So...how are things going?
If life keeps throwing curve balls, there's little to be done about that, but a short update on your situation would be appreciated nonetheless.
Search Posts
"Northeast. Freshest pair of tracks, those responsible for the ambush. Others, earlier, to the east and north, respectively. They did not take much care to hide their passing.", Ran points Vraxis and Fang towards his earlier findings, then turns back to Govrina: "We CAN track them properly, no problem there."
Ran turns to Govrina:"Well, would you elaborate on that? Either we continue on with our circular patrol, or we attempt to follow the tracks they left - here - doing both seems difficult, unless you mean to suggest we should split up - which does not seem like a tactically sound approach if we also mean to deal with those bastards-"
"So, where to? Back home to tell them of the news? Continue the patrol? Or try and track those hobs?", Ran turns to the other party members:"I do have a clear preference, but I've not been here long enough to feel a connection with the people you got hidden away - so it's your call to make. Either course of action may endanger them."
Ran meanwhile checks the ambush site, trying to determine where the Orcs headed after their attack, and see if they took any measures to cover their trail.
"In what intervalls did those Hobgoblins arrive here? You say the last were 2 days ago, but was there any pattern or regularity?", Ran asks, turning to the others:"No matter if it was the same or different ones, if they run a patrol here, there may be a camp close by. We should check if we can find their tracks, or, if there was a pattern, lay an ambush for the next patrol. If they have a presence so close to our camp, we will need to deal with it. Preferably on our terms."
Hej, just to let you know: My most recent(and likely final) little one arrived a few days ago - been spending most of the last few days either in the hospital or taking care of the other young-ones.
Ran rushes towards his landing place, first attempting to stabilize the man, then gently lowering him down, stretching out the heap so he could relax his muscles for a moment.
"Sounds like that's your best option. I concur. The tree will crack and fall if any more weight is added. If you do prefer to risk that, I'm willing to climb up, grab you and jump. I'm pretty certain I can land safely. But no guarantee I'll manage to grab you before the tree collapses - so if you are willing to trust our word I'd take Braden's offer.", Ran shrugs, while trying to determine how far down the split reaches and - for now - keeping a safe distance from the trunk.
Ran was less worried about an Elven Lumberjack in a forest with sentient trees - he had seen caretakers - which would remove sick trees, or ones infected with parasites, before they became a danger to others - they could tend the woods and improved their health, and sometimes that meant removing some parts of the forest. If done with care, it didn't seem unreasonable to him. But then, when he managed to get up there, he should also be able to get back down - unless something, or someone - was hindering him from going that way. With as little sound as possible, Ran swiftly moved towards the base of the tree, hoping to see if some creature presented an obstacle for the mans descent.
I'm also still here. And curious where we end up next...
*sad player noises*
"Aye. Give an update to the guys in the camp, then resume the patrol. Works for me."
"And we should let people in camp know about Helge.", Ran adds during the way back, helpfully. "That said, I'm not sure all of our people will manage to stand up to Longfronds standards - but I am reasonably certain we will be leaps and bounds ahead of the Ironfang with a little effort...so I sure hope she sets her priorities right."
"Aye. You could say some of us are so in tune with the forest that we take care none would know of our passing unless they knew were to look. That's how harmonious we feel about all those trees. Not all of those in the caves have reached that level of balance yet. But we definitely don't want to get mixed up with those others hunting us and burning the forest. And despite the Owlbears which were herded to assail and kill some of ours, we came to talk, not with weapons drawn. If that doesn't tell you about our intention and respect, little else could change your mind."
When no hostilities commence, Ran also steps out from the cover, but decides on keeping his distance for the time being.
Ran remains cautious, keeping a tree in front of him as cover, and his spear in hand.
"We should make sure the people in the caves know about Herge. Might get a bit nervous if they see him on the horizon.", Ran comments as the Giant trots out. He then joins the examination: "I concur regarding the Hobgoblins, but I would be more curious if those Rangers could be tracked - there may be more where those came from."
"It's worse than "they won't care". The Ironfang will burn things down for fun. Those rangers were not up there by bad luck, I assure you. This was an execution, and the flaming inferno collateral they accepted gleefully.", Ran adds helpfully. He definitely wanted Henge - and whatever allies or associates in the forest he had - to have the right idea about who were their enemies - and by extension, who, as enemies of their enemies, would be their natural allies.
"And that we're more than likely having some mutual enemies. Who would be overjoyed if we end up killing each other.", Ran adds, feeling that this bit of information would hopefully give Longfrond pause, no matter how stubborn or slow-witted the tree turned out to be.
Ran casually picks up his spear in a relaxed pose, holstering it on his backpack, then slowly approaches Govrina and the Giant, keeping a respectful distance and listening.
Ran makes a show of sticking the end of the spear into the mud next to him, then lets go of the weapon, stepping aside and presenting his bare arms, shouting:"First time I am here. And to my knowledge, so are these others. We came here investigating a murder ourselves. You got the wrong people, pal. But I guess we got the same suspects."
Ran remains near the edge of the forest just a bit longer...trying to determine if the fire simply ran it's course or if someone, or something interfered and helped stop further spread.
"As you say, not remotely close - if that thing wanted to take revenge for some burned-down buddy tree, it got the wrong people. I doubt any of the camp-people would venture this far. My guess is that someone caused a forest fire here and the big guy was pissed off. Then wandered some more and caught your people trying to make camp, maybe cook some eggs over a small fire, and got mighty angry.", Ran muses, while checking the ground for other tracks near where the tree creature left the charred forest. "At least it doesn't look like IT tracked someone from here, so unless the pixies told him about your place and it decided to head there, it seems to have run into those guys by chance - I also kind of missed where he picked up the owlbears on the way, or did he herd them through all that terrain? Are their tracks still here?"
Ran raises an eyebrow - hidden behind his mask, but his voice still made his feelings of uncertainty clear: "You are 'friends' with Fae-Folk? There are pixies in these woods?"
"Apart from the fact that it was a tree, you should worry about something more: Whatever it was, it had an agenda and led the Owlbears here to assail your people. So if those enemies you know about don't have moving trees in their ranks, you might just have found out about a new enemy. I'd respectfully suggest not spreading those news in camp before we know more."
"They are not evil, but they are aggressive. And if it's a pair, there could be young. Left in some lair, by themselves. Doubt they'll make it on their own. Natural order of things, all that. But if we can fetch them and sell them, or have someone train them, all the better. No use letting the option go to waste if we're running recon, anyway. But it's your call, of course. Just figured that was part of why we're doing all this, in the first place.", Ran muses towards Vraxis while he continues to work on the Owlbear, his hands red with blood.
Ran nods at the Demon-Spawn. As angry as the woman was, her proposed handling of the Situation was reasonable.
Your timing is splendid.
So, have a nice break and I hope it'll do both of us some good.
Ran was tempted to use the Owlbears current state to attack them - but projectiles were one thing - being stabbed by a spear would give them a very clear direction to swipe towards. So he kept his position and prepared to stab any of them coming into his range.
Amice has a lot going on in her real life right now. Still around and hopefully better soon, but may be a consideration to bot her for now so we don't lose traction after the long break.
With both of the beasts seeming blind and confused, and the others slinging projectiles of various sorts their way, there was little reason to risk approach.
Ran takes advantage of the Owlbears not being aware of his companions and him, and approaches using trees and undergrowth - even better, the angry Tiefling was drawing their attention. Positioning a tree between himself and the Owlbears, he readies his Spear and considers his options.
Saw the post, but too late to post today, will do so tomorrow :)
Welcome back. I'm still here.
I suppose you would have let us know if you got any response to your PM, but just to make sure I wanted to check - did you get any reply, Govrina?
As written elsewhere, hope you are doing fine and getting better.
Happy everything from me, too - my own family/holiday stuff is over, so checking back in.
Pity to see Harg leave a game again. :(
"Some. I learned who was the group that attacked my village. I recovered, I trained. I was tracking them for years, taking out single targets when a chance presented itself, when they strayed from the group. Not those who were in our farmhouse, yet. It's one reason I arrived here. As said, they were former soldiers turned to banditry, and I've reason to believe they hired on with the Ironfang - as irregulars or mercenaries. I'm still trying to get vengeance, but against an army...I need help.", Ran seems lost in thought, remembering events both from the last few years, and from the better times before then.
"You wouldn't like to see what is under it. And spare me the lies.", Ran does not seem offended by the question, but his hand instinctively reaches up and traces the outer edge of the mask, "Years ago I barely survived an attack...by bandits - former soldiers the lot of them. My family died, and they left me for death. I survived, but the assault left me disfigured. I hate to see what's underneath this mask, but I hate even more how others look at me without it. So, it has become the face I wear...by choice." He stops his tracing, then stands and watches Bradens reaction - or further questions.
Ran enjoys a good night of sleep - alone, out in the woods, one was always on edge - the forest made lots of noises, but anything too close or out of the ordinary was likely to wake one up. He was still cautious even in the camp, but the night was still more restful than many before. As the sun rises, he finds an empty spot and starts doing martial training, practising with kicks and spear, as well as evasive rolls and lunges. He continues until it is time for breakfast, or he is called upon by one of the leaders of the camp. Being told he was welcome to accompany a scouting mission seems to please him - albeit it is difficult to tell with the mask: "I will gladly assist you in this task. Shouldn't be too hard, so yeah, let us move swiftly."
Ran shrugs:"Then don't let me keep you from some more stew. You didn't stop often, and I admit I am looking forward to some more rest as well.", he bows to Vraxis in respect, then turns to Braden: "Amazing as the lady may be, she was shouting about heads on platters which - honestly - does sound a bit, well...alarming and disturbing. Maybe she should try and stop moving boulders with her mind all day if it makes her grumpy?"
Ha, if you want to get rid of that negative emotions, you can also challenge us to test our capabilities, like let your anger out on us(well, Ran, he'd obviously accept - unlike Amice, I'd guess). I'm not sure, but I think you'd have a good chance. As long as it's all nonlethal. You could even gloat a little :)
"I can fight, yes. If you take us in, can you guarantee the angry woman will not attempt to murder us while we sleep?", he indicates the direction the Tiefling took off towards with his Spear, then holsters it on his back. "If you can, I'll gladly help you fight them. Or free any prisoners they took...if they are still alive."
Ran waits until the angry Woman stomps off into the woods, then reaches into his pocket.
"And I don't care who that is.", Ran adds with a shrug, nodding in the direction of the Kayal.
"Think. If I was hostile, I would not stand out here in the open. If you have questions, we can talk. But know this: I have no intention of dropping my weapon or surrendering myself into your custody. If speaking to you prompts decisive retaliation, you are not who I am looking for after all.", Ran remains standing, but his stance changes as he takes a step back and the Spear is lifted slightly from the ground.
Oh, all good. I expected to run into some rangers or something and come back to you, but I figure Vraxis and Fang were in sub-optimal condition and I do have decent capability to track. Sorry for taking liberty, I'm certain they would take measure to avoid being followed so easily, but I needed a way to find you :)
Ran had been tracking the Halfling and his Wolf for a while. Whatever had happened had left them exhausted, injured, and not quite capable of hiding their track properly. But he moved with determination and Ran heavily suspected that he was part of a resistance group - not some random bandit.
Holding his branched Spear, Ran left his hiding spot and stepped up to the guards - and the woman before them - with confidence. "Amusing. I come seeking retaliation against those beasts. I am Ran. I am perfectly capable of keeping myself safe, but to do anything except hiding from a whole legion, I need help." He stops approaching at a distance slightly further away than the woman, placing the back end of his spear on the ground, and standing proud. The man standing there is wiry, with lean muscle, wearing a green and brown overcoat. His bright brownish hair has notes of a pastel ginger tone and is pierced by what seem to be elvish or half-elvish ears, and his remaining face is covered completely with a mask.
|