I mutter a curse under my breath as I struggle to regain my purchase on the slippery bark and remain as much hidden from the creature's view as possible. "Thrice cursed creature! I think as I scramble to maintain my precarious position, holding no doubts as to who put oil on the log.
Alton manages – barely! – to keep his balance, and makes it across the log.
Between verses, Keildrithe continues to entreat the Boar King to speak with the party:
"King of the Boars
Protector of Ehlonna's woods
Let us parley, with weapons lowered
Let us join to fight the heart of darkness
In the name of the Lady of the Forest
In the name of Gosia TroskieLet us parley, with weapons lowered
Let us join to fight the heart of darkness
In the name of the Lady of the Forest
In the name of Gosia TroskieWe beg you, mighty Boar King..."
Laithe listens to Keildrithe's enchanting rhythms as he watches Alton and the hiding figure on the opposite side of the river, coming close to being enthralled himself. With a slight smile he shakes his head at the talent of the hedilye, feeling blessed to have met such a talented performer.
Jirkin stays quiet and follows the bard, he then holds up the pendant to see if anything happens. If nothing happens Jirkin just keeps following.
I manage to clamber back up onto the slippery log, panting and cursing the Boar King. I crawl the rest of the way along the bridge and once I get ot the other side I begin to tie the rope I had around my waist around the trunk of a tree while trying to stay hidden. As I tie the rope to the tree I look towards the Boar King, trying to find any new details and to see if there is anything in the way that would impair my movement.
I manage to clamber back up onto the slippery log, panting and cursing the Boar King. I crawl the rest of the way along the bridge and once I get ot the other side I begin to tie the rope I had around my waist around the trunk of a tree while trying to stay hidden. As I tie the rope to the tree I look towards the Boar King, trying to find any new details and to see if there is anything in the way that would impair my movement.
Seeing Alton move from the log and tie off the rope, Laithe moves as quietly as he can from where he is and over to the log. He suddenly realises that Alton is very vulnerable by himself on the opposite side of the stream, and hopes to take advantage of the Boar-King's continued distraction. Gripping the rope for added balance he says a quick prayer to Ehlonna. "Lady, grant my feet strong purchase on this log, so that I might cross this stream safely".
With that, he steps out onto the log and attempts to make the crossing safely.
I sigh as Laithe makes his way across the log in a rather unsubtle and noisy manner. "Well, we can't all be halflings." I think as I crouch silently in the grass.
I sigh as Laithe makes his way across the log in a rather unsubtle and noisy manner. "Well, we can't all be halflings." I think as I crouch silently in the grass.
Alton darts across the log and ties the rope off to a tree on the opposite bank. He finds himself about twenty feet away from the poorly hidden Boar King, with a few trees and scrubby bushes between them . The path continues on this side of the stream, roughly north, and there may be an easier way to the King’s location further along the path.
With the help of the rope, Laithe crosses the stream, rather more noisily than Alton did. Yruch, gripping the rope with both hands, follows him.
Jirkin stand there, not wanting to ruin any plans going on. Jirkin readys himself to cast a spell, in case something goes wrong.
Keildrithe continues his recitations, struggling to find a balance between the gentle, mesmerizing oration he is attempting to maintain and the need to vocalize it in such a way that it can be heard by the Boar King above the rush of the stream...
"Soon the ode will end
King and pawns shall call a truce
In the name of Ehlonna
In the name of Gosia...
Soon the ode will end
King and pawns shall utter not a threat
Nor one another's blood shed
Before the eyes of Ehlonna...
For aeons has the Boar King
Been victorious over unholy things
Strong is he, greatest protector
Of the woodlands of Ehlonna...
Now the ode is ended
King and pawns must be at peace and together stand
Against the demons that despoil the vale
United, never shall they fail...
the will of Ehlonna..."
Keildrithe gradually lowers his voice and lightens his drumming, hoping the words his poetic ode has sunk into the minds of his companions and the Boar King alike.
"Lay down your arms and speak with us, mighty Boar King... Ehlonna's pawns beg thee... lay down your arms and speak with us, mighty Boar King, as our own arms shall we lay... lay down your arms and speak with us..."
At last, Keildrithe lowers his beldach and goes silent, gazing expectantly at the Boar King...
Happy to have made it across the stream unscathed, but painfully aware of the noise he has made in crossing the river, Laithe moves away from the area where Alton hides, figuring at the least he needn't have to bring attention to the both of them.
He tries to find a spot where he can watch the Boar King while awaiting Keildrithe's enchantment to come to an end. Holding his spear and shield in the one hand, he readies a spell that may help should the Boar King turn hostile.
I mutter "Well, lets get on with this." and sheath my weapons. I then stand up, making sure that I can draw my weapons quickly should that be necassary and say "O Boar King. We mean you no harm, only to aid the lady Gosia in her plight and in your battle against the evil that has invaded these sacred woods. Allow us to parlay and perhaps we can aid each other in our equally noble quests." I slowly advance in as non-threatening a manner as possible.
Alton walks slowly towards the Boar King, speaking in Atuscan, hoping to parlay. Jirkin takes no action, but mentally runs through his prepared spells. Keildrithe continues chanting, drawing his ode to a close. Laithe, failing miserably in his bid to remain hidden, takes his spear in hand and silently prepares a spell.
What exactly it is you don’t know, and perhaps will not, but the Boar King’s attention is suddenly snatched away from Keildrithe’s enchanting song. He stands suddenly, spear in hand, and a hollow, booming roar echoes from his throat: “Aaaiiiieee!”
He then shouts (in Karandic – spoiler for those who can understand)
And with those words he makes to throw his spear, aiming at Alton –
I shout "Why do you make to attack us, O Boar King? We mean you n harm and any wrongs to you on our part were unintentional. We only seek tto aid the battle agianst evil and the freeing of Gosia!" as I draw my blades, prepared fpr the battle I'd hoped to avoid.
I shout "Why do you make to attack us, O Boar King? We mean you n harm and any wrongs to you on our part were unintentional. We only seek tto aid the battle agianst evil and the freeing of Gosia!" as I draw my blades, prepared fpr the battle I'd hoped to avoid.
Unexpectedly, Keildrithe roars back in Karandic at the Boar King with a vehemence none of the party members have yet witnessed:
Then, in Atuscan, the bard cries out: "Be careful, Alton, Laithe... either my rant will cow him... or it will enrage him!"
At the Boar-King’s outburst, Laithe reacts instinctively, casting his readied spell. A bright flash flares before the creature’s face, and the unwieldy looking head jerks backwards, just as the spear held in it’s hand is released. But whether because of the flash, or due to poor aim, the spear flies far wide of it’s presumed mark, Alton, and skids to a halt on the ground several yards away.
At Keildrithe’s roar, the ponderous head turns towards the bard, and a grunt like noise emerges. The figure begins to back away, as Yruch draws his mace and edges slowly forward.
At the Boar-King’s outburst, Laithe reacts instinctively, casting his readied spell. A bright flash flares before the creature’s face, and the unwieldy looking head jerks backwards, just as the spear held in it’s hand is released. But whether because of the flash, or due to poor aim, the spear flies far wide of it’s presumed mark, Alton, and skids to a halt on the ground several yards away.
At Keildrithe’s roar, the ponderous head turns towards the bard, and a grunt like noise emerges. The figure begins to back away, as Yruch draws his mace and edges slowly forward.
Holding forth his symbol of Ehlonna once more, Laithe adds in a calmer voice "We can see you are confused, but would a goblin bare the symbol of fair Ehlonna, Lady & Protector of the Forests? I beseech you; trust in your patron, and so place your trust in us!"
Laithe (and anyone else with 14+ on their spot check):
Laithe (and anyone else with 14+ on their spot check): ** spoiler omitted **
Laithe pauses for a moment, looking intently at the creature standing before the group. He then shakes his head and shouts to the group "Hold everyone! This is no Boar King; it is a man acting as the Boar King!" turning back to the man, he says "The game is up, why don't you dispense with the act and talk with us? We only seek to clear Gosia's name of murder and find those responsible for the deaths of the children of Barg"
"Boar King," Keildrithe adds hesitantly in a calmer voice, "or is your name really Jarred Hale? If so, the Lady Gosia Troskie of Barg has bid us find you, for she desperately needs your aid, as do we... We did not mean to frighten you..."
I close to within 5 feet of him and hold my position warily, my blades till at the ready. I wait to see what the 'Boar King' does before I decide my own course of action.
The “Boar King” looks down and mutters something quietly (listen check to hear it, Alton gets a +4 bonus to the check due to his proximity), and then lets out another scream, and turns tail to run down the path away from you.
Listen 18+
... if this is indeed Jarred Hale, he seems seriously unhinged ...
... if this is indeed Jarred Hale, he seems seriously unhinged ...
Jirkin whispher to the others "Maybe the image of Gosia would clam him down."
"DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY! TACKLE HIM!," yells Keildrithe above the din of the stream. He stows his drum back in his pack and then cautiously climbs onto the log, edging across it while holding onto the rope.
"DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY! TACKLE HIM!," yells Keildrithe above the din of the stream. He stows his drum back in his pack and then cautiously climbs onto the log, edging across it while holding onto the rope.
Laithe had been straining to hear the man's words but he is spurred into action a the sound of Keildrithe's yell spurs him. He once more calls on the power of nature ;"Lady, grant me the speed of the wolf so that I may help subdue this troubled man".
Taking off, he dives forward and undergoes the change, landing on all fours in wolf form and continuing after the fleeing figure. He takes a parallel path to that taken by the man, so that he may overtake him and get ahead of him further down the track.
When it is Jirkin's turn he casts a spell saving throw- Will disbellief( if interacted with) Spell resistance:n0.[/ooc] Jirkin casts the image of Gosia looking around blocking the boar's path to escape.
As the man spins around, the boar head, obviously loosened by all the movement, flies from his head, giving you a momentary glimpse of a bearded, wild eyes face.
As the man spins around to flee, Alton manages to swipe him with the flat of the blade of his rapier, but the man ignores the slap against his leather armour and begins running – fast!
Jirkin asks a question of his companions, which goes seemingly unheard in the commotion, so he delays his action until he can be more sure of what to do.
Keildrithe races for the log across the stream, and carefully crosses, using the rope to steady himself, making it safely to the far bank.
Laithe leaps into action, his form blurring into that of a wolf as he runs, streaking after the fleeing man.
The man is running fast, and although Laithe is confident he can catch him in wolf form, he is not sure that he can do so before he reaches the next bend in the path some sixty feet away.
All of a sudden though, an image of Gosia seems to step out from around the bend in the path, facing the fleeing man, hands held out imploringly. He skids to a halt, looking around in confusion, allowing Laithe to catch up.
Back near the stream, Yruch starts to run forward towards Laithe and the man.
All of a sudden, the yellow hound emerges from the scrub at the side of the path, about ten feet behind Laithe, and begins barking furiously, looking alternatively at the wolf and the rest of the group!
I run forward, following Laithe and the fake Boar King, shouting "Laithe, try to trip him!" as I go.
I run forward, following Laithe and the fake Boar King, shouting "Laithe, try to trip him!" as I go.
Alton sprints up the muddy trail as fast as his short legs will carry him, putting on a surprising burst of speed. As he passes the yellow hound, which has somehow gotten ahead of the group, it barks loudly and warningly at him, but does not attack him.
I run forward, following Laithe and the fake Boar King, shouting "Laithe, try to trip him!" as I go.
Laithe-wolf tears after the fleeing figure, hearing Alton's suggestion to trip and thinking it a good option. But all of a sudden the image of Gosia appears on the track and the man pulls up abruptly, just ahead.
Without any real time to stop, Laithe-wolf makes a last minute decision, leaping at the back of the now stationary man. In mid-air he changes back into human form before crashing into the man's back, hoping to bear him to the ground and wrap him up.
Keildrithe races after his companions, eager to see the fake Boar King unmasked, but his heavy pack slows him down. He comes to a halt as he nears the yellow dog, longsword in hand, pointing at the ground.
The man begins to turn, drawing two small axes from his belt as he does so. For a moment, those close enough to him see a look of anguish pass over his face, until the wild-eyed madness seems to return.
Laithe-wolf, barely able to pull up, leaps at the man, changing form in mid air, and flying unwieldy towards him. The man takes a wild swing at the flying druid with one of his axes, striking him a glancing blow, but unable to stop the crashing impact. Laithe crashes into the man with enormous momentum, and both men fall to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs, skidding through the illusionary image of Gosia, coming to a halt near Alton’s feet.
As Keildrithe comes puffing up, approaching the madly barking yellow dog, he suddenly blinks in surprise – the dog is no longer there! Somehow it is now fifteen feet from where it was standing an instant ago, teeth snapping at Laithe’s leg. It’s teeth close around Laithe’s boot, but he instinctively kicks it away, almost without realizing what has happened.
Yruch draws level with Keildrithe, and then stops in amazement, presumably having seen the same thing as the bard.
As Laithe and the madman move into range of my rapier I swing down, attempting to strike at the madman through the tangle of limbs.
As Laithe and the madman move into range of my rapier I swing down, attempting to strike at the madman through the tangle of limbs.
I strike downwards with the hilt of my rapier and the flat of my sickle blade, connecting with both.
The man lets out a grunt as the flats of Alton's blades connect with his flesh.
In the meantime, Alton's turn for Round 5.
Jirkin seeing that he has ran out of most of his spells, he runs toward where the man is and attacks. "I guess that my staff, will do." As Jirkin tries to strike the man, he knows that he is not a fighter!
4th round=Jirkin attempts to cross the rope, to get on the right side of the river. 5th round=, if he made the check before, then he heads toward the man.
4th round=Jirkin attempts to cross the rope, to get on the right side of the river. 5th round=, if he made the check before, then he heads toward the man.
Jirkin edges carefully - and succesfully - across the log bridge, and then runs up the trail, past the encumbered Keildrithe and Yruch, towards where Alton and Laithe struggle with the so called Boar King and the strange yellow dog.
The wild eyed man attempts to kick himself away from Laithe, raising an arm to protect himself from Alton’s blows. He looks around wildly, spittle flying from his mouth. “Traitors! Intruders! Goblins!” he yells in Karandic. Suddenly his eyes roll back in his head, and he clutches at something within his tunic. “Ehlonna,” he moans, and then begins muttering jibberish and waving his free arm, seemingly at random.
But apparently it is not random… All of a sudden, the vegetation around Keildrithe and Yruch begins to shift and writhe, although there is no wind. Tree roots lift themselves from the muddy ground and scuttle towards the two men, grass shoots erupt from the mud and entwine their boots, whilst the branches and leaves of nearby trees and bushes reach hungrily towards them.
“Arton save us!” curses Yruch, as the branches and vines entangle his legs, holding him fast.