We have what we came for, let’s take Tig home. I have all this mapped, so we can return better prepared!
"I concur with Lady Rilka. Let us return the child to his mother, and we will deal with this problem once I have located some.scrolls for the spells I will need to destroy that aberration."
Andreas pulls himself up out of the water and scans the area for threats. When satisfied that they are safe, he turns to look at the distant island that they just fled from. He starts to step back towards the island wanting to return to help those that he left behind.
What have I done?
The angry cries echoing out to his ears and brings shame to his face. He looks to the skies as tears well up in his eyes.
We saved an innocent life but at what cost? I sacrificed all those innocent lives to save just one.
He drops to his knees on the shore, his head hanging low. The cold waters lapping against his armor as he remains silent. His mind in full blown meltdown at his failure, the knight remembers his father's words.
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
He stands from the waters, turning in one swift motion and strides forward towards tig. He places a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Let us get you home to your parents.
He motions for the other to head out.
As they start to leave, he turns once more to look at the island.
I shall return.
You find your mounts and begin riding back along the river towards your homes. The areas you travel through are unexplored wilderness. Tig seems deeply shaken by his experiences.
Rillka listens as Andreas speaks at the riverside. As they are riding away, when he is few paces away from the rest, she leads Lucca close, and softly speaks to the knight, What you did was save an innocent child. And you didn't sacrifice anyone, you inspired some to stand up for what is right and natural. That some died... is sad, but their deaths were noble and their sacrifices gave their lives a value that none can take away. Pharasma will be kind to their souls. She then gives his calf a good hard punch, So pull it together Tall Folk, we need our King back to lead us... or I am taking Rhavi and we are starting our own kingdom!
She then steers Lucca back into the group.
The Oracle's magic mitigates the worst of Rhavi's and Von Ulm's wounds.
Once night falls Albert heals hp.
"Well that could have gone better." Jackob wipes some blood off his face. "At least that think is pretty far from any habitations. We will have to deal with it someday though."
Something that begins with initiative
GM is this same day or have I been able to use the Empowered healing on Albert? Need to know how many spell slots I have available.
Albert is quiet for much of the ride so far, reflecting on strategies for defeating the creature back at the village before it can wreak more havoc. He's not paying attention to his surroundings.
The group rides along the river bank. The area along the river is mostly muddy swamp in this area which makes it slow going even while riding.
After several hours the fear of an army of lizardfolk led by their dark god subsides and you push on as fast as you can. Late in the day you have passed Candlemere and are passing along the river that links the Candlemere and Tuskwater lakes. The sun is beginning to set and discussion of finding a reasonable campsite starts up when everyone but Albert, who is looking forward to talk to the group while the others occasionally glance back at him, notice a rippling in the water near some large boulders in the river.
A large reptilian head surfaces that reminds several of you of the blood caiman you fought at the lizardfolk village. Then a second reptilian head, followed by a third head rise to the surface as all of them seem to start moving towards the bank you are riding along. A forth and fifth head rise to the surface behind the first three, and then continue rising on two long sinuous necks as all of them hiss at your group!
Rhavi calls out, "That is a Hydra, a large, cumbersome magical amphibious beast that heals rapidly!"
Initiative: Bold Names Go!
Albert [19/35]
Rhavi [24/31]
Jackob [25/35]
Rillka [22/22]
Sir Andreas [14/43]
Hyrda [?/?]
[ooc]On a random note. A hydra is not the worst thing you can run into around here. It's close...but not the worst. So there is always that.
"Keep your distance! Sir Andreas and I will take the lead."
Albert takes out his pearl of power and uses it to restore his shield spell.
"Don't fight it! just Run!
Lights and glowing multi colored fog gathers around the oracles hands. With a word Jackob sends the glowing, dancing cloud towards the Hydra.
"Weapons down, stay away, it only works if you do not threaten it!"
No Spells remaining.
Then lead us away from the monster! Rillka calls out as she follows Jacob.
I have heard tales of such creatures but never imagine that they would be real.
He pulls back on the reins as his horse instinctively places them between the enemy and the group.
Albert take point and get us out of here. Ride and pay attention to the terrain for dangers that could take out our mounts.
He looks over his shoulder at the creature as it moves towards them.
Rilka keep Tig close by you and follow Albert. The rest cover their backside. I am not fighting that thing, but I am the best to survive if it catches up to us from behind. Ride hard.
Killka keeps Tig near as they ride away from the beast; but they are a step behind Jackob and not waiting for Albert. Tillman will keep an eye out for him, knowing that he and Andreas both have a thing for attempting heroic last stands.
Albert takes point and begins leading the group away from the river.
"To me! To me! We do not fight today, if we can help it."
The group takes to the hills and races away. Even through the thick brush and muddy ground, the horse are faster then the giant monster lumbering behind you and after a short ride for the hills the creature gives up and returns to the river.
The rest of the journey back to town is tiring, but over the next two days you are unmolested and find your way back to the capitol.
As Sir Andreas and the small council return to the capital, they find the city in an uproar. Joy and appreciation for the safe return of Tig are hampered by rumors flying of several deaths in the few days the group was out looking for the lost boy.
The group sees Tig returned to his parents and then quickly finds themselves gathering in the main room of the inn with a roaring crowd. The other members of the full council who are in town currently also make their way to join in on the hearing. Akilina has a woman in tow with her and she motions the woman to stand near where the council sits. Merideth, a farmer from north of the town also moves forward with a tiefling in tow.
Akilina motions for the crowd to stop yelling and after a bit she complies. She then tells the council, "There are apparently several deaths or murders around the capital. I have been dealing with some family mattters, so I asked Saoirse to investigate, but she has had little time to do it. Still, I brought her here to tell you what she knows."
Before Saorise can speak, the farmer Merideth intervenes and says, [b]"A bunch of my animals were killed a couple of days ago as well. I went to the Druid in the forest and he sent Duzz to aid in figuring out what is doing this to my cows."
"Greeting, Lords and Ladies." And then there was silence, at least for a moment. Duzz had this power, whenever he spoke for the first time among strangers, his strong voice carrying over and surprising folk. And then there were the murmurs and the comments of surprise. Always the same, but this did not make it any easy for his anxiety. At least this time no one was bleating about him being possessed by a demon, not yet at least.
"Old Then has sent me..." Because he was probably tired of Duzz sleeping the whole day. That wasn't fair, of course, because that was what one was supposed to do when on vacations. Some people did take long vacations, about a year-long. "... to help with the cows but also to talk about the proper ways for this booming town to grow and prosper alongside the precious earth, and trees, and waters and sky. And animals." His stretched fingers are weaving together to paint a better picture. Old Then did not used the word "booming" though, but he was old beyond what was reasonable and had long reached that age were people stop giving a f@&* about what people thing about their words.
He sounded very certain of his abilities and that would not be fair. "If I can and I'm allowed, of course."
At Akilina's gesture, the tall, stunning young woman that steps forward, does so with the fluid grace of a dancer, introducing herself with the ease of one likely equally comfortable in a rowdy tavern, or a high court. Long fiery hair with a patch of snowy white, compliments eyes that shine with the color of amber, standing out starkly against her pale, almost flawless complexion, accented by a subtle hint of freckling, and a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.
Her garb is both colorful and complementary, with flair of color and personality, highlighting an elegantly tooled chain shirt reminiscent of roiling clouds. A simple, well-made rapier adorns her hip.
Her eyes taking in each of the council members, the woman performs a small curtsey, the gesture feeling as much an honorific as an introduction. ”It is a pleasure to be before the council, though I wish it were under different circumstances.” she begins in a voice filled with a strong musical resonance, yet a disarmingly familiar warmth.
”I have been working with Lady Akilina, to help her keep abreast of the goings on within this blossoming community, and under her direction, have been investigating the odd set of disappearances over the last few days.”
”The first was Saki, a barmaid who works here at the inn actually….she apparently never made it home after her last shift, and the current fear is that some ill fate befell her. The second was a boy named Beven who watched over a flock of sheep. He hasn’t been seen in well over a day, and the people I’ve talked to so far seem to believe he’s been killed. Possibly quite violently.”she continues, letting the impact of her report settle on the council as she meets the gaze of the council.
Jackob turns to the newcomers.
"Welcome, a glad meeting though with bad news."
to business.
"I wonder if the three incidents are related? Where did Saki live and when waas her last shift? Where was Breven's flock and where were Merideth's animals killed?"
Andreas nods at the new commers as he listens to the words and the words of the council. He pauses as for the other members to speak.
Rillka mostly listens and takes notes as people in the crowd speak, particularly about where events occurred and when. She will ask individuals in the crowd what she can, focusing on facts, when things occurred, where they occurred, any details.
Rillka does speak to Tall Folk for a moment, Sir Andreas, I would recommend that we have Saoirse and Duzz join our company, as they seem best informed of these events.
As Rillka suggests having herself and the goat-man Duzz join them, Saoirse looks askance of Akilina, excited at the prospect of being of further service, and determined to get to the bottom of this potentially deadly mystery.
"So the rumors about this boy Beven goes from missing to killed and then to killed violently?" That was quite a sequence of leaps to the point of putting the whole report in a very questionable light.
Duzz smiles at Rillka and bows slightly.
There was just too many information missing to even bother starting with the theories. "If you give me some time, I could talk to the remaining of Merideth's cows as well as the sheep Breven was watching. If there are dogs or cats that live around the inn, they might also know about Safi."
You believe Beven tended to be more west of the town as he watered his sheep at the lake instead of a river or well from what you saw on your own outings around the town.
Merideth's cows would have also been somewhere to the northwest of the city probably based on what you know.
Geography There are no roads or waterways that directly link the three. Merideth and Beven probably both used the lake or small creeks to water their animals. But there is no obvious connection based on geography other then all of them lived outside of the small capital.
Andreas nods at Rillka and turns to the council.
This should be investigated. We should purchase some livestock in Restov to replace those that were lost. Everyone is struggling to make this new city work. The loss of livestock puts more stress on an already stressful life. It is the least we can do to help those in need. I also agree with Lady Rillka... The more eyes on this the better.
He turns to the citizens.
I appreciate the information that you have given us. I would ask that you pass along any other details you may have, not matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I also would ask that Duzz and Saoirse come forth.
Duzz does just so with two knocks from his hooves on the wooden floor.
Rillka will share all the information provided with the council, Saoirse and Duzz.
Saoirse responds with a bow.
"I would be happy to do so, M'lord." She says stepping forward, eager to proceed with the investigation.
Rillka eyes the pair; they balanced one another in so many ways. Although she could barely contain a laugh when Saoirse bowed to Andreas.
For love of Shelyn, do not think about calling me “lady”. she says to Saoirse, with a smile, friendly, but serious.
And thank you both for taking such efforts for our city. Rillka’s look, tone and emphasis of “our” is one of genuine appreciation for the efforts of a peer.
You have a plan, Tall Folk? Hopefully something that starts with a hot meal, a hot bath, and a nights rest? Rillka asks Andreas.
Saoirse grins in response to Rillka's friendly warning. "Aye, duly noted." she replies with a smirk.
"As you wish, M'lord." Duzz replies to Rillka, as she requested. When anxious, some humour always helped him.
Purchase what supplies you need and meet us here tomorrow morning. We will discuss what leads to run down and go from there. I want this taken care of as soon as possible. I do not like to see our citizens hurt in any way.
While his voice is calm there is a tone of concern underneath.
If you would indulge me later this evening, I would like to know more about the two of you.
"Of course." Saoirse replies with a nod.
Once the council meeting ends, She confers with Lady Akilina, before heading back to the room she rents at the inn to ready the rest of her gear, not thinking of anything she needs to purchase in preparation.
"I'll be happy to talk later, Sir Andreas, preferably over a mug of ale and a bite or two of something nice." Some strong ale would be nice. Any ale would, to be honest... oh, how he missed them. Wine was also nice, as well as the stronger stuff, but ale, oh, it was something else. The dark one from the Two Foxes in Arvendale and the picles.