Yes and no, she says. It opened up a wound that needed to be lanced that the festering material be drained. she states. Handing the staff back to Goldmoon, wiping the tears from her eyes and face she queries Did you feel the same thing that I did Goldmoon?
Quietly Caitlyn asks, "Why did you do that? I've never known you to be reckless. That thing could have burnt you!" She shudders involuntarily, remembering what happened to Justin when magic went awry for him...
That looks like it hurts. I think I make it not hurt! Should I try? Can I try? . Thistletorp slinks closer, his nose peaking around Jakun's leg to get a better look at the staff.
Jakun pats Thistle on the top know, "I do believe you should try. It would be interesting to see who is effected and who is not. From that knowledge I could make an inference as to the nature of the magic".
Yes and no, she says. It opened up a wound that needed to be lanced that the festering material be drained. she states. Handing the staff back to Goldmoon, wiping the tears from her eyes and face she queries Did you feel the same thing that I did Goldmoon?
"I felt an...expectation. It's very hard to describe," Goldmoon said.
It was unusual for Gavin to not offer first watch. His sluggishness and sudden bout of sleepiness poorly masked the sadness he felt. He loved adventuring and helping others, but he was ready to take a break and spend the time with his family. He held no animosity or resentment towards Goldmoon, but he wished time could have been on his side for once.
"I'll get a head start on resting. Wake me up when it's my turn to watch."
I have no problem taking the first watch.
During her time the Seeker will think and meditate on her experience and if possible, pray to what she felt for guidiance.
Jakun hits the cave with his cloak rolled up underneath his head, all the time adventuring east with Jakun has made him used to such rough and tumble conditions, after all, not many Inns wish to admit a Kender much less a Minotaur!
The remainder of the night passes quietly, save for some hooting owls. Morning came all too soon for people who had been up a good part of the night.
The next morning, half the party awaken to the slow phut, phut, phut sound of coffee percolating over the banked fire Caitlyn had started. The rich heady aroma was one of the few things that could truly get her up after a heavy night.
She offers a mug to anyone who wants one and asks, "So do we want to stay here another night or should we push onto Haven via the woods?"
Stretching after finalizing his new selection of spells for the day Jakun closes his books and responds, "I say we push on. If they are serious in their pursuit and other locals know of this place we could be trapped here in the caves against an unknown number of assailants".
I agree with the minotaur. It is best that we be off. We do not know what these hobgoblins and goblins might do and putting the staff a save distance from them is a prudent course of action. advises the Seeker.
It was decided, "Well lets set off then. I have a reasonable idea how to get us to the wood, I'd like to think I'm good at navigating inside one but Wayreth showed me the error of that assumption." While she started off brightly, there was a slight undertone of bitterness in her voice towards the end.
From what I understand, the wizard's in Wayreth can alter the location of the forest. Only those they want to arrive ever do, replies the half-elf.
As they walk a subdued Caitlyn tells Mariel, "Justin and I spent nearly a month searching for that blasted tower. It would have been for the best if we'd never found it. In the end Justin got what he wanted so dearly, but the price was unimaginable." She shudders as she remembers seeing her brother being consumed by his own magic gone wild.
From what I understand he could have died. Thus the wizards keep magic out of the hands of those who are not disciplined enough to handle the responsability of magic. We all have our tests to undergo, Caitlun. she says with remorse in her voice.
She whispers, tears threatening, "Tell the truth it would have been better if he had. Somehow he lingered despite his skin running like wax from the burns. He lives a cripple in constant pain now, and will never know the joy of his own children."
Tania overhears the conversation. She prefers not to jump in, as the topic of arcane magic is far beyond her own expertise. Nevertheless, she wonders whether this "test" is not just some other way by which the powerful make sure they keep the power to themselves.
On the topic of entering the woods, she offers, while enjoying Caitlyn's warm coffee: "I'm not the one you should ask for direction, but I can make a decent scout to make sure we avoid unwanted encounters..."
Caitlyn looks up from her second mug of coffee, dark an so strong it's almost syrup, just the way she likes it. Nodding she remarks, "That sounds like a good idea, can never be too careful. Brigands and all sorts abroad these days. I'll show you on the map where I was thinking of going." She pulls out a small map of the are to show Tania.
"Lady Goldmoon you should still retain my hat until we reach this Elistan. It can change the appearance of the staff if you will it to a walking stick. I shall be near the front of our group in case it gets very dark in these woods as I have spells now ready to assist with such deep shadows".
"Lady Goldmoon you should still retain my hat until we reach this Elistan. It can change the appearance of the staff if you will it to a walking stick. I shall be near the front of our group in case it gets very dark in these woods as I have spells now ready to assist with such deep shadows".
"I will, thank you," Goldmoon said.
Yay! Darken Wood!
After they've been on the road for a while, they come to a rise and Caitlyn pointed to some distant trees and claimed, "I believe that's darken wood. Assuming my map reading is correct at any rate..." There was still a fair step to get there, but the journey had begin.
After a few hours, the Companions reached the edge of Darken Wood. Once they saw and felt the real thing, no one could doubt they had arrived. Trees loomed high and thick around, blocking off the sky and reducing all to a gloom that even elven eyes could not far pierce. Somewhere beyond the reach of their vision, in all directions, the Companions felt something vast and powerful watching them.
"More forbidding than I would have guessed. Our foes will never think to follow us here. Shall we begin our journey? Best to be through before it falls dark".
"There's likely a good reason for that." muttered Caitlyn dourly. Walking close to the minotaur she whispers, "It feels like we're being watched."
Caitlyn tries to remain alert, but the forest is dark and full of strange noises making it impossible to remain on alert for extended periods.
perception
Peek! Peek! Peek! Thistletorp climbs to the top of a tall tree and looks around, searching for anyone who would try to hurt his friends. He wouldn't like that. Or, take their things. he really wound't like that. Things are important, and are difficult enough to hold on to them what with things walking off like that and such. No, things did not need any help with being lost. It was better to stop people who wanted to take things before they had a chance to let them go.
Besides, he liked his friends. They were fun!
I think I should go first into the dark and mysterious forest of dark mystery. I'm small and sneaky and sneaky and small! I can go into places that other people can't and I can sneak up on people that are in the forest, too, and see what's in their pockets! And, find out if they want to hurt us. I don't want them to hurt us. That would be bad!
"There's likely a good reason for that." muttered Caitlyn dourly. Walking close to the minotaur she whispers, "It feels like we're being watched."
"Of course we are being watched many forest creatures I am sure inhabit these woods.
Scout but not too far Thistle. You are too sneaky for even us to find!"
Righty-o! Thistle flips out of the tree and lands on the ground, silently. He slowly walks into the forest, melting into the brush.
As Thistletorp disappears in the forest, Tania lets out a low whistle: "Looks like I just lost my job as a scout. I can't disappear like that!"
She pulls her bow and knocks an arrow, ready for trouble.
Mariel will look to Goldmoon to see how she is doing in this sitution
"Well, isn't this the most beautiful scenery." Gavin quips. "'Darken Woods', full of wonder and mystery! Or was it blunder and misery? Either way, let's keep our wits about us. Thistle, don't stray too too far, friend."
With that, he puts on his helm and readies his sword, herding the group from behind in case any sort of danger.
Caitlyn replies more cheerfuly than she feels, "It has a certain something doesn't it. Remember the way our folks warned us dire things live here and that everyone who ventures within dies horribly? I'm kinda hoping they were wrong!"
I remember my mother saying, Eat nithing. Drink nothing. Cut nothing in Darken Wood. she says with a sad smile.
"We will be on the other side as night falls and we have brought all we require. By Sargonnas' bloody wrath you would all think we were heading straight for the Maelstrom of the Blood Sea that way you speak of this place!" quips Jakun as he takes his place in the marching order. Still, he does grasp his quarterstaff more firmly then he did only a few moments ago.