"Amelia, remember they are fey and this realm's two days may be different than ours."
Nethan steps back and casts detect psionics and magic to see if those blue streams extend beyond their bodies but invisible.
"Ah yes, how different are your days from ours?" Dreyyn asks, trying to sound like he has some reason to talk to these blue things.
There has been a nightfall though it is a rather sudden change if anyone was outside to see it. At one point in the end of the day the night sky rushed over the light blue of the day. Quickly dotting the sky with bright lights that mimic stars. Days seem to pass more or less than same as they do in Golarion however they are sudden.
One of the Faeries say "I don't know, how long our days are compared to yours. I guess two sets of times when the stars come out."
Another faerie glides near to Amelia and says "They have been here for some time by the looks of it. Group of with odd eyes on their tabards, trying to stare into your soul. Someone from their posse had gone missing and they were trying to find her. Something about her being a captain."
The faerie that has been poking Calathar gives up and asks someone else "What is a wingless angel doing here anyway?"
Nethan looks closely at the Faeries and can see small glimmers of blue streams flowing up and down their bodies though isn't sure what its for...
Alþórel attempts to look mysterious, then engages with Daeron.
The others have this well in hand. Perhaps this Captain is who we seek now.
"Do sound like it." Elise replies to Amelia. "We should try and catch up with them before they do anything dumb without us!"
Nethan nods in agreement with Amelia and Elise as he continues to see if he can glean more from studying the fey-like creatures more.
Dreyyn chuckles at Elise's comment and enthusiasm.
The magic Nethan finds is it is a transference of energy back and forth across their body. It seems in all honesty, pointless, as the energy is just going to another part of their magical bodies. Perhaps the faeries really like whimsical movement.
One of the faeries shrugs and says "I don't know, we just led them in the direction that would get the most lost. They're still probably wandering in circles!!" All three of the faeries burst out laughing.
One stops giggling and says "We could lead you to them I suppose."
Elise raises an eyebrow. "My, my - That's generous!" She crosses her arms across her chest and continues in a dry tone. "Or are you offering us a chance to be 'led in the direction most likely to get lost'?"
Fairies ...
Nethan shrugs and whispers to himself, "Probably cast a spell on themselves to cause this transference of energy."
Nethan giggles with the fairies while placing his hand on Elise's shoulder, then whispers in her ear, "Remember, they are fairies and it is better to play along with them than to become frustrated and/or angry with them." Nethan watches Amelia's interaction with the fairies and hopes she is successful.
The fairies take the sweets with glee.
One of them while trying to get a sweet says to Elise "Nah, we won't get you lost, the other humans seem fidgety, so they'll probably stab you. Watch you try to fight them while not kill them will be funny." Another faerie giggles at the statement while it eats.
"Hmmm. Yeah, funny" Elise sighs and represses the urge to strangle the fairy there and then. It probably have some trick to slip away anyhow ... She shoulders her backback and gestures that she too is ready to depart.
Nethan laughs and shrugs, "Oh well, at least we are not bored. Lead on! Nethan checks his gear, manifests his sword, and follows the party.
" Yes, better to have a purpose than to remain still. "
Daeron is looking a little uncomfortable and sees the party rearing to go. He says "Wait are you guys following the figment of your imagination to find something? Should we really be pressing on for the night like this?"
The faeries stick their tongues out at him saying "Ah come on, don't listen to the spoil sport. Let's go!"
Daeron says "Alright fine, maybe there will be something, I have heard of stranger. I will stay here, if you aren't back by morning I will head back to the outpost."
The faeries then guide the group towards where the group of humans they found was. The group only walks about 50 steps before they realise the forest behind them has changed and the faeries have announced that they have arrived. Disbelief takes hold for a moment until the group takes a few more steps and sees they are on a small ridge over another part of the forest. The group can see a tired group of people, 6 in all, one of which being carried from exhaustion. They all sport iconography as described by Caltahar, ones to the god Aroden. Most of them are in chainmail armour carrying various weapons such as swords and maces. There are two of them in robes. The group can overhear some of their conversations in common.
"I swear we haven't passed any of these landmarks before yet we are STILL going. How big is this damn forest?!"
"We should probably try to have some of the fruits.. I mean.."
"NO, we have no idea how dangerous they are, we have enough rations for another day or two. Some purification might be needed but we can still eat."
The faeries clap their hands with glee "Lookie Lookie, still here, well, why don't you go talk to them. Maybe they won't think you are hallucinations yet!"
Nethan nods his agreement with Daeron, "Well if the fairies were up to mischief, night time would be a better time to do so. I agree with Daeron, we camp tonight and the fairies can lead us tomorrow during the day time hours if they are truly going to lead us to the men they redirected."
"Eh. I'm sure you will find the fighting more exciting if we are awake enough to take a proper swing. So I'm sure you'll be more then happy to wait for us, right ?" Elise snarks at the fairies. Not that she actually needed rest - she could certainly walk the night and a few more if a push came to shove. No, she enjoyed spiting the spites. Such chilidsh behaviour. Heh. But those puffed up pixies can kiss my behind! she thought, satisfied with herself.
"No sense swinging a blade tired if rest is an option."
Alþórel nods.
But how to keep them entertained enough
Calling upon memories from lives ago, when he was a travelling entertainer, he pulls up a trick that used to amuse children no end.
Nearby, flickering balls of colorful light start to dance around each other in a dizzying pattern.
Ahhh... it won't be long! The faeries say. "We'll be here waiting, won't me long for us to see what happens when you reach your kin, hehe" Some of them start dancing under the lights that Alþórel has produced for them. The faeries seem content to play for the night, it is rather annoying to here their chattering and giggling as the night passes on but at least you are able to rest before heading out. Daeron is happy to accompany you after the night has passed.
After a good nights sleep Elise thought she would feel reinvigorated and ready to deal with the faeries. Sadly, their happiness and playfulness did only seem to stoke her desire to punch them. Well, it is probably not their fault that they have the minds of half-wits and the moral compass of a scrambled egg ... she sighs to herself as she follows their lead into the forest.
When she realize the faeries transportation trick, Elise suppresses a long and colourful triad of words. Biting her tongue until she can taste iron in her mouth, she takes a deep breath. Can hardly yell at them now - we would be just as lost as those knights ... Instead, she tries to focus on the task at hand and pulls her hood back. While the faë were right - talking was the best plan - she didn't bother to acknowledge them and instead just called out to the knights.
"Well met! This forest seems wast indeed - especially when one is heading into the deepest parts." She glances at the faeries and back at the knights, trying to gauge their reaction.
Nethan stretches after awakening, then says a silent prayer to his father, makes sure everything is ready and in order. Unable to focus on any of his current research, he manifests his sword, "Ok, I am ready to go when everyone else is."
Dreyyn wakes, and after a light breakfast packs his things for travel.
Daeron says "Alright fine, maybe there will be something, I have heard of stranger. I will stay here, if you aren't back by morning I will head back to the outpost."
The faeries then guide the group towards where the group of humans they found was. The group only walks about 50 steps before they realise the forest behind them has changed and the faeries have announced that they have arrived. Disbelief takes hold for a moment until the group takes a few more steps and sees they are on a small ridge over another part of the forest. The group can see a tired group of people, 6 in all, one of which being carried from exhaustion. They all sport iconography as described by Caltahar, ones to the god Aroden. Most of them are in chainmail armour carrying various weapons such as swords and maces. There are two of them in robes. The group can overhear some of their conversations in common.
"I swear we haven't passed any of these landmarks before yet we are STILL going. How big is this damn forest?!"
"We should probably try to have some of the fruits.. I mean.."
"NO, we have no idea how dangerous they are, we have enough rations for another day or two. Some purification might be needed but we can still eat."
The faeries clap their hands with glee "Lookie Lookie, still here, well, why don't you go talk to them. Maybe they won't think you are hallucinations yet!"
The group below seemed stunned to hear someone speak their language, then you can see all bar the one who has collapsed due to exhaustion but their hands on their weapons as they look about. One of them pointing at Elise when they spot her and the others turn to follow suit.
"What is this?" One of the knights yells, drawing his sword and stepping forward. "More conjurations from this forest, the last time it was beautiful nymphs now we have a humble traveller?!"
Amelia can tell that the knights are very wary of the group, the one brandishing his sword believes them to be illusions at the moment from what he's saying. The rest of the group are eyeing Elise closely trying to discern what she is, if she's real or not. The caution the group is displaying seems to be from having been bitten once already by this forest. One or two of them have desperation in their eyes to believe that this is not an illusion.
The faeries are hiding out of sight from the group of knights and snickering.
Elise lets the more diplomatic woman deal with the knights. Instead she picks up a sizeable branch and plays with it - it might come in handy should she need to convince the knights of her own substance.
"How rude," Flynt notes at the accusations, idly flicking a cigar butt into the nearby brush.
"Aye, aye, calm down a bit. If we meant harm, we'd already be fighting. Fog of war has set in, knights. Think about it. Wandering about, in the unknown, with no food. Sit with us, let's have some food. I'm sure one of our number can help with some food."
"If, after such persuasive arguments you still think us delusions I am happy to disprove the notion. Question us - what illusionist here would be able to answer your questions of home?"
Because Nethan was pent up for most of his life studying, he is definitely not an ambassador in diplomacy. However, to help with diplomacy, Nethan dismisses his sword. A two-handed crystallized sword can not possibly be a pinnacle of "peaceful" diplomacy.
The knight lowers his blade while he thinks on what they've said. "Aye, I guess you are right." He sheathes his blade finally. "If you did mean to harm us you would have already ambushed us, that would be the most tactically sound."
The other men all begin to relax when they come to the same realisation, they still look on guard but they are don't look like they will engage you.
The faeries seem somewhat awed, the float up into the trees still in sight but hiding from the knight group. The still want to see what happens by the looks of things.
The group below walks up to your position taking the wounded with them. The one who spoke earlier leads the group with his arms open showing he isn't going to do anything. When he reaches about 10 paces from the group he plants his fist on his chest and says. "Captain Damian Moretti, well met. How did you come by us? Are you lost here like us?"
"Just a warrior lost in a strange land. Thought it'd be nice to see some other humans."
"Good morning, Captain Moretti."
Nethan nods his head, "Well met indeed Captain Moretti, my name is Nethan." Nethan waves and will shake his hand if the Captain holds it out. Then looks over his shoulder for the fairies.
The Captain shakes Nethan's hand. Nethan glances back and he sees the faeries trying to hide in the leaves of the tree, they don't seem to be doing it very well. Just putting on leaves thinking it will hide their blue glow.
"What brings us here?" Captain Moretti says. "In this forest, nothing unfortunately, it was meant to be a through and through to some place. Can't say what kind of place that is as we are following divination magic but this forest has well and truly masked our divination magic. We are now just trying to get out." Captain Moretti sighs "We have talked to nothing but illusions for the past few days, this forest appears to be endless but I am doubting that is entirely true. Do you know much about this place?"
With an almost sad look on her face Elise discards the stick. But her mood quickly leaps upwards as she realizes the faë won't be getting that fight they were hoping for. "We know little about the forest - but we might know someone whom does ..." Somehow she manages to keep the glee she feels out of her voice. I wonder how the knights and the faeries would react should they meet again ...
"Which of the divination magics are you following, Captain?"
There is more than idle curiosity in Alþórel's voice. There is every chance they will need to use magic to escape these Fae themselves - good to have some idea of what they might be up against. Additionally, few magics are long lasting enough for this purpose.
Nethan nods, "We do not know much about this forest but we heard you may require our assistance to find your way. Of course, there is a good chance we may also be added to your unfortunate trek through this dynamic forest? However now that you have sages or more sages allied with you, perhaps we can work together to end or persuade your tricksters to set you free from your illusions?" Nethan starts to laugh and looks in the direction of the fairies to help deflate their enjoyment of their mischief. Then encourages the others to laugh with him.
The captain produces an object wrapped in cloth. It is about fist sized. "We use this" He replies sternly to Alþórel "It is protected by this blessed cloth for the moment as directions seem a bit off in this forest. Once we get out again we shall unravel it and follow the signature it emanates"
If anyone uses detect magic on the object the captain is holding it appears to be entirely mundane. Though perhaps the cloth has something to do with it. You aren't quite unless you unwrap it.
"Our.. tricksters?" The captain asks in an alarmed manner. The faeries look to be getting annoyed when some of the group begin laughing. Two of them start whispering too each other angrily.
Nethan takes note of the objects the Captain produces for later discussion and then nods with a smile, "Yes Captain, you have been plagued with mischief and this mischief wanted our group to fight with yours. The key to this kind of mischief is not to become angry or frustrated with them, or give into their desires such as fighting between our groups because you or we will fulfill what they are looking for. It's better to either cause them to fight amongst themselves or make them lose interest so they can find other "victims" to harass. So Captain, do you have the will to fight mischief without the sword or are you going to give in to their needs?" Nethan laughs some more in the direction of the fairies.
Hmhh Elise has her doubts about annoying the fairies, but keeps her mouth shut. Partially because she is pleased at their worsening mood. But she is not looking forward to trekking back towards the outpost trough the forest without guidance.