Faolan, unfamiliar with this place and its purpose, says nothing, instead nervously looking around at all the walls and strange people.
Selim reaches his hand across the table and shakes the dwarf's hand. "Thank you for your time. We look forward to sharing news of our success with you in the near future."
As the party exits, he turns toward his new friends. "As we thought, this won't be easy especially since that guy last night smoked us out. Any ideas for getting the upper hand? Could we pretend to be a merchant traveling that area and act as bait for our own ambush?"
"A forward scout might give us an advantage. Assumin' they can stay outta sight and not get caught", Bjorkus rumbles in suggestion.
"We could also try using their scouts against 'em. We know they have men in the city watching for trouble. If we could track one down, we could follow him back to their camp and avoid whatever traps they've laid."
"I'm pretty sneaky, and I'm used to the woods," Faolan volunteers. "And they haven't seen what I really look like."
He stops suddenly, as he realizes he'd just admitted he *had* another form to these relative strangers.
"Yes, when we gave chase this morning, I noticed that you're ... different," says Quentin to Faolan. "And that's fine. We all have secrets, I'm sure. But if you're going to scout ahead, and we're going to get into a fight in the woods, then maybe you should describe what you 'really look like' so that we don't mistake you for something else and accidentally shoot you with a crossbow."
He smiles a crooked smile. "Just a thought."
Addressing Bjorkus, Selim says, "Finding another one would be tough...unless we were to be rather cavalier about talking about catching the bandits and have two of our number actively scanning for either parties that are interested in what we are saying or racing away from us to warn their buddies...like that fellow at Kings."
Selim cocks his head at Faolan as they walk. "What you really...look...like. Yes I agree with Quentin. That seems like information we can all benefit from."
"So I believe we discussed now checking in with the Pulantis to see if there is any tie between problems they are having and our bandits."
"Ummm... maybe when there's not other people around I can show you..." Faolan suggests uncertainly. Suibhne had said some people might be afraid of his real form, or at least not like it, but these people didn't seem like they'd do either of those.
"But, umm, I actually look kind of like a fox, but standing on two feet, and with hands."
"Well, that's different," says Quentin, his eyebrows raised. "Thank you, Faolan. I appreciate the trust."
To Selim, he says, "Fine. The Pulanti estate next. There probably isn't a connection with the bandits, but at least it'll give us time to come up with a good strategy against them."
Celebrindal shrugs with her shoulders and replies.
"Well do oyu really think this will give you some gain?"
Quentin shrugs back. "Probably not, but heading directly for the bandits now sounds like a lousy idea. Rather wait a bit and see if I get inspired. Heh."
"We could go see what's wrong with that boar instead," Faolan suggests.
"I understand you are a man of the forest, Faolan...but what is it about this boar that intrigues you?"
Faolan frowns. "Boars don't bother people if they're not in their territory, but this one just started to recently. That means there's either something wrong with it or people just started getting into its territory. And it didn't sound like these people had moved recently, so I think there's something wrong with the boar."
"We will only find it out once we investigate!"
the young elven woman chirps and nods.
"It can only smell better!"
Quentin says, "Fine with me. Who knows, the boar's activity could be due to the bandits moving into its hunting grounds. Worth a look."
"Bjorkus - If it's alright with you, maybe we'll check out this boar issue first. Depending on what we find, we can either then head back to the Pulantis or push on to the bandits."
"A fight's a fight", the bull rumbles in agreement. "Faolan, do you believe you can track this boar?"
"Well it depends on the opponent. Chess is war but not a fight!"
Faolan nods. "It's near Oldrock River. I know the place. And I have a good nose when..." he hesitates, then finishes, "When I'm myself."
Bustling city surrounds your senses as you wander back through the cacophony of sound and motion. Carts bustling down the street alongside you, criers and peddlers combating for your attention. You cross the river and make your way back to the King's Road. Crossing the threshold of the gatehouse and into the comparably serene countryside outside the gates.
There is still a few people and carts making their way into and out of the city but not in the density that you had just experienced. You are however greeted by a high situated sun casting a cascading light through some minuscule clouds kissing your face in a flowing warmth.
Your master lives along the way within the forest alongside the Oldrock river, If you chose to you could direct your party there for shelter etc. As you can see on the map there is quite a bit of forest and plains along the river.
As they leave town, Faolan takes a deep breath and seems to relax somewhat. "It's so much better out here," he comments to the others with a grin. "Why do people like cities so much?"
He turns back to the road, cocking his head to one side in thought. "We could visit my friend Suibhne on the way. He's a druid so he might know why this boar is bothering people."
Celebrindal nods at Faolan and smiles."Well, this seems like a good idea. Maybe he knows more!"
"I hear you Faolan. But I think what draws people to the city is that it is seen as where the action is. Some people just like to be around other people. I have to say, for me personally I've never been much of a country boy. Not because of any preference necessarily...it is just where I was raised.
Who is Suibhne?"
"He's the druid that raised me," Faolan answers, as if that should be enough for anyone. "And lots of things happen outside of cities. Do people just not see it?"
"Oh, I see it - I'm just not fond of it," says Quentin. "Bad experiences in the woods. At least in the cities, I can understand the emotions, even from people trying to kill me."
"There's plenty of fun to be had in the wild", Bjorkus chimes in. "And I trust Faolan to keep us from gettin' lost."
Celebrindal smiles at Faolan and listens to his stories of the forest while walking to the druid.
Faolan nods at Quentin. "Well you do better than me. I don't understand people. Animals are much easier for me."
Celebrindal moves through the forest, enjoying the smell of fresh trees and of wildflowers.
How can one stand the smell in the cities?
The party trotted along the King's road heading west ward. You are able to reach the Oldrock River at an enjoyable pace. You soon realize that the bridge has been washed away, most likely due to the abundant rains that the locals farmers have been blessed with.
Striking you as quite awkward that a bridge of such trading and transport importance would be left broken started to flow through each of your minds. You then hear a twin drone of two insects within some of the nearby trees.
Looking over you notice that they are nearly 30 feet above the ground within the branches of the tree and are flying erratically, striking yellow and black markings and a coat of bristling hairs cover these immense bees. Their stingers are the size of a dagger blade.
"Beware companions. I don't like the look of those...insects....Faolan - What do you make of them?"
From where he is, Selim can only squint his eyes, trying to make out the intent of the bees.
He pulls a chakram that was attached to his bag and takes a step away from the group.
"Why would they let the bridge..." Quentin's thoughts are interrupted by the sight and sound of the massive insects.
"Maybe something has agitated them," he muses aloud. He adds, "I'll try to get closer to the riverbed. See what's what." He starts moving quietly toward the water.
Bjorkus grumbles as he readies his shield. "Any chance we could get them to move past us?"
"It might depend on what's bothering them," says Quentin as he moves away.
The large bee's spent no time at all keeping to them selves, and launched them selves abdomens leading toward Bjorkus, trying to skewer the Minotaur with their best efforts.
Whether a combination of a thick hide or unnatural pain tolerance, Bjorkus looked unphased by the assault.
Moving into flanking position Celebrindal attacks the first bee.
Bjorkus growls in defiance as he rears back for a swipe with his axe.
Faolan snarls and steps up beside Bjorkus. As he does his hands again blur into owl talons, feathers sprouting from his forearms. He slashes at the nearer of the two giant bees with his taloned hands.
As the giant insects move toward the group, Quentin exclaims, "Belial's Boils!" and he moves back toward his companions. Then he concentrates.
A nimbus of pink, black, and gray energy surrounds his hands, and he quickly thrusts one arm forward, sending a ray of destructive force at one of the foes.