Yávië Ru's Adventures
Chapter 6 - Wagers and Worries
Date: 2nd of Mirtul, 1492
Yávië, eyes glinting with a mischievous sparkle, gracefully joined the travelers by the side of the road. The midday sun cast a warm glow over the scene, creating an air of lighthearted anticipation. With a smile, she placed her ante down, the clink of coins adding to the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
Round 1: The dice danced across the makeshift table with a life of their own, tumbling and spinning before coming to a halt. Yávië watched intently, her breath held.
Results:
Yávië: 7
Rylan: 10
Traveler 1: 11
Traveler 2: 19
A murmur of excitement spread through the group as Traveler 2 triumphantly gathered the pot.
Round 2: Unperturbed, Yávië flashed a confident grin, her fey charm undeniable. She tossed another 5 silver onto the table, her movements fluid and captivating. With a dramatic flourish, she rolled the dice once more. They caught the sunlight for a moment, landing with a resounding clatter.
Results:
Yávië: 20
Rylan: 12
Traveler 1: 15
Traveler 2: 6
Gasps and cheers erupted as Yávië's 20 clinched the victory. She collected her winnings with a wink, the coins jingling merrily in her pouch.
Round 3: Determined to press her luck further, Yávië anteed up one last time. Her fingers caressed the dice as she cast them onto the table, her gaze unwavering. The dice rolled and came to rest, sealing her fate.
Results:
Yávië: 14
Rylan: 14
Traveler 1: 1
Traveler 2: 4
A tie with Rylan! The air grew thick with tension as the two prepared for a tiebreaker. The travelers leaned in, eager to witness the outcome.
Tiebreaker Round:
Yávië and Rylan rolled their dice once more, the clatter echoing through the warm midday air. Time seemed to slow as the dice settled.
Tie Round Results:
Yávië: 17
Rylan: 15
Yávië's lets out a triumphant laugh, having bested Rylan. The travelers cheered, and Yávië basked in the glory of her victory, her pouch significantly heavier and her spirit soaring with the thrill of the game.
After her victorious rounds of gambling, Yávië decides to pocket her 30 silver, and entertain her current companions with a little music. She pulls out her wooden pan flute, a cherished instrument from her carnival days.
Yávië gives a short bow, "That was a lot of fun, but I think I've had enough gambling for now. How about a little music to keep the good times going?"
The party nods enthusiastically, eager to witness her performance. Yávië begins to play a soft, enchanting melody on her pan flute. The gentle notes float through the air, creating a serene and magical atmosphere around the small camp. As she plays, the music attracts some of the local fauna. A few curious rabbits, squirrels, a large barn owl and a few birds gather around, drawn by the soothing sounds. The travelers are delighted by the unexpected audience, their smiles growing wider as they enjoy the performance.
After a short while, Yávië concludes with a final, lingering note. The travelers applaud warmly, expressing their appreciation. Rylan nods to her, "You've got quite the talent, Yávië. Both with dice and with music. This is a real treat."
Traveler 1 agrees, "That was beautiful! Thank you for sharing your music with us."
Traveler 2 nods in agreement, "And for bringing these little critters to keep us company!"
The sun is beginning to dip towards the horizon as Yávië prepares to continue her journey, leaving the party in high spirits, "Thank you for the kind words. It was a pleasure playing for you. Safe travels to you all." She packs away her flute, gathers her belongings, and with a final wave, and a bit more silver in her pouch, sets off once more on the road to Everlund.
She finds herself traveling through a dense forest that seems almost untouched by time. The road narrows into a well trodden path, winding through the ancient trees that tower above her.
Rich with life, the majestic oaks and maples intermingle with slender birch and pine trees. Ferns and wildflowers cover the ground, adding splashes of color to the green underbrush. Moss and lichen cling to the trunks of the trees and the stones scattered along the path. The sounds of nature are loud all around. Birds chirp and sing from their perches high in the trees, while squirrels scamper along the branches. Occasionally, a deer can be seen grazing in a clearing, and the rustle of leaves hints at other small creatures moving about in the undergrowth. She feels a deep connection to the natural world here, a reminder of her fey heritage and the magic that flows through her veins.
Yávië crosses a small, clear stream that winds its way through the forest. The water babbles happily over smooth stones, and she stops for a moment to refill her waterskin and enjoy the refreshing coolness. She scans the water for any creatures that might make a good snack for later. The stream is teeming with life, and she spots several small fish darting about, their scales glinting in the sunlight. She also notices a few crayfish hiding among the rocks and plants along the streambed. Yávië carefully scoops up a couple of the small fish and a crayfish, placing them in a small container she carries in her pack. The cool water keeps them fresh, and she knows they will make for a delightful meal when she stops to camp later.
As she continues to examine the stream, Yávië looks for anything shiny or valuable that might be hidden among the pebbles and rocks. The sunlight creates sparkling patterns on the water's surface, making it a bit challenging to see clearly. However, with a bit of patience, she spots a few glimmers among the stones. On closer inspection, Yávië finds a small, smooth pebble that shines with an unusual luster. It doesn’t appear particularly valuable, but its unique appearance intrigues her. She decides to keep it as a token of her journey, a small memento of the peaceful forest stream.
Looking about, she notices a massive, ancient oak standing by the side of the path, its gnarled roots spreading out like the fingers of an old giant. Yávië senses a faint magical aura emanating from the tree, suggesting it may be a remnant of older, more enchanted times. With a practiced eye, Yávië examines the ancient tree, noting the way its roots twist and turn, and the way its branches reach skyward. The tree is incredibly old, likely several centuries, if not millennia, and it exudes a sense of timeless wisdom and ancient magic. As she studies the tree, Yávië feels a connection to the Feywild. The magic she senses is of a natural, druidic nature, likely tied to the ancient spirits of the forest. It is a type of magic that seeks to protect and nurture the natural world, a remnant of the powerful enchantments cast by druids or fey creatures long ago. The tree itself may have been a guardian or a focal point of these enchantments.
Yávië notices faint carvings on the bark of the tree. These carvings are intricate and delicate, depicting scenes of nature and symbols of protection. They are worn with age but still hold a subtle glow, indicating their magical origin. Placing her hand on the trunk, Yávië feels a gentle pulse of energy, as if the tree is alive and aware of her presence. The magic is calming and protective, a testament to the harmony between the tree and the forest around it. Feeling a sense of reverence and awe, Yávië takes a moment to meditate by the tree, allowing its ancient magic to fill her with a sense of calm and purpose. She knows that this connection to nature and magic is a part of who she is, and it strengthens her resolve for the journey ahead.
Satisfied with her investigation and feeling more attuned to the natural world, Yávië stands up, ready to continue. She carries the weight of the ancient tree’s wisdom and magic as she ventures deeper into the forest, ever closer to her destination and the adventures that await.
Deeper into the dense thicket of forest, she hears the unmistakable sounds of a struggle up ahead. The clash of metal, shouts of fear, and the growls of a wild animal echo through the trees. Her heart quickens, and she moves swiftly towards the source of the commotion. Pushing through the underbrush, Yávië emerges into a small clearing and sees a young girl being attacked by a large, aggressive dire wolf. The girl, no more than twelve years old, holds a small dagger, trying to fend off the snarling beast, but it's clear she's no match for the creature's strength and ferocity.
Yávië springs into action as she sees the young girl being attacked by the dire wolf. She casts Sanctuary on the girl as a bonus action to protect her and then Guidance on herself to bolster her abilities. Yávië raises her arms, her swirling eyes filled with determination, and lets out a deafening roar, "LEAVE NOW, BEAST! GO AWAY! RUN!" Her voice, amplified by the spell, echoes through the forest, startling birds from their perches and causing the trees to tremble.
The dire wolf, already confused by the Sanctuary spell, is now faced with an overwhelming, booming voice and a figure waving its arms menacingly. The combination of the magical and physical display proves too much for the beast. With a frightened yelp, the dire wolf turns tail and flees back into the forest, disappearing into the underbrush. With the dire wolf driven away, Yávië quickly moves to the young girl's side, ensuring she is unharmed. "Are you alright? You're safe now."
The young girl nods, obviously shaken. "Yes, thank you! I was so scared. Thank you for saving me."
Yávië smiles and beckons to her, "How far are you from home? It’s getting kind of late. Would you like company on the way back?"
The girl nods, her eyes filled with gratitude. “I live just a bit further down this path, in a small village. I was out gathering herbs for my family when … the wolf attacked. I would really appreciate your company."
Yávië smiles warmly, gently placing a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder. "Of course. Let’s get you home safe."
As they walk together, the forest begins to take on a tranquil, evening glow. Yávië remains vigilant, her senses alert for any further danger, but the journey remains peaceful. The young girl starts to relax and she opens up a bit, sharing stories about her family and life in the village. Yávië listens attentively, offering kind words and occasionally sharing a light-hearted story from her own adventures in the carnival.
After about half an hour of walking, they reach the outskirts of a small, quaint village nestled within the forest. The sight of familiar surroundings brings a visible sense of relief to the young girl. She looks up at Yávië , "Here we are. Thank you so much for everything." As they approach the girl’s home, a small cottage with a well-tended garden, her parents rush out, worry etched on their faces. They embrace their daughter tightly, their relief palpable. The girl’s mother looks her over from head to toe," Melanie! Oh, thank the gods you're safe! We were so worried."
Melanie quickly explains what happened and how Yávië saved her from the dire wolf. Her parents turn to Yávië, their eyes filled with gratitude. The father offers Yávië a hand in greeting, "We cannot thank you enough for bringing our daughter back safely. Please, come inside. Stay for dinner and rest. It's the least we can do."
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