Nimly's Adventures

Chapter 7 - Listening & Leather

3rd of Mirtul, 1492

Nimly and Thorn, now having dealt with the bandits and gathered useful items, resume their journey towards Everlund. With the road ahead clear, they travel through the Whispering Woods, making steady progress towards the city.

As they travel, the dense forest begins to thin, and the path becomes more well-trodden. The sounds of the forest envelop them, with birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The sound of approaching voices and the creaking of wagon wheels reaches their ears. As they crest a rise, they begin to overtake a diverse group of travelers headed in the same direction. 

A family in a wagon includes a burly man with a friendly face who is driving. Beside him sits a kind-looking woman cradling a baby, while two young children peek out from the back of the wagon, their eyes wide with curiosity. Riding alongside on horseback are two merchants. The first is a jovial man with a bushy beard and a wide-brimmed hat, laughing heartily as he rides. The second is a slender woman with sharp eyes, dressed in practical clothing that speaks of many journeys. Flanking the group are two guards, a sturdy man with a sword at his hip and a woman with a spear, both maintaining a vigilant watch over their surroundings.

As Nimly and Thorn approach, the travelers hail them warmly. The burly man driving the wagon calls out with a welcoming tone, "Greetings, traveler! Heading to Everlund, are you? Care to join us for a bit? Safety in numbers!"

Nimly meets their kindness with a grin. “Hello, good folk! We will happily join you. My name is Nimly and this is Thorn, and we are indeed heading to Everlund. Having company along the way will be quite nice.”

The merchant with the bushy beard chimes in, "If you're in need of supplies, we've got some extra provisions we can trade. Always happy to help a fellow traveler."

Nimly gestures to a bundle lashed beside him, where he has the three sets of leather armor, three scimitars, and a small pouch of basic supplies. “I do have a few goods that may catch your eye. I’m happy to accept coins, rations, or other valuables." Before presenting the items, Nimly removes a small carved bird and a miniature whistle from the pouch, tossing them to the children. "The world is full of wonder. Be ready for it and you will go far," he says with a warm smile.

The children's faces light up with joy as they catch the trinkets, their parents showing surprise and appreciation. The father laughs, saying, "Thank you, Nimly. Those are lovely gifts. Our children will treasure them."

The sharp eyed woman takes a keen interest in Nimly's wares. "Ah, good quality leather armor and scimitars. Always in demand, especially with the increased bandit activity. Let's see what we have to trade.” She opens a saddlebag on her mount and brings out several leather bags and tosses one to Nimly for him to peruse. "We can offer you some rations and a bit of coin in exchange.

Nimly opens the bag, finding some excellent dried meat. He catches a second bag tossed from horseback and finds several wedges of hard cheese inside. “This will do!” Nimly and the merchants barter back and forth, arriving at an agreed exchange. For his three sets of leather armor, three scimitars, and a small pouch of basic supplies, Nimly receives five days' worth of rations, including dried meat, dried fruit, hardtack, cheese, and nuts and seeds, along with ten gold pieces.

The bearded merchant beams, "Pleasure doing business with you, Nimly. These goods will sell quickly in Everlund. The shops have been short on supplies of all kinds lately. The bandits…” His exuberant demeanor falters a bit.

Nimly takes the opening and asks more on this. “You did mention increased bandit activity. Is it worse than the usual assortment of a few scattered brigands?”

The woman answers, with a look to her trading partner. "Yes. It’s much worse than usual. Ask such questions cautiously. Safe travels to you and Thorn." The woman engages the man in a hushed conversation after that and Thorn falls back from the two, giving them space. With the trade completed, Nimly ponders the exchange. He has been to Everlund several times before on brief stays, and this notable level of bandit activity is news to him.

The added companionship of the caravan takes on a new light, and while he does not see any more threats as they travel towards Everlund, he remains watchful. Safety in numbers and having what were certainly guards along might have scared away unseen watchers already. He throws back his own cloak, making the well-used leather armor on his torso easily seen. The dangers of this day will pass and you will sleep soundly at the end of it. It was a saying of his Grandma Mossberry, who had done her best to impart confidence and caution in equal measure. Nimly missed her very much, and always would. The guards remain vigilant and visible, ensuring the safety of everyone. The path gradually becomes more traveled as they get closer to Everlund.

Lost in thought, Nimly continues to ride Thorn. The laughter of the children brings his gaze around, to see them playing a game where the carved bird reacts to the whistle. Nimly casts Silent Image and an orange cat jumps up from behind Thorn to perch on Nimly’s shoulder. After a few minutes there, the cat jumps across to the wagon, landing without trouble on the moving cart. The cat sits, tail swishing, and watches the carved bird.

The children’s eyes widen in awe as the illusionary cat gracefully leaps onto their wagon. "Look, look! A magical kitty!" one of them exclaims, their excitement bubbling over. They reach out tentative hands, expecting the cat to vanish upon touch, but the illusion holds firm just out of reach, maintaining its ethereal presence.

The parents exchange amused and appreciative glances with Nimly, their smiles broadening as they see the joy in their children’s faces. "It’s so pretty!" the younger child squeals, giggling as the cat swishes its tail and flicks its ears as if it were truly alive.

The illusionary cat, appearing as real as the carved bird and whistle, adds an enchanting element to their journey. The children, now fully engrossed in their imaginative play, create stories about the magical cat and its adventures. Nimly watches with a fond smile, glad to bring such delight to the young ones and to forge a small but meaningful connection with the traveling family.

Thorn moves closer to the wagon and Nimly strikes up a conversation with the children’s mother. “The uncertainty caused by the lawlessness cannot dim those bright spirits. It must be quite hard to bring them along, or to leave them behind.” The woman stares at Nimly to gauge the direction of his comments. They pass a minute in silence as the children play and she considers how to answer.

“How far away are your parents, Nimly?”, she asks.

Nimly looks at the kids before he answers and softens it for their sake. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen either of them. The lawlessness in my own upbringing wasn’t much of a factor inside the main cavern of Glimmerstone, but there was no expectation like that outside the city. If a childhood has an expectation of safety, it must come from a society that promotes it or perhaps parents that create the illusion of it. I meant no judgment towards you in that… you have hard choices to make.”

The mother smiles at this and nods. “A casual conversation about dire choices? That has flair, if not the comfort of predictability. Glimmerstone sounds nice, though I doubt I could see it in the same way you do.” She puts both hands over her eyes to mimic blindness and giggles. “Have you been on the surface for long, Nimly? My name is Corasa and my husband is Eilgri. Your kindness towards our children is no small thing.”

“There are ways to see it, if you choose to seek that out.” The illusionary cat takes one final grand leap at the carved bird, missing it widely and poofing into a shower of colored sparks. Nimly pulls out the rock from his pouch and it begins to glow with an inner Light. “It’s not an easy path, though. Most everything in the Underdark is bloodthirsty or so cautious and untrusting that it comes to the same thing.”

After traveling most of the day, the group finally sees the walls of Everlund in the distance. The city's silhouette against the setting sun promises safety, opportunities, and new adventures. The high stone walls surround the city except where the River Rauvin flows in from the east and out through the west side, continuing into the Whispering Wood before it turns north towards Silverymoon.

Nimly gives a farewell to those in the caravan and takes his leave, as he and Thorn pull ahead from the group and enter the Silverymoon Gate of Everlund. Houses and shops are visible from the wide avenue that leads into the heart of the city. The Hall of the Moon is directly in view several blocks up, built in a graceful, flowing architectural style, with curves and arches that mimic the phases of the moon. A large, silvered dome tops the temple, symbolizing the full moon. The dome is adorned with intricate carvings of moon phases and celestial motifs.

Nimly gets directions for a likely place to get some barding for Thorn and hears about a shop called Ironclad Creations on the east edge of the Bell Market. He and Thorn navigate the bustling streets of Everlund, making their way towards the described location. The city is alive with activity, with merchants hawking their wares, artisans displaying their crafts, and townsfolk going about their daily routines. The scent of freshly baked bread mingles with the sound of haggling, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. As they meander their way through the market, the sign for the shop comes into view.

Nimly hops off Thorn and walks into Ironclad Creations, mentally instructing Thorn to enter the shop and chill near the doorway. “Hail, good lady! Could you accommodate a fearsome giant rat seeking protection from cold steel and hot tempers? Thorn is his name, and I am Nimly. We are in the market for a set of barding made to his particular frame.”

The blacksmith chuckles warmly and steps out from behind the counter, walking over to where Thorn is patiently waiting near the entrance. She examines the giant rat with a practiced eye, nodding thoughtfully. "A fine creature indeed. I’m Hilda, by the way. I've crafted armor for many types of mounts and pets, but a giant rat is a first for me. Still, I relish a challenge. Let's see what we can do for Thorn here."

She gestures for Nimly and Thorn to follow her to a workbench at the back of the shop, where various tools and materials are neatly arranged. She takes out a tape and begins taking Thorn's measurements, making notes as she goes. Nimly watches with interest. Thorn strikes a combat pose and enjoys the attention. 

Hilda sets the notebook aside. “I need to ensure the armor is both protective and flexible, so Thorn can move naturally. I can craft something from reinforced leather, which should provide good protection without being too heavy. If you prefer metal armor, it will offer more protection but may restrict his movement a bit more. Are there any special requests or modifications to the armor that you are interested in? This being a giant rat, of which I’ve never outfitted before, I am quite interested in creating something quite spectacular.”

Nimly watches as Hilda does her work, communicating with Thorn through mental impressions, hearing the rat’s preference for lightweight armor, valuing agility and speed over heavy protection. The image of moving swiftly through obstacles and dodging attacks flashes through Nimly’s mind, and of prowling with skill and silence through a darkened forest. 

She continues, “Should you like the leather option, it will take me two weeks to craft it, supplies being more erratically come by, lately. It will cost 50 gold. The supplies for the metal armor are well enough in stock and I could begin immediately. That will take about 5 days to craft and cost 100 gold. Of course, the more customizations, the more time to create it and the cost may go beyond the previous estimates.” Hilda finishes this last part in a rote way of talking, eyes getting far off for a moment.

Nimly nods at the rat that is still standing at attention, preening and imagining his new gear already in place. The gnome looks back up at Hilda, saying “We would like to purchase a studded leather armor option if that is possible, and the time it takes is well worth it. How does this sound: 50 gold now and 150 gold paid upon completion?”

Hilda listens to Nimly's request and nods thoughtfully. "Studded leather armor, you say? I can certainly craft that for Thorn. Studded leather will provide better protection than regular leather while still being relatively flexible. Two weeks, give or take a few days, will be the crafting time. Your offer is generous. I can agree to 50 gold pieces now and the remaining 150 gold pieces upon completion. I will get started on this right away."

Nimly hands over the bag of 50 gold. “If you do need to reach me, word can be sent to the Gemcutter’s Guild. We cannot wait to see what you create!” Hilda stands up from more quick scribbling and hands Nimly a purchase order with a description of the gear, the cost, and the estimated completion date.

Purchases concluded, Nimly and Thorn leave the shop and look to the southwest, across the city, where on the bank of the River Rauvin sits the Gemcutter’s Guild of Everlund. They walk through the quiet Bell Market as the light of the sun dims into twilight, taking the time to reflect on their long day sprinkled with violence and peace.

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DMs and intrepid adventurers! I hope you enjoyed this story in Nimly’s Adventures. Thank you for reading!