Mad Marvin winks at the fox.
Cathoris steps back when Helgash comes over to tie up the body. Realizing that they intend to question him, Cathoris says, I was just going to let him wake up after we were gone, but I suppose he may have some answers about that… uh, evil fey. The last part clearly showing he has forgotten her name.
Cathoris moves next to Straug and says to the party, So, I’m not great with words… or people for that matter. Who’s going to question him?
"I thought you would want to know why he attacked?" - Helgash paused - "But we can just let him go" - he added.
"I am not very good with words also, but the advantage is ours - he has no alternative but to answer I think" - the half-orc ponders - "Or die"
With that he calls Tark closer, then moves off to check if the wolf may be interested in eating one of the dead crows - "Let me know if you want me to question him"
Mad Marvin waves farewell to the fox.
Ain't we be un hurry?
The Fox moves up and looks at Mad Marvin questioningly
Cathoris will cast cure light wounds on the attacker. Wakey, wakey.
As the hobgoblin comes to, Helgash is immediately on him, Tark growling by his side - "Who are you, and why did you attack us?" - he asks - "Come forward, and speak honestly. You may yet survive this"
Mad Marvin looks down at the fox. The dwarf grins. He reaches into a pouch to retrieve a bit of beef(?) jerky. He hands it to the fox. He grins.
The Hobgoblin sat up with a gasp as the positive energy revitalized him and healed the worst of his wounds. He was still far from normal, but he would was alive and a awake. He looked around at his dead crows and scowled. Looking at the foes surrounding him and listening to Helgash speak he grunted and spoke in common I understand you rightly enough. I underestimated your strength or I wouldnt have. As to why, The Fellnight Queen has a bounty out on you. Well most of you. Theres no mention of the mad dwarf there or you and your wolf he says to Helgash.
The fox slowly take the piece of jerky and backs away quickly chewing it with a fervor.
As Helgash jumps on hobgoblin, Cathoris jumps backs startled. He readies his staff as he watches the scene unfold.
How much? Cathoris asks after hearing the hobgoblin’s response, curious to know what would draw enemies onto them.
The Hobgoblin glances at Cathoris surprised the human spoke Goblin.
100 GP per head for the 6 of you. though I dont see the woodsman.
Tch.. only a 100...? Alex mutters to himself.
Do you know any of the reasoning behind the bounties?
Alex likely already knew the answer, but maybe he did know something they didn't.
he glanced at Alex and then said ehh. Who am I to know why royalty of the Unseelie Court do anything. Chaos is woven into the fabric of their being.
"We should just slit his throat and leave him here" - Helgash grunts, staring at the hobgoblin - "But there is no victory in hunting a defeated foe" - he pats Tark - "I say we hand him a dagger and send him on his way"
"Unless you want to deliver him to the authorities?" - the half-orc looks at the others.
Tell me, is your loyalty bought with gold alone? Alex will look to the hobgoblin after helgash makes his suggestion.
Mad Marvin begins mumbling
...royalty of the Unseelie Court... royalty of the Unseelie Court... royalty of the Unseelie Court...
Grunk frowns at the discussion then continues. My loyalty is given to who I decide and when I decide. That wasnt a loyalty decision, but a monetary one. I do not serve the Fellnight Queen. It was only business. As for the discussion of what to do with me. I wont be coming after this bounty again, one way or the other. Either ill be dead and unable to, or if I live; I see nothing good coming from going after you. The information on you was incorrect. I could not have killed all of you.1 maybe. ... maybe a second if the stars were with me. No. If you let me free, give me my gear and Ill not bother you, and you will have gained a ...'friend' in the Darkwood Vale.
Mad Marvin pondered what he heard and knew...the Unseelie Court was the opposite of the Seelie Court among the fey. One side serving good. the other evil.
"I can live with that" - he grunts.
Interesting. How would you like to make a little coin? Not as much as bringing all of us in. But still, coin. And perhaps more later on? One can never have too many friends after all. Especially in places like this.
It seems hes bluntly truthful.
He looks at Alex thoughtfully and says If your not going to off me, maybe I could have some water. and then says Im listenin
What are you doing, Alex? Cathoris thinks worriedly. Are you trying to get him on your side, too?
Lads, he's clearly comfortable in these woods he'll be fine. I say we let him live but cant be without some penalty. Leave him in his skivvies with a dagger and off we go. We can post his gear to him somewhere. We're not thieves.
hmmm.. its true, we don't have much time at the moment. Then, do you have a residence here in these woods? Once things have settled down, and the matter at hand is dealt with, I would come to discuss future business with you. Mutually beneficial of course.
After some thought, Rydell shrugs.
I say give him his weapon and his bow. But let us keep the arrows if you are worried. Though I suppose you could keep the bow if you desire recompense.
Cathoris looks at the others, who appears to hin to be in sgreement, more or less. He set the weapons at the hobgoblin’s feet and hands the arrows to Helgash. Maybe you can use these.[/b
He then looks down at the ropes uncertain. [b]Uh, perhaps one of you can untie him.
Helgash thanks Cathoris for the arrows, and unties the hobgoblin - "We are agreed then" - he nods as the captive is released.
Mad Marvin smiles weakly at the freed hobgoblin. The dwarf turns to the others.
Any reason da evil fey be want'n ta kills ye?
"I have no idea" - the half-orc adds, looking at the rest of the group also.
Hmm. Whos to say. Alex shrugs back to the two, not wanting to go into detail at the moment.
Cathoris stares blankly at the Helgash before flatly summarizing, She’s the one who set up the blackscor taint in Falcon’s Hollow. We discovered it. We’re trying to stop it. We stopped her minion from sacrificing a dozen or so lumberjacks. We stopped the assassins she sent to kill the town’s herbalist. And we got a little help from the Seelie Court. I thought you knew some of this. He pauses for a moment before turning. Let’s go.
"I knew about the taint - that is why I came to meet you, and I had heard you reference the fey queen, but did not know she wanted you dead, or that she was at the source of it" - the half-orc comments as they move along.
I guess her wanting us dead is new, but not unexpected considering.
Mad Marvin listen to Cathoris explaining the group's recent events. The dwarf seems to be a bit perplexed how he got here himself.
Me done did un ting; den dese folks be screaming in da haunted monastery. You!
He raises a fist at the sky.
He then looks at the group. He grins.
Nice story. We be gett'n ta da town now?
Everything Settled Grunk is untied and released he rubs his arms and legs. Looks down at his fallen crows and sighs. Well have to train another band of crows. Then he picks up his weapons, and looks at the group. Good luck to you. Youre an honorable bunch. You have a friend in Grunk. and with that he fades off into the forest.
The group headed out now. following a game trail towards the River.
Mad Marvin noticed the little fox was following him.
Soon as the moon rose in the sky, the group reached the banks of the river that courses through the Darkmoon Vale.
Mad Marvin fishes some more jerky out of a pocket.
Dis be sum fine jerky. Me done did find it...well...me did so it musta been guud.
He hands some more to his new Fox friend.
Ye be need'n un name. Me be talk'n ta sum one enough, so me be call'n yee Torag.
The dwarf smiles.
After leaving Grunk, Cathoris begins thinking again of Falcon’s Hollow, his family, and Laurel. I hope that everyone is okay. If Laurel sick, I’m not sure what we’ll do. Perhaps Straug and I will be able to figure out the cure if that happens.
Let’s try to get across the river today. We’re just a couple of days away.
Well... lets see if the fey are good for their word. Not that I don't believe them, just... you hear stories about their Capriciousness. He shrugs before attempting to use the figurine to make the boat.
It doesnt take long, less than an hour and a boat slides up to the bank manned by Faun's. One near the front said We have been expecting you. Come aboard quickly and we will take across the river.
Helgash looks at the others for confirmation, since they seem to be familiar with all this. If they board, then he and Tark do the same.
Mad Marvin and Torag board the boat. Both complain about not being fish.
The group boards and the Fauns sale the boat across the river in about 20 minutes, before moving close to the bank and dropping the boarding ramp. The Fauns wish you well and tell you the Queen said to keep the token in case you needed to cross again. To just present it and allow it to touch the water and the magic will call the boat to your location as before.
Now well into the eve of the 13th of Rova, at a time of 10pm, A long day, and at least 1-2 more ahead of them to get the ingredients back to Laurel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
At her Winery near Camp 2, Eva awoke and looked around. The plague that was sweeping the area, had taken its toll on those normally seeking her wares. But she knew tomorrow she was scheduled to take a trip to town to restock a couple of the Inns and Taverns.
Of course she, like everyone else had heard of the folk who had left to find the ingredients Laurel needed. She knew two of them fairly well.. at least well enough to count them as friends. Cathoris and Alexander even if Alexander had been a fairly new addition. Though neither had become acquainted with Merlot, who even know was wiggling around her hair playfully..
Of course Laurel was also one she counted as a friend.
She tried to recall the group that had left....
Falkwyn a hunter
Cathoris, whos family owned a farm nearby and who was an amateur veterinarian,
Alexander a bit of a roguish personality but a cousin to the long travelled Idris Eaveswalker, and uncle to Kimi Eaveswalker, the daughter of Idris and the seamstress Kitani.
Straug The dwarf who was but a lad when he was found in the woods, his family slain and had been working as a guard for the Consortium.
Thallin, the stranger who had come to town recently and had a bit of a secretive backstory of which no one truly knew but he seemed to be escaping something from his past
and Kronk the cook from The Sitting Duck. A big man with an even temper.
She hoped they returned soon...the numbers were starting to climb of those infected, and Laurel was spread fairly thin staving off death for many while treating symptoms.
Alex sits down as they are forced to make camp for the night. Either due to exhaustion or visibility.
He sighs, leaning his head to the side and taking a drink from his canteen.
I must admit, this trip has taken much longer than I had hoped... Its like the forest seems to grow as we sleep... I only hope we are not too late. Still, I think some good has come from all of this at least. And hopefully much more in the future.
He holds the fey token in his hand, looking it over for several long moments lost in thought. Though what exactly he is thinking about, is unknown.
I'll have to pay the queen a visit or three, after all, I think she took a liking to me heheh. Can't say I wouldn't be unhappy at that, heh.
I wonder if they're dead yet.
Eva ponders the fate of the ingredient search party as she adjusts a valve on the pipe in front of her. I mean, it really can't be that common for half a dozen plucky townsfolk with little to no training to succeed on their quest into the dangerous forest. The success stories are just the ones we hear about. Most of the time they probably just freeze to death or get eaten by wolves.
Still, they were apparently capable enough investigating the initial outbreak. "I'd put it at 2:1 odds they make it back, Merlot, but 4:1 they won't get there with all the ingredients in time to use them. Cathoris is sweet, and Alex is almost as clever as he thinks he is, but neither of them really strikes me as the wilderness explorer type." It's unclear whether Merlot has been following her train of thought, but he does reach out a tendril to correct a filter that had shifted slightly off-center.
The device before them is not making wine, although that was originally its intended purpose. In fact, Eva has had to somewhat neglect her winemaking over the past fortnight, and tomorrow's delivery will be pulled from stockpiles she'd been hoping to age for a bit longer. Instead she is putting finishing touches on a third vial of antiplague, in case her prediction holds true and a generic treatment is needed in lieu of an actual cure. Eva's no doctor but she can follow a recipe, and she's not about to just sit by when she could be helping shore up Laurel's dwindling resources. There's not a lot that can phase Eva these days, but this disease... well, it frightens her.
I hope they're alive.
I must admit, this trip has taken much longer than I had hoped... Its like the forest seems to grow as we sleep... I only hope we are not too late. Still, I think some good has come from all of this at least. And hopefully much more in the future.
"Hopefully the ingredients will help in staving off the sickness, but I do agree with you - the forest has always been... Haunted. But it has always been a home also" - Helgash commented - "Something is different now though" - he added as they make camp.
Mad Marvin entertains the fox.
Torag, wat be da difference betwix da hobgoblin and da goblin? Da hobgoblin ain't be short! Har!Har!
Cathoris stares at Mad Marvin curiously for a moment before responding wearily. I think we can make it to Lumber Camp 2 tomorrow. We can see how bad the disease has spread. Hopefully Laurel has been able to stave it off. He thinks about Laurel while he unpacks.
If the forest is changing, it probably due to the Fellnight Queen. If so, then this… illness… probably won’t be the last attack in Falcon’s Hollow. Are we prepared for that? The town I mean. Though, I guess each of us as well. He grows quiet and contemplates on what he just thought out loud.
What if there is another attack after this? Something worse? Are we going to stick together and fight it? Are we strong enough? Am I strong enough?
Straug feels mildly chipper, an unnatural feeling for him and strange given the dire circumstances.
I guess I'm happy we survived and succeeded, though the journey aint over yet.
During a quiet moment in camp he blurts out Yer a bunch of good lads, the lot of you. If this trip home is the end of our journeys together I'd have you know it. And know that Straug will be the axe at your side if you need me.
Looking around awkwardly after his declaration he shrugs his shoulders and lays down for what he hopes will be a good nights sleep.
Thallin sits solemnly on a log and turns to the others and says Im troubled by the voices I hear and these new powers. I think when we get back, Ills ee if I can maybe settle down, and just spend some time with Jarlene, see if that can turn into something and look into these new powers. I hope none of you are offended by that. I do consider all of you friends.
Kronk who has been quiet for days now, looks up and says Me too. Too much pain, and death. Being a cook is much easier.. he looks back down.
While walking around setting up camp, Alexander comes upon an arrow sticking out a tree. It looks undamaged from the shot and looks surprisingly well made and unaffected by weather.
Alexander AC: 17(18 w/buckler), FF:14/T:14, CMD:16, HP:27/27, Saves: FO:+2 RE:+6 WL:+5
1st Aristocrat/2nd Rogue (Phantom Thief) M Half-Elf Defenses: +2 Enchantments Immune Magical Sleep
limited abilities: none HeroPoints:3
Cathoris AC:17 (FF:14/T:13) CMD: 17 (+2 v. trip) HP:24/24 Saves-FO:4 RE:2 WL:6
1st Adept/1st Staff Magus M Human Defenses: None
Spells Adept 0:3/3 1st:1/1 Magus 1st: 3/3 HeroPoints:3
Eva AC:17(FF:14/T:13)CMD:16 HP:28/28 Saves-FO:+4 RE:+6 WL:+1
1st Expert/2nd Alchemist(Grenadier/Sacrament Alchemist) F Elf Defenses: +2 vs. Enchantments, Immune to Sleep
Limited Abilities: Bomb:6/6 Hero Points:3
--Merlot AC:17(FF:15/T:14)CMD:9 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+3 RE:+5 WL:+2
2nd Familiar(Mauler) M Creeper Ivy Defenses: Improved Evasion, Plant Traits
Helgash AC: 17 (FF:14 T:13) [19/16/13 with Shield] CMD:16 HP: 23/23 Saves-FO:6 RE:5 WL:9 Expert1/Inquisitor2 {Sacred Huntmaster} M Half-Orc Defenses: N/A HeroPoints:3
--Tark AC:17 (FF:15 T:12) CMD: 14 (18 vs. trip) HP: 17/17 Saves-FO:5 RE:5 WL:1 Animal Companion {Bodyguard} 2HD Wolf Defenses: Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Mad Marvin Dundlerock AC: 20 (FF:18/T:12) CMD: 14 HP:31/31 Saves-FO:3 RE:2 WL:4 1st Commoner/2nd Oracle (Hermit)) M Dwarf Defenses: Hardy abilities: Channel (Su):3/3
Spells 1st:5/5 Hero Points: 3
--Torag AC15(FF:12/T:15)CMD:10(14vsTrip) HP:8/8 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+5 WL:+1
Pet Firefoot Fox M Tiny Animal Defense: Scent
Straug AC:17(FF:16/T:11)CMD:15 HP:30/30 Saves-FO:+8 RE:+1 WL:+5
1 Warrior/2 Warpriest/ M Dwarf Defenses: +2 vs poison/spells, DR 1/- vs creatures and damage of fire type
limited abilities: Fire Strike 4/4, Fervor 3/3 HeroPoints:3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Falkwyn AC:15(FF:12/T:13)CMD:15 HP: 19/19 Saves-FO:+3 RE:+5 WL:+4 1st Expert/1st Ranger M Half-Elf Defenses: +2 vs Enchantment, immune: magic sleep limited abilities: N/A HeroPoints:2
Thallin AC:15(FF:11/T:14)CMD:15 HP:12/12 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+3 WL:+2
1st Commoner/1st Occultist M Human Defenses: N/A; limited abilities: Focus Powers 4/4, 1st Level Spells 2/2; HeroPoints:2
Kronk AC:15(FF:13/T:12)CMD:17 HP:10/15 Saves-FO:+3 RE:+4 WL:+1
1st Commoner/1st Brawler M Human Defenses: N/A
limited abilities: N/A HeroPoints:2
Morning comes with nothing dangerous crawling out of the forest to attack.
Mad Marvin and Torag begins to notice Alexander walking about the parameter of the camp. They both look at him, as he finds an arrow sticking in a tree. Torag looks at Mad Marvin. Mad Marvin looks at Torag. They both begin taking unobtrusive steps in Alexander's direction.
Wat be ye got dere? Un arrow? Done be stick'n in un tree? Be seem'n un bit strange?
The Hermit holds out his hand.
Me be know'n strange.
Torag barks in agreement.
Be un guud arrow!