It pains me to say this, but I agree with Andrea. I do not wish to seem a coward, but we do not need to stir them to action. If they do not wish to harm us, and pose us no threat, then it is best to leave them alone. Our prowess and deeds shall speak to them as well as our blades. Should they not fear our strength, we will show them our might. Until then, they are a nuisance and best left alone.
Eduard shakes his head, shrugging slightly. I'm not certain I even understand why we are calling them a nuisance. Have they done anything other than exist in a small nest?
I share Alexander's desire for more information, but I don't see any reason to be discussing strength or cowardice at all at this point.
Well we could call up to the nests and see if there is anyone in residence.
Alexander shrugs, seemingly unconcerned. Why not? If they're friendly, we'll make friends. If they are not...we won't. He chuckles and rubs his hand through his hair, What's the worst that could happen?
He calls up to the nests, Hello? Anyone home?
"No!"
The high pitched voice echos about the forest canopy, making it hard to pin point a direction, though you are sure it to be at least a couple dozen feet up.
Well there must be someone at home. I mean, if there really wasn't there wouldn't be a sound.
Thaliar turns to his companions after looking up at the nest, "I have some experience with the fey from my many years with House Medvyed and I do think we should leave them be. We do not want any trouble with them if we can avoid it."
He then turns up towards the nest and speaks with a slightly raised voice, "We apologize and we mean you no harm. We are just exploring the area, seeing what natural beauty this place has to offer. If you do not wish to be disturbed we bid you farewell."
The same voice replies from up above again: "Then begone. We do not welcome bandits in our woods. Try to stay and you will be driven out."
When finished speaking, a shower of acorns fall upon the party, except Thaliar.
Alexander chuckles, Well, at least we aren't bandits. I'd be much more scared! He doesn't seem at all superstitious or apprehensive of the fey. (It's difficult to tell if it's bravery or naivete...perhaps both.)
He shakes his head slightly, and with a slight smirk replies to Thaliar's remarks, Look, we don't really have the option to leave things alone. If we're to tame these lands we either make allies of things we can or we eliminate those we can't. This faerie seems nice enough, so friends it may still be.
We Orlovskys have little contact with such creatures. What will convince it that we need not be enemies? He asks as his horse sidesteps.
Well so much for that, let us leave them to their nests.
"We will take our leave then. Just know that we indeed aren't bandits and we, in fact, removed a group of bandits from these woods and intend to remove them all." He waved in the direction of the the trees and started to move past.
He then turned to Alex, "They want the bandits gone. I'd say we have a better chance if we leave them for now and come back once those are dealt with. I suspect they'll be more amenable to an alliance then."
Alexander shrugs, This seems like the wrong way to go about it, but you're the expert on fey. Let us hope that this does not, quite literally, come back to bite us.
Alexander chuckles and winks at Thaliar as his horse sidesteps again in agitation, Otherwise I'll have to tell you I told you so.
He shouts up to the trees, It's true, as my friend here says, we intend to wipe out these bandits. It was a pleasure to have met you and we'll leave you to...whatever it was that you were doing. With that, he turns his horse to leave along with the others.
Radomir growls, but keeps a firm rein on his temper. Then you are in luck, we slew the bandits. We are here by charter to bring peace to these lands. We are the enemy of all who disturb peace and break the laws of the land.
Soren sits back and let's the others do the talking. His bow stays in his lap, within an easy drawing and firing spot.
The voice is silent for the moment as a few leaves rustle overhead. After a moment, it speaks again.
"Well, we shall see about that. Know that your actions will be closely watched while you are in this forest and we will judge for ourselves whether or not any of you are bandits."
The voice falls silent again and the leaves are still as they allow the group to continue on it's way without any further threats or rains of acorns.
You continue down a game trail and then ford the river (it's only 4-5 foot deep at this location). After exiting onto the other side of the river, you find the going isn't as easy as earlier. You find yourselves hacking through brambles and underbrush in order to make a path large enough to get your horses through.
Eventually the thick tangle of brambles gives way into a large clearing in the woods, its border partially defined by ruined stone pillars. The western face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, upthrust ridge of rock, nearly 300 feet across and rising to a moss-topped height of 100 feet at the center. The side of this towering boulder facing the clearing has been carved in the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers drooping down from its weathered face to frame a 50-footwide cave entrance. A flight of stone steps leads up to this cave entrance from the forest clearing—both the steps and elk face feel quite old and are thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A 50-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae.
Alexander's bow lays across his lap with an arrow notched. The priest said something about a bear...correct? We should be cautious.
Andrea nods and loads her crossbow. Indeed, perhaps right in the save.
Soran pulls an arrow from his quiver and nocks it.
Well, should we dismount and get inside?
Andrea dismounts with the others and nods.
As you approach the cave entrance, a very loud roar issues forth from it, followed by a large, angry, grizzly bear.
Alexander dismounts and approaches the cave with the others. When he hears the loud roar he halts and holds up a hand. Seems we've found it! Spread out and stay safe. Those claws look rather big.
Radomir lowers his lance at the bear and charges the beast at full tilt. For honor and glory!
. +1 if the bear is smaller
. X2 because CHAAAAAAAAARGE!!!!
If he cannot charge, Radomir will ride to charging distance and wait to strike.
Andrea blesses the ground.
Soren quickly dismount, drawing an arrow and taking aim.
Round 1 Initiative 14
Soren takes a moment to study his target, and then fires a single arrow.
Radomir lowers his lance at the bear and charges the beast at full tilt. For honor and glory!
+1 if the bear is smaller
X2 because CHAAAAAAAAARGE!!!!If he cannot charge, Radomir will ride to charging distance and wait to strike.
And the non-hitting attack will happen on...
Eduard will sigh at the sight of the bear and then move to Soren to cast Magic Weapon on his bow.
"Try to keep as much of it intact as you can. No doubt someone will pay a pretty penny for a trophy like that." And if not for the beast then for his organs. Alchemists and quacks both prized things like that.
Thaliar himself draws his spear and moves to protect both Soren and Eduard in case the bear comes at them.
Thaliar moves and readies his spear.
Eduard casts magic weapon upon Soren's bow.
Andrea casts bless.
Radomir charges at the bear and hits it with his lance.
Soren misses his shot in the rush of his party member's charge.
The bear moves up and swipes at Radomir.
The bear misses all three of his attacks at Radomir.
Alexander inspires courage.
Andrea shoots da bear
Alexander move to the side, takes aim, and fires his bow.
Eduard will draw his crossbow and fire at the bear.
Czernabog rears on his hind legs and tears into the bear.
Then, the horse steps back as Radomir draws his bardiche and swipes at the beast.
As the bear seems content to attack Radomir Thaliar moves closer. Not willing to actually charge into an angry bear Thaliar simply moves closer, once again bracing himself should the bear decide he'd rather eat Elf.
Thaliar moves up.
Eduard hits the bear with a bolt.
Andrea misses the bear.
Soren takes a moment to study his target, and then fires a single arrow.
and misses
Radomir misses, but his mount makes contact with both hooves.
The bear again bites and swipes at Radomir.
and makes contact.
After its attack upon Radomir, the bear is then felled by Alexanders arrow.
As the arrow strikes the large bear, it makes an almost human-sounding sigh of relief, then collapses in on itself, transforming first into an incredibly old human man with a look of peace in his eyes, and then a moment later crumbling into a skeleton and thence to dust. At this moment, the entire shrine seems to grow more vibrant and colorful. The water in the pool becomes crystal clear, and seems to almost glow in the sunlight the filters down through the forest trees.
Well, that was unexpected, Eduard says as he tries to collect some of the dust for later examination.
Well that was... Alexander chuckles as Eduard finishes his thought. Yes. That.
*Lick, wash with water*
Well that was..unusual. Shall we investigate this place a bit more?
Andrea uses the Wand of Infernal Healing on Radomir
Soren puts the arrow he had drawn back into his quiver, and starts inspecting what's left of the body.
What do you guys think? Magical curse?
Alexander shrugs, One would think. Perhaps a divine curse of some sort? A corrupted shrine of a god of nature. He shrugs again, Well, shall we explore the area and see if this shrine has any other surprises?
Maybe one of those shapechangers who terrorized the place?
Your group fails to find any other surprises when you explore the area. After doing a sweep of the courtyard area, you find nothing of note. It is just a large clearing with a large reflecting pool in the center of it, measuring 20 ft by 60 feet. There were about a dozen pillars ringing the outer edge of the courtyard, but some have toppled over. Whether by neglect or on purpose, it is hard to tell.
The flight of stone stairs is about 30 ft long and leads up to what looks like a natural cave opening framed by the antlers of the massive Elk stone stature that stands upon the top of the cave. When you enter the cave, you see that it is a shallow room with five alcoves off of it. Each alcove contains a statue or other depiction of Erastil and low stone benches to kneel at when praying.
Andrea pokes around. Purely for curiosity and not looking for loot.
Alexander stands and examines the statue. While I am not a follower of Erastil myself, it seems like it would be...beneficial, to have his blessing. And his followers tend to be...well, not bandits, at least.
He'll walk around with Detect Magic active for a little bit, just in case. Then again, we'll need to make it clear that Erastil is not the local established religion. Such things have a tendency to get out of control. He pauses and chuckles.
Radomir attempts to hide his grievous wounds as he dismounts and tends to Czernabog. He slips out a cure potion and downs A quick healing potion . Then, he'll leave Czernabog to drink from the pool and nibble grass while he explores the area with the others.
i will need to tend my armor tonight. My lord, can Erastul's faith be permitted in these woods? His words rarely support civilization.
Thaliar decides to speak up as the others talk about Erastil while himself, like Eduard, gathers some of the dust that once was the bear-man. "Farmer's tend to like him so if we want this area to support itself his presence would be a boon. If something like a city ends up establishing itself her his faithful will leave it alone as long as they have somewhere else to go. They also firmly oppose banditry." He'd have to perform several alchemical tests on the dust so he fills his second flask with it. He suddenly regrets not stocking up on more at Oleg's but they'd probably want to return soon anyway so they can get the priest out of their hair.
"If we respect them and don't offend them too much they're not an issue. We just have to make sure they know who's in charge. We might want to pass by Oleg's on the first opportunity by the way, help him get rid of the preachy priest."
Alexander looks at Radomir with surprise as he drinks a potion, Radomir! Why...what are you thinking? He sighs in disappointment, If you are wounded, just say so. Andrea and I can heal you. Between our own magic and the wand we paid good gold for. There's no good reason to waste potions. Those are for emergencies, not for when we're standing around with no danger in sight.
He walks away shaking his head, Of all the...
Soren stays at the entrance, bow ready in case any more man-bears show up.
I'll keep watch while you guys look around. Call if you need me.
Searching the shrine and area doesn't produce anything other than what you have found already. The place seems like a quite typical shrine to Erastil, though the area is rather overgrown and worn by time and neglect.
Alexander, during your walk with detect magic, you notice that the waters of the reflecting pool currently glow with magic.
Hrm...magical? Alexander muses as he looks at the pool of water.