Warren reads the note and reacts with a start.
"We have bandits heading toward the butte. They are close enough the birds have detected them. Since we are still wounded and depleted from our day, let us make camp and set watches so we can leave at first light. Vrag will meet us at the trail junction on this map, so we count on him to keep the horses hidden till we get there."
Before retiring, Warren sees if there are any more healing powers in the waters.
"Anwel and I can take the first watch, Gorax and Imon the second, with Andrei and Stellan third."
Anwel nods his agreement with Warren's plan. "Whoever is on watch should they crest the ridge," he says, getting up from the nightvision-ruining fire and looking up into the hills, "Remember that Thad's plan relies on Akiros not learning of Rassada for a little while longer. His goons cannot be allowed to spot her, and they cannot be allowed to leave if they do."
Andrei nods "Anyone the least wounded before we sleep?"
With no one idicating the need of healing he'll case CLW on himself and go to bed as well.
Warren will mention his injuries only if the healing waters do not help. He confers with Thad to determine if there are any supplies he needs to bring to him from Oleg's, and whittles a holy symbol of Erastil out of wood. He then asks Rassada if she can bless it for him.
He returns to the other five:
"Keep alert. Enemies are near. We will easily prevail if the fight is here, but there is no need to be complacent."
Warren keeps the healing necklace in reserve for now.
Stellan brightens at Anwel's reply, "Oh right, just some hours ago, seems like a lifetime."
"Bandits coming, Akiros's forces? Seems likely.
"That sounds good Warren, I'll finish the campwork and get some rest then." Stellan keeps busy.
Fix camp go to sleep, be ready for the late night watch.
Late watch:
Setting up camp, keeping fire light and concealed.
Without much talk, Imon prepared for the bit of sleep he was going to get. He'd never liked the middle watch, it always left him feeling drained, but that was the lot he'd drawn, so he wasn't going to complain.
Those who sample the water in the pool, find that the healing powers remain and are soon able to cure all of their wounds, aches, and pains acquired during the journey to the grove.
Reaching the top of the ridge in a steep, thirty minute climb up a narrow, rocky trail. Once at the summit, even in the dark it is a remarkable view. Moonlight shines down on the dense forest below giving it all a silvery, ethereal look. The hills continue to the west and south, with the higher peaks of a small mountain range directly to the west. To the north and east, a band of mist winds down a shallow valley likely marking the winding route of the Thorn River.
One thing does stand out starkly against the peaceful, blackness of night. A single light from a large campfire glows in the forest near the base of Arrowhead Butte, maybe a half-days walk from the summit.
Except for the slowly dying glow of the distant fire, the night passes uneventfully.
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"So does anyone know where we are in relation to Oleg's then?" asks Gorax over the smell of cooking rabbit meat. "This grub is OK, nice and fresh and stuff, but I'm missing the magic of the cookpot at Oleg's. Perhaps we should make a discovery route round and back, you know, just so we get a better understanding of the lay of the land. Did anyone have a mpa of sorts, it might point us in the right direction?"
"So does anyone know where we are in relation to Oleg's then?" asks Gorax over the smell of cooking rabbit meat. "This grub is OK, nice and fresh and stuff, but I'm missing the magic of the cookpot at Oleg's. Perhaps we should make a discovery route round and back, you know, just so we get a better understanding of the lay of the land. Did anyone have a mpa of sorts, it might point us in the right direction?"
"Now that we are rested we can find these bandits."
"We certainly do have a map," says Anwel incredulously. "And at this point we know exactly where we are, and where the trading post is. This valley is about fifty-two degrees and ten minutes north of the equator and seven degrees and three minutes east of Absalom. The trading post is fifty-two degrees and fifty-seven minutes north of the equator, and eight degrees and forty-six minutes west of Absalom. That is, it is about eight-five miles east-northeast of us.
"As for our destination, I agree we should track down the bandits first. They are too close to this place to be allowed."
"I agree, lets deal with them. If we are lucky it'll just be the Kobolts that we saw the tracks of. We should be able to deal even a large number of them."
Stellan nods, "Yes we need to at least see who they are, and what they are about, dealing with them as needed. If Kobolds, well, they are a tribe here as well, maybe a meeting of minds can be reached. If not, this place must be as protected as it can be. I'm sure there is much defence here but soon enough forces could arrive to challenge even this holy site. Best to have as little trouble as possible. If Akiros is behind them though, I doubt there is anything is possible but conflict with him given his methods. Perhaps I shouldn't make assumptions but ..." Stellan trails off.
"No I agree, I suspect even if they are from the Bone Ravens conflict will be required at first as I doubt they will talk from a position of strength. But we can try to talking."
In the morning the party takes its leave of Thad and Rassada. Thad passes Warren a short list of supplies they could use. The list is fairly routine and consists mostly of tools, seeds, and some additional clothing.
Rassada, is more subdued in the morning. Part of her distress is clearly the departure of the party, but she also continues to glance and frown in the direction of the suspected bandit camp. When asked she merely shrugs and shakes her head saying, "Laesaanirelv amenynaw illw irylvma seelala el anira oemalaan. Ean ela lean eo anirela cillw, fyan laamelala illeaniram eo vmailanam tyeamam."
When the party is ready to leave Rassada grabs Gorax in a big hug, hanging on for several seconds before finally letting go only when Thad gives her a gentle nudge. Mustering a smile the child-like, magical spawn of a god sheds a few tears and in a small choked voice says, "Anirilln aey oem aeym nelwlalala. Sila anira fcalalaelv eo Erastil fa ytyel aey anirela wila."
When she finishes speaking a feeling of warmth and courage washes over the entire party. She then giggles, waves a last time and dashes back into the grove hot on the trail of a large grey squirrel.
Shrugging at the girls seeming power and innocence, Thad says his own farewells, and then watches the party it starts to make the slow descent down from the summit of Arrowhead Butte.
As you begin the winding, steep climb down the trail from the summit, it is easy to see the smoke still rising from the campfire spotted during the night. Clearly whoever it is feels safe and comfortable enough that they are taking little precautions about being detected.
"Thank you for your kindness. May the blessing of Erastil be upon you this day."
"Goodbye," says Anwel quietly. He had said everything he wanted to say to Thad yesterday, and Rassada is clearly not paying attention. As the group descends the slope of Arrowhead Butte, he ponders the possible meanings of her warning. A cult of Lissala made up of outsiders would fit her description, with only the word "hungry" providing a niggle of doubt. To Anwel, it suggests someone characterized by their drives rather than the Akiros' breed of calculating maneuvers towards power. But maybe he is reading too much into the words.
Warren sets off with high hopes. Besides animal friends they were down to six, but that should be sufficient to encounter the bandit crew.
Andrei says goodbye to Thad and promises to back anytime they can and to bring the supplies, his goodbye to Rassada is a little uncharacterisically halting clearly he is unsure of himself around her.
We should find a good place to set up an ambush. There is likely to be more of them, so somewhere narrow? He asks
Warren asks Thad and Rassada to bless his new carved holy symbol of Erastil. The wood is crudely cut and the edges are rough.
After the group leaves, Warren and Andrei take the lead with Anwel and Gorax in the second rank. Imon and Stellan follow last.
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Gorax's face flushes red as the girl gives him a big hug, as he feels the warmth of her body press against him and the fresh breath as she speaks. After a few moments in which his mind is full of the kindness and love that he has for his new found sister, he disentangles himself and takes a step back. He straightens as best he can his long matted hair with his fingers and smiles a confused smile at the girls foreign words. Not really understanding he says in a softer voice than normal, "My sister of the woods, we'll meet again and I can introduce you to my blood sister and mother. We can be as one family. Goodbye." He bows his head slightly, never taking his eyes off the girl, though his shoulders shrugs as he realises she doesn't understand a word he said, he lets out a sigh and waves to her as they leave.
As they go he says, "I wonder what she said?" and looks into the distance at the horizon.
Stellan smiles at the girl's fondness for Gorax, "Great that you have a friend and family there, Gorax. It's a strength, needed in these lands." Stellan shakes his head, "I don't know what she said, if it's thanks, she's welcome, if something else, it'd be nice to know."
Stellan will keep a watch on the trail.
Note and avoid hazards along the way.
See it before it sees us. Whatever it is.
"Remember to look out for good ambush points, some where where Gorax and I or Warren can block the way and prevent them getting to everyone else with their spells and bows."
Imon trudged along quietly, focused more on making his way over the rocks than paying attention to the conversation. As he went along, his thoughts turned to this whole expedition. It was very much not what he'd expected. He had planned to pick off bandits one by one out here, without help or support. How he'd planned to do that without any particular skill in survival or stealth, he hadn't thought through, but that had been the plan. He wasn't looking to get involved in any plot to reclaim the Stolen Lands, and certainly not to make deals with monsters, literal or figurative.
Andreai's call snapped him out of his reverie, and he began paying attention to the surroundings again. Finally, he decided to add to the conversation. "Was that what you were expecting?" He asked, talking about the quest for the seed and it's ultimate result. The question was mostly for Stellan, Anwel and Warren, as they'd seemed the most knowledgeable about the subject.
"Only in the broadest sense," says Anwel quietly, making more of an effort not to be overheard now that they have made their way a little closer to what was probably a Lissalite camp.
He and everyone else had been expecting goblins at the camp, but beyond that the journey to Arrowhead Butte had taken a turn for the strange and grotesque. Every goal the group had been set, and that Anwel had set for himself, when they started out has been accomplished, after a fashion. They had found the Seed - Rassada. After the old priest's warning, the idea of an accord with the Bone Ravens seems a little more plausible. And, like he had promised in the letter, he had told the others his secrets. But that conversation had not gone the way Anwel had hoped at all. That a former Bone Raven commander would be traveling with them represented much faster progress than Anwel had anticipated. And he had not expected Rassada at all, or that Thad would stay to nurture her, or how bitter the parting would be.
"I expected us to succeed in our mission, and so we have, for the moment. More than that, I would rather not say, even whisper. The forest has ears today."
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At Anwel's words, Gorax looks at the trees suspiciously, making sure his sword was ready to be unsheathed and ready to defend his friends. Every rustle of leaves and boughs borne along by the breeze causes him to look, every sudden sound of flight as the birds of the forest take to the wing, leaves Gorax nervous. As usual the strange shadow man with his magic makes the hairs on Gorax's neck stand on end. He eyes him just as suspiciously as he seems to fortell their future, "Succeed, no, not when there are still bandits to bring to justice." answers the stalwart fighter. No doubt your forest ears will tell them we come. "Andrei, before we find a place to ambush, we'd best beware of those who would ambush us!" Grimly he continues on the journey, the joyful start to the day giving way to a horrible inevitability of confrontation and the blackness of heart that comes with every blow that takes a life. Gorax's resolve stiffens, as he seems to hunch up as he travels, resigned to the fight for life ahead.
Warren smiles at Imon and answers: "That was exactly what I was expecting." before bursting into a grin.
He clarifies:"I was expecting a magical acorn to reforest some trees or a medallion with a preserved seed with magical powers. A demigod with growing powers was the last thing I expected. Now I have to rethink my worldview somewhat. I don't think I will ever learn how to use a bow, though." He absently fingers the Erastil symbol.
He sends his eagles to make contact with the enemy together for protection. As they leave he continues the ambush conversation.
"We need to interdict this group before they reach where we just left or our animals. As an active defense we cannot wait in ambush as they just may get by us. We locate and move on them. After making contact with our entire group, we will decide what to do."
With a look of determination: "No enemy force will be allowed close to here."
He thinks reflectively before opining on Vrask: "Our large friend will be somewhat pivotal. If he does not come around I hold little hope for an accord with the Blood Ravens. After a poor start, he may be coming around. He didn't eat a bird after all--I take that as a good omen."
The party spends the next hour winding its way carefully down from the summit. The climb is slow going since the trail has obviously had little use or maintenance for several years or even decades. Several areas were completely washed away from the seasonal rain and snow melt forcing the group to pick its way carefully across open slopes and small streams. Fortunately, Stellan is able to help everyone find the safest routes around these trouble spots.
Occasionally, the group can get a good look at Warren's animal companions circling high over a section of the forest still a good couple of hours away at your current pace. While little can be seen through from this distance, it's a pretty safe bet that the birds have spotted the other group making its own slow way up the trail in your general direction.
Eventually, the party comes to another flat area, that is clearly where the butte got its local name. Making its way carefully down the trail, the party sees the morning sunlight glitter off a wall of obsidian that juts out several dozen feet from the main mountain side. Numerous old fire pits dot the open area at the base of the obsidian flow. The ground is completely covered by chips and pieces of the glass-like rock. Although there doesn't appear to be anyone working the site right now, it clearly sees a significant amount of use.
Footing here is quite treacherous, due to the large amount of loose rock. In addition, the rock is often razor sharp and capable of cutting through clothing, boots, and, in the case of a bad fall, skin easily. Despite the dangerous footing, the area could offer a decent ambush site as the far side of the flow offers a good deal of cover just before the trail resumes its descent. Those traveling uphill must funnel along a narrow slope and then pass through a narrow gap of rock before the path opens into the flat area of the obsidian flow.
"Here looks good, they'll have climb that to get to us and only a few can fight us at a time. Warren do you agree? Not sure if everyone noticed but there is a giant in amongst them so we might want to devise a way taking it out before it reaches the top of the slope." Andrei says and glances around to see if there are any bolders they can roll down the slope or block the gap with.
Stellan picks a careful way down the trail, often glimpsing the approaching force. After coming on the broken terrain stops and studies it, noting the large creature in the approaching force. Broken out of his revery by Andrei, he says, "I've seen nothing better than this here too, but the ground is treacherous, be careful to use it against enemies not have it turned against us. And yes, one, - I think just one, is much larger than human, a troll or giant, something big, walking, armored. I couldn't get a full count, 'bout a dozen, but just a guess, could be nine or fifteen." Stellan preps for the challenge ahead.
"Well divine friends make for fortuitous events. We can make this site work. Let us hold here on the slope where they have to funnel together. If Anwel can make an illusion of a huge obstacle blocking the main path, that may slow them from forcing through. If anyone has any caltrops, this is the place to use them."
He smiles at Gorax: "If we can find something to make an impromptu barricade, let's do it. We want to engage them at about sixty feet."
"You shall have your figment, Warren," says Anwel, looking for a sheltered spot with a view of the narrow path and the obsidian flow. He may have to maintain the spell for a long time, and does not want to be interrupted. Finding a workable spot, he sits down, legs crossed and hands on his knees. "Which would serve best to block the path, do you think? A rockslide, a pile of deadfalls, a pack of dangerous creatures, or a wide chasm?"
The party is able to spend the next two hours preparing for the bandits as they struggle up the narrow, dangerous trail toward the summit. Warren's birds circle above allowing the group to maintain a good idea of their position throughout the morning.
Preceded by several curses and bawdy outbursts easily overheard in the late morning air, the bandits finally appear carefully making their way up the trail. The group is about what Stellan and Andrei estimated earlier. Ten rough looking men in worn leather armor and assorted garb in various states of disrepair make up the bulk of the group.
They are followed by a large, being covered from head to foot in a think black robe. Standing at least three times taller than Gorax, the robe completely conceals its wearer's appearance. However, whatever is under that robe isn't human judging from the way the 'clothing' bulges out oddly in a variety of places.
Following at the end of the group is another black-robed being, however, this is clearly a human as his hood is thrown back revealing a shock of blond hair and long scar over his right eye and cheek. Occasionally he flicks a whip out to lash the creature in front of him which elicits a muted hiss and odd sounding growl.
As the first two bandits round the corner and spot Anwel's illusionary barricade, one let's out a loud curse raising his hand. While the others stop, the first two bandits start to move forward to investigate and find a way around the blocked path.
Warren waits taking cover behind the rock outcropping. He confers with Anwel to allow a single five foot wide path to let the bandits funnel through. The leader would have to squeeze through leaving him vulnerable.
Anwel nods at Warren's idea. An illusion that does not wholly block the path is less likely to be investigated and revealed for what it is. He pulls a bit of carded fleece out of his pouch and cups it in his hands, pressing down with his thumbs so the breeze cannot catch it. He begins to chant, his eyes wide and unblinking. After a moment, whole new outcroppings of rock wink into existence, seeming to grow seamlessly from the existing structures. By the time the group arrives, Anwel has not moved, nor has he blinked, but his chanting has lost almost all of its volume. His lips still make the words, but the air that passes them is now the merest trickle.
Stellan nods then worries about the number of foes faced. Noting the poor quality and repair of the equipment he tries to determine the weaponry they are carrying. Of particular note, he is looking for ranged vs. melee type weapons. Also he is looking for those that are leaders or veterans and lesser men that may fall to his enchantment.
As they draw near but before they arrive at the barrier, Stellan casts his frosty armor. He then parallels Anwel toward the rear. In this broken place he keeps Vinur near him, when he starts growling, Stellan hushes him and bids him to keep low to the ground.
The enemy, and any others that may be about, what is that thing?, etc.
Can I tell anything about that large creature?
Ditto.
The man is tall. Well over six feet, but not as broad shouldered as Gorax. It seems he is just as likely to use the lash on his other men as well as the creature.
A small gust of wind brings the scent of sulfur and sickly sweet incense. The smell of the Abyss that often accompanies denizens of that Outer World plane. The smell immediately draws your attention closer and you are able to see the flickering ends of numerous tentacles emerging from the base of the ragged robe as they gradually propel the thing forward.
You recall an old text that mentioned a cult to Lissala that was able to corrupt some minor demons to serve her purposes. The rough translation was a Whip Demon. Named for the Lissala's favorite weapon. If you recall correctly, the book roughly described the creatures as a horror that places a humanoid torso on the body of a squid. They are slow with limited intelligence, but deadly in close up fights because of its natural ability to overwhelm a victim with numerous tentacled attacks that render the foe helpless as the demon feeds on the immobilized body.
The bandits cautiously approach the rocky outcroppings created by Anwel's illusion. The lead bandit starts to slow down and look at the area more closely, but his caution is rewarded by a shout to get moving punctuated by a warning snap of the lash from the robed man in the rear. The man mutters something under his breath and then moves quickly up the trail. The others start to fall in line behind in order to fit through the narrow gap.
The creature appears to raise its cowled head and sniff the air for a few seconds, but soon it continues to struggle up the trail with further encouragement from its handler.
Warren begins the casting to bring into being a celestial dog while fingering the token blessed by Erastil's offspring. Thinking about the lessons he has learned, he realizes that now that he has taken more of a stand to fight evil, his creatures will do so too.
When Warren starts to cast Andrei says quietly "Gorax I'm behind you healing you, but if things get too bad fall back and I'll take the front."
The lead bandits continue to work their way along the trail completely unaware of Anwel's illusion or the rest of the party waiting in ambush. The first sign of trouble is when Imon's first arrow pierces the second bandit in line straight through the throat, dropping him instantly. Seeing his target fall, Imon switches his second shot to the next man in line and lands hit sending a shaft into the mans shoulder.
Stepping from cover, Gorax lands a solid blow on the lead bandit, catching the man totally by surprise. Although tougher than his companion, the blow still staggers him back a couple of steps as he attempts to draw a weapon and regain his balance.
Warren summons his canine ally who misses with its initial attack. The druid's eagle companions are much more successful as they dive on the third bandit and use their large talons to shred the man's face. He falls to the ground a bloody mess. The druid then raises his crossbow and snaps off a shot at the fourth bandit in line. The bolt flies true and sinks deeply into the man's side as he let's out a startled shout and grabs at the bolt rather than his weapon.
Andrei raises his crossbow and sends a bolt into the lead bandits heart, finishing him off after Gorax's earlier attack.
Anwel quielty maintains his illusion while Stellan holds his magic in reserve since the nearest enemies have all been dealt with by his companions.
The surprised bandits stagger back in confusion as they reach for their weapons and shout warnings to those further back on the trail. Having only seen the eagles dive, the men in the rear laugh thinking the birds are the only threat.
"Afraid of a couple o' little birds, Drudge?" Shouts one of the bandits in the back while laughing at those scrambling back from the ambush. His taunts are interrupted by the lash of the leader's whip as it cracks above the large creature again.
"Someone shot those birds and get moving up there." He says as the remaining bandits grab their bows.
Stellan is looking intently at the large creature when a fortunate wind adds to Vinur's and Stellan's senses. Thinking over some of his lessons he recalls facts that fill him with horror. The fight begins on the lead bandits and goes swiftly to the party's favor. After that Stellan snaps out of it and cast a quick message spell to Warren and Andrei.
"Warren, Andrei, I think, from the smell and the tentacles I see beneath it, that the creature is a Lissalan Whip Demon, Human torso, body of squid, slow, stupid, powerful, the tentacles allow it to grab, making it a nightmare in close combat. It grabs, holds its helpless victim, then feeds. If possible stay away, and use ranged attacks.
Stellan doubts he can much effect the demon and looks for a more mundane target if any are, or will be in range.
"That just means kill it first to me." Imon called out, moving his aim toward the large figure. He readied and fired two arrows at it.
It won't take them long to charge us and discover its an illusion but maybe they are foolish enough to divert some men on wild goose chase. Probably not but I don't risk anything by trying.
Andrei says in a stage whisper that he judges will just carry to some of the bandits in main group. "Doing well lads, now lets push the advantage. No, Michael stay in your position! Last thing we want is them sneaking through the cave and taking us unaware."
Andrei reloads the crossbow and not having a line on the larger creature he fires at the nearest to bandit.