Hunter's stomach grumbled loudly. Since gaining his hunger core, he had been happy to discover it didn't make him hungrier. In fact, it had the opposite effect. Eating was more pleasurable. It was as though his feasting was enhanced. Flavors, the feeling of fullness, and the satisfaction of simply devouring were greater. However, foul flavors were also enhanced, unfortunately.

He had not noticed any physical changes from the core, though he suspected he would notice some as he filled out. For an ogre, he was still very skinny.

Daggat was tinkering with his potions. Hunter hated that he ruined good pots and pans with his experiments, but he couldn't deny their use. He also hated how risky he was being with them. Carelessly risking his health and his being. One day, he would drink a potion that would do more harm than good.

Their gear was sprawled out on a table where Daggat had rummaged through it for the ladle. Hunter tsked. So messy, these goblinoids. He clicked open the chest of coins and grabbed a handful.

"I'm going for a walk." He called. Daggat waved the assassin's ladle at him in acknowledgment. Daggat was playing with something dangerous, again. Hunter held back from arguing with him.

Hunter stretched outside, taking in the morning air. It would be an hour or two before the rest of the party would wake. They had some travel rations left, it had hardly been broken into by now, but he still wanted to do something nice for the crew. Make them some decent breakfast. He made sure a pot was available for him.

He more or less wandered the village. The few humans that were out and about gave him guarded looks. Ogres weren't exactly common, but they were known through both mortal and monster societies. They were creatures of hearth and home, and generally accepted. However, he had arrived with the monsters. One nearby human gave him a friendly nod. He was a tanned-skinned man with a tangle of flower tattoos on one shoulder.

Hunter had picked up on the two distinct ethnicities present in the village. There were folk like Leofric, Keaton, and Lisa, with pale skin and long, straight hair that tended towards a dark brown. Most of them had tattoos with floral designs. The other group had slightly darker skin, better described as pink, rather than pale. Their hair tended towards lighter curls. Only a few of them had floral tattoos.

"Hello, friend," Hunter said as he approached the man. He was checking gear, preparing for the trip to the barrow fields.

"Morning." The man continued to pack.

"Is there a market?" Hunter wasn't sure how buying food worked in this village.

"Market day is in three days or so. You'll have to bargain with folk. But, good luck with that."

"Oh, thank you. Are you going to join us on the mission?"

The man laughed to himself. "You are joining us. This is our village, our fight."

"We want to help."

"And we welcome it. It is good to have some monsters on our side. Just, know this," the man stood and looked Hunter in the eye, "A lot of us don't care that you work with monsters. We used to trade with a different tribe of goblins, even. But, we won't hold back if you betray us."

Hunter nodded. "I understand. Let us prove ourselves."

Just then, Hunter noticed Pat. He had met her the day before. She had a basket with her that was overflowing.

He politely excused himself from his conversation with the man and moved to her side.

"Here, I'll take that." He took the basket from her. It was filled with cloth and food.

"Thank you. It's for all of you, actually." She told him.

"Oh, thank you. That is very kind."

"Someone needs to be." She said grimly. "I did my best to find some old clothes. Sorry, I didn't have anything in your size."

"Thank you again."

The two began to walk back to the inn.

"Do you get any ogres out here?" Hunter asked.

"One or two. Not for a while. Shell and, I think… Boss?"

"Oh! Shell and Bass. They are cousins! I hope they are well." Hunter glanced in the bag. "Leofric is chieftain, right? Do you help him lead the village?"

"In my way. I was not well-liked, to be honest. Me and my father are outsiders. So, I worked my ass off. Now, people usually come to me for problems."

They arrived at the tavern, it was not far from where they started. She walked in in front of Hunter.

"He is pretty young, how did he end up being chieftain?" Hunter said as he ducked under a door. He put the basket on a table, then followed her into the kitchen.

There was a slight hesitation before she spoke. "Succession. Now, I'm going to make some breakfast. Shoo."

"I can help, I like to cook." Hunter prodded the fire. The familiar warmth of his tended fire filled the room.

"Nope. I am going to treat you as guests, and guests don't cook. Shoo." She gathered food from the basket and then moved into the kitchen.

After a brief exchange that Hunter couldn't hear too well, Daggat walked out of the kitchen with a steaming pot of his potion. It was half his size and would have burned anyone else.

"She brought you some clothes," Hunter said, gesturing toward the basket.

"Really? Oh, good." He sifted through the contents of the basket, then he undressed right there.

"Daggat…" Hunter began. No sense of shame whatsoever.

"What?" Daggat said as he was pulling on a pair of trousers.

"Nothing." Hunter sighed.

He helped Daggat bottle the potion. Daggat looked wistfully at his old jacket. Hunter decided to keep an eye out for something similar.

Patricia cooked some sort of pottage, and the smell was mouth-watering. Before he dug in, however, someone had to wake the crew. Daggat wasn't going to do it. He was currently reading his virtual books.

Hunter wandered down the hall leading to the rooms the crew had taken. He knocked politely on one, then opened the door.

Klaw was doing push-ups in the middle of a room with two simple beds. Zuss was completely out cold, sleeping deeply with one small leg dangling off the bed.

"Pat made us some food. Could you wake up Zuss?" Hunter whispered.

Klaw flopped to the ground and gave him a thumbs up.

Next, he politely knocked on Anath's room. There was a mumble on the other side.

"Breakfast." He called through the door. Anath didn't like it when people opened her door without permission. That was a lesson he learned early.

"Wake up, girl. I am hungry." Came a voice from within. Elyndris.

A few minutes later, Patricia was placing bowls on a table. Daggat was already absently spooning soup into his mouth. Anath, Klaw, and Elyndris shuffled in, each thanking the human woman in their own way. Well, Anath did, at least.

"Eat up, there's more in the kitchen. Leofric said to be ready as soon as you can."

"Hey, Pat, quick questions. Desmond mentioned some sort of tradition about us. Know what that's about?" Daggat asked between mouthfuls.

"Adventurers. Traditionally, we are to treat them as esteemed guests. Offer them food and shelter and grant assistance with any quest they are on."

"Oh, cool. What's the catch? What do you get out of it?"

"Well, if everyone follows the practice, our adventurers are treated the same. That and adventurers tend to be wealthy. Good for business. That is why I am here. Upholding tradition."

Zuss stumbled into the room. She looked exhausted and was still wavering on her feet. Her sleep schedule was… erratic. Some nights she would stay up till dawn, others she would sleep the day away. It seems that habit was catching up to her. She looked as though she hadn't slept at all.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

She ignored the crew, who were idly talking about the plans for the day and stumbled directly into the kitchen. Zuss did that sometimes. Rather than bothering with plates or bowls, she would eat straight from the pot. It was one of a hundred little things that got on his nerves. But, he learned to accept that monsters tend to act a little monstrous. Eventually, she would learn manners.

Hunter turned his attention to his bowl. It was a stew of mutton, green vegetables, and subtle herbs. It wasn't particularly flavorful, but it was satisfying. The food seemed to seep into him as he ate. He moped up the remaining with thick slices of bread that Pat had provided.

"So, Pat." Daggat said, "How is life in the village?"

"Peaceful, mostly. We've only had to deal with the odd argument or threat. But, nothing serious. Though, my father and I have only been here for five years."

"What purpose does he serve for the village?" Elyndris asked.

Zuss hadn't come out of the kitchen yet. She must have been particularly hungry.

"My father is Oswine, whom I believe you met. He helps my husband with scholarly tasks and advice. He studied extensively in Vocaunt before we came here."

"Oh, he got any books, by chance?" Daggat asked.

"Several. Hunter, do you want more?" Pat said.

"Yes please," Hunter said.

Daggat smiled to himself as she went back to the kitchen. As soon as she passed the threshold, she gasped.

"Hey, HEY! Are you okay?" Patricia said, urgency in her voice.

Hunter was up in an instant. He bulled through several chairs, one of which held Daggat, and ducked into the kitchen.

Zuss was lying on the floor in front of the pot. A mess of spilled pottage lay around her. She shook, slightly.

"What happened?" Hunter demanded.

"I… don't- she was just lying here," Pat said. "I'll get Keaton."

"Zuss, Zuss. You okay?" Hunter ignored Pat, who was running off and focused on Zuss. She was breathing quickly.

"What's going on?" Daggat asked as he moved into the room.

"Zuss?" Anath asked from the door.

"That bitch did something," Klaw growled, "I'll get her back here to question."

"I don't know what happened. Everyone out. OUT!" Hunter yelled. Everyone scrambled out and Daggat was barking orders, but Hunter didn't pay attention to him.

Hunter searched Zuss for any wounds. Nothing. Her skin was pale, and her breathing was uneven. What happened? Was she sick? That should be unlikely, being a hobgoblin. That meant poison. Hunter scanned the room.

There, a few feet from her was the ladle. The assassin's ladle poisoned any liquid it was dipped in. In her tired state, she must have used it to eat from the pot.

"DAGGAT!" Hunter roared. He flipped the cauldron of pottage over the fire, smothering it. Then grabbed the ladle and threw it at the goblin.

"What? Is she okay?"

"She's poisoned herself. YOU left the ladle lying around."

Daggat paled, "What? She knows what it looks like! Okay, what do we do? You're the medicine guy, right?"

"We need her to throw up. Come here." Hunter gently moved Zuss to the table. It was like moving a kitten, she was so tiny in his hands. She moaned softly. That was good. Then, he rolled her on her side. "I am going to open her mouth. I need you to stick your finger down her throat."

"She'll bite it off!"

"If we're lucky. Now do it!" Hunter pried open her mouth. The tongue was swollen, as he expected. His fingers were too thick.

Daggat hesitantly went to work. Soon, Zuss was gagging and coughing. A gentle slap to the back, and she coughed up pottage and bile. She sat up, coughing more and clutching her stomach.

"Wha-" Zuss said.

"Don't talk, you're fine. Daggat, clean her up."

Anath watched worryingly from the door. He gave her a friendly smile. Zuss would be fine. Hopefully.

Klaw pushed in the door, and Keaton rushed in.

"Where is she?" He called.

"Here," Hunter called back. "I've induced vomiting. Do you have any charcoal or theriac?"

The two hearth tenders worked together. They created a mixture of charcoal, some sort of stone found in the stomach of a sheep, and honey, then forced Zuss to swallow it. Keaton was surprised by the ease with which she did so. Hunter had seen her eat worse.

Zuss was still in pain, but the poison was no longer working double time through her system. After some time, she was able to walk back to her room.

"What happened?" Keaton asked, they were letting Zuss rest, and were talking in the hall. Daggat and the others were talking to Leofric, who had come to gather them.

"A mistake, I think. She accidentally poisoned herself."

They were lucky Pat did not use the ladle when serving them. Rather, she used a large spoon she had carried with her.

"She needs care," Keaton said. "I could watch her."

"I'll stay. She's in my party. And… I can't leave her alone in the village. You understand."

Keaton nodded. "I will leave my medicine. Send for me if you need any help, but you should be okay from here on."

"Thank you. Sorry, to bother you. Can we repay you?" Hunter said.

"Let's talk repayment when Elyndris gets back. She is our new accountant, after all." Daggat said as he rounded the corner.

"Daggat," Hunter said, "Where is everyone?"

"They went on with the humans," Daggat said.

Keaton gave Hunter a nod, then left the two to talk.

"You better hurry, then. Don't worry, I will take care of her."

Daggat sighed, then looked over his shoulder. "I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"I left Zuss behind before. I won't do it again. Plus, and I am not saying it is my fault exactly, I did leave the ladle out."

"Well, if you are sure. Thanks."

"Is she okay?"

"She will be. Now she just needs to sleep it off."

Daggat spent the next few hours pacing the hallway, while Hunter checked on Zuss. She slept for most of the day. When she awoke, she was still in pain. But, he moved her to the fire, where she fell asleep again. Keaton had explained to him that once the medicine was introduced, it was better to be in a healing fire's range. They had talked some on the mechanics of hearth fire, but not as much as Hunter would like.

Hunter and Daggat talked about chore management and favorite foods. Of their thoughts on the village and its people.

They were interrupted by a murmur outside the door.

"There's… a lot of humans out there," Daggat said, looking out a window. "Woah! The aura on that one is huge!"

"Murderers! Cutthroats! Come out and face your judgment and death!" a voice shrilled.

Daggat cursed, then yelled back, "We haven't killed no one. Go back to your homes and we'll forget about this accusation."

"Liars! Desmond lies cold. Dead in his own bed. Throat slashed! Come out, and your deaths will be quick!" The woman yelled back.

Daggat rubbed his temples. "They think we killed that human prick. But we couldn't have. And why would we?"

Simultaneously, both looked down at the hobgoblin curled innocently in her bundle of blankets. There was no doubt about who was to blame. Hunter let out a deep, rumbling grumble.

"For fuck's sake," Daggat hissed.

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]

Hearth Tender Level: 8 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 3 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 14 Dexterity: 7 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 9 Will: 15 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats] Act: Slayer Ability: Unshakable Will Act: Gluttonous Feast

Skills (0/10): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Perks: Mighty Torch] Hearth Fire: 2 [Perks: Healing Warmth] Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth] Encompassing Warmth: 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 Fearless: 1 Peaceful Presence: 1 Condense Aura: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/3): Base Size: Large Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Hunger Core Gorger

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail

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