My Uncle Brambledown flew, once. And, that's why he's not allowed inside dwarven mead halls anymore.
The Forestmaster weathered Thistletorp's questions in good humor, letting the kender talk himself out.
Forest Master, you are indeed a blessed and magnificent creature. If the being came to you and told you that we need to get to the city of Xax Tsaroth in 2 days, that may be difficult. We have no supplies and the way would difficult. Is there a way that you could aid us in this endeavor? she inquires as she wipes the tears from her eyes.
"It has been long since I thought of lands so far beyond my wood, and the world has changed. I think now that your friend is right. You could not reach Xak Tsaroth in two days unless you flew. But fear not."
The Forestmaster inclined his head and moments later snowy white horses trod out of the thick press of trees, each with wings folded on its flanks.
"My children will bear you there."
"This is truly an enchanted Forest! First a unicorn now Pegasai, Thistle, we should always adventure with your old friends. Gavin is an old friend of mine but of course our days as boys were not quite so astounding to say the least".
Caitlyn can't help but stare, "Wow, am I dreaming?! Somebody pinch me. No Thistle! I didn't mean it literally." She laughs not quite believing this incredible turn of events.
Looking in wonder at the pegasi the half-elf will approach them to pet and admire them.
Wow! Pegasi! Bloom, Jakun! Pegasi! You're right, in glad we came back here! I don't think my Uncle Bramblefoot ever rode a Pegasus before! We'll get to Xak Tsaroth soon and find out if it's a teapot or nod! Wow!. He scampered over to a Pegasus and out his out to pet the horse's nose in greeting (or its leg of the horse doesn't bend down). Hiya! I'm Thistletorp babblebrook, pleaded to meet ya! I've never ridden a Pegasus before, but I think it'll be fun! I've also never fallen out of the sky before, but I don't want to do that until much much later later. So promise to keep from falling, and I'll promise some of these moon radishes that fell into my pockets from Farmer Gandeveld's barrels when we were passing through his farm.
Some of the kenders energy rubs off on Caitlyn and she grins, "It's going to be exciting isn't it! Wow my brothers would never believe this."
The pegasi bore Mariel's and Thistletorp's ministrations with quiet dignity, listening to the kender's words with clear understanding.
A look of incredulity washed over Gavin's face.
"A talking Unicorn? Winged horses? Surely, I've seen it all." he whispers to himself. He creeps slowly towards his assigned Pegasus, approaching it more cautiously than carefully. "'Allo there, friend. My name is Gavin. I hope you're a sturdy one. I carry a bit extra weight on me. I'm going to secure my effects, if that is fine with you, uh..." Gavin takes a quick step back to peek at the creature's "equipment" "... Whoa, SIR."After a few minutes of fumbling with his sword, he finds a way to store is safely on the Pegasus. He calls to the others in his joking manner as he and his Pegasus start off at a trot "Make way! The studs are coming through!"
What have we gotten ourselves into?! These are great creatures of power. They could take the staff from us and deliver it themselves... Why use us thus? thinks Tania to herself.
But the sense of wonder, the opportunity to fly on the back of a pegasus, to become legend, and to answer her own questions are enough to make her smile and drop her guard. With a hesitating hand, she approaches the pegasus and caresses its long nose: "My name is Tania. What's yours?" she asks.
What have we gotten ourselves into?! These are great creatures of power. They could take the staff from us and deliver it themselves... Why use us thus? thinks Tania to herself.
But the sense of wonder, the opportunity to fly on the back of a pegasus, to become legend, and to answer her own questions are enough to make her smile and drop her guard. With a hesitating hand, she approaches the pegasus and caresses its long nose: "My name is Tania. What's yours?" she asks.
The pegasus clearly understood Tania's question. It bowed its head apologetically and nickered.
"My children cannot speak as you do," the Forestmaster said. "But they do understand your words. His name is," the Forestmaster made a brief series of equine noises as he tilted his head a particular way.
The pegasi where clearly intellegent, "Amazing!" Caitlyn breathed, eyes wide with wonder.
Turning to address the forest master, she asked with a respectful tone, "How close to the city can they take us? I wonder what condition Xak Tsoroth is in? If its not a complete wreck, it might be inhabited by brigands or worse." There were Goblin tribes out there somewhere, and other miserable things living on the edge. They would have to be careful.
Jakun approaches one of the Pegasi, the most stout one. A steer on a stud he thinks as he grins and attempts to mount the magnificent besst.
Wow!!!!! what's your name!? He turns to the pegasus that Jakun is mounting. I'm name is Thistletrop Babblebrook, pleased to meet you! My friend with the horns is Jakun Stormhoof. Aren't they amazing!? I wish I had horns. Three of them! Two like Jakuns and one like the Forestmaster's. And wings! I wish I had wings like yours! They're very pretty wings!! I could do horny and wing-type things if I had them. But, I don't. I'd look kind of funny, though. Because, I'm so very small. They look very pretty on you, though.
The pegasi where clearly intellegent, "Amazing!" Caitlyn breathed, eyes wide with wonder.
Turning to address the forest master, she asked with a respectful tone, "How close to the city can they take us? I wonder what condition Xak Tsoroth is in? If its not a complete wreck, it might be inhabited by brigands or worse." There were Goblin tribes out there somewhere, and other miserable things living on the edge. They would have to be careful.
"My children are young and do not fly so far often. They know the way to the mountain passes. Once, that was quite near to Xak Tsaroth. It may still be. If they can see the city, they may take you farther. But you must know that one city looks much the same as another from above. They can only be sure of the pass."
"We thank you and yours for your assistance ad this unique opportunity few others alive have had. Once this trip is over, have you an idea how far Wayreth Forest is from this ancient city? I must get there after for I am overdue to take the Test of High Sorcery".
Great Forestmaster and magnificent pegasi, any and all help that you can provide us would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for all of your help and hope that only good will arise from this endeavor and your succor. replies the half-elf.
"We thank you and yours for your assistance ad this unique opportunity few others alive have had. Once this trip is over, have you an idea how far Wayreth Forest is from this ancient city? I must get there after for I am overdue to take the Test of High Sorcery".
"You will be flying away from Wayreth," the Forestmaster said. "But Wayreth has its way of coming to those who seek it, when it deems them ready."
Forest Master, should we be on our way now? If so, is everyone ready? inquires the cleric.
Caitlyn simply nods. She had misgivings about actually flying, but she didn't want to look foolish in front of everyone.
Thistletorp nods from atop the pegasus. Ready!
Mounting a pegasus turned out to be much the same as mounting a horse. The Companions might have preferred saddles and reins, but their new mounts aggressively proferred their manes as something to hold. Then, with the Forestmaster's bleesing, they were off. Each pegasus broke into a dead run, against the faint breeze, and leaped into the air. Huge wings unfurled and beat. Huge muscles heaved, the sudden motion nearly enough to shake one's grip.
Then they burst through into a red-tinged sky. The pressing dark of the wood vanished in an instant. Darken Wood, a slumbering green shadow, spills out below. Purple mountains rise up to the north and south, with the distinct shape of Prayer's Eye Peak just visible. The pegasi cease their climb and the ride smooths greatly as their wings stroke the air more gracefully.
After half an hour, near to full dark, the Compansions soar over lights that must be Gateway and the out into the Abanasinian plain. The White-rage River passes almost unmarked, only a whisper of movement in the dark. For nearly three hours in the chill night air, the plain rolls on beneath. Now and then an isolated light stands out in the dark, but for the most part only the two moons and stars separate the twin voids above and below.
The Eastwall Mountains almost come as a surprise, shoulders of darkness pressing into the sky. The Companions barely have time to take them in before the pegasi begin their dive. Stomachs leap as they bank into tight spirals, the world tilting and whirling. They reach the ground with bone-shaking force, landing at the edge of a barely visible trail through the stands of aspen and and spruce rising to the east.
On the ground, the pegasi point their heads to the trail and paw the earth before fully lowering their wings so their charges can easily dismount.
"We must take care," Goldmoon said after thanking her pegasus. "My people have found owlbear here.
Jakun strokes the mane of the Pegasus he rode, "I think you for a most unique experience and for the ride.
Do we push through the pass despite the late hour? I can grant one more of you nightsight if we do..."
Tania's fingers are white from holding to her pegasus' mane and her eyes filled with too many wonders to process. With cramped legs she dismount, at first walking uneasily on the solid earth.
She turns to the mount, eyes filled with love, but the words stay strangled within.
As Goldmoon breaks the silence and reminds them of the threats surrounding them, Tania breaks eye contact with the pegasus to stare at the forest and draws her bow: "The pass is likely controlled. Darkness works for us and against us. It's not an easy call to make..." she offers.
Wheeeeeeeeeee! That was fun!. Thistletorp laughs and hugs his Pegasus. Thank uou! Next time! We should fly to the moon!. He laughs agains nd hops off Pegasus and waves goodbye. .hmmm..... Going inside might be bad. If not everyone can see in the dark, they can could bump into somethjbg and make noise and then the bad guys will find us. Like the cabbages. Shhhhhh
"One trip to the moon was enough for me Thistle did you forget what happened last time?"
There are other moons! And, your hair grew back!
Caitlyn lightly dismounts and thanks her mount by gently stroking its muzzle. "Time seems to be of the essence. Let's try the path for a little way, and look for a possible campsite to rest until dawn. I'm hoping to avoid a light which will no doubt attract trouble. If the path isn't safe for those without elvensight then we shall have to stop."
Assuming the others agree, Caitlyn will lead the others down the path. If the light is poor making the journey treacherous she will look for a suitable campsight. If the going is easy then she will try and push on axway before camping.
Before he proceeds, Jakun will cast Darkvision on himself and Thistle.
In the middle of the pack again Jakun will take his position.
Wow!!! I can see! You are so great!!! I can see in the dark! Jakun!! I can see in the dark!!
Wow!!! I can see! You are so great!!! I can see in the dark! Jakun!! I can see in the dark!!
"Uh Thistle, there may be enemies about..."
The half-elf will thank the pegasi for their help and wish them well.
Oh! Shhhhhh!. Thistletorp it's his finger up to his kid and makes a shushing gesture
Caitlyn led the way up the Foresaken Pass, threading through the aspen and spruce that had long since pushed into the trail. Now and then a much-worn paving stone pushes through the earth, making an easy trap for the incautious. It made for slow going as the night wore on, but the few narrow game trails that went off into the hills made it clear that they had the easier path.
Two hours' into the Companion's journey, the trees opened around a tumbled fortification, only its huge foundation stones remaining erect. The rest lay sprawled about and overgrown with bramble, some broken so small that just moving about kicked up rocks that cracked hard against others in the night's silence. The path ran between the huge stones, a ridge too straight to be natural reaching out to either side.
The moonslight revealed purposeful etchings on the larger stones, each a figure of hard lines and precise shapes entirely free of curves.
"I do not think that our warriors have some so high as this," Goldmoon said softly, clutching the Blue Crystal Staff. "I have heard no stories of a ruin."
WOw!!! A ruin!! I bet there are neat things inside!! Thistletorp bounds forwards over the rocks towards the ruin.
He scampers quickly, one with the shadows and just as silent, bounding over roots and rocks like a rabbit. He disappears completely from sight a few yards away, but then reappears beside Jokun a moment later. Jokun!! they have RUINS! We should explore! I'm going to explore! It'll be fun! You should come! But, you're very large. If you come when you're very large, you won't be very silent and you'll make noise and scare the cabbages and they'll attack us. That's not good. Cabbages are very bad. Shhhhh. He put his finger next to his lips and then ran off to explore the ruins.
Thistletorp finds many other etched stones, and learns that the path continues beyond, but otherwise finds nothing especially interesting save a few bits of rusted metal.
can we tell how old the ruins are?
can we tell how old the ruins are?
At least a few centuries. There are fairly large trees growing over some of the stones and what's still standing is pretty weathered. You could get a better estimate by identifying the trees and figuring out how long it would take them to grow (K:nature), how long the stone would take to weather (K:engineering), or by identifying the stonework and dating it directly (K:history).
Or some other plausible method to justify other knowledges. :)
know history
Seeing how fascinated the others are, and knowing they would need rest at some point, Caitlyn suggests,"We might consider camping here. The walls will give us shelter from the wind."
Gavin is hit with a brief pang of jealousy, not a common feeling for him. He takes a deep breath and releases, willing the jealousy to go with it. If Jakun could've, he would've included me in that spell. It's nothing personal, Gav. Let it go.
"Oh great. Thistle's off again. Let's pray that wherever we are doesn't carry a nasty reputation for devouring nosy little kenders who can't stay put" He meant it playfully, but a minute tinge of spite came through, not something he's proud of. Seriously Gavin, just let it go
He follows as best he can after Thistle into the ruins, worried that the kender may hurt himself, but gets caught up in the ruins themselves. He made a living traveling with others to plunder ruins much like this one, yet he'd never been to this particular place.
"Hey Thistle, maybe we should stick together just in ..case ...there's any... wow, this place must be old."
Marial couldn't quite place the ruins, despite her best efforts.
On closer examination, Gavin identified some of the trees encroaching on the stones as slow growing even by arboreal standards. He estimated that it took them at least three hundred years to progress so far as they have.
"So these trees are pretty old huh?", said Caitlyn as she clapped Gavin on the back, perhaps a little too hard. Quietly she adds, "I wonder what this place's story is. It must have been impressive in its day, whatever it was. Still, not sure I fancy larking around inside in the dark, lets leave that to Thistle. Besides if there is something lurking within, he can be quite as a mouse unlike us..."
Gavin is hit with a brief pang of jealousy, not a common feeling for him. He takes a deep breath and releases, willing the jealousy to go with it. If Jakun could've, he would've included me in that spell. It's nothing personal, Gav. Let it go.
"Oh great. Thistle's off again. Let's pray that wherever we are doesn't carry a nasty reputation for devouring nosy little kenders who can't stay put" He meant it playfully, but a minute tinge of spite came through, not something he's proud of. Seriously Gavin, just let it go
He follows as best he can after Thistle into the ruins, worried that the kender may hurt himself, but gets caught up in the ruins themselves. He made a living traveling with others to plunder ruins much like this one, yet he'd never been to this particular place.
"Hey Thistle, maybe we should stick together just in ..case ...there's any... wow, this place must be old."[dice=Kn. Nature]1d20+12
[dice=Kn. Arcana in case there are any ancient runes]1d20+12
I know, right?! Bits amazing! Thistletorp pops up behind Gavin. We should stick together! You're big and tall so cucu can see the really fall stuff, and I can see the small stuff and we'll see more great things together! And, Jakun made it so I can see on the dark! So I can help you see things too! And you can help me see things by getting me up to the top places that I may go and I can help you see those things up there!
He giggles and wanders off, somewhonmanhing to be everywhere but also be right by Gavin, too
Thistletorp found not much more than he already had. It seemed that the tumbled tower accounted for much of the ruin. The walls reached out to either side perhaps a hundred yards, with the corners showing much smaller towers. Within he could barely discern the footprints of some buildings, now just shadows among the trees, and then a similar tower on the far side. The far tower was entirely fallen in, its looming foundation stones turned into retaining walls for its one-time upper floor. Fortunately, the wall had given way in a smoother slope just to one side. The Companions could be through in minutes, though they'd be wise to watch their steps.
"I agree. Spending the night here makes more sense. Unless Thistle has noticed signs of passage. Did you notice fresh tracks?" Tania asks as she unshoulders her pack and massages her stiff muscles.
I never knew riding was so strenuous. I'm sure the altitude did not help... she thinks, realizing how strained her neck was.
Resting here in a defensive position might be prudent. How do our supplies look? she inquires.
Thistletorp found no tracks that seemed cause for concern.
Discussion of the supply situation and related matters coming to the OOC thread momentarily.