You start backing. The person wiggles erratically, but still maintaining their pose.
Can you still reason with them? You think over what you should say, but you fear not to anger the person further.
"I'm a shaman." you speak, as you slowly walk backwards. "I can counter magic of others..."
The masked one doesn't respond. They're still looking at you, then suddenly turn back, and run away.
You watch them go. Before they vanish from your sight, you can see a new blurry red splatter, left on the snow. The person slowed down for a moment, before picking up speed again.
You return back to your companions. They both await you outside the hamlet.
"They threatened you." said Flax.
"They did." you nod. "Left the guy alone, he looked rather fed up. Tried what I could..."
"We know. No good being around people like this, we gotta be careful. Let's carry on."
And so you went. Following Flax's lead, you ventured into a forest. The journey was rather pleasant. Flax didn't speak much, but Sas was eager to talk to you, for he was curious about your craft.
"How is that the spirits obey you at all?" the hunter asked.
"Some do, some don't." you reply. "Gotta know your spirits."
"Those who do, why is that?"
"See these?" you ask, grabbing your necklace by one hand. "Those are very, very old. They say, the ones these belonged to were good friends with the spirits."
"How do you befriend one?"
You snicker.
"Many ways to impress one. You can do them a favor..."
"By wiggling your hands and reciting their favorite poem?" asked Flax. "'Cause that's everything I see..."
"No, that's how you order than around." you say. "But they won't listen if they don't find you fit..."
"But what do you have to do in order to make them behave this way?" asked Sas.
"You have to be friends..."
"And how do you achieve that?"
"Can't tell you."
"How so?"
"That's for shamans only to know. Those are the rules. Besides, it's for the better, trust me."
"So you need to have the spirits appeased all the time for your magic to work?" asked Flax. "You rely on them completely?"
"Well, no. I can interact with their world by myself, but the union makes everything easier."
"Why are they so eager to serve, anyway?"
"Their goals are different from those of ours. It's hard to compare them to us..."
Flax suddenly stopped, looking in the distance, gesturing to make you slow down.
You and Sas looked straight ahead, where your guide was staring. There was a moving figure wobbling between the trees, covered in brown cloth, that gave them rather bulky look, only their bald head was sticking out, reflecting the sunshine. They had a staff, but didn't seem old, they were walking slowly but confidently.
"A man." Flax whispered.
"It is. Is that why we stopped?" you ask.
"He seems familiar..."
"That's a wayfarer, he is!" said Sas. "He was in the tavern in the village. He's no danger to us!"
Sas went on, you looked at Flax, who seemed busy recollecting his thoughts, and didn't move a bit.
"A wayfarer..." he mumbled, scratching his head.
"They're monks, wandering the world, always on move, never settling anywhere. Nothing to fear!" assured Sas.
"A travelling monk, you say? Well, that could be an useful opportunity! Let's go for a quick talk."
You weren't sure what's so special about someone living a life on move, but if your companions think the man could know stuff, then perhaps?
You sped up and approached the wayfarer.
He must've heard you coming, as you weren't trying to sneak on him, but wasn't bothered at all. Once you've reached him and could see him face to face, he smiled and greeted you.
"What a lovely day, gentlemen!" he said. "Did not think I would cross my path with you again, you seemed in hurry..."
"We were, but something slowed us down." Flax spoke.
"Where are you heading?"
"South, mister, south. A long journey ahead, there where the snow ceases to be early."
"I see. A lovely land to behold, plains of green, hills and forests, and mountains, oh, the mountains..."
"I know. It's my motherland. These two are visiting it for the first time."
"You have got a lot to look forward to, friends!" the monk said to you and Sas. "I am going east, to the great wilderness."
"Say, you heard the whole dragon deal in the pub. Is there anything more you know about it?"
The wayfarer was thinking, then shrugged his shoulders.
"Eh, it was ages since I wandered those lands. I do not remember any dragons, it was years back. I can not say, whether one was there, but then again, why could not it be so?"
"Hmph. Well, is there any advice you can give us?"
The monk shook his head.
"Stick to your path, that is all one need to know. But I have heard, war is ripping apart the dwarven lands!"
"I've heard so too. But we're not crossing dwarven territory."
"Then, there is nothing more I can tell you."
Since you have the opportunity, you can ask the wayfarer something. If you don't want to, you'll carry on with the journey immediately.
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Topic: Dwarf Fortress -Drawings- : Tales of the Deer Wizard (Read 149015 times)