As the group leaves Oleg's again Quince speaks a blessing as the wardens set out. "Once again we travel the trails and off, watch over us with a notched arrow, guide us in our hunt, bring us back once more to hearth and home." He settles back in the saddle and smirks looking about a moment, "Here we go again."
"These are the radishes Svetlana needs. Think they will last long enought to get them home to her?"
Quince frowns when he sees the spear. "Not a good sign."
[ooc]At the Camp
]"Hmmm, seems the camp isn't deserted anymore, but I can't see much more..." Angeus says, leaning forward in her saddle.
+2 if human
"You are right Angeus, could be a known camp for the bandits and this was another group out on patrol of something. Lets ride up and say hello."
To keep it simple, Kevros just spent time resting, fixing up equipment, doing stuff around the keep, and making crossbow bolts unless there are some for sale or there are some locked up in the shed with the rest of the treasure {I can not view resources until tonight}? Next time that we are back, I will do more what I wanted.
Kevros will remain with the horses on guard since someone needs to stay with the horses and Kevros armor is not good for sneaking up on groups.
Kevros attempts to look at the camp but gets something in his eye and starts trying to get it out whatever it is, "You guys go up ahead and I will stay with the horses if you want to get a better look. I have something in my eye."
Those around the fire continue to talk.
Tristan will ready his shield and continue forward remaining unarmed.
"That's Baerik. Watch your flank for that panther over there. It seems it may be a companion of one of them."
Riding forward.
Hello Baerik. Good to see you again. Trading with these hunters are you?
Tristan looks at the hunters closely to see if they carry the stagg lord symbol.
"Panther?"
Kevros continues to wait with the horses and on guard until asked to come in or the fighting starts.
Angeus moves her horse forward with Tristan, grinning widely as Baerik is revealed.
Waving her hand, she indicates the tree where the panther lurks, "Yeah, a panther, up there...Is that one of yours, boys?" she asks the hunters.
The hunters look up with weapons in hand ready to fight if need be, the one with a bow does not aim it yet.
At the mention of the panther they all seem to be a bit more nervous and the ones who see it keep their eye on the panther as the others look back at your group approaching.
Baerik waits a few moments then responds to Tristan in his deep baritone voice, "Hail Tristan, yes you could say I am trading with them. I am always looking to better the men in these lands. Oh the panther above is one of my new friends."
The panther climbs slowly down the tree and transforms into a lithe elven maiden in a kind of green armor, likely made of leaves of some sort. She nods her head to the host gathered and sits at the base of the tree.
"Good to see you again. Sorry for the intrusion. We were passing by and are in search of the Stag Lord, this was once one of his bandit camps so we thought we would check it out as we passed by. We don't wich to keep you from your company. I am sure we will see each other again. Take care."
Tristan pulls his horse back and looks to ride away.
"If no one has any business, We should keep moving."
Finally getting the dirt out of his eye, Kevros rides in first looking at Tristan then the rest of trading group,
"It is good to see they are conducting normal and civil trade. Well met, If you have not seen anything out of the ordinary or wish to report something, then yes, we will be on our way."
Kevros angles his horse to ride away as well.
Quince looks surprised at transformed elf. He tilts his head quizzically. Thinking to himself. I wonder if she is a simple druid who are known for such transitions or is she like me. He looks deep in thought his eyes shifting to Angeus. How would she react to see me turn fox or half fox?
"None who dare travel the need warning to be careful, yet it should be known that the Stag Lord has lost a home and many men. I know he favors conscription. If you hear or see anything of note let us know."
"And if I find this Stag Lord that has been a thorn in this area's side, should I take his head?" Bearik asks.
The hunters become more at ease with the conversation developing and the parties around seem to be non threatening.
-----
Soon the wardens are off again searching the area more completely. Taking their time to forage as they explore the area.
Finding more forest than any other terrain, another day passes with little excitement.
"I think we should search the area and then the ruins. Probably be able to camp there and search them better. What say the rest of you?"
"Sounds good till the bear shows up." Quince chuckles.
Angeus sees Quince study the transformed Elf, then look at her. She gives him a little, uncertain smile, before turning to Baerik "Good to see you safe and hale, Baerik. Indeed, let us know if you come across and sighs of His Stagness."
With a wave, she says "Yes, the ruins sounds interesting..."
Kevros nods to Bearik, "Bearik, if you can bring the Stag Lord to justice, then by all means do so but I must warn you. He is a tough adversary so I am going to advise against it. Like my fellow Wardens already stated, I recommend you notify us if you see him. Thank you!"
Riding and surviving along the way ...
Unfortunately, Kevros exit the Brevoy military before he had survival training.
"Search the area and then hit the ruins, sounds good to me."
"Looks like we will be eating good."
Quince grabbed a sack of onions and Stalker gave him a hand.
The wardens find much more forest and an abandoned hut of some kind. Within are a few utensils and an old cauldron. Nothing much to salvage but if you searched it more thoroughly perhaps you might find something.
-----
At the ruins...
The thick tangle of brambles gives way into a large clearing in the woods, its border partially defined by ruined stone pillars. The western face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, upthrust ridge of rock, nearly 300 feet across and rising to a moss-topped height of 100 feet at the center. The side of this towering boulder facing the clearing has been carved in the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers drooping down from its weathered face to frame a 50-foot wide cave entrance. A flight of stone steps leads up to this cave entrance from the forest clearing—both the steps and elk face feel quite old and are thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A 50-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae. The water in the pool is foul and stagnant.
"It is a site devoted to Erastil . . . my own god. It looks to have fallen to disrepair." He takes a few steps toward the shrine and kneels praying quietly.
After a few moments he stands and looks at the size of the site, "Wow,I am humbled." He frowns rising, "I would hope that one who is willing to blaspheme Erastil by taking the name Stag-Lord would not sully such a place with their presence." He mumbles another prayer and his shield glows. "Shall we take a look?"
"Is it wise, Quince. If it's been desacrated or despoiled, won't Erastil be wroth?" Angeus asks softly, cowed a little by the magnificence of the carven boulder.
"It should be restored . . ." He speaks absently taking in the site. He shakes himself out of it. "I suppose the bear might be 'strange' cause he sent it . . . but I am not sure where that leaves us."
"OK, if you think it's alright." she says, sliding off of her mount, tying it securely to a nearby tree.
She then slowly advances into the ruin, eyes flicking here and there....
Kevros nods to Quince's "eating well" comment, "Yes it does Quince, thank you for helping locate food."
Kevros being a very light follower of Erastil, shows some interest. He watches Quince pray but is not ready to become more devoted quite yet and pray with him. However, he is feeling devoted enough to help Quince restore the shrine, "I agree, let's free the shrine of desecration and restore as soon as we can."
Kevros also dismounts his horse and has his crossbow out at the ready keeping his eyes on a swivel for trouble.
A few birds fly by and the place is rife with wildlife. The plants in the area seem to be growing just fine all over the abandoned temple.
Katrina would dismount at the same time as Quince and follow in his footsteps. She seems in awe of the place. When Quince kneels down to pray she does in similar fashion. Though she stays down and continues to pray as he gets up. She will continue to pray for another few minutes quietly to herself.
The grass around Katrina begins to become vibrant with life and grows about a half of an inch. Green glowing leaves begin to materialize around her and slowly swirl around her as she prays. They started to form around Quince but then he stopped praying.
Stalker keeps an eye on the horses and of the surrounding area with bow in hand. He quietly says, "There must be a reason I have never seen this place before."
"I wonder . . ." Quince looks about, "I heard a tale about a temple to Erastil in the Stolenlands the priest was cursed for lack of faith."
He advances forward toward the steps, mace and shield at the ready.
"I wonder do cursed priests become strange bears?"
Angeus stops in her advance as Katrina starts her prayers, looking back , her eyes widen at the rapid plant growth that seems to respond to Katrina.
She shadows Quince as he comes to the steps, crossbow ready...
Kevros dismounts with his crossbow at the ready and hands overs the reins of Hala and gives stalker the hand signal of elven friendship,
Kevros steps up and kneels with his crossbow at his side but keeps his hand on it, then he starts to pray with deep conviction, "Erastil, hear my prayer to change that. I have not always believed in you but now is the time. Please give us the strength to over come the Stag Lord and most importantly, restore your temple to glory. If I am not worthy of your blessing, please give your blessing to those who do. May you reign forever in the heavens."
Quince glances back toward Kevros and then at Katrina, he motions to Angeus to stop. "Something is stirring already . . .I almost missed it." He returns to his knees. "Forgive my impatience Lord, my eagerness to explore. I feel the life here, this place . . . may it be always yours sacred to the name and glory of Erastil." He continues in reverence but does not speak after a pause he begins to sing liturgy common at gatherings devoted to Erastil in Breyvoy.
Kevros, Angeus, Tristan, and Stalker hear a beast as it comes roaring and charging out of the temple proper. A large crazed brown bear!
24 Angeus (could hide next to the pool)
20 Bear*
19 Kevros
12 Tristan
12 Quince*
12 Stalker
5 Katrina*
Quince
Kevros
Angeus
Tristan
Katrina
Stalker
Bear
Tristan
Quince
Stalker
"BEAR!!!"
Kevros gets up with his crossbow, looks at Quince with a smirk, "No Quince, it's a large angry wolf." Then he looks to Tristan and Stalker, "Can either of you calm the bear or do we need to subdue it or worse?"
Tristan walks around the grounds as Quince and Katrina pray. He hears the low growls as the grizzly burst fourth. With shield in hand he approaches the beast with his other hand held high trying to make himself look as big as possible.
"Calm down boy, Calm down"
"Uuummm.... It looks realy hostile. Defend yourselves."
Surprise Round
Her head snaps around at the sound of the very angry, very big animal coming out of the cave, Angeus leaps behind a collection of rocks and foliage, hoping the creature passes her by....
After exclaiming Quince's language skill leaves him and he says something swiftly in Celestial.
He looks about still on his knees and seems surprised that Angeus is gone. He nods grimly seeing that Tristan's attempt to calm the beast failed.
As combat begins with the charging bear Stalker groans and drops to the ground. The vines of his curse seem to be acting up and he pulls off his cloak and coat. His arms now bare to reveal the vines appear to be constricting his arms and neck. It looks like he will be out of the battle as he tries to simply stay alive against his own problem.
24 Angeus (likely delaying)
20 Bear*
19 Kevros
12 Tristan
12 Quince
12 Stalker
5 Katrina
Angeus you are not sure if the bear saw you or not, for he is still moving towards the group... The bear moves off to its left, for the columns do appear a bit tight for it to get through, around and then back directly to Quince. It was not able to charge so it is done next to Quince snarling and ready to pounce upon the man.
Round 1
Confident that the bear didn't see her, Angeus pops out from concealment and fires her crossbow.
...but the was startled by the bear's quickness, her shot spraying wide.
Round 1
Tristan draws his blade and tries to put the crazed beast down.
Kevros adjusts his position to get a clear shot of the bear, "Well I guess we eat bear meat tonight if it is not tainted by this place? Katrina please see if you can do anything for Stalker but be careful of the vines? I wonder if this is the point of origin for these our mysterious vine disease? Kevros then shoots at the bear.
Ammo: 3/5
Quince rises from kneeling.
Quince strikes at the bear with his morning star.
ROUND 1 ADJUSTMENTS