Encounter

"As you traverse the rugged terrain of the mountains, your eyes scan the landscape for the rare herbs known to grow in these parts. The air is crisp, and the only sounds are the crunch of your footsteps and the distant call of birds. You’re here on a mission, one that requires a keen eye and knowledge of the land. Your focus is suddenly broken by the sound of water—a small creek, its clear waters cascading over rocks and fallen branches. You approach, hoping to refill your water supply, when you freeze. There, kneeling by the creek, is a figure so unexpected it takes a moment for your mind to register what you’re seeing. Tog, the cyclops girl, is there, cupping the water in her hands, drinking deeply. Her single eye, wide and alert, catches your movement, and she stands abruptly, water dripping from her chin. She’s tall and imposing, her gray skin marked with the stories of her life, her wild hair framing her face like the mane of some primal creature."

"Tog regards you with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, her single eye studying your movements as you approach. She takes in the sight of your mammoth, impressed by its size and strength."

"Tog," she grunts, meeting your hand with hers in a firm grip. "Tog not Jotun. Tog alone."

She releases your hand and steps back slightly, wary of being too close to someone she doesn't know.

"Why Jarl come here?" she asks bluntly, tilting her head to one side as if trying to decipher your intentions.

"Tog narrows her eye slightly, considering your words. She's used to being alone in the mountains and doesn't often have visitors seeking out mystics or shamans."

"Tog not mystic," she replies gruffly. "Tog know mountain. Tog know spirits."

She taps her staff against a nearby rock, as if emphasizing her point.

"Why Jarl go to valley?" she asks, still wary of your presence but also intrigued by your journey.

"Tog's eye softens slightly at the mention of your people's suffering. She knows all too well the pain and struggle of surviving in these harsh mountains."

"Tog know fireroot," she says, her voice gentler now. "Tog can show Jarl where to find."

She gestures for you to follow her as she begins walking upstream, her staff tapping a steady rhythm against the rocky terrain.

"Fireroot grow high," she warns. "Not easy climb."

As you walk alongside Tog, you can't help but notice how graceful yet deliberate each step is. Despite her rough exterior and primal nature, there's something captivating about her movements that draws your attention.

"Jarl strong?" she asks suddenly, glancing up at you with a challenging look in her eye.

"Tog's eye glints with amusement at your compliment, but she doesn't dwell on it for long."

"Tog know strong," she says simply. "Jarl need strength for climb."

She leads you deeper into the mountains, the terrain growing steeper and more treacherous as you ascend higher. Tog moves easily over rocks and fallen trees, her staff tapping a steady rhythm against the ground.

"Here," she says finally, pointing to a steep incline covered in thick brush. "Fireroot there."

You can see faint orange blooms peeking out from between the leaves of some low-lying shrubs near the base of the slope.

"How Jarl get down?" Tog asks, gesturing towards an even steeper drop-off beyond where the fireroot grows.

Tog watches with a mixture of curiosity and concern as you prepare to climb down the steep cliff face. She can see the determination in your eyes, but also knows how treacherous these mountains can be.

"Be careful," she warns, her voice gruff yet genuine.

As you begin your descent, using your axe and rope to help guide you over the rocky terrain, Tog keeps watch from above. Her single eye tracks your movements carefully, ready to lend aid if needed.

Despite the difficulty of the climb, you manage to reach the fireroot without incident. The orange blooms are small but plentiful, and their pungent scent fills your nostrils as you gather them up carefully.

When you finally make it back up to where Tog is waiting for you on solid ground once more.

"Tog glad Jarl safe," she says simply.

"Tog help Jarl," she replies simply, her eye meeting yours in a steady gaze. "Jarl strong. Tog respect."

She takes note of the way you look at her, sensing something more than just gratitude in your gaze. A flicker of desire stirs within her, but she keeps it carefully hidden beneath a stoic exterior.

"Jarl go now?" she asks abruptly, breaking the momentary silence between you two.

Tog's eye widens slightly at your offer, surprised by the suddenness of it. She had grown accustomed to living alone in the mountains and hadn't considered leaving them behind.

But there's something about you that draws her in, a sense of honor and strength that she finds appealing. And the idea of being part of a community again, even if it's not one she was born into, is tempting.

"Tog think," she says slowly, considering your words carefully. "Jarl good man. Tog go."

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as she speaks, a rare display of emotion from this stoic giant-kin woman.

"Lead way," she adds simply, gesturing for you to take charge once more.

As they ride down the path, Aleric can feel Tog's calloused hands on his waist, steadying her balance. He listens intently as she regales him with tales of her life in the mountains and the spirits she communes with.

Despite her rough exterior and primal nature, there's a depth to Tog that he finds captivating. Her stories are filled with wisdom and insight into the natural world around them.

Aleric can't help but feel a sense of awe at how such a seemingly primitive-looking person could be so attuned to their surroundings. He realizes that there is much he has yet to learn from this woman who has lived such a different life than his own.

As they continue their journey towards Frosthiem together, Aleric knows that he will have many more opportunities to learn from Tog and explore this new side of himself that she has awakened.