Introducing Manut
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
OOC: Ty, what time is it? What was the watch order we decided upon? I know Mission was to take the 2nd watch. . . I think. . .
Mission will offer the boy some of his water, but will otherwise let Rennick take the lead with him.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
Farron eyes the boy on the way back to camp. He certainly looks like he's seen some rough days out here. Farron note the bruises and lumps and asks Rennik to question the boy further. "What has happened to him? Who has done this?"
Back in camp he rummages through his pack until he finds a piece of sweet biscuit for Jack and feeds him while chattering congratulations to him for a job well done.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
Actually, it was after 2am when Farron awoke, which is why Garyth was on watch. I think I used 'midnight' as a descriptor, but all I actually meant was 'dark'. Sorry about that. Being too flowery. :)
[waiting on Matt's convo with the boy]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
After I emailed out, I took a look at a the archives and realized that Garyth was on the last watch. . . I was mainly concerned about who'd be on watch with the n00b.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
Cadfael wakens quickly as Garyth shakes his shoulder. Once told of the situation he quietly gets his mace and shield and crouches by a tree, waiting for whatever happens next.
Seeing the Halfling child being brough toward camp he takes note of his wounds and realizes that he may soon be called upon to lend some healing. Quickly, before the group reaches the camp fire he will a detect evil spell to reassure himself that this halfling child is as it seems.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
[Situational information]
There is no campfire. Someone at camp will need to make a light of some kind, though any of the magic users can create magical light easily.
[Game info]
Cadfael's detect evil spell finds nothing ominous about the boy. He is revealed to be exactly what he seems. A scared young boy.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cries in the night; stalking the crybaby
Mission will quietly advise against a fire-- if the boy needs warmth, he will lend him a blanket.
Rennick's initial instincts on making camp were wisest-- and the addition of a scared halfling boy doesn't change the fact that they are on hostile ground.
From: Ty
Subject: Cries in the night; a halflings tale
The party gathers around the small boy. Cadfael says, "I can't see anything." Then there is a rustling sound, and suddenly bright light fills the clearing, emanating from a glove he holds in his hand. He quickly covers the glove in his hand, till only a dim glow shines out, allowing the party to see each other, and the boy.
The boy reacts to this obvious magic with fright, and only calms down when Rennik puts his arm around him and whispers to him in the Halfling tongue. Sa'id, who speaks Halfling, recognizes the word for "holy man". The boy looks around at the group with wide eyes, but says nothing until Rennik begins questioning him in their native language. Sa'id quietly translates for those who do not speak Halfling.
Rennik asks, "You are a long way from home, how did you get into the jungle?"
In fits and starts, with occasional prodding from Rennik, the boy tells you his story...
His name is Manut. He is the fourth son of Jurkut, the chief of the Logi. He says this with pride, and it is clear that he holds his family in high regard. He has seen fourteen winters, which Rennik knows means he is at least a year or two before his manhood trial.
He tells you that a hunter named Kulik brought him here. Kulik was one of his brother's friends, just a few years older than he. Kulik tricked him into coming into the woods, and then beat him when he tried to leave. He was taking him to the jungle, but before they could enter, Manut was able to escape.
Rennik presses him on this. Why was he being taken to the jungle? What did Kulik want? Why was he being beaten?
Manut cries, and claims not to know. When Rennik pushes him further, he breaks down and sobs. When finally he speaks again, he says that he has shamed his father, and that he will never be let back into his tribe. He will never see his family again.
A brave warrior named Fayten had risen to great prestige in the tribe. He was known for his skill and bravery in the hunt, and many thought that Jurkut would name him the successor to lead the tribe. When Jurkut named his own oldest son as heir, the friends of Fayten spoke ill of him, saying that he favored a weaker leader, and that his love for his son blinded him to the good of the tribe. The truth was, Jurkut's eldest son was a capable leader and brave hunter in his own right, though he lacked Fayten's skill at self aggrandizement. It was widely known that Fayten himself spread many of the most malicious rumors about Jurkut's choice.
Gradually, Fayten's small band of hunters began separating themselves off from the tribe. Some thought that when Jurkut died, Fayten and his hunters would challenge the new leader, and take over the tribe. Manut admits that he was fascinated by this group of hardened hunters, and dreamed of joining their elite group one day. His own brother had never paid attention to him, and Manut felt little loyalty to him. So when Kulik, the youngest of Fayten's band, began to pay attention to him, he was flattered.
But they were just using him. He was tricked into getting his brother alone, Kulik told him that they wanted to talk to him, but when Manut's brother was found murdered, he knew what had happened. Kulik warned him that if he ever told, he would be murdered too, so he hid his shame and fear.
One by one, Fayten's band disappeared. No one knew where they were going, and they did not return. Last to go was Kulik. Before he left, he took Manut aside and told him that they had discovered a wonderful secret, and they felt gratitude to Manut, so they wanted to share it with him. Manut, desperate to escape his shame, went with Kulik when he left the village.
Once outside the village, though, Kulik's attitude changed. He began to beat Manut, telling him that he was an idiot, and useful only as a "gift", whatever that meant. They went into the jungle, and stopped at an old building. Kulik seemed to be waiting for something. After a few days, another group appeared. It was a tall woman in armor, with several men. One of Fayten's hunters was leading her group. They spent the night at the building, and Kulik sat with them while they spoke. Manut was driven off and locked in a back room. The tall lady had taken one look at him and said, "He isn't one of us." After that, Kulik beat him and locked him away.
Manut found a loose stone in the wall, and before the morning came was able to push it out and slip out the narrow crack. Though, once he escaped he was lost, having never been in this part of the forest before. He prayed to Mielikki, but there was no answer. He has wandered the forest for a day now, waiting to die. He sees Rennik as the answer to his prayers, though he does not know how he will face his father again, after his treachery.
After he stops speaking, it is clear that he is exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. Mission pulls the blanket around the shivering boy with a tenderness that is not odd, considering his own search for his child. Cadfael gives the boy food and water, and uses a minor healing magic to ease his pain. Once the boy has eaten, he quickly falls asleep.
[You can talk about this info if you want, or just settle back in for the night. If everyone could check in at least, I would appreciate it.]