-Crelypsis-

"Alright now you wanted to know about the Twin Gods of the Hunt and Nature," Asher said, settling down while Ozaki had Cinder help him prepare the Death Weasel and Wasps for the sacrifice, "The brother is Elsilandra, and the sister is Elsilamdra. Despite sharing the Divine Domain of Hunting and Nature the two are friendly rivals with different approaches to hunting. Elsilandra has a more hands on approach and uses a spear or shortsword, and is often shown accompanied by a pack of dark brown wolves, while Elsilamdra prefers hunting at long range with a longbow or her hand crossbows, and instead of wolves is shown with tigers or panthers," Asher explained, "As such Elsilandra is often called the Lord of the Hunt or Lupine Packmaster, while Elsilamdra is the Lady of the Wilds, or Feline Packmaster."

Crelypsis tilted her head in thought before writing a few things down in her journal, "So while they share domains, they embody different aspects of said domains?"

"Exactly," Asher nodded, "Now the one of the most common ways to show worship to them, is by either using as much of the beast you hunt as possible, and returning to nature what you don't use. This is why most of their worshipers are often seen using specially made bone weapons, armor, tools, or jewelry. Dried meats are also the most common form of rations used by their worshipers. Those who gain the Twin God's favor often get one of three blessings. First is they find their senses becoming more acute and sharp to match that of a beasts, such as a nose as sensitive as a bloodhound or gaining echolocation for hunting in caves and underground. Realizing a more efficient way to hunt their prey, or gaining unnatural stealth turning them into a far more successful predator."

"Kind of like how Lady Jeianogana, Goddess of Magic and Knowledge might grant that final spark of inspiration to create a new spell or let a scholar stumble upon previously lost knowledge," Crelypsis mused as she closed her journal and put it back in her pack, "Thank you for the explanation Mr. Toothnail."

"Exactly and you are very welcome, Crelypsis," Asher nodded before turning to their two companions, "Should I dig out a bigger fire pit this time?"

"Please do," Ozaki nodded, "And to answer your unasked question, yes we're almost complete with the preparations…. Cinder don't eat that mushroom. Its poisonous," He then plucked a bright red mushroom with a flame like cap out of her hand, "Flame-Forgery Shrooms like this cause a burning sensation to spread through one's body as it attacks your nervous system. Though considering these are rare they're worth a nice price as the Hieallana clergy will buy them to create antidotes, though most don't survive the first bite," He carefully wrapped the mushroom in cloth, and put it in a pack, "Luckily these mushrooms are safe to keep near rations and the like as long as it's properly contained."

"Yeesh. Thanks for the save Ozaki," Cinder said, getting a nod in return.

"I'll get digging then," Asher nodded and morphed to his fox form, something that when they had more time Crelypsis planned to ask about. She'd never heard of anyone other than a druid or the spell Polymorph being able to turn someone into an animal, yet Mr. Toothnail did it as easily as breathing despite being a Cleric. Perhaps like Druidcraft it's something natural that all Kitsune could do? Her parents never did any direct business with Damask or the Dawn Pearls, and preferred the Twilight Glade Mountains, Sages Requiem, Fallen-Star Desert or Moon's Refuge when doing business away from the Three Sisters and Big Brother. Shaking her head, Crelypsis moved to sit against a tree giving Asher more space to dig, and leaving her alone with her thoughts on what she's seen of her new companions over the past couple days.

Mr. Willow was rather quiet when not drawn into a conversation, incredibly knowledgeable about the forest, hunting and plants as just shown when he'd prevented Ms. Summerpeak from eating that poisonous mushroom. He was also an incredible archer, having taken down both of the giant wasps with a single shot each. Ms. Summerpeak herself was incredibly strong, being able to carry an Albino Death Weasel for hours without a single complaint or request to rest. Additionally shrugging off the Giant Wasp venom without flinching after being stung while managing to prevent one of the wasps from escaping after she took a blow for the Sorceress showed just how durable she was. She was also surprisingly cheerful and carefree most of the time, with only slight cracks in her mood appearing at the mention of her past and natural magic. While Crelypsis had moments of her past she didn't like to remember, she honestly would feel rather lost without her magic. It being one of the only things to give her comfort growing up, little as it was.

Mr. Toothnail was… slightly troubling. By his own admission he'd been a thief growing up, and while it might just be her imagination after learning that but he seemed to have an air around him that said he hadn't changed since then. That he was still a thief. She shook her head trying to focus on what else she knew about him. He worshiped a Goddess or, Kami of Trickery, Foxes, Magic and Redemption. Perhaps why her parents never did business with the Dawn Pearls was due to religious reasons? They were worshipers of Gleamdama the Deity of Wealth, Trade and know as the Master of Coin. Shaking her head again she tried to focus. Asher was also knowledgeable about surviving in the wild, indicating that apart from his… choice of profession growing up he'd had to live off the land rather often. He was also willing to explain the religion of his people, and decently knowledgeable about Three-Point Pantheon showing his willingness to work with other religions.

Then there was herself. She knew due to how she acted it was obvious she was from a well off family, even if she was a bit distant and cool with others, giving her the traits that some of the few fictional stories she'd read called an 'ice queen', the irony of that matching the elements her magic was attuned to was not lost on her. More than once she'd cursed her fate to be born a Tiefling in a family well known for often having Aasimar children… Crelypsis was brought out of her thoughts when Cinder called, "Hey Crelypsis come on and join me, Asher and Shadow for the sacrifice."

"Shadow?" Crelypsis asked as she got to her feet and walked over, Cryo circling the area around the camp so they hopefully wouldn't get ambushed.

"I like giving people fitting nicknames," Cinder grinned as she jabbed a thumb over her shoulder to point at Ozaki, "I gave him 'Shadow' simply because of how quiet he can be when he's not involved in a conversation or when he's moving. Seriously I don't think he even broke a single twig this entire trip!"

"A fitting name then!" Asher chuckled, as he thought, "Doubly so if even half the rumors I've heard are true, and he's one of them… and even if he isn't he's the closest to one I'm likely to meet.."

Some of the meat, and organs from the weasel and wasps was bound in the wasps hide, while the rest of what the group wasn't using was going to be taken into the woods and left for wild animals after the sacrifice, "Oh Twin Gods of the Hunt and Nature. We return to you much of which we can not currently use, and soon we shall return more to the wilds to nourish the forest and its inhabitants," Ozaki intoned before nodding to Cinder who dropped the bundle of meat and hide into the fire. Ozaki, Asher and Crelypsis tossed the bones and a few pieces of chitin into the fire, the flames flaring up from the weasel's body fat, and Crelyspis' eyes went wide as for a moment the images of a tiger and wolf appeared in the flames. Moments later the flames died down revealing that everything the group had thrown in, had already burned away save some small flakes of bone.

"I… what just happened?" Crelypsis gasped, she'd never seen anything like that before without the aid of magic, but as far as she could tell no one had cast a spell so that could only mean…

"The sacrifice was accepted," Ozaki shrugged, as he turned around and moved over to his sack that was full of more meat from the beasts, "I'll go and return more of the beasts to nature. Crelypsis when I get back, would you be willing to use your magic to clean the sack, and the pelt of the Death Weasel while Cinder and Asher get started cooking dinner?"

Still somewhat unnerved Crelypsis said, "Huh… oh yes… I don't mind Mr. Willow."

"Since cleaning the pelt won't take long, why don't you join us once it's clean?" Asher suggested, "Knowing how to make simple meals like this is always a useful skill, even if you're not camping," Crelypsis nodded and began using Prestidigitation to clean the pelt.

"By the way Crelypsis, I've been meaning to ask," Cinder said making the sorceress pause her work and look up, "When you stabbed the Death Weasel while I was holding it still, I can only assume casting some form of magic when you hissed yet when you. Then when. You sent that rock into the Weasel's skull, your voice almost sounded like music… why? And which spells did you use?"

"Yes I was speaking Draconic for the first spell which is known as Booming Blade and Celestial for the second, which is called Catapult," Crelypsis explained.

Asher whistled impressed, "Celestial huh? That's a rare skill."

Crelypsis blushed, her cheeks turning dark blue as her tail wrapped around her left leg something neither of her companions noticed, "It's a family tradition…"

"What other languages do you know?" Cinder asked.

"I know the common tongue, Draconic, Celestial and Elvish," The Sorceress stated her voice much colder than it had been moments before, "Now if that's all, I'd like to get this pelt cleaned before dinner," Cinder and Asher glanced at each other. Seems they found a sensitive topic and had no intention of prying further, so the two went back to work preparing the food.

Once Ozaki returned and the food was ready everyone settled down to eat, "So given how yesterday went," Cinder said, shooting Crylipsis a quick glance, "What if we took watch in four hour shifts tonight?"

"We can give it a try," Asher nodded, "Same parrings as yesterday?"

"I don't see why not," Cinder shrugged, and Ozaki nodded.

That night in Crelypsis' dream she was walking through a giant library, braziers both on the ground held up by a trio of wooden beams under the bowl and hanging from thin air, illuminating the area with an everburning ball of fire that produced no smoke or sparks. Turning right at the next intersection she froze, seeing a younger version of herself studying a tome of magic at a desk, an incredibly bright light shining through the cracks of the door behind her, and just as the door slowly creaked open she woke as Cinder gently shook her shoulder, "Your turn for watch… you alright?"

"Yes… yes thank you Ms. Summerpeak," Crelypsis said as she got up, "Just an odd dream. Nothing more."

"If you say so," Cinder shrugged as she laid down on her bedroll, pulling her backpack close to her before closing her eyes.

When Crelypsis left the tent she saw Ozaki standing near the edge of camp with his weapons in place. Turning to her he said, "Do you mind if I do a bit of scouting to make sure we haven't lost the trail?"

Thinking about it for a few moments Crelypsis shook her head, "I will have Cryo with me, just make sure you don't go too far," Ozaki nodded and quickly moved into the forest, vanishing between the trees. When he returned two hours later he simply nodded indicating they were still on the right track and sat next to the fire, pulled out a long flute made of a material the Sorceress didn't recognize out of his pack and began to play, the soft music echoing through the forest, bringing a strange feeling of calm. As if nature itself had paused to listen.

The next day they started bright and early, this time eating some of the dried wasp meat much to Crelypsis' displeasure but she said nothing and simply ate. Once they were on the move again Cinder looked at Ozaki, "I've been thinking… You're carrying an awful lot of stuff, Ozaki. I mean I know I'm now carrying your tent but still…"

Ozaki nodded, "I've been trying to save up for a Bag of Holding or something similar but a hunter doesn't make much gold."

Asher tilted his head in thought, "I have heard of something called a Multi-Compartment Sack, perhaps we should look into upgrading your sacks?"

"It depends," Cinder shrugged, "Is it possible to just buy one?"

"Well they're fairly common in the Dawn Pearls and I think Damask, but I honestly don't know about here in the Twilight Glade Mountains," Asher shrugged, "The materials to upgrade the sack should be available though."

"What would we need?" Crelypsis inquired, her curiosity obvious.

"Let's see… We'll need a special string made from a mix of the leaves and flowers of an Awakened Willow Tree or Wisteria Tree, hair freely given from a Grinning Cat, and a bag of powdered Mana Crystals worth… twenty five gold for the weaker version of fifty gold for the stronger one," Asher said after a few moments of thought, "Though we should double check that at a Magic Shop just to be safe."

"So we'll need to visit one of the larger cities then," Ozaki nodded, "Orebury is the closest. Should only take a few days by caravan to get there."

"So… we're talking about making this a legit adventurer's group?" Cinder asked, "Not just a one time thing?"

"We have worked well together so far," Ozaki replied, "And I have been wanting to travel again."

"I don't mind traveling with you all," Asher shrugged, "It's been fun and the conversation's good."

Crylipsis nodded her agreement though she was a bit stiff, and Cinder grinned, "Well I guess we're an official team now! So Shadow, when do you think we'll get to the mountains?"

Ozaki looked up, and thought for a few moments, "Baring anymore interruptions… I'd say around dusk at the latest."

Cinder raised a fist with a determined grin, "We'll get the kid back in no time!"

"I do not mean to douse your enthusiasm Ms. Summerpeak, but will Mr. Willow be able to track them in the mountains as well as he has in the forest?" Crelypsis asked.

"It won't be the first time I've hunted in the mountains," Ozaki stated, "It's more difficult true, but not impossible."

Asher grinned, "What kind of Ranger would he be if he couldn't track his targets in any location?"

Ozaki shook his head, "Just because I am a skilled hunter doesn't mean I can track prey in any environment. I have no experience hunting in the desert, swamps, snowy tundras, urban environments or the Underdark, and I wouldn't have a clue how to track something while underwater."

"Fair enough," Cinder chuckled, "No one can be good at everything!" As the quartet traveled, they found the trip surprisingly easy. The worst that happened was a single rabbit dashing across their path while birds flew and sang overhead. They ate some of their rations so they could stay on the move, Cinder giving some of hers to Crelypsis since the Sorceress didn't have any stored in belt pouches like the others.

"It seems the Kami have blessed our journey this day," Asher chuckled as he glanced up at the towering mountains, "Both in terms of safety and travel speed."

"A blessing indeed," Ozaki nodded. The four soon arrived at the base of the mountain, the green of the forest slowly giving a way to the grays of stone. He scanned the area with a critical eye looking for which way the goblins went. There was a tense silence for ten minutes while Ozaki searched for the trail, "Finally," Ozaki grunted as he found signs of the giant goat mounts, near a trail farther south than he was expecting.

"Are you sure that's the right track?" Cinder asked, "I mean aren't Giant Goats somewhat common near mountains?"

"Not this far down," Ozaki replied, getting a nod from Asher.

"Yeah you normally find them way higher up, unless of course they're being used as mounts," The Kitsune nodded, "Crelypsis can Cryo keep an eye on the sky? We don't want to be ambushed by a pack of Narsharks."

"I'm sorry… Did you say 'Narsharks'? If you did, why would an aquatic animal even be here?" Crelypsis asked.

"Narsharks have a single curled horn that grants them the ability to fly," Asher explained, "From below they look like a cloud and the rest of them blend in with a clear blue sky. They're meat can be considered a delicacy and the horn is used in magic items that give the power of flight."

"Interesting…" Crelypsis said and quickly pulled out her journal to write this new information down.

An hour later as they were walking up the mountain trail that dropped off making an ever growing clifface on their left. A piercing cry filled the air, sounding like a mix of a deep roar and rust metal scraping against rust metal, "A Rust Drake! Get along the wall and don't move!" Ozaki ordered as he moved towards the stone wall, "Crelypsis dismiss your Familiar!"

Ninety feet above them Cryo vanished as the four huddled into the rocks, while above them a wolf sized wyvern like creature flew over head rust covered scales falling below it like some twisted form of rain, able to keep aloft despite the small holes in its wings. The beast scans the area below it for prey. Noticing the slight flicker of flames from Cinder's hair even with her hood pulled up, and Asher's red tails, the beast let out another roar and dove down, "RUN!" Ozaki yelled, and the four dashed up the trail, the drake easily keeping up with them without even trying.

The Rust Drake flew down and took a swipe at Asher with its tail, the Kitsune barely ducking under it before its neck shot to the side biting into Cinder's left shoulder, the Genasi stumbling a moment as she let out a short screech of pain, "GET THE FUCK OFF ME!" She reared her fist back and as the drake pulled back blood dripping from its teeth did a small turning jump and slammed her fist into its face the sound of crushed metal filling the air as a couple teeth fell out Cinder quickly grabbed the teeth before returning to her run while the drake flew higher, "HA! Got a trophy from you asshole!"

"We need to find a cave!" Ozaki shouted, "Rust Drakes hate caves they didn't make!"

"There!" Asher roared, pointing to a small opening coming up, "Injured first! Crelypsis let's try and ward it off with magic!"

"Very well!" Crelypsis replied, and as the drake dove down again Asher cried out an incantation, the drake's eyes going pearly white as the magic took hold robbing it of its sight. The drake let out a screech as it flew higher. When it was thirty feet up Crelypsis released her spell, a burst of icy white magic shooting out of her raised palm, as a cone that barely reached the Rust Drake. The air around the Rust Drake cooled rapidly until, in moments, ice completely covered the drake's joints, the beast crashing to the ground unable to keep itself aloft.

Asher chanted a spell, the wounds on Cinder's shoulder closing slightly, "Cinder if you can throw it off the cliff!"

Cinder took a moment to focus with eyes closed, her muscles bulging slightly. When she opened her eyes they seemed to shine slightly as she moved forward, putting her hands under the beast as it tried and failed to throw off the spells. With a grunt Cinder lifted the Rust Drake and with a roar threw it down the cliff, the beast bouncing and crashing against the rocky wall, "Quickly inside!" Ozaki said, "The binding spell might not hold long!"

The four sprinted for the cave and ducked inside, moving a decent way in before pausing to rest. Once they came to a halt Cinder quickly slung her bag over her shoulder, put it down and reached in pulling out dark purple drinking stein, decorated with the dwarvish glyph around its base, a brass metal lid with a small lever to open it. Barking out, "Sundrunk Whiskey!" she opened the stein and downed a swig dark golden drink, her hair flaring up slightly, as she felt a new surge of power flow through her.

"Don't drink all of it," Asher said, "We can use some of that whisky to disinfect your wound," Pulling back the stein Cinder was led over the the wall, Asher glancing at her asking for permission, and at Cinder's nod helped to remove her vest and shirt revealing she used cloth to bind her rather modest chest, Ozaki handing over his medical pouch, while Crelypsis began cleaning Cinder's clothing.

As Asher poured some of the drink onto her wound to disinfect it, her inner fire made the liquid warm and steam slightly as her skin made contact with the whisky. Cinder hissing at the sensation, Ozaki said, "Asher, do you have any spells that can remove diseases? Rust Drake's bites are nasty and carry a disease called Rust Drake Lockjaw."

"I'll need to meditate a bit tonight so I'll be able to cast Lesser Restoration tomorrow," Asher nodded as he and Ozaki continued to treat Cinder's wound the Kitsune so focused on his work he let his Blindness/Deafness spell drop, "So how bad is this disease?"

"It saps a person's ability to move, leaving them paralyzed for days until they die," Ozaki explained with a scowl, "While it's good Cinder got a couple fangs as we can use them against the goblins, it's also dangerous as if she's not careful she could reinfect herself once you heal her tomorrow. Assuming of course Lockjaw took hold when the drake bit her."

"When do symptoms normally appear?" Crelypsis asked.

"At best in four days. At worst tomorrow," Ozaki sighed, before focusing on treating Cinder's wound. As Ozaki and Asher worked Cinder looked deeper into the cave, to make sure nothing snuck up on them, and after a few minutes of searching Cinder saw a handprint on a stone spike.

"Hey guys… there's a hand print farther down on a stone spike justin up from the ground…" Cinder said.

"Then we might be on the right track," Ozaki nodded as he and Asher moved back a bit and took a couple deep breaths, "Though I'm pretty sure those are going to scar even with magic."

"Yeah… If I had stronger magic then it wouldn't leave any traces but as it is… the most I can do is make sure it doesn't hamper your ability to fight," Asher shrugged.

"Eh. It is what it is," Cinder shrugged, "So I'll get a scar, big deal. Most important thing right now is getting the kid and getting back… while avoiding a repeat appearance of that Drake."

"I agree," Crelypsis nodded, "Hopefully I'll be able to restrain it again if it appears on our way back… but I can't help but feel like we got lucky."

Down at the base of the cliff the Rust Drake burst out of the pile of rocks its fall had created. It let out a screech of rage that echoed throughout the area making small creatures flee in fear. Pure hatred burning in its eyes as wounds that were sure to scar covered the creature from its head to the tip of its tail. It would find the two-leggers that not only denied it a meal, but also insulted it by bringing it to the ground. It would find them… and they will die for this, in as slow and painful way as the drake could manage.

Author's Notes:

Elsilandra= El-sil-an-dra

Elsilamdra= El-sil-am-dra

I'm also not fully satisfied with the name 'Three-Point Pantheon' but it'll work for now.

As for the music bit… That wasn't just a Performance check, it was mostly a Religion Check… and Ozaki got a Mod 21. He's not even proficient with Religion! I wonder if this will be like the campaign I played him in and he'll never fail a Religion Check XD

Narshark is from Kobold Press Tome of Beasts 2, page 266

Rust Drake is from Kobold Press Tome of Beasts 1, page 255

Just for fun here's everyone's Stealth checks and the Drakes' Perception check

Ozaki stealth 26, Crelypsis 19, Cinder 9, Asher 11

Rust Drake Perception: 18

Rust Drake CR 8, making it a creature most adventurer's wouldn't want to fight unless they had no other option. Makes sense why these four had to book it…. And I was not expecting Crelypsis' spell to take hold. The Drake rolled a freaking 3 on its Saving Throw.

The Everfull Stein that Cinder used to get the Sundrunk Whiskey is from the Pugilist class by Benjamin Huffman on DM's Guild which is also where Cinder's class comes form, though she's a Whiskey Fist Pugilist from a separate PDF made by the same person.