an engineer, a gnoll pack, and some travel

the next morning dawns, and Ambriel is unmolested. what woke her up though is the clanking of metal on metal. is sounds less like a fight and more like a workshop, and its somewhere nearby

Ambriel gears up, checks that all her stuff is accounted for and that Cherub is nearby

Cherub as usual is standing watch nearby, motionless unless ordered to act.

Ambriel then carefully get closer to the origin of thoses strange sounds

it sound likesomeone is banging their tools on a hollow metal object. could be an armorsmith. or something similar. or something else entirely

Ambriel tries to identify the armorsmith, to see if it's a merchand "on the road" like the one she met, or if it's a warrior doing quick battle-repairs on it's stuff while there no combat yet.

Ambriel can get around and a good look. on a forest trail she can see what appears to be a construct, a mechanical horse. next to it a humanoid in red robes, from the visuals it might be a human or elf, tinkering inside it. the clanking is when the crafter on occasion closes or opens another panel on the creatures side, mumbling to themselves

feeling that this person won't be too much of a threat, Ambriel get in plain sight, waving a hand

"Hello"

the tinkerer turns around, revealing an androgyne face underneth the hood

"AaaAww. Don't startle me like thaaaat!"

they hold some kind of mechnical metal thing between you, with a glimming light on top.

"sorry... I heard some strange noises, and i came to see.... Are you in trouble ? Do you need help?"

she looks you up and down

"Whaaat? you some kinda engineeeeer? You tinkered with these kinda things before?"

the voice has a weird singsong to it

" well no, i'm not that, at least i don't think i am. What is an enginer, by the way?"

they make a face, before answering

"I- an engineer wooorks on mechaaanic things. like these constructs. You have aquired one. But you didn't buuiiilt iiit."

they point to Cherub

"yes, he was all alone"

"Poooor boy. Well, my steed broke so i gotta fiiiix it. Take soome time."

"Sorry that i can't help... So, id that's all,... i wish you good luck with that."

they shrug

"Sure. If you don't need me fixing your follower. I'll be on my way in a bit i think."

Ambriel turn toward Cherub

"Cherub, do you need assistance? Could this person be of help for you?"

Cherub nods and points to different parts of his body

Ambriel get back at the engineer

"Well it seems that he's need help after all. Could you look at it please? What would it cost?"

they take a look over at Cherub

"Taking a look costs noooothing. Part of the job. We see about what i can fiiix here."

they weasel over to cherub and start touching him all over, and unbolting some screws Ambriel didn't even knew where there, before the first panel springs open

"Lookie lookie into the dookie." they giggle

Ambriel let the engineer do... what an engineer does, she hopes.

She tries to look but only see mechanical stuff she doesn't understand.

some panels pop open and the tinkerer checks them out, looking inside, tugging on some wires, rescratching some arcane sigils and similar stuff. finally after a good while they turn around to Ambriel

"Heh. Unique model. veeeery faaancy. but kinda broooken? It needs soooome parts. Like. You need a sword or similar bladed weapon. old ones inside the arm is bustes. He can replace it on his own. His combat matrix needs some updating, if ya luuucky, you find a place that has thooose. I repaired some motor damage. And sensors. many things should work beeeetter now. pleease don't break it."

"thanks. I'll try to find a sword for him. I hope it won't broke."

Ambriel waits a little to see if the engineer ask for something...

they shrug

"Its a specialized model. Seems to come from a series that was meant as a set. Couldn't find info about the others. They are designed to compliment each other skill wise. Well. You have save travels."

they return to their steed and get on, the creature springs into action and starts to trot away with the engineer waving, leaving Ambriel and Cherub behind

a bit ahead Ambriel can see smoke rising. it looks like a camp

a camp could mean several people, and until further information, better considering those as dangerous.

Ambriel tries to identify who they are, staying unnoticed.

Ambriel trie to sneak around with all her gear and cherub in tow its hard. when she has a good view of the camp, the half a dozen gnolls occupying it all stare in her direction and upon seeing a female start cackling. in the middle of their tent encampment is a big pyre over which they roast a boar. they are armed with cudgels and scimitars and have some leather armor on their torso

Ambriel tries to not seem dangerous, but she stays ready to be on defensive

"Hello. I mean no harm. I'm just traveling."

the pack calms down a bit

"Traveling. A woman like you with no relevant companions? That might be quite dangerous. There are unsavory groups traveling these lands.... you wouldn't want to be caught off guard, subjected to humiliating experiences....

But come, i am sure we can arrange ourselves together, come to mutual terms."

the one speaking seems to be the leader, a head bigger than the rest, scars all over his body and a devilish grin on his face. he motions to their camp, to the food in the middle

"We wouldn't want to seem hostile now, we sure like to share... you probably have something to offer in exchange for food and shelter, hmm?`"

"I try to return in my domain with my kind, i'm looking for a way out of here.

I can share my water for some food. Beside that i can offer a prayer if that fancy you?"

the leader tilts his head

"You don't have to play coy with us. Besides, we pray to different gods than you. Gods of hunting, of carnage. You look like you pray to gods of flowers and harmony."

the pack makes a step towards her

"I say, you stay with us for the night. Be our guest. Feast with us. And entertain us. I am sure you know of ways to please males. Nobody will harm you, as long as you do not harm us. It will be pleasing and we will be respectful to your wishes. It is rather advisable to take our hospitality. The alternate is much less respectful and more inclined with our own prayers."

"the gods i follow aren't strangers to war either, and i'm not to toy with. I'm aware of the dangers of theses lands, but i don't seek trouble with you, i suggest with part way from each other."

Ambriel project her compel ability in her voice, if she can persuade the leader to take peace, she wouldn't have to resort to fight, or fleeing.

the leader scoffs

"You dare talk to us about war. Very well, we will respect your gods this time. But you better leave before nightfall. Then your gods lay to rest, and ours awaken. If you are still within our territory by then, we will hunt you. Now leave!"

"i am glad that we manage to settle this. I take note of your advices, i wish you good fortune for your pack. bye."

Ambriel resumes her travel, wanting to cover a good distance until nightfall as she doesn't know where their territory end.

as nightfall is near, Ambriel tries to find food and somewhere to sleep

in a hillside Ambriel can find a natural overhang that provides adequate shelter. around are fruit trees with ripe fruit, nothing magical about them. its easily enough to sustain her for the evening and to take enough for the next day as well

the night is quiet. Ambriel is undisturbed and gets enough rest