Completed Nuit in the Woods

[Crypt]

32nd of Fall, 512 AV (The 21st bell) The strange duo, a Zith and a Drykas from their appearances - The many intricate tattoos of the topless Drykas, his shirt slung over his shoulder, the ebon wings of the Zith - accompanied by what seemed to be a Cyphrus Strider attracted little attention from the nearby townsfolk; it was already night. They stopped at the entrance of the Traveler's Row and the Drykas spoke. "Right then, Chaude. Guess it's time to for me have a kip. 'Twas good having a spar with you. We should do it again some time. Still, we won't have the time to do so for a few days. We've agreed to help the merchant," and here Crypt pointed to Cain Dekarda's ghost, translucent and pearly-white, floating beside Chaude. "And we'll do it." He turned towards the entrance and walked a few steps towards it, before inclining his head to Chaude. "Have a good night. See you tomorrow at dawn." And Crypt strolled up the steps, accompanied by Maras.

[Chaude]

"Agreed."

As Crypt and his Cyphrus Strider retired for the night, the ghost of Cain Dekarda followed Chaude as he made way to his room.

"I can't fantom how a Zith can interact on equal with a Drykas, a Human no less," Cain mused.

Cain started to sound more Human since they first met him. Feeling lost, confused, hopeless, yet unable to find rest. Still, Chaude couldn't help but be curious to a Ghost who would use the word "phantom." Rather ironic, yet...

"...Equal?" Chaude paused as he barely turn the nob to his room.

The word felt strange. He at first looked down on his family's slaves. He realized when Bane was confronted to lose his old ways, that learning from other cultures is the way to the future and prosperity to the Zith. He nods as he twisted the nob all the way and entered into his room.

The room is nothing noteworthy, just what you'd expect for a low-rent place like the Traveler's Row.

"Crypt bold. May become servant someday," Chaude concluded.

"'May,' you say. Are the Zith now unsure of there own culture to that of how the masses understand little of markets?"

For a Ghost, Cain seemed modest, with a bit of a spunk to his own surprise and curiosity.

"Zith in old ways. Me wish new way. Learn from Humans," Chaude sat in a wooden chair in the dark. With the moon out, there was ample of lighting for his nocturnal eyes.

"Learn from Humans you say? Hmm...would you like to learn a few things about how Merchants do business?"

Chaude's head twitched towards Cain's direction, interest piqued. Nodding, this could prove useful on how Zith can further increase in prosperity in the economic field.

"Do you know why Merchants even exist, Chaude?" Cain deliberately inquires.

Chaude remained silent.

"By that perhaps not. Not every area has the same resources that the land provides. Merchants are the ones who supply goods, and even service, to those who can't normally get them themselves. This is called, Supply and Demand."

Cain uses his ghostly hands to make what looks like a graph, making an 'X' shape with his hands within his imaginary graph. His right hand the Demand curve, left hand Supply curve.

"Ideally, a merchant would want the supply to be equally on par with demand, however..." Shifting his right hand up, he continues, "Now should there be higher demand than what can be supplied, the price rises, becoming more scare to having easily attainable access to that good or service."

He soon shifted his hand back into an 'X' and lowered his left hand.

"And the opposite reason could cause the same problem. Should the supply be cut, even though demand didn't change, scarcity and higher prices would ensue. Now if the supply was too ample, that's just as bad, as there's no profit to be made. A merchant can't live without food too."

Cain titled his head down, thinking with a longing face.

"Pain?" Chaude was unsure of how to call it.

Cain took his time to nod and say,"My wife. I never could bring the goods I had with me back to our shop. She's suffering. That alone scares me more than anything anymore. I...just want to see her smile one more time. Of course, removing those Nuits as well!"

Nodding, Chaude was unsure of helping this Ghost, but hearing more about him and learning a bit about how markets operate, he felt moved to see this through and grant the Ghost his two wishes.

"Oh, I'm forgetting that I longer requiring sleep, I mustn't keep you from slumber. My apology."

"Night is Zith's Day. Travel during sunlight unavoidable. Need to take your recommendation despite dislike to sunlight," squeaked a couple times, Chaude frowned about traveling during the day. The employment office was hard enough when visited. Heck he still needs to find a job to make money.

"Good night then, young Zith," Cain pardoned himself and soon left Chaude alone.

Laying in his bed, having a purpose does feel nice to boredom, but what kind of job would really suit him. That one place, or...?

[Crypt]

The scratching of a quill against parchment, with the occasional soft 'tink' as the quill hit a bottle of black ink, broke the silence in Crypt's room. Maras was already out cold; the Strider had already fell asleep, tired out from the exhaustive gallop earlier that day. His slow, rhythmic breathing was a balm to Crypt's troubled mind. ...Spar was alright, seems like Chaude's not quite as experienced as I am with his weapon. Still, those talons of his are rather... dangerous. Could put out someone's eyes if he wasn't careful. Crypt used a corner of the parchment to wipe off the residual ink on the quill, capping the bottle of ink and placing both writing instruments back in his leather backpack. He closed his rudimentary journal and moved over to his bed, where he sank down on it with a sigh. [i]Nuit... Uncle's said something about them before. I still don't remember much, but was it something about killing them? Ah, yes, chopping off their heads would kill them straight off. Their decomposed bodies only makes it easier; the bones in their neck should be softened. Still, it's almost the same with everyone. Off with their heads! And they all die...” And Crypt drifted off to sleep.

(OOC: Just start next morning, at dawn in the next post.)

[Chaude]

The rays of sunlight began to rise over the city. Chaude was not one to let too much of it come into his room. His wings felt a bit stiff from yesterday's spar, rolling around on some rocks was not something a Zith trains for, at least in Chaude's biological and foster families.

Going over to the other side of his room, he opens a large chest filled with salt. Preserves the quality of his beef jerky supply. Chomping through a few of them, and taking a few swigs out of his waterskin, the meaty juices within felt pleasurable to his predator instinct. It's the only controllable habit Chaude's managed to get down to make him less tempted to go eat somebody. Though at least once week, his urges do force him to flee the city under darkness and kill some poor animal to feast upon to satisfy his primal hunger.

Taking another bite, he really wanted more time to sleep. Being awake at this time is an irritable experience, before and now. Still, he and Crypt did agreed to help...

"Good morning, Chaude," the ghost of Cain's head appeared from beneath the wooden floor. That startled Chaude a bit.

"Morning."

"Your comrade is nearly ready. I accidentally witnessed him having to go take a leak. I would much apologized for intruding, but, well, even a ghost I wish to forget and disappeared before he knew it."

More of his body appeared from the floor until his full figure was visible.

"What 'leak' mean?" Chaude tilted his head, genuinely confused.

If a ghost could blush, this would've been the time to do so for poor Cain's soul.

"It means...hmm...Uh, why don't you go ask Crypt yourself. I seem to have forgotten," concluded Cain as he started to go through the wall.

"Meet Crypt and I at the entrance why your..." A female scream from the next room could be heard through the wall, "...Sorry miss, many pardons," Cain tilts his head through the wall, only to make the screaming even louder...

Something about a pervy ghost ought've been exorcised, or something. Chaude had no idea what 'perv' meant. Maybe ask Crypt that too.

Chaude packs his travel gear, with a week's worth of jerky included. He heads out and soon awaits for Crypt to arrive.

[Crypt]

33rd of Fall, 512 AV (Dawn) "Goddamnit Maras, I'm already awake! You've been with me for over 9 years, can't you tell the difference?" Crypt pushed Maras' head away, attempting (and failing) to ignore Maras while he used his tongue to invent a new hairstyle. Crypt stifled a groan as he felt the sore muscles (a result of the spar the previous day) protest rather loudly at their usage. Staggering to the small area allocated for... doing business, he pulled down his pants and let it fly. "Ahh... That's the spot... Damn, I must have drank a lot yesterday..." And that was when Cain Dekarda decided to pop in to have a look, rising from the toilet bowl. (Or rather, what appeared to be one) A girlish scream filled the air, and Crypt jumped back, landing painfully on the ground, his muscles causing even more pain, with his... family jewels still dangling out. Luckily, he had finished urinating a moment before Cain appeared. However, Cain got a full blast of urine. It didn't hurt him in any way, of course, but having a stream of urine pass through your head is most unpleasant, as Cain will attest. He looked stunned for a moment before departing quickly through another wall. Crypt groaned and lay down on the floor in a supine position. "Damn that ghost... Knew I shouldn't have accepted that quest..." After an indeterminate amount of time, Crypt got up and corrected his attire. He gave a yawn, stretching his arms and then strolled briskly to the small table provided, upon which his leather backpack was placed. Maras was already at the doorstep, stamping his front hooves eagerly. Crypt smiled as he beheld the Strider's enthusiasm. Man, Maras really wants to get out. Well, I can't deny him that. I've told the people at the Stables that I'd be going out. Hopefully they keep my job. Anyway... Speaking of money... Crypt muttered a curse. Shit! I didn't pay the rent! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... This is not good. Stuffing a chunk of bread into his mouth, the remains of his purchase at the Grand Bazaar, he grabbed his leather backpack and dashed out of his room, followed closely behind by Maras.

[Chaude]

Finding what little shade there was outside, Chaude simply observed the locals passing by. The usual stares of those afraid of him, a Zith, and others pacing faster past him. Just one more reason he prefers to coming out at night. Though what can he do to learn more about these Humans without frightening them to even learn from?

Crypt and his trusted horse came out, rushing as a matter of fact, along with Cain's ghost tagging right behind him. Cain facial expression seems different today.

"Do you two warriors need to purchase anything before we set off?" Cain inquired.

It's one thing when there's a Zith in broad daylight within a mostly Human population, but a Zith, a Drykas, and a Ghost conversing? There has to be a bar joke somewhere.

"Ready," Chaude simply stated.

(OOC: If you could start the journey, good chance for wilderness survival ideas)

[Crypt]

“Nah, I'm good. Let's go.” Crypt set off with a brisk walk, followed closely behind by Maras, who was trying very hard to ignore the carrots carried by a middle-aged lady with grey hair and what appeared to be a permanent smile on her face. Maras succeeded, and the odd trio continued walking towards Syliras' Main Gates and... Adventure. --- Crypt gazed fondly at the beautiful structures that were named the Main Gates, some distance away from the dusty, well-trodden crossroads they were on. The sun was shining, though not too hot or bright, he had a song running through his mind that he was currently humming with great enthusiasm, and everyone looked well. Or rather, only Maras and himself looked hale and hearty. Chaude was a Zith who displayed a healthy dislike of the sun, and as such his skin wasn't... quite pink. As for Cain, well... Ghosts are a different matter. All in all, it would be a great day. “Now, where would east be? Zeltivar's towards the east, right?” He muttered, saying the last part out, questioning Cain, who nodded once and then resumed his estimations of the remaining stock his wife had left. “Right then,” Crypt shaded his eyes with his left gloved hand, and looked at the sun, “The sun rises in the east... So that's the road!” He pointed in the rough direction of a long, winding path that led into the golden forest that was the Bronze Woods. “Let us... proceed.” He started moving towards the Woods, jogging at a moderate pace, before suddenly bursting into song, the lyrics wafting over the hills and plains. “We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun...”

[Chaude]

Traveling upon the eastern road for a while now, Chaude had kept silent, bearing with the sunlight and all of its unholy glory. It pains him to admit, but he really should've looked into finding a hood to buy for occasions like right now.

He had lost track of how long and how often Crypt had sung a tune or two to pass the time faster. Chaude just wishes the eventual fighting happen at night. But what would they expect once they find them?

"...Cain. What do Nuit posses?" Chaude inquired out of the blue.

The ghost hovers in front of them as all three stop momentarily.

"They do have the weapons and armor I was transporting. I'd be weary, as some of them were of good quality," sounding sincere, Cain left it at that.

That bugged Chaude. How good of quality is he talking about? Still, the day was somewhat high, and questioning further would only foul his concentration to keep cool under the sun's rays.

They continued marching east.

(OOC: Couldn't find any monsters/animals for this area. Head to Dusk time and survival skills in camp site prep. work?)

[Crypt]

Before sunset Crypt knelt to the ground, using his left hand to pick up a few hard, round black pellets. He crumbled them and placed the fragments close to his nose, inhaling and analysing the scent. He smiled as he recognised the smell and texture, though it was slightly different from what he was familiar with. He washed his hand in the stream before speaking a few words. “I know this spoor... Rabbits have been here to drink. Not long ago, their droppings are still quite moist on the inside. Now, where would they be...” He motioned for Chaude and Cain to be silent. Cain dematerialized, becoming fully transparent. With the setting sun at his back, Crypt squatted next to the small stream, unmoving, his eyes darting from one side to the other as he observed the muddy ground before him, near the rabbit pellets he had found. It took a few minutes of aimless searching before he found what he was searching for. There. Crypt spotted a few small, oval-like impressions made in the ground. He looked further away to see more of those marks, and estimated their direction. “Move away from the stream, don't touch anything as much as possible. I'm going to see if I can find myself some rabbits to snare.” He muttered to his companions. Crypt left Maras grazing some distance away, and, placing down his leather backpack and longsword at the base of an oak tree, started to move stealthily towards the direction of the beats, taking care not to tread on the trail. Some twenty minutes later, after Crypt lost the trail a few times, which forced him to backtrack, he found himself staring at a large hole at the base of a large tree, its leaves slowly turning red and gold. He smirked. Perfect. The run's as clear as it could be. Damn. I'll have to set up a simple deadfall trap. Almost time for the rabbits to come out. I'll have to hurry. Crypt picked up a few branches, strong and firm, and used his knife to make a few notches in them, testing them ever so often to see if they fit together. He then rubbed them in the mud to get rid of his scent as much as possible. Crypt stuck the branches into the muddy ground, stabilising them, placing them in the shape of 'four' to the side of the run. He heaved over a large log and carefully balanced it on the top of the stick figure, testing it methodically to see if it would work. Satisfied, he scattered leaves over the trap and then slowly, steadily walked back to his companions. Every now and then, he made a mental note of the location of the snare. If the snare fails, I can still get some bird eggs or birds if I search the trees. My rations are fine, so even if I can't catch anything, well, I won't be going hungry. “Come now,” he spoke softly to Chaude and Cain. “Let us go to a forest clearing I saw nearby. It would be best if we did nothing to disturb this area. I have set up a rudimentary snare at a rabbit-hole, and if we are lucky it should give us at least one rabbit.” Crypt strode off towards the clearing, whistling for Maras to follow him. The lengthening rays of the setting sun grew a darker shade of crimson red.

[Accolade]

Crypt Insatem

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Wilderness Survival	+ 1 XP
Tracking	+ 1 XP
Land navigation	+ 1 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	How to set a snare
•	Going searching for Nuits
•	Ghost can appear anywhere

Notes :

I hated that this one didn't get finished. I was looking forward to modding for you two. If Claude returns then I will add in his grade.

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.