Elen gasps softly as she sights the beautiful stag.
Darkness grew stronger around the party as their enemies fled the forest, the eerie light that they took with them as they escaped made the forest less otherworldly but more intimidating,. Winter touched branches and the cold white carpet beneath their feet was all they could see, for feet on end it seemed like they were the only living things in this forest, but that was remided when they noticed a track left by hooves Good, we are getting closer The line drawn by Brynjar's lips morphed into what appeared to be a feral grin, the unsettling smile caused his scars to shift as well almost making it seem like they were willingly reacting to what Brynjar felt.
This sudden change of expression suffered a quick change, as the warrior noticed what appeared to be a stag, its white fur making it seem like it rose up from the snow beneath them. Brynjar snorted as the frown solidified itself upon his face Another one of the witches tricks? he remained where he was and kept his sword drawn, determined not to be taken unaware.
Havelock looks a little contrite (one assumes) and rubs his neck with one hand.
"A miscommunication on my part, I am afraid I do not speak the language you used and when it was mentioned that these sprites serve the witches I assumed was behind this whole thing...
Yes, sorry..."
As the bobbing, blinking lights of the sprites retreat away into the forest, so too does Helios' ire. He knocks another arrow and sends an apology towards Krystae and the others. "No, I should not have raised by voice. I was approaching the situation as one who'd no experience with the creatures. I should have noted that your experiences bore wisdom where as mine was probably wishful thinking." He scans the forest around them, trying to detect any new threats. "I don't know who this 'Izoze' is they went to warn...but it's best we don't wait around to find out."
"Next time though," he grins to the others. "...unless they're slavering creatures out of the abyss or some such, let me attempt to talk with them before we fill them with arrows. But I have to admit, my tale of Ugork'lex the Dryad who outsmarted the Fox-king of Agelmar is an old one. Haven't heard it since my mother taught it to me in my swaddling. I might have butchered it."
They move into the forest, following a game trail until they come across a creature of staggering majesty. As if out of the haze and snow emerges a great stag, antlers towering above him like a crown.
Almost feeling ashamed of having a weapon drawn, Helios lowers his bow and nods to the others to do the same. "Though, keep an eye on our flanks. Could be a beacon to draw our attention away from other attackers." He whispers, but it's evident by his tone that he doesn't think it to be true.
To Ragnar, he asks a question, hoping to draw upon the man's knowledge of ancient times. "Ragnar, તમે જે શકિતશાળી સફેદ હરણના સંબંધિત દંતકથાઓ જાણો છો? આ કદાચ Erastil એક હેરાલ્ડ છે?"
Then to the stag, Helios raises a hand of greeting. "Terveisin, vartija metsän."
...checking if I might know of a legend or two myself.
Ragnar was clearly in awe of the massive stag. It took him a moment to realize he was being spoken to.
"My word..."
This reminds me of...no, no...I have NEVER seen anything like it before...
Havelock is completly overawed by what he sees before him.
Erastil's herald is known as the Grim White Stag. It has the appearance of a gigantic white stag with branches in place of its antlers and vines wrapping around its legs. The stag before you looks more ordinary and has standard antlers.
You know white stags are very rare and have never seen one before. You know they often have symbolic meaning to many and often are considered to be a good omen when they are seen. You also remember back in the village, you heard that a farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest—and heard it talking—then tried to follow it.
The stag approaches, stares at your weapons for a moment, and speaks.
"Kuka häiritsee rauhaa rajavalvonnan Puu? Miksi toit väkivaltaa minun verkkotunnuksen?"
“Who disturbs the peace of the Border Wood? Why have you brought violence into my domain?”
You are sure that the stag is not actually speaking, and that someone nearby must be trying to play the ventriloquist today and mislead you.
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Krystae stares openly at the magnificent creature as it approaches them. She suddenly feels ashamed brandishing a weapon in front of the stag. She lowers her bow so the arrow is pointing to the ground. She thinks she recognizes the language as similar to that which the sprites were speaking. "What is it saying, Helios?"
Ragnar slowly and carefully plants the point of his spear into the ground.
"He asked us, who disturbs the peace of the Border Wood?Why have we brought violence into his domain?" Helios translates the words for Ragnar as well. "Not sure what to make of it. But like I said earlier, keep an eye out in case the sprites bring back their friends." the last he says through a haze of distraction.
To the stag he responds, "Me tarkoita pahaa, oh Warden jos metsässä. Emme myöskään tarkoita haittaa verkkotunnuksen. Me vain etsiä niitä, jotka ovat syyllistyneet pahaa ja varastettu pois nainen." Helios inclines his head briefly with respect. "Aiotteko aide meitä haussa?"
"I'm trying to alleviate his concern and see if we can get some help." he tells the others, also speaking in elvish for Ragnar's sake.
"I remember the child who fell through the ice spoke of a white stag..." Elen murmurs as the stag approaches them.
When the stag speaks, her eyes widen. "Strange!"
Elen's eyes narrow as the stag speaks, and she begins to become suspicious.
The Tengu, while certainly overawed by the majestic beast, still found the whole situation a little surreal.
Being that he was in less contact with the wild than most of his companions he was perhaps a LITTLE less affected by the surroundings.
As soon as Elen voiced her suspicions, the natural paranoia of his race kicked in and he began furtively look around for the possibility of the stag being just a distraction while someone prepared to spring an ambush.
Confusion began to settle in on the scarred warrior, he didn't like the idea of lowering his weapon just because this creature might or might not be an enemy, but Helios seemed convinced for the most part and he didn't take the Half-elf for a fool Idealistic...but not a fool He mentally chuckled at himself, it has been a while since he gave a damn what someone else thought besides himself...He released another breath that blew over his face concealing it for mere moments, but before he could consider it any further he heard the witch scream something in what he guessed was Skald.
The tongue that his mother once spoke washed over his ears, but he could sense from her tone that she thought something was amiss, his teeth clenched and he stood his ground, weapon still raised and eyes darting from left to right, as if he was expecting an ambush or another trap.
"Giant, if anyone appears we'll charge him together" He said as his eyes shifted briefly towards Ragnar, hoping that someone would translate what he just said to the tallest member of their group.
Helios' questioning of the stag is interrupted by Elen's observation. "Vad menar du ...?" the half-elf questions the elven spell-mistress. "Är det en bild eller något?"
He tries not to tense up, but his fingers reflexively tighten on his bow, readying to bring it up and fire if the need requires. But Helios hopes perhaps the Elen is simply mistaken.
...hiding his renewed readiness
His eyes dart to and fro, then he responds to Brynjar's words by passing them along to Ragnar in ancient Skald. "Ragnar, Förbered dig, min vän. Denna hjort är inte allt det verkar vara ... det kan vara ett bedrägeri. Elen har känt av något fel om det." He pauses and nods in Brynjar's direction. "Den krigare kommer att se till dig att kämpa tillsammans med honom bör en fiende visas."
Ragnar listens to Helios, and then nods to Brynjar.
The stag eyes Brynjar suspiciously, but responds to Helios's and Elen's words.
"tulemisista ja menemisistä vuodenajat ovat, mutta hetki silmissä jumalia. Ne ovat vähän merkitystä minulle. Kuitenkin, jos olet todella ystäviä metsän niin te olette tervetullut tänne. Kuka on tämä varastettu nainen, jonka kanssa puhut? Kusta sinä tulet? Kuka sinut lähetti tänne?"
You are not sure where the voice is coming from, but you are confident that it is not the stag that is actually talking.
Your cat doesn't seem to notice anything besides the stag.
"Nainen ylhäissyntyinen. Olemme lähetetty paikallisen kylän perimään hänet turvaan." Helios responds.
He glances sidelong at Elen, but she gives an almost imperceptible shake of the head. Helios' eyes return to the stag, the weight of import still holds his sight. The white stag is majestic in bearing, giving all the right inclinations that it is a true Warden. But the possibility of this being a façade from what Elen was warning, that gnaws at his innards.
There may be a way to test this...
"Suuri huoltaja, toverini tiedä valtava merkitys läsnäoloaan tänä talvena peitossa aukealle. Mutta ne ovat huolissaan siitä, että halpamaista olentoja palvelun noidat pohjoisessa ovat mukana. Aion opettaa heille kattamaan tämän alueen suojelemiseksi keskusteluamme."
Helios inclines his head towards the stag, then gestures to the others and speaks in Skald. "Vakta vår omkrets, gör det uppenbart att vi vakt mot inkräktare till detta samtal. Men om Elen är rätt, är denna varelse en marionett för något där ute. Om jag säger ordet, satte vi varelsen ner för att försöka dra ut på dockspelare."
That done, Helios turns back to the Stag. In his heart, the bard focuses on the fact that this is only a creature and not the avatar of a forest warden. In doing so, the next few words come easier as he attempts to fascinate the creature before him.
Helios lowers his weapon completely, twirling his knocked arrow to rest alongside the bow instead of under his finger. He draws himself slowly upwards and begins speaking with the tones that earned him room and board in so many towns along the way. "Kerro minulle, milloin se sinusta tuli vartijana tämän paikan? Voitko kertoa minulle tämän metsän historiasta? On talvi kattaa tämä paikka kuin tämä aikaisemmin? Kuulin kerran tarinan suuri Stag Arawn ja hänen vapahtaja metsästäjä nimeltä Pwyll, vakuuttava häntä nähdä virhe hänen tavoin ja kääntyä pois metsästys tulossa hänen elinikäinen seuralainen suojelussa kotiinsa."
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Krystae listens quietly to everyone and nods to Helios at his request to check their surroundings, given that was her natural intent following Elen's exclamation about the stag. She turns around and begins to survey the area, looking for anything out of place; however, she is too preoccupied by the conversation happening behind her to spot anything of notice...
As she looks about Krystae's fingers brush reassuringly against the fletching of the arrow she has nocked to her bow. She slows her quickening breath like her father taught her to consistent, deep, and slow breaths. She speaks to the others in her ancestor's language in an attempt to keep their casual appearance. "Jag minns inte ett sådant angrepp av ondska i denna skog. Vi måste på något sätt varna byborna för att förbereda sig."
The stag responds,
Oddly enough, though, the stag doesn't move. It instead stands motionless, staring at Helios, mesmerized by his voice.
"Well, ahem, I suppose that is a very interesting story... I will wait to hear the end of the tale after all."
Elen puts an arrow on her bow, trying to continue the pretense that Helios established that she and the others are guarding the Stag and Helios from possible foes, as she carefully steps through the snow, her bare feet leaving delicate footprints as she peers about for the source of the voice. Her cat, sitting on her shoulder, sniffs the air and looks about as well.
As she passes Krystae, she mutters to the human woman in Skald:
Havelock, a little out of his depth looks around with irritation before muttering to himself.
"There are entirely too many trees here, it is almost an invitation to "accidently" starting a forest fire to..."smoke" out a hidden threat."
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Krystae nods her understanding to Elen's words. 'So there is someone or something about...' The inquisitor decides to see if there's any magic about, so she casts a spell that allows her to see magical auras in the area around them... She then looks about once more to see if she can spot anything out of the ordinary.
As Krystae continues to scan the area, she responds to Havelock's comment in Skald. "Jag skulle inte rekommendera det, Havelock. Glöm inte att vi är mitt i den här skogen också. Du kan enkelt fånga och döda oss också."
Havelock looks up, surprised anyone overheard his muttering, and then he merely winks at Krystae, letting a hint of mischief enter his blue avian eyes.
"Give me some credit; I am a professional after all."
Blue eyes searched along the trees that surrounded their group, and while everything did appear fairly normal if one discounted the white stag that still stood in their way, Brynjar couldn't shake away the feeling that there was something else awaiting them in this area The professor's right, we get attacked here and we've got no advantage Taking a deep breath as he continued his search from where he stood, the well armored warrior seemed to be in a state that was a mix of calmness and annoyance.
Having practically no idea what was going on, Ragnar waited, quiet and tense.
Helios shares a glimpse of understanding with Elen. Okay, we've confirmed this stag is not a forest warden. Now we need to know if there's something evil afoot...
He bows slightly, showing gratitude to the 'stag'. "Pwyll Pen Annwn, Herra Defyd jäsen tuomioistuinten lueteltu suuri tarinoita Mabinogi, oli kuuluisa metsästäjä vanhoja ja suuri soturi. Kun metsästys syvin saavuttaa muinaisen metsän, Pwyll sattui susilauma joka oli Rivitettyjen upea polttarit. Tunne sympatiaa suuri eläin, Huntsman asetettu toimimaan hänen keula, silmiinpistävää alas susilauma kummallakin on yksi nuoli omille sydämensä. Huolimatta luonne Pwyll elämää, suuri polttarit tunnustettu mitä oli miehen sydämen, ja vastineeksi hänen urhea pelastus, myönsi hänelle kyvyn liikkua metsissä niin hiljaa kuin aave. Tämä antaa hänelle etu, mutta myös osoittaa, että hän luotti Pwyll sydäntä väärin tämän uuden löytyi valtaa."
Pausing briefly, he looks to the others and speaks in Skald. "Jag tycker att systemet är upp, detta stag är en marionett av något slag. Krystae, Ragnar, Elen kan du upptäcka svårbegripliga arbete i området? Jag kan inte avleda mina ansträngningar för uppgiften."
Then back to the stag, Helios smiles cups his chin between thumb and forefinger, then continues his story. "Mikä on hämmästyttävää on, miten tarina jatkuu. Pwyll ja polttarit Arawn tuli lähinnä ystäviä. Siihen pisteeseen, että Arawn myönsi Huntsman ylimääräinen siunaus, lahja pitkän elämän. Tämä niin Pwyll ja Arawn voisi jatkaa ystävyyttä sukupolvien. He kohtasivat kaikenlaisia uhkia metsään. Hafgan Tyrant, Gwawl ap Clud ja hänen halpamaista kätyrinsä Seroth ja jopa tappion Pwyll oma veli, hullun taikuri, joka pyrki orjuuttaa toimivaltaa metsän olentoja ja käyttää niitä makaaberi nuket hänen omaksi huvikseen."
...to keep congenial
...as I relay information to the group our unseen observer doesn't get wise
Hmmm, logic might help here...
The person would need to be hidden where they can have an overview of both our position and the stags, it SHOULD keep the back free in case of a retreat, and it should be a good hiding place.
In addition, it cannot be TOO close since they have not hear our whispers, but can hear us when we speak clearly.
Not the treetops then, it would make for a slow retreat, but clearly on the outskirts of the forest.
Too see us well it would help if it was slightly elevated, but behind a boulder or a larger tree trunk.
Havelock begins to slowly scan the area for something that might fit the criteria.
Ragnar looks around, a little confused, looking for obvious signs of witchcraft.
Elen and Ragnar don't notice anything of interest. The stag continues to listen to the bard's fascinating story.
Krystae feels an illusion aura. She spends a few moments focusing her concentration, and is sure that the aura is just above the stag.
Havelock looks around, and then notices that the stag's fur is matted strangely... almost as if someone were riding it... but there is no rider to be seen...
Almost immediately Krystae senses the illusion aura and so spends the next few moments concentrating on locating the source, until... She suddenly spots it just about the stag. 'I knew it!'
She turns to the others for a brief moment. "Det verkar finnas någon slags illusion spell över stag. Osynlighet kanske?"
Elen's eyes narrow at Krystae's statement, and pulls the human woman closer to whisper to her
Sometimes the direct approach is the best one, and I am not entirely sure this is an enemy, despite the...theatrics.
Havelock takes a step forward, in front of the group, raises a finger and points right where he assumes the face of the invisible rider would be.
"We've been friendly and accommodating with you, stated our intent and made no hostile move at all, but in return I ask that you drop the pretence and show yourself.
I can see the tell tale signs of a rider on yon stag, so reveal yourself and make everything equal."
Helios smiles at the Professor's treaty, but considers if perhaps the one portion of the stranger's facade that is real revolves around his language barrio. He holds a hand up in peaceful placation, keeping his bow lowered and follows up quickly with the Professor's words by translating to Sylvan. "Pois mahdollisuutta, että et puhu hänen kieltään - vaikka luulen et - ystäväni on muistuttaa pilari se, josta olemme olleet niin asiantuntevasti tanssimaan. Tiedämme mount ei ole suuri Stag Warden ja että puhut hänen kauttaan oman syistä, joista olen varma turvallisuus on yksi. Mutta kuten hän sanoi, olemme puhuneet ystävällisesti kuten Telian ja Noren Kaukoidän, tiedät aikeemme eivät ole vihamielisiä ... Emmekö voi puhua avoimesti ja liittolaisina?"
...to keep it cool, daddy-o.
A tiny winged creature with pale blue skin winks into existence, about 10 inches tall, sitting on the back of the stag.
"Ymmärrän matala, huonompi yhteisen kielen. Tämä ei tarkoita, haluan puhua ruma lintu-mies. Näytät tarpeeksi kohtelias, niin minä annan sinulle yhden mahdollisuuden kävellä pois ja jättää tämä paikka.raja Puun kuuluu meille nyt. Jätteiden ja viha noita Suuri Elvanna tullaan valloilleen päällenne. Veljeni on paljon, ja ne ovat lähellä. Et voi tuhota meidät kaikki."
"I understand your low, inferior common tongue. That does not mean I wish to speak to an ugly bird-man. You seem polite enough, so I will give you one chance to walk away and leave this place. The Border Wood belongs to us now. Refuse, and the wrath of the Witch Queen Elvanna will be unleashed upon you. My brethren are many, and they are nearby. You cannot hope to destroy us all."
You are sure that this creature is lying about there being other of his kind in the area.
You recognize this creature as a winter-touched atomie, weak to cold iron.
Elen's nose wrinkles in anger as she focuses her mind on the little creature. "Liar!" she hisses and wills the tiny fey to fall asleep.
Another sprite? Uglier than the others but at least willing to converse like them. Perhaps a spot of information before we must retreat. I'm not too keen on finding out who his brethren went to get.
Helios gestures placating the little fey thing. "Perhaps a question or two if you could spare..."
"Liar!" Elen hisses at the creature.
Oh dear... "Ready yourselves." Helios calls to the others, translating for Ragnar sake.
The tiny fey hears Elen's accusation, and flies up about ten feet, spewing curses. It then promptly falls asleep, falling into the snow near the stag.
The stag continues to stare intently at Helios.
"Get it! It will only be unconscious for a few breaths! Don't let it vanish again! "
-Posted with Wayfinder
After almost launching himself at the small creature, Brynjar's eyes widened when he saw it drop to the ground following the witch's accusation.
"Get it! It will only be unconscious for a few breaths! Don't let it vanish again! "
Brynjar would have questioned the validity of the words the witch spoke, but seeing the angry expression that possessed her face earlier, pushed his mistrust towards her aside on this matter, since it was a clear indication that she was willing to bring this creature down as much as they were.
Approaching the creature in a hurried but cautious step, the two-handed sword wielder looked about himself as he got closer to his unconscious enemy; wary of any ambush or surprises that may show themselves. Once he stood over the fallen rider of the stag he raises his sword and brings it down viciously.
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Krystae waited to see how their 'friend' would react to Havelock's statement. When the tiny creature appears she doesn't quite recognize it; however, Elen appeared to know a bit more... The sprite begins to fly away, but a few words from Elen brought it back down. Krystae lets loose with an arrow he moment the little creature hit the snow!
Ragnar rushes forward with Brynjar, thrusting with his iron spear.
Helios moves to his right still focusing on the stag, allowing his inflections to change. "My friend, please, wouldn't things be safer for you in Liam's Glen to the south?" he says in Sylvan.
Brynjar slashes savagely at the fey just as an arrow strikes true. Ragnar then makes a nice fey shish-kebab with his spear.
The stag stares at Helios for a moment longer, and then slowly and calmly walks away.
You continue onward down the path, when you hear cries of pain and suffering. You approach cautiously, and just over the ridge, you see a white arctic tatzylwyrm, much like the one you fought before, about fifty feet away. You can see at least three mutilated bodies near him. A masked humanoid figure, held tight in the creatures jaws, struggles to break free, but his resistance seems almost futile... the jaws clamp tighter, and he screams out in pain.
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Immediately upon seeing the figure's plight Krystae draws an arrow and puts it to string. "Brynjar, Ragnar, hurry!" She sights down her arrow. 'Desna... please let my aim be true...' The inquisitor takes a moment to steady her aim to ensure she doesn't strike the victim in the dragon's jaws. She takes a breath, holds it for a second, and slowly lets out the breath before releasing her arrow.