68 Miles Later

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Three stinking days. 

I've been walking for three stinking days. This running away business is harder than I thought. At least I've managed to get somewhere though. About forty miles back I crossed into Cruinthe. The highway has been safe so far. I suspect I'm in someone's duchy. Not sure who's. Haven't seen any house guards or anything like that. Just miles of unkempt stone roads. They reminded me of my skin tone. The tone that separated me from so many of my kind. My family and I are strange half breeds to them. Our grey tones should be dark ash or black. Something of that sort. I've seen them with their purple eyes and their purple tongues.

I'm glad I rushed out of there in the middle of the night, but I should have taken more along with me. All I've got are the clothes on my back, and that's everything. I've managed to gather some food from the forests though. They are ripe with it. So many people are starving in the provinces yet the duchies seem to be well organized and maintained. The economies there are bustling, while the provinces sink lower and lower into poverty. That's the difference between a leader that cares, and a leader that just wants to keep the people under their boots. 

Korasus was like this now that I recall. Well organized. No one starving needlessly. Can't say the same for the capital of Drokagr kind, but that's what fucking too much gets a people. Overpopulation. Ten million souls all crammed into a tiny cavern. Who'd have guessed that was where Drokagr kind is born and mostly dies. Out of sight. Out of mind. No wonder the Elkagr leave us alone. We're only a threat to ourselves with our greed and hunger and lust.

Meh. 

So I haven't met anyone on the road here. The sign posts say Fordeth is this way. I'm not sure I want to go there. The provinces are pretty shitty. My little camp here at the crossroads is a place of indecision. I could either go north and then west towards Fordeth. Or I could go South, towards the heart of the land. 

Fuck me... I don't know where to go. My journey for knowledge has just begun and I'm already in a bad way.

---------

Allyria closed the journal and put the quill and book back in her bag. It was literally the only thing she took with her. Aside from the identity cards and vouchers that proved she was who she said she was. There was a seal among the papers too, something that she was supposed to show to banking officials if she ever needed money. It was shaped just like the tattoo on her back and breast. Interesting information to be sure. 

Sitting on the log she used as a bench in front of the fire she barely got going with her meager camping skills, she wondered about which of the crossroads to take. She was camped just a short distance from the road. Not one traveler had passed by her. 

Loneliness scared her. The sun was starting to go down, and she threw a bunch of short sticks on the fire. The forest had surrounded her completely. It was full of things to use, like she said. It was going to be a long night.

Damn it...

---

Allyria Allenmorde
-Stamina: 9/10

[Deleted]

Just as Fabre had closed her leatherback journal, filled with more sketches than words, she came across something truly noteworthy. Sitting on a nearby log just before the split between the paths was person. It was the first Fabre had seen in a while, as most had been further towards Fordeth and didn’t seem to wander away. But here was someone.

At first, Fabre just stared; unsure of what to say for fear that this person would prove to be just as obnoxious as everyone else she’d ever met. The woman’s complexion was fascinating – a unique color that she had never seen. If her skin was a canvas, Fabre figured she could only reach that beautiful color by mixing brown ochre, cerulean blue, and a dab of white. With the setting sun sinking shadows along the plain of this stranger’s body, it made even the lowest of relief sculpts across the being’s physique cast a near silhouette of black against the stark details of her color.

It was strangely beautiful and, to her annoyance, Fabre restrained from whipping out her journal once more to draw the creature in its state of perfection. Instead, Fabre walked over to the decrepit sign with only traces of tell where she was. She kept her hand on her the side closest to her dagger, just in case, and kept light on her feet in case she’d need to scamper away.

“Where are you from?” Fabre asked the stranger, curious if she could understand her. The woman could have come from any direction and simply have taken a break from her long journey. She looked a bit ragged, as if she’d been walked for days. Maybe insight from this stranger could help her decide on where her path continued, “The name is Fabre. I’m a jeweler and artisan. Trying to find a new place to set up shop for a while.” The human nonchalantly introduced herself. She might as well give this lady a little information about herself if she was to expect any in return.

---

Fabre Hulin
-Stamina: 9/10

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Someone was approaching the camp.

Someone was approaching the camp!

Allyria wasn't sure what to do exactly. She hadn't run into anyone else before. What was the right thing to do? She fumbled with herself for a minute, and then saw the person approaching. It was a woman.

That's certainly more relieving than a man. Men like to rape, and rob. Well... maybe women like to rob too. But men certainly like to rape. And I don't feel like being raped today. Not ever actually. Put me down for never.

"Um... Have a seat, Fabre."

Awkward.

Allyria scooted over and made room on the log for her new companion. Then she threw a few more sticks onto the fire. There weren't any logs for the fire around her camp. Luckily it wasn't very cold outside.

"A jeweler. That's interesting. I'm also looking for a new place to set up shop."

The woman was pretty, and those bazongas. Good light. That woman was stacked. Allyria looked down at her own chest and huffed. She wasn't as endowed as Fabre. Already the envy was beginning to occur. Her green eyes refocused on the artisan, trying to shuffle away the awkwardness.

"Do you know of a place where there are books?"

[Deleted]

My face is up here….

Fabre was near grabbing the stranger by the chin and making her speak to with her and not at her chest, as was the custom of most people she came into contact with. Usually, she didn’t mind it so long as she was still able to steer the conversation, but in this case, it just felt awkward.

“A jeweler. That’s interesting. I’m also looking for a new place to set up shop.”

Luckily, she didn’t have to wring the pipsqueak’s neck, because the stranger seemed to notice her own observations and began shuffling in place. Besides the feeling of looming judgment, Fabre found this rather hilarious. She did her best not to laugh at the finicky nature of this tiny girl.

“Do you know of a place where there are books?”

This peeked Fabre’s interest, “Can you actually read?” She blurted out before sighing and flopping her whole body in exasperation over the back of the log, “I’m traveling from Fordeth and yeah, there are libraries there… But for some damn reason, most of them are just –horrific- picture books. Plus, don’t expect to just waltz right in and pick up a book with words without getting some suspicious looks. And you,” Fabre motioned to all of Allyria, “wouldn’t have any luck getting your hands on anything with actual information. I had a hard time, but the elkagr would probably not even allow you in one of their libraries…” Fabre stood up then, brushing a cloud of dust off, “Might have better luck finding something away from the Sovereign capitol.”

“Hey,” She paused and stared down at the girl, “What’s your name?”

---

8/10 Stm

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Is it cause I'm gray?

It's cause I'm gray isn't it?

Allyria sank visibly and emotionally as it was explained how she'd be rejected from the library. All she wanted to do was learn something new. But was she going to? No, not in Fordeth according to Fabre. She caught that the girl asked if she can read, she wasn't going to be rude and deny her an answer. Then she remembered that she had accidentally failed to answer a question from before. For that she felt stupid.

"Yes, I can read. Both the language of my people and Cruinthe. I'm Allyria Allenmorde, from Korasus."

I guess the capitol is off limits for my kind... South it is then.

"Have you been traveling for a long time?"

[Deleted]

Kind of just making a judgmental bitch face at the very visible sniveling bologna going on while Fabre was waiting for some sort of answer, the human inspected her nails. That was a lot of dirt.

Ugh I need to soak in someone’s tub for a while.

“Hmm?” She looked up at the shrunken down drow, “Well Allyria. I’m glad to have finally run into someone. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” She fixed her expression to a pleasant smile. After all, with such beautiful skin, Allyria would prove to be the perfect person to practice her blending ochre techniques.

Fabre looked around curiously as the sun was setting, “Yeah kind’a… But I haven’t really been out in the wilderness like this - mainly just hopping between households and abandoned places. What about you?”

---

7/10 Stm

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"I see. My experience has been just the opposite. I've been camping since I left. It's been a trying but educational experience. I've never left home before."

Allyria stated confidently. She was certainly proud of herself for figuring out how to make a campfire. That was a difficult task in its own right and it took several hours to actually get it done beyond a smoldering set of sticks that just don't want to ignite a log despite her pleading. The little fire in front of them both crackled as if to acknowledge her pride. That was going strong, and the heat was welcoming. She hadn't had any real sustenance in days, and that was the next test for her. Finding real food other than little wild onions that did nothing to sate the pangs of hunger.

I should tell her... it's only right. She warned me after all.

"Um... this crossroads. The one that leads southwest leads to Korasus. I think you'd have the same welcome there as I would have in Fordeth. That leaves the southeast road for both of us. Would you like to travel together?"

---

Stamina: 6/10

[Deleted]

Woah, this shorty is full of suprises!

Fabre’s eyes got big when Allyria said she’d been camping out here for a while. So she just up and left home? Fabre wanted to know the reason, but she quickly became distracted. The drow was staring into the fire with such a pleased expression on her little face. It was….

REALLY CUTE !!!!

Fabre just wanted to throw her arms around Allyria. She reminded her of some lost kitten just after finding its way home. The drow was an open book herself, her emotions so easily readable. That was enough reason to draw Fabre in.
“Let’s travel together!” Fabre blurted out just as Allyria asked, “Would you like to travel together.”

An awkward pause followed for about three seconds before Fabre burst into laughter. She patted Allyria's shoulder, "You're alright!" Then, Fabre settled down, sitting by the fire. She stared at the flames for a while, her eyelids growing heavy from the heat and fatigue. 

"I don't even know how to start a fire... You'll have to teach me, but right now..." Fabre's head nod forward, sleep almost puling her under. She shot back up, rubbed her eyes, and yawned, "Its getting dark. Where are we gonna sleep? Here?" Fabre frowned at the log. At least they had each other to keep warm, but still... Too bad there wasn't some convenient shelter they could make for one night. .. 

---

Stm
6/10

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Oh she touched me... ok... not sure what to do with that...

Allyria smiled a little bit, not sure what to do with this woman that had come into her camp. Albeit, Allyria pretty much invited the company in. Now they were traveling together and camping together. Time passed by for a while in silence. Allyria didn't believe it to be awkward. She liked to watch the flames crackle. Then the human spoke again. Something about going to bed. She looked sadly at the log. Similarly, Allyria did not want to sleep on the log. Merely near it.

"Yes, building a fire is apparently a necessary survival skill out here in the wild. I took it for granted back home. Here. I'll see if I can find any thing that we can use to make a sort of shelter."
The problem was Allyria didn't really know what would make a suitable shelter for them. Perhaps some sticks or branches could be arranged in such a way as to provide light cover from rain or something. She got up from the log, dusted herself off and strode into the forest, but stayed within the light of the fire.

---

Attempting to find enough large branches & build a lean-to.

Camping I.



Stam: 5/10

--Failed. Required Roll under 15--

[Deleted]

Watching the smaller try to collect branches, not being able to get the near amount she’d seemed to be grabbing at – which wasn’t too surprise with those weak little arms – Fabre followed along. She would try to collect all the ones that Allyria missed.

“Like this?” She wondered aloud, gathering up all manner of twigs and branches and leaves into her arms while dawdling behind the drakagr like a oversized duckling.

“Are we gonna sleep under these…” Her nose crinkled in a bit of disgust, but at this point – growing more tired the darker it became – she’d take it. Actually, she’d probably just “accidently” roll onto Allyria in her sleep and sleep there instead. It might feel like sleeping on a board for a while, but would definitely be more comfortable than the rocky ground.

“Maybe we can make some sort of blanket from our clothes… But I guess… Then it would be the same as just keeping our clothes on.. Ah.. And I guess my clothes wouldn’t really add much to a blanket… Well maybe we can make, like, a blanket from leaves… We could string them together with, like, our hair or something,” Fabre rambled on as she tried to fix the shelter that Allyria had started.

---

Attempting to find the large branches & help build the shelter.





Stm: 5/10

Failed. Threshold was 1. Assistance granted to Allyria for roll: 10

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"What I really need is some leather, and a needle point."

Allyria felt like she was going no where with this at the moment. There weren't enough good sticks, and there weren't any sticks so far that she could fathom using as the base and arms of the structure. That would definitely need to be sturdy or they'd be getting a wake up call when the whole structure came crumbling down on top of them. She kept searching however, encouraged by the effort that her new found companion was making.

"Let's see, a few more of these and we might be able to accomplish something."

Allyria had scavanged as much as she had deemed usable in the area surrounding the campfire. Now she continued to look beyond it in the dark. Feeling her way around as best as possible, but keeping the light of the fire in her view at all times. She didn't want to get lost.

Not out here.

Fuck that noise.

If she gathered the right amount of sticks with the right shape and size this time, she'd head immediately back to camp and begin building their shelter.

---

Camping attempt number two! Hopefully the help from Fabre will be enough to assist in building that damn lean-to.

Stam 4/10

Failed: Required 10 (skill) +5 (Camping I) +10 (Assistance from Fabre) +30 (Simple Task) = 55

71 > 55

[Deleted]

The sticks still weren’t enough to complete whatever shape Allyria had in mind to make a shelter. They seemed to be getting closer, but Fabre could tell that their selections for things within the light were wearing thin.

Thinking she had a good enough sense of their whereabouts, Fabre ventured a ways into the dark, finding more sticks to pick from. They were bigger and in more plenty than their picked over area near the fire. Not losing her direction by listening to the sound of Allyria shuffling around for sticks and the crackling of the nearby fire, Fabre wandered back to Allyria easily enough and offered up the added findings.



Fabre really hoped that this time their branches would be able to make whatever Allyria was going for, “Here, lets try one more time with these too,” yawning all they while.

---

Camping attempt number three. Third times a charm??




Stm: 4/10



Failed: Threshold 1, assistance granted to Allyria: 10

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"Good stuff. Let's use those too."

Allyria took a gander at the sticks that they had collected so far. They didn't match up with the image in her head for their structure. They were still missing some key pieces. It was basically more of the same. Perhaps if they broke a couple of the sticks in a particular way it would work better? Allyria gave that a try and started working on shoving the materials into the ground and set about actually putting the structure together. Perhaps this would work? She hoped that the structure would hold together and that the sticks were strong enough.

---

SUCCESS!

Stam: 3/10

[Deleted]

“Is that it?” Fabre stood their looking at their makeshift shelter. It was pretty pathetic, but better than anything she could make on her own, “You’re sure this won’t, like, fall on us while we’re sleeping?” She knelt and peaked under the thing, a little weary to actually crawl under it. Whatever, she didn’t care. Fabre was getting too tired to complain. Rather, it took quite a bit of work – she should be thankful, “I mean, thank you!” Fabre faked a smile and pat Allyria on the back.

She waited for Allyria to get in before she tried, “Let’s just go to bed. I’m super tired!” Fabre yawned. She unhinged her hooped earrings and took off her headdress, loosening her hair tie along with it and letting down her long hair.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"That should be -yawn- all we need. The weather is nice."

Allyria clearly did not expect it to rain anytime soon. She was of course tired now and ready for bed. Not only did she walk all day today, but she also had rummaged around in the dark for supplies to build a lean-to, built a fire, built a lean-to, and made an acquaintance all in one evening. It had been exhausting. As she had finished the shelter she was ready to use it. Lying down after Fabre, she curled up into a little ball around her self and tried to go to sleep on the hard ground.

This time she felt no rocks. Just the leaves of the forest floor underneath her short body.

"It won't fall on us... It would have fallen over before we were done."

Allyria said confidently before she started to drift off to sleep.

---

Sudden Sight


--Failed.

MP: 105/110