Auric's blow puts the beast down. Leaving the party with a frantic man, his daughter, and a sleeping man with a wolf. What would you like to do?
Magnus relays the progress with the boar and assists the frantic man out of the writhing brush with his staff. He then speaks to the man very slowly and firmly. " Take your young one to safety, then go as quickly as you can to Dunshale, warn the villagers there to be prepared, but don't cause panic. Can you do this? "
Turning to Kalaya, Jon looks at her with a perfectly straight face. "I find that my diplomacy is always more effective with threats of arboreal violence implied."
Auric helps the girl out of the ditch where she's fallen.
"You all right, kid?"
Liam likewise moves to help Auric with the girl. "Easy now darli', Evie, is it? " he murmurs with a concerned half-smile. "Big Brave Auric and his band of merry ragamuffins are here. And look, your da's alright too." He points as two of Big Brave Auric's ragamuffins emerge from the woods with the wild-eyed woodcutter.
Liam stands as the man approaches, his smile now turned towards the girl's father. "Picked a rough day to be huntin' for mushies,," he quips. "Y'alright there man?"
Auric blushes and grimaces at the same time.
"Please don't use that again."
The girl seems surprisingly unruffled, but makes a face as she brushes herself off. "I skinned my knee, and my dress is dirty," she declares.
Once free of the grasping plants, the man listens to Magnus' words and nods. He rushes out to his daughter and scoops her up, giving nods of thanks to Auric and Liam before hurrying away.
Magnus gathers the group through whispered conversation. Let's not get too far removed from the big goals. The real threats lie deeper in the woods. Keep your guards up and eyes peeled. magnus then goes further into the forest listening for any sounds of trouble or fighting.
"Well done," Stilgar says to others as the man and his daughter run off. He nods at Magnus' suggestion, knowing full well that they had little time to spare. Nonetheless, only now does he ask, "Were there any shifters in the wood?" He looks at the felled boar pointedly, noting that it had not turned into a man as the giant bat had.
"None yet, but the man in the antlers seems to think he is a beast. I suspect that the true leader of this issue will make himself obvious when we see him."
"Should we tie up these sleepin' beauties and question them?" Liam asks, gesturing to their slumbering opponents.
"Restraining them would be wise, but I doubt they will be as talkative as the zealot back at the cave," Stilgar replies, already starting to retrieve his coil of silk rope from his pack. He recalls the man's strange mannerisms, perhaps caused by head trauma. "Our time might be better spent stopping the one responsible for all this. We already know where we must go."
"Might be I have ways of persuading him..." Liam says, wiggling his fingers with a grin.
Magnus looks at Liam with surprise. "Very well then. Let's do this quickly. The woods are not a safe place right now for long drawn out conversations. "
Once the man and his wolf (?) are restrained , but before the man awakens, Liam intones a short arcane phrase and gestures at the man.
I just need to know who is doing the job of tying them up.
Liam's spell appears to work, as when the man awakens he immediately focuses on Liam. "Heya. How's 'bout gettin' these bonds off'n me, afer my hands and feet get all pins 'n needles, hey? Joke's a joke, but these ropes are a mite tight." When the wolf awakens, it begins snarling and struggling, but the man says "Quiet, Shadow. Lie still!" and the wolf ceases its struggles, eyes flicking back and forth between the party and the man.
The cleric raises an eyebrow, taken aback by the man's seemingly friendly demeanor. Stilgar then looks to Liam knowingly, remaining quiet.
I just need to know who is doing the job of tying them up.
Liam's spell appears to work, as when the man awakens he immediately focuses on Liam. "Heya. How's 'bout gettin' these bonds off'n me, afer my hands and feet get all pins 'n needles, hey? Joke's a joke, but these ropes are a mite tight." When the wolf awakens, it begins snarling and struggling, but the man says "Quiet, Shadow. Lie still!" and the wolf ceases its struggles, eyes flicking back and forth between the party and the man.
Liam gives the bound man an easy smile. "Don't worry man, I'll untie ye - as soon as I'm sure y'who I think y'are, and not some demon in a friendly shape. Now, tell me true," he says, face turning serious but not threatening, "What's yer name, and yer business in these here woods of almighty Kurnan?"
Magnus listens intently and looks to the rest of the group to gauge their reactions.
Auric returns his hammer to his belt, pulling a sword from the bundle of firewood on his back. He listens intently to Liam's interrogation.
Jon broods.
The man gives Liam a grin. "It's jus' old Barend, it is. If'n I were some demon, Shadow there wouldn't follow me. Beasts is afraid of 'em, right? I'm just followin' the plan, takin' the wrath of the Horned God to them's serving as lackeys to the dwarves. Despoilers all, pulling up the plants and cutting down the trees. Sure, I'm a bit early, but why wait, I says? Them others can keep their mumbo jumbo. I say take 'em now while the time is ripe."
Liam bites his lip as if contemplating the idea, then shakes his head with a sigh. "A worthy goal, 'tis true, but I don't think it's going t' work right now. Y'see, we're on a likeminded plan, but we've just heard word that the stinkin' dwarves are reinforcing T'ree Oaks as we speak. Yer not like to find good hunting there, Barend. But mayhaps we can figure out a better way to bring Kurnan's wrath home to them lickspittle dwarf lovers!"
Liam starts, as if suddenly remembering. "But hold, y' be wantin' outta those ropes. While I believe ya, I better be talkin' to me colleagues. I ain't the leader o' this merry band - just the cleverest, quickest, and bravest!" he chirps with a wink and a grin. "I'll be right back. Don't worry, I'll convince 'em y'ain't no demon, and that ain't no demon wolf neither."
Liam motions to the others to step out of earshot to discuss the situation. Once the party is a comfortable distance away,..
"I'm thinking I should convince him to lead us back t' whoever he takes his orders from. Stilgar, you'd have to pose as a dwarven traitor for a bit, with information to share, but I think I can swing him 'round to leading us t' where we wanna go. Any objections to settin' him free?" Before anyone can answer he says, "I know, I know, we'll probably have to take him down at some point - breaks me heart to do that to another human, and a Kurnan-lovin', dwarf hater like meself t' boot, but... He shouldn't be harmin' no innocent folks. Save it for the pint-sized tyrants, I says."
Liam finally draws breath, before opening his yap once more. "So, what d'ya say?"
"How long does that spell last? He should stay tied up unless you're 100% sure he won't be trouble for anyone."
"All right... But we need to keep a close eye on him. And the wolf. If we can avoid killing anyone, let's stick to that."
Liam nods, Auric's consent enough for him. "The charm will last for hours yet. Let me see if I can get him to take us to his chief - if not, we may have to take him down immediately, particularly if he's hellbent on attacking innocents this very day... Oh, and just in case he's just pretending to be charmed, be ready when I untie him"
Liam returns to the bound man. "Good news, friend! I've convinced the rest of your humanity! Now, let's see to those ropes..."
Liam bends to untie his hands, but throws a warning glance to the others as soon as his face is out of Barend's eyeline.
Barend rubs at his wrists a bit, then looks at Liam with a yellow grin. "Thanks. Those were startin' ta chafe a bit." He glances over at the group and then leans in to Liam.
Stilgar's expression falls slightly when he is told that he will have to act. He was not at all a good liar. Nonetheless, he nods in agreement with Auric.
"We will have to exercise caution, but... I will do what I can to play the part."
"A marvelous plan if I do say so myself. Well done, Liam. Stilgar, I know you're no thesbian, but no need to worry. I'll be there too helping out with my own deceptions where needed." Magnus nods to Liam to continue on with the plan.
"A marvelous plan if I do say so myself. Well done, Liam. Stilgar, I know you're no thesbian, but no need to worry. I'll be there too helping out with my own deceptions where needed." Magnus nods to Liam to continue on with the plan.
Liam gives the crazy gnome a nod and a smile in acknowledgment of his praise.
"Ye've got one o' them with ye?! Are ye daft, man? What's that bearded stump doin' here?" he rasps, eyeballing Stilgar.
"I know it looks odd," Liam breathes, eyes wide, "But the little bugger's a turncoat. He's got important information about the movement of the dwarves, and he's been offered a huge price in gems for his betrayal. Personally I can't stand him, but we've got to be civil, or he'll walk..."
"I need to get him to the leaders of the Horned faith. Mayhaps you could help us? We've been waylaid by all manner of monstrosities, from undead to demons, and we've lost our way somewhat. Is there any chance you'd give us a hand? I could do with another pair of trusted eyes of the... Bearded stump, as well. What d'ya say?"
Barend listens to Liam's whispers, occasionally glancing over the bard's shoulder to eyeball Stilgar. Finally, he gives a nod, reaching up and adjusting his leather cap with its prongs. "Right then. Daylight's a'wastin'. Follow me, try ta keep pace, and don't try ta pet Shadow. Tis a wolf, not a dog."
With that, the man stands, collects and stows his weapons, and proceeds to cut his wolf loose. Tongue lolling, the animal bounds out into the woods, with Barend striding along behind. He doesn't look back to see if the party is following.
As he skips to keep up with the suddenly moving Barend, Liam throws a look to his companions.
Magnus loads up his crossbow and follows along, sights trained down range in the direction of the fair-weather friend; to aid or end him.
Magnus speaks softly to Liam using his spell: "This method of communication is similarly subtle and perhaps more clear. What were you trying to tell us?"
Sense Motive:
Auric follows along, eyes mostly on the trees and roots to make sure he doesn't trip.
Stilgar follows as well, distracted by thoughts of what to lie about to the nature worshipers.
Kalaya stays towards the back of the room, allowing the interrogation to unfold uninterrupted.
Liam covers his surprise at the sudden voice in his ear. "Er... Just that his mood has definitely changed. I've enchanted him to be friendly towards me, but he ain't too happy about escorting a dwarf to his bosses, that's for sure. I think we should be ready to strike at any time." Liam speeds up to get closer to the woodsman.
"So, Barend," he begins in a voice pitched to be heard by just the two of them, "Have you lived away from towns all your life? I have - until the dwarves forced me to join a militia for a year... Worst time o' me life. Following the orders of the half-high scum and their lickspittle human lackeys." He spits on the ground to show his feelings about that kind of human.
Barend grunts in agreement. "I know watcha mean. Grew up in Ashvale, west o' here. The thane there is near as bad as the one down yonder in Dunshale. Left as soon as I could be out on my own. Been mainly a hunter and trapper. Jus' me on my own, meetin' occasionally wit' other like-minded folk. Ardan, he's got this still set up, makes a mean jug o' hooch... Anyway, jus' been me, and now Shadow fer the last year, 'til the Horned God came, that is. All us free folk're under his banner now. We'll free the marches again, let the trees grow agin, fed on the blood o' the despoilers. Do things as the god says, not this beatin' round the bush like those Hand fellers are wont ta do."
Those of you with outdoor savvy note that Barend appears to be taking you in the direction you had decided your enemy lurks.
Magnus relays the message to the rest of the group and continues along watching to the front for anything of interest.
Barend grunts in agreement. "I know watcha mean. Grew up in Ashvale, west o' here. The thane there is near as bad as the one down yonder in Dunshale. Left as soon as I could be out on my own. Been mainly a hunter and trapper. Jus' me on my own, meetin' occasionally wit' other like-minded folk. Ardan, he's got this still set up, makes a mean jug o' hooch... Anyway, jus' been me, and now Shadow fer the last year, 'til the Horned God came, that is. All us free folk're under his banner now. We'll free the marches again, let the trees grow agin, fed on the blood o' the despoilers. Do things as the god says, not this beatin' round the bush like those Hand fellers are wont ta do."
Those of you with outdoor savvy note that Barend appears to be taking you in the direction you had decided your enemy lurks.
"Aye, I'm a hunter and fisherman meself. Liam Fisher's the name. Grew up with me da in the wilds, Kurnan bless his soul..." Liam's voice fades away, as an unfeigned lump in his throat swells at the thought of his late father. He pulls out his little flask of whiskey and swallows, burning the lump away. "'S better. Care for a tot?" he asks, offering Barend the flask.
Barend takes a pull off the offered flask, grins his approval, and hands it back.
The journey is uneventful as you move deeper into the Crescent and the land begins to elevate as you reach the base of the foothills. You cross a lustily flowing stream at one point, walking over a fallen tree. On the other side, Barend stops the group, peering around a moment, before nodding as he apparently spots what he's looking for. Rather than continuing on, he jags west, following the bank of the stream.
"Gotta watch'er step hereabouts. We got some traps laid out for any interlopers. Don't wanna blunder into 'em. Not far now, just another hundred or two paces."
Magnus follows more closely here, ensuring that he stays on the same paths Barend treads. He whispers: "We should consider putting him out before he reunites with his leader. His allegiance can change pretty quickly if he sees us beating up on his personal Messiah." Magnus looks around trying to see what Barend was. "there could also be traps he could help us avoid, I leave the decision to you."
Magnus looks around trying to see what Barend was.
Sorry, missed this line. Go ahead and make a Perception check.
Magnus isn't sure what Barend is looking at, but he do see him glance around every now and then as he makes his progress, occasionally changing direction, apparently based on what he's seeing.
At this point, the party can hear the sound of falling water in the near distance, at this point the source still out of sight through the trees. Any actions anyone wants to take before you arrive?
As the party follows Barend, Stilgar takes a step closer to Magnus and whispers into his ear (or replies through his message spell if its duration has not run out).
"Make sure you keep that ring I gave you on. I do not foresee this going smoothly."