Wandering Cords

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Dec 23, 2024 2:22 pm
Cords is a husky man with short straight black hair. He grew up rougher and has had his share of fights. Bar fights that is. He is 22 now and has learned some. He is not a boy and obviously a man. Taught to make a living repairing stuff and make trinket/toys. He is well spotted by kids that recognize him as he has given so many toys out for free. He is a rather good nature man. His ability to carve small toys so fast helps. He is mostly a traveling man. Sometimes his rep proceeds him as surely he was in the neighboring town. He doesn't really do buildings. Furniture is more his area.
Dec 23, 2024 2:38 pm
Your heavy pack sits lightly on your well muscled shoulders as you trek down the dusty trail. Summer is well underway and you are hoping to make good time this morning before the heat really begins.

The last village is more than a day behind you and according to them you might reach the next a bit after sunset if you push hard throughout the day. Traveling at night is not typically a good idea but doable with a good moon. As 2 of the 3 should be visible tonight it should be fine.

Your long strides eat up the miles keeping you warm in the morning air as you let your mind wander while keeping your senses alert. The hill of the region vary between wooded and grassy, providing plenty of cover for both beast and men. Most bandits don't bother tinkers like yourself but others are more greedy or vicious and go after anything so you have learned to keep vigilant. It is while you have these thoughts that you notice cart tracks leading off the narrow dirt road though the tall grass. Pausing for a moment you gauge the tracks to be a day or so old and wonder if they just set up camp. But usually they would do that closer to one of the wooded areas. This seems a bit odd.

The road you are on is currently running through the lowlands between several wide grassy hills. The hills vary but are all about a hundred feet tall and thousands wide. The shod beast lead cart tracks through the grass head off between a couple of the hills. Do you wish to investigate by following the tracks, climb a hill to look around the area, or continue on?
Dec 23, 2024 6:46 pm
Not being in too much of a wanting hurry and if they have a sweet camp site then all the better. Current weather looks fine and he has something to throw down and lay on to rest a shade. But some tasty dinner would be what one wants. Lots of traveling makes one rather lean. Simple him really would so much like to stride to the next available village. Traveling is adventure but he really isn't a man of the wilds. Besides he doesn't procure any coin if he is just walking.

Wondering Cords decides a fast looksie and that wouldn't hurt or take so much traveling time. He is simple and will investigate the tracks as he cares not to search a bit for higher point to view besides surely, they wouldn't have traveled far. He is still thinking it is rather strange occurrence. He does however expect to arrive onto the cart very soon enough. Surely, they wouldn't travel a far distance. They probably just went a bit further to find a nice camping spot is all. Nothing like a nice moon lite walk later if it comes to that.

He would be very much happier if he smelled something cooking on a fireside. As his ever-hungry tummy reminds him that he needs to fill it some. Everyone hates dry rations. Besides he doesn't have anything to wash them down really. He thinks that if this side trip might ruin a nice warm bed in a comfy inn. He will survive as always and of course grumble. Traveling hardship is nothing new to an experienced traveler. Perhaps someday he will invest in a lazy man's horse. He muses himself. That and purchase a nice hat to keep the sun more at bay.

Guessing that he didn't see the reason the cart left the way other than to make a camp. What would he imagine the cart looked like? Size and mount(s)? There really isn't any other tracks than the one it made? He does believe it is being drawn by a single beast. No walkers present?

Cords is rather perceptive. GM. Feel free to roll any dice for me as I really don't know what I'm doing. Winks.
Last edited December 23, 2024 7:31 pm
Dec 24, 2024 5:23 pm
Following the cart tracks between a couple hills and around the curve of one you spot a copse of trees ahead, with the tracks leading into it. By your estimate the tracks were left by a simple 2 wheeled cart pulled by a small hoved beast of burden, possibly a donkey. The fainter traces to the side of the hoof marks lead you to believe there was at least 1 person walking beside it. Disappointed at the lack of smoke or the smell of cooking you suppose the travelers may have already moved on. Still, it won't hurt to check out the area.

Rolls

Perception as you enter the trees - (3d6)

(252) = 9

Dec 24, 2024 5:37 pm
You follow the cart tracks is it winds through the trees and com upon a small clearing in the middle. You see a cute, but obviously old and well used, cart off to one side. The cart has traces for a lead animal but you see neither the beast or any people at first glance. A small fire pit to one side of the cart and a few cooking implements, a stool, and other miscellaneous camp items are scattered near the cart only heightens your caution.
https://i.imgur.com/ylpt0ny.jpeg
Then your ears catch a slight sound from behind the cart. Circling the cart to get a better view you spit a figure in the grass. As you approach you see it is a woman and a faint trickle of blood in her hair indicates she was struck from behind. But the sound comes again and you realize there is a small, whimpering, child curled up under her skirts.
Dec 24, 2024 7:35 pm
Cords is woo'ed upon see viewing the hurt unconscious lady & an unseen whimpering child. Although onlooking Cords can't view the child, he is sure that it is no doubt clinging to its mother. It appears that it is probably going to stay there unless something changes, and it appears that it hasn't notice Cords's approach.

Cords isn't sure if there had been more people here, but it all seems too much for just one lady to have done. Perhaps she was hit and left for dead or unwanted. Did the child hide to avoid capture? Alot of questions come to mind and he wants to have a better grasp on the situation.

Cords decides that hurt lady could even be dead as it is hard to tell at the moment. Dead or unconscious she isn't one to be reacting to his presence, but the suspected child will. Not to scare the child as a spoken words might, he retrieves two small doll figurines from his pack carefully as not to disturb the child and begins to play with them in his hands while he gives playful low volume whistles.

Can Cords note if the lady appears to be live or not while he is working soon lure the child out? Any better description of the lady? Or the child soon. Children have always gotten his attention.

He listens to hear if his low volume whistles seem to quiet the whimpering. He will raise the level till he doesn't hear the whimpering. Now that he is sure that he holds some curiosity of the child, he increases the level a bit and watch to see if any eyes appear to view what is happening. He only goal is let the child know that he is here and not to scare the child. He has kept a safe distance.

When he spots peering eyes, he says in simple easy voice, "You know that you get the winner." as the two dolls seem to be dueling without weapons. He keeps doing this a bit to capture the child's eyes before he offers the winner by a simple extended hand. But he does do this in a way that the child has to move a bit out of its hiding to receive it.

This is the time finally wants to talk to the child after he has gained some trust or at least not scaring it. He makes no motions to touch or even close any distance to the child. He appears only to wish to give the child the winner of the dual.
Last edited December 24, 2024 7:49 pm
Dec 28, 2024 1:55 am
OOC:
Happy Holidays
Moving closer as you whistle you do note that the grass in front of the woman's face woman waver's from her shallow breathing. The woman turns out to be a Changeling. Under her sunbonnet you note her bland head and face which is missing several features, notably the ears, nose, and any body hair. These people tend to not keep to their true form when with others as some view them with suspicion but from your experience, limited though it is, they are just another race of the people.

Trinesa (woman)
As you step close the whimpering ceases and the form under the woman's dress stills. You pause a moment and can tell that the you are being listened to but perhaps their fear prevents them from acting. Getting no reaction from your whistling or movement you check on the woman and afirm she lives and should recover. Speaking your findings aloud does elicit a response as the child sits up and begins to cry upon seeing you.

Tibit (child)
At your comment about the dolls the child seems distracted but looks to their mother. Will she really be alright? Where's papa and Lyan? Did you chase those nasty little creatures away?
Dec 28, 2024 3:26 am
He gazes upon the new child as he stashes away the children's toys, "Your mother will live. Others are gone. Darkness will come soon. We need to make ready for it." He decides not to treat the child as kid but rather a young adult. He doesn't bother with names. They just get in the way at the moment.

With some glances about, "We need to take care of her before we set for the night. Tomorrow will be a new day." He takes for granite that the child will aid him. He can do what he can for the mother. His ability is rather limited and mostly relies on her. He just intends to make her comfortable.

Soon he will question the child to get as much information as the child knows before the evening ends.

He will look about and make what he can for a meal. He has already decided there is nothing much he can do with night coming. He can see how his night is going to happen.

Tibit (child)

Psybermagi

Dec 30, 2024 1:46 am
OOC:
changed picture to fit more a young child, that first choice can be used for the mother.
Roll a test to "care" for the mother. The better the roll the quicker she will waken. Some rolls are for success/fail while others are for quality of success.
[ +- ] Tests
Tibit (child)
The child moves to help. Though she is young, likely between 4 to 8 though her race makes this more a guess than anythgin, she is familiar with taking care of the camp so helps find things you need quickly. You get the woman bandaged and grow increasingly confident she should recover. The wound it not too serious, save that it was on her head resulting in the loss of consciousness and blood loss. Once the woman is situated and resting better the child, whom you have learned it Tibit, grows anxious about her father and brother but equally worried about being left alone. Though she questions about the likelihood her other family members survived she also is quite obviously still in fear of the creatures that attacked them.

As you begin working on preparing a meal Tibit helps you gather things and you get the impression this is a common activity for her. You learn that Tibit did not get a good look at the creatures. There were many and not large, perhaps the size of a dog, and covered in light brown fur. Though they could stand upright they mostly ran on all four clawed limbs. From the girls description there could be anywhere from 8 to 50, though you figure closer to a dozen and the rest were simply her panicked mind multiplying their numbers. Her father had been out checking traps he had set the previous evening with her brother when they were attacked. Tibit was grabbed by her mother who ran for the cart before they tumbled and her mother lay still. Tibit lay quiet in fear listening to the thing dig through the camp. Her mothers scream must have alerted her father who returned minutes later and shouted but most have been driven off and chased as you do not see any other bodies nearby.
Dec 30, 2024 2:07 am
Roll a test to "care" for the mother. WOOT. Like the green outline on it.

Does traveling Cords have any concept or notion of what the nasty invaders could be? There are many tracks about the camp that might aid but he can't hope to do any full track anything until the morning's daybreak. He suspects the child's brother and father may have been taking considering as there are no bodies present.

Instead of full tracking, he keeps his attention on the lady as she seems to be getting better. The child seems better suited to do stuff around the camp and that keep its attention off its mother's condition. Cords is no mood to do much of anything but keep alert as is stationed next the child's mother although he does try to make something to dine on with the child's help.
Last edited December 30, 2024 2:25 am

Rolls

Care Test - (2d6)

(36) = 9

Trinesa

Psybermagi

Dec 30, 2024 5:02 pm
OOC:
A clarification on time of day
You began "hoping to make good time this morning before the heat really begins." before noon
Your recent travel history is "The last village is more than a day behind you"
The next village could be reached "a bit after sunset if you push hard throughout the day"
On the road you found "tracks to be a day or so old" meaning the cart left the road yesterday, likely last night. This is easily verified with the child.
I assume you got confused about the current time of day from the 3rd comment in the story.
If you want to shift the story to the evening or just FF till then I am fine with that. I just wanted to clarify that in the story I imagine it to be around noon at this point.

This system is designed to be simple and your "Perceptive" trait is well suited for activities like tracking. So I will just go ahead and give a bit of info on that. If you wish to get more you will need to put in some time and roll for results.
As you tend the woman and child you see marks through the camp that you would need to spend more time to clarify but do note that multiple clawed beast passed through the clearing. With a quick glance you ascertain that they came from the treeline to the south, moved around the camp a bit trampling the grass and scattering objects, then left to the west, away from the route you took to reach the camp from the road. By your estimation based on the beasts tracks the father and son may have been heading around the hill to get back to the road, but this is just a guess and you will have to move further afield to find their tracks and verify.

Trinesa
Cords is relieved when after a few minutes of ministration the woman, whom he moved to a palet next to the wagon, lets out a soft moan and raises her hand to her head as her eyes flutter open.
Dec 30, 2024 10:10 pm
*** Fixed thoughts to it being that it is noonish and not the evening. ***

Cords is rather happy that the hurt mother is coming around. Appears that taking care of her at the pallet next to the wagon has done well. He is prepared with ready water and says to her daughter, alerting her about her mother's condition, "Your mother is coming back now." as he watches her come back to the living with fluttering eyes.

He says to her, "Being still is best. You are safe." as he offers her some water. Giving her a moment to take in the world about her, he informs her, "The others are not to be found yet." as he is sure that information will be on top of her mind's concerns shortly. He assumes she notices the incoming daughter.

He gives pause to see if she is going to try to rise or not. And space as he is sure her daughter will invade her mother's personal space.
Last edited December 30, 2024 10:17 pm

Trinesa

Psybermagi

Dec 31, 2024 3:05 pm
Trinesa
Still light headed and confused from the attad and ensuing blood loss she goes from confusion to fear, till her daughter moves closer and grasps her hand, to worry as she blinks and looks around trying to get herself up to date. It is obvious from her face that this is not going so well. She is however able to grasp 2 facts. Her daughter is with her and constantly reassuring her mother she is fine. And she has no idea who you are.

Who are you? Where is my husband? Will those things come back? her voice is still weak and a bit slurred but improving as she sips from the water. Her attempts to sit are feeble and result only in nausea and dizziness forcing her back down.
Dec 31, 2024 5:05 pm
Cords smiles, "I'm called 'Cords' and just a simple traveler that happened upon this needing situation. Now, you will feel better later. I have inspected the tracks, and they are informing me where your protecting husband and the other were taken to by these foul creatures. I didn't quickly pursue as you were in dire need."

Looking upon the still failing mother, "Still, it is going to a while before you're going to keep up with your active daughter." With a second thought, "Perhaps some stew."

Appears that he isn't wanting to leave the mother in her poor state. He is sure that the mother has many more questions, but he is leaving her with simple trust and lets his actions speak for him.
Jan 1, 2025 6:12 am
Trinesa agrees with your directions and instructs Tibit to help you with what you do. It is clear to see she is worried for her husband and son but fear for her daughter without you present and her in her current state prevents her from asking more of you. A small and simple meal is quickly prepared with the help of the child in about a quarter of an hour. By now Tibit is much calmed and content to stay near her mom or help you around camp. Trinesa is recovering quickly but you doubt she will be able to be independent before the next morning at the earliest.

Go ahead and explain any preparations you wish to take at this time or plans you want to enact later. If you have no specific ideas them general ideas or a time frame you with to simply care for the lady and her child.
Jan 1, 2025 6:18 am
I guess the only prep per say is to pack everything possible on the cart and try to pull/push it to a somewhat better hidden spot.

The thoughts of traveling come to mind for tomorrow as they can't stay here forever and taking to safety precludes hunting for the father and son. So, comes to the thought of both coming with Cords or hidden better away here. Such is a matter for the next morning.
Jan 1, 2025 8:05 pm
Given the attack happened in the woods by some unknown creature you are uncertain if they can track by scent. Your thought for safety turn towards either getting back to the road to camp, as many creatures avoid placed that people frequent, or spending time trying to find a cave to stay in. This is the frontier and if the family is traveling then they are likely aware of the dangers and have some capability to handle them. The fact that they missing pair has not returned means it is likely they are either dead or not returning for another reason. It does seem prudent to ensure the safety of those you know of and can provide for immediately. After the night you can take the family and continue on to the next village and returning to search or find a local woodsman who can help out the family. You doubt you would be able to track the missing father and son to try and recover them from the creatures.

Though the cart looks to have been pulled by a beast it is small and you could possibly pull it back to the road. This would be easier if you lightened it. As you arrange things with in it to make a place for the woman to rest you catalog what you find within. There are several crates that can easily be removed and stashed for later recovery if needed and you arrange these to easier removal and also as added protection for the woman should the creatures return. You move the woman to the cart and have Tibit help gather what is worth saving of the camp.


Wit a decent amount of daylight you circle the are and find traces of another animal, likely the draft beast used to pull the cart, that heads away from the area the attacking creatures entered the clearing from. While some of the creatures followed the draft animal others went another direction and a quick search of their path leads you to believe they were chasing the father and son.
[ +- ] camp area map
You do you you can at the sight before pulling the cart out of the trees and back towards the road to a smaller grove of smaller trees that grow closer together. Cutting a few trees down you are able for force the cart into the thicket then dig small holes to replant the cut trees as a rough screen.
Jan 2, 2025 4:40 am
Go with hide supplies to lighten the cart and move it away to hide it. Then make way to next village for the mother and child. With them safe, perhaps get a tracker to aid in finding the father and son.
Jan 2, 2025 9:54 pm
You take the cart back to the road after unloading all the heaviest goods and those least susceptible to the environment. With the cart greatly lightened you return to the road and head towards the next village. Trinesa drifts in and out of consciousness and you hear her shift occasionally but otherwise she remains quiet other than to occasionally check on Tibit.

Tibit
Though first upset at the idea of leaving, Tibit calms down when you explain you plan and you can tell she is still hopeful. Daddy and Tanlos are both smart and strong. They probably lead the beasties away and are finishing them off. She skips along next to the wagon and hums and sings soft songs. As you pull the cart you see her glancing at it constantly and you suspect the child is trying to put on a brave face for her mother.

Pausing only for a short meal and some water you trudge on all day. By sunset you see signs of nearby civilization as smaller side tracks join the main road. But still no sign of the village itself. Then ahead of you a barking catches your ear and you look up to see a small wagon being flanked by a pair of large hounds. The man atop the wagon looks you over curiously as you draw closer to them.

Ismark
The setting sun has enough light for you to see the man is not too old and his wagon is pulled by a well fed draft horse. The pair or hounds are large but still at a whistle from the man. He calls as you get near each other and he edges his wagon to the edge of the road. Evnin. I hope all is well for you and yours. Nodding at the child, Tibit, who has drawn near to you and now resembles a small human girl.
Jan 3, 2025 2:44 am
Cords smiles as he brings the cart to halt, "Well. Truthfully. I have seen better ones. Seems this area is a bit infested with short nasties. I say have you heard of them."

Looking ahead some, "I have hope there be life ahead us soon. Cart is getting mighty heavy."

Ismark

Psybermagi

Jan 3, 2025 6:50 pm
Ismark
At your comments the man pulls back on the reigns, causing his wagon to stop still a bit ahead of yours. The wilds often have nests of creatures but we try to keep our county safe.
We havn't had any issue for a while.
He pauses to consider before continuing Might be you encountered Brush Stalkers. We had issues with them a few years back. Hunted them down. But if even a couple survived that would explain the return. and he sighs.

Looking your sweaty form over and the cart you pull he offers to let you hitch the cart to his wagon. I can take you to my place. I have a homestead a bit back the way you came. Closer than town and if you have a need I can send one of my boys to get help. Not knowing you I will have to ask you to walk ahead of my wagon till we reach my kin at the steading but the child can sit on the wagon if she needs.

But if you are fixed on reaching the village i'd say you have about another couple hours. It'll be dark by then. But, it's your choice.
Jan 3, 2025 7:17 pm
"Why that would be fine. I have the hurt misses Trinesa and her daughter Tibit with me. Both have recently suffered a Brush Stalkers attack. Great if you can aid them. My name is Cords. No relationship with them other aiding." He mentions this as he is helping to hitch up the cart.
Jan 4, 2025 6:45 pm
You learn that Ismark is unfamiliar with Trinesa and her family personally but that the clan of peddlers has visited the town before. Upon seeing Trinesa he checks on her with concern but continues with the work and you soon are underway. About 1/4 of an hour later you reach a small compound of 4 to 6 buildings within a wooden stockade. Pulling through the gates you gather a small crowd and at Ismark's word the cart and individuals are taken care of.

Ismark
If you wish to continue to town this night I would ask you to bring a message asking the healer to come here in the morning. Otherwise we can offer to let you stay in the guest hut the night. It is not much but better than camping. Just don't leave till sun up as we let the dogs roam the yard at night and they do not know you.

This is a common practice you have heard of used by settlements like this to both protect small communities like this while offering shelter to unknown individuals. The village you learn has a small hostel that can house and feed you. On foot you can reach the village in about an hour but this would still be after sunset. Ismark plans to contact a local trapper who helps the area by hunting things such as the Brush Stalkers and knows the man will likely wish to speak with you before heading out to search for the missing father and son as well as the creatures that attacked them.
Jan 4, 2025 7:08 pm
Cords is rather anxious about the current situation as it would be very foolish to explore for the lost father & son and the longer that he dallies, the more difficult it gets and less likely they are to survive. Getting a healer by traversing the night is tempting but travel at night is not wise. Best to wait for daybreak.

Cords thanks Ismark for all the fine hospitality. He does let Ismark know that he will stay the night and, in the morning, will set off for the town. Cords does what he can for the two. He lets them know that in the morning that he will go to town for a healer and perhaps get more information about these Brush Stalkers to rescue their father and son.

During the night, Cords carves up pair of toy horses. He plans to leave they on the doorstep of the other buildings. He would do it in the night, but he doesn't wish to test the dogs. He does slide the winning doll in Tibbit stuff for her later to find it.
Last edited January 4, 2025 7:15 pm
Jan 5, 2025 7:37 pm
You wake in the morning to learn that a rider has already been sent for the healer and trapper.

Ismark
Danika may not be home but lighting a fire at her place for smoke will let her know of the need for her skills. The boy sent to fetch her will wait and pass on all that you shared with us. She should be heading to investigate by noon. You can either go wait at the last town marker (about halfway back to the spot you found the cart) or go back and she will find you. If you have need to get to town but wish to help further you should have time if you are quick on your feet and stay not overlong in town.

Jan 5, 2025 11:23 pm
OOC:
Lost. I have no idea what a "Danika" is? Healer? or Trapper? My best guess is a trapper. And to meet about halfway back to the spot Cords found cart.
Cords will leave the toy horses to be found. He lets the mother know, "I shall meet up with a trapper look for your husband and son." He lets Ismark know, "I have no need of the town just yet. Thank you for taking care of the two and I shall meet up with the trapper to see if we can locate the missing ones."
Jan 6, 2025 3:51 pm
After eating a hearty breakfast provided by Ismark's family you set back out on the road. The morning breeze is fresh, smelling of grass and flowers, as you retrace your way back to the edgeds of the towns farms and other outlying buildings. Rounding a bend that curves around one of the larger hills you see a figure sitting with a large hound.

Danika Martikov
The womans skin is dark and leathery from prolonged years spend in the sun. Her eyes are keen as they look you over as you draw near. The dog is a large breed , nearly as big as the muscular woman, and it glances at you before tuning to continue scanning the area. Rising to her feet smotly she nods her head. Names Danika. I hear there has been trouble on the road outside town. You here to help or just passing through?
Jan 6, 2025 5:19 pm
https://i.imgur.com/cyQTarA.pngOn the move Cords is simple traveling along the way. There is a bit of expectation in his air. Having some of the decided matters of the two put away and now awaiting matters of two more. He isn't sure that he is enough for all this situation, but he is proceeding to do his utter best.

Traveler Cords isn't a man that is keen on any animals and definitely that blessed hound is unusually huge. It looks like it could devour three innocent people and look for more to fill its gut. This trapper Danika is extremely well protected. Perhaps these Bush Stalker now the ones that need to worry. Cords give the huge hound all the space it wishes.

"Cords and I'm just aiding as I can. A simple soul you could say. The Bush Stalkers may have taken two. A man and his son to leave a wife and daughter worried." Cords goes fast and cuts to the main cheese. Obviously, this Danika isn't one to want to waste time chatting.

"The two lost ones may have been trying to save their wife and daughter, but were overcame by a dozen or more Bush Stalkers. I hope to rescue the two." Cords is simple and states it that way.
OOC:
Learning how to do pictures. :)
Last edited January 6, 2025 5:30 pm

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