"Southwest? Well the Thyaciline tracks from the tree earlier went Northeast, so unless they circled around, I doubt its them. It could be another pack though ... or something bigger." With that I re-sheath my sword and draw "GoldFire", then nock an arrow to her string.
Nouri's tracks continue south for a few dozen more feet, then turn southwest with a longer stride... the trail is then overwhelmed by a mass of canine tracks coming from east-northeast. Nouri's tracks disappear where the two trails intersect. From there the canine tracks lead southwest.
Vladimir slowly and carefully follows Nouri's tracks for a few dozen more feet before trail turns southwest. "The boy stride has increased significantly, he was running." The swordsman follows along a bit further before his expression darkens and he grimly says, "More canine tracks from east-northeast, quite a few to be honest. Unfortunately the canine trail merges with Nouri's, and the boy's disappear. The canine trail continues on to the southwest."
My expression also darkens, "From the Northeast? That isn't good, that means the earlier pack were hunting him. We will have to hurry now, otherwise the worst could befall him."
The canopy of the forest is thin here. Thin enough for some visibility from the moon and lightly illuminated grey popcorn clouds. With Vladimir's news, you hear the leather crunch of Kesten clenching his horse's reins.
"Are we able to continue? ...any idea how old the tracks are?"
The tracks are from today, probably some time after noon at the earliest (hard to tell, the rain may have delayed the hardening... drying..)
The tracks were made after the rain... one or two hours ago (there is very little loss of definition. With little canopy above, there would be from the rain)
"Unfortunately, no. I will have to defer to a more experienced tracker." Vladimir says, glancing toward Jaestra.
I look up at the moon and smile, then turn to Kesten, I look at the horses.
I then look down at the tracks with Vlad pointing.
"We should go now, these tracks are no older than 2 hours old. We can catch up to him, but it may be hard on the horses."
"Clever animals to circle around and try to cut the boy off like that." Says Vorik as he follows the others along the trail as fast as possible. He scans the forest looking for any sign of ambush or other trap. Seeing nothing, he still has a bad feeling and says, "It could be the brush dogs are being driven or ridden by another group of goblins. Watch out for an ambush."
You can't tell for certain, but the horses don't seem to be in too bad shape... maybe antsy and/or nervous.
You continue southwest as it nears midnight. The breeze picks up occasionally... Although the increasing smell of marked territory is unpleasant, those who are aware of the keen senses of most animals like the brush dogs are thankful to be downwind.
After another twenty minutes of travel you hear an angry booming voice ahead, and see a glowing dome of firelight obstructed by trees.
"Your plea for mercy means nothing to me... Tell me you have this map... and you seek."
"I see you are untouched... you are not of these lands... You come from the !? You scout for your human civilization?! "
The firelight is at least 200 feet away. You hear a sharp intake of breath from Kesten. Jhod whispers an offer to hold the horses if you care to try to get closer quietly.
Vladimir, hearing the booming voice, stops and dismounts his horse.
"We have two approaches here. We could charge in not caring who or what hears us, but I fear that may end badly for the poor soul being questioned. Based on the comment about the map, I assume that the poor soul in question is Nouri."
The swordsman continues, extiguishing his magical light, "I feel a more prudent tactic would be to move in as silently as possible so that we may know what exactly we are dealing with."
I also stop when I hear the shouting, I dismount and draw "GoldFire" nocking an arrow to her string. "I say we quietly approach and see if we can separate them all. I can loose an arrow at the main man shouting, maybe felling him and hopefully getting his comrades; if he has any, to come and look for us, where we can dispatch them?"
Vladimir nods, readying his bow as well. "I will take a shot at him as well before switching to my blade."
I quietly walk towards the ruckus, waiting until I get a clear line of sight of the shouting man before shooting.
Vladimir follows along as quietly as possible.
Vorik dismounts with the others. When the strategy turns to stealth, he steps back to let Vlad and Jaestra take the lead knowing his skills at moving quietly in the forest are very limited. "I'll stay back in order to keep from giving you away. Give a shout when you are ready and I'll come charging in to draw attention away from the boy and your efforts to get him free."
Quietly as he can, the paladin then remounts and readies himself for a charge into the unknown.
Hrafen nods.
"I think that sneaking in, and trying to catch them by surprise, is probably our best option."
Staying astride Archibald, he then attempts to stealthily approach the firelight.
Jaestra, Vladimir, and Hrafen astride Archibald creep closer... staying in the bushier undergrowth and keeping low. There is a slight incline to make that a little easier.
The area you see from your approach, looks like a sparse cherry orchard... though the gnarled dark trees have yet to bloom.
There is a large fire next to a primitive hut. Visible around the glow of the fire are several brush dogs curled up with goblins... also there is one very large brush dog standing behind what could be a hobgoblin. He is directing his attention downward, toward what appears to be a male human... hogtied on the ground. The bound human is difficult to see propped up just on the far side of the fire.
There may be a few more dark shapes moving around away from the fire, or it might just be a trick of the light on the uneven ground of the moonlit orchard.
Seeing the Hobgoblin, I look to Hrafen and Vlad, moving towards them a little, then nod before raising "GoldFire" aiming at the creature and then loosing the arrow at him.
Vladimir moves slightly closer to get within the range of his bow, and as planned launches an arrow at the same target as Jaestra.
Hrafen nods to Jaestra, and unleashes a volley of force missiles!
Nouri apparently had spoken... the hobgoblin responds "What? You were looking for adventure? Ha Ha Have ya found- " The two arrows fly by the fire... curling licks of flame as they pass. One arrow sinks deep in his shoulder. Wide-eyed and enraged; the hobgoblin immediately pushes it until the arrowhead comes through, and the large brush dog yanks it out with his teeth from behind. "Arrarr seek kill.."
The hobgoblin is interrupted again as Hrafen's bolts slam into his torso. There is a crunch and he falls motionless.
Seeing the flash of Hrafen's missiles and hearing the hobgoblin's struggling last words Vorik taps his horse into a quick trot to the north and west of where the others moved quietly through the brush. As he moves along he lets forth several loud shouts while banging on his shield and generally trying to make as much noise as ten men would.
"Common boys. There's the scoundrel's we've been tracking the last few days! Norris, Fionn, you two close up that gap! Ready lances! We'll charge 'em from both sides!"
Vladimir finds his bowstring affected by the foul-smelling wetness in which he is now covered. Luckily the last plucking seemed to fling enough musky droplets to return the bow's efficacy to normal...
As Vorik rides noisily into position, dozens of kitten-sized dark shapes scatter in the darkness. The goblins by the fire look up and around while clutching the scruff of their animals' necks... The northmost goblin and dog both focus their gaze on Vorik, while the others seem to be scanning for Norris and Fionn.
The massive brush dog prods his fallen master with his snout, then looks up and sniffs the air with a deep growl. He skulks around the fire continuing to peer into the heavily sprayed weeds... where the three creepers have concealed themselves.
I feel my shot release with more power than usual, power that still manages to hit its mark, I give a slight smile before I notice it wasn't enough to bring it down, then I see Hrafen's missiles finish him off, I look to Hrafen and nod before taking aim on the large dog.
After my arrow is released, I crouch down and hope that the dog doesn't notice where the arrows are coming from.
Not wanting to attract the direct ire of the large brush dog, Hrafen throws a pair of force missiles at one of the Goblins .
Jaestra's arrow grazes the corner of the large dog's mouth. It recoils reflexively then whips it's head back to search for the bowman.
Hrafen's bolts smack into the goblin as he is mounting up. You hear him bleat a goblinoid expletive as he mounts as the others have... though with pained reluctance.
The northernmost brush dog and rider move toward Vorik... the rider yaps something and points. A wire thin bolt of electricity flies from the goblin finger, and strikes the warrior just below the collarbone... slightly singeing Vorik's beard.
The other two mounted riders begin casting after their mounts move around looking and sniffing for other hidden threats. They still appear to be slightly thrown by Vorik's combat orders to invisible allies.
Not wanting to stop a good thing, Hrafen throws another pair of force bolts at the Goblin that he targeted before!
Vladimir pauses to determine what spells are being cast before taking aim at the large brush dog. The swordsman then returns to his preferred form of combat as he drops his bow and moves in closer to the enemy, pulling his sword as he moves.
I quietly move towards Vorik, then shoot another arrow at the large dog. Hoping that Vlad's movements will distract it.
Vladimir's shot tears muscle as it hits the large dog. The injured thylacine charges after Vladimir as he runs, and bites into his arm. It then yelps as Jaestra puts another arrow in its flank.
Hrafen's bolt slaps the goblin dead from his mount.
Shouting continued encouragement to his make believe 'allies,' Vorik kicks his mount into a charge. Riding down the nearest goblin he swings Astridsonior around to strike a blow at the nearest goblin while leaping his horse mount over the blocking creature to continue his ride toward the boy.
Seeing the sneaking Goblin, I quietly nock another arrow to "GoldFire's" string and loose it at the GToblin, before it can work out where I am.
Then I try to hide myself in the foliage again.
The goblin squawks as Vorik's hammer strikes it. The dog nips at the horse as it passes...
Kesten rides in from the north... longsword in one hand and lantern in the other - which he now "unhoods".
He rides to the rear of the large dog and yells at it.
The yet-uninjured dog and rider immediately charge Kesten. The goblin spears his horse, and sings out a cheer.
The creeping goblin near Vladimir scrambles toward him and cackles as slashes wild with a crude knife-sized weapon.
The goblin struck by Vorik recovers, and urges his mount toward he who rung his bell.
He points again and quickly barks out his spell... zapping Vorik again in the chest.
Nouri sits with his hands tied... propped up against a large flat-topped stone.
The normal-sized brush dog with the arcane bolted rider growls and paws slowly closer to bound Nouri.
After avoiding the goblins wild swing, Vladimir steps closer to the brush dog, and away from the goblin while reading his shield. Once in position, the swordsman slashes at the injured brush dog.
The large beast lunges forward to tear the shield from Vladimir, leaving an opening for the swordsman. The cut is sufficient to leave the unnatural animal staggering at the edge of unconsciousness.
It continues its attempt to bite into Vladimir's sword arm before bleeding out, and dropping hard to the ground.
After the frightened shrieks of the goblins reacting to the fall of Arrarr, you hear a thap and a squeak as Jaestra pins the other creeping goblin to the ground with an arrow.
Nodding in satisfaction, Hrafen tosses out another pair of force bolts, targeting the goblin injured by Vorik .
Grimacing as his faithful horse takes another wound to the side Vorik rides up to Nouri and shouts "Up on your feet boy!" While waving his hammer menacingly toward the goblin and brush dog he says, "Your uncle is here, but we've got to get you out of the thick of things." As Nouri stands, Vorik moves next to him and helps lift the boy up and onto his horse. As soon as Nouri is safely mounted, he'll give a whooping holler and kick his horse into action riding northeast toward Jaestra and Hrafen.
Hrafen brings down another goblin with his continued barrage of arcane missiles.
"My uncle? Kesten?" Nouri rocks to get enough momentum to stand forgetting for a second the nearby thylacine snarling from a cautious distance.. a smile breaks through the mud blood and filth Nouri is covered in, while Vorik picks him up as if were a doll.
The thylacine acts as though it is about to lurch, but balks as soon as Vorik urges his mount forward. It then moves closer to the other riderless dog. The two then approach the dog still with goblin mounted, and make a grumbling whine followed by a couple "yip"s. The goblins howls like a little tyrant in a tantrum pointing to the escaping captive. He yanks his mount to intercept; charging Vorik and Nouri...., but fails to connect with his spear.
Kesten hacks at the goblin as it moves to charge Vorik. Kesten fails to hit, and turns his mount to strike again...slashing the goblin across the back.
The sneaky goblin thinks he sees his chance against Vladimir, and stabs with enthusiasm, but Vlad is able to deflect the blow before it connects.
Narrowly avoiding the goblin's blade, Vladimir counters with a strike of his own, cutting deep into the goblin's flesh.
- potential crit
Hrafen throws another pair of force missiles, this time targeting the mounted Goblin harrying Vorik.
Deflated by missing his golden opportunity, the goblin leaves himself open for Vladimir to slice him open. He falls... unlikely to survive bleeding out.
Hrafen knocks the last goblin dead from his mount. The thylacine which had been carrying him still appears intent on tearing into something.
I take aim at the last remaining Goblin and just as I am loosing the arrow, I see Hrafen's attack bring it down, so I quickly lower "GoldFire" to attack the dog without aiming.
As my arrow flies straight passed the dog and sinks into the ground I let out a disappointed sigh, before taking another arrow and nocking it to "GoldFire"'s string.
Seeing two more of the goblins fall, Vorik continues his dash to get Nouri to safety. As they ride he loops his hammer back onto his belt and grabs a dagger. To Nouri he says, "Hold up your hands so I can cut those bonds." Slicing the crude bonds binding the boys hands he then looks for a good safe place to set the boy down so he can rejoin the fight if needed.
The most aggressive of the three female thylacine, continues to harass Vorik's horse until Jaestra's arrow sinking into the ground breaks her focus. She slows and growls... weaving her head back and forth.. eyeing each of you.
The two more reluctant dogs back away. One breaks off south of the hut, scoops up a pup by the scruff, and looks back. Nouri, now free from his bonds, slides down the far side of Vorik's horse... near Jaestra.
Kesten inches his mount a little closer to the aggressive female. You see him looking back and forth between Vorik and the animal threatening his nephew, presumably waiting... whether to drive off or attack.
The aggressive female whips her gaze to include Kesten as well - the intensity of the growl grows slightly, but she does not yet make a move.
Vladimir takes advantage of the lull in the confrontation, sinking the tip of his blade into the earth so that the blade maybe retrieved easily before casting a curative spell on his injured arm.
I quietly move towards the aggressive female and then take a shot at the ground beside her, hoping to drive her away.
She reflexively moves... then settles into a glower toward Jaestra. She sniffs the air once, then strafes and turns away. As soon as she does, the other two take off as well.
The females were normal thylacine... the large male appears to be of an unnatural heritage.
Kesten immediately dismounts and runs to check on Nouri... who at first glance appears to be without major injury. He has dirt covered field dressing on one leg, but seems unimpaired.
I nod silently to the female before she flees, in a sign of respect and once she and the others have left I turn to look at the large dog. "It would appear that this is yet another creature tainted by Fey blood, it would seem that my training against the demonic Fey is turning out to be quite useful here."
I then go to the dog and take the things head off with my blade, I then head back to Nouri and Kesten, "How do you fair young sir? You know the Sir Kesten was really concerned for you? You seem healthy enough to ride, but maybe we should get someone to look at your leg while we set up camp?" I look to my friends seeing who will volunteer to check the boys leg.