Kytes listens to Uufanes story with interest, but his curiosity is piqued by a certain phrase. "Uufanes, if I may ask a question. You mention darkness growing over the Verdant Mountains. What is this darkness you speak of?"
Uufanes sits silently for more than a mere moment, her gaze averted slightly as she contemplates Attai’s words. Slowly, she responds, “The forest holds many secrets. Its story is longer and deeper than any memory. Many have come and gone, each with their own story, their own truth. It is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what the card indicates, but with this insight, I will be vigilant, and I trust you will be too. I will say this, though. The veil which separates this world with the First World is thin within these woods. There are points without in which it is nonexistent, and travelers move freely between the worlds. Perhaps the card indicates one such traveler. Perhaps the foreigner is you... if you happen to slip between worlds.”
In answer to Kytes, she adds, “The Verdant Slopes cut through the forest just east of Wispil. Beyond them, the forest grows dark. There is a disease which spreads through the woods, a corruption which twists the dryads and treants which grow there into foul and terrible creatures. The very trees themselves drink from blood-stained soil. It is the priority of the Brygair and the Wildwood to destroy the root of this evil, which is why it is important to me that we maintain the peace here.” She indicates this borderland my placing her hand in the sand of the riverbank.
“The Isle of Arenway, where the Wildwood reside is one of the most potent and protected gates to the First World. There is a mighty confluence of Ley Lines there, and it is where the druids confer with the Spirit of the Great Forest through the Lorestone. It is where the Erlking and the Hamadryad hold their Fey Court. But, many lifetimes ago, before the Starfall, when the Great Forest was many times larger than it is today, the heart of the forest lay east of the Verdant Slopes. It was with the Starfall that the Ley Lines shifted. It is believed that the old heart is now corrupted, and is the source of the blight which darkens the woods. But that spot is lost to us, and few are those who survive a trek into the dark woods without being corrupted themselves.”
She then smiles back at Attai, “It seems I am the peddler of information. Perhaps the card is right. What else do you wish to know?”
"It is not right that men and forest creatures fight over the use of the land while a deeper darkness grows threatening them all. I will, with aid of the Inheritor, pledge myself to ridding your land of this evil. If we can fulfill our duty to the Marquis in th process, more the better. We can settle squabbles about forestry once the evil is vanquished."
Kytes is committed to stopping the spread of evil as any good paladin should be. Perhaps over committed at this point...
Attai nods to each Uufanes and Kytes in turn.
"It seems shortsighted...negligent even to squabnle thus. And perhaps by our combined pledge, for I too would rid this plane of such a blight we might help bring these warring sides and factions to a greater accord..."
"Yeah, why can't we all just get along?" Liamae laments.
Iagon quietly takes in all of the new information and wordlessly works through the issue. He nods at Attai and Kytes, then turns to Uufanes. So, perhaps it would be possible, should we prove helpful in fighting this blight you speak of, to use such goodwill to broker an agreement between our lord and yours?
He shrugs and casts a glance back at the wilderness. How do we get started?
Uufanes smiles gratefully at the group, “Very good, we can settle our differences and unite over a common cause.”
She stands and in answer to Iagon, continues, “I will take your pledge to be an ally against the blighted wood to Uuhurn. Hopefully, that will be enough to calm his ire and bring him to the negotiating table. I ask that you too inform your lord of the threat to the east and of my willingness to cooperate. I will send word when the time for further talk and action is right.”
"I, too, would see the forest hale and bright again," says Túrante. "I will do my best to help."
“Rilli!” croaks Rilli excitedly. As everyone turns to look, it seems he’s caught a fish. He cuts it from the line and drops it in his bucket.
Uufanes thinks for a bit, then unties a scroll from her waist and hands it to Attai, “Use this to send word when you’ve convinced your lord of our cause... or if you need my help in any way. I am never far.”
"Lady," ventures Kytes as it appears a deal is near to being struck. "What do you know of great wolves in these woods -- wolves that speak as men? We were unfortunate enough to encounter one here last night. Are these creatures part of the blight you mention?"
“You must be speaking of worgs. No, the worgs are denizens of the forest, not part of the blight. Yet, like you or me, they could become infected. Although they may pose a danger to men, the worgs are no danger to the forest itself. You are lucky you only met one, as they tend to roam in packs. There is a pack that hunts in this area, led by their elder, Grimmaw. No... It is strange to encounter a worg in isolation...” Uufanes drops her gaze and falls silent as she seems to ponder the situation.
Attai smiles as Rilli breaks the tension, then turns back to the Brygain.
"We wish you speed and success with your brother and Lord. I know nothing of Brygain leadership, but you serve your folk, and thus the forest well."
Attai thanks Uufanes, nodding solemnly upon receipt of the scroll
Iagon, seemingly in an offhand attempt to lighten the situation, speaks up excitedly. These woods are undoubtedly worth protecting. Why, the beauty of it, and the animals within...why, I saw back there the most magnificent owl I've ever seen. And, I'm no stranger to the wilderness.
"Yes, such a wonderful place must be preserved at all costs." Liamae breathes deeply of the forest air, causing her chest to rise and fall prominently in Iagon's line of sight. "Let's return to the outpost!"
Uufanes smiles at Iagon's praising remark, some pride shines in her eyes. At Liamae's pronouncement, she bids you all safe travels, bows, and leaves your presence. She seems to melt back into the dense forest, and if Iagon happens to look, the handsome owl departs along with her.
Rilli doesn't notice her departure; he's cast another line and sits by his pole stuck in the sandy bank, a very pleased-with-life sort of grin across his froggy face. A low humming, whirring sound emits from his throat.
"It seems our frog-man is staying here while the fish are biting. He doesn't seem to be in any danger, and I assume he will return to the camp when he has a mind. I am ready to return as well, since we know he is safe. There is much to ponder from the words of the Brygain, and something to share with the others, especially the Marquis when he arrives."
Kytes waves to Rilli, who seems quite content, and follows the others along the river back to the outpost.
"Good luck, Rilli! Catch a big one!" Liamae says with a wave.
Iagon casts a curious glance back, noting the majestic owl's departure. With a shrug, he turns and follows the group back to the outpost.
You choose to leave Rilli behind (he seems content enough) and return to the outpost. About half an hour following the river on your way back, Turante realizes you are nearing the area where you encountered the large sail-finned lizard, and you decide to veer off into the forest to give it its space. keeping in mind what Uufanes just informed you, you stay vigilant. Other than the normal signs of life one might expect, the forest seems clear.
That is, until a crossbow bolt flies out from some undergrowth as you step into a small clearing. Turante's Mage Armor deflects the bolt off into the woods. Having given away his position, across the clearing you see a small, feral humanoid with large pointed ears and blue-grey skin. He wears dirty and ragged clothing, but appears well armed. He snarls menacingly.
Attai gapes as the bolt bounces off Turante's magic barrier. Quick as a flash he draws two cards from his Harrow and with the merest glance stuffs them in his belt.
Swift Action: Improvised Array/Judgment
The Harrower then moves forward ten feet to clear his line of sight, and, bringing his heavy crossbow to bear lets off a shot...which goes wide and sour...
Move Action: Move 10' closer to foe
Standard Action: Fire!!!
[+1 BAB, +2 Dex]
Bolt fired, Attai looks closer at his attacker to see if he knows anything of its nature:
Knowing only that there's danger in letting a crossbowman stay at range, Túrante (perhaps foolishly?) rushes the creature. Her sword shwings out of its scabbard as she goes. She draws up short just before the creature, keeping her sword pointed at it, ready to slash if it tries to reload.
"Look out!" Liamae shouts. She draws her bow as she moves closer and fires at the creature.
Perhaps Liamae is trying to merely fire a warning shot, but her shout alerts her teammates, if they weren't alerted already.
Turante closes with the small person, who sneers menacingly at her and spits insults in a harsh language unknown to the elf.
Attai is unsure of what he's shooting at, but it somewhat resembles a gnome. He feels a resonance emanating from one of his cards, making him a bit more confident in his aim. His bolt still flies wild.
As Turante closes, she might be surprised to see, in the blink of an eye, the 4 foot tall person suddenly triples in size to over 12 feet. Clothes, armor, and weapons grow along with him, including a well-crafted morningstar.
Turante's Mage Armor again saves her, dampening a crushing blow enough that her own armor can deflect it away into the dirt.
"By the Goddess, what brand of devilry is this?" cries Kytes as the enemy grows triplefold in a matter of seconds. He rushes towards the foe as quickly as his heavy armor will allow, but ends up a good distance away still. He draws out his longsword as he comes nearer.
Iagon grunts at the swift action of his powerful allies, and stirs himself into motion in an effort to keep up. He rushes directly forward at the foe, sights a spot on the enemy as far from Turante as possible, and lets fly a blast of kinetically charged wood particles.
There is plenty of woody material for Iagon to work with in the forest, and his barrage of sticks and splinters cuts through leather armor and flesh alike. The strange enlarged person hisses in pain as blood is drawn. For a split moment he looks at the group he’s engaged with, seemingly second guessing the situation.
Liamae holds her bow in one hand and holds out her other one. She focuses on the mental energy in her glove, sending a bolt of lightning from her palm into the creature!
Túrante brings up her elegant sword, then hesitates, glancing to Kytes.
Túrante's sword comes sideways in an elegant arc that cuts at the suddenly-giant foe's legs.
Attai rushes with a sylph's speed, gathering all of his personal gyre into a shawl of force - at the end of his run he hurls it at the giant creature...the effect is not as powerful as the Harrower would have liked...
Move Action: Move 35' to the east (can someone move Attai seven squares to the right please...)
Standard Action: Wind-trip...
[(CMB of + 2 Str, +1 BAB); +1 harrow effect]
After suffering further hurt from Liamae's electric ray and Turante's graceful blade, the enlarged figure laughs off Attai's breeze attack. He spits further harsh insults at Turante in his dark tongue, takes a step back and swings his morningstar at the elven princess.
Again, her magic force field deflects the blow, and the feral warrior howls in rage.
Moving to attack the large creature, Kytes drives his sword across the back of the enlarged humanoid, wounding it slightly. "Such evil shall not stand in the face of the Inheritor. She speaks through my blade! Back to the darkness with you!"
As Kytes closes in, the feral warrior shifts his attention from Turante to the half-orc just in time to take a swing.
CRUNCH! The morningstar strikes Kytes square in the shoulder, and the sound of bones breaking can be heard throughout the glen. Yet, Kytes powers through and is able to draw blood as well.
Kytes!
Iagon watches the punishing blow on his friend with anguish. He snaps his lips shut in a snarl, and a low feral growl rumbles from his throat as he gathers wooden debris about him, forcing it into a swirling cloud before launching it at the huge creature.
His left side crushed by the great creatures morningstar, Kytes grits his teeth through the pain, refusing to show fear or weakness in the face of the enemy.
Seeing his friend get hit so hard must have gotten to Iagon. Despite his efforts to focus on the enemy, his blast this time veers astray, spraying the forest with wooden material.
The warrior grins menacingly having finally inflicted pain upon the group. Although he too is hurt badly, he swings his weapon about in a taunting gesture. He seems willing to fight to the bitter end.
Turante shifts position slightly to one side, keeping her shield up as she goes so as to prevent being caught off-guard, and lashes out again with her elegant blade.
Trying to end the fight quickly, Liamae fires another electric ray at the hulking creature.
Attai too winces as Kytes is crunched. Dropping his crossbow and drawing his morningstar the sylph darts in, hoping the creature fails to swat him as he does so.
Free Action: Drop heavy crossbow.
Move Action: Move to flank with Turante, drawing morningstar
Standard Action: Strike.
[BAB +1, Str +2]
[+3 Strength, two handed]
As the enlarged foe gestures obscenely, Turante steps in and takes another swipe, cutting him deeply. With this injury, he looks like he can’t take much more.
Liamae tries to capitalize, but with this many companions engaged with the enemy, her ray just barely misses.
Attai steps around Kytes to get into a tactical position, but as he does, the enemy attacks with battle trained reflexes.
He catches Attai in the side and likely breaks a rib. However, the sylph answers back with a blow of his own, and with a powerful upswing, clocks the foe across the jaw. The large warrior tumbles over, landing with a thud. His large body now lies at the edge of the clearing, bleeding out from several wounds.
Kytes grunts audibly as the hard-hitting foe finally falls. Gingerly, he slides his longsword back into its scabbard and kneels at the foot of the fallen foe looking for any sign of the reason for the attack.
"Have any of you seen this kind of creature before? It hit very hard after it grew to a much more imposing size." The paladin ensures the critter is truly dead before standing up to examine the wound to Attai. If allowed, he will press his first two fingers of this right hand on the sylph's wounds, saying "Let his injury gathered in the battle for righteousness be mended so your soldier may fight again."
"I cannot say that I have," says Túrante. "Very aggressive. I hope we haven't accidentally stumbled upon a lair of angry... foes."
Attai allows Kytes to examine his ribs, grimacing as the Paladin touched the ginger area. His smile returns as soothing energy knits bone and eases muscle. A bruise remains, but he is fighting fit once more. He places a hand on the half-orc's shoulder and nods grimly in thanks. Attai turns to Turante:
"These creatures you think they are - are they organised? Could there be a pack nearby? I'm not sure I would like to meet another, or worse, more than one..."
The slyph crouches down beside the creature where Kytes had been to rifle through its belongings...
Liamae flexes her fingers as she steps up next to Turante. "We should look around for tracks to make sure there aren't any more lurking nearby. We don't want them following us back to the outpost."
She looks through the creature's gear for anything of interest.
"I agree. I don't know what that was, but most humanoids live in groups, so we have to make sure we don't run afoul of any others," says the ranger. She bends down to examine the ground for signs of passage.