Karthas looks over to see what Tyr is trying to point out.
Karthas goes around waking the remaining party members, pointing out the ghostly figure in the distance.
Could that be the Davik Nettles that we heard about back at Olegs?"
Seeing Karthas nod and move off to wake the others, Tyr draws his great sword and moves towards the 'glowing figures' edge of camp to await the party gathering near him.
Tyr shrugs at Kartha's comment, indicating he really has no idea. All the while he tries his best to keep the glowing thing in sight.
He takes up a defensive position, though he fears his plain steel sword may not be up to the task of this fight.
Hiram wakes suddenly at Karthas' touch, opening his eyes for a second, and then focusing on Karthas. He looks to where he is pointing, nods and gets up.
Hiram quietly grabs his hand axe, his covered everburning torch, and grabs his bow and quiver. He stands in his normal clothes, without his normal chain shirt on.
He stretches quickly and quietly, and moves up next to Tyr.
When he gets up next to Tyr, he nods, and prepares his longbow.
"Though it seems to be a ghost, perhaps we should get closer to examine it?" He whispers quietly.
Cinders opens her eyes wearily and sits up. She gazes over to the strange apparition while pulling her hood up over her face. She stands up and joins the rest of the group. "This is a bad omen," she says. "We should be wary and not provoke it."
Jamison stirs, and sits up.
Well, ain't that somethin'. Ah never did before see the like o' such a thing.
He moves forward with Karthas.
Thinkin' we should go figgur out why yonder shade hasn't gone t' Ph'rasma as it ought to have? Ah'm with you, then. Deadeye don't hold with walkin' shades. If'n ye'd rather stay here an' let it pass, though, ah reckon that'd be jus' as well, too.
Tyr, Hiram, and Cinders gather together at the north end of the camp and watch the glowing apparition hovering on the opposite side of the ford. Karthas wakes the others and, along with Jamison, joins the trio at the north end of the camp. Mikmek stands guard outside Eseldra's tent, facing toward the ford, spear in hand and growling low in the back of his throat.
As the companions watch, the faintly glowing humanoid apparition floats up the northern path leading away from the river, disappears in the trees, and then reappears and floats back down to the ford, stopping to hover in the same position as before.
"Um, I think it wishes us to follow it?" Tyr suggests.
"Gods be damned", Euron mutters. "I was having the grandest dream - I was a wolf running through the woo..." the druid stops as he notices the apparition at the edge of the clearing.
Silencing himself, he looks to the others for insight - as to the identity or purpose of the appearance.
"Well, then, I suppose we should be off and following it then."
Eseldra steps forward assuredly and confidently (though Mikmek hears her audible gulp as she passes him) and makes her way to their side of the ford.
"Hello, spirit. Do you wish us to follow you someplace?"
Cinders looks at Eseldra in alarm. "We should not make light of the situation," she whispers. "Speak respectfully lest it unleash whatever terrible powers it possesses." She warily turns her eyes back towards the apparition.
Ps:
Ts:
Perception:
Unmodified d20:
Reflex:
"I am not making light of the situation. I'm asking it if it wants us to follow it someplace."
"I am simply suggesting you not speak so casually to it. Where such spirits walk, great evil follows."
Those who look close enough can see that Cinders is actually quivering in fear.
The companions watch with trepidation as Eseldra boldly advances toward the ford and calls out to the floating apparition on the other side. As she reaches the water's edge, she suddenly begins flailing her arms madly about as if possessed. After a couple of seconds her flailing stops, and she stands stock still. At that moment, the glowing apparition bursts into four glowing spheres of light that fly across the ford and whirl around Eseldra's head.
You hear a muffled sound like soft tinkling musical laughter being poorly stifled behind two hands, and then a voice whispers in Sylvan: "Ha-ha-ha! See, Perlivash? The fiend-blood biggins is more nimble than you thought! Tee-hee-hee! You lose this round!"
Her hands go to her scimitar as Eseldra begins flailing.
Seeing Eseldra go stock still, Hiram rushes forward, putting away his bow as he moves,
"Stand BACK! She may be possessed! I seen this once before...ain't a pretty sight!"
Hiram rushes to get to Eseldra's side, once there he begins to concentrate on her.
Tyr frowns, worried for his companion and advances to within striking dictance but still leaves Hiram space to do his work.
Perception:
Baffled by the apparition and Eseldra's behavior, Euron looks to his animal companion to see how the wolf is responding - knowing nature's servant are the best judge of a threat or innocence.
Perception:
Confused by what is going on, Karthat draws his blade and slowly moves toward Eseldra.
"Stand BACK! She may be possessed! I seen this once before...ain't a pretty sight!"
Hiram shouts his warning to the others as he and Tyr rush toward Eseldra. Horrified at the thought that the wizard may be possessed by a malevolent force, the watchers in the clearing are even more shocked to see Hiram and Tyr flail around wildly once they reach Eseldra's side. It almost looks like they might fall right into the river! The light globes widen their path to spin madly about the trio.
Well, ain't that the bull's horns? , Jamison mutters as he squints at the trio. Any idears, Miss Cinders? Ah'm tempted t' lissen t' Hiram n' stay back, but ah might be able to offer Miss 'Seldra some protection if'n ah could just get to 'er. Shucks, Deadeye don't reward th' timid, the man says, heading directly for Eseldra.
"Augh!" Is Tyr's exclamation as he slips, falls and begins to slide.
"By Sarenrae, this is madness. We are doomed." Cinders quickly casts a spell and then moves forward to join the others.
Arms flailing wildly, Tyr falls to the ground and slides into the river. As he enters the water, one of the light globes moves to hover over the fighter.
Just as Tyr splashes into the water, Jamison steps into the spot where the warrior had been standing next to Hiram a second before. Suddenly, the priest of Erastil begins to flail around wildly.
Cinders hesitates momentarily, then mutters a quick prayer to Sarenrae. She grab's Jamison's arm and tries to pull him back away from the lights.
In nearly the same fashion as Tyr, Jamison falls to the ground and slides into the river before Cinders can grab the priest. Just as Tyr is climbing to his knees, Jamison collides with the fighter, knocking them both prone in the water.
Seeing Niko's ease as transpiring events, the druid relaxes. Before checking his companion, his weathered hand was reaching for the ranseur that lay near his bedroll.
Instead, the old druid sits back onto his bedroll taking up a position next to the wolf, and watches as events unfold.
"I think the Chartered Six may have angered some forest spirits... best make peace with'em fast!"
After seeing Tyr and Jamison crash into the water, the druid sighs, stands, and walks over to Tunica. Pulling a winter blanket off the elk, he meanders back into camp, having it at the ready when the others decide to dry off.
Since Niko is at ease, Euron is ruling out undead (which he knows little of) and assuming this is playful fey at work.
Know(Nature):
Are the balls of light the creature? (i.e. a wisp?) or is that a spell or SLA from another creature?
I'd assume the 21 would be a good shot at identifying a wisp (10+CR6=DC16). I know its +5DC if its an "obscure creature".
If it's a spell or SLA, Euron has no ranks in Spellcraft, so he's oblivious to their mysterious powers.
As long as he perceives no danger, Euron is content to sit on his bedroll - for no doubt he "learned the hard way" about fey as a druid, and thinks it best if the others learn this same way.
Grimacing, Cinders moves carefully forward, hoping to avoid whatever caused Tyr and Jamison to topple into the river. She reaches for Eseldra.
Arms flailing wildly, Hiram falls to the ground and slides into the river, nearly knocking Eseldra down as he passes within inches of her. As he enters the water, one of the light globes moves to hover over the paladin.
Cinders steps next to Eseldra, where Jamison had stepped a moment before. Suddenly the robed and hooded woman begins to flail around wildly as if possessed. After a couple of seconds her flailing stops, and she stands stock still with one of the glowing orbs of light hovering above her head.
Euron stifles a chuckle and begins to look about the camp for additional blankets to use as towels. Grabbing a couple more, as if to encourage the antics, he hands a blanket to Mikmek and whispers something to the kobold.
"Best ye use this to curry favor with Eseldra if she gets wet!" There is a hint of mirthful glee in the druid's one good eye.
Reflex save:
Eseldra calls out, her voice cold with annoyance. "It's not a ghost, it's some sort of light show with a grease spell on these rocks. We need ropes, not spells!"
With a "Glub!" Tyr goes down again when Jamison slides into him.
Once the pair are 'settled' in the stream, Try takes his time to again try and stand up in the chill waters.
Sputtering, Hiram pokes back out of the ford onto the dry ground. At the mention of ropes, he looks up and grins...taking the lasso off his shoulder, and letting the rope out.
Hearing that Eseldra, Tyr and Jamison are in no danger from some sort of ghostly figure, Karthas breaks into laughter, and goes back to the campsite to get the rope from his pack. Upon returning, and getting close enough, he throws a line in the direction of Eseldra and the others.
"Here ya go. Now get back up here next to the fire before you freeze to death."
Try wipes the mud from his face...
Hearing Eseldra's words, Cinders lowers her head and pauses. She stands still for a few moments, and then reaches for the rope that Karthas has thrown.
She pulls herself back to stable ground. "Who would make such a joke?" she grumbles.
Perception:
Clearly, Euron cannot hear the voices over his own laughing.
"What in the Nine Hells is that? Sounds like some sort of high pitched voice, but I'm not sure what the language is."
Jamison stands up and makes his way back to where Euron sits. He is wet, and pissed off.
Well, Ah'll tell'ee what, Mister Euron, but I should'a known this'd just be some blasted fey playin' their tricks. Happ'ned t' me on more'n a few occasions out 't th' farm. Can't ever see 'em, and can't hear 'em, hafta just let 'em have their fun 'n mebbe they'll get bored.
Jamison looks around for a decent-sized downed tree branch. Once he finds one, he grows in size and proceeds carefully to L-20/19, M-20/19. He holds the branch out to each party member in turn, hoping that they are able to grab it.
Once she's off the greased area, Cinders takes a moment to compose herself. "I said this was a bad omen," she mutters. She looks at Karthas. "What voice are you talking about?"
In response to Cinder's question.
"Listen closely, you still might be able to hear them. I guess it could be the fey that Jamison was speaking of."