"Hey, I'm not judging," Cotton says, winking as Sa'sori protests her innocence. "We're out of the old goat's place, out of the old town... Our time's our own, apart from our appointment with Kassen."
The Gnome cocks her head and nods happily as Sa'sori sings. "I'm gonna learn Elvish," she says, solemnly. Then she runs up to Moira and hugs her about the leg, grinning like a loon. "... So I can tease Sassy even better! She's fun when she blushes and splutters."
Cackling merrily, Cotton runs back to the head of the group.
Berenkor blushed a deep red as he did his best to ignore both the flash and the banter that followed.
Farkas and I will take point... he mumbled.
"Running away?" Cotton remarks, slyly. "Here, give me a hand up!"
Provided Berenkor complies, Cotton swings herself up into the saddle and happily plunks herself down in front of him.
"Nice view from up here," she says. "Onward, McDuff! To adventure and flame!"
Moira is caught off guard by Sa'sori's singing. She didn't understand a word but it was beautiful none the less. She had never heard her sing before even though they had known each other for several years. The ranger wondered what other talents she kept hidden. Speaking of ranger, with all the talking and singing, Moira nearly forgot what they were doing. As happy as she was to be on an adventure with her friends, the forest around Kassen was not a place you could be complacent. Besides the ever present Orc problem there were a number of beasts, both magical and non, that could make this adventure a lot more dangerous. They didn't come too close to the town but it would best to lay down some ground rules now.
As Berenkor and Cotton try to vie for the lead Moira finally speaks up."Hold it!" she yells. When she has everyone's attention she continues. "I believe you are all forgetting something. Every year our fair town sends people into the crypt of Kassen to retrieve the Everflame. A mission that has claimed more than a few lives. I don't want that to happen. Magic and fighting might be your strengths," she says indicating the others. "But this," she says gesturing to the forest, "is mine. And as such I would like you to respect that. I will take point on this. Berenkor and Farkas will take the rear. Cotton, you will walk because I don't want you to distract either of them. You and Sa'sori will take the middle, side by side. Remember this forest is dangerous and so is the crypt. If we set a good pace we can get there by nightfall tomorrow. Are we clear?"
Once she gets an affirmative from them all she heads in the direction of the crypt, setting a brisk pace.
Berenkor shrugged in agreement, trying to indicate with his body language that he was quite nonchalant about the matter.
No problem, Moira. I just thought if we ran into trouble, a trained warmount would be an asset. I will serve as the rearguard then.
Much faster than the humanoids, Farks kept up with a lazy, meandering pace as the Wolf curiously gazed at the unfamiliar countryside
"Yes, ma'am, commander, ma'am," Cotton says, saluting Moira. As the light of the sun catches her hair, you could swear there were glimmers of green in its highlights. "C'mon, Sassy. You can hold my hand if you get scared."
Sa'sori makes no comment.. she had already assumed Moira would be leading the way...
You travel following the trail for about two hours following the narrow path. Passing under a long dead tree leaves crunching underfoot you spot a fallen log. Three hulking green skin humanoids with fearsome tucks emerge from behind the log waving weapons and bellowing what sound to be challenges in a foreign tongue.
What are they?
Green with tusks suggests orc and I know how to speak orc. And get bonuses.
First and foremost Moira will drop her pack to get to light load.
If within 30 ft she will draw her shortswords and ready an action to strike if they get within range but won't provoke them herself.
If beyond 30 she will draw her bow and knock an arrow. If they attack she will the closets. If they don't she will merely put an arrow in the log to scare them off.
Sa'sori drops her pack and ready an action to cast at the orc that Moira decides to attack.
Sa'sori keeps her elven curve blade in one hand, blade-point resting on the ground ready to heft in two hands to defend herself should an orc decide to attack her in melee or try to pass through her threatened area.
'Orcs!'
A thousand nightmares, banging on the doors of a Gnome's somewhat tenuous sanity.
'!'
Crimson rage, erupting in a vessel far too small to hold it.
""
To her friends, it must be rather startling to hear Cotton scream with such fury, or to see her face twisted by it, her eyes blazing bright red. Cotton points a finger at one of the Orcs and spits out an incantation: "Simul clamo, simul moris!"
Now that I know they are Orcs there is no hesitation to attack. We have some crappy rolls for init so I am pretty sure either the orcs or Berenkor are going first. Either way drawing swords is probably the best choice since I don't have precise shot yet.
Also, I think it would be faster if you roll init for us and put us in blocks like:
Block A: Those that go before enemies.
Block B: Enemies
Block C: Those that go after enemies.
Speed things up a bit.
Round 1 Action-
Not wanting to assault the Orc's position behind cover, Berenkor rode Farkas beside Moira. Drawing his curved Kukri, Berenkor was poised to strike- and Farkas bared his teeth and growled fiercely, just as ready.
Fort save
Cotton's spell strikes the central Orc as he freezes his climb in a daze; as the other two climb their log barrier brandishing their great swords menacingly.
Put that bow to use, Moira. Fire from behind Farkas and I so your not exposed.
Round 2
Without looking his way, Moira nods at Berenkor's suggestion. She leaps back tossing both swords to the ground so that their hilts stick up. She then pulls the bow from her back and, with practiced speed, draws, knocks, and fires in one smooth motion.
Sa'sori's readied action goes off when Moira attacks.. she casts at the same orc.
And for her Action for round two... as her readied action from round 1 goes off just before her before her normal action in round two Sa'sori Casts her again.. at the same orc...
Round 2
Cotton fires off another Ear-piercing scream, this time at whichever Orc is closest to the group: "Simul clamo, simul moris!"
Berenkor and Farkas both ready for the approaching orcs.
Cotton unleashes another magical scream dazing another Orc as Moria and Sa'sori both fire at it. Moria blinded by rage fires well wide but Sa'sori's spell takes hold.
The Orc behind the log shakes out of his dazed state and climbs the log to join his allies. The only unharmed Orc charges forward off the log swinging his greataxe into Berenkor but the halfling's readied blade nicks the Orc sending his ax's sweep wide.
Berenkor
Cotton
Sa'sori
Sa'sori's posture changes to one of calm, "Well will you look at that... hey guys.. these are only illusions!"
Sa'sori walks calmly forward and bats at the orcs with her curve blade to pass it through them, "..see.. only illusions."
"Sa'sori, don't get so close. The caster has to be around here too."
+2 if Orc. Moira keeps her bow up and ready to fire.
"This sucks!" Cotton squeaks, angrily. "I blew two spells on someone's illusion? Is there actually an enemy out here, or did those stupid old people back at the village cook this up?"
Sa'sori smiles at Cotton's frustration and walks over to pat her kindly on the head grinning, "..the lesson here is conserve your magical resources.. to note I only used a cantrip to strike at our foes. I still have all my major magics available!"
"But don't fret... we will need to make camp and rest at least one evening before we arrive at the tomb."
She smiles knowingly, "I'd expect one of the town spellcasters is out there... that illusion had to be cast it was not a triggered trap as far as I can tell. So yeah.. it was likely a town concoction."
Berenkor clearly did not understand the specifics of illusionary magic and he and Farkas continued to fight the Orc before him.
Wh... What? What are you all doing? he asked, still jabbing at the Orc while Farkas tore a chunk from the greenskin's leg.
"They're fake!" Cotton says, waving her hand through the Orc 'threatening' Farkas and Berenkor. "Puffs of light and smoke; magical illusions. Just close your eyes and stop your ears and go la-la-lah."
The orc takes another swing at Berenkor which the halfling deflects with ease. Their blades making contact Berenkor notices for the blink of an eye his blade passing through the orc's ax before the image corrects itself.
As Berenkor shakes free from the illusion all three orcs vanish before your eyes leaving no trace of ever having been there. Searching around Moria you'll find your arrow in a nearby tree undamaged, but no sign of any caster in the area.
Even though Moira doesn't see a caster she double checks to make sure. She searches the area for tracks and the both their location when they saw the illusion and where the illusions popped up for some type of trigger for a trap.
Searching turns up no tracks but close to some nearby brush you catch the faded scent of an exotic smelling pipe smoke.
"I don't think the randy old goat did this," Cotton says as she clambers on top of the log. "He's too lazy and too crazy. It was probably the old Wizardly coot. Well, let's be moving on! Enough time wasted on their kiddie games."
"I guess," Moira says. "Anyone know someone that smokes a pipe? Something exotic and expensive," she asks as she joins the others.
Sa'sori shrugs, "No idea. I only really dealt with the pervy-old-goat!"
She hefts her elven curve blade to rest upon her shoulder and falls back into formation behind Moira.
The rest of you march south following the trail until the first signs of dusk start to show.
"Looks like it's time for camping!" Cotton squeaks. "Let's build a fire and pitch some tents, or the other way around if you're all feeling frisky." Giggling, the Gnome looks for a good spot for the group to camp.
Moira helps look for a secluded spot to camp for the night.
When they have found a place she gathers fire for wood, lights it and sets up her bedroll and blanket.
"I imagine the townspeople are going to throw something at us at night so we better have a tight watch. I'll take one of the middle watches since those are the hardest."
"I'll take first," Cotton offers. "Once I sleep, I like to keep sleeping."
Once camp is made, th Gnome sings some merry camping-songs to keep everyone entertained until it's time for bed.
"Let's build a fire and pitch some tents, or the other way around if you're all feeling frisky." Giggling, the Gnome looks for a good spot for the group to camp.
Sa'sori smirks, "I'll take last watch... as I need the rest so I can meditate to refresh my spell energy reserves."
Sa'sori helps with camp setup and practices some simple weapon katas with her elven curve blade before heading for her tent and sleep...
As she passes Cotton, she provocatively caresses her cheek and whispers to her softly and furtively..
And she passes into her tent her lovely figure outlined briefly by her candle light in the tent fabric as she prepares for bed then winks out leaving one wanting to see much, Much more of her...
Moira watches Sa'sori's sword katas curiously. On a daily basis she has shone a style and grace to be envied by anyone that saw her. And yet, in her sword art, it is sorely lacking. "Why use a sword when you already have magic at your fingertips?"
Sa'sori smiles, "I use a sword so I don't have to use magic!"
She seems ready to let it go with that when she pauses and wipes the sweat from her brow.
She continues, "...I learned. A while ago... magic does not solve everything... in fact sometimes magic causes more harm than good. I want to be a complete woman.. a person not just an ex-child slave, not just ex-whore, not just a sorceress... my Own woman! All my life people have been putting me into categories of their choosing to suit their needs and desires... putting titles on who and what I am... as if their narrow view of me is all that matters! Well, I'm not someone who is going to be just what everyone thinks they know about me.. I defy being defined!"
She sighs and sits down to polish the exquisitely curved blade.
"Magic is a trap.. to those who let it rule their lives. Only I rule my life! I don't rely on magic for everything... that is a weakness for those who can see nothing beyond their magic... I am many things.. but weak is not one of them! Nor am I a fool. Swords don't run out of spell power... Steel.. you can trust!"
She smirks, "If you want to get meta-phgysical... "
Cotton... frowns thunderously, and swats Sa'sori in the thigh.
"Bad Sassy!" she scolds out loud. "I'm not some Spriggan, to sleep with my little sister! Bad! If we had soap, I'd wash out your mouth and paddle you with a big branch!"
Still frowning, Cotton puts her hands in her side and glares up at Sa'sori. "I didn't mean to get me in a knot with you all. For shame! Now go help with camp! Bad Sassy! Bad, bad, bad!"
The Gnome helps out with the building of the camp as well, but she appears to be in a terrible mood. No songs, no jokes, she stabs at her food, and when she speaks, her voice is shriller than usual and snappish to boot.
Only when Moira and Sa'sori start talking about magic and its limitations does she become a little friendlier -- or at least her voice sounds a bit more neutral. "Magic is only a trap if you let it be. Steel is only a trap if you let it be. Be open to all tools, be flexible; like a leaf, twisting in the currents of the wind."
The Gnome flicks her wrist, and a dead black knife shoots out of her sleeve and slaps into her left hand. With another twist, she makes it disappear -- and a bright silver blade slaps into her right hand, only to disappear again.
"Flexible," she repeats. "Adaptive. Prepared."
Sa'sori only chuckles at Cotton's chastising anger her grin showing she got Cotton back with a little teasing... she mutters,
On the subject of magic she agress however, "Yep. Flexible, prepared... more dangerous than those observing might think.. "
"Well I've had enough entertainment for tonight... I'm off to bed "
"Wake me for the last watch..."
And Sa'sori slips into her tent.
You are able to find a good camp site easy enough Moria one surrounded on three sides with thickened bushes. You put your rations together and partake of a soup you were taught how to make out of the common trail rations in your earliest days of forest survival.
As the last glimpses of sunlight fade a wind howls and blows a bitter chill through the dying leaves of the forest's floor. The silouets of trees seem to go on endlessly. It is impossible to forget that this is the furthest any of you have been from Kassen on your own. You can hear howls of creatures off in the distance. As you each settle in to your bedrolls you're happy to have the thicker winter blankets as Pharasma's breath chills the wind bringing winter behind it.
Cotton sits up taking the first watch as the rest of you make your way to bed. Over the course of the next hour the howling seems to be growing closer before becoming eerily silent.
3 wolves
Cotton Perception
Two hours after setting camp, Cotton you spot two wolves lurking just outside the campfire's light.
Cotton
Wolves
Sa'sori
Moria
Berenkor
Farkas
"Wolves!" Cotton shrieks, leaping up from her seat. "Wake up!"
The next moment, the little Gnome makes an arcane gesture, sweeping protective force all around herself. "Lorica magica me induo!"
The two wolves charge in teeth gnashing at the gnome, and a third that you did not spot charges as well. None of the three can catch the gnome and are either dodged or bounce off her invisible barrier of armor. Cotton's shouts bring the rest of you awake as you spot the poor gnome facing off against three wolves alone.
Sasori comes out of her tent Elven curve blade in hand ... eye blazing with concern.. and then fury when she sees the lupine assailants attacking her 'little' sister... she impetuously moves to the offense not bothering to cast any defensive magics...
"I'm coming Cotton!"
She is only wearing a halter top and a loin cloth as apparently she was just under her winter blanket.
Sa'sori moves around the attackers moving to flank one of the wolves attacking Cotten.
Sa'sori casts her gaze around to see if there are any more attackers withing in the shadows... Her hawk fluttering out of the tent to assist her...
Then she lays into the furry beast with a vicious slash!