In the middle of the group as they advance, Faerin prepares for a fight, her awareness opening up to her environment as she waits to see what hunts them.
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Taking a deep breath, Faerin casts her customary protective spell, bark emerging to envelop her skin in a protective layer.
"We have company." Faerin says quietly to Katrine, noting Ahto also seeming to notice their stalker. "Stealthy...probably a flier from the wings."
Taking in the natural wonders around her, Faerin studies the increasingly challenging terrian, noting the change from plains and forest to foothills, quickly becoming far more harsh mountains and cliffs, accompanied by shifting weather and howling winds across the rocky regions.
Faerin gives Pelipe an incredulous look, taking a moment to process the wild suggestion. "They prefer mountains, so it is unlikely that an aerie set up anywhere else would be something it would want. I could...try communicating with it, though it is likely to see us as nothing more than a group of morsels...or a full meal if we approached on horseback." she adds, considering the danger in the approach. "What you're suggesting is convincing an apex predator to give up it's hunting grounds."
Faerin is almost speechless as she witnesses the powerful bird of prey go by. "That is a legend in the flesh, one of the ultimate apex predators...a roc. They hunt some of the largest creatures imaginable, often taking them to great heights and dropping them on rocks before descending to feed. This one is even more rare for its black coloring."
With her knowledge of Talon peak and the stories of the massive black bird and its hunting grounds, Faerin is on high alert, eyes to the sky. "There is much risk entering this creature's hunting grounds."
Taking the following days to become acquainted with the settlement and its people, Faerin joins the expedition to explore the settlement of Varnhold, utterly enjoying the travel through the area, and learning more about the lands as they venture forth. She rides alongside Katrine, asking the occasional question about Horace or her new companions and enjoying the trek through nature.
That would be great!
Faerin welcomes the opportunity to see more of the settlement and acquaint herself with the area and its people. The camaraderie of her new companions is returned in full, That's the true it has becomes acquainted with the burgeoning community. "I would be happy to join you in venturing out towards this Varnhold settlement. If anything can be done to make it safer for those who choose to live out here in the Stolen Lands, I fully support making it so!" she says to Ahto, when the subject of the diplomatic envoy comes up.
As Pelipe discusses plans for the owlbear's carcass with Ash, Faerin speaks up, sharing her knowledge of the region Varnhold inhabits, it's populace and environment, as well as the little know mountain pass that would make it much easier to reach than the travel through the mountains and Rostland.
Faerin takes in the conversation silently, thinking on the mentioned new settlement in the lands.
"Ahto, Faerin, I don't suppose either of you has a healing spell handy?" "Interesting question." Faerin replies, looking at the owlbear carcass as she considers the possibility of harvesting it for meat.
"Ahto, Faerin, I don't suppose either of you has a healing spell handy?"
Faerin makes a sweeping gesture with one hand, uttering a word of thanks in druidic to the plant life in the area as she releases them from her service, while closing her fist with her other hand, snuffing out the roiling fireball. "There is some natural magic that can restore such damage, but for something this size, I am unsure."
"I take it the soldiers cheering across the river are part of your army?" Faerin asks with a grin as she walks over to Katrine as she rises from the ground, drawing out a slender willow wand that she uses to heal the valiant ranger.
As the terrifying beast grabs hold of Katrine, Faerin focuses intensely as she stares at the owlbear, rippling waves of heat shimmering in the air around her as she calls forth the draining heat of the most oppressively sweltering summer days, a wavering red ray projecting from her extended finger to target the monstrosity.
Even as she does, she directs the ball of flame to follow it's target to strike again, as the caustic acid continues to burn.
Faerin begins another chant, calling forth a burst of barbed, acid-filled nettles that pepper the massive owlbear's face, simultaneously directing the ball of flamer to roll after the creature, slamming into its back. Acid
Keeping her focus on the approaching monstrosity, Faerin begins another druidic chant, calling upon pure elemental fire to form a roiling ball that she sends rolling forward to slam into the owlbear head-on, greeting it on the riverbank. Oddly enough, the ball of pure flame seems to have no effect on the grasping plants restraining the creature.
Setting her sights on the massive raging beast preparing to charge them, Faeirng begins to cast a spell, chanting in the ancient druidic tongue as calls out to the area's surrounding plant life, calling for all the tall grass, weeds, and other plants in the area to reach up and wrap around raging owlbear, impeding it's progress.
With a nod, Faerin moves closer, her eyes never leaving the absolute juggernaut of a beast as she quickly drinks a potion and casts a few spells in preparation, her skin shifting to a dull metallic grey-black as her muscles seem to thicken, her frame becoming more substantial.
Looks like my 2 longest range spells are Entangle and Burst of Radiance, So once I get within 640ft of it I can hopefully slow it down, possibly even blind it.
Fighting to catch her breath, Faerin has her horse saunter over to the Inquisitor to be restored.
Faerin rides like she's never ridden before, following the past of destruction and calling to her new companions to follow whatever massive beast was laying waste to anything in it's path.
.
Sounds good to me
With a nod, Faering nudges Azalea into gear, getting her going with the rest of the group before gradually picking up speed.
Problem is Falcon is small, hawk is listed as Tiny. Can't wildshape to Tiny until 8th (Green Faith Initiate gets Zephyr Message instead of the wild shape upgrade at 6th) Anyway, Wild shape is different now, it's (as Beast Shape 1). I'll have to get the next level of wild shape (as beast shape 2) to get up to 60ft flight speed.
Yeah, couldn't find a form I could change into that was faster than a horse (which is weird because they have a regular falcon listed at speed 30ft...which should be faster)
"Were I familiar with your stronghold, I could send a message ahead once we were within 7 miles." Faerin points out as they move.
Faerin spends some time studying the creature's tracks, the distance between fallen prey, and the damage done to the surrounding area, trying to determine how fast the apex predator was moving.
" Either this is an owlbear of extreme size and violence or something I've never encountered before. Either case is bad!" Faerin points out as they follow the creature's path with an increased sense of urgency. "We are most definitely dealing with an apex predator, acting on something more than instinct."
Faerin studies the signs of the creature's passing intently, looking at the mauled carcasses to gather some idea of what kind of creature they were likely to be dealing with, how it attacked and hunted.
"I am sure I can figure ut how to grow them." Faerin replies to the eager giant.
That's one way to deal with the wagonlods of stuff in one trip. lol
Holding her staff at the ready at the thundering of the approaching giant, Faerin notes her companions' lack of alarm and holds back on attacking as she sees that the giant appears friendly. She passes a questioning look to Katrine.
Aside from the 4BP worth of goods, that'll take wagonloads to ferry back, everything else is on the sheet.
"It sounds like she poses quite a threat, and would definitely have to be dealt with." Faerin replies, stretching out a bit to enjoy the fire warming her feet. "A year...were it not for the fact that she set that as a deadline for accepting her offer, something the fae will never fail to claim on, it would have been possible that she would forget all about it, as the passage of time for us and the fae can differ drastically. But in this case, there's no doubt she will return on the appointed date." She considers the words of the companions, good, seemingly trustworthy folk, some with whom she has much in common. "I've had quite a few dealings with the fae, both good and ill, and in fact have a bit of fea blood myself. If you would have me, I'd be happy to help in building the bonds between your development and those who claim the wilds as their home."
"Hobbies...I suppose if there's anything I do solely for enjoyment it would be exploring the wilds...embracing the natural beauty that is throughout these lands, I suppose." Faerin says after a moment of consideration. "I appreciate the openness. I have heard a bit of a new nation founded in the region here and there, one that some of the fey happen to find especially favorable...and others seem hostile toward for unspoken reasons."
"My goal was to see the danger of the trolls dealt with for the safety of all in the area, and in that, you have all been as great a help to me. I am interested in seeing that the danger they pose if put fully to an end, and would be happy to travel with you all. It seems we have some common ground and goals." she says with a smile. As the druid's eyes scan over the companions, her smile broadens as she gives Katrine a nod, finding a kindred spirit in the woman's affinity for the natural world.
Might be worth it, both to see if any surrounding areas fell prey to the trolls, and reassure the people that the threat has been dealt with.
Faerin gives Stayven an incredulous look. "What have you seen so far that gives you any impression that trolls can be reasoned with? Did something pass between you and the two-headed troll, or the troll king that the rest of us missed?" Faerin asks pointedly. "The only things trolls ever show any kindness to is their own young....everything else, everyONE else, is food, or did the decaying carcasses of both beasts and humanoids in their larder not make that clear?"
"The head of their leader and shattered body of one of their toughest would definitely send the message. Trolls, like most giants respect strength and brutality." Faerin says, nodding in approval of the plan to send the remaining troll factions a clear message.
Listening to Pelipe's account of this Queen Nyrssa and her actions toward the burgeoning kingdom of Horace, as well as the potential actions of some other fae in the region, gives her a bit of a better idea of the tense political issues incurred by different factions here in the Stolen Lands. Between issues with the feay, the fey presence within Horace, and the attempt at forming a troll nation, seemingly with some form of alliance with fey elements makes for a very delicate, ever changing environment for those living in the region...much like an ecosystem. "Based on the map, does it look like there are other troll strongholds, or was this their center?"
Loot sheet updated
"Which means that they either fear the Fey, or are allied with them." Faerin says with a disturbed expression, turning to study the map.
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