Cant say that Ive ever ridden a bear before Asbjorn but Im willing to give it a go. How long can you maintain that form?
"Depending upon the how many times I assume this form per day will change how log we are able to travel. I have shifted once this day already, but I have enough reserved to do so one more time this day. We should be able to make half a days time before I must assume the form you see before you now."
Oh, you propose we leave now? Well ok then. Sir Elyin, if you all no longer require our assistance here it sounds like we will be on our way. Everyone ready then?
Everyone ready then?
"Oh! Wait, I must see Lumi once more."
Kreg runs over to Lumi and gives his new friend and huge crush a big hug. "Lumi, I know we have just met, but you seem like a lovely and kind soul. I shall do my best to correct what has happened here today, with you on my mind." he says and then flashes her one of his sideways grins.
Elyin shakes his head. "Thank you all so much. I can say no more thanks, but your presence here may have been my greatest wedding gift. With this" -- he nods to his missing leg -- "there's little I could do to deal with this threat."
Lumi seems surprised by Kregimie's exuberance. "Th-th-thank you!" she squeaks."I hope it's not too dangerous."
Nodding his head, Asbjorn calls on the bear spirit again . The golden envelopes him and in his place stands a large grizzly. Laying on the ground for Koremar to mount up, Asbjorn readies him self to carry the elf into the wilderness at speed.
Koremar will stop Asbjorn before he can change shape.
Hold friend, let us make sure the rest of us have gathered and are ready to go first.
"Aye, friend. I am used to traveling with all I need, but you are correct in seeing to it that the others are ready for such work also. Let us rest this night and set off upon the rising sun."
I too am not used to waiting on other's but I fear we will need all the help we can get to solve this riddle. Im still shocked at the day's events.
Despite the chaos of the day, the night passes uneventfully.
With Jessarae unable to leave as she tends the injured people of the town, Elyin introduces you in the morning to a longtime resident who returned late last night, stunned to learn of the attacks in the town.
"This is Abigail Garrett," he says. "a cleric of Erastil who grew up in Bellis. She might be able to help lead you in the area, as I know the three of you are new to the area."
Feeling much better after a nights rest the elven magus smiled at the woman Elyin brought over to the group.
Its a pleasure lady Abigail. Im Koremar Auvrealylth'Hel. Not much of a warm welcome home youve had. My condolences. Im glad to hear that we'll have the benefit of your knowledge during our endeavor.
Now all we need to do is find Kreg who seems to have gone missing and we can get on our way. Unless anybody has some last minute arrangements?
Koremar looked around at the town of Bellis and was pleased to see that despite yesterdays events everything was pretty much back to normal.
Kreg wanders back to the group looking a little frustrated. "Well I tried, but I can't get Jessarae to come with us. It seems her work is here with these people."
Kreg walks up to the newcomer and shakes her hand "Pleased to meet you!" He is a little sad not to have another gnome joining the group on their journey, but this regal woman seems more than capable of holding her own.
...straight, to the point and head on the mission...I can certainly appreciate that...shes almost military minded...
Koremar spoke to the woman as he did the others; as an equal and that was saying something for his regard of humans.
...they are suprising me at every turn...perhaps grandfather was misguided in his contempt...
I have no idea what this mist is beyond exactly what it appears to be but it did manifest almost exactly when we defeated the last of the trangressors. We are headed west to seek out a druid named Devarre, Do you know him? Or his territory?
Abigail, the mists appear to be very thick, letting you see only about 20 feet in front of you. Despite the seeming unlikelihood of the mists coming so soon after the attacks, they appear natural as far as you can tell.
"A follower of a fine and trusted god I see. Let us make haste I will need to rest at the end of this day's journey to replenish my gifts, but the sooner we move the better. Again the great Ulfen calls on his connection to the great bear spirit and his form melts into that of a great grizzly. Raising his and roaring, Asbjorn and Bror prepare for the passengers to mount.
We'll do all that we can to solve this mystery Elyin. Im ready to go.
The magus will climb onto Asbjorn the bear's broad back and settle in. Making sure that Mai'Tahl was positioned where he could still be drawn he beckoned to the gnome.
You can ride with us Kreg and the Lady Abigail can ride Bror I reckon.
"Whoo-hoo!" Kreg yells as he jumps up on his "mount".
Some of the previous days melancholy slipped away at the spry gnome's enthusiasm. Koremar was actually looking forward to this adventure with the group of very diverse individuals. He hadnt left Kyonin much in what was considered a short life...for elves... so far and was curious to see more of the world.
Let us know when you get tired Asbjorn. I dont mind walking at all and you should conserve some of your strength. I have the feeling that this wont be the walk in the woods we'd like it to be.
You begin the journey in the morning, but the strange mist makes it difficult to see, casting the forest in an oppressive gloom. As you travel, even the vegetation seems to slow you, as it feels as though bushes and weeds are grasping at the legs of your ursine mounts.
Despite the difficulties, you think you manage to move in a generally western direction, though only at about half the speed Asbjorn and Bror would normally make.
That evening as you sit in a camp, with the firelight seemingly earily bright as it reflects off the clinging mist, a slender, furtive figure suddenyl separates from one of the trees at the edge of camp. It takes only a couple of steps and then collapses to the ground with a gasp of pain.
"Please... you must help us!" a small voice implores. "They came from the shadows ... inside the mist! My sisters are dying! They’re burning our trees! We have nowhere else to turn! You must help!"
The magus was suprised at the appearance of the female in such obvious distress but he was on guard and drew Mai'Tahl as he stood up.
Which way?
"Holy walking wood!!" Kreg exclaims as he witnesses the figure separate. "What is that?!"
Kregimie, after a closer look at the woman, you believe it's a dryad.
Koremar, obviously in pain, she gasps out an answer to your question: “Our grove lies in a clearing of paueliel trees just south of here. Follow the gully like a trail and it will take you there. Hurry!”
Im going to see what I can do. At least one of us should stay here.
With his blackblade in hand the elven magus takes off in the direction the female indicated.
[ooc]Koremar and Kreg are still mounted, right? If so,I'll assume Asbjorn is moving toward the direction indicated by Koremar.[/b]
Following the elf's lead, Asbjorn shouts to Bror over his shoulder,"Stay here and protect them. I will be back shortly to share the kill." With that he crashes into the woods.
Your new companions rush south, leaving you with the dryad, her face streaked with tears as she looks south with a quick glimpse of hope shining through the horror in her eyes.
A gully leads through this part of the forest, rising into a small clearing of silver-barked pauliel trees, many of which lie fallen and hewn into large piles. A bonfire bathes the fog hovering over the forest with an orange glow, its flames burning away some of the mist and replacing it with the heavy tang of woodsmoke.
A woman's screams punctuate the muted laughter of small figures capering about the fire. An elf-like female and a badly wounded unicorn lie bound upon the ground near a stack of man-sized, hand-cut logs that have been crudely carved into humanoid forms.
Kreg concludes that a creature such as this wouldnt lead his comrades into a trap so he follows them in the direction the ran. [b]"We shall keep them from burning anything else!"[b]
Initiative -
Im going to surpise the interlopers and return the violence theyve sewn with some of my own...to harm a unicorn thusly is unforgivable... Look for me in the thick of it to the left of the fire.
With that said the elf whispered a few words and with a gesture vanishes before the others and moves to get closer to the figures.
Stealth - -
Seeing the elf disappear before his eyes, Asbjorn smiles and says, "Bror and I will charge in at you first attack, elf."
Abigail, Asbjorn and Koremar, as you cast your spells and prepare to move into position, the four spriggan continue laughing at their bound victims. One of them gestures and the last pieces of one of the trees shatters into splinters, drawing a moan from the bound woman.
Kregimie, as you being to move after your companions, you see a stricken look cross the face of the woman at your campsite. She suddenly collapses, no longer moving.
Koremar was appalled at the vile creatures seemingly senseless acts of cruelty and destruction and planned on hitting them hard and fast. He calmed his mind and called upon his magic to give him the strength of a bull with which to vanquish them as he moved within range.
Stealth -
He gazed around the scene to get an idea of numbers and distance to each foe.
Perception -
Speaking in the tongue of the bear to Bror, Asbjorn laysout there plan of attack. Nodding his great head in agreement, Bror's muscle's twitch under his fur. Gripping his axe tightly and readying his shield, Asbjorn begins working himself into a frenzy. Holding the full power of his rage till Koremar launches the first attack, Asbjorn's breath quickens and his veins begin to bulge.
Just as Kreg is about to run after his friends, he sees the tree-like creature fall. He quickly runs to her and pours one of his potions into her mouth.
Koremar, you see only the four spriggans, all withing about 30 feet of each other, close to the bonfire in the middle of the clearing made from the destroyed trees.
Kregimie, before you can pour the potion, you realize the woman is dead. It will have no effect.
Koremar was in place and couldnt wait any longer so moved to the closest spriggan and stabbed straight out with Mai'tahl
Attack -
Damage -
and appeared to view in their midst.
Adn with the attack launched,Asbjorn lets out roar that sounds much more like a grizzly than a man and Bror to joins his call. Moving at a speed that is frightenly fast for a man his size the raging shaman and his close friend blast through the undergrowth as though it did not exist. Closing on the nearest spriggan he swings his axe with all his might seeking to split it as it had just done to the tree.
Bror
DMG
Round 1
Koremar's sudden appearance as he hacks one of the creatures draws screams of outrage from the four spriggans in the clearing.
Before they can react, Asbjorn, Abigail, Bror and Sacha attack, all tearing into their respective opponents.
The magus was delighted to see that they had caught the spriggans flat footed and pressed the attack to keep them off guard calling upon his talents to quicken the endeavor.
Attack 1 -
Damage -
Attack 2 -
Damage -
Crit Confirm Attack 2 -
Damage -
Mai'Tahl sang with glee in his mind at being used to effeciently.
Redoubling their assualt on the surprised sprite, bear and man throw all they have against it.
Bite
Clawx2
DMG Bite
Claw
Claw
Seeing the poor woman lay dead, Kreg moves into action. He attempts to runs hard right at one of the spriggans, his longspear leading the way, a thin green film covering the tip. "Taste this!!"
Longspear: , damage: plus acid damage.