"I am Val Dalan." the large potbellied man answers you with a friendly yellowtoothed grin and gives you a firm handshake with one seriously hefty hand. His other hand is carrying a spiked greatclub over his shoulder. He is bald on the top but has a long ponytail and bushy sideburns, and the top half of his face is painted blue. "What is your reason for marching with us Ghost Bears to war?"
"Whoa! Did you see that?" Igvanus exlaims excitedly after the wyvern has passed over the glade. "An actual wild brownscaled wyvern! The only wyvern I've seen is the taxidermied one at the Academy. This one was much larger! What a magnificent creature! I'll try to sketch it while it's fresh in my memory." Igvanus produces a sketchbook and a pencil and inkwell from his backpack and begins to draw the wyvern.
After the wyvern has passed, Yasandra approaches Arukara. "Arukara. How many koroku are there in your village and how large would you deem Alskar's army to be?"
Not doing any fast and big movements, Bhalur went with his own steady pace forward. Moving his hand slowly towards his sword and grapping it but still not drawing it. "Smells quite bad. Mostly looking at us but I guess we need to prepare for it. Who knows what might happen" mentioning with low voice as Bhalur tried to keep relaxed stance and prepare for worst, worried look on his face
The Hawk smiles at his friend's enthusiasm. "Better to see the real thing than a stuffed one, eh? You've just surpassed any number of our society brethren. But keep your wits about you, Ig. These things can bite - unlike the taxidermied ones." He periodically glances at Iggy's drawing to see how it's coming along.
"Aye. I hear you Hawk. Well spoken." Val replies smilingly. "And what's your name, blondie?" he asks Iggy. "Igvanus Lagarn, but Iggy will suffice. Val Dalan was it?" "Yes. Boys call me The Wonder because of a little trick I do. I can lift a heavy table with nothing but my teeth. I will show you once we get back to Falan Feren."
"I know Hawk, but I seriously doubt it'll attack us when we are so many." His sketch doesn't end up very beautiful. It is the stick figure version of a wyvern, but he seems quite satisfied. "Done." he says happily and shows it to you.
"Alright then... Well it isn't looking like it wants to eat us right at tha moment." The Dwarf states slowly as he turns to look at the large and pungent lizard creature.
"Here, have a snack." The Dhouvarr says as he tosses a large chunk of Venison to the beast.
The great reptillian beast opens its mouth and makes a quick movement to catch the venison, before it withdraws into the forest...
"Well." Magnes says as he watches the beast leave. Wiping his brow before reaching down and tapping his cask.
"Anyone else feel like a drink while we walk?"
Hawk raises an amused eyebrow at "The Wonder's" skill. "I look forward to seeing that, Val, after you bite through some Bherug armor."
He looks at Iggy's drawing critically and says warmly, "I'm glad magery is your calling, Ig, because I think you'd starve as an artist... But you have captured a real sense of the wyvern's movement there."
"...but I seriously doubt it'll attack us when we are so many."
Hawk turns deadly earnest. "In the field, that sort of thinking can get you killed, Ig. Monsters have their own logic and you can't predict the influences that drive them. Maybe that wyvern was crazed. Maybe it's starving and desperate. Maybe it thinks it can swoop down and pick up an easy meal before anyone can react... And who better than one of the two idiots who isn't bristling with weapons and covered in shiny armor?" He lets Iggy consider that for a moment. "I've got one rule that always served me well in the field and this is it: Always assume you are on the menu."
"Thank you for offering, but I've stopped drinking." Ornthalas replies to Magnes' offer.
Yasandra to Arukara:
After the wyvern has passed, Yasandra approaches Arukara. "Arukara. How many koroku are there in your village and how large would you deem Alskar's army to be?"
She replies with proudness in her voice, "Torukaro has about one hundred defenders at any given time, to ensure we are able to watch over Ang Varshon." Her voice becoming rather serious, "Though Hearteater has come with unusually large force of about five hundred Bherug tribesmen, hobgoblins, bugbears and worgs. Hopefully the further they push to the temple, their numbers will have been reduced by the deadly traps we have in the deep forest near the temple."
Kevroth smiles at Magnes, "Cool, Magnes, how did you know that food would make it leave us alone?"
" The thing was giving me a look I know well. Exact same one this turd gives me when he sees I've got food but is too lazy to get up and steal it from me. I'm thinking that thing already had a meal recently, and we noticed it before it attacked. Not worth the effort on it part." The dhouvarr says gesturing to the cat still lazing on his back, the massive tabby licking itself.
" Les' just hope that one doesn't get the same bright idea this one did when I fed it." The Dhouvarr states as he takes a swig of his noontime drink.
"Well... That went better than I imagined it would when Ornthalas first told me of the Bherug. The thought had me on edge ever since to be honest." Rhialla quietly whispers, clearly still worried that the creature could come back for seconds at any moment.
Magnes nods to the elf and scrubs the back of his head.
"Eh, I figured worst case it jumps on it. We were aware of it so I figure we would have fought it off."
"I appreciate that your worst case is very opptimistic; so sure you are that we could fight it off. My mind constantly swims in a sea of shadow and gloom, always expecting much worse. Especially so with every passing day and hardly any sign of Illysari."
Nodding as Rhialla speaks "It is like you said. Darkness is spreading slowly and clouding the horizon but there is always hope. Even during most chaotic times we should try to find tranquil around us and appreciate what we have and what is to come. I do not know, what tomorrow might bring and what is my fate but till then, I try to life... even when I am in doubt and fear. At least I am not alone and that helps" looking at her and giving smile as his large set of teeths are revealed "We Bhakiris are more connected to nature than people think and do not overly think about these things but... lately I have been influenced more and more by humans and dhouvarrs and that has lead me to see things in different lights and form new opinions" Bhalur glances at Magnes and grins before his face again darkens a bit, revealing a moment of sad expression before returning back to normal "but maybe it has its purpose."
"Anyway, I hope we will find your fellow friend Illysari soon and find out whatever is behind all of this. I somehow still have doubts about these happenings being connected with the events in the west"
Magnes swigs his drink and shrugs. "Wouldn't call it optimism. I mean that brain spider was close to killing us all before Koija hurt it enough to make it fall. What I am saying though is that crippling that thing and killing it are the same thing in a forest like this. An' it knows that. We have the advantage of having many allies with many talents. Some of which is healing wounds. That overgrown lizard doesn't have that luxury. Its all alone in that forest. We are stronger as a group than it could hope ta be alone." The dhouvarr replies as he glances between the deer-cat and the elf.
"I don't think I'd ever say that ah'm optimistic but rationally I know that worrying over somethings difficulty before it happens just means I'll get drained thinking over it. Makes yer life harder that way. It was somethin meh uncle told me. Before, well before he went to the stones embrace." Magnes frowns into his drink as he finishes his response and seems thoughtful
"It will be good to see what all this is about though."
Girian keeps quiet, listening to the exchange.
Though the military man does frown mightily when the Dhouvar tosses the beast a hunk of meat. That was a fantastic risk. It might very well have come after us.
"Hopefully, yes. And for now, Hearteater doesn't know that the Ghost Bears are coming to join the fight, so we'll have the element of surprise on our side. Your people made a wise decision in sending you to us for help, Arukara. I just hope that we won't be too late. Speaking of which, the men have had enough time to rest their legs for now. It's time to move on." With that, Yasandra signals for Varus to round up the men and continue the march.
"Guess I hadn't thought about it that way," Igvanus replies to Hawk's advice. "Better safe than sorry as they say." He puts his sketchbook and writing tools back into his backpack, gets up and dusts off his robes, as the Ghost Bears seems to be readying themselves to continue the march. "Looks like we're about to move on."
That night you make camp in another glade deeper in the forest. The Ghost Bears are playing drums and singing and dancing around the campfires in a ritual of war honoring the spirits and gods.
Yasandra has invited Hawkren, Igvanus, and Arukara to sit with her during the feast and ceremony.
The leader of the ceremony is a shaman in a white bear pelt, the pelt of a so-called ghost bear, a rare animal held sacred by the tribe, Yasandra explains.
The Company of the Tabby Cat continues their travel with Ornthalas along the Baravos River towards the Baravos Fall, where they plan to continue their journey through the Shaman's Path, a path through the Darkendeep which leads into the heart of the Waeld, close to where the temple of Ang Varshon is supposed to be located.
Several times during the day they hear the sound of something big moving through the bushes, and one time the party clearly spots the slimy dark-green scales of the Bherug as it slithers through the wood. The beast has to be at least 20 foot long.
It is dark when they finally reach the Baravos Fall, but the great waterfall is illuminated by the light of the moon. The water plunges down a cliff wall at least 500 foot in height in a spectacular and deafening show of force.
"The Baravos Fall." Ornthalas says. "I suggest we camp here for tonight, and wait until tomorrow to enter the Shaman's Path. Unless you all want to press on. The Shaman's Path will take many hours to travel through and it is connected to the Darkendeep so we might encounter Deepspawn creatures. It might also have been settled, and in that case there'll likely be traps and inhabitants who might not look kindly upon uninvited guests."
While sitting, she pulls her hood back to reveal her head completely. Always wearing the mask of seriousness.
When food is brought to her, "Thank you for the this meal." She slowly eats her meal, and drink a mug of mead.
As individuals begin to head off to sleep, she speaks to the chieftain, "When we get to the outer perimeter, we will need to be much quieter if we going to spring a surprise attack on Hearteater."
"Let me tell you the legend of Grandfather Ghost Bear. Delgaran was a druid among the Savathaal who had returned to the Wyvernwaeld after the Age of Frost. When his wife Hithil became deadly ill, Delgaran went into the woods and began to cry. He was then approached by a great big white bear. The bear spoke to him and asked him what the matter was and Delgaran explained how his wife had become sick and was about to die. The bear told Delgaran to carry Hithil to the bear's cave and leave her there for three nights. That she would then be cured of her ailment. Delgaran did as Grandfather Ghost Bear suggested and after three days he returned to the cave and found his wife no longer sick. Three months later it became evident that a warchief from another tribe was going to attack Delgaran's village. Delgaran went to Grandfather Ghost Bear to ask for advice. The old bear listened to Delgaran's worries and again he felt pity for the druid. He then gave Delgaran a wineskin and told him to share its content between himself and his warriors. Delgaran did as Grandfather Ghost Bear told him, even though the content of the wineskin was blood. When the battle came, the weapons of the enemy warchief's men didn't hurt Delgaran and his men, and they were victorious. When Delgaran returned to thank the bear, the old bear had died. A shrine was built in the cave and Delgaran's people named themselves the Ghost Bears in honor of Grandfather Ghost Bear."
"It does. The Ghost Bear Cave lies just a few miles north of Falan Feren. I am honored that you are so interested in learning about our tribe, Mr. Hargraves. Here's to Grandfather Ghost Bear." She says smilingly and raises a silver cup of wine.
"I am in favor of making up for lost time, but Ornthalas, I hired the best for a reason. If you think the best course of action is to wait until tomorrow's first light to continue, then that's all I need." Rhialla shouts to be heard barely over the crashing waterfall.
"That big scaled monster seems to have been following us for most of the day. I get the feeling if we stay it might try something. Will that be any less dangerous than taking the path at night?"
The human chimes looking to the dark forest behind them
"If you've all got the energy, then let us press on." Ornthalas says and leads you to a hanging bridge crossing the river in front of the waterfall. "The cave entrance is on the other side of this bridge. Be careful. It's an old bridge."
"Glad to hear it. I'll go first. It might be wise to anchor ourselves by rope to something secure on the other side. If you all want to tie yourselves together by the waists I'll take the anchor end to the other side and secure it."
Rhialla will head across and secure the rope if the others agree to the plan.
Magnes shrugs rolling his shoulders and thrusting his mostly empty mug to Girian. " Alright. Hold my Ale."
"Hm, it would be best if I come as last since it seems like I am the heaviest person here." speaking out his mind before his concentration is somewhere else and looking absentmindedly at the otherside.
As a last person moving a bit slowly and his thoughs somewhere else, Bhalur steps on the bridge and begins to move forward towards otherside
As individuals begin to head off to sleep, she speaks to the chieftain, "When we get to the outer perimeter, we will need to be much quieter if we going to spring a surprise attack on Hearteater."
"Of course. Do not worry, Arukara. The Ghost Bears can be very stealthy." Yasandra assures the koroku. Then she gets up. "I will go to sleep now. Best to be well-rested for tomorrow when we are going to face the Bherug. Good night."
The Next Day:
The army continues its march through the Wyvernwaeld as the day before, until they come close to the koroku village in the afternoon, and Yasandra, on Arukara's signal, orders everyone to halt.
Looks up into the trees, then back to Yasandra, "If you don't mind waiting for a hour or so. Let me go up into the tree tops to the village to find out what is the status on the invaders."
With a quick bow, she heads to a suitable tree to begin climbing it up rapidly. Once near the crown of the tree, she begins jumping from tree to tree, disappearing into the canopy above and away from the army.
Kevroth wordlessly ties off to the rope and crosses the bridge.
You manage to climb the tree and jump from tree to three through the canopy all the way to Torukaro. A depressing sight meets you when you reach a vantage point from where you can see the village. The ground is full of dead koroku and dead Waeldfolk, hobgoblins, bugbears and worgs. It is evident that the Bherug tribe won the battle, as the Bherug tribesmen, hobgoblins, bugbears and worgs walk around casually on the ground below the trees. You spot at least a dozen koroku that have been taken prisoner by the Bherug tribe. There might be more, but you suspect that most of your tribe has either fallen in battle or fled.
Seeing the carnage of the village, sadness fills her. Yet wisdom tells her it would be suicide to attack them now to revenge their deaths. Instead she remains hidden, to see if she can count how many of each specie in the invading army, so she can report back to the advancing allied army.
"The Bherugs are fierce and wild when they fight. Many of them fight with two axes, moving quickly through the enemy ranks, in an attempt to overwhelm their opponents fast and brutally."
You spot at least a hundred Bherug tribesmen, about forty hobgoblins, fifteen bugbears, and ten worgs, a significantly smaller amount of enemy troops than what you initially saw back before you left Torukaro to go to Falan Feren for help.