The large sword is pulled away as a hand reaches out towards Zonu. He looks at the hand and then sees the familiar jackal symbol on the hilt of the sword. "Damn it, you guys got us this round." Zonu groans as he is pulled up to meet the gaze of Solaris. Solaris is around the same height as Zonu, same skin tone with dark brown hair and goatee. He is dressed in a silver chest plate with a black undershirt, as he holds a large great-sword in his hand. "Haha you hear that Virren? He gave up that quickly! You must be getting soft or old on us!" Solaris says as a man walks up behind Kaizen. Virren is the shortest of the four, dirty blond hair, light skin tone as Solaris and dressed in brown leather armor and a pouch attached to his side with a chain coming out of it. At the end of the chain is a hammer with the handle appearing to be welded to it. The same jackal symbol affixed to the side of the hammer.
Virren walks over and grabs Kaizen and lifts him off the ground. As the chains seem to be unwrapping itself from Kaizen and retracting back in the pouch, Virren hugs him. Solaris and Zonu share a hug as well then vice versa. "It has been too long my friends, you're looking well Kaizen," says Virren as he clasps Kaizen's forearm. "And you, Zonu, it's good to see you without your face stuffed in that book." Virren jokingly adds. He grabs Zonu's bicep, "hmmm you haven't been working out like I've told you to, have you? Virren's brow raises. "Alright alright, how about you grow another foot then we can discuss my workout routine." Zonu fires back. Solaris wraps his arms around Virren and Zonu's neck, "Oh it's a blessing having all four of us together again. Wait, where's Leo at?" Virren looks around as well.
"Ah, you know, we could never keep him from wandering off and pursuing some dream," Zonu laughs. "We just woke up and he was gone. Left a note saying that he was going to travel around and make a name for himself." Kaizen chimes in to the conversation. The four of them exit the front door of the church laughing and carrying on conversation. "Oh, before I forget, these belong to you guys," Zonu says as he lifts the two medallions with the sun and moon on it. "Thank you!" Both Virren and Solaris say as they put on the medallions. "This is our representation for completing the training of being "holy soldiers" of Bermella, the Eclipse Goddess." Virren explains as he looks down at the medallion. "Although, someone could use a little more work with their relationship with her." He adds, teasing Solaris.
A voice from behind them speaks up, "so did you two win this time?" The four turn around to see an older Half-orc woman with dark green skin dressed in armor similar to Solaris, same medallion hanging from her neck. "Yes indeed, Mrs. Vordak." Solaris turns to Kaizen and Zonu, "I believe that makes it 10-8 our favor?" Mrs. Vordak walks down the steps with a bag packed. "Are you ready for your journey up north?" Asks Virren. "Yes, I'll be traveling to the committee meeting in Crasadova. So I'll be gone for a few days possibly a week if we are behind schedule again." Mrs. Vordak says as she climbs on top of her horse she got from the stables.
"You boys keep my church standing. May Bermella smile down upon us." As she salutes and rides off towards the exit. "So, are you guys gonna stay in town for a while?" Solaris asks. "Actually, we may do some investigating around the outside of the town." Kaizen replies as he looks through some of the papers they got from Birysol. "Isn't the Storm Woods close to here?" He adds. Virren and Solaris look around and both point towards the mountain that is Northwest from their position. "Could we come along? For old time sake?" Solaris pleads. Kaizen clasps both Virren and Solaris on the shoulders.
"Of course friends! We may need your help anyway, there are reports of a Vicentreph in those woods." Zonu coughs on his own spit as he rips the paper out of Kaizen's hand. "WHAT THE HELL IS BIRYSOL THINKING?!" Zonu looks thoroughly over the paper. Solaris pats Zonu on the back, "it is ok, we got your back! They are less threatening if planned accordingly." He winks.
"Let's enjoy the day, eat some dinner, and grab some drinks and tomorrow morning we will ride to the forest." Virren adds on. Everyone agrees as they make their way past some of the half-improved buildings. A mixture of half-orcs, halflings, and humans can be seen going about their day-to-day routines. The party reaches a two story building that is covered in weathered gray wood and a sign that reads "The Angel's Rest" in gold letters.
"Mira, we have guests." Virren yells. As the group walks in, they hear the patter of footsteps behind a wrap-around counter but no sign of anyone. Then, as she uses a stool, a head pokes up behind the counter. Mira, a halfling woman with gray hair , dressed in a blue button up with gold spectacles on. "Aye, the Hounds of Xandra back together again. Zonu and Kaizen how do ya do?" She uses a rag to wipe off her glasses as she walks toward them and embracing them with a hug. "You boys have gotten skinny on me, not properly nourished. That'll not do here." She quickly steps past the stool and scuffles to the kitchen and the sound of pots and pans clashing as she begins cooking.
"Mira misses all of us together, it's a shame that Leo isn't here." Virren reaches around the counter and grabs some ale and four glasses. Solaris begins distributing the bottle into the cups, everyone grabbing a glass and raising to toast. "To wherever Leo is at and to friends coming together again." Kaizen says as all of them clash drinks. "Vicentrephs are slow, lumbering creatures. If we just surround it, hit it with some fire, it'll go down no problem." Solaris states. "As long as we take out the purple flower embedded in its chest."
Zonu interrupts as he flips through his journal.
He shows them a sketch of the Vicentreph. Large in size, these forest golems are wrapped in vines around the body, primarily in the chest. Branches protruding from the arms, legs, and chest. Dark blue eyes surrounded by nature.
"Virren and I can make a distraction while Solaris and Zonu work on weakening the chest," Kaizen draws out the battle plan on the table with his finger.
Mira busts out the kitchen door with a tray full of cooked meat and vegetables, all beautifully placed. Mira pulls up a chair and sits with them as they eat, admiring how much they've grown up since she saw all them together last. Her smile turns into a scowl, "Where's Leo?"
Everyone looks at each other and Zonu swallows his food, "he is on a self journey to become well known throughout the world." He teases. Mira rubs her temples together, "he has big dreams and thinks very highly of himself, you boys can learn something from him." Everyone just looks at each other, as they eat. "Are you staying in town for the day?" Mira asks as she rubs her hands in hope. "We will stay for a day or two, but we are gonna go hunting for a Vi-," Zonu is interrupted by Mira. "The less I know, the less I worry, alright?" She says as she walks away with some dirty dishes.
"I'll keep my distance as you three keep him occupied. Once it's vulnerable I'll weaken it. Then one of you grab the flower." Zonu explains. The other three agree in unison as they finish up their drinks. The four friends tour the town with Mira: shopping, conversing, and preparing for the upcoming battle.