The captured bandits are quiet most of the journey back to Chafwinth. You are a few hours away when Jence's curiosity compels him "So where'd you folk learn this magic? Never seen one like her..." He tips his head to indicate Durielle. "Was magic, wasn't it? Or you really in with Pharasma like that?"
Marisol looks to Durielle, curious to hear how the oracle answers the query.
Hrafen rides along with others, utterly oblivious to any of the subtext that may be going on...
As group continues to ride toward the Crossing, Vladimir sees Mulgin look back to the clearing. Noticing the former bandit's expression, the swordsman asks, "What is so special about that clearing that has you so relieved as we get farther away from it?"
Balter looks on as Durielle casts her judgment, his face betraying the thoughts running through his head. Curiosity? Disappointment? He could not comprehend the nature of what the elf was doing to the men, despite the explanation she offered Vladimir. Short of magically lobotomizing the bandits, he was not certain any spell of hers could beat an old-fashioned maiming. Or a beheading, for that matter. Nonetheless, he raises no objections as they pack up and start to leave.
The ranger rides with the others, his horse having gone nameless since it was acquired at Chafwinth. Perhaps naming things was not one of his talents. He perks up a bit when he hears the cavalier's question. His immediate assumption of course is that the prisoner was thinking of making a break for it - but even he knows better than to jump to such conclusions.
After a bit of a coughing spell following her use of magic, the oracle is otherwise silent as she rides Whisper alongside the rest of the party. When Jence pipes up into the more or less quiet ride, she finds herself wondering just how to answer.
Durielle becomes a little self-conscious as everyone pointedly ignores Jence's question and seems determined not to respond to him. Clearing her throat slightly, she tries to find some words that will fill the awkwardness. Her eyes watch the ground in front of Whisper's hooves, and a slight blush colors her pale cheeks.
"I am willing to say that there is magic in what power I was given." she starts hesitantly. "But it is a magic which comes from a being far beyond me. Divine power one would say though who has bestowed it upon me is a mystery. They have given to me a power to see future events, and sometimes I am able to act on it or share the knowledge. Is it her holiness the Goddess Pharasma? I cannot say if this is so. I believe there are a number of deities and other beings who concern themselves with fate and destiny, but which of them is my patron has been hidden from my sight."
She looks directly at Jence now. "One thing I can say for certain. I am...my life...it is proof that the gods are watching us closer than we know. Even here," the elf sweeps a hand to encompass the wilderness, "even here we are subject to their whims and desires. They may typically leave us to our own choices knowing that in the end those choices will lead us to but one place. And we will be unable to deny that we have earned our place in eternity. I urge you to hold that in your hearts never forget what you have been shown."
As she finishes, Durielle notices Mulgin's glance and the slight change in demeanor which the glance elicits. Vladimir barks his question to Mulgin, and Durielle wonders what they don't know of Mulgin. A lot of assumptions of the man's life and what caused his turn to banditry were likely made by her friends, but some evil acts were committed for altruistic purposes. The oracle smiles at the man encouragingly.
"Fear not, if there is some other thing we can do to ease your mind and help you succeed in the new life you face, we would have you tell us. We are not heartless folk. We accosted you and your comrades out of our sense of duty and hope to bring some peace to the communities here. Anything you can tell us which will aid us will only make things easier for you."
The words come out with a stuffy sound, and Durielle sneezes a couple of times after speaking.
Jence listens with what appears to be genuine curiosity. He seems to follow, and accept Durielle's words... not a complete dullard, nor ingrained sarcasm. He looks to Mulgin upon mention of the his suspicious behavior.
Mulgin answers. "Dovan's boys. Sometimes patrol out to there. Their showin up wouldn't be good fer anyone."
"Made a drop there once.. Dovan's camp.. sold off some spoils. Hadta decline a challenge...." Mulgin's eye twitches, and he tsks upon reflection of a missed scrap. "Dovan'll recruit anyone who can last thirty seconds against him and his blade. I could'a done it, but Top spoke plainly against the notion. Saw the two coming to butt heads... Stag Lord and Dovan... Top always said somethin like... play both sides but never pick one."
Hrafen pauses thoughtfully.
"Thank-you for letting us know about Dovan's crew. We may have to pay them a visit, at some point."
"While Durielle's divine power may come from a mysterious place, I have a much more direct approach. My blade sorcery is a product of my heritage and diligent practice," Marisol says. She glances to the meadow, then back to Mulgin. "Our goal, ultimately, is to extend the law to these lands, and Dovan and the Stag Lord... are a confrontation that's coming. Perhaps we can maneuver them into weakening one another, but ultimately they will be held to account for their crimes, and..." -- she glances to Vlad -- "I doubt those two will receive clemency."
Marisol fidgets awkwardly in the saddle, then continues, "Durielle is gifted with visions of the future. The death of Aroden may have broken the power of prophecy, but Durielle doesn't claim to see what will happen, but rather what may happen. Good news for you both, as that means that you still have time to change your fate."
"Besides," she concludes off-handedly, "It's not like one can live the bandit's lifestyle forever. Eventually age catches up, and if you've been living by strength of arm, you may find the tables turned by younger, quicker, stronger predators. Having a place in the community is a far better way to enjoy life more than a few hard seasons without a proper bed or regular meals."
Durielle nods at Marisol's final words.
"Money and ease are not always the most fulfilling things in life. Both of you may find other pursuits which give you a greater happiness. It is these which we pray all will be able to find in the freedom we have here in the wilderness. But those freedoms which are at the expense of others' lives..." The oracle shakes her head. "These are the things which we must all work to stop as once the freedom of life is taken, fear and hatred reign and take freedom from all."
"As Hrafen has said, thank you for the information. I am sure we will discuss Dovan and recruits a bit more in detail later, but for now let's worry about getting back to Chafwinth and getting the two of you started on your road to becoming productive members of a community."
Allowing himself a small grin he adds, "For what it is worth, I am glad you chose this path rather than Topper Red's."
Jence listens - then nods in appreciation to Marisol and Durielle. "Much obliged. Been led to think arcaners were all secrets and mystery."
Allowing himself a small grin he adds, "For what it is worth, I am glad you chose this path rather than Topper Red's."
"Aye" Mulgin nods.. he sees Vladimir's grin, and his eye twitches... he shrugs to himself. "Top ran afoul of a goodly path more oft than not.. I'll grant ye, but heh.. I'll miss his bawdy tales." He musters a smile.
You spot a large (likely a bear?) in the low hills to the right of the trail back to Chafwinth. It is about 300 feet away.
"Hey, look - is that a bear?"
Marisol smiles slightly at Vlad's final comment, then cranes her head around at Hrafen's remark. "Hmm? Where?"
"What bear?" Vladimir says looking over in the direction that Hrafen is gesturing.
The creature soon turns its bulk to face you, and lurches into a run toward your group. Birds take flight from the wild grasses around it and its path. As it approaches (catching enough light from the setting sun behind you) you see the creature - though bear-like - has a malformed head, a beak, and mottled brown/grey feathers covering its anterior half.
It will be upon you in seconds, Hrafen's sharp eye and warning bought a few extra.
"Oh this can not be good." Vladimir says dismounting Shadow, drawing his blade and readying to strike creature as it approaches.
As the monster gets closer, Hrafen starts to pepper it with force bolts.
Jence groans and swears under his breath, "... mother of monsters.... " then asks "You can handle that, aye?"
Marisol seems startled and shouts "Owlbear! Don't let it get its claws into you!"
[ooc]Changed Action: Vladimir dismounts Shadow quickly, draws his bow and takes a shot at the approaching beast.
(range)
"Owlbear?" Balter asks skeptically, raising a brow until the beast turns and starts to charge toward them. "Ah. Right then."
Without dismounting, Balter follows Vladimir's lead and draws his bow. He then nocks an arrow of his own, letting it loose once the owlbear comes within range.
Marisol attempts to emulate Vlad's smooth, quick dismount.
Of course, while she makes a good attempt, as an unskilled rider she just winds up looking a bit silly as she gets caught up in the stirrups and has to finagle her way to the ground off Prancer's saddle.
Once she hits the ground, Marisol casts a spell, and suddenly a wavering afterimage seems to envelop her and follow her as she moves.
As the creature charges forward she prepares to attack.
Round One: Durielle also attempts to dismount quickly.
Unfortunately, Whisper is unnerved by the large approaching animal, and the mare's movements impede Durielle's dismount. Once standing on the ground, the oracle closes her eyes and concentrates for a moment. It becomes difficult to look at her as images of her dismounting as she just did or now firing her bow seem to be super imposed over her current meditative pose. A Durielle of the past, present, and future all seem to exist simultaneously.
Opening her eyes, she tries to understand what approaches and determine if she is able to identify a weakness.
Round Two: Durielle draws the beautiful darkwood bow she carries and nocks an arrow. As she draws she takes a deep breath, then exhales partially while she takes aim at the onrushing menace.
A calm descends and she releases. Time seems to slow, and she can see all possible outcomes. The arrow becomes a metaphor for her ability. Afterimages (or are they Beforimages?) of her companions' lives fill the space between Durielle and the animal. All the futures of this moment gradually appear and then fade as the arrow passes them, each foot closer erasing a possible future from existence. The raging monster roars in pain as Balter's arrow finds its mark. The hit likely a grievous one.
The beast seems to be floating as one particular stride causes its limbs to leave the earth. Her arrow strikes at this moment, and Time stops. Multiple futures are all possible. Durielle waits for fate to write the words which will reveal which is to become part of her story.
Vladimir and Balter's arrow hit the charging beast, Durielle's soon after. It lets out a screeching squawk as Hrafen's arcane bolts slam into it, but continues to advance... closing fast.
Round 2
Vladimir takes aim with his bow and fires another arrow at the charging beast. Following the shot he stows his bow, knowing that melee combat is about to begin.
[b]Round 3[b]
Vladimir draws his sword and readies to strike at the owlbear as it approaches.
Round Two
Frowning as the beast closes in, undeterred, Balter risks one last shot with his bow.
After letting the arrow loose, regardless of whether it hits he dismounts his horse and drops his bow to the ground.
Round Three
Balter draws both of his blades and moves to Vladimir's side, readying a blow with his long sword.
Vladimir and Balter's arrows hit. The beast falters and falls twenty feet from you.. momentum carries it - sliding on its side another few feet. It exhales once then stops breathing.
Hrafen nods in satisfaction.
"Well done, everyone! Shall we be on our way?"
"Is there any value to this animal's meat or hide? As we are heading into town as it is, perhaps it would be worth something to bring it to the butcher or tanner."
Stowing his bow, Balter slowly approaches the felled owlbear on his horse, scrutinizing the corpse.
"Bear meat tends to be gamey as is. Gods know what having the owl mixed in did to the taste."
Hrafen looks at the corpse thoughtfully.
"You would probably have to stew it; I doubt the steaks would be particularly delicious. There is also *rather* a lot of it; lugging the entire carcass back would be difficult..."
"I hear that it's..." Marisol pauses and smirks. "Fowl."
Vladimir rolls his eyes, hearing Marisol's pun.
"The claws could be of some value as a raw material and would not weigh overly much. Otherwise, we should leave the carcass and get back to the Crossing."
Durielle shrugs, "Oh well. I guess we have at least made a meal for one or more forest animals then."
She stows her bow and begins coaxing Whisper back onto the road, approaching the frightened mare slowly with calm words.
The mare snorts once, but she knows and trusts Durielle completely and slowly wanders over to the oracle nuzzling the elf's hand who smiles and strokes the horse's hide.
Mounting her horse, Durielle looks at Jence and Mulgin. "No need to worry. We will see you safe to town."
"Owlbears are extremely temperamental by nature," adds Marisol. "Dangerous even to other animals. While a normal bear would just leave other animals alone unless it's hunting, owlbears tend to be ornery and are more likely to simply kill things out of hand. This is probably a boon to the local wildlife."
Jence shakes his head in response to Durielle. "Way you folk handle yourselves... No worry here."
Shortly after night falls, you see the lantern lights of the crossroads, and the several fire pits - around which groups of farmers' shacks are clustered.
You hear singing and some type of flute from one of the nearer fires to the left of the your path on Middleridge Trail. A few seconds later there is a sharp whistle - a hidden lookout on the balcony of the Chafwinth Inn. A few residents come to greet you with lanterns and torches. Olbrent comes out the front door of the inn he waves, then comes up alongside your group.
"Olbrent," says Marisol matter-of-factly, "Chafwinth and its neighboring communities will no longer have to worry about the bandit formerly known as Red Topper. We have some surrendered brigands; Vlad has been overseeing them." She gestures to indicate Jence and Mulgin. "We'll need some food and rooming, of course, once we've taken care of this... more pressing business."
Vladimir approaches Olbrent with Jence and Mulgin in tow.
"Good to see you again, Olbrent. As Marisol has said, you need not worry about Topper Red any more. These two on the other hand," he says gesturing toward the two former-bandits, "have seen the error of their ways and would like to make a mends for their transgressions, if you will have them here in the Crossing. Their sentence for their crimes has been to be marked by Durielle and serve one year indentured servitude in which they are to learn a trade in which they can be a productive member of society. What say you, Olbrent? Will you have them, or should I take them to Oleg's with the others?"
"Oh I could see no good ending coming to Topper. Shame. Talents gone to waste... one twisted kid."
"Hmm I'd very much like to tell you we'd be willing to take them in, M'lady.. Ser Ducheski. Overreach on my part... I'll speak with a few others.. Brother Aster in particular. My own humble view is.. well... we could always use more productive members."
"Well then, sounds like we have a plan! Time to tuck into some dinner..."
Once the prisoners are suitably quartered, Hrafen makes a bee-line for the inn.
"Don't forget, we still have to give the old man his bow back," Balter remarks, despite being rather hungry himself.
"You know.. we can take care of all that in one spot." He gestures to the tavern, and then winks to Marisol "Advantage of a small town, some would say... snap to find folk when there's little place else to go."
He nods to Balter "Brother Aster'll be there this time of night."
He walks alongside as you head that direction. "If you care to get Brother Aster behind keeping these boys around, I'll do the same with Etson... the room upstairs... the one the bandits had kept the young ones locked up in... untouched last I knew. It'd be the best place to keep them... however long that ends up being."
He nods to Jence and Mulgin each... to acknowledge their presence.
"I'm certainly amenable to getting everything done in one fell swoop," says Marisol. "What's on the fire tonight for dinner? Hrafen, does that sensitive nose of yours have any idea what's cooking?"
"Thank you, Olbrent." Vladimir says walking along toward the tavern. "Who will have the key to the room? I would like to get Jence and Mulgin settled in before we try to sway Brother Aster."
"Thank you for your open-mindedness, Master Olbrent. I hope everyone will learn that for bandits, the way to see more gone, free man must be the policy to win their hearts back to good."
"Thank you for your open-mindedness, Master Olbrent. I hope everyone will learn that for bandits, the way to see more gone, free man must be the policy to win their hearts back to good."