Setomi moves off the wagon towards the creature that has just landed in the scrub off the road. She moves into striking distance (F10) and attempts to hit the monster.
The troll takes a swipe at Setomi as she closes.
The ninja successfully ducks under the monster's attack, but is unable to land a strike of her own.
Sandru leaps from the wagon and runs past the troll, taking position behind it ().
Ameiko continues her song, but moves up the road quickly ().
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Lisabett will remain where she is, and summoning the power of nature to her aide, call her Storm Burst to inhibit the troll at H10.
The sounds of battle continue, south of the far wagon. The Ulfen men continue to fight the third troll.
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Sorin will move to G11.
If not Entangled will attack troll Sandru and Setomi are fighting.
Sorin's attack connects, and his blade spills more of the troll's blood.
The wounds of the troll on the wagon continue to seal themselves, but the monster does not stir.
Shalelu looses two arrows towards the other nearby troll.
Only one of the ranger's shaft's finds its target, but it pierces the troll's thick hide. The creature does not react to the arrow in its shoulder, but turns its ire towards Setomi.
The monster flails wildly, and does not come remotely close to striking Setomi.
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Almar moves near the troll fighting the others shoots again
Attack roll:
Damage roll:
Almar's shot finds its target, but the monster takes advantage of the opening.
The creature's wounds are sealing, but not as quickly as you are making new ones.
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Hoping to finish the creature quickly, Setomi strikes at the creature as it is occupied with the others around it.
Despite Setomi's well placed slash, the monster still stands. As the troll turns its attention to the ninja, Sandru rakes his scimitar across it's back.
Sandru:
With Sandru's attack, the creature falls.
"A flame!" shouts Shalelu. "Find a flame, and press it into their bodies, else they shall rise again!"
Ameiko hustles around the wagon, coming nearer to the fight.
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Raziel raises his hand, and directs a line of flame at the nearest downed troll.
"Like so?" he askes Shalelu.
Even though the fire bolt impacts a small section on the troll, its entire body releases pungent smoke. The monster's wounds cease to heal.
Sorin
Fey Troll 3
Shalelu
Fey Troll 2
Almar
Setomi
Sandru
Ameiko
Raziel
Lisabett
Seeing that Raziel is able to command fire and that it is likely he can assist with these creatures, Lisabett double moves to K12, intending to assist the guardsmen at the back of the caravan with their troll.
Confident that these two trolls have been dealt with, Sorin attempts to move down the road where the third troll is. Double Move to .
Or he'll stop in and admire the scenery.
A shout of frustration comes from the Ulfen men to the south as the troll they had pinned down breaks free of them and takes flight. The monster is badly wounded, but hangs above you - a sinister laugh issues from deep within its belly, even as its black blood drips down and splatters in the dusty road. It speaks in the same strange, indecipherable language that has confounded you thus.
Were it not for your Cursewalker, the woods would end you with no more than a wish."
The troll flies higher and higher, cackling madly. Just as it is about to break the canopy of trees, its body becomes stone, and its wings cease to beat. Its heavy weight pulls it back to the earth, upon which it shatters.
Smoke continues to issue forth from the troll burnt by fire. Its skin blackens, and the stench of its smoldering becomes more and more acrid. The wounds of the remaining troll continue to seal, and its arm begins to twitch.
Lisabett hisses as the third troll turns to stone and shatters before her very eyes. Not knowing the language, she simply shakes her head and averts her eyes.
Free of combat, Lisabett uses her Minute Meteor ability to pelt the trolls in flames from the heavens, expending all her charges if needed.
Dead things do not get reflex saves, right?
"Allow the drivers to calm the animals," she orders, and grabs the nearest troll to drag it away from the scene. "Mistress," she says to Shalelu, "Best you remain with the wagons and keep watch while I dispose of these. Your eyes are greater than mine, and your arrows have further reach than my javelins."
As Lisabett pulls the troll into the wood, she contemplates climbing a tree in the evening to determine if she also will turn to stone should she leave the confines of the wood. She glances pointedly at Sandru as she returns to claim the second troll, then swallows and shakes her head and grunts and strains with the troll's weight as she pulls it away.
"Who is injured?" Raziel asks, looking around. "I will tend to your injuries."
He tries not to let the unsettling actions of the trolls bother him, and present a business-like demeanor.
Setomi go to make sure her Ameiko is alright. Then she returns to the provision wagon to clean it up and make sure all is ready before the party moves out.
The remaining troll is enveloped in smoke, and at last meets its end.
Sandru Vhiski moves to help Lisabett, but stops at her seeming disdain. He manages a look of sympathy mixed with frustration.
Ameiko Kaijitsu is unscathed, and seems serenely calm. She assists Setomi with checking the wagons.
"What devilry was that?" Andres barks. He does not wait for an answer, but moves back to the caravan and places a desperate hand on Koya Mvashti.
Shalelu Andosana says nothing, but the arrow yet nocked in her bow speaks clearly enough.
The forest is eerily silent now, and the audible hum of Sorin's still-ringing glaive catches all of your ears.
Lisabett sees Sandru's reaction, but is unable to make heads or tails of his expression. Frightened, frustrated and damn near angry enough to begin to frost over, she grumbles in Skald as she drags the troll away, and drops the carcass with little ceremony. Still in the wood, she casts and attempts to rub the filth from her hands, then fairly stomps back to the wagons and addresses Sandru.
"Du!" she calls. "Jeg har ører. Speak!" she continues, apparently unaware that she is still speaking her milk tongue. "Drag dead more work than Captain?"
Lisabett looks about them and sighs heavily, broad shoulders bowing. "It fall from sky," she says and shakes her head. "I do not know what means..." she trails sadly.
Almar shakes his head at the strange spectacle he just witnessed:"Sandru.... I know I said this before but I don't mind repeating myself: let's get out of this cursed place quickly! People turned to statues, strange trolls, and a clearly hostile forest... We don't want to stay here a minute more than it's absolutely necessary!"
It is Shalelu who answers Almar. "We are now as close to being through these woods as we are in turning back. Not that distance matters - if the Churlwood would claim us, an hour's trek would afford it as much opportunity as a month's."
"All the same, we shall make all haste to the north." Sandru answers. "Lisabett, I fail to read your intentions. Whether you demand my help, or would spurn it, I know not. Only, let us get in order to proceed, for we shall, not five minutes from now."
Lisabett manages a strained smile in Shalelu's direction. "Only if you promise to catch me before I shatter," she replies to her question of aide, then nods. "Aye, I will scout ahead. Keep these rabble from straying too far toward the trees meanwhile," she commands.
Lisabett pauses as she passes the Mother Koya and Raziel, her eyes immediately train on them so that it is not at all ambiguous that she overheard the woman speak. The cold in her blue eyes could crack eyes as she regards Brother Holheim, then she turns her eyes away and gripping a javelin, does exactly as she told Shalelu she would, and scouts ahead of the caravan.
Sorin had moved to calm any of the horses which may have panicked. but is now straing the glaive in his hands as if entranced.
"I would also prefer to be out of this forest," Raziel replies to Koya. "And yet the forest is what sets our pace. If we pass speedily through, then both we and the forest would have nothing to do with each other again."
Raziel sees Lisabett glaring at him, and meets her icy gaze with determination in his warm sky-blue eyes. He cocks an eyebrow are her, but whether as a challenge or a question is unknown (even to him).
Without chance for a reply, the bird flies off. Your weapon feels lighter in your hands, and the edge of the blade appears to be sharper.
As Sorin returns to himself he glances around everyone making this trip. How can that be...
As he helps with the preparations to get back underway he asks, "I have heard of trolls but none like these; could anyone understand what they were saying?"
"Not me. Let's get moving now, this place wants us gone and I share the sentiment"
The middle wagon appears to be fine, despite having born the crashing weight of the troll; some of the goods seem to have come loose, but the axles below are intact. The caravan is ready to move in just a few minutes of work.
And so you set forth once again, this time with great urgency. Little is said on the trek, but there is a shared distress among the company that is difficult to ignore. Still, you press on.
Light is beginning to fade, but just as the dreaded possibility of camping for the night seems inevitable, there is a break in the trees up ahead. And it is no simple clearing...as you pass through it, you find yourself once again under open sky. The trees thin abruptly before you, and beyond them you see rolling, grassy hills. You have traversed the Churlwood, it seems.
"That should have taken longer." Shalelu's observation is nearly sung as an ominous chant. There is no relief in her voice.
Almar checks to make sure they are out of the woods for good, not once but twice.
Perception check:
When he's sure they are out he relaxes somehow, but he still makes sure everyone does his job defending the caravan extra carefully:"I suggest we move a bit farther away from these accursed woods before we set camp. And as for the guard it will be composed by 3 people each shift: me, Ulrick and Raziel will take first shift, any volunteers for the others?"
"That sounds like a workable shift, with the danger still close at hand," Raziel agrees.
"Once I have finished dinner and cleaned up I will be able to take a shift, if you please." Setomi offers.
"Any shift is fine with me," Sorin murmurs somewhat distractedly.
He turns to Shalelu, "How much longer should it have taken?"
"I would have counted on another day, at the very least." Shalelu replies to Sorin. "But the Churlwood has a will of its own, and no small measure of power. I have never seen it so awake...so aware. It seemed untouched by the curse that we have seen in our northward travels, but it is not untroubled." The elf takes a long look back at the trees as the caravan moves further away.
The forest does not disappear from your sight before you stop for the night, but it is some distance away. You find a suitable campsite without any difficulty - high ground, on top of a hill, and moderate concealment from the road. The sea is visible to the west, and along the coastline, at the very edge of the horizon, there is a scattering of faint lights. A settlement.
"Roderic's Cove." Sandru says, lowering the glass from his eye. "Me make for it tomorrow at first light."
Before they take their watch, Lisabett with approach Brother Holheim.
"I know that the creatures of the wood wanted 'one.' I knew and I kept us together," she says pointedly.
At the end of the exchange, she claps him on the shoulder and then prepares her things for sleeping.
Lisabett approaches the captain again when it seems he has a moment, and speaks to him in Varisian.
"It was not... right to shout at you earlier," she admits, and casts her eyes down. "You should know that I do things alone, not to hurt, just... how I, how we are expected to live."
Lisabett glances nervously toward where the other Ulfen are resting at the moment, then back. "Mans told me that my mother saw my curse before ever they made me in her. She had the gift of dreams," she says and smiles faintly. "Still, they made me, and she left me to him, thinking that my uncle's beatings enough to stem the calling in my blood. Then when the time came, he left me, too, to the raiders in all their blood, knowing-" she arrests herself and shakes her head. It did not require a bards imagination to picture what a gang of raiders could do to a girl.
"I do not know why the wood did not take me and Shalelu like it did those men, but I knew that I could not allow it to take you," she says finally. "So I moved the trolls. The thought of turning to stone if we bathed in light frightened me, so I yelled. I do things alone," she repeats and lets her eyes linger on his for a brief moment before wandering a bit away for her evening prayers.
The night passes without incident, and true to Sandru's word, the caravan is underway again at dawn. The sun's beams are ever present on your back, and you've no longer and trees to shield you. It is a hard day's ride, but when it is over, you find yourselves in Roderic's Cove.
It is a small coastal town, though it is bustling with trade, even in the late evening. As you approach the outskirts, several merchants sit atop their wagons, hawking their wares beneath Desna's bright sky. "There might be an opportunity for trade here." Sandru says, wearily. "There are those here that could move the goods to people in need better than we."
"Better than we?" Shalelu asks, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that why we came on this journey?"
"Find us an inn." He does not acknowledge the elf's question. "I've a contact here that I know will keep our wagons safe. We all deserve a bed tonight, and I'll see to it that we each get one."
Almar asks some questions around, curious about the town and the reasons Sandru chose it but not for trading:
Setomi decides that this might be a good time to look for more provisions for the caravan. She asks aroound the town for the best prices.
Sorin will stop the first guard or religious figure he sees and engage in casual conversation.
"Only respectable establishment." he insists.
The woman closing up the storehouse also suggests that you "not ask too many questions," as there are "dangerous elements" behind the veneer of a simple coastal town. Strangely, she avoids any questions about where you might find rooms for the night.
"I thought of that title myself, I'll admit."
He claims to be very interested in your journey, and you yourself, but he asks not a single question. Instead, he tells you all about the difficulties of his life in Roderic's Cove, which he calls "the city," despite it's population of just over a thousand. He claims that there is some rivalry between the pirate lords of Riddleport and the Sczarni, and that both run scams in town. The pirate lords shake down the locals, while the Sczarni target travelers.
The latter apparently runs an inn and tavern called "The Oarsman" where patrons are regularly overcharged, and sometimes robbed outright. He recommends "The Gnome's Nose" instead, which is run by a gnomish arcanist that has some connection to the Pathfinder Society - his rooms are few, but they are rarely occupied because he does almost nothing to attract guests.
At some point, he sings a song for you as he plays on his lute. You note that his skill with both voice and instrument needs a good deal of work.
Raziel will wander the town, comparing it metally to Sandpoint (and thence to Magnamar). He will look for a temple, and speak to the priests therein.
On the edge of town, there is a shrine dedicated to Desna, but it consists of little more than a collection of standing stones. No clergy are present, though Mother Koya stops to make her devotion there. Andres joins her.
You have little difficulty finding the small temple on the interior of the town. It seems peculiar that it has no roof, until you step through the front door and notice the statue of Gozreh facing you - it is said that temples dedicated to the Wind and the Waves are almost always open to the sky. Although there are also statues of Calistria and Besmara within, the only priest within sits with a trident resting on his shoulder, and you surmise that he is devoted to Gozreh. It seems that he might be napping, at least until he speaks.
"Good evening." Though his eyes are turned down, he is clearly aware of your presence.
The priest stands and lifts the hood from his eyes. He looks to the sky. It seems storm clouds have manifested in the evening sky, obstructing the shining of the stars.
"Gozreh sends tidings, it seems." The priest says. "Tell me, traveler, where do you come from? You wear the raiment of a warrior, but you pay a visit to this holy place with the dust of the road still upon you - this means you are a man of faith, and friend to me, I think."
"I am from farther south, from Sandpoint," Raziel replies. "I am part of a caravan traveling. We've had some rought times, but have come through alright."
"Since I've never been far from Sandpoint, this is a new experiance for me. Sarenrae has seen fit for me to move about now, I suppose."
"Sandpoint venerates Gozreh amoung others, but I am not familiar with Calistra and Besmara."
Sorin will return to Sandru but if he runs into Ameiko first, that works as well.