Once they land Jorrast watches for any pursuit as the new Elven woman catches up. "I can scout ahead and sweep behind as we move. Stealth is out friend for now. We need to be heading back toward home. They will probably send a force this way to rescue the rescuers....."
He will lead for about an hour and then group up again. "Alice, I think I need to remember my tasking and circle back. That force needs to be watched, and they're not likely to spot me in my fox form. I've got a ring and cloak, plus a tracking crystal from Jorne. When the cavalry arrives I can give them an update on the forces here."
Evera sees that the unkown fox and other person are flying super fast!
She continues to fly and tries to find out if she can see them anywhere.
I and Jorrast hold a moment as Jorrast explains his plan.
"Ok, but be very careful, Jorrast. If they conjure creatures that can *smell* you, like tracking dogs, bail."
Jorrast grins. "I can outrun any natural dog. But I will be careful. If I have to I've got a couple minutes of flight left. That would take care of any scent trail and I'll keep farther away then."
"My intent is to stay where I can see them. Not where they could see me. If I spot any hell hounds I'll definitely back off."
You are able to have your conversation before the Elf catches up. Jorrast could even slip off...
The fox makes himself scarce as the elf maiden descends. She, Evera, lands nearby to the beautiful human, Alice.
Evera finally sees one of the fleeing figures and lands softly with her hands raised.
“I mean you no harm! Those shady barbarians and dark preachers were the target of my investigations … might it be possible that we’re fighting for the same cause?!“ she asks.
Nodding in agreement, Ulicha heads to the stables to get Cloudpiercer, knowing that her mighty companion would be needed for the battle with the barbarian horde.
Jorrast answers, "I was just starting back to the enemy to stay and scout. I can stay and observe until stronger forces arrive. Nothing short of a hell hound should be able to spot me. Should I come to you?"
Stalker offers, "Stay if you wish, it would be good to have eyes on the threat. The others will be converging on Fort Drelev as a staging point. Are there others with you that should travel back or will you all be fine?"
The fox makes himself scarce as the elf maiden descends. She, Evera, lands nearby to the beautiful human, Alice.
Pre-Evera's arrival, me still in pixie form.
"Things were a cluster mess.", my wounds having just closed up. "Jorrast and i were the last to leave the scene.
When Evera arrives, i change back into a human.
"Investigations? Well we were too, but what reason is yours? Bounty, missing person?"
Jorrast replies to Stalker. "I'll be fine. Alice is bringing back a new friend. An elven archer. Didn't have time to get much information on her."
He'll head back and scout some high ground where he can be under cover but still watch the camp.
The fox makes himself scarce as the elf maiden descends. She, Evera, lands nearby to the beautiful human, Alice.When Evera arrives, i change back into a human.
"Investigations? Well we were too, but what reason is yours? Bounty, missing person?"
Evera bows respectfully.
"I am a devout follower of Erastil and all those that are disturbing the peace of the land with their evil deeds are enemies of mine! So when I heard about strange activities around here, I came to investigate!" she says with a confident voice.
"But to be honest, you and your companions are a quite diverse bunch yourself. What are you doing here?"
Evera bows respectfully.
"I am a devout follower of Erastil and all those that are disturbing the peace of the land with their evil deeds are enemies of mine! So when I heard about strange activities around here, I came to investigate!" she says with a confident voice.
"But to be honest, you and your companions are a quite diverse bunch yourself. What are you doing here?"
"I'm Alice, a Desnite, and i and the others are part of a group working and living in the kingdom to the east. This was to us an exploration mission, after rumors reached us. You'll be pleased to know, that Erastil's the main main of religion there."
She thinks for a moment.
”Well, it is clear that we need to reassess our approach. Would you be willing to cooperate with me to tackle this band of fanatical priests and their slaves and allies?!“
"Not alone, obviously. We're best off fighting them on our own territory."
Jorrast focuses on Alice before he gets out of range. "Hey. Reinforcements will be converging on Fort Drelev. I'm going to stay and watch the enemy. You might want to head that way."
"Not alone, obviously. We're best off fighting them on our own territory."
She nods.
"Well, if you allow then I would join you for this mission? I am completely overwhelmed by the forces that they have accumulated." she admits.
Xandarian follows Ulricha to the stables to get Tammi, his light warhorse.
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He meets you at the royal stables and informs you both, "We will be taking Greenwatch Elks. Ulricha your wonderful mount is one. Xandarian pick one out like you did before. Come we will go join the others at Fort Drelev."
Once saddled he leads you out and quickly shifts into the ethereal with his mount, the two of you join and in a few hours you arrive at Fort Drelev.
There he dismounts and tends to the elks. "Go find Saren he is in charge of this operation. I will be along in a bit."
Alice states, "Yes come with me. We will head to our mounts. Your name?" She begins to guide Evera towards the mounts further into the woods.
She takes her time to venture back to the mounts. Finding the four elk with riding gear ready to go. It takes her hours.
Evera bows more formally.
”I am Evera Aerendyl A pleasure to meet you … would be better under different circumstances of course … “
Alice mounts up and offers one to Evera. Then they ride the hour in ethereal form and then find Fort Drelev.
The army of Greenwatch has taken control of Fort Drelev. Greenwatch banners and flags in place. Also there is a huge hell hound and a wingless dragon waiting outside.
The guards let you by and so does Larina, with a hand on the hell hound.
The king and his general continue to speak with Ulricha, Xandarian, Wolf, and other members of the Council present. Including Bearik, Sulvanii, and Stalker.
Evera slips down from the elk, and the last traces of their strange ethereal journey still cling to her. She looks at Fort Drelev in this new land Greenwatch. The sight of the hell hound and the wingless dragon earns a brief and surprised look, but the clerics and giants they fought weigh heavier on her mind.
She watches the fortress. Her gaze shifts to the Greenwatch leaders gathered in discussion.
Those giants… those twisted clerics. If they were only the beginning, what else threatens these lands? What sort of kingdom have I stepped into? Justice or ambition? Community… or conquest?
She waitis for Alice to return or for someone to call her forward. Patience comes easily, but there is still uncertainty.
If they stand against what we faced… then perhaps my bow belongs here. If not… I will learn that soon enough.
Evera simply waits.
Bearik, the traveling druid sometimes walks as a bear. He seems to be empowered and strong and vibrant more than before.
Sulvanii is an Efreeti. A planar being typically lawful evil and a being of fire. K planes for more info.
Alice introduces Evera as an ally willing to help. A traveler of the area. The others stop and listen.
He voices a few words before you can address the group, "Evera Aerendyl, magus of...Sarthlendel. please elaborate upon how and what you bring to this council."
Evera inclines her head respectfully as the elf addresses her and she’s surprised that he knows where she came from. This council is stranger and perhaps stronger than she expected.
Evil clerics, giants, and now a kingdom with planar fire and odd creatures walking its halls… Erastil guide my tongue.
“Honored council… you obviously know more about me than I know about you. Well, my presence here is more coincidence than design. I had been tracking signs of a large force moving and a lingering sense of… something foul. I followed the trail and found myself nearly upon the giants and their clerics.”
Her expression tightens with the memory.
“Before I could engage alone, your people were already there. Fighting them. Standing against them. It seemed wiser to join blades and spells than face such corruption by myself. Alice showed me kindness and allowed me to accompany her here.”
She hesitates a moment.
“As for this place… years ago, this was wilderness I heard. But I stand willing to help. If your purpose is to protect these lands from what we faced today… then you will have my bow, and my craft.”
He states plainly, "Excellent will you be joining the vanguard strike force then? This would include Alice, Wolf, Jorrast, Ulricha, and Xandarian. The rest of the council will take on different roles and groups to follow the vanguard."
Evera considers the offer.
“If my skills are of use, then I will stand with your vanguard … Alice has shown good judgment, and those that I saw before… they fought well and proved capable.”
She pauses to choose her next words with care.
“But before I tie my path to yours, we’ll, I would know more of the council itself. What principles guide Greenwatch? What motives guide its leaders?”
Her gaze moves across the gathered figures and the druid, the efreeti, and the commanders and scholars.
“I have walked long enough to know strength alone is not purpose. I would like to know who I’m dealing with … if I’m satisfied then you shall have not only my bow, but my commitment.”
Xandarian and Boffy ride with the others to form the strike force.
The Lord Commander speaks up, "We are Greenwatch. There is much to us but we are new and old. You may come to know us. Walk among us and see for yourself what we strive to build as a nation and a people."
After a moment, she offers a small nod.
“Then I will walk with you for now … for this mission. Let me see Greenwatch in action. Let me see how its people stand, and how its leaders choose, and what you truly build here.”
Her tone softens.
“I will join the vanguard… and decide afterwards how I may fit within it once the fighting is done.”
Deeds speak clearer than banners or titles ever could. she thinks.
She speaks up next, "We allow all worship within our borders. Though our patron is Erastil. There are many different followers on the council and of our people. We accept those who are there to work as a group and willing to live side by side."
This dark haired beauty looks like she is fresh from the wild. Colorful flowers are in her hair. Her blazing green eyes catch you with surprise as they analyze you quickly before turning back to her conversation. Her nearly perfect alabaster skin lets her hair and eyes be in hard contrast. She appears to be elven but not.
Her exposed neck and arms show elven and celestial tattoos. A cloak of furs cover most of her torso. At her neck is a glowing emerald amulet. Similarly a ring of twisting serpents glows green on her finger. An infinity sign glows through her armbands. The infinity sign is of the head of a dragon or serpent eating its own tail, it glows green. Snakeskin armbands of a metallic green hue stand out as the only real armor on her. On her waist is a hearty brown leather belt with a sturdy gold buckle with a roaring bear's head, attached is a bone shortsword. On her chair rests a lightly blue glowing bow.
Evera’s posture softens.
“Then your patron and mine are already aligned. I, too, follow Erastil … I value honest work … and standing together against what threatens a community.”
Evera is surprised by the wild markings woven into the woman’s form.
“It is good to hear that such principles guide Greenwatch. If your people live side by side in that spirit… then I believe I can walk among you in good faith.”
Beyond the efretti you feel his entrance before you see him.
The air tightens first.
A prickle dances across every surface—hair, skin, metal, even the dust motes freeze mid-fall as the scent of ozone rolls in like a storm front. The torchlight gutters, pulled toward some unseen force, and then the doorway cracks with a sound like the sky being torn open.
He steps through.
A massive silhouette, broad-shouldered and towering, framed by arcs of pale-blue lightning that crawl over him like living serpents. Each footfall lands with a low, resonant thrum, the stones beneath him vibrating as though trying to remember they are solid. The air around him warps, humming, charged—every breath he draws ignites a faint corona of electric radiance along his ribs, and every exhalation leaves the smell of rain on hot metal.
When his gaze lifts, the lightning gathers, condenses—two burning irises like storm cores, rimmed with crackling rings of power. A faint halo of shimmering ozone follows the sweep of his movements, ghostly and electric, trailing sparks that wink out before touching the ground.
He closes his fist.
Thunder answers.
And the room realizes, in one collective swallow, that a storm has just walked in wearing the shape of a man.
Evera holds her breath, but remains silent. Others need to react to this force of nature approaching.
He turns and greets this man with a smile and a hug as close friends.
He chuckles and states, "The bodyguard has returned... thank you Jorne."
Evera bows.
“I am ready to leave whenever the team has decided to depart!“
He gets up and comes over to greet Jorne as well with a big hug.
He nonchalantly smiles at the reunion and balances a throwing dart on his finger.
He greets each of them with warmth. "I am here to serve. Where am I needed?"
"Well you have worked with the Vanguard before, why don't you go with them." He offers knowing full well that Jorne would stay by his side otherwise.
Logistics is handed out with what needs to be said. They answer any questions that the group asks. Then send you back out.
Using the Greenwatch Elks that the Lord Commander has blessed you quickly find your way to a cliff overlooking a valley and the army of barbarians.
Stalker states, "Jorrast should be within range. Jorrast you there?"