[This thread backtracks from the storyline due to some issues.]
DM: The group is led into the Briefing Room where Captain Gaellyn Cor'etwyn and General Myrdivar Mendeliir awaits you. Once everyone has arrived, the general speaks.
"There has been some changes of late that you must be made aware of. First, one of your members, Esctancia Silvertree, will no longer be available for this mission, as something personal and dire has occurred which demands her absence. The reasons will not be explained to you, know that she is will be discharged from the Elonalryn indefinitely. Without giving much pause, he continues. "Secondly, it has been advised that you are to be sent to the Stolen Lands during dusk instead of nightfall as the terrain inside the Narlmarches is treacherous for newcomers. Therefore, we are sending you out immediately. Come with us." Without waiting for salutes or acknowledgment, the officers lead you out into the hallways.
Shortly afterwhich, the five members of the Emerald Lightning Team: Adrienne Caeletha, Celebrindal, Lidras Mitheredal, Fellorian, and Goinin Bearback enter the Enchanters Tower. Climbing up one set of stairs, the group is led into a circular room that is about 100 feet in diameter. Lining up the walls are numerous runes of power, along with weapons, books, and magical items. Directly in the center is what appears to be a summoning pentagram encircled in two lines. A solid line connects to one side of the pentagram which trails off to a smaller circle. Inside the smaller circle is a vicious looking creature that appears to be held fast by magical bindings. Three elven warriors watch the monster intently with weapons drawn and pointed at the beast. Standing at the northern apex of the summoning design is a hooded wizard with four others standing at the remaining points.
"High Mage Uthvin Theravel will teleport all five of you to the destination," the veteran general declares. "Congratulations on becoming part of the most elite combat force in all of Kyonin. Unfortunately, tonight's mission is your celebration. We understand that this is quite an unexpected surprise of being placed on a long ranged operation in almost zero notice, but such is the our way. Only one other team faced a similar scenario. Thanks to you, that team is waiting for you in the Narlmarches. They are the best of our unit, almost legendary despite being in existence for only fourteen years. Leftenant Adarion Lyrondreth is in command there, he will brief you on the details of the area far better than we can."
Captain Cor'etwyn hands Celebrindal a small case. "Inside this is a compact crystal ball. Use this for communication to us. Be sparing in use, roughly once per month on your findings and dealings in the region. You MUST prevent it's capture to anything not beloning to the Elonalryn." Once in Celebrindal's hands, he steps away and motions everyone to step into the center of the room.
"Be prepared, this mass teleportation is fairly accurate, but not foolproof. Even though you may be teleported safely, you may become under sudden attack. Prepare your weapons and spells now. Master Theravel, you may begin."
The fancy looking spell-caster begins enchanting words of power you have not heard before [Kn arcane + spellcraft]. As he does so, the evil looking monster begins to cry out in pain while pulsating at the same time. The connected line radiates and fills up the pentagram.
"If all goes well, you should be standing in a small grove of trees a few hundred yards west of the Narlmarches. Enter the woods in stealth mode, the Red Wardancers will find you soon. They will give you a code in a riddle or a story. Key in on two words: 'fire and water'. Your response should be in a sentence, using two words as well: 'spirit and brightness'. If you do not receive the proper coded words, assume to be under attack by someone or something that bodes you ill will. But keep in mind that killing everything in site is not an option as some creatures may not be evil. Good luck to you all," says the general.
Seconds later, you see the foul beasts glow a hot white and vanishes in a loud piercing shriek, a pile of ashes where it stood. A moment later, all of you are embraced in total darkness. You feel a sensation of floating emptiness as if you are falling. The complete black that surrounds you is so dark, you cannot see anything. It is incredibly cold to all of you.
As quickly as the nothingness engulfed you, it disappears. Your feel feel grounded and light comes back to your eyes. You feel coldness but now in the form of wind coming from the northwest. You are now surrounded by a small cluster of scattered trees in grass up to your knees. It is evening, very cloudy, winds are about 8 mph and constant. The temperature is roughly 45-degrees and declining. There is still light out for now.
IT IS CHAPTER TWO. THE TIME IS ON THE EVENING HOUR OF 5, ON THE THIRD DAY OF GOZRAN, 4713.
Fellorian readies her bow, laying an arrow on its string before stepping into the center of the room.
***
As soon as they appear Fellorian looks around swiftly, assessing their situation.
If there is no danger, she moves to the eastern edge of the stand of trees, blending in with the surroundings instinctively. There she pauses again to examine the wilderness carefully, as well as trying to gauge how close the storm is.
The sickly feeling of Teleportation was over and Celebrindal looked quickly around hands ready to draw bow or blade. Moving quickly after Fellorian and took care that his comrades had arrived safely and were in good shape.
Seeing the others check the surrounding, Cele checks them, waiting for their all well signal.
DM: The group spends about five rounds or so to secure their position. So far, no contacts other than perhaps a few ants under your boots. What life that was here was scared off by the teleportation.
To your east is a long, large stretch of woods as far as your can see that runs north to south. All other directions are very low rolling open grassfields with small scatterings of tree groves such as the one you are in now. The wind is moving from north-northwest at about 8 mph and constant. The clouds above you are moving fast in the same direction. Crickets and other insects begin to chirp away after moments of silence. You are surrounded by a total of 12 small and 3 large trees within a 70-foot radius with smaller, harmless bushes. The grass all around you is stands two to three feet high. The forest, which you assume is the Narlmarches, is about five hundred feet away at the closest point.
Fellorian, you determine that the storm is going to be a bad one, the temperatures will drop to almost freezing, and precipitation is definite, only a question of rain or snow. You have about two hours or less before it comes. Nothing like a blizzard or tornado, but you don't want to be out in the open when it comes.
Fellorian turns to Celebrindal and speaks quietly, "I see no signs of danger aside from the approaching storm. Expect temperatures almost freezing and either snow or rain in two hours or less. We do not want to be in the open when it hits. I suggest that we cross to the forest over there and search for or make shelter .. and quickly."
Gathering the others with handsignes that it is time to move out, and on the double he whispers to Fellorian.
"Lead on."
"We should have some advance and some stay here to cover us. We can cover the others once we have made sure we are safe in the other trees." Fellorian beckons to Adrienne, then springs up out of her position and sprints for the trees some 500 feet away trading speed for stealth.
[DM NOTE: Until I set up a Roll20.net mapboard or upload coordinate graph paper]
http://www.calendariu.com/tag/coordinate-grid-paper
[we shall use the PC screen to orientate position and direction. Not to insult anyone, but the top of your monitor screen is north, bottom is south, left is west, and right is east. Distance will ALWAYS be in feet.]
I have Celebrindal, Goinin, and Lidras positioned in the middle facing east inside the grove in partial cover. Adrienne and Fellorian are sprinting for the forest heading directly east at 90-degrees. Adrienne has her bow out and nocked while running, as does Fellorian. I need to know what the other three are doing, specific positioning, and with what before anything else proceeds from here. Visibility is currently 8000 feet at maximum conditions concerning line-of-sight. The sprinters will be moving at 160 feet per round (6 seconds). You can do this for a number of rounds equal to your CON score, not your CON bonus. This simply means you will reach the woods at 500+ feet in three rounds. The grounds looks relatively flat enough where you do not need to roll or fall down. You are elves, not lead-footed dwarves!
Indicating that he will move next, then Lidras and Goinin together, to make the most of cover and covering fire, Celebrindal waits till he sees the others reach the woodcover, counts to ten, checks if he can detect anything, then run to the point of their team.
Ok, good. What bout Lidras and Goinin?
Adrienne: You seem to think the immediate area of the treeline and the clearing behind you to the west is clear of any hostiles. Are you positioned inside the woods? If so, how far deep?
Fellorian steps inside the treeline, "Cover them. I will delve a little deeper. I will not be out of sight." She moves fifteen to thirty feet into the trees, as long as she can keep a view of Adrienne. There she looks around for any threats to their small band.
Ok. Now everyone has reached the treeline safe and uncontested. The woods is alive with animals and insects, making the kind of noises one would expect in a forest at dusk before a storm. No survival rolls needed. Everyone notices that the Narlmarches, or at least this part, is thick with vegetation at the ground level, with a single canopy overhead. The trees seem to be a mix of oak, beech, rustleaf, and pine. Visibility is maxed at 300 feet ground level, but averages about half that. The ground is relatively easy to travel, with typical roots and spots of rough, uneven terrain. Elevation changes don't seem to be anything serious from what you can tell. There are plenty of visible spots of sky in the canopy above, but the overhead cover typically darkens the place as expected in any forest. Your superior vision helps your LOS that would hinder humans and other lesser species.
[b Adrienne, you FEEL that something isn't right here. You do not see, smell, or hear any danger, but your instincts says you are not alone. Whether it's because there is danger or you are just hyped up is unknown.]
|
Adrienne whispers to the rest of the group through her Message spell. Something doesn't feel right here. Keep on your guard. We should probably find shelter for the storm, then work on finding the other group in the morning. She begins quietly picking her path through the woods watching the trees around her, looking for trouble.
"Well the general was of opinion that they will find us, but you are correct Adrienne. A cave or a something like that would be most usefull. Or maybe we find a wayward willow, to hide under her long branches.
Fellorian advances to Adrienne's left, though still within sight of the other elf. Alert for danger, Fellorian's primary concern is finding shelter from the coming storm.
Not twenty feet into the woods when a voice cries out to all of you, "Hail brethren!" The direction is to the southeast from your position, Just to Adrienne's right shoulder. Emerging from the bushes is a woman of slender build and long brown hair in winter clothing. No weapons are seen. Distance of 30 feet from Adrienne who is closest to her. So, picture Goinin, Celebrindal and Lidras in the center of your monitor, with Fellorian at the 20'clock position (northeast) about 20 feet away from the other three, while Adrienne is directly 3 o'clock east at about the same distance. The strange woman is 5 o'clock, southeast of Adrienne and 60 feet from the other three.
She appears to be an elven woman, perhaps of Highborn stock. No weapons are in her hand or possession. There are no insignia of any sort that you spot. her garb is of furs only. You can see her bare arms and knees, as to seem completely unaffected by the near-winter conditions. Eyes are pale blue, with brown hair and fair skin. If she is any sort of soldier, she does not fit the appearance.
She says to you, "Be at peace in the Narlmarches, for one can embrace the tranquility of my fire, which will warn and soothe your troubled souls like the softness of water on a glistening lake." Her voice is eerie, almost as if she isn't what she seems. SHE looks at peace, almost too peaceful.
Moving forward Celebrindal bows."Your presence is like a warm summer breeze for my wary spirit, seeking a place where we can set up a fire, so that in it´s brightness we can weather this storm?"
@Lidras: You don't trust her at all. In fact, you are fairly certain she is not real. Why? Because...she glows a red hue and vanishes!
Once Celebrindal finished his riddled password, a softer, more commanding voice says from his left, "Welcome, fledglings of the Elonalryn."
Seemingly appearing out of thin air in a mild shimmer of blue emerges a very handsome male Grey elf not but 10 feet from Celebrindal. He stands about 5'9, wearing the same attire and equipment as everyone else. He removes his hood to reveal his icy steel eyes and earthly brown hair that is only shoulder length. No weapons are drawn, but he mounts the same as everyone else: bow, sword, dagger, spell pouches, and quiver. He looks much older than your team members. This Grey elf holds himself much like a nobleman and commander: Back straight, chin up, eyes constantly focused on thoughts privy only to himself.
"I am Lord Adarion Lyrondreth, leader of the Malkyythel (Team Red Wardancers)."
A second voice cheerily pops up next to the left of Lidras in a similar fashion as the elder elf. "Hi sunshine, I'm Fiavia. Wizard and Badass," says the Highborn woman. She is shorter than usual, with longer blond hair, green eyes and a smile that says either your soul is hers or your pizza is ready.
A third elf shimmers into view next to the left of Goinin. A Highborn male elf that is a bit short, but appears to fill his armor with muscle. Green haired, hazel eyes, he says in a soft tone, "She is such a flirt."
Fiavia fires back sharply, "Hey, don't say that about me, Claeledar! I'm just being friendly." in a tone that still hints at flirting.
Hovering down from the trees in front of Fellorian and Adrienne are three more elves who are stashing their bows as they touch down with the ease and silent precision of a veteran forester. A male Sylvan, a female Sylvan, and a male Highborn.
"I shall identify the rest of my kin. The energetic one is Fiavia Stargazer, specializing in intuitive magic. Claeledar Duskdancer is our bladesinger. Our Sylvan companions are both druids, Amual Dreamstrider, and Daelynn Fernwarden. Finally, there's Kethis Moonwhisperer, cleric of Calistria." The last three nod in politeness when named by their superior.
[roll any skills if you wish before we go on with more dialogue or if you have any OOC questions. I will say without rolls that the reason why NONE of you spotted them is because their magic and superior stealth out-rolled and outwitted all of you]
Smilingly Celebrindal starts to introduce his Teammembers.
My I introduce my point team. Fellorian, one of the very best trackers ever to finish the training, and following the road of the forester. Our expert on all herbs an plants and as nimble with the bow as with her mind is Adrienne Caeletha. The young man without armor is Goinin Bearback, our hand to hand expert. Lidras Mithredal is the one with the big sword. He is our expert on divine matters. Finally, I lead the team, Celebrindal. I specialise in tactics and Alchemy.
A pleasant surprise to see you that early."
With military etiquette done he relaxes, a little bit.
|
|
Adrienne readies her bow as the three elves descend from the trees in front of her. Realizing they are friendly, she unknocks her arrow, twirls it between her fingers, and places it back into her quiver.
Upon hearing Celebrindal introduce the party, a smile breaks across Adrienne's face, and she bows slightly to the newcomers. What a pleasing introduction! Looks like a storm is about to roll in. Do you have shelter nearby that we could speak further in?
Fellorian smiles in welcome to the newcomers now that the sign and countersign have been satisfied before turning her attention back to the surrounding forest, still on guard, still with an arrow nocked and ready.
Adarion looks at Adrienne and addresses the question.
"We have a spot to the southwest from this spot. It is less than miles from here. We should reach the location before the storm hits. But we have about an hour before darkness will overtake the woods. We have already set up the place for the next few days. We anticipated your teleportation to be off, but they mages placed you precisely where you were supposed to be. Follow us."
Lord Lyrondreth makes a few hand gestures, all of you recognize them as formation signals. The veterans form a single line, draw their bows with arrows nocked, and began moving. They move slowly and deliberately. You notice how they are using their formation to watch their flanks and their spacing. It's awe inspiring. They really know their jobs.
Current speed is at 20 feet per round, or 'stealth mode' if you will. Distance per person is at 20 feet. You are moving to the south-southwest direction.
|
|
Adrienne breathes deeply of the cool evening air. The air was crisp and cold in her lungs. I missed the northern woods and the air. The cold stillness on my skin is refreshing. Keeping Fellorian in eye sight in front of her, she silently picks her way through the underbrush. As she watches out for any possible threats, she keeps an eye out for any herbs that she might come back for sometime.
@Adrienne: You are confident that you are moving silently. However, you do not spot any useful herbs in the waning remaining daylight.
What is the group marching formation? I have Fellorian out front, followed by Adrienne.
[So, it's Lidras, Fellorian, Adrienne, Goinin, and Celebrindal in single file formation. Good.]
The Malkyythel squad sets the pace up front by moving only 20 feet per round. They are utilizing stealth to the utmost, none of you hear them make any sound. All of you can see how they scan the flanks, above and below, never fixing their LOS more than three seconds. There is a complete absence of chattering or goofing around; these folks are veterans who take their jobs seriously. The flow of teamwork is incredible, they operate with full confidence in themselves and in their teammates. On two occasions, they conduct what is known as a 'listening halt' where they come to a stop, crouch down and observe the surroundings. Only hand signals are used, no message spells to you knowledge. Once finished, they slowly rise up and signal you to follow.
Just about when darkness dominates the forest, you are signaled to a halt. Two of the Malkyythel members dash forward beyond your sight due to the thick ground cover. Roughly one full minute later, they return and all six of them stand up, store their weapons and walks forward while signalling you to follow. One hundred feet further to the southeast, you come up to a campfire that you didn't detect earlier. Somehow, the light and smell of the fire has been hidden to your senses. Close by the fire is a tall statue of what appears to be a representation of a man with a deer's head with a full rack of antlers upon a very sturdy stone foundation that towers above the shrubbery. Four wooden shelters are located in a semi-circle facing the fire, well camouflaged and nearly hidden from sight. Each can hold three elves tightly. The wind has increased slightly, and rain has begun to fall, creating lots of noise. Thankfully, the overhead canopy of trees has reduced some of the storm's effectiveness. All of you notice that your low light vision has been effected by the conditions, but you can still see without artificial lighting.
Lord Lyrondreth gains your attention. "Rest well tonight if you can. The storm shouldn't be too much to keep you awake, but the unfamiliar surroundings may be a problem. My squad shall take watch for you all, enjoy it while you can because this could be your last worry free rest for quite some time. We will awake you all at dawn and brief you up on our information, there is simply too much of it to cover tonight." As he speaks, the other five squad members conduct watch, add wood to the fire, lays out equipment, and other small tasks without command.
The beautiful highborn elf maiden barely pauses before replying, "I will be on watch tonight looking out for trouble. Not two minutes here and I've found trouble already." pointing at you directly. Her tone picks up in a cheery mood, "I'm looking forward to watching you squirm, moan, snore like a dwarf, and mumble in your sleep about hearth and home!" Giggling, she seemingly climbs up a nearby tree with the ease of a monkey and is gone from sight.
Before you can react, the one identified as Claeledar, whispers to you. "Next time, try with a lot more subtlety and class. There's still a chance for you, but not this night. As my lord Lyrondreth suggest, rest well tonight. The real work for all of you begins at dawn." As with Fiavia, the bladesinger ascends into the trees.
Doing a mental facepalm Celebrindal chooses a fitting tree, climbs up a tree and hangs his bed before taking his time out.