With the affection of a mother, Vei gently stroked your hair, [I know Fel, I know. Something sinister cut us off and put you in that.]
The angel pointed to a bubble of dark purplish energy hovering just above the floor. It brought up memories of that night with The Piper.
[I am not sure Fel. Nothing like this has happened before. For now let’s move away from it.] Vei picks you up and carries you way to your favorite place in the Library where she calms you down and the two of you can discuss your next steps. After talking for quite some time you awake the next morning.
Zaranna reacts by holding out her hand and speaking a word of power, the divine light of the moon shooting out to burn through the dark thing before her.
Then off in the distance, a glimmering point of light.
Zaranna moves towards the light.
Floating towards the light you notice that it seems to get colder and colder, to the point that frost begins to build upon your plate armor. Wait, when did you put on armor?
Wishing for the heat of the forge, Zaranna stops (Was I floating?) and casts a light spell so she can look at herself. Is this me? she thinks. She takes off an armplate to check to see if it is her own hand and arm, also noticing the type of metal she is wearing. What kind of metal is this made out of, and why am I wearing it?
She wonders if she is wearing it to add weight to her body so she doesn't float away.
Still, in the void everything is cold, and the only external light might also lead to warmth, so she continues in the direction of the light, praying for guidance as she goes.
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You begin to accelerate towards the light, gaining speed you never thought possible. The light grows brighter as you approach.
You hear the sound long before the light comes into view to confirm what your ears already made you suspect. It’s a forge, and standing at the anvil hammering away was a woman with her back to you. As you near her, she is finishing the most finely crafted blade you had ever seen. She turns and you gasp in shock as you see that this woman……….is you. Much older than you are now and far taller, like the height of a giant.
Looking you up and down, she crosses her arms and gives you a glare. "You must finish that armor before she is born."
Everything goes dark again and you open your eyes to see Alric waking you up for watch.
As the night breaks into dawn, the air seemed crisper than the last two days and the sky was cloudier. It appeared that the day was going to be a tiny bit miserable.
Zaranna thanks Alric for waking her up for her watch, and during her watch with Fel, she tells her of her dream.
I had the strangest dream last night... I was commanded to finish a set of plate armor. The woman told me it had to be done "before she is born" but I have no idea who she was talking about. I feel like it is commanded by the gods, but I am confused about how to accomplish what they ask. Have you ever had a dream like that?
________
In the morning, as they set off to complete their journey Zaranna starts to tell the story of her dream to get people's minds off the miserable weather.
I had a strange dream last night. In it I was working at the forge and for some reason the metal I was working with just wasn't taking the right shape, so I discarded that piece and chose another. Then a woman came and wanted to buy something, but when I turned around it was a creature of shadow bent on attacking me. It was a dream though, so of course I vanquished it easily... but after that I was floating in darkness wearing plate mail... I mean, in real life I don't even think I could move in plate mail, yet there I was wearing it. Then I was told to finish the plate mail for someone, but I don't know who. Really strange. A product of too much work, or a message from the gods? Sometimes it is hard to tell.
Elyana was disturbed to hear about Zaranna and Fel's dreams and was relieved she'd not had any of her own so far. If what Fel said was true though, and some dark power were trying to get to them, she figured it would be a matter of time before they were all having these dreams. "I don't think there is much we can do other than try to be alert when we sleep then."
She looked up to the sky as they prepared to set out and Elyana said, "This doesn't bode well, I think we may be in for bad weather." She looked around and then added, "We may need to find someplace to hole up if it proves too bad so I think we should all keep an eye out for any caves or other sheltered places as we travel today."
Hearing Fel so certain that her dream was evil made Zaranna clam up and not share anymore until the next morning. Was the dream bad? It didn't feel that way, and the gods had led her in mysterious ways in the past... but she should be careful, of course.
_____
In response to Elyana's comment, Zaranna said
Yes, good point. Shelter is a good idea.
But she was still really thinking about the dream, wondering whether Fel was right or wrong.
”My dream...” Cardren begins, ”It was about the future. A possible future. Not sure how many years from now. I was back at the monastery. It felt like any other dream until towards the end. Then I heard his music. I don’t know much about dreams. Where they come from or why. But it is worth noting that this dream occurred so soon after his return.”
Cardren looks at the sky and feels the wind with his outstretched fingers. ”Indeed, a good suggestion, Elyana."
Though the weather isn't the cheeriest, your continued journey unhindered. You take your midday break without incident. As the sun begins setting Alric and Cardren keep an eye out for a sheltered location in case the weather turns wet. Fortunately, they located an outcropping of stones that with a little work could remain dry.
Cardren's dream had been noted by the ranger but he didn't share his own dream yet. They were encountering old terrors now and the old wounds would rip open again. He let the moment pass and did not share his own harrowing dream. That was until the next time that they rose from camp and both Fel and Zaranna spoke about their dreams.
Alric listened to each of them speak, cooking a bit of bacon on the frying pan to help liven up their meal and the dreary day that seemed to be approaching. It was after Cardren explained his dream in more detail that the ranger resettled some on his heels and cleared his throat.
"The night you had your dream Cardren, I had one too. I...I dreamt of Shadei. Not her as a child but her as an adult, like us. We were in a strange forest, one so unnaturally still and quiet. You could hear your pulse in your head. That monster was stalking her, trying to take her again when I found them. I rescued her, I didn't let it take her this time." He lets the words hang in the air a little longer than he meant to, flipping the bacon over. "I can't say if it is a strange dream persay. I'd dreams like that frequently when I was younger. This one just felt...different. I can't forget it."
"Eat up and stay warm. We'll be fine today." Alric says as he looks up into the grey sky with only a slightly concerned look. The day's march was long, cool, and only occasionally drizzly. The weather was kind to them for now, the Gods only knew if it would stay the same as they found an outcropping of stones that would would be quite manageable with a bit of engineering to it.
”Just tell me what to carry or hold while it gets lashed together, and I’ll be happy to do it. Or I can chop firewood,” Cardren says as the group begins to construct the shelter.
For Crafting, Assurance allows me to automatically take 10, so minimum I can get is a 16.
Elyana wasn't the most wilderness wise of the Cult, she often had a bodyguard or two who took care of such things, but she did know some about building a shelter. She decided to try and help with finding firewood and began to move around the area looking for dry pieces of wood for the fire.
With the coordination of Alric, a rustically beautiful shelter was set up. Including a firepit that allowed it to be lit without giving away your position.
As the sun started setting, dark clouds started moving in. During the cooking of the evening meal, before watches started, a short distance a campfire came to life a short distance away.
Cardren indicates the fire which he is sure the others have seen. ”Should one or two of us investigate? If they are traveling from our destination, they may give us news of road conditions. If they are dangerous it’s good to know that too.”
Sure, I'll go with you Cardren.
Zaranna grabs her bow, and heads with Cardren towards the campfire, keeping an eye out for any trouble on the way, since Cardren couldn't see very well in the dark.
If they approach without noticing anything unusual, Zaranna announces herself before getting all the way to the campfire, not wanting to surprise anyone on watch into attacking.
Ho, the campfire! May we approach?
Guiding the Monk around the mold the two see a small camp with four muscular humanoids with green skill and vicious tusks. Cardren recognized them as Orcs. They appeared to have a captive, a woman with olive colored skin, leaves for clothing, and an abnormal number of branches in her hair.
Zaranna and Cardren slip away back to the others to report.
Coming back to camp, Zaranna fills the group in.
Four orcs at the other campfire, and they have a captive, who we should probably rescue. Who's in?
Oh, also, there are patches of brown mold between here and there, so if you can't see in the dark too well, you might want to follow someone else closely.
Elyana listened to the report with fear. Orc! Why did it have to be orcs! She rose and began to gather her gear as she said, "I won't leave anyone to the mercy of those green skinned bastards," her voice was livid with anger, "especially not a woman."
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Cardren draws the orc camp on the ground to help the others visualize the situation. ”Do you think the stealthier ones should circle around the camp to attack from two sides? Should we wait until the rainstorm?”
Elyana shook her head when Cadren asked about waiting for the rainstorm emphatically and said, "No, we can't wait. There is no telling what they will do to her or how soon. If the rainstorm hits while we are on the way fine but we can't trust that it will work out that way and we can't wait." Elyana considered a moment and said, "We could try to lure a couple of them away from her first. If one of us shows themselves and then runs it is likely at least a couple of them will follow. We can thin their numbers down in an ambush and then go for the remaining two."
How about I stand on one side and start shooting some arrows, and when they rush my way, someone comes in from the other side to rescue the captive? ... I mean, hopefully someone else comes with me that is good at hand-to-hand, but just saying arrows might draw them off, or at least some of them.
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Elyana considered Aranna's sugestion and said, "My only concern with that is they might use the woman as a shield against you as they advance.."
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Alric listened quietly to the situation that Cardren and Zaranna had discovered, frowning for just a moment before nodding with Zaranna.
"I'll keep you covered Zaranna. I can likely ambush them from the nearby foliage and strike them down." His attention would turn towards Elyana next. "You and Cardren should focus on rescuing the girl. Cardren is fast and skilled and could take down an orc if needed. I don't know what you may be capable of Elyana but I think your power could help in any situation with a hostage." The fey were known for their allure and unnatural charm. Perhaps she had some of that herself.
You approach the Orc camp stealthily and manage to avoid the mold around the area. Taking up positions around the camp you ready yourselves to attack.
Round 1:
Elyana (Undetected), Alric (Undetected), Orc Warrior, Weakened Dryad (Restrained), Fel (Undetected), Vei (Undetected), Cardren (Undetected), Orc Brutes
Zaranna moves to Q6, crouching low in the underbrush and targeting the Orc Warrior who looks like the leader to her, then she starts firing.
It doesn't go that well, but she supposes that the point was to grab their attention so that a rescue could happen anyway.
Elyana was surprised by what she felt as she snuck up on the orc's encampment. It was familiar, a sense of...kinship, but she knew of no one who would have been a part of her family who would have been out here. No, this was something different even if she didn't understand just what yet and it came from the woman they were there to rescue.
Given their plan Elyana had to resist the urge to charge out and rescue the woman right now. Instead she stayed in place and prepared to do what she could to help free the captive.
The Oracle's first arrow bounces off of the Orc's armored shoulder and the second goes completely wide.
Round 1:
Elyana (Undetected), Zarrana, Alric (Undetected), Orc Warrior, Weakened Dryad (Restrained), Fel (Undetected), Vei (Undetected), Cardren (Undetected), Orc Brutes
Alric waits patiently where he is, studying the Orc warrior with a frightening intensity. When the two of them go to battle, he will be most certainly ready. He has both of his weapons drawn and readies to attack any enemy that gets to close to where he is.
As the arrows caught the attention of the most probable leader, he turns and barks out some orders, "Stå opp hundene dine, vi har flere slaver å samle på!"
He drew his particularly nasty looking blade and moved towards Zaranna.
A flash of steel came out of nowhere as he approached a tree.
Round 1:
Zarrana, Alric, Orc Warrior, Elyana (Undetected), Weakened Dryad (Restrained), Fel (Undetected), Vei (Undetected), Cardren (Undetected), Orc Brutes
From behind the tree and out of the darkness, Alric's sword glints with the orange flame. He swings it around in an arc, hoping to catch the leader off-guard.
Seeing the first of the orcs charge in to attack her friends on the other side Elyana still felt there were too many near the woman they were there to rescue. She delayed longer until the other orcs had a chance to go and engage her friends s well.
Alric's surprise attack was successful and cut the Orc leader substantially.
The Dryad decided to take advantage of the distraction and try to get loose.
Getting her hands free from the ropes, she then cast a spell on the Orc nearest her.
Even in her weakened condition, her magic overwhelmed the Orc knocking him unconscious.
Round 1:
Zarrana, Alric, Orc Warrior, Weakened Dryad, Fel (Undetected), Vei (Undetected), Cardren (Undetected), Orc Brutes (OB3 - Unconscious), Elyana (Undetected)
OW -9
Elyana took the chance with one of the orcs now sleeping and quickly moved to where she could reach the woman with her spell. She chanted and gestured unleashing a ray of positive energy from her hand at the dryad and called out, "This way!"
”I don’t like suggesting this -- it’s probably the dream from the other night influencing me -- but this might be a trap,” Cardren says to the others. ”The only resemblance was that I was going to help a person needing help, but...this has me more hesitant than I normally would be. I’m not usually paranoid.” He inhales deeply and slowly breathes out. ”Fear not, I’m fully committed to this rescue.”
Cardren sees the orc fall into slumber, so he changes his plans and rushes towards a different orc.
The Monk unleashed a devastating blow that would have downed a normal man. But the brute stayed standing and turned to face Cardren when he threw another punch that finally brought the Orc low.
Round 1:
Zarrana, Alric, Orc Warrior, Weakened Dryad, Fel (Undetected), Vei (Undetected), Cardren, Orc Brutes (OB3 - Unconscious), Elyana (Undetected)
OW -9