yet as he stared at the burning pyre, he couldn't help but wonder how necessary this all was. If the man was innocent - which Kythor suspected was not the case - then this was a torturous spectacle being put on to amuse the townsfolk. What did burning him at the stake accomplish? Sure, humans and other non-tiefling folk were much more susceptible to fire than he, but they were still taking a risk of having him escape. Aside from that, this method of killing was far too prolonged. The Greyspears never executed anyone for their crimes. But the way Kythor saw it, this was hardly any different than hunting a wild animal. Death should be delivered with a singular strike; be that an arrow to the skull, or a blade to the throat. Ultimately, while this was justice being served, Kythor couldn't help but feel as if this was a gross mockery of it.

Having the sense to keep that to himself, Kythor tuned back in to the conversation at hand. Putting on a brave front, he shook his head to look at Jitter. "We can't leave," Kythor said. "We've only just come here. I'm not real keen on us just wandering around aimlessly either. 'Sides, I assume they only burn the murderers at the stake, so you've got nothing to fear. Right?"

Whether or not this was true didn't ultimately matter, since Kythor figured they likely wouldn't be here too long. The mention of Avarice caught his attention in two ways. First, it reassured him that these people were likely at least tolerant of tieflings. Still, he made no grandiose display of his infernal heritage, just to be safe, even though his horns still stuck from the hood of his cloak clear as day. Secondly, he wondered if perhaps she was involved with this murder somehow...

"We appreciate your direction, Captain," Kythor nodded to Imdra. "We don't know how long we'll be staying in town, but it is still useful to know what accomodations a town has and where to find them. You mentioned something about a tiefling wizard earlier? Avarice, was it? You said she was an associate of this man's," Kythor said, pointing to the pyre. "Is it possible that she was involved in the murders, somehow?" He didn't ask it out loud, but he was questioning the wisdom of giving the spellbook of an alleged killer to one of their associates.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

@Lurking Krog

Kythor finds it a little odd that this man's not struggling from his bonds or crying out in pain - he's gonna try to Insight check him to try and read the man's stoic expression on the offchance he has some sort of contingency.

Wisdom(Insight)=1d20+4=5

... on second thought, I guess Kythor's decided this man's just accepted his fate and is gonna roll with that.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor's gonna stand back and watch for the time being, then he'll probably act.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

The journey they took was a peaceful one, something that Kythor could appreciate. For his cutthroat view on survival in the natural world, even he could grow to appreciate the peaceful moments of calm and quiet on the road. As he kept an eye out for danger, he also found himself taking the opportunity to admire the world around them. The stars above glistened, reminding Kythor of the tales the storytellers of the tribe would tell him in his youth. Huddled around a campfire for warmth, they would tell of mere mortals whose feats and deeds were so great that, in death, they were immortalized in the stars. This was so that they would always be remembered as heroes, and so that those who still lived could commune with them in times of difficulty. The ones who shone the brightest, those that could be seen the easiest, were those who had sacrificed themselves for the greater good.

This thought gave Kythor pause, enough to keep him silent the rest of the trip. Not that he had said anything beforehand, that is - he didn't have much to say on this morning.

When their journey ended, and as visibility became clearer across the land, Kythor cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes. "Looks like we've arrived," he said, "and from the looks've it without much issue. Fortune favors us, it seems!" The tiefling quietly chuckled. It was then that he noticed the person being surrounded by a crowd of strangers, and watched as Jitter told the group of his plan to get closer and investigate. While Kythor wasn't immediately inclined to rush headfirst into what was unfolding, his inner curiosity was nagging at him to. At the very least, before he got closer, he figured he could watch and see what was happening first before leaping to action. If he was going to leap into action.

---

Kythor's going to make a Perception check to try and see what's going on from a distance to better decide if he should get involved or not.

Wisdom(Perception) Check:1d20+6=14

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

No encounters this treck, any dialog between the party can be done just make sure to let everyone know.

@Lurking Krog

Kythor's good for keeping the journey quiet on his side, he doesn't really have much to talk about that he hasn't already brought up. Unless somebody asks, I'll assume he's probably not light a torch to help see.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

Upon hearing Jitter's request to finish off what little soup he had left, Kythor shrugged and pushed the bowl towards him. "Finish it," he said. Shifting in his seat so one leg rested horizontally across his foot, Kythor leisurely sipped from his ale while he waited for Jitter to finish. Jitter, it seemed, was also concerned about the welfare of the chwinga. While Kythor himself couldn't say for sure whether or not Dannika Greysteel had evil intent with the chwinga and her research, he didn't see much point in thinking too much about it. "We're bein' paid to deliver a chwinga to her, and as far as I care, that's where it ends. We can sit here thinkin' about the 'what-ifs' or whether or not she's mistreating them 'til sundown, but at the end of the day it doesn't really change that much," Kythor explained. "As for how I'd feel if I was in it's seat... Well, for them, that's just life. At least we're merciful enough to the little guy to not kill him once we've got him in our grasp. Really, better they run into us than a natural predator," Kythor chuckled. Admittedly, he wasn't thrilled with the prospect of taking a chwinga captive and delivering it to a human, but he needed to restock everything he'd lost, and the only way he could do that was with money. Besides, so long as Dannika had no plans to abuse or mistreat it, Kythor saw no reason to object.

Turning to face the others, he gave them a brief nod. "Looks like you two are ready to go," Kythor said. "Once Jitter finishes his breakfast, I suppose we'll all be ready to begin our trek. Hope the three of you don't mind a bit of walkin'," he snickered. "Sounds like we've got a ways to go." With that, Kythor slung off his backpack to double-check and make sure he had everything with him. He didn't imagine anybody had stolen anything from him, but better he make sure he has everything he needs before beginning their journey than realize he was missing something crucial halfway there.

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

"My tail?" Kythor leaned back in his seat. He himself had almost forgotten about it. Coming into Good Mead, he'd half-expected to be on the receiving end of a few odd looks and pointed questions. While he was pleased about him being lucky in evading such here, he couldn't help but consider that he may not be so lucky in Easthaven. In any case, he could see that the halfling's question was legitimate enough and genuine enough to avoid earning scorn. Born of curiosity, not of malice. "By itself, it is of little use as an extra appendage. All tieflings have them- All tieflings within my tribe at any case had them," he corrected himself, "and nobody in the tribe could really use 'em to hang off of trees or anything like that. Instead, their true strength comes from what they mean."

"The Greyspears have long since lived on the outside of society, as we are typically not welcome in the world of the... 'civilized'." Placing heavy emphasis on the word, the contempt in his voice punctuated his disdain for the idea of 'civilization'. "Tieflings are creatures whose bloodline has been touched by a devil, our lineage 'cursed' by one of the lords 'a the Nine Hells. Our unusual appearance - the tails, the horns, the eyes, all that - often bring ire to the small-minded city dwellers. Instead of condemning our past or bloodline, our elders taught us to embrace it. These things may make us stand out, but they are also an inherent gift. This gift, an inheritance from our infernal descendants, grants us some boons that most could only wish they have."

"Some of my kin, who I call such only for their blood relation, foolishly wish to cast off their heritage. They hew off their horns and sever their tails, believing that this somehow makes them more acceptable in the eyes of the city dwellers. Needless to say, they left the Greyspear tribe and their names shunned. Whether they found a happier life in the cities or a brutal death at the hands of the wilderness, I cannot say."

"My tail stands for my people and the connection I have to them," he finished. "Not just to my immediate family, but to both my tribe and Fierna, who has touched my bloodline and made me what I am."

D&D 5e Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Kythor

Having taken a seat at one of the tables, Kythor sat with a bowl of stew, and a mug of cheap cider. Not a lot of variety, sure, but he wasn't looking for variety. He just wanted to eat his breakfast and, once the others were ready, begin their trek to the city of Easthaven. Admittedly, Kythor wasn't particularly excited at the prospect of trading one city for another. More of the same, he imagined, only likely greater in size and in annoyances. On the bright side, he figured that perhaps this new town would have more amenities, places such as stores and the like to get him back into the wilderness quicker. A new town would mean new opportunities, for sure.

As he thought about the wilderness, his hands reached for the sprig of mistletoe he had procured. The others likely weren't aware about the potential this small plant had. At one point, the Greyspears had a handful of shamans among their numbers. The man who'd taught them how to manipulate the natural powers of the world had favored Kythor, as it was he who saved his life, and taught him how to invoke the magic inherent in nature. With this mistletoe, he could conjure enough berries to keep the four of them fed for the day. This paled in comparison to some of the magic that the shamans of the tribe were capable of using - spells to split the earth, conjure water, a few could even create magical fire on a whim. Admirable powers to be sure, but Kythor never had time to refine his ability to cast spells of that caliber. Hunting left little time to sit and meditate upon the world around him. In fact, it was because of the fact that he was hunting that he survived what happened that day...

The tiefling's face darkened. That man had brought a lot of death and suffering with him when the Greyspears gave him shelter. Teaching Kythor how to weave the magic of the world to his whim was likely the only good thing he'd done in his pathetic existence. May his soul be condemned to an eternity in Avernus.

He took a lengthy swig of mead and, hearing his greeting, turned to address Jitter. "A fair morning," Kythor sighed, setting the mug down with a thud. His face started to slowly revert back to a stoic frown. "May as well take a seat. We've gotta wait for the others to wake up and ready up. Hope nobody's afraid to do a little bit 'a hiking for the day," he chuckled.