The river tugs and pulls on Chrystosm attached to the rope, then suddenly goes lax as something grabs hold of Chrystosm in the water and pushes him towards the shore. He doesn't go far, just enough to take the tension off the rope, for a second, but it's enough to get his head above water again.
Str Check
Kast pulls on the rope, having very confusing and mixed feelings at the image of Chrystosm being humped from behind by a river otter.
That otter is friendly, maybe *too* friendly...
Simon assists Kast with the rope hauling, but fails to make any contribution. "Kast, he's being grappled be a giant wet furry thing!"
Nimeon sighs and keeps watch on his side of the river for anything heading towards the noise.
With the help of the rope, and his close personal friend the river otter, Chrystosm is able to make it close enough to shore to be pulled from the water. Othoe has nearly enough sticks for the fire.
Stars begin to dot the sky as Nimeon views his companions on the other side.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Simon helps with getting a cheery fire burning to dry out and warm up Chrystosm. After a moment he sees that Nimeon hasn't walked across the river yet. Confused, he quietly asks Othoe about it, "Why doesn't Nimeon walk over here, I mean, he's a Paladin and they can walk on water right? That's what they're always saying at the pub."
Chrystosm sits shivering by the fire wrapped in his bedroll, his wet clothes steaming close by.
All the time I was freezing my a*se off in there I was thinking, "I wish I was feeling a little otter", and then it came true!
"C-c-come on, N-N-Nimeon!"
Seeing the others successfully across Nimeon moves upstream past the areas of weakened ice. Taking off the heaviest of his gear and armor but not his longbow or cold iron ammunition he ties it securely in a bundle with the vulnerable gear in his waterproof bag. Tying it securely with his rope and the other end around his waist. He then crawls on all fours across the ice, pulling his equipment across after he is on the far side.
By the time Nimeon reaches the others, Othoe and Simon have a crackling fire going. Chrystosm continues to warm himself by the fire. Still, there is no sign of Dorial, though the river otter occasionally surfaces in one of the holes, looks about, then disappears once more.
Seeing that the rest of the party has made its way safely across the ice, the otter pops out of a hole near the shore and makes its way toward the fire. Several things happen over the course of the few seconds it takes to cross the distance, all of which take place simultaneously. First, the otter's tail shrinks to become non-existent. Second, it's hind legs lengthen and it begins walking on just the back two. Third, and probably the most drastic, the fur falls off, revealing armor, flesh and long white hair.
Dorial stand a couple of feet from the fire, "Well I'm glad everyone else made it safely across the ice." She pulls a dagger from her belt and tosses it at Chrystosm's feet, "I believe you dropped this in the river."
In fishing out Chrysto with the help of the otter, Kast notes that that's more action than Chrysto usually gets and wonders if he's going to drop some silvers down as a measure force of habit.
* * *
Kast rests the night and is happy to take his turn at watch.
Nimeon carefully goes over his gear, aware there will probably be combat tomorrow.
Wish I had some heavier armor, this is going to be a war. 50 cold iron arrows, should be enough. Crossing would've been safer in daylight, if they'd been faster Chrys might not have fallen in.
His gear sorted he carries it up a tree and ties himself in.
"Oh, Nimeon, we saved this for you, it's so light I forgot all about it." Simon pulls the full suit of mithral chain mail from his pack and hands it to Nimeon. It's very unclear how, even with it being made of mithral, the slight herbalist had forgot about carrying a full suit of chain mail, then the silver snuff box drops out with it and things become much more clear.
The half-elf eyes the armor thoughtfully.
"Thank you Simon, but what will the rest of you wear? And where did you get such fine armor?"
"Oh, Chrysto found a mithral shirt, see it siting there drying." Simon points to a silvery glint among the wet clothes, "and Kast has his shiny breastplate and I have my sturdy old leather until Bricksnurd acquires the next mithral shirt. I don't think Dorial likes the metal armor very much, and it's a bit large for Othoe, though I guess he could wear the shirt as a dress? Anyhow, the armor is yours, it was found with the loot from Kabran's hidey chests." Pulling a potion from his pocket, he passes that to Nimeon as well. "And here is a potion to protect you from the attacks of evil beings, if the bat lady tries to invade your thoughts drink this and it help."
Othoe warms himself by the fire. Sure, his Endure Elements spell is nice, but so is the toasty warmth of a good fire.
"Seeing as we need to rest a while anyway, I'm going to get some sleep so I can refresh my spells in the morning. If no one minds that is."
Presuming no dissent, Othoe curls up as close as he safely can to the fire, closes his eyes, and tries to sleep. In the morning he pours over his spellbook and prepares his spells for the day.
1) Comprehend Languages, Endure Elements, Grease, Magic Missile* w/ Topple x2
2) Flaming Sphere*, Glitterdust, Knock, Scorching Ray*
"I can take a watch as I haven't used any spells for the day. I think that either Nimeon or I should take second watch due to our better eyesight."
Dorial finds a nice area to bundle up on near the fire and sits down to eat some dinner.
hp: 29/29
status: n/a
Equipped: n/a
Available: club, dart x3, light shield
Wind Blast (Su): 7/7
Wild Shapes (Su): 2/2
Spells:
0) Detect Magic, Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink
1) Entangle x2, Bristle, Obscuring Mist, Whispering Wind (Domain)
2) Bull's Strength, Flaming Sphere, Burning Gaze, Wind Wall (Domain)
"Thank you, that's very generous. Tomorrow will no doubt find us in great peril. Enjoy the rest of your night."
Kast takes his usual turn at watch and sleeps soundly.
As usual, he will awake early for prayer, reflection, and practicing his martial forms.
The evening passes fairly uneventfully. The moon rises bright and nearly full for a time and the woods sing with night sounds in the distance. Nothing approaches during the night, though, and as the moon passes beyond Droskar's Crag, things settle down once more.
Kast gently 'nudges' Nimeon with his bardiche.
"Hey TreeSleeper, we are ready to go. Up and at them. Time to track."
Kast will then go do the same for Chrystosm.
"Chrysto, you'll escape sparring this morning, we have children to save. Let's go."
Kast continues to keep watch while others break camp and get moving, still following the trail of the children.
Dorial awakens refreshed and charged. She devours a quick breakfast, and quickly packs up.
"I'm going to locate those tracks I found last night and see if I can find anything else. We should get moving quickly."
Othoe rises and prepares his spells. He then packs what little gear he has, casts Endure Elements, and is ready to move on.
Weapon Equipped = none
Conditions = Endure Elements
Arcane Bond = 1/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 1/1
Force Missile = 7/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Comprehend Languages, Grease, Magic Missile* w/ Topple x2
2) Flaming Sphere*, Glitterdust, Knock, Scorching Ray*
Nimeon rises and climbs down after lowering his gear. He dons his new armor before testing everything then burying his old armor and marking the spot for later retrieval. That done he moves to assist Dorial.
The day dawns bright and warm. The subtle chimes of melting ice come from every direction. The tracks Dorial found were actually a ways from the river, but she is able to track them down again, approximately an hour after the party sets out once more.
Kast limps along, trying to keep pace and hoping his twisted left leg doesn't give out.
Irori help me be perfect.
Simon walks along slowly with Kast, ready to help him if his leg gives out.
Chrystosm lopes after the rest, still wondering whether being dragged out of the river and fondled by an otter was real or just a beautiful dream.
If we're going to continue doing all this marching about in the forest, maybe I should get a dog or pony or something to ride. Othoe looks back at the icy river and shivers. Though I suppose it wouldn't do much good in a lot of areas. Maybe I should learn the mount spell instead. Get a wand of it.
Othoe marches along with the others rushing to keep up.
Picking up the tracks, the party is able to follow them deeper into the woods. Eventually, the blackened remains of a building show through the lighter grey of the winter trees.
Kast advances on the building in a soldier's stance, the Iron Quill at the ready.
Soldiers investigate.
"Nimeon, do you remember who lived out here?
Also with weapon out, Simon approaches cautiously along with Kast, but he slips 20' to the left taking a different angle on the blackened husk of a building.
Chrystosm drops into a crouch, draws his rapier and creeps slowly through the underbrush, eyes alert for danger.
Seeing Chrystosm slip into the underbrush, and then losing him completely, Othoe will also approach quietly with Kast.
He'll take-10 for a 15 stealth.
Nimeon shakes his head at Simon.
"Not off hand."
Nimeon slips an arrow with a cold iron head into his bow and waits while the others creep into position.
Dorial hangs back with Nimeon, her sharp scanning the ruined building.
Perception
Kast marches forth in this soldier's stance; his weapon at the ready.
"Hey you, peeking from the trees, yea the one with the blue eyes, dirty hair, and a mole right beside your left ear!"
"Damn. Damn damn damn damn."
Nimeon moves out of cover and puts his arrow away.
"We're not going to hurt you."
Our waiting has cost us. No wonder they didn't take more children from town. We moved them all out here...
"What's wrong Nimeon? And who's that?" Dorial moves out of hiding along with Nimeon.
The thin young girl steps out from the brush, one hand reaching up to the mole, as if only just now aware that it's there. Dirty and torn, her clothes hang off her too thin frame. Her fingers leave tracks in the dirt on her face, only accentuating the fear in her deep blue eyes.
"D-do you have anything to eat?"
"Young woman, come here, we're not going to hurt you. We've plenty of food besides." Othoe takes out some rations and water and offers it to the lady.
The risks of living on your own in the wilderness when there are evil fey about.
"This was Elara's house for children. They burned down the orphanage."
Nimeon nods as Othoe pulls the food and looks around.
"We're not going to hurt you child. Are there any others?"
Kast keeps watch, still in his soldier's stance, while Othoe foods and Nimeon talks.
Good thing we stopped for food. Planning and preparation leads to perfection.
Walking back over to Nimeon's side, Simon joins the conversation.
"Young lady, are you injured at all, do you need healing?"
Then, in a whisper to Nimeon, "Nimeon, remember the shape shifting ability of the bat-lady, maybe a little check-see would be prudent."
The girl, for surely she can't be a woman yet, looks at each of you with wide frightened eyes, and then nods. "I think so. I hear noises sometimes, from in there. but I'm afraid to go check. No, I'm ok...now."
Mindful of his failure in the camp and Simon's reminder, Nimeon will scan her soul for evil before turning to the burned out wreck.
"Where did you get those scars? What's your name?"
"J-jeva.." her voice comes out as a low whimper and she takes a step back at Nimeon's intense focus. "Th-they're fine. Mistress Elara only did what was best for me..."
Nimeon's keen eye can make out similar scars over her other shoulder, some of which curl over and wrap around her upper arms. Like the others, these two are healed.
Kast continues his watch.
Soldiers guard.