"Yera." the Keeper of the Shrine answers and nods while leaning on his gnarled wooden staff. His eyes are so slanted that it barely looks like they are open. "Silmane Melisse e anen Valastaag krimir darastel etull valpio inimeite fer lathir das madrue."
"Yes. A Loving Lady priestess and a Valastaag krimir came through this way about two weeks ago."
"mana gwanod daug anen maethor?"
What of native soldiers or foreign soldiers?
"Nieth. Atherinia gwanod galdathir inum roath ithuel etharn nethwel sër vala."
"No. The soldiers stick to the main road that leads northwest throuh the Waeld."
"Hanta-trenarn," Rhialla says thanking the keeper with another regarding bow of her head before following after the others.
Approaching slowly and trying to imitate in his best way, what their guide Ornthalas said
"Suihlannaad Salvainaer" pronouncing with problems as Bhalur had no idea how to approach this. Not knowing what to give before an idea occurs. Reaching his hand on his knife and bringing it near to one of his antlers. Slowly pressing it against the hard substance and cutting off around 5 inches worth of antler, Bhalur slowly lowers his hand with a piece of antler on it - shining in the sunlight and reflecting some of the light with its pure white colour - towards the woman
antlers. Slowly pressing it against the hard substance and cutting off around 5 inches worth of antler, Bhalur slowly lowers his hand with a piece of antler on it - shining in the sunlight and reflecting some of the light with its pure white colour - Reaching his hand on his knife and cutting up some of the jerky, rations as well fruits he had packed up on his pouches and offering these to the keeper of the shrine
The Keeper accepts the offering from the big black bhakiri, bows his head and says: "Suilannad."
Ornthalas kneels in front of the shrine, bows his head and begins to whisper a prayer to his Savathaal forefathers.
When he is done, he turns around and says: "I am done. Hopefully the forefathers will watch over us now."
He then turns to the keeper and says: "Graveth Salviniaer. Mil athir du arinthir," and leaves the waterfall cave.
Thank you Keeper. May you be at peace and content."
_______________________________________________________________________
You reach the top of the Sentinel's Fall, and continue your journey on the path along the Baravos. Some places the path is on level with the river, at others it is high above it, when the river cuts through a ravine.
You travel for four hours without encountering anything.
_______________________________________________________________________
Late in the afternoon you come to a place where there is a large ruined keep on the riverbank, where a ruined stone bridge crossed the river. It has collapsed mid river.
"Mirthal Keep." Ornthalas says. "It is usually a good place to make camp. Easy to defend. But it might be occupied, so we better be careful."
The dwarf does his best to not trip on roots as he looks at the various sights of the forest
Magnes looks at the crumbling structure frowning. " I'm lighting that place on fire if I see even a hint of Giant spider. Anyone got the ability to check the ruin out before we go in?"
"I can check it out with my eyes like that time at the hobgoblin fort." Rhialla smirks, "But we all know how that ended. Might be safer to approach in number."
Girian had been cautious in the forest, constantly examining portions of it that might hide an ambush from locals. The mans frown of concentration welded to his face.
-Mitrial Keep-
Girian glances at the tumbled keep and shrugs. " I won't be able to get a strict answer but I could Send Phyllis to see if anything is in there. She'd likely be able to tell me if there is a predator at least." the human says as he undoes several straps on the side pouch of his back pack and a drably colored grey and green winged and feathered lizard pokes its head out of the now apparent carry case stuffed with straw.
The smallish creature cranes its head looking at all the new people and Girian gives the lizard a look. "No, you don't get to steal their food." the human says gesturing to the creature which at the very least seems to be paying attention.
"We could likely use here for that."
The grey and green winged and feathered lizard flies over the ruined keep. A short while later it conveys a feeling of trouble to Girian, before it returns and lands on his hand.
Phyllis is uneasy. Think there's something in there.
Kevroth glances around for a moment before speaking up, "I can scout it."
"Let me. There's a reason they call me the Ghost. Stealth is my forte." Ornthalas says, before he moves quickly and silently towards the ruins of Mirthal Keep, keeping himself low all the way.
He returns a short while later. "Bugbears. I counted six of them, but there might be more."
"So do we deal with em' or find ah differen' place to bed down?"
The Dhouvarr' asks as he looks to the ruin. " Doubt they are gonna be willin' to trade fer a place to sleep, stranger has happened though and spilling blood in this forest is going to draw more hunters."
Rhialla whispers her concerns, "What if the priestess and her guide came this way as well and didn't know the bugbears were there waiting for them? Would they have come this way Ornthalas, how well known to the city guides is this camp?"
"I'll defer to the rest of you... I am partial to leave no stone unturned but I know it may not be the wisest choice and we could lose more time than it's worth." Rhialla sheathes her machete and draws her bow, readying an arrow in case the bugbears stumble or charge toward the party.
"Mirthal Keep is well known by the guides of Avalath. I am almost certain that Wimbley and your priestess would have come this way and camped in the ruins if the bugbears weren't around at that time." the old elven ranger whispers back.
He also draws his bow and readies an arrow and then turns to Magnes. "Don't expect them to share dinner with you. Bugbears are more likely to have you for dinner than to have dinner with you."
Magnes shrugs " Jus' coverin meh bases. Stranger things have happened than bugbears willing to talk. So we just gonna go jump on em' or what? You saw em' Ornthalas. They eatin' a meal, they waiting to ambush someone else? Be good to know how hard its gonna be to try and get tha' jump on em."
" Also we should likely try to take them alive if we can. They might know somethin' bout the forge P-Ladys priestess."
Girian looks at the group at large and seems to hum in thought.
" If we need to mask our approach I have a trick that could let a few of you more inclined to swords and axes get into range without the bugbears noticing. We would need to stagger our approach depending on how many desire it but I can turn someone invisible for a little bit less than twenty seconds."
Thinking for a moment as Bhalur looks at others "Keeping balance in the nature is important and these Bugbears most likely would ambush other travelers or Wyvernwaeld people if left alone. For us, haste is important but I can not in my good consioucness leave them..." Bhalur decides slowly
Looking a bit sad and determined at the same time as he equips his shield and sword "It might be hasty from me but I... think I am more inclined to get rid of them than leave them alone. What do you think?"
There is a distinct double click as Kevroth draws the hammers of his musket back to the fully cocked position.
Nodding in affirmation, "I think we are all in favor of dealing with them with extreme prejudice while we have the chance. Now as to the plan of action. Their state of readiness certainly makes a difference and then we can settle on a plan of approach."
Rhialla looks to Ornthalas.
"It is settled then. We take the ruin. I suggest we take advantage of our Red Griffon mage's invisibility magic. Get someone on the other side of them to cause a diversion, leaving the rest of us to surprise attack them while they are turned away. Things could turn messy in an instance for our diversion guy, so the rest of us are going to have to move quickly once he has caught the bugbears' attention. Any volunteers?"
" Well if its distraction you want I've fire to spare. They'll find it hard to turn their attentions away from meh." The dhouvarr suggests as he looks to the ruin.
"Though ya never did say if they were camping or set up fer an ambush themselves. Gimme five minutes ta look fer somethin though." The Dhouvarr says as he waits for a response before moving off to a place of minor privacy behind some trees. The sound of the dwarf muttering as he looks for something being obvious.
Kevroth pats his musket meaningfully, "I could also serve as the distraction pretty well."
"I doubt you will have time to reload your musket after you've fired your first shots before they swarm you if you're the one who moves in behind them. It would probably be wiser to have someone armed for melee combat."
Ornthalas turns to Magnes.
"They're in the middle of cooking dinner. A Waeldwoman. Too late to save her. They were already chopping her up."
Magnes suppresses his disgusted reaction after a moment sighing. "Well thats one way to be sure of their morality. Alright, Gimme a few moments to get ready and I'll go over there."
Nodding in agreement "I think it is best to go like that. Kevroth can stay behind me and Rhialla with enough range to shoot and without danger of getting attacked immediately. I will most likely try to keep them in bay while Rhialla will be getting rid of most dangerous ones. So I guess same way as we always do things" as he smiles at his companions
"The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them." Rhialla says upon learning of the Waeldwoman's fate.
"Alright then, stay on task, keep focused, and watch out for each other. We move up and then after Magnes's signal we strike fast and hard. "
Following orders silently, Kevroth positions himself so he can have a good prone firing position behind cover.
Im assuming the touch A.C. of a motionless patch of ground is going to be in the hit a square A.C. 5 range.
Surprise Round
Moving a bit closer towards bugbears and waiting for the sign from Magnes, obvious voice of fight starting, Bhalur remembers that it might be a good idea to have a one shot before engaging enemies
Slowly removing his crossbow and aiming it towards one of the bugbears, waiting for the signal. As the fight breaks out, Bhahlur releases a single shot towards nearest bugbear and then drops his crossbow, only to equip his own sword and shield again
Round 1
Moving towards the bugbears and slashing towards the one he shot with his crossbow, Bhalur tries at the same time block their way towards other behind him
Kevroth moves to where he can reach at least partial cover and fire from within 30 feet of an enemy once the Bugbears fix their attention on Magnes.
Kevroth moves into his chosen firing position, levels his musket and fires one barrel at the closest Bugbear.
Working with surprising speed, Kevroth reloads the empty barrel, the prepared paper cartridge making the task easier.
Magnes appears behind the bugbears as the camp suddenly erupts into flames " Right ya buncha mangey waterlogged carpets hate ta' interrupt yer meal buh why don' ya try on the other side of that hunter and hunted game ye seem so prone to play. Come get it!"
Magnes produces another vial of questionable liquid, pouring a second liquid into the first as it changes color and begins bubbling dangerously. "Here have some ah meh special brew!
Girian mutters an arcane spell. His companion looking at the battle with an appraising eye as he concentrates on bending the magics of the world.
The spellcaster continues to focus his magic before releasing the spell at the largest cluster of bug bears.
Before the attack Rhilla posititons herself close and in front of Kevroth but allows for clear line of fire.
Surprise Round 0
As soon as Magnes's explosion goes off she steps out of hiding and looses an arrow at the closest bugbear that is still standing.
Round 1
Rhialla draws another arrow steps (5ft step) closer and looses another arrow.
Rhialla draws her magical short sword with its distinctive ring and charges the largest Hobgoblin she can charge and or attack.
Initiative Order: Girian(29), Bugbears(21), Magnes(20), Bhalur(15), Kevroth(13), Ornthalas(13), Rhialla(12), Kai(4).
Surprise Round:
Round 1:
Damage Taken:
Bugbear 1: 14 damage
Bugbear 2: 10 damage
Bugbear 3: 7 damage
Bugbear 4: 13 damage
Bugbear 5: 17 damage (dead)
Bugbear 6: 9 damage
Round 2
Everyone may act.
Giran gives the chaos of the battle an appraising eye as he looks at his current allies. The feathered lizard on his shoulder uttering a cry as it looks at the battle.
" fine, just be careful alright?" The lizard gives a cry of satisfaction leaping off its masters shoulder.
The lizard lunging for the prone bugbear Rhialla is fighting, interested in an easy meal.
The spellcaster looks at the battle and considers for a moment before picking a target.
However he is slow taking time to gather power.
Magnes dodges for all he is worth as the bugbear assault continues.
"Hah! Is that all ya buncha' cataracted flea magnets!"
The dwarf crows, proding the creatures in the ego.
Round 2
Continueing his assault against the bugbear, whom he already hit as Bhalur sees him being in a critical condition. Bringing his sword high and slashing towards his head in hope of ending its life fast
Kevroth fires both barrels at bugbear 3 and reloads quickly, one barrel by hand and the other using the magic in his bandolier.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Round 2
Sticking with the plan Rhialla stays focused on ensuring the large Bugbear doesn't have much chance to contribute to the battle.
Having slain the largest bugbear Rhialla charges the closest surviving bugbear resistance.
The bugbear is slightly tougher to put down than expected, but Rhialla presses him several feints in hopes of either out manuevering his defense or simply overpowering him.
Initiative Order: Girian(29), Bugbears(21), Magnes(20), Bhalur(15), Kevroth(13), Ornthalas(13), Rhialla(12), Kai(4).
Round 2:
Damage Taken:
Bugbear 1: 21 damage (dead)
Bugbear 2: 12 damage
Bugbear 3: 19 damage (dead)
Bugbear 4: 16 damage (dead)
Bugbear 5: 17 damage (dead)
Bugbear 6: 18 damage (dead)
Magnes: 6 damage
Round 3
Everyone may act.