:: Rova 29 - Afternoon - Hunter's Cabin::
"That's pretty apparent, given that I'd lead my friends here to enslave you." Shalra says with a defeated grin. "It seems to me that I know how war goes. The real question is are you lot actually going to be able to do what needs doing to fight one?"
Elyas calmly steps up and levels his sword at her throat. we are indeed prepared to do what must be done. Sarenrae teaches redemption, but for some redemption is not possible. For the good of our people we will drive you out and will show no mercy
Though normally a quiet man, Elyas says this with a renewed passion, his convictions taking hold in a way he hasn't felt in years of missionary work in the frontier. Those looking at him can tell he means to go through with it. He looks to the council for permission, drawing a bit of blood with the tip of his sword
Alezandu sighs, obviously uncomfortable with the idea of executing a helpless prisoner. "Given that she killed Drulish and refused to surrender when I gave her the chance, I guess we don't have much choice. Go ahead, Elyas."
"Just because I have a conscious does not mean that I will not do what needs to be done. At my age, in this world, I have killed many times and will do so again. My life does not have much ahead so you will not be on my conscious long."
Claustipher pulls out his cold iron dagger, his arcane bond, and moves behind the captive placing the dagger at the base of his spine and prepares to push if no one else steps forward.
Olivia sighs.
"You'd be welcome to Phaendar and many other places if you came peacefully and willing to help rather than with weapons. Your choice to start a war will be your own demise ih the end, we may not be as evil and cruel as your kind but they'll soon know that we're not just defenseless weaklings."
She nods to Elyas, waiting for Shalra to die.
Falcon just stands and coldly watches. He doesn’t enjoy watching death, but he couldn’t think of a better person to have it happen to than this one. It was archers who killed his father, perhaps this very one.
Elyas nods to his companions and slashes his longsword across the neck of the hobgoblin prisoner
"Sorry that fell to you my yound friend. For all my talk the muscles do not really have the strength for a clean kill. I could have cut him but that is about it."
:: Rova 29 - Afternoon - Hunter's Cabin::
Elyas's blade does its work and Shalra drops to the ground, dead.
"Well, that business is finished then." Aubrin says. Her tone of voice implies she wish it hadn't come to this, but isn't disapproving. "We need to make plans on where to go next, especially given the information we have just learned. What do each of you think?"
The other council members begin to start talking amongst themselves, a bit of a discussion period opening up. Rhyna walks away obviously shaken at what happened, and Lorne has gone to organize a burial party.
"I vote for continuing to head northeast, deeper into the forest. We're still too close to the hobgoblins for hunkering down to be safe."
Noticing the magical longbow that Elias is still carrying, Alezandu sidles over to him and asks "Might I be able to use that bow? I suspect can probably make better use of it than you. Oh, and... thank you for having the strength to to deal with Shalra. Someone had to do it."
Assuming that Elias agrees, Alezandu takes the bow offers his 10 remaining +1 arrows to Solace, then delivers his old bow and armor to the camp's armory (or starts such a thing if it doesn't already exist) for others to use.
Elyas greets Alezandu with a nod "You did good work out there. Thank you for not letting that goblin get away. I am worried that we will not be safe here in the woods for long with the number of patrols we have run into."
Elyas digs the bow out of his pack. "Of course you can use it. I have no skill with the bow, I just didn't want to leave it behind in that shack. Speaking of things we brought back, do we have anyone who can break into this lockbox we found?"
Solace will accept the arrows from Alezandu.
"I agree that we need to head deeper into the forest, hopefully we can find a place further out then their scouts are willing to go. Northeast seems a reasonable direction to head in."
:: Rova 29 - Early Evening - Hunter's Cabin::
After receiving the bow from Elyas, Alezandu sets off to start an armory for the camp. Realizing that it would need to be transported and a system setup to get the gear to people efficiently, Alezandu looks around for a volunteer to help manage it. After asking about, Alezandu finds that the Farrow and Clidan Par are managing the camp currently, their merchant experience coming in handy.
When Alezandu brings up his idea with Farrow, Farrow says "An armory is a good idea. We could probably even start stocking it with poor men's weapons like clubs and spears. Be even better to get some hobgoblin gear to alter, but that'd be risky to come by. Clidan and I can manage it well enough, I'll ask Kining for a list of people we are to give out the gear to when its needed."
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As Elyas asks about someone who can open a lockbox, Nathaniel Ros comes up to him. "I've been asked to open a few seized chests merchants bring in back in the smithy. I can probably open it, but it won't be too gently done."
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When Solace addresses the council, Aubrin speaks up "I think Solace's suggestion is what we are all thinking and not really wanting to say. This cabin is the best shelter we've come across so far." With a sigh Aubrin continues, "Once again we must ask your group to head out and scout. I think we should also send out a second group to make the scouting go more quickly."
Kining speaks up, "I agree. I'll find a group to send parallel with these six. It won't be as large, but will be quick moving and stealthy."
With that, Kining heads off to find people and the remaining council members all start drifting back to chores. Lorne returns, Kae and Dane in tow, to deal with the corpse. As Kae and Dane begin to build a rough travois to pull the body on, Lorne turns to Solace.
"You've seen more of the enemy than all of us pretty much. Have you noticed a weakness in them? Or are we currently to few to reasonably do much but survive?" Lorne asks Solace. Lorne's tone of voice is curious laced with tiredness.
Olivia bites her lip and watches the execution, letting out a tired sigh once its over. She goes to help Lorne in the burial service.
”Excellent,” Alezandu replies. ”When I return from scouting, I’ll be sure to deliver any spare gear we capture or find back to you.” He then helps the merchants ask around the camp for spare weapons and any other useful combat equipment, consolidating it in one location to be used by the guards and scouts and distributed out in times of danger.
Falcon, as per his norm, doesn’t say anything during the meeting, but nods along reluctantly at the idea of moving northeast. As the others are setting up an armoury, he slips into the forests around the cabin searching for medicinal herbs for their traveling infirmary.
Solace shrugs at Lorne's question. "They die just like anyone else does. That's about the only weakness I've noticed so far. It sounds like they are desperate for a place to call their own home and desperate people are often fierce fighters and are more likely to fight to the death versus retreating. We don't know their numbers or how many others might follow in their footsteps and come this way as well. The best we can hope for now is to just survive as best we can, help whoever we can and try to add to our numbers and band up with other survivors."
:: Rova 29 - Early Evening - Hunter's Cabin::
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As Alezandu, Farrow and, Clidan go around asking for equipment, Farrow pulls Edran over. "Edran, Alezandu here had the bright idea to start and armory. Since Clidan and I are busy making sure the food and water is rotated properly, I'm going to put you in charge of the armory. You'll need to talk to Kining to get a list of approved people, and figure out a way to keep it organized but easy to move for now."
Edran replies, "Okay, I'll ask Kining in the morning once we collect what we can for it."
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Out in the woods, Falcon finds the forest to be calm and quiet. Basically the opposite of camp.
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In conversation with Olivia and Solace, Lorne comments on Solace's words, "That is what I feared. Before we go out helping others, we must make our people here safe first. And we need to return to Phaendar to save the others at some point."
Elyas nods to Nathaniel. "Do it. I don't think we have a gentler option available to us right now. if anyone here is a skilled burglar, they have been quiet about it! hopefully this doesn't damage whatever is inside to badly...
Falco feels some of his old knowledge coming back and in a flash of incite grabs his spell-book. Scribbling furiously he suddenly remembers the old spells for setting people on fire and rays of searing heat. [i] Well these old tricks will come in hand. Feel a little bad for the hobgoblins as my skills return. [/b]
Even better, like the gates opening in his mind, he remembers how to create some interesting items. Of course the supplies will be a a problem still.
He joins Solace in her conversation.
:: Rova 29 - Early Evening - Hunter's Cabin::
As Falcon searches through the woods, he finds an odd herb that seems to shimmer a bit in the light. Falcon has never seen it before and can't seem to figure out what its properties might be just from looking at it.
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"Well, lets go to work on this lock box then." Nathaniel says to Elyas. Once Elyas leads Nathaniel to the lock box, Nathaniel sets to work on it, improvising tools from the items left around the cabin.
As he works, both Nathaniel and Elyas hear a sharp crack come from inside the box as Nathaniel finally breaks the lock. Opening the box you find one intact phial labelled as a potion of cure light wounds, one broken phial labelled the same way with its contents spilled in the box, 20 regular arrows and 5 ornate and well made arrows
Solace welcome Claustipher to the conversation and replies to Lorne's last comment. "I have been giving thought to possible rescue attempts back at the town, but I think that we may have to delay any such attempts until the spring at least. Our first thoughts will be shelter for us all throughout the winter and we may be hardpressed to find enough supplies to last us throughout it. And of course in winter we loose a lot of cover for trying to sneak up to the town and it would be impossible to hide all of our tracks in the snow."
Once the armory has gotten off to a good start, Alezandu wanders off to bed and tries to get some rest before the group leaves in the morning on its scouting mission.
Falcon will use a dagger to carefully dig up the mysterious herb, roots and all, and bring it back to Aubrn. Perhaps it can be potted and taken with them.
He’ll head to bed after conferring with the experts.
"Thank you Nathaniel. No use crying over a spilled potion, these other items more than make up for the loss. I'll make sure these get to the right people"
Elyas tucks the remaining potion into his bag, then brings the arrows to the group. "These look quite nice, I'm sure one of you archers could make good use of it"
:: Rova 29 - Early Evening - Hunter's Cabin::
"Yes, winter will probably prove to be a greater enemy than the hobgoblins. It will hopefully slow them down as well." Lorne says.
A minute later the hole is complete and Shalra's body lowered into. Dane and Kae start filling in the grave. Lorne looks solemn and speaks over the grave, "As an enemy of my people, I can only say that may the gods judge you and send you on your way as best befits your actions and crimes in your life. Many of our people have likely done the same in our war against Molthune. Rest and do not return to us, Shalra."
Lorne throws a handfuls of seeds into the grave at the end of his speech.
"That is done. Erastil's blessing will make sure she stays in her grave. If only we could be sure the same was done for the people of Gristledown." Lorne says in a sober tone. "Dane, Kae, finish here. I will be back at camp with Sariah." Lorne nods farwell to everyone then returns to camp as Dane and Kae continue filling in the grave.
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Upon seeing the herb Falcon has brought to her, Aubrin's eyes light up. "I hadn't thought these were growing this far south, though it's a mite ominous if they are. Heart's Pulse rare grows outside the center of the forest unless its disturbed."
"You did the right thing my bringing this to me intact Falcon. We can cultivate it and use it to make magical poultices. They won't be as effective as potions, but any herbalist can work with the herb and then its latent magic does the rest."
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Nathaniel seems happy to have only broke one potion, "Right you are Elyas. I am glad I could be of some help."
After her conversation, Solace will wearily head to where she has her bedroll laid out for night. Likely at a location just far enough out from the mail groups that anything coming into camp would stumble upon her first.
At the mention of supplies for archers he chuckles deciding clearly that he is not the one for that. "All this is hard on an old body. I think I need to have a little lay down, see of the throbing of the joints can be lessened."
:: Rova 29 - Early Evening - Hunter's Cabin::
As the evening wears on, everyone except the watch turns to bed.
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:: Rova 30 - Early Morning - Hunter's Cabin::
Once people are up, Clidan and Farrow come over to your group with supplies for your scouting.
"Here's three days food for each of you. If you can find and clear us out a home, that would be a nice change in news given that were coming into Lamashan now." Farrow says.
"Been out here 9 days now. I don't know if we have another 9 in us without better shelter. Especially if the weather turns." Clidan says morosely.
"But, Edran's got the armory running now. All the current guards folk are going to keep their personal weapons, but Kining and him worked out a system for giving out the community weapons to other people." Farrow says, his cheer a bit forced.
With that, the group collects their things and heads out to act as forward scouts once again.
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:: Rova 30 - Late Morning - Chernasardo Forest::
Three hours into the morning, Alezandu pulls up in front of the group and gestures for everyone to come over.
Once everyone is assembled, Alezandu points out a trail of foot prints headed west. Unlike the foot prints of hobgoblins, these are barefoot, with three large toes on them, much like a bird or a lizard. There are also some much larger foot prints that somewhat resemble the smaller ones.
Claustipher and Solace recognize the larger tracks as coming from some form of human sized lizard. The smaller ones Claustipher recognizes from his travels as those of a troglodyte. Pretty much everyone has heard stories of them. The troglodytes generally only come above ground every generation or so, but when they do they tend to drag of folks they can catch alone for food and sacrifices.
Given a closer examination of the tracks, Alezandu estimates that there are 4 to 6 troglodytes and 2 or 3 lizard creatures.
"Dangerous as it might be, we should probably follow these tracks. We might be able to take over the troglodytes' lair as a place to hide from the hobs, and even if they prove too numerous for that it'll be useful to know where we should avoid setting up camp."
Assuming no one objects, Alezandu begins tracking the reptilian group through the woods.
"agreed. Even if it means having to clear out a bunch of lizard critters, having a cave for shelter would be worth it. We're not going to last long without something solid to hide inside. We can clear out the lair and make sure it is safe before bringing the rest of the group
"That sounds like a good idea. Also, if they prove too numerous for us, we should at least leave that hobgoblins body near enough to it and leave a trail so that maybe the hobgobs will think the Trogs took out their scout instead of any survivors."
:: Rova 30 - Late Morning - Chernasardo Forest::
The group turns west and follows after the troglodytes. After about an hour the path splits, but in an odd fashion. It looks like the entire group turned north and then 3 or 4 troglodytes and 1 or 2 lizards came back south headed to Shoren. There definitely weren't as many tracks headed south as there were north.
As you sit and ponder this, you think you hear the faint sound of voices from the north.
"Everyone, stay quiet and get behind cover," Alezandu tells the others, his voice hushed. "I'll sneak up the path to see who's coming."
Knocking an arrow, he begins creeping north, keeping low in the underbrush and peering ahead for the source of the voices.
Elyas readies his sword and shield, getting ready for a fight if the voices ahead are hostile. So far almost everything has been hostile, so he's expecting trouble.
Solace readies her bow as she attempts to take cover behind a tree.
"At least we do not have to worry about the our scent, troglodytes smell vile. Still best be careful."
Claustipher casts mage armor on himself and hangs back so as not to attract attention.
Olivia stands back next to Claustipher, ready to defend him if necessary.
"I don't like this...", she mutters. "Feels like we're about to do the same things the hobgoblins did to us."
:: Rova 30 - Late Morning - Chernasardo Forest::
As Alezandu approaches, he can see a clearing about 50 feet ahead of him. In the clearing are three troglodytes, their backs to him, speaking to a centaur. A giant lizard is standing off to the side.
While he can't hear the conversation well yet, the bits he can hear make Alezandu think that some type of negotiation is going on between the centaur and the troglodyte in the middle.
Alezandu takes another step, trying to get close, when he steps on a particularly loud stick. The troglodytes snap around, and the troglodyte doing the talking points a finger a shout, in atrociously accented common. The three troglodytes all seem ready for a fight when the centaur speaks.
"Calm, calm. I am sure the man is not here to harm anyone!" The centaur pauses for a moment, seemingly to think of what to say next. "Human, I am Yorc. I have heard your villages in the area have been invaded. Come speak with us and I am sure that everything can get figured out."
The lead troglodyte looks at Yorc, a scowl on his face, and grips his club and javelin more tightly.
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The rest of the party is about 50 feet behind Alezandu, and seems to be entirely unnoticed. All everyone else can hear however is shouting in the distance.
Alezandu lowers his bow but keeps an arrow nocked and slowly steps out into the clearing. Keeping his eyes fixed on Yorc and the troglodytes, he calls back over his shoulder, "Come over here, but don't attack!"
To Yorc, he warily continues, "Greetings. I am Alezandu, and a few companions of mine will be arriving shortly. What are you and your..." he nods at the troglodytes, "friends doing here?"
:: Rova 30 - Late Morning - Chernasardo Forest::
A scowl crosses Yorc's face before he replies"I might ask the same of you, but you are likely refugees." His expression softening a bit he continues, "I live in this forest, as do the troglodytes. We are here having a private discussion after bumping into one another."
Elyas rushes over after hearing the yelling and a call from Alezandu. He sheathes his sword as he moves, but is ready to grab it again if things go badly.
"Hello gentlecreatures! he says when he sees the odd collection of races in the clearing.
"My name is Elyas, I am a cleric of Iomedae and until it was invaded, a resident of Phaendar. We apologize for interrupting your business
Claustipher will begin hustling as he does not feel things are going all that well form the initial reaction.
"Just and old man coming up to talk don't be alarmed, I know I am quite the site. Now lets us all be friends in the woods. There are no expectation on each other and we have problems enough as you mention. As to what we are doing, trying to survive in this world, just like you."
he pauses taking a deep breath, winded from moving fast and talking loudly.
"You seem competent fellows. Anything we can do to help you as we pass? My young friends are good in the woods and what not."
Falcon, hearing voices, once again attempts the tactic of slipping among the bushes stealthily to get around and behind the group. Hopefully, this time, they'll actually talk long enough for him to make it more than a few feet!
At Alezandu's command, Solace will place her arrow back in her quiver though she keeps her bow in her hand as she approaches his location. She remains quiet for now until she understands what is going on.
:: Rova 30 - Late Morning - Chernasardo Forest::
Yorc waves off Elyas' apology, "No need to apologize. I am sure you are just scared and trying to find a way to live as best you can." Thinking over Claustipher's suggestion Yorc continues, "Other than giving us some privacy to continue our talks, there's little we would need from you all. We can probably help you out however. If you could go off a ways for now I will come and speak with you in a bit to see what can be done about your situation. D'nai here can escort the five of you a safe distance away." Yorc gestures at one of the troglodytes.
The lead troglodyte grins at the mention of the group being led away and watched.
It is apparent from what Yorc has said and from how he and the troglodytes are acting that they do not now of Falcon's existence, or are at least pretending not to very, very, very well. Falcon can clearly hear what is being said, and suspects he would be able to hear a normal conversation as well.
"Well that is fine I guess I, at least, will step away for a moment thought I cannot speak for my friends."
This could go badly but not sure what choice we have. They have not attacked us and no need to see everyone as an enemy I guess. Of course troglodytes are not known for their charity.
Basically paralyzed with indecision Calustipher will follow along with his friends.