|
Noting that the woodsmen are taken with the thrill of the hunt, Jokhas moves to the unicorn. "Fallen creature, your wounds sustained so unjustly shall be healed by His grace," he intones as he invokes the healing power of Razmir. Should the unicorn come to, the priest is quick to try and calm it before ridding it of the hobbles.
Be still, guardian of this wood. The fiends who did this to you have fled, and it is now friends that watch over you. I shall remove these shackles."
The spriggan would die from sheer fright at the prospect of four terrifying enemies bearing down on it—except it has already been obliterated by the storm of swords and arrows, bite and beak.
The party comes to the aid of the dryad and the unicorn, and loose them from their shackles. As Jokhas calls on the healing power of Razmir, the unicorn comes awake. The magnificent creature, though wounded, has a regal bearing that few creatures can even hope to match. it regards Jokhas calmly as he is freed. "Many thanks, Son of Man. it seems that the daughter of the wood and I owe to you our lives. How is it that a group of armed men traverse the Velduran Wood in so dark and mist-bewitched night?"
"Forgive me if I am not as quick to trust you as Palombier." the red haired Dryad eyes Oggie warily, rubbing her wrists. She casts her eye about the ruined grove, with its shattered and burnt tree stumps. She turns away from the sight of two tree trunks, each carved in the crude form of a female figure, tears like morning dew in her eyes. "Ever have the fey of the woods avoided man, but for what good? There is nothing more you could take from me. I'm sorry I cannot muster more gratitude for my life."
|
"Asharii, I am suspect any creature that keeps company with fey."
With the word "fey," he glares menacingly at the dryad and Shanks emits a low growl. Valorian's muscles tense and he shifts his stance uncomfortably, bow still at the ready.
"Why do we tarry? The search for the mad hermit, Devarre, remains before us."
"You are so pretty. Yes you are." Asharii whispers in a low and very calm voice. Asharii smiles tenderly unable to stop petting the unicorn. "I will take good care of you" she says slowly drawing her wand of curative magic.
Palombier looks very taken aback when Asharii approaches close to him, and politely but firmly steps away from her. He is clearly adverse to being touched in a familiar fashion by a complete stranger, as well as being petted like an animal. "Ahem. Thank you, but I am able to restore my wounds myself. Speaking of which, are any of you injured by the efforts of the spriggans?"
At Valorian and Asharii's next words, the dryad speaks, eyeing Valorian's drawn bow. "Clearly you have no desire for my help, woodsman. Why would you listen to me if all my words are poison as you say? Palombier, you are wasting your time. These men are no different than any other that walk these woods."
|
In a calm voice Oggie says to the dryad and unicorn,
“You don’t need to concern yourself with them. Y’all gonna be fine.”
Oggie casts a pained look back over his shoulder before continuing,
“Ain’t a one of them that is gonna cause you harm or hinder you in any way. ”
“Their emotions are just running high since some bleachling gnome and a bunch of spriggans attacked a wedding that we was all at. We were tracking him down to stop him from hurtin’ anyone else when we heard the ruckus here and came a runnin'.”
Oggie stands and brushes off his knees. He talks a step back towards the party.
“I’m right glad that y’all are safe and free to go.”
“If’n you know anything about where that white gnome went or where these spriggans came from. I would be mighty appreciative of anything you can tell me.”
“If you don’t know nothin’ may you find joy in unexpected places and may you feel at peace in your corner of the world.”
Oggie waits hopefully for their response.
|
Drezi continues to wait but squirms from the tension
I don't know if it is Valorian rubbing off on me or what but I just want to stake everything in our way to the bottom of a pit...ooo that Asharii is beautiful...no Drezi, no getting involved with another fiend blood, you never fully recovered from Maya.
The dryad looks carefully at Oggie, and his careful protective position. She looks over at Palombier, who regards all of you with gentle eyes, even Valorian. Finally, she sighs reluctantly. "My name is Fira, dryad of the Second World. The Spriggans came and attacked us just after nightfall, there must have been over a dozen of them. Legends tell of such creatures locked away in a place called the Fellnight Realm...but that was thousands of years ago."
"You seek Devarre, the protector of the woods?" asks Palombier. "I sought him when first I felt the cries of the wood. He dwells near the black rocks in the hills to the west where the creek flows past a perfectly round hill. It's an ancient fey-mound protected by a powerful illusion. No one can see past the glamer unless Devarre wants you to find him—not even I. It was shrouded in mist and utterly impenetrable."
"I may be able to help you in that regard." says Fira, getting up from the ground. With a careful glance at Valorian, she slowly walks to the base of a nearby tree, around which used to be a bed of flowers. Most have been crushed or burned...but she manages to find one fire-red lily with pollen that glows in the darkness. She carefully plucks it from the ground, and then looks back at all of you. With another sigh, she reaches into the base of the tree and pulls out a bag made entirely of cleverly stitched, still green leaves. She brings the bag and the flower back to Oggie. "This is a Revelation Lily. While it is still fresh, shake its pollen over any illusions, and it will shown you the unseen. And here are some things that my sisters and I have collected over the years. I cannot bear to keep them, for it reminds me too strongly of them. Take it. Perhaps something within will help you as you hunt down their murderers."
66 pp, 229 gp, 461 sp, two diamonds worth 250 gp each, a sapphire ring worth 500 gp, a pair of ruby earrings worth 250 gp, a carved ivory statuette of a rampant stag worth 135 gp, and a small pouch containing dust of dryness. I'm just going to assume you guys possess the necessary appraise and spell craft checks, to make it simple :)
|
|
Oggie gently and reverently receives the bag from the druid. His Galtian accent is thick as he quietly replies “Thank you kindly ma’am.” He nods to the unicorn “and you as well Palombier.”
His gaze returns to Fira “ If’n you could tell me anything more about this Fellnight realm or this protector of the woods it might prove real helpful like in tracking down those fey that murdered your kin.”
“It’s seemin’ like we are goin’ to be trackin’ those Spriggans down in any case. They are the only thread we have that could lead us to the gnome what wronged us.”
Fire hesitates for a moment, but seems persuaded by Oggie's words. "There is a story told by the woods and the fey, a legend. In an age long before the rise of man, a young fey-queen named Rhoswen sought to expand her power by blending shadow magic with fey sorcery, her efforts leading her to a gloom-shrouded valley with trees as tall as mountains. Rhoswen named this the Fellnight Realm and made it her lair, twisting every living creature with her shadow-sorcery. In disgust, other beings of the First World severed her lands from their own, trapping her in her own demiplane where she has languished ever since, seething at the insult. That's all I know, I'm afraid. It's just a tale told to young saplings to warn against meddling in dark magics."
"It seems that none of you are in need of my assistance,"says Palombier, noting the lack of injuries. "I owe you my life, sons and daughter of man. I hope I have a chance to repay it." The majestic creature bows his head to all of you before departing into the woods.
"If there is nothing else, I will also take my leave. I...I think I need to be alone for a while." says Fira, looking at the destruction around her. With that, she disappears into her tree, leaving the party alone in the smoldering grove.
|
|
Valorian grumbles at Fira, "Combining fey magic with the shadow realm huh!?!"
Turns to his companions, "See, told ya they were evil tricksters."
Begins to walk away and prepare to move out, "Com'on Shanks, we have tarried here too long. The Spriggans may return to check on their compatriots."
Turning back to his companions, "Well, you coming? I, for one do not intend to wait here. I'm going to find Devarre so I can put this issue to rest and return to a more pleasant section of the forest."
Valorian is clearly upset after the encounter with the dryad. He grumbles under his breath as if talking to someone who isn't there.
"Damn no good fey...should destroy the lot of 'em...they will pay for what they've done...my friends do not see it yet, so I will have to be vigilant for all of us."
|
"I really need to rest Valorian. If you do not want to stay here, I understand, but in that case I need you to find a safe camp site as soon as possible. Devarre will get his comeuppance in the morning!"
Asharii looks dead serious but her demeanor reveals something that is either tiredness or concern.
Bluff to hide sentiments .
Asharii is worried that Valorian will disregard the safety of her companions in order to avenge whatever slight has spawned his hatred for the fey.
However, she is confident that she can bend his maleable mind to do as she wills.
The party makes its way back to the original campsite, the demeanor decidedly subdued. The party's night watches pass without incident, save for the occasional nighttime noise that causes Valorian to point his bow and mumble into the darkness. Any light sleepers are likely to have been disturbed several times by his ranting.
The next morning, Valorian pulls out his map of the Verduran Forest to check your route.
|
|
Drezi let's the more knowledgeable members of the group take the lead. He is very comfortable in the rear and stays 10' back from the group fueled superstition that if he was close it would draw an area attack. If questioned about it, he explains that he is a coward (another superstition, that proclaiming his cowardice will protect them from danger and charm their actions). He makes the sign of Pharasma on his chest when proclaiming his cowardice. If anyone requests any aid from Drezi for any action he doesn't hesitate to help and does his best to assist even if it is outside of his skill set.
|
|
Knowledge(geography):
Survival:
Perception:
With a bit of a glare towards Asharii,
"I suppose this site can serve our needs, but I recommend we maintain a vigilant guard, in pairs to prevent any one of us falling under the charms of the fey. Normally, I would rest in darkness, but seeing as how so many of us lack nightvision, I would recommend we raise a fire, perhaps even a large one that can be used as cover or perhaps a weapon should we be ambushed. Besides, at least one of us seems to have no problem snuffing a fire at will. In the morning we should get an early start. Our destination is fully two-days travel though dense wood. And there is always the risk of more spriggans. Rest yourselves, Shanks and I will pull first watch."
Turning to his canine companion, "Come boy, let's scout the area surrounding the camp."
Shank's Perception:
|
|
In the morning Asharii wakes particularly cheerful. She hums an Andoren seaman's song and seems very interested in Eagle, trying to lure him closer with a piece of jerky.
"You know? I think you might have a point" she calls over her shoulder. "Those fey can be tricky things. I have an idea that may suit Drezi and Valorian's para... careful disposition."
Asharii stands from a crouching position near Eagle. Straightens her back with a faint groan. And walks towards Drezi. "I assume you know the arcane mark incantation!? I will place a few of them on your person. They are temporary and will be quite invisible, but a detect magic spell will reveal them." she looks at Valorian "If doublegangers, shapechangers or similar creatures try impersonating any of us, we can at the slightest suspicion reveal it with a simple cantrip".
Asharii proceeds to cast invisible arcane marks on chest, shoulders and back of any of his comrades that will willingly submit to her plan (including herself).
|
|
"Valorian, that is all good advice. I agree with it. Myself and my companion will take the second watches in the mid of the night from now on."
In the morning Swift Wind readies himself by readying his shield and placing his bags on his back. "Asharii, that is a good idea. Being too prepared is never an i... What is that?! Something is watching us right now, ready yourselves for an attack!"
|
|
"Arcane Mark? yeah, I know what that is--oh, hello Ashari, you didn't need a spell excuse to lay on hands on me." Drezi smiles and laughs and is cut off by Swift Winds warnings. Curse my inept eyes and ears!
Drezi forgets his superstition and looks around for the danger standing directly next to Asharii.
The rest of the party start at Swift Wind's call to arms, rising and drawing weapons. Everyone is on full alert, and second tick by...then minutes. Nothing emerges from the forest but the sounds of leaves and birds.
|
|
In a hushed voice, "Dezi, I've seen spellsmith's such as yourself make a man invisible. Do you have such power? How about you?" looking at Asharii and Oggie.
"Either way, perhaps Shanks and I shall scout the forest. Whatever Swifty senses seems to linger and I dislike being spied upon."
Turning to Swift Wind, "Whatcha think? Shall we scout this unseen evil?"
As the long minutes tick by, Asharii thinks over what Swift Wind said. A persistent sense of being watched with now source...surely it is a scrying sensor from afar.
Then, after a w more minutes, Swift Wind's nagging feeling seems to subside, leaving nothing but a still and verdant wood.
|
|
Suddenly, out of thin air Asharii rematerializes in front of Swift Wind. "Swifty is right" she says in a low voice "- something might have been watching us. I suspect magical scrying. Probably by someone far away. In any case the danger is not immediate."
While the party breaks camp Asharii proceeds to cast a number of invisible sigils on her allies.
|
|
Suddenly, out of thin air Asharii rematerializes in front of Swift Wind. "Swifty is right" she says in a low voice "- something might have been watching us. I suspect magical scrying. Probably by someone far away. In any case the danger is not immediate."
While the party breaks camp Asharii proceeds to cast a number of invisible sigils on her allies.
|
|
Jokhas peers around looking for hints of scrying, but his eyes are not so keen as those of Razmir. In silent contemplation, he considers his god's will.
"The scrying sensor can originate from any place, though it is very difficult for one to cross planar boundaries. What concerns me is that this Fellnight Realm may be its source, yet the sensor has found us with ease a few times already. I cannot say that this is reassuring, but the One Who Walks Among Us is not deterred, and His blessings are still strong," Jokhas concludes as he accepts the arcane mark from Asharii. "I cannot veil us all, nor can I prevent the sensor from functioning, but we can adjust our behavior whenever it is about."
The party continues to traverse the forest, picking their way through the mist and heavy undergrowth. The muffled silence is pervasive. After three hours of slow going, the party breaks into a small clearing. From the other side, massive footsteps shake the forest floor, and then a loud thud rattles the nearby trees. One of them suddenly crashes to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. With a groan, it rolls over and starts to right itself. Two large, bleary eyes blink open. “More visssh… vish-uh... visitors ta the forest?” it slurs in a deeply drunken, booming voice. Then, its eyes narrow in anger. “Why, I'll drive yuh right inta the earth for what yuh done!” It stands upright and takes an errant, off-balance swing with a giant, gnarled fist, shattering a nearby treetop in a spray of bark and twigs. “Yuh won't be foolin' me again! Now stand still!” The tree starts to swing wildly at the trees around it, moving in towards the group.
Valorian (+2 Terrain)
Shanks (+2 Terrain)
Eagle (+2 Terrain)
Swift Wind (+2 Terrain)
Jokhas
Oggie
Drezi
Asharii
Enemies
Initiative order:
25 Swift Wind
20 Drezi
20 Jokhas
15 Shanks
12 Eagle
11 Valorian
11 Asharii
6 Oggie
2 Enemy
<<Map:Woodland Clearing>>