Akari falls in line with Gabriel, flourishing his nodachi. The fact that he relished a good fight outweighed the concern over the unknowns of the situation and he bore nothing but a grin of anticipation at his companions zeal.
You each find that the first ten feet or so is more difficult to walk through. , the brush, trees and shrubbery all add to this effect. When you each make it through you see a humanoid facedown, a half Orc man trying to wrench a greataxe out of a tree, a man in dark blue robes moving towards you all, and two more humanoids similar to the facedown one as far as you could tell, but wielding morning stars. They see you sniff the air and growl. They don't like the man in the robed as they gain flanking against him both swinging mildly. As you gain better vision on him you notice he is actually a tiefling.
Both attacks are skillfully dodged as if he could predict their movements.
The Orc, furious with rage gives up in the greataxe he buried deep into the tree. And pulls a orcish skull ram off his back. "let's go get them Rammy!" His voice was deep and gruff as he flew into another rampaging hurdle toward one of the beasts also gaining flank.
One of the beasts stands there unable to make a sound, lightning flashes in the distance and thunder bellows over the land but the clack from the direct hit makes all else go silent for a minute. The show of brute force and power catch most off guard and as the half Orc man pulls his battering ram out of the cavity left the creature crumbles completely lifeless.
"*insert bestial roar here*"
He then eyes the other standing one on the other side of the tiefling, and the other beast begins shifting on the ground.
Akari grins ear to ear as he admires the carnage before him, though his excitement had him still momentarily before opting to join the fray.
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Advol steps forward and sees the bugbears chasing the half-orc and tiefling. Not to be outdone with the display of combat preformed by these two; he says aloud, "I have learned that the only way to defeat a bugbear... is too it!"
The severely beaten Bug bear turns tail and runs as fear soars across his face.
A hidden entry throws a javelin and it clearly misses... everything...
The tiefling acknowledges Gabriel and Avdol with a nod prior to attacking the runaway...
The tiefling looks over at the escaping bug bear lifting his hand and arm in it's direction, snapping his fingers and muttering Daze As the creature stops dead in it's track. His voice smooth, calm and silvery, directs at the party. "The help is appreciated,... Go ahead... they're all yours..." a grin both pleasant and coy sat firm upon his face, his arm still raised.
As Lys exits the difficult terrain she quickly scans the battlefield
She then shoots at the bugbear that seemed to go unnoticed by her allies
At his arrival into the clearing, Akari would give the battle a quick lookover, not noticing much but his target.
He then tightly grips the hilt of his sword, and dashes forward, charging the unfortunate bugbear that had somehow got his attention and delivered a powerful upward slash that would cut the unfortunate from right hip to left shoulder.
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Lysanthir's arrow soars true into her target's shoulder. It winces in pain astonished anyone was able to see it. Akari now sees the same one hidden, and charges. Before the Bugbear could blink the better portion of its chest lay cut open bleeding profusely. Almost as if simultaneously it roars over the thunder you each had forgotten about these past few seconds. The thrill of the battle overcame it as your adrenaline rushes through your bodies.
The remaining bug bears look panicked, as realization washes over them that they will most likely die here...
Lys follows Gabriel's command and moves towards the fleeing creature.
"On it Gabriel"
Avdol looks to the Gabriel after his comment, "Do not worry, I shall handle him... for, I have learned, that the only way to deal with a fleeing opponent... is to them."
Avdol steps forward to be in range of the running bugbear and lets loose another fiery ray of energy.
The fiery ray strikes the back of the bugbears head, searing the hair and flesh from its head with a sickening sizzle.
The dazed, runaway bugbear gets blasted sending shock throughout his whole body. The effects were such that you could imagine he didn't know he was dead at first, as his body kept trying to flee, instead crumbling into the ground and sliding to a halt.
Lysanthir, readying to launch her attack watches as the beam of fire finishes off her initial prey. Instead aiming to the one left prone on the ground, she sinks an arrow deep into its shoulder blade as it yelps in pain. The shock would appear to have snapped it out of its stunned state.
The bugbear glances about his surroundings. Just by the look on it's face you could see he was weighing his options. This one seemed more aware than the others, more intelligent, however, truth seemed to wash over his eyes. He looks towards the tiefling smirking a devilish smile which turns into a hideous laughter. "You all walk to your graves soon enough" Though slightly crude in the tone and pronunciation, this was the first one to speak common. His entire body begins secreting mud-like sludge until he appears to have been made out of it itself. Like that of a melted wax figure, his form, along with any weapons and/or gear he carries becomes sludge. His voice carries mid sentance, "Maybe next time..." His voice sounds like that of a distortion towards the end and with that the sludge looses all form and plops onto the ground and begins seeping into it slowly. All that remains now besides slight traces of residue, is Lysanthir's arrow slathered in some of the muck.
The tiefling walks smoothly over to the closest bugbear as if he were gliding. Excusing himself a moment he crouches down placing one arm out over the bugbear who was still bleeding out. "shh shh shh!, it will all be over soon..." A shadowy aura coalesces around his arm, coiling itself slowly and extending from his palm like a shadowy hand. The body soon after shakes violently before falling limp as the same energy pulls forth and dissipates at the man's palm. The bugbear lays there, dead outright.
Brushing his robes off he looks towards the party in a more welcoming manner and with a slight bow, without subjecting his head from loosing sight of the party he exclaims, "We appreciate your help, it had gotten a bit overwhelming for a moment there... My name is 'Zul Feron',... and this..." he regains his composure standing tall again, "... is my good friend Elrosk..."
Elrosk looses the rage in his feral eyes as if snapping out of another personality altogether, "... an' dis Rammy!..." the brute points to his orc skull ram.
Zul Feron speaks up once more, "Don't mind him, he's not as,... well versed, nor... intellectually sophisticated as we are..."
Elrosk looks as if he were offended, but instead comes out with , "Rammy is that... right rammy?"
"A pleasure to meet you uh.... three? Why were those things attacking you? If you don't mind me asking.
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"My name is Gabriel" Gabriel cleans the blood from his blade using some leaves and then seathes it "I'm glad we could help you two, but I think some questions are in order... For example, what were those? Why did one just sort of converted into goo? How come some evil beasts are in a holy place like this island? And what are you doing here? I'm not questioning your motiffs, mind you, I'm just... perplexed."
Avdol brushes himself before joining up with the rest of the group. He remains silent for now unless spoken to. As Gabriel asked all the questions he wanted too.
Zul let's out a casual yet hardy laugh smiling at Lys, "My dear, if I knew that I would surely tell you... We'd just gotten back to our camp before the storm hit and they got the jump on us,... So we fled to gain an advantage."
Pondering for a moment what Gabriel had added, it was visually obvious he was deducing the possibilities in his mind. "To my knowledge I have only just bore witness to that mutation myself, otherwise those were bugbear. As for holy land, I see you've made deductions as to the grave on the island?" His hand reaches up and begins stroking his chin as he thinks a bit more on the subject. "Pelor, the forgotten God of light, said to have either gone missing or died roughly a thousand years ago... Yet proof of his existence is the very crest on that stone... Like I'm sure you are, we are adventurers, my curiosity got the better of me however as i wanted to find anything to give me an insight as to why this place made it so special... Zul sighs heavily, clearly feeling defeated in his own statement. I found nothing."
With the adrenaline dying down, noticing the rain was much easier now. Few drops made it through the canopy here yet the bark on the trees had small streams of water running down the crevices. The canopy was lush, and yet it also made it darker the further into the forest you all traveled.
The Forest seemed to only get darker as time went on, the occasional strike of lightning was the only odd factor."Sorry, we haven't much need for torches,..." Zul uses his hand to insinuate himself and Elrosk. ...You all are more than welcome to come join us at our camp,... Now in turn,... who are you? and why are you here?" he inquires generally.
"Avdol Muhammad, I hail from Ancient Osirian. It's a pleasure to meet another adept in the arcane."
He holds out a hand to Zul to shake.
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Gabriel thinks for a second who he is and why is he there "I'm Gabriel, of Havenshaw. And we sort of stumbled into this place... but I'm grateful for it. I follow the Shining Lord teachings and this burial has gave me hope." he looks around and checks that he can see as easy as before."I have no problem with the darkness, Pelor has blessed me with an inner light, to say something."
"If the rest agree, I'll gladly accept your invitation. We have no place to rest, afterall."
"Lysanthir Lyndis traveling adventurer and alchemist."
Lys then goes to retrieve her arrows. She cautiously picks the one in the muck up by the least muck covered part. She then, at least it would look like this to most, plays with the muck. She smears it on the grass. Moves her hand over to waft its scent to her and after all that tentatively places a small amount on her skin.
When she finishes she discards the muck arrow determining it to difficult to bother cleaning it.
"As for your camp if the others decide to I will come as well."
After the fight, Akari wore an incredulous look at the change in demeanor seen from Elrosk. He's a damned loon.
Introductions seemed to be going around, and when it came to his turn, he simply stated. "Akari."
Still confounded beyond belief by Elrosk, Akari simply stares blankly out into the darkness of the forest. Assuming, as was evident that he and his companions were to join them at their camp, he would follow quietly as he thought back on the lone grave on the lake, after bending down and cleaning his blade on one of the dead bugbears and sheathing it.
Due to Avdol's previous environment being the desert, he certainly wasn't used to getting wet. "Any place we can hunker down and let this storm pass would be great. Thank you for such generosity."
Zul Feron looks Avdol in the eyes as he in turn hold out his hand and gives a handshake to him. "it always is," he grins before looking to the rest of the party for their decision.
Elrosk goes over to his greataxe still lodged in the tree attempting to pull it out...
Elrosk pulls out the axe with ease now, however it is covered with tree sap, so much so that the entire blade looks caramelized. Even when he attempts to wipe it off he doesn't seem able to remove it. He instead replaces his skull ram on his back, and wields his weapon, not wanting to get the goop all over his person or gear.
With agreement the group decides to take up Zul on his offer. Akari lights a torch to better see as you all make your way deeper into the forest. The trees are spaced sporadically about, some closer together than others. Their roots vary from weaving above ground and below entwining in the other roots as well. Ferns give the forest floor more of a lush appearance and the majority of the trees have a lively green moss coat, while some of the smaller trees have mushrooms. This is an old forest to say the least. Mostly undisturbed for god only knows how long. At a casual pace, Zul leads you all through the forest for a few minutes, all the while keeping chit chat to a minimum.
The ground becomes more leveled eventually, as the soil hid more and more of the roots. The ground was littered with small and medium plant life alike giving life to the forest floor. Grass and various shrubbery like plants mostly, however also home to some rather peculiar shrubs. Zul stops moving for a moment as the party looks ahead of him and sees what used to be a camp site. Two tents lay there thrashed about across a small clearing, clearly trampled over. The soil beneath your feet is soft like that of a carpet. The rain continues to pour
"Home sweet home..." Zul says jokingly, then walks to one of the tents and begins picking what is assumed to be his belongings up. He first shuffles around as if looking for one item in-particular and ends up grabbing a backpack. Out of it he pulls out a wooden case alike to that of a elongated quill case, as well as a plastic container. "Aha!, here we are!" he says in a matter of fact tone now seemingly more lively. He steps over towards the center of the small clearing motioning Elrosk towards it as well. He, in likewise fashion, seemed to understand and began collecting small pieces of pre-cut kindling scattered around the campsite.
Once the wood was stacked in a tee-pee formation where Zul directed Elrosk, he opened and poured a small amount of what liquid onto the wood. It's blackish ichor slowly seeped into and traveled down the grains of the wood. Elrosk, though fascinated by it backs off in unison with Zul as he snaps his fingers and a spark ignites the liquid , thus making a successful campfire. "It needed a pick-me-up since it was wet." he explained, recapping the container and replacing it back in his bag.
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Gabriel looks inquisitive to the mage while he works the campfire, with a few quick glances to broken tents. "I'm sorry for your belongings, those beasts sure had the time to wreak some havoc. But I'm curious now... the forest we walked through seemed old and I feel we are some of the few mortal to ever walk it... what could those bugbears be doing here?"
" this is quite the place. First a holy site, with a blue rose and persistent sunshine. Then bugbears, who by the way were not natural, everything about them seemed supernatural. Followed by a tree that heals itself."
she then looks at Zul and to a lesser extent Elrosk hoping to judge how much of what she just said they know.
Akari finds himself a stump, or log or rock or something to sit on, making an unpleasant and surprised face when he realizes how wet it was. Shrugging I'm an oh well gesture, he places his sheathed sword crossways in his lap and stares into the fire.
Then he looked to Zul. "What do you know of this place? Everywhere we look some other phenomena comes along that simply put, is a bit out of this world. I can't shake the thought that something happened here, however long ago that left an impression on this place."
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Avdol will look to Akari's predicament and use his cantrip spell Ray of Frost (Heat) a few times and dry off a large root to sit on.
Zul's attention shifts from Gabriel to Lysanthir periodically as he speaks, "Though this forest may be ancient in its years, that does not prevent it from being inhabited by creatures and such. This place is a wonder to behold, and is partialy why I'd wanted to see it with my own eyes."
Meanwhile, Elrosk begins picking up the camp while his compatriot continues speaking. Occasionally mumbling, "Elrosk not well with words,... no speak common well".
Zul Feron continues, making vocal deductions from the info available, "Ah!, but we only got to see what one of those bugbears' abilities were, the others were swiftly defeated prior to showing their capability... The trees seem to have regenerative properties, yes... however... It doesn't appear like a magic that is causing it, but it is also an unnatural occurrence."
Meanwhile the breeze from the wind that occasionally makes it's way below the canopies makes the fire flicker to and fro. Also met with a drop of rain here and there the party by no means would get soaked anytime soon, yet the ground is very wet. Still puddles rest here and there where there were dips in the ground from one reason or another. The roots and plant life surround the entire area kept the high levels of water from getting too out of hand. The thunder is overhead mostly now, as lightning streaks in each direction with momentary intervals. The storm, seems to be moving faster now, but as is the day is fading away slowly. It is assumed that the storm will last for the better portion of the afternoon.
Lysanthir This is how i picture your character right now, haha...
Avdol will detect magic as he sits listening to Zul.
Though you were more focusing on Zul Feron, and the others present you couldnt help but notice the tracks in the camp. Thus far you have been able to notice the foot prints of, (in order), whatever made footprints at the entrance and opposite side of the lake, the bugbear and the tiefling and orc... none matched the other on the walk over. Making note of this and now that you're sitting in the camp, the footprints you see littered about vary from matching everyone here just now, bugbear and the footprints you made sight of at the entrance of the lake! Whatever they were left a more rigid humanoid barefoot print, slightly larger than that of Elrosks even!
Avdol shrugs to Zul in a sort of "just curious" sort of way.
After seeing Akari's displeasure at sitting Lys remained standing and wallked around the camp. Listening to the conversation.
"How long have you been here Zul?
"We had only been here a short while prior to being attacked actually..." Zul answers as Elrosk continues picking up the camp site. "My curiosity of this place brought me here, and since has yet to be satiated until I understand all that I can about it."
Lys turns slightly away and gives Zul a side was glare as she twirls her hair around her finger.
"And its just you two?"
"Only us two" he mimes along with his response. "Why do you ask?"
"There are footprints in the camp that don't match either you nor Elrosk. Gabriel remeber the footprints we saw around the lake? The unidentified footprints here match those ones. Anyone else find that too odd to be coincidence." Lys continues to watch Zul carefully. But also beings to think about the footprints and why they are here as well.
Either they are lying or there is something else in these woods.
Akari stiffens at the observation, having likely missed the tracks, before and now as he looks about to find them.
His hand falls to rest on the hilt of his blade, in preparation for the worst.
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Gabriel looks inquisitive to Lys "I hadn't realised before, but you are right! I don't think they would have lied us, Lys... but there is something strange happening. Maybe there is a creature whose footprints are those leading the bugbears?" he stops to remember what the bugbear who gooified said "One of them, the one who became goo... he said we were all walking to our graves soon. A curious choice of words, I don't think is a coincidence."
Now that he's seen how the trees regenerate he walk to one near and starts to take off huge chunks of tree bark so he can put his bedroll without getting wet.
"Tomorrow we should investigate it. This place can't be left with those beasts wandering. And we should keep watch, methink." he weights everybody reaction and says "I can keep first, but maybe we should do it by pairs, just in case."
"I can have Sadazar keep watch throughout the night if you all would like. He has great eyes as he is a falcon."
He opens his robes to reveal the same branded mark as before. It begins to lurch forward and then a fleshy falcon pulls its way out of Avdol's chest and flutters around a bit before landing on a root close to its master. It lets out a soft cry and looks curiously about.
"Sounds like a plan. Ill take last watch. It will give me time to prepare my mutagen and extracts"
Lys then spreads out her bedroll and blanket near the fire. And ponders the day.
"I've no preference to which shift I take. If there's no objections, I'll join Lysanthir in the later hours as my eyes aren't so keen in the darkness, otherwise just tell me what I'm doing, where and with who."
In any case, he will continue to sit with his blade sheathed across his lap, deep in thought for a few minutes before making any move to rest.
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Zul Feron shrugs in respsonse to Lysanthir. "Curious?... Yes,... But first and foremost I need rest, it has been a long day and ever longer tomorrow I'm sure"
The party fades out one by one, each falling into their own slumber. Avdol's Falcon perches on a lower hanging branch above the party and keeps watch. Elrosk and Zul Feron crawl into their respective tents and drift off into their own catatonic state. The sound of the thunder gaining distance once again from you all comes all but too soon. The collected rain water occasionally drips from the canopy, it's water icy cold to the touch. The forest, eerily silent,
The smell of freshly baked goods give off an aroma of apples, beef and assorted vegetables. You turn your head to scan the scenery and see about a dozen houses and a church very different from any you've ever seen before. Big mahogany double doors give access to the inside, and you see someone walking in that looks like the pastor. As the door opens you begin to see something, but before you can focus to make it out a blinding light pours out blinding you momentarily. As you regain your sight, you are floating, it feels as if you are looking up but everything is blackness. Your senses detect nothing, until you hear a cool deep voice in with a calm tone speak to you.
"Soon..."
You wake up...
A man sits there on a large root, one leg bent up with his elbow resting comfortably on it as he reclines against the tree. The other leg hanging absentmindedly over the other side. His hair is black and his clothing matches as only his outline is visible at first glance. His gaze is upward at the moon which you can barely make out through the canopy of the forest. It's light only making it's way through the occasional gaps in the leaves, but more so than before like a artistically scattered array of light beams. Your hand reaches toward the man as if he were close enough, and though you wish to speak your throat is dry and no sound comes out. The leaves blow and you drop your glance long enough to check on your comrades. Grabbing your sword and bolting up to your feet you realize no one is there... The sound of rustling leaves awaken you...
You wake up...
It is the break of dawn, birds are heard giving their morning call out to one another in harmony. Should anyone look Gabriel appears covered in some thick liquid, (Gabriel notices immediately of course)upon closer inspection he has a good amount of that same tree sap Elrosk had on his axe the day before. Most of the bark he had pulled off of the tree has regrow with the exception of his exact body print that was touching up against the tree.
The night goes by uneventfully. With no storm overhead now, the ambience of the forest gives the scenery a really druidic feel. In the sense that the forest is purely untainted or destroyed by man. The forest is lush with various shades of green and sunbeams sneak their way through gaps in the canopy bringing a stillness in awe of its beauty. The Suns raises more and more as time rolls on,
Sadazar still sits perched he's in the same spot as he had prior to you all falling asleep.
Zul Feron and Elrosk are picking up their camp, doing away with the long since burnt out embers that used to be the fire. "Good morning all", he says as you each in turn wake. His backpack is slung over his shoulder already and a walking stick in his hand he stands watching each of you rise from you slumber patiently.
Avdol rises and stretches his body out. He looks up at a no doubt tired Sadazar and beckons him down. The falcon swoops down lazily on Avdol's outstretched arm.
"Uxe senx neuos Sadazar."
The falcon chirps at Avdol's words and merges with him again.
"Well I suppose our group will continue heading north, is that the same direction you tw- er three are heading?"
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Gabriel wakes up sweating but yet with a faint pleasant feeling from the first dream What was that place? It felt like home... a distant and unknown home and whispers "Soon..." then he realizes he's covered in tree sap "Eegh, for the Sun, what's all this doing here?" as he tries to clean it off before donning his armor.
"Good morning, friends. Allow me to do my morning rites while you prepare. And take this as a lesson: if you sleep over strange tree bark you'll find yerself covered in strange tree sap hahahah!"
He kneels facing the Suns and closes his eyes, muttering his prayers to himself. After finishing he grabs his sword and shield and puts on his helmet. "Let's continue our adventure! Zul, Elrosk, Rammy... would you like to come with us?"
"Yes we should continue journeying. Hopefully the owner of the mysterious footprints stays away if the are unfriendly."
Lys packs up and watches Zul and Elrosk carefully as she waits for their response