Electing to maintain stealth and trusting the relatively mellow tones of conversation coming from above; Byakko elects to remain hidden while keeping watch on the surroundings for any threats coming from without the house.
Karend nodes and takes a swig. "Thanks. I don't know what caused it, other than some foul witch magic. We were all here asleep in our beds and the next thing you know I'm falling out - thrown out - and break my leg. These trees..lifted us straight off the ground. All the sudden like. Looked out the window and everywhere I could see, just trees coming up everywhere. Might be more houses and shops up like we are, I don't know...but I haven't been able to move well, and the children are too scared to climb down alone. Besides that, every time we move too much this way or that, the whole house starts to rock and shake...lucky we haven't gone tumbling down already."
At this point, the flying Geedra lights down on the outer porch and appears in the doorway, which makes the man's eyes go wide.
"Behind you!" Karend exclaims.
So far, all seems clear on the ground, no sight or sound of anything coming from either direction. You watch Geedra suddenly take off from the ground and go airborne, and a few moments later a shout from above.
Skäne listens with a grim set, then tenses momentarily at Karend warning.
At Geedra's appearance, he flashes a hard smile;
"The puka is ours. We keep her vel fed, so she poses you and your kin no háski ..."
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Geedra smiles her large toothy grin at the human. ”Boo!”. She couldn’t help but have fun at the man’s expense. She looked at Skane, and she plodded into the room. ”Big human, am this thing true,” she says, jerking her thumb toward the inured man. ”Geedra’s Magic might fix leg. If the human deserves it, that is...”
Mithas takes up defensive position and keeps an eye out for trouble.
Karend blinks at Skäne, eyes moving slowly between him and Geedra. "You claim a goblin as a friend? Now I've seen everything. Strange times call for...strange allies, I suppose." When Geedra makes mention of fixing his leg, he goes wide-eyed. "You...you can do such a thing?"
"Are you really a goblin?" Crina interrupts. The young girl squints at Geedra, sizing her up. "I thought all the goblins here were bad. They steal things and hurt people in the alleys. But not you?"
"Crina, quiet down now. These are our guests...bah, gods be damned. My leg's broken, my house is in a tree, a flying goblin on my doorstep. I don't know what way is up anymore. I'd appreciate any help you can offer. I just want to take my children out of this forest from the hells and get away from here. Please." Karend clutches his hands together in a motion of pleading just as a gust of wind blows through the house and sends it swaying and creaking again.
Dislodged snow falls from the tree branches around those gathered below, where they watch for dangers in the dark.
Geedra moves forward and casts cure moderate woulda on the man.
CMW
”Price am only Geedra eats one kid. Good deal, right,” the goblin cackles. ”Just joking. No eat kids.”
Skäne nods and flashes another hard smile;
"Aye. Kyn-ligr times indeed."
At the interplay between child and goblin, the warrior allows his normal grim set to slip, chuckling before catching himself.
Laughter. I had forgotten its sound.
"You will have our hjálp Karend Hobbleleggr ."
Karend looks slightly alarmed when Geedra starts moving up to him, though whether it is her goblinness or the precarious situation of the house remains uncertain, though he does pull back slightly when she lays hands on him. As the energy courses into Karend, he looks rather bewildered, and reaches down to press on his leg when she is done. He does so in a few spots, looking to Geedra incredulously.
"It...it hurts a lot less," he says. "Still a little tender but..." he very cautiously puts weight onto his foot from a seated position, pushing down a little to test the waters. "I think I can walk on it. Thank...thank you."
At Skäne's comment he huffs. "All right, now, let's not go spreading Hobbleleg around! Children, help your father up. And be easy, we don't want the house tumbling down.
Easy as they go, the home still groans as weight is shifted and displaced, the whole of the structure swaying in the branches.
"Now...to get down from here. What's the plan? You have ropes?"
As you wait below, standing in the drifting snow and looking and listening into the depths of the dark, ominous forest around you, you hear a voice on the wind. Or is it? It almost sounds as if it is coming from everywhere, but nowhere. The faintest rustling of words in your mind, though akin to the breeze through the shifting trees. You can pick up whatever eerie message is being sent to you regardless of the source, however. You must be the last. The three must always be. You must...
Intelligence
Geedra advises the best way to climb down using ropes carefully tied around the various pieces of furniture still surviving. She uses her flight hex again and zips to the bottom.
Skäne bellows to his companions down below;
"Hail! Friends! We have need of kaðall , or any magicks that might assist our klífa down!"
Mithas gives Byakko a sidelong glance, "Did you hear something?"
When Skane calls down, he shouts back up. "I mean I can try to catch anybody that jumps? Let me see what else I have..."
Geedra has a potion of feather step. Not sure how helpful it would be but it might help one of them.[/ooc]
"You too?" Byakko responds as he meets Mithas's glance.
Byakko grunts unsure what to make of the otherworldly voice.
"No spells on my end... I believe you've collected several potions that may help but if you think a mundane method would satisfy I have a solid length of rope." Byakko retrieves the 100ft of silk rope from Enii's satchel and ties it to the head of a crossbow bolt. "Rope coming right up, keep yer heads down!"Hope this works... Byakko aims for the side of the house nearest where Skane entered and lets fly, standing clear of the rope but with a foot on the trailing end just in case.
You are uncertain as to the origin of the voice...you're not sure if it is extraplanar, spiritual, or illusory. The way it drifted into your senses it could have almost been the wind itself...though here in this place, you find that unlikely.
Byakko calls up from below that the rope is on its way, and puts a well-placed crossbow bolt, rope attached, into the side of the door jamb. The arrow thunks solidly into the wood, stuck fast. Geedra exits onto the porch just after the delivery, and gives a light cackle as she magically descends to join Krosh, Mithas, Byakko, and Enii on the forest floor.
"We'll trust whatever plan you come up with," Karend tells Skäne. "We've little choice otherwise."
Byakko pulls his rope taut, apparently having hit his target solidly. He twists the rope tight while setting his pack down and pulling the potion of fly from its contents. Preferring it towards the goblin and elf he says, "The cat becomes nervous when I'm closer to Tsukiyo, perhaps one of ye best bring them down while I maintain our anchor." Byakko flourishes the rope around his lead/right forearm and leans into his anchor position.
"Geedra, take the potion up to Skane. He's probably best to help these people fly down."
Mithas will be try to be ready catch anybody in case of any mishaps.
Geedra smiles at the idea of needing a potion to fly. Dumb humans, she thinks, as she picks up the draught and flies back up into the precariously perched house. She pokes Skane in the ribs. ”Here. Drink potion and am fly like Geedra. Carry others down,” she says.
Skäne shoots the cheeky Puka a hard look, the downs the potion.
He then unbuckles his armour and unceremoniously dumps in earthward. All save his shield which he hands to Geedra;
"Don't drop it little Geedra."
Imbued by its magic he begins to awkwardly ferry Karend and his children downard;
The plan is set. Geedra takes the magical drought and zips back up to the teetering porch, her light form touching down on the warped wood to hand Skäne the potion after he removes his armor, which itself thuds down piece of by piece onto the soft forest floor of pine needles and powdered snow. He trades the goblin his shield for the potion and downs it in one gulp. After a moment, the ulfen warrior feels the magic begin to take effect within, the cool, airy sensation in his veins. He wills himself to float a few inches above the ground, showing that it has worked.
"The children first, please," Karend beseeches. On that suggestion, Skäne picks up the young lad first, and floats through the house and out the door as those below keep taut the anchored rope, making sure that the intermittent winds do little to sway the structure or the tree. As Skäne ferries Trevis down, the boy giggles in delight, serenading the flight with a near-constant "I'm flyyyyyyiiiiinnnnggg." When Skäne sets the boy down on the forest floor, Trevis looks at the rest of you and then points at Byakko's sleek white tiger companion. "That's the biggest cat I ever saw!"
Snickering, Skäne ascends again, brushing against an errant branch on his way up but the contact is inconsequential. He ferris Crina down without incident, and though she is all smiles she keeps her composure better than her brother did. Finally, Karend is ushered out onto the porch, the man still a bit unsteady on his feet but much better off thanks to Geedra's healing. This trip is slower with two full grown Ulfen men, but it too ends without an issue. Geedra brings the shield down, and everyone looks up as the others slowly let go of the rope, as if waiting for the whole thing to come tumbling down, but the house hands in the branches still.
"Thank you," Karend sighs. "I didn't know what would happen to us up there, but it seems the ancestors favored us. I don't know how to repay you...ah!" He reaches down into his shirt and reveals a pendant he had been wearing around his neck, a handsome wrought iron disc with an old Ulfen rune on it. "This belonged to my wife, who walks with the ancestors now. She gave it to me to keep me safe on her deathbed, and I think it saw to its purpose. I would like to pass it to you - you saved her foolish old husband and more importantly her children. She would want you to have it. I want you to have it. It seems like you all are going deeper into this forest, am I right? By the gods, you'll need whatever help you can take." He pulls the amulet off of his person and holds it out.
"Don't worry about us. I've got a friend we can stay with for the time being. We can always get a new house, new things. I'm just thankful we're alive. If you could point us the way out of here, we'll get to it."
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Byakko relaxes his grip on the rope, and signals to Enii to heel as she eyes the new comers. He motions back the way they've come and says "Follow this path about eighty yards and then turn left. Keep the kids close and stay to the path though, these woods aren't safe!"
[B]"Well done Skane, not your first flight eh!? I hate to ask now that we're all grounded, but, uhhh, could one of you retrieve my rope?"
Skäne nods, noting the insistence in the man's words;
"You vegr me Karend. I will wear it with pride, as your langfeðgar did."
Before he dresses in his mail, the warrior flashes a hard smile and retrieves Byakko's rope
Geedra didn’t mention it, but the shield was heavy. As she flew down to the ground, she wasn’t her usual smooth flight, but she made it down nonetheless. She stood by while the others retrieved their ropes and began making preparations to continue on in their task.
"I think if might be best if we lead to to the edge of the woods. It's not far, but there are strange magics about. No need to get rescued twice in one day."
Once the family is seen safely out of the woods, Mithas will return back to where they found the house. "Well that's my good deed for the day. Let's see what else this forest holds in store for us."
Mithas will take point again and scout out a bit ahead of the rest of the party.
You lead the family to the edge of the woods and see to their exit, and the three of them thank you once more for all you have done. You swiftly return to the now-vacant hut and Mithas once more takes the lead, doing his reconnaissance ahead on the continuing path, and he melts away into the darkness ahead.
As you creep further along the snow-laden path, you start to pick up a powerful scent of loamy, turned earth, which puts you on edge. You only walk about forty feet, but again as you glance behind you, there is only darkness behind you. Slowing your pace, you see the trail open up into a clearing perhaps eighty feet across that you can see all of. In the center, a huge chunk of stone juts from the ground - a boulder twenty or so feet across and ten feet high. Six smaller boulders, each five or six feet in diameter, float suspended in the air equidistant around the central one, slowly spinning in a methodical orbit. Atop the central stone you see a figure in outlandish dress - a flowing robe or gown of some kind spun of lavender silk, the sleeves of which flow down so long that they drape down the sides of the boulder, and an azure vest stitched with wild patterns of deep orange. The wearer is some equally strange being with burnished bronze flesh and a wild mane of red and orange hair that billows up, dancing like torch flames. It holds a flute or some similar instrument, cradling it gently, but doesn't play. The creature does not seem to notice you.
Seeing the strange sight, Mithas tries to creep away to report the scene back to the rest of the party.
"I sense that our path leads north, he gestures after Mithas, "there is a presence ahead that seems to be the focus of this forest but it... seems to be actively hiding its location. It is unlike anything I have come across, and far beyond my abilities. Proceed we must but... should it be hostile..." Byakko rolls his shoulders uncomfortably as he trails off. He scratches Innii's head as he notices her hackles rising, hoping to instill a calm that he does not feel and the cat has clearly detected.
Mithas returns and conveys the scene ahead to the rest of you - the strange floating stones orbiting a large boulder and the stranger flamboyant creature atop it. Byakko points out the strength of the magic emanating from the area, but you figure forward is the best way to go and you follow the trail onwards.
You come across the clearing Mithas described, perhaps eighty feet across that you can see all of. In the center, a huge chunk of stone juts from the ground - a boulder twenty or so feet across and ten feet high. Six smaller boulders, each five or six feet in diameter, float suspended in the air equidistant around the central one, slowly spinning in a methodical orbit. Atop the central stone you see a figure in outlandish dress - a flowing robe or gown of some kind spun of lavender silk, the sleeves of which flow down so long that they drape down the sides of the boulder, and an azure vest stitched with wild patterns of deep orange. The wearer is some equally strange being with burnished bronze flesh and a wild mane of red and orange hair that billows up, dancing like torch flames. It holds a flute or some similar instrument, cradling it gently, but doesn't play.
Without missing a beat upon your entry, however, the being speaks, starting with a light sigh.
"Turn back, mortals, you cannot pass," he informs you. "I know why you have come, I can smell the cloaks of ash and cinder upon you. We have come to claim this reality, and we'll take the Crone's hovel with us. Turn away and live your lives in peace and safety, unburdened by the heavy weight of relevance. There is naught for you here but broken hearts and early graves. Please, be wise." He offers a soft smile and a bow, gesturing to the path behind you with a flourish of his hand.
Know. Nature
Geedra wasn’t sure what that thing was, but her first thoughts were that she would love to wear the fancy purple and orange outfit. ”Geedra am not sure flute thing am telling the truth. Seems sneaky.”
Skäne wares Geedra's words with a hard nod, then eyes the fey dandy with a growl;
"Ware your words Fae. You speak to a son of the Norðri . We have sundered your kind with kald járn and þróttigr arms for all ages. You leave. You live..."
He hefts his spear and shield, allowing the creature to note the bulwark's cold iron finish...
Unsure of what this creature is but wary that perhaps this may be the powerful origin of the magical aura he's barely been able to suppress since attempting its detection, Byakko mutters to his companions in a low tone he hopes isn't heard by their opposition, "This may be the presence I warned of. I can attempt to silence it's instrument if battle is joined." Byakko does not address the figure before them but fixes it with a steely gaze and smashes the hilt of his sword on his shield as he adopts a ready stance. He signals to Inni to move to the side.
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"Easy friend Skäne, let us meet courtesy with courtesy."
Mithas gives the strange fey a half bow.
"A pleasure to meet such a civilized individual as yourself in these days of danger and chaos. Alas, for we cannot cry off our own quest for the hut. In this we seem to be in opposition and to you we extend your own gracious offer, return to when you came, to live out your days in peace."
A flutter of anger dances across the creature's fiery eyes as Skäne and Byakko menace it, and his gaze lingers on the embossed cold iron shield for a moment too long. As Mithas speaks to try and calm the situation, the fey has to pull its gaze away from the shield a bit too hard before focusing on the elf.
"My destiny is writ in the opus of the first world, mortal. Already do our needles pierce the veils. Can you not feel it? This forest hums with the song of eternity. I am bound by laws too ancient for you to comprehend to act, and this spot is my stage. The Winter Queen shall help us conduct a symphony unlike the universe has ever heard. Leave? To leave is to shun the very notes of creation. " He shakes his head and floats up off of the rock a few feet, then plants his feet on the boulder to stand. He holds a hand up and the orbiting chunks of stone seem to pick up speed in their rotation.
"I appreciate the dialogue...but I will not warn you again," he says, eyes sweeping across the lot of you.
"Oh, Aye, that you shall not!" Byakko has heard enough. Emboldened by Mithas' hardened diplomacy, and hoping to widen the opening provided by Skane's harder words into a deeper pit of fear; Byakko utters the attack command to Inni and begins casting Mortal Terror...
Deciding to cut these stagnant negotiations short, Byakko suddenly yells out, his command to the loyal tiger starting off as a word but ending in a growl. He flows directly into a guttural intonation in an animal tongue. Gesturing towards the fey, a breeze seems to the flow through the clearing, carrying with it the chatter of anguished or angry voices through the trees. A greyish light swirls around your foe for a moment before dissipating...and the piper suddenly shrinks down and hurriedly looks all around, fear in its eyes.
Round 1
The fey yells out in some sylvan dialect, turning on his heel and leaping from the boulder, clutching his flute. He jumps clear off of the large boulder, out of sight on the other side, and your hear frantic footfalls and the rustle of leaves and branches as the creature runs off through the trees, apparently unimpeded by the strange magical thorns and briars that hungrily churn there.
Initiative
Dawn Piper
Krosh
Skäne
Mithas
Geedra
Byakko
”Does group chase evil fey? Or am wait to see if fey comes back?”
Byakko's advance slows as the Piper disappears amongst the foliage, his blood still hot he recognizes Inni will be the only one to understand his frustrated exclamation that escapes his body as a deep growl, "Blast! No chance for a follow up eh girl." The tiger, a few steps ahead looks back to her suddenly coherent (to her) companion and rumbles her response, "Chase? Fear stench strong!"
Byakko turns to his companions and lifts an eyebrow and shrugs slightly. A low questioning growl escapes his lips as he waits for an answer to the goblins question.
"Who knows what dangers we might run into chasing it. Either we leave it be for the moment, or we prepare an ambush for its return."
Skäne scowls as the fey flees, then jabs his spear forward;
"Leave the hrafnasueltir . We press on. If it has the stones to return, we butcher it. Nail to a baðmr as a warning to other of its ilk."
The warrior seems intent on pressing on...
Dawn Pipers have the ability to infuse a portion of the material world with the primal power of the First World. They can create a small zone that actually siphons energy directly from the world of the Fey, and aside from creating a strange link between the two words, it also bestows additional powers upon the piper who created it. You aren't quite sure of the specifics, but the zones have to be anchored on some sort of elemental matter - such as the stones here.
As Byakko looks around the area, Mithas takes cover at the edge of the clearing in case the creature returns. Skäne vocalizes his intent to keep moving, while Geedra defers to the others.
Krosh investigates the stones himself, touching them and running his fingers over their surfaces.
"Strange fey magic. The stones, the land here hold the power now, for whatever purpose..."
Two paths lead from this clearing - north and west. You came from the south.
Skäne looks to those more suited for pathfinding;
"What say you... Nord or Vestr?"
Geedra didn’t care. One direction was just as good as the other. She shrugged, waiting for one of the scouts to report a decision.
"Let's just go north."
After a quick search of the area, you decide to head out before the angry fey returns to its perch, and as a group move north through another ominous corridor of bark and leaf. The path narrows here, in spots forcing you into a single-file procession, and as the forest presses in around you, the sounds beyond the barrier of trees do their best to unnerve. Strange calls and eerie howls of unknown creatures, the heavy slithering of the magic-infused vines shifting across tree trunks, the rustling of briars in a moaning wind. Fortunately, after a menacing thirty feet, the path suddenly opens into a stretch of snow-dusted grown forty or fifty feet wide that gives you some much needed breathing room.
Seventy five feet ahead, the path forks left and right, adding to this arboreal labyrinth. As you start heading through this wider area, you suddenly hear the breaking of branches to the left and the right and blurs of motion as two forms erupt from the foliage in the tree branches. Each ascends, airborne, in an arc over your procession until they reach an apex of thirty feet above you. Both Skäne and Byakko find themselves draped in a shadow from the two creatures, which brings with it a shiver that runs down their spines...an intangible foreboding.
Looking up, you see the creatures, a horrific mix of beasts. Their bodies look like stags or elks, russet fur stained in patches of blood, but their legs end in the hooked talons of a bird of prey. Their huge grey-feathered wings are matted with bits of gore from previous kills, and the jaws of their snarling lupine heads drool and froth with hunger.
Init:
Skane
Mithas
Enemies
Geedra
Byakko
Krosh