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What he hears sounds perfectly reasonable to Gaeldrung, except the sneaky bits. He throws caution to the wind and stops straight through the shrubbery and says to man encouraging this cowardice, You! If you quarrel with this one, challenge him to honorable combat! Burning is only acceptable after you have heard the laments of his women-folk or defeated said women in battle!
Now, hand over the stolen goods or I will be forced to knock heads together until they rattle!
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White Eagle just shakes his head, so much for surprise.. He could say more but its best not to under these circumstances.
Elangomat circles around and finds a perch far enough away from the flames to avoid damage.
White Eagle attempts to stealthily get around the arsonists and get a better look at the injured fellow.
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His attention now on his surroundings, and seeing people beating an helpless guy lying on the ground and burning his garden, Lukaas takes his crossbow, and aims at one of the agressor
Now please leave this guy alone, and get out of this garden. Or we'll have to resort to violence.
Alas, his words seem feeble and lack conviction, after the intensity of the half orc challenge, who is nothing less than the promise of a welcomed fight
The three men all look briefly at each other, then over to the gnome who is lying unconscious by the scarecrow. The one holding the back seems to be affected by Gaeldrung's words and looks to be a little shaken by the intimidation efforts. The other two draw short silver swords and then the third reluctantly does so as well. "Violence? Fine, if it must me. This doesn't concern you, if just turn around and go or you'll end up getting hurt."
Initiative: Eldak, Hunters, White Eagle, Gaeldrung, Baru, Lukaas, Briallen
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"I believe my friends warned you about taking this course of action." Eldak says in a threatening manner. "I can guarantee you won't like the outcome if you stick around."
Eldak wastes no time as he begins to chant and use his hands to mold an orb of acid. As the orb rounds into its complete shape it sails off at the group of enemies.
Something catches Eldak's attention at the last moment causing the orb to sail from past the enemies before the acid splatters on nothing.
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The hunter in the back sees Gaeldrung step forward and growls loudly,
With that, he sets himself and charges straight ahead at Gaeldrung with his two silver swords raised high. He swings at Gaeldrung when he closes the gap, but misses the half-orc as he leans away from the strike.
The second enforcer (red) runs west and plants his hands on the fence and tries to vault over it, but fails miserably when his foot catches the top of the fence and he windmills over it and slams hard into the ground on the other side.
The third enforcer with the back drops his swords and withdraws his bow as he takes a shot at Eldak, but his arrow gets lost in the fence between them.
In one mighty swing the inquisitor cuts down the hunter (nearly into two distinct pieces). The two shiny silver swords fall to the ground by the bloody body.
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Eldak hears the intensity in Baru's voice and follows his lead to try and douse the flames before they rage out of control.
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Out in the garden the fire seems to be spreading very quickly. The three small fires quickly turn into a blaze and spread in various directions. White Eagle can feel the heat of the fires to his south as they continue to spread.
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Eldak runs to the well to find another bucket, hoping to help Baru douse the flames.
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The hunter on the ground tries to stand and Briallen unloads on the man, blowing a hole right through his chest. His drops back to the ground motionless, bleeding out.
Eldak fines a second bucket sitting by the well and is able fill it up with water.
The only remaining hunter looks at two fallen men and then over at the fire and panics, beginning to run away.
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Lukaas lowers his crossbow, shrugs, and seeing that the gnome is taken care of by White Eagle, helps fighting the fire, passing full buckets to Briallen
There's a legend about a bard named Harkon, who could play such sad melodies on his harp that he could make the cloud weep. If only I could have such talent today, that would be quite helpful..
With the immediate threat of the hunters taken care the group is able to engage the fire situation. A quick assembly line is formed with buckets and waters as everyone tries to battle the blaze. The blaze continues to spread at a rapid pace at first and it looks like it might be a lost cause. Once the group gets into a rhythm they are able to bring it under control before it spreads to the house. Half of the garden is lost, but at least the fire is now out and safe once again.
White Eagle pulls the gnome a safe distance from Falbin's house and the unconscious Falbin is placed on a bench. White Eagle stabilizes the man but it is apparent he is going to need some healing before he will come around.
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After the fire is put down, and the area is sure, Lukaas tries to find any remaining flower, pick it up, and give it to Briallen with a graceful bow
Flowers are no match for you, of course. But they are trying.
Turning to the shaman
Do you want my help to heal the gnome, White Eagle? I hope is wounds aren't too severe.
With some tending to, Falbin wakes up. At first he panics about the fire but realizes that you have taken care of that issue. He is unhappy about the damage to his garden but thanks you for saving what you did. He invites you inside and pours himself a strong mug of tea and sits down to tell you what he knows.
"The druids intend to transform everyone in the surrounding area into feral animal-men as a perverted way of returning them to ‘nature.’ The ritual is slow but powerful. The druids have been performing the ritual for weeks, and it seems to affect the area for miles around Briar Henge. Exactly how far out, I couldn’t say. I’ve done a lot of research, though, and I’ve learned two important points. First, the effects of the ritual are reversed only if the Atavistic Splinter is removed from Briar Henge before the entire ritual is complete—then all the affected animal-men would return to normal. Second, the ritual will end at sundown the day after tomorrow. That is, the ritual will only last two more days. As it takes almost two days to get to Briar Henge, you’d better get moving." he says. "You have any other questions? I'll give you what information I can."
Falbin rubs his head and makes a sour face, obviously still sore.
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"You say it's a two day travel, but that the ritual only takes two days. Any faster travel methods you know of?" Eldak watches the gnomes body language to see if he is potentially hiding anything. "Lastly, do you know how many druids we may be dealing with when we arrive?"
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Falbin shakes his head no. "Nope, nope - sorry! I have no horses I'm afraid. And by the time you went off an found some I'm afraid you'd miss the ritual. Really now, I am surprised you took so long to get here. My letter to the society was sent weeks ago! Tsk, tsk. Hurry on, but stay wary of Briar Henge as the effects the ritual are already taking affect!"
The gnomes eyes pop as he suddenly remembers the other question, "What?? Oh-Oh, yes! The number of them? I'm afraid I know there is more than one, but how many? No, I didn't get that close I'm afraid. At least one though!"
Eldak eats up whatever the gnome says and feels like it is the absolute truth! :)
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I would like some more information, my dear fellow. I hope you will entrust people who just saved your life-and what they could save from your beautiful garden, which you appear to enjoy and love much-with the truth...
Consider that if we fail in our mission, you will too succumb to the druid spell, and end like an half beast... Everything YOU know may help us helping YOU.And one more thing...
Lukaas lowers his head to Falbin's ear, and whispers
When Lukaas finishes whispering in his ear the gnome's eyes slowly turn to meet those of the bard. He stares at him blankly for a moment and then says, "Sir I have no idea what you are talking about."
After holding that stare for a few seconds he inhales and says, "If it's information you are after, I probably do have a little more that you may find helpful. Briar Henge is two days south of here. The trail is fairly good for hte first day and there's a small logging camp you could rest at in between. The loggers there are no friends of the druids, so you're likely to receive a warm welcome if you mention you're working against Briar Henge. Briar Henge is another day further southeast along some narrow but passable trails."
"From what I saw of briar Henge, keep it mind I only saw it from afar, it looks like a palisade wall in a ring about twelve feet high and made of dense thorns. there was only one break in the wall I saw, but it didn't appear to be guarded."
“The animal-men are the result of the Briar Henge druids’ ritual with the Atavistic Splinter. That was all in my report to the Society. They used to be humanoids, but they’ve been changed by the druid’s ritual. They are incredibly tough, with animal-like faces and claws. They also lose most of their wits, becoming animalistic in mind as well as body. Longer exposure and closer proximity to Briar Henge appear to enhance the effects; I had to evade a trapper who lived only a few miles east of Briar Henge, and she was little more than a raving beast. Be careful.”
"Regarding those assailants I had, rumors of lycanthrope activity often brings ruthless bounty hunters to the region, anxios to kill for coin. the rumors of animal-men south of Wispil havve brought several such groups into the region. These men robbed me of my belladonna supply just before you arrived and started burning down my gardens! Thank you again for saving my life."
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Just a little question Gaeldrung, if you don't mind postponing the "boot-to-face" part of this treck for a few more minutes. Falbin, do you have any knowledge of how long it would take to turn brave adventurers as ourselves into near-mindless beasts under the influence of the druids dark magic? Is there a cure, or something that could at least delay the transformation? I could probably do with a few more hair on my chest, but I could surely do without the fangs...
Lukaas manages to send a smile and a wink towards Briallen
Wonder what kind of animal she would turn in? A fox, maybe?
He starts to hum a tune, strocking his beard while watching the woman
Falbin response to Gaeldrung first. "You'll soon have the proof you need I'm afraid. I'd estimate that by the time you reach Briar Henge the ritual will nearly be complete and you will likely encounter some of those affected along the way."
"As to your question on the magic, I'm afraid it's too new and I do not know exact timelines or cures to it. I am estimating that if the ritual is stopped before it is completed all those affected by it should revert back to normal. I think."