The wolf considers his new name for a moment, then stands, his tail wagging for a moment and rubs his shoulder against you in agreement. He seems to be pleased everything is settled and gives a wolf grin as he awaits your instructions.
Jory stands slowly, jerky forgotten on the way to his mouth.
”Is that.....is that a wolf? Aren’t they dangerous?”
”Generally...” Darian says as he slowly and steadily knocks an arrow into his bowstring.
Lisl seems mildly surprised at the new arrival, but not overly so.
"Wolves may be the stories foes of shepherds, but dogs have been constant companions to people for as long as recorded history, and perhaps beyond. If Freya has made a friend of this one, then I trust her judgment."
With a smile on her face that the others had yet to see on the Ulfen woman's face, Freya practically skips back to the temporary camp.
"Seems that I've added another friend to go along with Muninn" she says gesturing skyward toward her raven, "and...Vili, yes Vili." refocusing her gaze toward her previously unnamed horse.
"Everyone, this is Fenrir. I think he'll be a fine addition to our group." Freya says still grinning and occasionally running her hand along the side of the wolf.
”Companion to some...nuisance to others.” Darian mutters in reply to Lisl, thinking back to his mother’s annoying pomeranion Harcule. ”But this is no dog...this is an actual wolf.”
As Freya returns with her new friend, Darian eyes it anxiously. ”Are you certain it is safe? What of its pack?”
"I am certain." Freya says. "Have you never heard of the druids of the Green Faith? It is rather common for them to form a bond with a companion animal, wolves included."
Turning her attention quickly back to the wolf, she commands, "Fenrir, down." Shortly after the wolf lays down.
"Come on over and say hello, Darian. He won't hurt you or any of our little group, mounts included." Freya says, trying to reassure Darian and any other party member that may still be skeptical.
Jory remembers what he held in his hand. ”Do you think he likes jerky?” Jory approaches Fenrir cautiously and holds out a portion of his evening ration.
Darian moves over slowly, cautiously holding his closed left fist down for the animal to smell, his sword hand remaining ready just in case.
"I assure you he does, Jory." Freya says still grinning.
"Fenrir, gentle." she tells the wolf as Jory approaches. Fenrir slowly reaches up toward the offered morsel, taking the edge of jerky furthest from Jory with a slow, deliberate bite.
"Good boy." Freya says. "See, Darian, he's fine."
As the bard approaches and offers his hand to the wolf, Fenrir sniffs at Darian's hand for a few seconds before giving it a quick lick.
Darian will gently stroke the canine predators fur, looking back to Isabel with a look of wonder. I’d have never thought I’d be actually petting a wolf like it was mother’s pet!
As the group becomes acclimated to their new addition, he mounts back up and checks to see if the others are ready to continue.
The next day is another peaceful ride through green plains, no sign of any habitation remains here, if there ever was?
The days starts out grey and still, a growing pressure that hints at a coming storm. As you travel along a wide stream you begin to notice tracks. Fenrir sniffs and gives a low growl at one set that looks fresh.
Kasper nickers angrily as the wolf appears to Freya, but Roksana keeps him calm so he doesn't panic the other horses as well. "Relax, she knows what she's doing." I Hope. She thinks to herself as the woman hands her food to the beast.
She raises an eyebrow as Freya names the canine and welcomes it into the fold, almost too casually to make any sense, but when she considers her own relationship with Kasper, she shrugs it off and smiles at Fenrir.
"You can help us hunt, and maybe sniff out any bandits we need to get, yeah?"
Just a few days later, the wolf proves her right by sensing something in the air. Roks instantly begins looking for any tracks or signs of travel nearby that might clue her in to why Fenrir is suddenly on edge.
"Aye, he'll be able to help us hunt for food and track what needs tracking." Freya says to Rok, a bit more of her previously stoic behavior returning.
(scent tracking)
Due to the softness of the ground the tracks are on it's easy enough to see they were made by some type of humanoid with webbed feet.
As you study the tracks you can see them softening as water seeps back in to the depression they make. Whoever made them is close ahead of you.
Boggards. Bestiary 37.
What are you doing?
”Do we have any means of communicating with them? What language do they speak?” Darian asks Isabel and the group at large. ”No need to pick a fight with anything or anyone we don’t have to.”
"I would say careful would be best." Freya comments as she and Fenrir slowly follow the tracks.
|
"They have their own language I think." Isabel responds, her nose wrinkling as she frowns in thought. "They might speak some common, but given that they are basically frog people I wouldn't bet on it..."
The group moves on before Isabel speaks again. "I'll try and talk to them, they might speak one of the forest tongues if not common. Please come and rescue me if they decide I'd look nicer on a plate!" She laughs but you all know Isabel well enough by now to see that its is not genuine mirth. Her hand snakes out to hold Darian's tightly as the tracks continue. Once they reach a terminus she takes a deep breath, straightens her back and calls out. "Hello, we would like to speak with you!" first in common, then sylvan and finally in elven.
”I will be with you, my love,” Darian says as he squeezes her hand in return. ”I have a...trick of sorts...to help one of them understand us, though we must convince it to allow me to touch it to do so. If all else fails, we at least have that option.”
As Isabel calls out across the woodlands, Jory slowly moves toward the edge of the group, eyes and ears alert for any response.
————
"I shall call for Abadar to guide you to peaceful trade and co-operation," says Lisl. She gently touches Isabel's arm.
The terrain has grown difficult as you follow the tracks, you struggle through the heavy growth until Fenrir gives a low growl, warning you of trouble.
Up ahead you see a crossing, one where the Boggards have obviously decided to ambush you. You can all see the hulking frog men poorly concealed in the scrub and stream.
|
|
Seeing the boggards 'hiding' makes Isabel wary, but she doesn't completely abandon hope. Standing in the middle of the path - but a few feet back from the stream so as to not seem threatening - she focuses on the nearest boggard, opens her hands and calls out. "We don't want any trouble. We are exploring the area and would like to pass through. We will never trouble you again if you let us go now." She starts in common, and repeats herself in sylvan if common has no impact.
Freya and Fenrir stand back at the ready should Isabel's attempt at diplomacy not bear fruit.
Jory steps forward next to Fenrir, eyeing the crossing warily, crossbow readied.
Darian stands beside Cladissa, weapons sheathed but prepared to defend her if necessary.
The frogmen blink in incomprehension as the lovely Mesmerist speaks to them.
Orange straightens up from his crouch in the stream and his throat puffs up alarmingly. A Terrifying Croak issues from him.
Isabel, Freya & Fenrir Will saves please. DC13 or Shaken for 1d4 rounds.
Purple sees this as his chance and jets out of the water to attack Isabel
His brutal weapon smashing into her.
Battle order up top. Combat is on!
Darian readies his sword and shield, and activates his aura as he ushers Isabel behind him, ”Get behind me!”
__________
Lisl sees that conflict is imminent and, as one of the boggards leaps at Isabel, she flashes her holy symbol and calls out, "Abadar, protect us against this barbarity!"
- Fail
Freya, somewhat disturbed by the eerie croak, pulls and loads her crossbow while telling Fenrir, "Attack!
(shaken)
Following the command, Fenrir snarls and rushes at the offending creature, biting at the boggard with the orange sheen.
As the frogmen leap to the attack, Jory sights down his crossbow and fires.
_______
The Boggards swarm forward with wild croaks.
Purple keeps attacking Isabel
Smashing her to the ground with a brutal blow.
Orange tries to strike the wolf savaging him.
And misses pathetically in his panicked flailing.
Teal, Red & Yellow scramble over the stream and move closer to you.
Green has been hanging back, readying to do something when a Trapdoor spider the size of man pops out of it's concealed lair and attacks him.
Green shrieks in shock and fright as the spiders fangs miss closely. It darts back under cover.
[b]Isabel can make her check to stabilize. And it's back to the top of the order. So you can all go again.[/ooc]
Fenrir continues to bite and tear at the orange toned boggard.
(bless, inspire)
(inspire)
(bless, inspire)
Meanwhile Freya adjusts her position ever so slightly before taking aim at the red skinned boggard with her crossbow before firing and reloading.
(bless, inspire)
(inspire)
Lisl leans down and brushes Isabel with her holy symbol , then takes a step forward and brings her shield up in preparation to fight the boggard that felled her companion.
”Isabel!” Darian shouts as she falls. He focuses on the task at hand, maintaining his aura for his allies first, then stepping back to safely work magic to staunch his lover’s wounds.
__________
Jory snaps another bolt home and fires at the approaching creatures.
______
(Bless, Inspire Courage)
(Inspire Courage)
"Isabel get back! We'll keep these bastards occupied!" Roks shouts as she rushes into the fray. "Get to Kasper, he'll defend you!"
Even as she shouts her commands she brings her weapon down on the boggard in front of her fallen friend.
Lisl stops the bleeding on Isabel with a quick spell.
Darian Brings her back to consciousness with his own magic.
Jory sends another bolt hissing into Teal with efficient accuracy.
Rok hustles up and nearly caves in Purples head with a hammer blow.
Freya starts shooting, her bolt thudding into Red.
Fenrir savages Orange again, this time tripping the frogman and sending him to the ground with a panicked croak.
The Trapdoor spider again jumps out at Green
Green
The fangs barely penetrating the thick hide before the spider returns to it's lair.
Yellow scrambles through the brush and swings at Lisl
His blow skidding off her armor.
Purple croaks in pain and lashes back at Rok
His blow hitting her at a weak point in her armor.
Red also swings at the menacing Cavalier.
His blow going wide.
Teal joins in attacking Rok.
Missing as well.
Orange is croaking in fear as he's on his back with fangs flashing at his throat. He scramble to his feet.
Taking a deep wound as Fenrir takes a large piece out of him.
Orange then tries to drive the wolf off him.
Green is looking around desperately for the spider?
The party can now attack again.
Darian thrusts his sword somewhat at the seemingly well-trained Boggard, but is more focused on keeping Isabel safe than striking his target.
__________
Working hard to clear a space around Isabel, Lisl lashes out with her spiked shield at the wounded boggart before her (purple).
Fenrir continues his assault of the orange tinged boggard, biting at him again.
(bless, inspire)
(inspire)
(bless, inspire)
Meanwhile, Freya moves around and focuses her gaze on the yellow sheened boggard that threatens Lisl.
Freya's eerie gaze send Yellow slumping to the ground asleep.
Lisl Blindsides Purple as he is over extended in attack Rok, her shield caving in his ribs and ending his life.
Fenrir lets Orange get up, then sends him screaming to the ground again with another savage bite to his legs.
Jory advances to join his companions, drawing his rapier.