The priestess does, to her credit, have a point about reaching the Adsu'Riist. Currently, the priests of that mountain (a holy site to all those living in Orseia, but especially to those of the "Daughter Longhouses of Shashiz") are making a circuit of the prairie girdled on one side by the mountain chain capped by Adsu'Riist itself to the west, and the Mountains Gloaming to the east. A wide, flat road marks the route of this procession, trampled by the consistent stamping of mammoth feet, and on this route there are farming villages of various origins scattered at irregular intervals. However, the majority of the plains sitting at the heart of eastern Orseia are controlled by the wolf skin-clad Nasho-Akshup, barbarous marauders who roam the plains without any real goal besides violence and survival. Why they haven't yet settled down, you don't know. Likely some religious guff. As for the Histu, your hosts (though not without some reluctance from both Eufrozina and yourself), most of their people live in the thinly-forested hilly region farther to the southwest, on the western half of Orseia. The Histu live in low longhouses of logs and clay, and unlike the Orseians on this side of the central mountain ranges, actually use coal for illumination and cooking, though they don't ignite it so much as... get it to generate heat and light through something that looks like striking a flint and steel. What stands out the most about the largely bread-fed smoke-white skinned western Orseians though, is their exceptional carnal urges. Exceptional even for this continent.

Said exceptional carnal urges were why Eufrozina had been violently ill these past few days. The priestess simply could not abide the smell of sex. Though, to give her some credit, the smell of a week-long, village-wide orgy did make even you vomit when the wind shifted.

Should you leave in the morning, when the rain stops pounding down quite as hard, and the shrouded sun provides some measure of light through the thick grey cloud cover, you would still arrive at the Adsu'Riist three or so days ahead of the mammoth-driven procession. Your companion likely wishes to leave tonight, evacuating under the cover of darkness to prevent your hospitable-yet-simple hosts from offering any sort of farewell presents or festivities.

Of course, considering the fact that you're not entirely back to form, you'd rather get one good night's sleep before departing.

Before you can come to a consensus with Eufrozina over your next course of action, or even talk about it further, your focus is sucked away by something else.

[2/5]

"What was that noise?" Senses attuned by years of hunting and stalking in the forests and fields of Koppesmor alert you to the sound of running feet cutting through the rain and barely making it through the log walls of the longhouse.

"What was what?" Eufrozina, more attuned to... seeing inside people, as you understand it. It makes sense she wouldn't be able to hear somebody outside in the rain at least fifteen paces away.

Ten paces.

Seven paces.

Once more, the heavy log door is flung open.

Your hand reaches carefully for your rifle, and Eufrozina practically falls backward off of her rug.

"This is the hall with the foreign healer in it!" A woman shouts in accented Dvaric.

Dvaric?

Said healer, presumably, grabs frantically for the bag containing her potions.

Though you slide your rifle closer to yourself, you tell Euforzina to stop herself from doing anything rash. "Wait, they're speaking an Elsofeny language."

"Name yourselves!" You call out in the same language as the female spoke before.

Focusing on the doorway, you can make out the silhouettes of two- no, three people in the evening rain. The woman who talked, long curly hair breaking up her outline in the dusk; another woman, of a similar frame from what you can tell, though she's obscured by the third person; a man, of typical Elsofeny height hunched over and supported by the second woman.

"Iskatrine and Vypraxia, travelers from Zimakdanya," the same female voice tells you, clear yet undercut with a pleading tone. "Our... companion," hesitation in her voice, "is injured, we were told that you were a healer- or with one?"

You look to Eufrozina, switching to Haryuning to converse with her. "They're asking about a healer- you, I must presume."

"I'm not really a healer," she states without hesitation, but with a hesitant tone.

Eyes rolling, you respond to the priestess, "But I know you can heal, why would you turn them away?"

This time, she does hesitate, "I can, but I don't know these people, what if they're some kind of inquisitor, or, or...?" She trails off.

"That isn't a thing in Elsofeny lands, and they are Elsofeny. Men of One, so-"

"They didn't give you a surname, did they? The man didn't give you his name?"

She makes a point.

"Please, are you with a healer? The girl?" The second woman's voice is higher, but more forceful. She sounds impatient, more than just worried for her companion.

Glancing sideways at Eufrozina, you respond. "She's a healer, yes." Then, you preempt the girl you spoke for again, "But you two have to tell me what you're doing here while she heals him, alone." Leaning across the table, you inform Eufrozina of your offer, "You'll heal the man on your own, I'll question them outside."

"Acceptable," the priestess responds after a beat.

"Fine!" The second woman tells you in that same, defiant tone after a moment or two of mumbling back and forth.

[3/5]

Light springs forth from a bottle in Eufrozina's hands as the Dvaric women step forward.

They appear remarkably similar, sisters if you had to place a bet on it. The first speaker, Iskatrine, you presume, is the taller of the two, her auburn hair held from her forehead by a rigid band, but otherwise kept down in a wavy mane. Her almond-shaped eyes are the color of freshly-cut cedar, set under a feminine brow and eyebrows which distinctly lack femininity. The rest of her face is rather slim, thin, moderately high cheekbones, a narrow, rounded chin, and a small, thin, barely downturned nose. The rain has made the light grey, belted and layered tunic she wears cling tighter to her frame than it normally would, revealing a slim, likely toned physique with breasts on the smaller side for a noblewoman. Yes, both of the women appear to be noble, based on their hands, the way they carry themselves, and the way they spoke to you. Her pants, of a similar material, though a darker color than her tunic, almost brush the hardwood floor of the longhouse, but enough space remains to show she wears what appear to be riding boots, albeit bereft of spurs.

[4/7(?)]

The other woman, presumably Vypraxia, is shorter than Iskatrine, which is more evident after she straightens up, leaving her companion on a mat in front of Eufrozina. Vypraxia also has shorter hair of the same shade, bound into a low braid at the base of her skull, hanging to the bottom of her shoulderblades. Her eyes, a similar-though-lighter color, are larger than the other girl's and rounder. Her similarly thin nose is shorter and just a bit rounder at the tip, not angled at all, unlike Iskatrine's. Her eyebrows are just as fuzzy as the other girl's, though don't extend as long towards her temples. Her mouth, set seemingly even at a rest in a line, is thinner with lighter lips, though the rest of the structure of her lower face greatly resembles her likely-sister's. Vypraxia is dressed in a dark brown leather jerkin (likely made from the bison of the New World), with a pale yellow shirt of some rough fabric underneath. Beneath the jerkin, the greater swell of her chest is evident. Her pants are tighter-fitting and leather, a rougher pattern on them than the jerkin. Much like the other girl, her feet are clad in riding boots. Unlike her impecably-skinned female companion, Vypraxia's face, neck, ungloved hand (for her left hand is bound in an archery glove), and both arms are marred by a number of scars. The shorter girl's face bares a laceration scar running down the right cheekbone to the middle of the right cheek, and a discolored gouge in the corner of her left temple closest to her hair. On her neck, an upside-down "Y" shaped scar starting at her shallow Hem's Hill and splitting on either side of her collarbone. Three discolorations are marked on the back of her right hand, accompanied by three lines of what look like cordage marks on the upper surface of her right arm. Another laceration scar wraps itself three-quarters of the way around her left forearm, just below the elbow.

[5/7]

The man accompanying the girls, clearly drifting into and out of consciousness, is between Eufrozina's height and your own (it is worth noting that, despite clearly being of Elsofeny stock, both Iskatrine and Vypraxia are shorter than Eufrozina by a few inches). His dark brown hair is almost shaggy, though it's still some distance from touching the tops of his ears, and his eyebrows are rather average, as compared to his companion's. His nose, though not large, is rather square and does not turn one way or the other; a kink in the bridge makes it evident that it's been broken at least twice, though both times set well. A triangle of a mustache covers his strong chin from his bottom lip down, coming to a neat point. His build resembles yours, somewhat, though with larger muscles overall, likely from a life of ranging. You had heard that the Dvarics of the New World, especially of the interior of the "Unclaimed Continent", had a long and proud tradition of "rangers", warriors who would travel into the wilds alone or in small bands to keep the people of that yet-untamed land safe. The empty sheath of a one-handed longsword at his belt all but confirms your suspicions. Along with his clothes of a green traveler's cloak over a heavy fabric gambeson and leather pants, similar to Vypraxia's. Unlike the girls, the man is covered in fresh wounds, making the reason they were seeking out a healer quite evident. His cloak is torn in places, and lacerations mar his forearms, upper right thigh, and most parts of his torso. Even as you and Eufrozina examine him, blood makes its way from his wounds and into the rug he's been laid on.

"Alright, alright," the priestess looks over the man, a nervous tone in her voice, "I can restore functionality, maybe even close some of the wounds and definitely stop the bleeding, but they have to get the blood back in him!"

"They have to..." you shake your head, "just do your best, I'll pass on whatever instructions you have to them when you're done."

She nods in response.

[6/7]

Putting a hand on the back of either Dvaric woman, you begin to guide them outside. "Now ladies," you switch to their own tongue smoothly, "tell me why you're here, and who you are." Stepping outside though, you quickly realize that conversation will be tough in this rain, especially in a village with no overhanging roofs. "Perhaps somewhere more comfortable."

With that line, you try not to think back to the last time you were in this position with a pair of sisters...

>The headman, or chieftain, or whatever they call him here, has a well-lit and warm longhouse. Though he's not likely to sit outside while you talk with the Dvaric women.

>There IS a communal building here, something resembling a tavern. It should accomodate you, and the two girls likely haven't eaten for a while, perhaps you can discuss their being here over a warm meal.

>A small hut on the nearby roadside. Nothing more than a covered bench on which pilgrims are supposed to rest. It's far from the rest of the villade and not particularly comfortable, but that also means it's away from any prying eyes and ears.

Threads One and Two:
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=ur+son+of+man

Thread Three:
>https://yuki.la/qst/3466489

Welcome back, after a long absence, to Ur, Son of Man.

It's very late right now, so I'll likely write a recap tomorrow. I also have work tomorrow though, so expect the next update(s) tomorrow afternoon EST.

>>3852471
>>A small hut on the nearby roadside. Nothing more than a covered bench on which pilgrims are supposed to rest. It's far from the rest of the villade and not particularly comfortable, but that also means it's away from any prying eyes and ears.

>A communal building.

Welcome back!

>>3852471
>A small hut on the nearby roadside. Nothing more than a covered bench on which pilgrims are supposed to rest. It's far from the rest of the villade and not particularly comfortable, but that also means it's away from any prying eyes and ears.

I'm going to have to be out longer than I thought I'd be, sorry. I'll try to get it out around 7 I guess.

Cumbrains ww@

>>3852471
>A small hut on the nearby roadside. Nothing more than a covered bench on which pilgrims are supposed to rest. It's far from the rest of the villade and not particularly comfortable, but that also means it's away from any prying eyes and ears.

I'm back and writing.

Also >>3853818
What?

"This is not more comfortable, Artur," the shorter girl, now confirmed to be Vypraxia, complains. Even near-shouting, her voice is almost drowned out by the rain hitting the thin wood which passes for the rest stop's roof.

"He did say, 'perhaps'," Iskatrine preempts your response to her sister(?). "Now Artur, you want to know about us? Why we're here and who we are? I would like to ask the same, but I realize that we're in no position to."

Vypraxia stands from the bench, "What if he answered one question for every three of ours."

A shrug is what precedes your response, "I have no objections to that."

The first question comes into your mind. "You don't have the bearing of peasants, or even merchants." It's true, everything from their walks to their tones outs them as at-the-very-least landed chivalry. "So who are you, really? You must have a surname."

"We do," Vypraxia says, standing between yourself and her sister(?). "And yes, we share one, but we're not sisters!" She seems like she wants to make the last point abundantly clear. "For the time being it's better if we just give you our patronyms. Fair?"

"Tell me your reason for doing so, and I suppose it could be fair."

Vypraxia's lips harden into an even thinner line. "That's two questions."

Once more, you shrug.

"Baveila and Zimana," Iskatrine is the one to answer, pushing her not-sister behind her.

"You're half-sisters?" For some reason you can't really not ask the question.

Unable to push past her taller not-sister again, the bustier Dvaric girl just fumes behind her. "We're not sisters at all! And that's three!"

"It doesn't matter how we're related, and to answer your other question, we're loyalists from Zimakdanya. The reason why we've found ourselves on this forsaken continent is that we want an army- from Shashiz." Iskatrine's answer, though not the longest, does shed some light on their purpose here. Essentially the same as yours. "In truth, we never intended to range this far north, at least not yet. But for the longest time we were hounded north."

"So then why are you here?" Vypraxia hounds you once her relation stops talking.

"Much for the same reason you are," is likely not an acceptable response. So you continue, "Though I'm not looking for an army. I'm going to use the request to Shashiz for myself."

"For yourself?" Iskatrine parrots.

"Three more questions, that was your deal." Repeating Vypraxia's rules sets the lighter-eyed girl's face into a scowl.

"Who's the man with you? What was it that happened to him?" The next three questions are delivered in a rapid-fire fashion, concluding with, "Who are your pursuers?"

Iskatrine and Vypraxia share a nervous glance at one another.

[1/2]

The taller of the two answers, "Maksym, he's been our protector -or our guide- since we left Zimakdanya. He's one of the rangers, trained by the Putnik himself."

"They all know the common tongues of Orseia and Galtstrana, and they can fight to boot. Not that we cannot," Vypraxia cuts in. "He's..." The second of hesitation on her part tips you off to the fact they are, indeed, hiding something from you, "...An old family friend, essentially."

"He would speak Haryuning, correct?"

Neither woman seems to take offense with your fourth question.

"He would," Iskatrine tells you with a nod.

"It was never something we had to learn though," Vypraxia is almost too quick to add.

This time, you nod.

"He was attacked by our pursuers," Vypraxia continues speaking, it seems as though the defiant fire in her belly has died down. "They're Virmr Riders."

"He was bitten by a Virmr? A Walking Serpent?" You had read about the 'Walking Serpents' in bestiaries of the New World while living in Koppesmor. There are many varieties of the creatures, some of which are gigantic, treetop-browsing gentle beasts the size of castles; others beasts of teeth and claw with heads the size of a man; yet others are living suits of armor; and still others are smaller then men and armed with sickle-sized claws; and there are yet more.

"If that's what the Eimmelic word for them is, then yes. It was a Byk Virmr specifically, horned, brightly colored, roughly three yards high, nine or so yards long, stumpy arms." You think you've seen something matching Vypraxia's description in those books. "And it was merely a glancing bite, the ramming certainly did more damage."

"What is it you're going to ask of the bear-god?" This time it's Iskatrine's turn to walk on her not-sister's line.

There's no real point in concealing your motives. "I'm going to take Arepct's Sceptre for myself."

"Arpect's Sceptre..." Vypraxia trails off like she's searching for whatever she knows about it in her head.

So Iskatrine is the one who picks up the conversation on from there. "If you had that, would you even need an army to bring order to Zimakdanya. Would you?" There's a wistful hope to her tone.

'Ah. I should've known it would eventually come to this.' You can't help but think to yourself.

>You will have to go to Galtstrana eventually. And Zimakdanya is between that land and this one, there's nothing that says you can't help them in their task. As long as they don't compete for Shashiz's favor.

>It is certainly possible, but you would have to confer with Eufrozina before coming to a decision.

>That's thinking too far ahead. You'll make up your mind when you get to Adsu'Riist, if they'll accompany you. (Perhaps you will even decide later, it's not like they don't have the same end goal in Oresia.)

>That would be quite the detour. You have your own quest (destiny?) and they have theirs.

>Other (What?)

Once again, it's going to be after 4 tomorrow, but hopefully earlier than today.

Likely earlier than today, since I won't be going out for anything after work.

>>3854424
>That's thinking too far ahead. You'll make up your mind when you get to Adsu'Riist, if they'll accompany you. (Perhaps you will even decide later, it's not like they don't have the same end goal in Oresia.)

>>3854422
>You will have to go to Galtstrana eventually. And Zimakdanya is between that land and this one, there's nothing that says you can't help them in their task. As long as they don't compete for Shashiz's favor.

>>3855521
>>3855545
Oh wow, these have been here longer than I thought. Sorry for not catching these earlier.

But it's already late tonight, so I'll have to push it off to tomorrow. Probably very late at night.

Ergo, the vote is still open if more want to trickle in.

>>3854422
>That's thinking too far ahead. You'll make up your mind when you get to Adsu'Riist, if they'll accompany you. (Perhaps you will even decide later, it's not like they don't have the same end goal in Oresia.)
Something something no plan something something enemy contact.

>>3854422
>>That's thinking too far ahead. You'll make up your mind when you get to Adsu'Riist, if they'll accompany you. (Perhaps you will even decide later, it's not like they don't have the same end goal in Oresia.)

>>That's thinking too far ahead. You'll make up your mind when you get to Adsu'Riist, if they'll accompany you. (Perhaps you will even decide later, it's not like they don't have the same end goal in Oresia.)

>>3855521
>>3856211
>>3856340
>>3857723
Caution wins the day(s)!

That update will be out tonight likely, but perhaps tomorrow.

I woke up far too late today, I don't think I have enough time to finish before I have to go out this afternoon.

Just want to let you know I'm actually writing tonight, was pretty gassed last night once the computer problems were resolved.

Update tonight and maybe two tomorrow, maybe another tonight if I push myself, depends on how long this one is.

In all honesty, you have no reason to help these women in so great a task. Especially one which will take so long, and is at such a great distance from where you are, and where you want to find yourself. Therefore, your answer is clear.

"I'm not going to enter into an agreement like that now, you're asking to buy the cart before the horse," watching Iskatrine deflate and Vypraxia puff up, you do add on, "but if you'll travel with me to Adsu'Riist, the closest safe settlement, I can have an answer for you then."

Vypraxia's exasperation stops building, instead she grits her teeth. "Going to the Korol Kamenei does make more sense than Sumerkyi."

Her not-sister nods. "That's agreeable, I think. We should be there soon enough, after all."

You can always delay your judgement once you get to Adsu'Riist (or Korol Kamenei, as the Zimakdanyans evidently call it), but you don't have to tell Iskatrine and Vypraxia that now.

"How long is that healer going to take on Maksym?" Vypraxia asks with a glance through the rain, toward the village.

Between the darkness of the night and the sheets of rain, only the silhouettes of the closest longhouses are visible.

"What she's trying to say," Iskatrine cuts in causing her shorter relation bristles, "is that it's likely best if we leave as soon as possible."

You don't like where this is going.

"I see. You're still being hunted."

Iskatrine's eyes widen, and she nods sheepishly. Vypraxia just look at the ground.

"How much of a lead did you have on them?"

Vypraxia is the one to answer you this time. "We don't know." It's not much of an answer. "They're Virmr Riders, so they can keep up with us easily enough. But the last time we saw them -when Maksym was injured- they were being harried by... something. Local wildlife, but we were fleeing, so we don't know what."

"How many of them are there?"

"Just three," the scarred girl continues to answer, "but only two of them have mounts."

>Back to the longhouse then, Eufrozina wanted to go as soon as possible anyway. Once she's done healing Maksym, leaving should be easy enough.

>Back to the longhouse then. Though the Histu have been gracious hosts (perhaps a bit TOO gracious at times) if you can put the village between yourselves and the pursuers, should they arrive in the morning, you'll be able to escape.

>To the village chieftain then. Though the Histu aren't particularly notable warriors, they should be able to mount SOME defense against three men and two beasts.

>Given enough... essence, Eufrozina should be able to heal Maksym while on the road. You'll leave immediately.

>Other (What?)

>>3862203
>>Back to the longhouse then, Eufrozina wanted to go as soon as possible anyway. Once she's done healing Maksym, leaving should be easy enough.

>>3862203
>Back to the longhouse then, Eufrozina wanted to go as soon as possible anyway. Once she's done healing Maksym, leaving should be easy enough.
uwu~

>Back to the longhouse (second option).

>>3862307
>>3862316
I meant to close this last night, I suppose I forgot to hit the actual post button.

Looks like you're going to leave as soon as everyone is up to snuff.

I'll need some 2d10s. At least two.

Rolled 5, 9 = 14 (2d10)

Rollan.

Rolled 4, 8 = 12 (2d10)

>>3863406

Rolled 8, 3 = 11 (2d10)

>>3863406
I may or may not rmemeber how to

Sorry, I didn't really have a chance to write last night and I was busy on Tuesday.

I wish I could say I had good news today, but I don't have the energy to do much of anything. I'm sorry.

I might be able to get it out tomorrow afternoon. If not I'll try to update tomorrow night and at least twice on Saturday.

Rolled 3 (1d5)

Resigning yourself to the fact that you won't be able to get a good night's sleep under a roof without the smell of filthy salt pouring through the walls, you inform the two Zimakdanyan girls of the decision you've come to.

"We can leave as soon as your companion is able to go, I trust that you don't have any problems if we don't take the roads?"

Neither Iskatrine nor Vypraxia raises any objections to this, so you return to the longhouse.

By the time you return, thoroughly soaked from the rain and not negligibly chilly, Eufrozina seems to be mostly finished up with healing Maksym, Iskatrine and Vypraxia's ranger companion. The pair of not-sisters each find a spot for themselves leaning against the log walls of the longhouse. However, once you're settled onto a mat at a different low table from the one Eufrozina is at, she waves you over to her, by the ranger's side.

"What is it?" You ask your question in a hushed tone, in Haryunning.

The priestess glances down at her hands, a soft golden glow emitting from her wrists down, before looking back up at you. Her voice is an even lower whisper than yours, "I can finish healing him just fine with what I have on-hand, I don't know how those two would feel about it, but I would need more essence- fresh essence- to actually mend the flesh."

'Ah yes, of course that's what she would ask for.'

>You're sure that a Ranger of the Putnik can deal with having a few worse-than-usual scars, even if it upsets the girls.

>Perhaps she should ask Iskatrine and Vypraxia for their input, the ranger is their companion after all.

>Could she mend the flesh afterwards? It's the ranger's decision at the end of the day.

>Fine then, she can have more of your 'essence'. After all, so far you haven't been able to find the correlation between your sluggishness and her taking your 'essence' so far.

>Other (What?)

>Could she mend the flesh afterwards? It's the ranger's decision at the end of the day.

>>3868443
>>Could she mend the flesh afterwards? It's the ranger's decision at the end of the day.

>>3868443
>Could she mend the flesh afterwards? It's the ranger's decision at the end of the day.

>>3868514
>>3868629
>>3868973
Okay, looks like this is what's happening.

But I'm tired and sore so I'll update tomorrow night. Hopefully more than once but we'll see.