The Other Way!

With Hunter firmly cementing himself higher up in the hierarchy, due to Rowan's exploit and natural submissiveness, it seems Hunter is much more amiable towards you. Figures. Mother always said a way to a man's heart was through a full stomach and empty balls. Hunter did not want to waste any time, so he finished his third tankard of ale before pushing Rowan aside. Walking out with nary a concern for the ‘pretty lady’ who so graciously provided him with satisfaction. You helped Rowan up, Fenris letting out a rather loud snicker at Rowan’s disheveled appearance. ‘Gay!’ That had Rowan blushing even as he rolled his eyes.

You shook your head at the two’s antics, straightening your robe as you slid gracefully off the stool. “Well then, boys, are you ready?” A nod and a bark signaled yes. Rowan graciously took control of your brother while Fenris scouted ahead for Hunter. The lizardfolk was digging through his stalls inventory, muttering and hissing in dissatisfaction. “Wheresss issss itssss?!” Cautiously moving to his periphery so he could see you, you leaned closer.

“Where is what?”

“My ssssspear.” Makes sense.

“Hmmm,” you switch over to you truesight, presuming it is one level up from Hunter’s lowlight vision. “Ah! It is in the back right!” Hunter pauses, grumbling when you were, in fact, correct. He gives you a side eye glance, muttering again while Fenris scoots closer. He takes a sniff of Hunter’s loincloth before letting out a rather loud, ‘STINKY!’ It takes everything you have to turn your giggles into a polite cough. Hunter grumbles as he snatches at the spear and stomps off towards the towns exit.

Rowan pipes up under his breath, “He’s not wrong… thankfully…” Well, that is another reason to recruit Hunter if you can. Seems Rowan needs a good dicking! You have no doubt Fenris will be happy to provide when he is bigger.

You pass out some apples after you caught back up to the scalie lug, finding it amusing when Hunter eats the whole thing in one chomp and swallow. “So, Hunter, would it not be better if we were part of a group? A… party?” One of his non-existent eyebrows rose, yet he remained silent. I’ll just let the idea percolate a little. The plains around the town quickly morph into the jungle as you continue to trudge along for the next few hours. Fenris disappeared for a while before coming back with a rather smug look. ‘Squirrel, yum!’ You gave him a pat on the head.

You stopped by one of the oasis’s that Hunter frequents during his jungle escapades. When you call for a short break to fill up on water and take a quick breather, you walk around to see if there were any useful herbs. Rowan went to look for some poisonous animals, while Fenris went hunting again. Hunter had already plopped himself down on a stone chair you are certain he had previously made. He agreed to guard your mostly comatose brother.

The time you spent alone was a mixture of relief and worry. While you had only known Rowan a short time, he had grown closer to you. Fenris, as always, was your puppy. Your silvered eyes catch the shine off of one of the plants in the starlight.

Lunawort (Uncommon)
This small shrub is covered in broad green leaves ending in sharp points. Chewing or brewing this plant stimulates the brain and increases intelligence by 2 for a short time.

Nice! You quickly harvest the shrub, getting a small bundle of the leaves. It seems you got lucky on the Meridians last time; your current bundle only has five leaves. A quick search of the area reveals nothing else of interest, so you head back. You were about to enter the clearing when something stopped you. Tucked away under some thick tree roots were a cluster of brown mushrooms with black spots. You squat down to observe them closer.

Millium (Rare)
These small brown and black mushrooms are a useful ingredient to stop nausea when chewed. When properly prepared, this mushroom adds poison resistance to any tea or brew it is soaked in.

In your eagerness, you destroy two of the mushrooms before taking a moment to pause and calm yourself. You manage to successfully collect the remaining three mushrooms and tuck them away into your inventory. When you arrive back to the oasis, you are rather confused to see Fenris licking your brother’s cheek. Hunter is nowhere to be found. “Hey, buddy!” He abandons his current targets and happily leaps into your arms. ‘Love!’ “Heh, yes, I love you.” Happy warm licks leave slobber over your pretty face as you fall back onto your bottom. “Where is Hunter?”

‘Hugs!’

“Wha-?” Arms wrapped around him he snuggles closer to you. “Where did Hunter go?”

‘HUGS!’ Though this time he seems a little agitated.

“What do you mean?” Fenris’ brows furrow and he huffs.

‘Rowan! Hugs!’

At this point you give up, deciding to scoot over towards Maelor. Fenris seems to have remembered him at least. You look over your brother, the pit in your stomach growing seeing him in those ragged black robes. His usually pristine hair was ragged and matted. You gently run your hand against his cheek, hoping for a response. None came.

A few minutes later Hunter came striding back, he barely spares you three a glance before he kneels, then bends over. His loincloth riding up to show off his massive spiked nuts pulled up taut against body. His snout plunges into the clear water, greedily slurping. Rowan follows shortly after, a notable limp present. The moment he catches your eyes, his looks away in clear embarrassment. Fenris turns to you with a wolfish smirk, ‘Hugs!’

“You’re right when you’re right.” He basks in the head scritches. Rowan shyly comes over, not meeting your eyes.

“Mae? May I have one of those… teas?” Your eyebrows scrunch together when you notice some scratch marks and a quick look at his character sheet shows his health bar is only three-quarters of the way full.

“So, you leave to search for some poisons and in turn end up getting screwed-“ ‘Hugged!’ “-by our big, scaled mountain over there? THEN, come back and ask for one of our few healing items…?” Rowan’s face flushes a deep pink, his defenses barely making it past his mouth before they devolve into whimpers.

“I-… I-I man-naged to get some…” Was all he squeaked out. He dug into his pouch, pulling out two vials full of viscous fluids.

Vial of Treefrog Poison (Uncommon)
This vial contains poison from the ‘Dartius’ species of poisonous tree frogs. When coated on a weapon this adds the Mild Poison Status Effect, dealing (3-15) damage. Each full vial contains enough poison for 5 coatings.

You huff, waving away the vials and he quickly goes to the party satchel he made earlier to pull out one of the still steaming teas. You pointedly ignore the mystical effects of Aetherium on food items. Hunter seems to have finished drinking have the pool when he pulls back, letting out a huge burp. Fenris snickers. Why must I be surrounded by men?

Your party quickly packs up, about to head out when a sudden noise interrupts your flow. It continues to grow louder as whatever it is moves closer. You all move behind trees, or in Hunters case a boulder, keenly listening. You risk using your truesight, sticking your head out in the open to see torches in the distance!

Heros!