The group in front of Drix was quick to move, hastily grabbing their possessions and walking into the forest. Not willing to be left behind, he followed.
The group was fortunately not used to movement in the forest, giving him ample room to catch up.
Maximon and Zenoda, as usual, were the only one to react to him. Zenoda gave him a wave as Maximon spoke up, "Where do you come from Drix?" he asked, allowing Umber to walk freely.
Drix tried not to scratch his head in thought of an answer. He couldn't effectively make up a good story, as he has never been outside of this region.
Finally banking his hope on an answer, he responded, "I travelled around with my father, who was a druid. We never stayed in one place for too long."
Maximon nodded, "Definitely the backstory of a good adventurer, you've seen lots of places then?" expectance covered his tone, probably looking for a specific answer.
Drix withdrew as much false information from his answer as possible, while still answering it, "My father always led us through forests and mountains, never through much else."
Maximon nodded, "Alright then, if you don't mind me asking, what race was your father? I cant tell if you a tall halfling, or a short human." he laughed at his own joke.
Expecting the question, Drix was quick to respond, "My father was actually an orc, which was why he didn't like towns. And before you ask, my mother was a halfling, I didn't know her though."
Maximon looked impressed, "Well I suppose I've heard less believable thing that turned out true, ill take your word for it. Umber said it was nice to meet you, and she has a more magical judge of character than i do. Plus, ya got us out of a jiffy." he said, putting emphasis on magical.
The aforementioned girl was walking in the front, the shrubbery and plant life that stood in her way moved to the side.
Drix had never seen magic like that before, simply staring at it would be enough to keep him busy on what would likely be a long walk.
Maximon didn't seem to appreciate the silence though, unlike his companions he still flapped his mouth around, "Hey Drix, you want us to mend that armor of yours?"
Taking his mind off the druids display of magic, he turned to Maximon, "Is that what you did with the armor you gave me?"
The trickster was quick to respond, "Yep, we used some mending magic, then Umber caked some nice fresh mud on it." He sounded very proud of himself, like he got a kick out of doing it.
Drix nodded, he figured it was a magical sort of trick. Maximon took it as consent to place his palm on Drix's shoulder, shimmering cyan magic exuding off of it. The magic coming off his hands was very alluring and very pretty. It looked like a beautiful painting of a coral ocean, with all the pretty colours and shades that came with the sight. Drix has yet to see such and ocean but, the sight was entrancing to him and reminded him of water none the less.
The gambeson's loose strands of fabric around the holes and scratches, glowed cyan and flowed like rivers. They weaved around each other like they were knit back together by invisible magic hands. Every hole and scratch was gone. The stains followed soon after, most of whatever that stuck to the fabric falling off like crust. Small bits of dirt and blood remained, but it was remarkably more clean and dry.
Maximon took his hand off Drix's shoulder after giving it a pat, then poked his helmet with his pinky. Small pops and a grinding screech assaulted Drix's ears. Grabbing at his own head, he lurched his head away from Maximon's hand.
"Now now, just trying to mend that dented helmet of yours, guess you've never heard it done on metal huh?"
Drix felt at his helmet, his visor was still on and hiding his face, everything was in order. His glove did not catch on any scratches, and he could not feel any dents that used to bump his head if he swiveled it too fast.
Drix was about to thank him, but Maximon got the first word in, "You inherit your skin colour from your father?".
His small heart skipped a beat, he could feel piercing and analyzing eyes looking at him. Lowering his arms and covering his wrists with the edge of his gambeson, he changed the subject, "Thanks for taking care of my helmet, how much do I owe you now?"
The only response was a smirk and suppressed chuckle, as he shook his head and followed the rest of the group. Waving at Drix behind him to continue following. Thinking of a better way to make his story believable, he followed behind at a distance.
Following the group was no issue, they talked and talked loud enough to hear where they were. Drix may not have understood a single thing but, he fidgeted endlessly at the loud noises and stimulations he was not used to. This was his goal, he wanted this, however, he was never built for it. His hormones will endlessly pump, filling him with bloodlust to kill the nearest living thing. His brain will endlessly suggest the same thing.
Until he got used to it, he convinced himself, he just had to get used to it. Determination raised his head, straightened his back and relaxed his shoulders. Drix let his body stay there, filling his head with his faux story.
"I am Drix, I am half halfling, and half orc, I am not goblin." He said to himself, just under his own breath and barely loud enough for the sound to enter his own ears.
A clearing opened in the forest ahead, revealing flattened grass and the emergence of dirt. Trees were cut down to form logs and stumps to sit on, most lay in front of a stone lined fire pit. The group casually sat down to rest.
Madove claimed herself a stump all to herself. She sat and leaned back, resting her palms on the stump and placing her weight onto them. Then she crossed her legs, placing her boot next to the pit. Finally, she groaned something at Umber, who only shook her head.
Maximon sat on a smaller stump, opposite to Madove. He sat normally, perhaps the most normal thing he has seen him do.
Zenoda and Umber sat together on a log of their own, leaving no space to squeeze in between or to the side. Zenoda sat like a noble lady, putting her legs down and to the side. Umber sat normally, putting her own legs over Zenoda's, locking them in place. It seemed normal and practiced to the two close friends.
Madove growled something aloud again, clearly dissatisfied, willing to get in some sort of argument. Umber only childishly stuck her tongue out with a smile on her face. Zenoda looked between them worried, clearly anxious about anyone getting hurt. Maximon quite predictably laughed, unbothered by the sight, probably used to it. Drix on the other hand, looked on in wonder, trying to piece together what in the world they were arguing about.
Umber giggled to herself, and pointed at the fire pit. A huge flame immediately erupted from it. The size of a bonfire, it filled the entire pit and then some. It probably reached five feet into the air at its highest. A wonderous display of magic indeed. The heat from the bonfire spread to him, licking his cold hands and feet with its warmth. Goblins rarely made fires, when they did it wasn't for warmth or quality rest with friends. It was always for destruction, burning trees and shrubs to lure out food, or humans out of their homes.
Drix liked this fire though, it was so warm and sweet, it waved at him like a good friend you haven't seen in years. Not that he actually knew what that looked or felt like but, there the fire was. Conjured by someone he wanted to be the friend of, he sat on the ground and watched the fire flicker here and there.
It was peaceful, Madove still glared into the fire but, she wasn't starting anymore arguments. Zenoda and Umber sat together, braiding Zenoda's hair and trying to make fancy hair styles. They only communicated in gestures, oddly enough. No words were exchanged, only looks and hand signs, maybe some giggles from Umber but, they seemed perfectly content and happy with just spending the time together.
Maximon was doing something with his dagger and a small piece of wood. Carefully, he scraped away at parts of it here and there, shavings fell off as he worked quickly. With a scrape here and a stab there, he held away his dagger to look at his work. He only chuckled and sheathed his dagger into his sleeve. Then he stood up, looking at Drix and motioned him toward himself.
Drix didn't move at first, staring at him wordlessly for an explanation before he got up. Maximon only gave him a clearly fake frown, and put his hands together in a sort of please. Drix could only sigh and strain himself up. He nearly stumbled into the fire after remembering just how tired his legs were. They were an ungodly amount of sore and tired. Resting had only made it apparent, that his enter body ached heavily.
Regardless, he forced himself to stand, ignoring the strain. He patted his feet over to where Maximon sat, standing in front of him. The wood he carved was held in his left hand, and he was rumbling through his pack with his right. The wooden figurine was a strong and powerful looking goblinoid. A troll, the smart, lean and muscular sort, the kind that thought and strategized before ravaging lands quite easily. Unlike their fat and dumb cousins, who were more common but lacked danger past their ugly mug and regeneration.
The wooden representation of something that could be his sixth cousin had a crown on its head, a noble looks across its face, and a deadly looking weapon in its hands. It was very well made, though Drix could tell Maximon had never seen a troll before, because its forehead was far too small.
Maximon's seemed to have found whatever it is he was searching for, because he pulled out a smaller pouch, which looked full to the brim with irregular shapes. Setting the figurine onto the stump, he opened the flap that closed the pouch. Many more wooden figurines, some seemingly human, and others seemingly goblinoid, were in the pouch.
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He placed the pouch down on the stump, then went back into his pack. This time, he pulled out a thin wooden board that was folded along its length. This board had no carvings, but it had squares painted onto one of its sides in a four by six grid. After he folded it to its entire length, he placed it onto the stump. He told Drix to sit on the other side, and placed his bottom on the grass next to the stump.
Drix did so, not understanding what it was about. His human companion moved the figurines around, pausing at some with a judging eye. He placed 16 different figurines down, 8 in front of himself and 8 in front of Drix. On his own side, the row closest to him had four figurines filling it, consisting of models looking exactly like his group. Umber, Madove, Maximon, and Zenoda. Zenoda wore a crown that looked very alike the one the troll wore. The row in front of that looked like a series of attacks. In front of Umber was a complex figurine of fire, in front of Madove was a spiked boot, in front of Maximon was a dagger, and in front of Zenoda was a lightning bolt.
Drix's side was far different, the back row had a troll, an ogre, an orc, and a hobgoblin, all the most hideous looking versions of them, other than the troll of course. The front row was more disturbing to Drix than the back one. It consisted of four goblins in various hostile positions, all equally as ugly. His stomach twisted at the irony of the situation.
Maximon spoke up before Drix could have the chance to jump to conclusions, "You know how to play? The others stopped playing with me after the first time, figured i should let you have a go." He looked at Drix, then began explaining the rules before receiving an answer.
The game was quite simple, each piece can move one square in eight directions, you can move and attack once each turn. The front row of each players pieces has one health and one attack, the second row had two health and one attack. The piece with the crown, however, had three health and two attack, losing it would mean you lost the game.
It was quite simple but, Drix was far more than casually excited. His first game that didn't involving anything chaotic, and he would be doing it with a human. It was an exhilarating moment for him, a new experience that he can do while resting, something he previously thought might get boring. Looking at a bonfire created through magic might get boring soon.
Maximon took the first turn, moving the fire spell in front of Umber on the far left up one square. Drix thought for a moment, if he moved a goblin figurine next to it, he could destroy it but, then he could lose that piece to another one of Maximon's. Thinking there must be a strategy in controlling a part of the field, he moved the goblin in the fourth row up. It was the one furthest from the fire figurine, on the right side.
Maximon made some sort of pleasant sounding humph, with his throat. Drix could not determine if it was because he was pleased that he made the right choice and he has a good challenge, or if he was pleased he made the worst choice possible. Regardless of Drix's internal struggle, Maximon moved another piece forward, putting the dagger of his own figurine next to the fire one. Drix moved his ogre figurine on the far right up to the line of goblins in response, filling the gap the goblin left.
Maximon moved the fire spell forward again, putting it in front of a goblin. Drix couldn't believe his eyes when the two figurines seemed to come alive and move. The goblin diagonal to the fire figurine looked shocked and scared, dropping his wooden dagger in fright. The fire spell covered him, flickering just like the bonfire in the background. Then it all disappeared, like it never actually happened, both figurines stood motionless in the same position they were in before. Maximon giggled in amusement, then took the goblin figurine, placing it on the side. Drix looked to him for an explanation, only to see an ugly wooden goblin head stare back at him.
Drix jumped and reached for his stiletto as he saw hands shoot up in surrender. He heard Maximon's voice, and saw his head return to normal, "Just a minor illusion to spice things up and make it more exciting, wait until things really get interesting."
Sighing, Drix calmed his racing heart before taking his hands off his weapon. He had the wits scared out of him, and it seems the entire group found it funny, as everybody but Zenoda was laughing.
The forest beside them burst into the sound of birds scattering in fear, they flew away in a large group away from the clearing. Drix looked, trying to see what had made the noise. Then another noise, a boar that sounded quite close to the group, squealing about something. The squealing stopped though, and he saw the butt of a boar receding in the foliage, away from the camp.
Another small scare, thankfully just as harmless. He sat back down, looking down at the board. Maximon moved his fire figurine back, putting it next to his dagger figurine. Drix nodded, diagonally moving his hobgoblin to where the dead goblin was, in front of his exposed troll next to the goblin he brought out, thinking he would be able to sweep the smaller units aside to give him a numerical advantage. Nothing was in range currently.
Maximon then moved the dagger forward, diagonal to two goblins, and in front of the hobgoblin. He gestured at them, then casted another illusion. This one involved the dagger piercing the heart of the goblin on the far left column of the board, causing him to collapse. The two left columns now had no goblins to protect them, but at least his troll had a hobgoblin protecting it. Maximon then moved the dead figurine to the side, adding it to his collection of two.
Drix sighed again, this time just displeased at his presumed lack of skill in the game. He sat in thought for a moment, he could let Maximon continue whittling at his units then stop him cold with his stronger back row, or he could try and escape to become offensive and apply pressure. Madove laughed while looking in his direction, he could feel the judgement dripping off her amusement filled chorus. He looked back at the board, the dagger figurine was there, in range of a goblin. He thought, then decided to point at Maximon's dagger figurine, which promptly fell down to the goblins slash. It largely missed the flamboyance of the other ones but, he supposed it would do. Next, he decided to move his troll toward the right corner, deeper in the protection of his remaining units.
The laughter from Madove only increased in volume. Drix looked at her, only for her to point her finger at the board. He looked back, then facepalmed when he realized what was so funny.
The fire figurine that Maximon had moved and attacked with shouldn't have been able to move back. It was so obvious now, but that boar didn't seem to notice them at all, when they are usually so aggressive and perceptive. Maximon's chuckle at his facepalm only confirmed it, and Drix figured he wouldn't get any compassion to have him take it back.
Drix resolved himself to never take his eyes off the board again, focusing intently on what to do next. It was Maximon's turn, and he opted to move the fire figurine in front of the hobgoblin. He pointes at the goblin diagonal to it. The same illusion played out, and Maximon removed the third goblin from the board, giggling to himself. Now Drix's turn, he moved the orc on the far left forward to the second row, and gestured with his hands. The orc came to life, turning to Drix and laughing at him before swatting away the flame quite boringly.
The teasing and cheating would be more than enough to bother a typical person, but Drix found it quite endearing and fun. He decided on pulling his own weight with trickery and deceit the next chance he got. Minus the magic, he had quick hands and good dexterity to make do.
Regardless, Drix now had the furthest troops, as Maximon had not bothered with anything other than the two. In his back line, he had his troll in the middle right. In his front line, he had his orc, hobgoblin, a gap, then his ogre. His last goblin stood in front of his ogre. For his turn, the human trickster moved his own figurine up, in line with the boot and lightning bolt. It was right next to them, and his front line formed a solid three from right to left.
Drix diagonally moved his ogre beside the remaining goblin, waiting for Maximon to move.
Maximon nodded, and his rightmost front line figurine, the boot in front of Madove, moved forward. The boot moved and stomped on the head of the goblin, crushing its head under it. Maximon claimed the figurine to the side, increasing his lead.
Drix pointed to his ogre and the boot, the illusion Maximon chose was amusing. The ogre chased after it, received a kick in the butt, then finally caught it and sat on it. Drix then moved the ogre forward, not wanting to waste his movement.
Maximon moved the lightning bolt which was in front of the ogre back diagonally, to the gap that his own figurine left. He then illusioned his own figurine in some sort of duel with the ogre, in which he scored a stab wound in the ogre's stomach while remaining unscathed.
Drix nodded, knowing his ogre only had one health left. He gestured for the ogre and Maximon figurine to fight, in which it was another display of the ogre just barely managing to succeed. In fact, it was so pitiful that Maximon pretended to push his illusion toward the ogre so that it would get hurt. The illusions were certainly amusing, humorous as well, in an unexpected way.
Then, to finish his turn, he moved his hobgoblin forward. Its resting position lay diagonally behind the ogre to the left and one movement away from Maximon's injured figurine.
Maximon began his turn by finishing off Drix's ogre, killing it in a grand display of skill and finesse. Drix wondered just how much of it was something the real man was capable of. Regardless of the tricksters illusionary fights, he moved his figurine to the left, in front of Umber.
Drix's turn began, and he moved his hobgoblin diagonally forward, right in front of Maximon's own piece. He gestured, and Maximon delivered. The display was shockingly horrific, where in the hobgoblin relentlessly gutted and threw Maximon away, roaring into the air savagely. Drix removed the piece he destroyed, close to removing the gap Maximon put between them when he cheated.
Now it was Maximon's turn. He had one unit in his front row, his Madove figurine. Drix was quick to catch on this time, "You moved that forward when I was distracted." He confronted Maximon.
The cheater caught red handed only smiled and nodded, pulling the figurine back to the back row. His turn was very quick, moving his Zenoda figurine in front of the lightning bolt, placing it in range of the hobgoblin. The wooden Zenoda came alive, crackling with electricity that covered her entire arms. She reached her arm out toward the hobgoblin and a whip of lighting formed from her palm. The whip moved like a deadly snake, screeching with electricity as it wrapped itself around the body of the hobgoblin. Zenoda pulled back with all her strength, causing the hobgoblin to almost fly toward her. Once it was close, Zenoda raised her empty palm and it cracked with even more lightning, she slapped it into the face of the hobgoblin. The head of the goblinoid went limp, its neck shattered from orcish might, its entire body smoked and shook, twitching. As gruesome as it looked, Drix believed it was not an exaggeration. As afraid as he should be, he couldn't help but think he was in safe hands, being around her.
Thinking of the noble looking and kind half-orc, he looked back at the camp. She seemed to be working together with Umber, tending to some sort of cloth and leather on both their laps. The leather armor they collected, as well as the set Drix gave them, lay in separated pieces next to Zenoda. Umber placed whatever lay in her lap on the log left to her. She then received something from Zenoda. The half-orc, who had wonderfully braided hair now, picked up a piece of leather from the pile of bandit armor, placed it on her lap and began working on it. Too far to see what was being made, he set himself a task to check it out later.
Maximon cleared his throat, needlessly reminding Drix that they had an ongoing game. Drix mumbled affirmation and thought on his next move. Maximon moved his Zenoda piece diagonally, toward his troll piece that was in the far left second row. Scratching at his head in his own imagination, he stared confused at the troll figurine, confused about if he was the one to move it there. Then, he realized, it was another of Maximon's tricks. Drix raised his hand to move the troll figurine back before telling Maximon off, in a friendly way of course, but he paused.
Thinking he chanced upon a blunder Maximon made, probably caused by his excitement of Drix's temporary distraction, he let the troll rest in the place Maximon put it. Then, to begin his actual turn, he moved the troll diagonally up, toward the left and in front of Zenoda. If he just attacks now, then follows the next turn and attacks again, it would be four combined damage to Zenoda's three health. It would be his win.
"My troll will attack Zenoda." Drix said directly to Maximon's conflicted looking face, finally confident about his actions in the game.
Maximon looked very confused, and then somewhat disappointed. He closed his eyes for a short moment, Drix was about to chuckle at him for his silly blunder but, Maximon spoke before he could do so, "I thought you knew the rules, you can only attack if they are right next to the unit you attack with."
Drix looked back down at the board, the units were in the same position he remembered. Something was wrong though, he blinked his eyes and the figurine of Zenoda and where Maximon moved it from. The air in both places rippled, the figurine disappeared and reappeared in the position it was before. He never moved it at all, Drix realized.
Maximon laughed, endlessly proud of himself. Drix joined in, laughing as well, he enjoyed every moment of the game they played. Ending his laugh with a sigh, he chuckled and ended his turn. Maximon moved the Zenoda figure, putting it in the position he illusioned it in. Drix double checked just to make sure, double checking the sight. This time, it seemed, it was real.
The Zenoda figure assaulted the troll with lashes and whips of lightning as it screamed, defenseless. Scorch marks covered the entirety of its body, but it remained alive.
Drix looked at his options, quickly realizing that it was already his loss. Currently, he could have his troll retreat back after attacking, but then Zenoda would follow and finish him off. He could attack and then move his orc in Zenoda's range, but that would be very pointless.
Shrugging and deciding to carry his turns out until the end, he let his troll attack Zenoda. The action was a simple swipe with the wooden club the troll carried. The attack would kill just about anybody, but Zenoda spit out a tooth and glared at it.
Gesturing for Maximon to continue, he watched as Zenoda's entire body cackled in electricity. It was if she turned entirely into lightning, a huge giant of lightning that towered over the troll. She stepped her large thunderous foot over its head, stomping on it. The image and aftermath of the dead troll was so realistic, Drix did not doubt that Maximon had seen her do something very similar to it.
It all begged a certain question tickling at the back of Drix's head though, "You four seem very capable and strong, why the trouble with the bandits?" He asked Maximon abruptly, as he packed up the board and figurines.
Maximon did not stop packing things up, but answered, "We were not in all that much trouble, we decided to give them a chance to capture us and take us to wherever they camp with the rest of their group. Regardless though, Umber was still injured, not by much at all, but still hurt. We were talking about kicking ass, but then you showed up and made it a bit easier."
"Ah," Drix responded, unsure how helpful he really was. "Am I supposed to pay you back in coin or am I supposed to help you more?" He added.
"You can help us, how do you feel for goblin slaying? We have someone coming to give us a commission for exactly that." Maximon proposed, sitting back down on the stump, cleaning dirt off his knees with magic.
Drix did not need to think on his response, "Slaying any kind of goblinoid is a passion of mine."
Maximon smirked at the words of Drix, "Alrighty then, you will be our rouge, I hope you wont mind sneaking through a goblin hole?" He looked at Drix like the idea would scare him off and make him hesitate.
Drix didn't hesitate to shake his head for even half a second. Evoking Maximon to raise his brows, "Good," Maximon said, "good, because you will have to do it well enough to shave their numbers down. The person with the details wont arrive until later, take a rest in the meantime, we will leave you alone until we leave for the goblins." He grabbed his own bedroll from the top of his pack, giving it to Drix.
Appreciating the idea, Drix head to the edge of the clearing, choosing the flattest spot he could find. He lay the bedroll down, climbed in, and fell asleep immediately. The cushion and warmth of well kept cotton and leather claimed his consciousness as he drifted in dream land. So much better than furs, so much better than sleeping in a cave.