[Game Thread] Chapter I: Fires Over Brinestump

[PIG]

Praeta Mountainforge eyes strayed to the shy looking halfling. "Mayhaps yer tools be ready, 'lil one, an' its nay Abadar that changed but yer own purpose. What do ye seek tha Judge ta help ye do?" Surprisingly, Wesh doesn't feel any judgement or suspicion from the dwarf's soft probing. He's known justiciars to be more stoic and dismissive back in the city but Praeta just seems to want to help. The halfling struggles to answer but not give away too much of his own troubling thoughts. "It's not what Abadar can do for me... more what I can do for Abadar. If I could get back into his good graces... do you think he could forgive certain actions I might have done. I..." he leans over to Praeta and whispers something in her ear as Koya jabs Sandru about his age.

"You heard about the Goblins that have been attacking the Lost Coast Road lately?" Taking an interest, the halfling rests on his elbows. “No-" he is about reply when Ghosteye speaks up, clearly knowing what the half-elf is referring to. "You mean the ones hunting out of the Brinestump Marsh? You’re having constant trouble with the small blighters around here, don’t you?" The halfling leans back in his chair, his hairy feet swinging from the high platform like an acrobat before a performance. He pulls at the scarf at his neck and tucks it in his collar. He's encountered few goblins in his life but being on Golarion you have no choice but bump into one eventually. They are evil and ill tempered and he's never dirtied his hands by talking to one, much less fighting one. He also knows that this far-fetched land is plagued by them almost like no other, along with giants.

Wesh is chewing on these thoughts, the sampled foods going cold in front of him, when hears about money: gold in fact. "-that any Goblin ears will warrant a prize from the Sheriff's office. A bounty. Numbers are in the works, but they stand at five gold sails as is." It sounds barbaric to Wesh that they would require the ears for proof, but efficient nonetheless. He pipes up without thinking, something he's been doing more and more of recently. "I'll be of service! I could use the money." The thought of adventuring through the woods sounded exciting. Then it dawns on him that it might be very dangerous. He taps his fingers nervously and adjusts his glasses, not retracting his pledge out of the necessity for money but starting to feel very worried.

[Sassafrass]

And the domino fall, just like she planned it. She offers Benel a glance, and he only rolls his large eyes.

The big cat is the first affirmation, and soon, Ghosteye with him. The two are a fine combination, and going out into the Marsh will feel like home, or so Benel allows himself to think, with what little he knows of the Shoanti woman. Koya, beside Katrina, notices the bristling, and starts to wonder. Is there something wrong with Benel's offer? But then, Katrina speaks up, offering up her services, and Koya smiles. Not reassuringly, simply glad to see her young companion choosing to get out and be proactive. Nothing about this reassures her. The Varisian is nothing if not nervous concerning the Jadwiga and what it could mean for Sandpoint that she is here, and the circumstances therein. It's part of learned nerves.

The dancers, now ended, taunt one another. "If they saw my muscles, they'd run. And where would they run to? Another Goblin tribe? And then there'd be upheaval, and there'd be chaos, and before long you'd have another set of Troubles on your hands. No, dear sister, I think I will sit this one out. I have business to handle, and debts to pay. Not all of my caravan has been paid off just yet." But since Praeta's involvement depends on her family, Koya nods to her. "I think it best you do so, Praeta. It will bring you closer to home, before you go out into the world. You can add this to your list of accomplishments in the name of your god, and it will look good on your inevitable appointment." She is Varisian, after all: she has a mind for business, just like her adopted son and daughter both do. Sandru agrees, messing up Praeta's hair. "Besides, I can't have you out-haggling me in the marketplaces of Sandpoint. What kind of caravan-driver would I be then?"

That leaves only one, with Ameiko moving her gaze from Benel to the Halfling. "Good," she notes, with a smile. Benel grins too, his job done. "Excellent, I'm glad to hear you four—er, five—are so keen on the matter. You work as you can, you can come back and forth all you want, as long as you bring us ears. I'm sure Shalelu can share more about the Licktoads than I can." Reaching into his side pouch of his belt, he pulls out a scroll case, which he then pops open and places on the counter, pouring out a scroll which unravels instantly, revealing a map. At the top, there is a sign that reads "Sandpoint Hinterland". "Here, take this. I've got to go find the Sheriff and inform him I've got someone on the case, And post all of these notices. But not here. Since I've, uh, already found people." A wink to Ameiko, and Benel is gone. Shalelu starts to open her mouth, confusedly, but then, Ameiko answers her question before she asks it. "He's giving them a headstart, Shae. He's not posting it here because of the high concentration of wanna-bes." Shalelu starts to open her mouth again, but Ameiko only glares at her. Shalelu smiles.

"What do you want to know?"

 

Out of Character Roll whatever you think is pertinent to knowing about Brinestump and where to start, and I'll have Shalelu fill in the blanks and give you a plot thread. Soon I'll start building my DM screen. As of this post, I'm caught up on all of my games (almost) and as such, I'll be posting fairly rapidfire. Expect it!

[PopCultureBard]

Tally Ho and Sally Forth She didn't have a real head for the logistics behind goblin hunting. I mean, why wouldn't they just walk down the road until the goblins attacked them? Her gaze flows from one face to another, eager awaiting their input into how this might work. The scarred one surely had experience with such mercenary propositions, yes? And the dwarf was Abadaran. They would do anything to line their pockets, right? Her tongue presses against the back of her teeth as she sucks breath in between them. This is good company for adventure, even if adventure is not a thing she ever saw herself seeking out. Something does gnaw at her, though, and she leans down to the halfling and whispers just inches from his ear. "Is 5 gold sails a lot of money?" She still doesn't have a point of reference for such things despite her market excursions. Probably because she was never spending her own coin. A sniff given and she remains in such close proximity. Ice blue eyes study the nature of the halfling's clothing, the state of his hair. "There is an aroma about you. Acidic, but subtle. It makes my nose tingle." And, as if presenting proof on cue, she smothers a sudden sneeze in her palm. Plucking a square of embroidered cloth its place in the neckline of her outfit, she dabs her face and rubs her hands across it. "Apologies. How unbecoming."

[Jarl11]

Time for work! She looked into the halfling's eyes as he spoke and pondered his words. Abadar was patient, not prone to quick conclusions of good or evil but more along the lines of what is best for everybody as a whole. There may be times that good intentions cause harmful results. There may be times when a dark deed must be done to better the world. The life of a justiciar is about doing what must be done, especially the dark things. The town priests are the ones trained to bring folks through repentance and out of a life of crime. But how does one explain all this to a nervous stranger in a sentence? Praeta whispered back after a moment of consideration. Praeta Mountainforge looked the others over as they each gave their intent and smiled, a slight upturn of the right side of her mouth. Standing by her pack with feet planted firmly, she crossed her strong arms. "What kinna trails be in tha marsh, elf? An' where be tha tribe concentrated? Best route?" All business she is.

[Blackfyre]

The exchange between the guardsman and the locals went entirely unnoticed by Ghosteye - and it probably was a good thing, too. Happy in obliviousness the young woman had picked up the map for a closer look. At least in regards to the road and its close environs it didn’t tell her much that she didn’t know - but it didn’t hurt having it, either.

"The weather has been holding and if your encounter," she nodded towards Praeta, "with them wasn’t too long ago, that should be the best place to start. Head out with first light down the road, see if there are any traces of the assault on you left, follow them." She shrugged. "Hell, maybe we’ll even encounter some of them that think we’d make easy prey." On first glance the halfling and the pale woman might even count as that, though neither the dwarf nor herself could be said to look harmless. Then again, goblins weren’t known for their keen minds and sound reasoning.

[Sassafrass]

Ameiko nods to the currency question. "It gets you around for a time. Not noble's standing, but it's still fairly impressive." The rest is an odd comment towards the Halfling, but he can stand up for himself. Ameiko doesn't fight battles for others that she doesn't have to. Ghosteye mentions Goblins thinking of them as easy prey. She looks fearful, towards Shalelu, but says nothing.

"Do not underestimate Goblins, Ghosteye. They are capricious, unpredictable deviants. The only thing you can be certain of is to expect the unexpected with them. Tread carefully in that Marsh, and pray you find them in better circumstances than most." She drinks from her tankard, as Praeta speaks up in her own kind, with questions. Finishing her ale, Shalelu nods. "The Old Trail, and the New. Fish trails. No one uses the old since the Licktoads set up their camp at the end of it, but that was ages ago. They may have moved on; factions, disaster. Anything. The person who would know would be Walthus Proudstump. Escaped Chelaxian slave. Halfling." Her eyes drift to Wesh, briefly, then away. "Set up in an old fishing house at the end of the New Trail. Maintains it. A good friend. Paranoid. He can help you more than I can. It's been too many seasons for me to advise."

"There is another," chimes in Koya, carefully. "Old Megus, a witch of doubtful character. Said to be a masterful conjurer, with a familiar the likes of which I would rather only remember in my dreams. A strange rat...." Sandru raises a brow. "You mean the old witch with the rat that has a man's face? Nebunie, Koya. You don't believe that... but Old Megus is terrifying. She comes in, once a month, to gather supplies, then heads back to her hovel in Brinestump. Tried to scare the children that chased her, calling her 'Old.' She was not fond of me." Ameiko snorts. "Y'mean I've had a friend in Brinestump this whole time?"

Shalelu continues the conversation without the commentary. "Be wary. There is a beast that lives in Brinestump. Not like the Sandpoint Devil... the Soggy River Monster." Sandru shivers. "My least favorite ghost story of the Lost Coast. Son of a whore, crawled out of his dead mother, killed his father, and fled to Brinestump Marsh before authorities could end it. He stalks fishermen by day, attacks them by night. He only takes the head. The body rots before the fisherman's buddies can find it. Often in a tree." Ameiko rolls her eyes.

"Give me a break. These four? Five, if you include that cutie," she winks to the tiger, "are more than enough to take on Brinestump, stories or not. I don't believe half of them. Varisian storytellers have done worse, and Chelish xenophobes hate anything that doesn't resemble their cities. No offense to Abadar, Praeta," she notes. "At any rate, I figure you bunch ought'a get on. I'll serve you breakfast, free of charge. Sandru'll help you shop for goods. If you think of anymore questions, I figure we'll all be here to see you lot off. Right?" Shalelu and Koya both agree.

"Now, we can keep this tab open, or you can get shut-eye. Your call."

The band winds down, but the night isn't old yet.

 

Out of Character Alright, you may RP, you may sleep, you may do whatevs. If you lot elect to sleep, RP your shopping, your eating, and we'll get this game started proper in a post. I figure breakfast could use some RP, but this game could use some energy

[Blackfyre]

"I’ll keep that in mind," Ghosteye assured Shalelu. The young woman was wise enough not to discount the older woman’s experience and warnings. Especially in light of how they had come to know each other.

Without great hurry she finished her dinner, resisting the temptation to have one or two pieces find it’s way to Black Moon after all. It wouldn’t be a good precedent, though. Human food was just that and should remain that. Once the last morsel had found its way into her belly she stood and stretched. The tiger looked up at her inquisitively, taking it as a cue to do likewise, eying the door.

With a hunt looming on the horizon for the next day Ghosteye figured it might be just the right time to get some sleep. "I’ll be back to grab some breakfast first thing in the morning. Black Moon’ll be more comfortable sleeping outside though. A good night to you." The two of them made their way out once more and across one of the bridges at the edge of Sandpoint to find a cozy spot amongst the trees to spend the night.

[Jarl11]

Praeta listened intently, devouring every word and inflection. No surprise that her ma had something to add, she had been about this area a long time.

"So we find an' speak ta Mister Proudstump in tha morn. Unless anyone wou' rather find tha witch?" The last word was said with a bit of distaste and hopefulness, a mix the dwarf wasn't sure of herself. "Dependin' on his knowledge, we be lookin' at tha Old Trail afterwards. For if we be lookin' fer goblins, we be takin' tha road ta goblins, nay?" A crooked smile. There was a coiled excitement about her.

She nodded goodbye to Ghosteye and Black Moon, admiring the way the cat moved in the dim light. Then she turned back to her family, including their friends and newly invited to join. "Suppose a proper dwarf outta have another drink with her brotha." Normally she'd head to bed herself but this was a different night than normal. She was in hugging range of her family again so nothing would be more right than to enjoy their company for the evening.

[PopCultureBard]

Whatchu Tryna Say? "Goblins are bizarre and detestable. I say we ask someone bizarre and detestable." She watches the dwarf, an eyebrow arched and her lips a narrow line. Praeta's voice falls slightly at the word witch, her left eye twitching. These things, these social tics, are quite familiar to Katrina. "The witch sounds territorial. She would observe the goings on in 'her swamp' very closely." She does her level best to seem neutral but there is a edge to her words. A bristling of sorts. Part irritation at the discomfort the others felt about the witch, part desire to meet what passes for a witch in these lands. ~ Nothing good can come of this. ~ She huffs an exhale, the breath kicking a strand of white-gold out of her face. It is bad enough hearing it from the outside but the inner dialogue never stops. She taps her finger on the bar to summon another drink. One was usually her limit but she also wasn't usually setting off to kill swamp goblins the next morning, either. "Either way, I'll need to buy some appropriate travel equipment." By the bottom of the second stein her eyes are glassy and her mouth is dry. An arm braced on the bar supports her head, chin planted in her palm, as she considers the difficulties to come.

[Sassafrass]

Sandru is invited to drink. "Aye t' tha', dear sister!" His caricature of her voice is not very accurate, but it's meant to be more affectionate than not. Shalelu laughs at the siblings' affection and Koya, likewise, orders a drink. Ameiko can't help but offer her own help. Ghosteye mentions that she'll see them all in the morning, heading outside. "Hope it's as idyllic as you make it sound," the Elf notes, and turns back to the Halfling and the witch. "Writing's on the wall."

Ameiko smiles, cleaning glasses. "But what does that writing say?" She offers anyone who needs a room one for the evening, something Sandru does not note but is entirely intended for. The songs become more sober, less intense, until finally the song and dance ends on a high note, before people begin to drink their way out of the Rusty Dragon, or upstairs, or not. Sandru has blacked out, hard. Koya helps him upstairs, along with Ameiko. Shalelu disappears somewhere in the night.

Soon, it is only the bartender and her bar, on a warm summer night.

---

12 Gozran, 4711
Sandpoint
The Lost Coast, Varisia

Dawn approaches, and with it the prospects of adventure.

Slowly, one by one, they appear. Coming from upstairs or the wilds or elsewhere, they arrive for a private breakfast. Koya comes from her home; Shalelu, from who-knows-where. Ameiko comes from home, the first to arrive and somehow Bethana shows up; from where is unclear. The Halfling servant of the Kaijitsu family gladly cooks the bread, cuts the ham, prepares the beans. Sandru is the last of the four friends to arrive, from upstairs, slowly, requiring Koya to wake him and bring him down. The others, those heading to Brinestump Marsh, arrive in their own time, the food prepared.

"Good morning," notes Koya to them, working as a kind of waitress as she brings food; or perhaps, more of a mother. Sandru, however, has his head laying on the bar, with a steaming cup of strange brown liquid, a Keleshite drink called "coffee." "Never going to drink again. Never going to... kill Praeta.... never again...." Ameiko, behind the bar, glares at him, before slamming a tankard on the bartop.

"Stop your whinin', you big baby. She drank you under the table. Now take your handover like a Varisian!" Into the tankard she pours a bowl of four eggs, before salting it. Shalelu, sitting at the table with the others, eats with perfect etiquette, something unexpected of her. She eats quietly. Abandoning Sandru to the bar, soon Koya and Ameiko join them at the table, and the questions begin.

"So, which one are you going to hit up first? Walthus, or Old Megus?" Ameiko's question is innocent enough. Koya and Shalelu share a look. Shalelu seems insistent. "Don't go near Megus. She's... potentially dangerous." Koya nods. "Largely a quack, most of her potions are more experiments than actual magical balms. But she knows enough to be dangerous and enough to curse others. I wouldn't put it past her to have made a pact with a darker power... not that that in and of itself is a bad thing." She does not look at anyone with that comment, and shovels beans into her mouth.

Ameiko nods. "Proudstump sounds like he'd be a better bet. There aren't legends surrounding him, for one thing, and the New Fishing Trail is supposed to be really fun. Well-walked by fishermen. Not a lot of sightings of the Soggy River Monster." Shalelu nods. "Further away from the Goblins, I think. Their base of operations changes, but is generally along the Old Trail." Koya goes onto a new line of questioning. "What kind of supplies have you bought? Certainly a tent, I hope, and consider a few potions. I did not have time to make them last night, or else I would have done so. You'll need to be off soon, but do remember you can come back to Sandpoint for recovery if you become injured." Shalelu nods.

Ameiko has something else on her mind. "Can I just point out how morbid it is, to collect money for ears? I mean, sure, they're Goblin ears: no love lost. But they're ears!"

Shalelu shrugs. "You should be more worried about how clean the ears are."

Ameiko puts her fork aside.

Sandru groans from the bar.

 

Out of Character Alright, folks, what have we bought for the trip? Converse as needed. Hopefully we'll have less of a gap between posts; I hadn't meant for this to be so long

[PopCultureBard]

Morning Gory Katrina rises early, taking the time to bathe and compare accessories against her new outfit. Leather and linen, rugged linings and no loose sleeves. Adventuring garb, she was told, for the roughest of travels. Her lips curl into a frown despite herself, the feel of cotton on her skin so abrasive compared to the silks she grew up in. Gloves drawn over her hands, boots strapped on her feet and two gaudy hoops set into her lobes. "Just because you are hunting monsters doesn't mean you can't try to look good." The words are muttered to an empty room. Rather, as empty a room as there ever is for her. She can feel that stirring in her brain, the rising of a second consciousness. Never truly alone. Pulling the pack over her shoulder and the crossbow onto her back, she takes one last look in the mirror. The hazy, bearded face behind her seems to approve. She takes up the hinged scythe like a walking stick and stalks out into the world. "A fine morning, indeed." She is in a chair now, with a plate in front of her and faces gathered around. She works her fingers out of the gloves and takes up a fork, testing the eggs with a prod. Her eyes linger on her left ringfinger, the green-tinged translucent digit with the band of gold resting on the scarred knuckle. It unsettles her even after all this time. Egg brought to lips, a few chews and she smiles to Ameiko and the halfling. She eats slowly, kerchief touched to her lips when appropriate, as the others speak. She bristles. It seems she is doing that a lot now, that slight frown and narrowing of eyes. The adamant dismissal of Old Megus as dangerous hits a nerve. There are words in her glower but she doesn't give them voice, instead taking a sip from the tankard and pushing the plate away. Her hands fold over one another on the table before her and a tilt of her head pulls that white-gold braid over her left shoulder. "Very well, though I must admit to some curiosity about this Soggy River Monster. My homeland was filled with such rumors and I'd be most interested in seeing the truth behind this one." A pause, her eyes shifting to Koya then. "I have procured appropriate clothing and sleeping materials as well as some..." Again her nose wrinkles, displeasure evident. "...dried rations. I have a restorative potion remaining from my travels but I have little left to trade with so my recommendation is to remain vigilant and avoid injury. Oh..." She rummages into the pack beside her, pulling out a sack with a slight sheen to it. "...and a treated bag to keep ears in. I wouldn't want goblin blood all over my food."

[Blackfyre]

As usual, Ghosteye rose with sun. Usually she’d find the closest brook to clean up a bit, but with the town so close, she just decided to wash herself at the well or at the Rusty Dragon. This time, she needed to keep a lot more attention on Black Moon, who showed himself easily distracted by the smell of breakfast wafting out of more than just one house. She decided that this was as good an opportunity to build on what training he already had as any and headed for the well, first. The tiger needed to learn that, especially in a town, he had to listen to Ghosteye and could not just run off when his whims took him or his stomach asked for it.

The young woman took her time to wash herself while the big cat lay on the ground beside her, tail swishing back and forth with impatience. The pot of water she had offered him when they got to the well was already empty and he practically jumped up as soon as Ghosteye was done and started heading for the Rusty Dragon, praising his patience.

She made her way back into the common room, wishing those already assembled a good morning. The smell of breakfast made her own stomach rumble and she lost little time to fill her own plate and ask for some raw meat for her feline companion.

"I’d say talk to whoever lives closest to Sandpoint. If that doesn’t help us, we can go to the other person." She had listened intently to the various suggestions and didn’t mind talking with either or both of the folks living in the Marsh. "And I’ve gotta agree with Katrina here: don’t have the money for any potions either." Ghosteye shrugged. They’d just have to be careful.

 

Lemme know what the feline breakfast costs Ghosteye, please.

Btw, between the map and the descriptions, does Ghosteye know where to find the Walthus and Megus?

[Jarl11]

"Nay potions meself. Me hands wou' like a wand o' healin' ta be honest." Praeta had just entered the common room and set her things against the wall in a neat pile out of the way.

It had been a good evening, she drank enough that she felt parched this morning. Which meant that poor Sandru was probably not doing well - a lingering look of amusement and affection confirmed his state at the bar. She wouldn't poke fun at him this morning, it was time for business.

The dwarf had roused herself about an hour and a half ago, late for her normal routine but nothing about this was normal. The past while was spent in mediation and prayer, mingled with sips of water, before addressing her appearance. She was dressed in armor, banded strips of metal over leather, her hair was pulled back and tied to be out of the way and her skin was freshly washed. It would not do to hunt filthy goblins when one smelled like one themselves.

"Good idea... Ghosteye, were it? Best ta be orderly an' find tha closest contact first." She turned calm eyes to regard Katrina. The woman had seemed offended by something the other evening and made a passive challenge after Praeta had mentioned the witch. There was usually a reason behind such fluctuations in emotion. Of course, the faithful of Abadar had let the challenge go unanswered except with a curious look from her piercing eyes.

She kissed her mother on the cheek, slapped Sandru on the back and waved to Ameiko behind the bar. Then Praeta hesitated, an uncomfortable emotion for her, before leaning over the bar to smell her brother's drink. He still smelled like booze so she just had to verify that he wasn't still drinking ale like an 18 year old boy. Then she made her way to a seat at the table and settled in for a hearty meal.

"May yer day be fortunate after tha bright mornin' everyone. Let's make some coin, shall we?"

 

OOC I DID only spend 250 of that 300 gp item Sass was kind enough to toss our way... if I could use the remainder for a wand of CLW - 50 gp would mean 3.33 charges. So a nearly used up wand could give us a little boost and this dwarf or the nasty witch could use it. What do ya think?? Maybe Koya has one...

[PIG]

Believe it or not, Wesh would much rather encounter the old witch and her supposed array of potions rather than the halfling escaped slave. Every fiber in his being wishes this but after the clues dropped by the locals and the attitude of his fellow party he knows that they'll be visiting Walthus Proudstump no matter his vote. But what's to be afraid of a halfling anyhow?

'Plenty' thinks Wesh as returns to the Rusty Dragon that morning after a few purchases with what's left in his purse. 'Your family has done enough to earn the escaped slave's hate and resentment, the blood money squeezed out of every chelish soul.' His inner dialog silences as he sees the beautiful tiger that has returned with it's master in morning, the group preparing. 'Beware' warns the voice coldly and Wesh shivers despite his self. He looks to the smiling dwarf upon his return and he hopes they don't discover what monster is among them.

When asked Wesh chooses to just visit Old Megus. "Besides, who would know best than some old witch about swamps, bogs, and goblins? Also, I'm very curious of her ability in alchemy. I dabble in it and learning from another master would be of benefit. I'm willing to hand out some potions of cure light wounds if you guys agree to that!" He rattles out three potions as if to entice them with the offer. "I wouldn't go to the halfling if I were any of you, particularly an ex-slave. They tend to be poorly educated and, I should know this, halflings are more apt to spread rumors of Soggy River Monsters than to squash them. Take my word!" He then sees what they will decide and hopes for the best.

As the halfling devours his eggs, perfectly cooked and salted, his eyes stray to the lovely Katrina Wildcat. She's no less beautiful in her adventuring clothes absent of her furs, her icy looks and movement making her exotic and striking, when he notices her touching her finger with the gloves neatly stacked by the plate. He chews his eggs thoughtfully and glances down at her hand as she appears to be in deep thought. That's strange, he didn't notice that yesterday. Then he straightens up suddenly and swallows his eggs with a choke, adjusting his glasses and not believing what he is seeing. "Um hey! Your finger, it's green and ghostly. Are you okay!? Is that... contagious or anything?" The green transparent thing looks like something out of faraway Ustalav, a creeping crawling thing that pokes under your door at night. A single golden band floats there on the finger, as real and bright as gold can be, reflecting the fire and sunlight streaming into the tavern this morning before adventure.

[PopCultureBard]

Light Fingered "The halfman..." No, no. These are my companions now. Proper names. "...rather, Wesh here has a point. My experiences with slaves and halfmen bare out that assessment." She sets her chin in her palm, tapping her index finger against her teeth and smiling around the gesture. "Old Megus has promise for our venture." She is about to elaborate on the subject when Wesh's next line of questioning snaps her mouth shut, her brow furrowing. "Calm yourself." She splays the fingers of her left hand between them. "It is no sickness. A reminder from home, nothing more." Her head lifts from her palm and she passes the fingers of that hand through the ghostly digit. They stop at the ring, unable to move through it, and then draw back again. "Perhaps I can explain it further on the road."