>>5347544>23The first half od the journey geos by rather uneventfully. Several times, you or the Archer are forced to give one of the dwarves a shove or boot to keep them moving at a steady pace, but this does not seem to be due to any exhaustion on their part—rather, it is a hesitation and trepidation in these unknown darknesses. The young male seems especially wary of the unknown, with the female alternating in offering him comfort and encouraging him forward; this seems to motivate him somewhat, which you appreciate, even fi she occasionally seems to use it as an excuse to hang back herself.
For her part, the female dwarf collects samples of moss and lichen. When the Cartographer asks, she explains their use as blood-staunches and digestive aids, and he makes a note of this, and the location where they were found. The female is rapidly proving a worthy selection, you note, on multiple front—the Novice is still undeniably the more potent healer and alchemist, but the local knowledge of a plant-specialist may well be useful as you expand into the upper-dark and the surface moving forward.
(Her tendency to jiggle doesn’t hurt your opinion, either, but you make no comment as to this matter.)
Eventually, you and your forces are forced to engage in short rest, and then a longer one, for torpor’s sake. As you rest and recoup your strength, you…
>Share your food equitably with the dwarves>Feed them only what they need to keep moving, keeping their meals lean>Dote on them little, to build their trust and loyaltyWhat else do you do, if anything? [choose no more than two]
>Bid the male to sing you a song of his people, and attempt to glean the nature of the magical talent you sensed buried within>Speak with the female about her herbal knowledge and history>Attempt to learn more about dwarf culture and religion>Teach the dwarves more of your own faith and culture, and make your expectations for their conversion quite clear>Ask Olu about this ‘Pricness Jazkarmel’ matter—what does he know?>Ask the Cartographer something [what?]>Write-in 