"Sure. Stay maybe 20 feet behind me." I whisper and slip silently through the bushes towards the standing stones. I keep my weapons ready in my hands and I stay alert, wary of possible danger.
Laithe nods and replies "Should you get in trouble, we will come to your aid. But still be careful". He then watches Alton's progress through the undergrowth, keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble.
Alton creeps forward towards the clearing, picking his way carefully, trying to limit the crunch of feet on dead leaves, and the creak and swish of half seen branches and vines in the near-dark forest.
As he nears the clearing, some sixty feet from where the group halted,
When Alton has almost reached the edge of the clearing, the faint glow flickers once more, then disappears. The faint humming remains.
I creep silently back to the group and whisper "I think the light is coming from somewhere outside the circle, on the far edge. I think that someone or something is singing or chanting and I smelled something like incense. As soon as I got close the light vanished but I can still hear the humming. Should we investigate further? Jarred, do you know what this might be?"
You sense, more than see the ranger shake his head in the near darkness. “Lot of strange things in these woods, especially around twilight, and near standing stones … the spaces between worlds are thin then and there,” he replies in a whisper. “I was hoping we’d have reached and passed by here by sunset…” You hear the faint, rasping sound of the man scratching his chin through his beard. “Strange lights, chanting, funny smells … could be fey.”
He shakes his head again. “We could try bypassing this clearing, and cutting further through the forest to Gosia’s clearing, off the trail. Only some of us will probably make quite a racket, blundering through the unmarked woods in the dark…”
You sense, more than see the ranger shake his head in the near darkness. “Lot of strange things in these woods, especially around twilight, and near standing stones … the spaces between worlds are thin then and there,” he replies in a whisper. “I was hoping we’d have reached and passed by here by sunset…” You hear the faint, rasping sound of the man scratching his chin through his beard. “Strange lights, chanting, funny smells … could be fey.”
He shakes his head again. “We could try bypassing this clearing, and cutting further through the forest to Gosia’s clearing, off the trail. Only some of us will probably make quite a racket, blundering through the unmarked woods in the dark…”
Laithe shakes his head at Jarred's suggestion of bypassing the clearing. "No, I think we should move out and attempt to engage with whatever or whoever is there. It is possible they will be able to ched some light as to the whereabouts of the missing girl, Hilde."
He looks to Keildrithe "What say you, Hedilye? Are you up for trying to talk? Perhaps your music would soothe them and prevent them from fleeing the sound of 5 men trampsing through the bush?"
[
He looks to Keildrithe "What say you, Hedilye? Are you up for trying to talk? Perhaps your music would soothe them and prevent them from fleeing the sound of 5 men trampsing through the bush?"
"Very well, I will try" whispers Keildrithe. Keildrithe gently drops his pack and pulls his beldach from it. "Yruch, Jarred, Laithe, Alton, I trust that you will keep me covered with slings and bows? Someone should stay close to the infant, of course..."
The bard leaves his pack behind and moves as quietly as he can through the brush and into the clearing, sword strapped to his back and beldach in hand. He advances a few more steps towards the stones as he plays a light rythm on his drum, while murmuring words of peace in Karandic...
I nod and sheathe my blades. I draw my bow and nock an arrow and follow about 20ft behind Keildrithe.
I nod and sheathe my blades. I draw my bow and nock an arrow and follow about 20ft behind Keildrithe.
"We will be close behind with cover, should you require it. Otherwise, call us forth if and as you need us" Laithe says softly as Keildrithe prepares to leave.
As Alton draws his bow, Laithe motions for Yruch to grab Keildrithe's pack (as he still holds the baby) and follow as quietly as possible. He moves slowly behind Alton, attempting to make as little noise as possible with his passage.
As Keildrithe’s soothing tune and words of peace spill out across the still evening air, there is a stirring from within the clearing.
A tall figure moves around the side of one of the stones. It is difficult to make out it’s features in the near darkness from this distance – it appears human, but may be wearing some sort of head-dress, and there is something not quite right – seeming about it’s legs, and the gait with which it moves. You can see by its silloeutte that it is armed with a spear, bears a bow across its back, and holds something small in it’s other hand.
It raises that hand, and hails you in a strange language ad musical voice;
Sylvan: [spoiler]”What ho travellers? Friends or foes?”[spoiler]
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
A tall figure moves around the side of one of the stones. It is difficult to make out it’s features in the near darkness from this distance – it appears human, but may be wearing some sort of head-dress, and there is something not quite right – seeming about it’s legs, and the gait with which it moves. You can see by its silloeutte that it is armed with a spear, bears a bow across its back, and holds something small in it’s other hand.It raises that hand, and hails you in a strange language ad musical voice;
Sylvan: [spoiler]”What ho travellers? Friends or foes?”[spoiler]
Not understanding the creature's words, but sensing its non-aggressive behaviour, Keildrithe continues to hum his Karandic words over the rythm of his drum, nodding at the creature as he does so:
I have seen the verdant leaves
Take the hue of rusted gold
A thousand times beheld the scene
Where the sky grows old
I have seen the birth of mountains
Then watched them fall beneath the sea
I've watched the desert claim the world
With dust its only legacy...
The bard has a sneaking suspicion that he knows what he is facing...
To those who speak Karandic:
Sylvan: [spoiler]”What ho travellers? Friends or foes?”[spoiler]
Laithe, still 20ft behind Keildrithe, understands the words spoken by the tall figure, but it is not until Keildrithe whispers back in Karandic that he realises he is the only one who can understand the language.
He clumsily starts forward, still holding the babe in his arms. In Karandic he says to Keildrithe "He asked us whether we be fried or foe. I know not if he is as you suspect, but I will try and find out."
Turning to the tall figure he says "We are friends of the forest, and foes to those who would harm it or the goodly beings it houses. My name is Laithe, this here is Keildrithe, Alton, Yruch and Jarred." Laithe points out each of his companions in turn. "May I ask your name and what brings you here this evening?"
Keildrithe nods as Laithe introduces him. He has stopped reciting his poem, but continues to drum softly as the druid speaks with the creature.
The figure steps forward, out of the shadow of the standing stone, and his features become more distinct – revealing that Keildrithe was, in likelihood, correct in his assumption. The creature before you has the tanned, muscled torso of a man, whilst his legs bear the shape and fur of some sort of hooved animal – a deer, or goat perhaps. His head is human-like, but he sprouts curved, ram-like horns from his brow, his ears are that of a deer, and his mouth and nose bear a hint of a resemblance to a deer’s muzzle. His eyes seem to glow momentarily, perhaps picking up the last rays of the sun’s glow.
He has a strange gait as he begins walking in a slow arc, centred on Keildrithe, keeping his distance, looking intently between you all. After a moment he speaks again, in the same language as before, apparently to Laithe, although his attention seems more focused on Keildrithe and Yruch than any others.
“Gromph,” he states, the unusual sounding word not one known to you in Sylvan. “The setting of the sun, starlight. The ancient watchers, the lingering scent of a young woman’s life-blood. An imagined new tune, a favourite old pipe. That one bears the mark of the death bringers.”
After speaking several sentences the creature seems to nod it’s head in the direction of Yruch, as it continues to draw it’s wide circle around your group, reminiscent of a hunting beast. The spear it holds has a twisted wooden haft and a copper or bronze head, and it bears a simple cloth bag slung across one shoulder. In it’s other hand it holds what appears to be a flute.
“Gromph,” he states, the unusual sounding word not one known to you in Sylvan. “The setting of the sun, starlight. The ancient watchers, the lingering scent of a young woman’s life-blood. An imagined new tune, a favourite old pipe. That one bears the mark of the death bringers.”
After speaking several sentences the creature seems to nod it’s head in the direction of Yruch, as it continues to draw it’s wide circle around your group, reminiscent of a hunting beast. The spear it holds has a twisted wooden haft and a copper or bronze head, and it bears a simple cloth bag slung across one shoulder. In it’s other hand it holds what appears to be a flute.
Laithe stares in wonder at the Satyr, having heard stories of such creatures around the campfires when he was young, but never having seen one before. He watches it's movements, attempting to get an idea of it's motives, yet it's foreign nature makes him uncertain.
Taking a guess that "Gromph" is his name, Laithe hesitantly addresses the Satyr once more. "Gromph, the death bringers have brought grief to at least 2 of our number, and indeed we quest now to try and prevent them from committing another wrong. Though Yruch carries their symbol, he has proved himself different from the others, and his nature seems good." Laithe pauses, considering his next words (he also doesn't translate the part where he spoke of Yruch).
"You mention the blood of a young woman - 4 girls from the town have disappeared and 3 have been found dead in this very clearing, while the fourth remains missing. An innocent woman from the town has been blamed and faces the retribution of the death bringers. We quest on her behalf to prove her innocence. If you come here often, perhaps you have seen or heard something which we have missed that may help us in our cause?"
The beast-man continues to circle around you, leaving the clearing now and flitting between the trees. You all need to turn to your left to keep him in view, and his features are once again lost in the darkness of the forest, although his voice remains clear (although non-understandable to all but Laithe).
“Good, evil; innocence, guilt; dead, missing, found. Why should I help you?” he says, in his strange, sing-song voice and seemingly disjointed stream of words and phrases.
The beast-man continues to circle around you, leaving the clearing now and flitting between the trees. You all need to turn to your left to keep him in view, and his features are once again lost in the darkness of the forest, although his voice remains clear (although non-understandable to all but Laithe).
“Good, evil; innocence, guilt; dead, missing, found. Why should I help you?” he says, in his strange, sing-song voice and seemingly disjointed stream of words and phrases.
Once Laithe has translated the satyr's words, Keildrithe suggests the following, in Karandic: "Laithe, perhaps we should suggest that if he does not share what he knows with us, then the "death bringers" will continue to do their foul deeds, and may ultimately come to hunt him and his kin, for they hold in contempt all who do not follow the ways of Arton... and we stand against the death bringers. Perhaps I should think of a way to answer his question in the form of a riddle... maybe that would increase his willingness to share his knowledge?"
"Jarred. Do you know anything that is of use in this situation?" I whisper to Jarred. I've lowered my bow slightly but I'm still ready to fire on the strange creature should it become hostile.
Once Laithe has translated the satyr's words, Keildrithe suggests the following, in Karandic: "Laithe, perhaps we should suggest that if he does not share what he knows with us, then the "death bringers" will continue to do their foul deeds, and may ultimately come to hunt him and his kin, for they hold in contempt all who do not follow the ways of Arton... and we stand against the death bringers. Perhaps I should think of a way to answer his question in the form of a riddle... maybe that would increase his willingness to share his knowledge?"
Laithe nods, at Keildrithe's words, thinking along those lines, but eager for his words not to be misconstrued as a threat. He takes a deep breath and gives it a go. "Because these days, fewer and fewer people believe in the old ways, fewer and fewer stand up to the death bringers. We are a handful of those few, and if we have any hope to stand against their many, and prevent further harm to you and yours, and to us and ours, then we need all the help we can get."
Laithe pauses, and asks Keildrithe to pass him Gosia's pendant. Taking it and holding it out, he continues "Gosia, the woman accused, is a friend of the old ways and lived not far from here. If she dies, the death bringers gain even more momentum, and their axes will continue to bite into the old forests, and their fires burn those who live within them. If she dies she is one more who loves and reveres nature and the old ways lost, and hope dies with her..."
His voice trails off, hoping he has said the right thing. He continue's to hold up Gosia's pendant so it is clear to see.
"Jarred. Do you know anything that is of use in this situation?" I whisper to Jarred. I've lowered my bow slightly but I'm still ready to fire on the strange creature should it become hostile.
“They’re fickle creatures, these fey,” replies Jarred, gripping his own spear tightly. “As he says, good or evil matter little to most of ‘em, and their sense of right and wrong is different to ours … from what I know, they care most about themselves, and tend to plan little beyond the immediate. I don’t know this fellow, and don’t know what he’s after.”
Laithe pauses, and asks Keildrithe to pass him Gosia's pendant. Taking it and holding it out, he continues "Gosia, the woman accused, is a friend of the old ways and lived not far from here. If she dies, the death bringers gain even more momentum, and their axes will continue to bite into the old forests, and their fires burn those who live within them. If she dies she is one more who loves and reveres nature and the old ways lost, and hope dies with her..."His voice trails off, hoping he has said the right thing. He continue's to hold up Gosia's pendant so it is clear to see.
The satyr continues his slow circle around the group, and makes a circular, waving motion with his spear.
“Will they come? Fight or flee. Fewer and fewer … I do not need you to believe in me … I do not need some female to believe in me.”
“Wine, women, smoke, song. Those things I believe in.” The Sylvan words hold a faint tone of amusement, perhaps bordering on contempt.
Laithe pauses, and asks Keildrithe to pass him Gosia's pendant. Taking it and holding it out, he continues "Gosia, the woman accused, is a friend of the old ways and lived not far from here. If she dies, the death bringers gain even more momentum, and their axes will continue to bite into the old forests, and their fires burn those who live within them. If she dies she is one more who loves and reveres nature and the old ways lost, and hope dies with her..."His voice trails off, hoping he has said the right thing. He continue's to hold up Gosia's pendant so it is clear to see.
The satyr continues his slow circle around the group, and makes a circular, waving motion with his spear.
“Will they come? Fight or flee. Fewer and fewer … I do not need you to believe in me … I do not need some female to believe in me.”
“Wine, women, smoke, song. Those things I believe in.” The Sylvan words hold a faint tone of amusement, perhaps bordering on contempt.
Laithe's voice starts to take on an sarcastic and angry edge, exasperated at the creature. "Well, it is good that you believe in smoke, for there will be plenty of it when the Artonites, or death bringers, sweep through these lands with their purifying flames. But it will not be the smoke of the pipe,"
He pauses, gesturing to the trees around the clearing, "it will be the smoke of these forests burning."
He stops again, pointing at the drum still held by Keildrithe "It will be the smoke of burning instruments, silencing their music".
He holds up Gosia's pendant once more "It will be the smoke of burning women, no longer able to dance with you".
Lastly he points at the Satyr himself "And it will be the smoke of the burning bodies of you and your kin, who they will not tolerate."
"You may think you have the option to fight or flee. But everytime you flee, they become stronger, and those like us who might stand by and help you become weaker. Soon there will be no option. So flee if you like, but you had better get used to it, for you will be fleeing forever more." By this stage, Laithe is breathing heavily, almost glaring at the creature, the emotion having all but overcome him.
I sigh and raise my bow fractionally. It seems to be a fickle creature and it might not respond well to Laithe's speech.
I sigh and raise my bow fractionally. It seems to be a fickle creature and it might not respond well to Laithe's speech.
The creature laughs, mirthlessly.
The satyr stops it’s arc, and begins moving backwards into the forest, beginning to be lost in the shadows under the trees.
"What'd he say?" I ask quitely, my bow now pointed at the creature's back.
"What'd he say?" I ask quitely, my bow now pointed at the creature's back.
"What'd he say?" I ask quitely, my bow now pointed at the creature's back.
"He says he is immortal and our problems don't concern him!" Laithe spits with disgust and anger. .
Taking a breath he steadies himself and turns to the group. "I'm sorry, I didn't handle that very well. I can try and call him back if you think - and I will translate only..."
"He says he is immortal and our problems don't concern him!" Laithe spits with disgust and anger. .
Taking a breath he steadies himself and turns to the group. "I'm sorry, I didn't handle that very well. I can try and call him back if you think - and I will translate only..."
"Let it be," says Keildrithe. "You tried your best. Dealing with this kind of apathy and arrogance would frsutrate any normal person. If this creature's way of thinking is as alien to ours as Jarred suggests it is, then any attempts at diplomacy may prove futile. And even if it did agree to help us, I'm not sure to what extent we could trust it... Let's just keep an eye on it, in case it should prove treacherous."
"Let it be," says Keildrithe. "You tried your best. Dealing with this kind of apathy and arrogance would frsutrate any normal person. If this creature's way of thinking is as alien to ours as Jarred suggests it is, then any attempts at diplomacy may prove futile. And even if it did agree to help us, I'm not sure to what extent we could trust it... Let's just keep an eye on it, in case it should prove treacherous."
A thought crosses Laithe's face, and he turns to Keildrithe. "Yes, I made the mistake of attempting to appeal to human sensibilities. Yet it mentions it lives for music - your music is probably the best thing to deal with it, and could perhaps be used as a bargaining tool - a song for some knoweldge? It may be too late, but you may be able to call it back with song, if you think it worth while?"
Whilst Laithe was translating the conversation for the others, the satyr has slipped away into the darkness – he may still be nearby, but he is out of sight.
"I'm for continuing to Gosia's. If he doesn't want to help then so be it. Besides, I'm not sure that coming into Barg with a creature that the Artonites consider to be evil would really help our cause." I say, my eyes darting around the forest trying to see if its still out there.
"I'm for continuing to Gosia's. If he doesn't want to help then so be it. Besides, I'm not sure that coming into Barg with a creature that the Artonites consider to be evil would really help our cause." I say, my eyes darting around the forest trying to see if its still out there.
Laithe nods in reply "I don't think he would have accompanied us into town, but he may have had some useful information for us. But I think you are right - I'm inclined to move on to Gosia's. I'm not sure I could keep a level head anyway, until I've had some time to calm down. What say you Keildrithe? Perhaps you can do both - head to Gosia's cottage but lure him to follow with an enchanting piece of music?"
Laithe nods in reply "I don't think he would have accompanied us into town, but he may have had some useful information for us. But I think you are right - I'm inclined to move on to Gosia's. I'm not sure I could keep a level head anyway, until I've had some time to calm down. What say you Keildrithe? Perhaps you can do both - head to Gosia's cottage but lure him to follow with an enchanting piece of music?"
"Certainly... I will contine to drum and hum as we make our way back to the cottage."
"Certainly... I will contine to drum and hum as we make our way back to the cottage."
Laithe nods once more and says to the others - "Come, let's make our way to the cottage, and get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow". His anger has begun to disperse, leaving him weary and ready for rest.
The group follows the path down a gentle hill towards the clearing containing Gosia’s cottage. Laithe and Jarred lead the group through the near-dark forest, whilst Keildrithe stays towards the rear of the group, drumming softly in hopes of perhaps luring back the satyr. Alton stays with the bard, watching and listening carefully for any sign of the fey creature returning.
You have almost reached the cottage clearing, when Jarred suddenly stops and holds up his hand, obviously calling a halt. At almost the same instant,
Laithe:
Keildrithe and Alton:
Yruch also tenses and grips his mace tightly, apparently having seen or sensed something in the direction of the cottage.
I spin fully around and bring my bow up, carefully scanning the treeline for the thing.
"Keildrithe, did you see something behind us?" I whisper.
The group follows the path down a gentle hill towards the clearing containing Gosia’s cottage. Laithe and Jarred lead the group through the near-dark forest, whilst Keildrithe stays towards the rear of the group, drumming softly in hopes of perhaps luring back the satyr. Alton stays with the bard, watching and listening carefully for any sign of the fey creature returning.
You have almost reached the cottage clearing, when Jarred suddenly stops and holds up his hand, obviously calling a halt. At almost the same instant,
"Something is following us," murmurs Keildrithe over his drum. "I think it's the satyr, but I'm not quite sure... Jarred, Yruch, what is it?"
Jarred nods his head, a barely seen gesture in the darkness, but he appears to be indicating the cottage. Yruch says softly, “there’s someone – or something – there.”
Jarred nods his head, a barely seen gesture in the darkness, but he appears to be indicating the cottage. Yruch says softly, “there’s someone – or something – there.”
Laithe nods "Yes - someone or something is inside Gosia's cottage and it has spotted us. If we are also being followed then we are potentially caught between a rock and a hard place. I suggest we move quickly to the cottage and confront who ever is inside - if we are then beset upon by something following us then at least we will have an idea where it will be coming from. Out here we are vulnerable from all sides."
The back door of the cottage is in its north face, whilst the front door is in the south wall. You are approaching from the west, and can see neither door clearly from this vantage.