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Nikolae makes sure that the mushrooms are securely tucked away, although left with 'room to breath' so that they do not molder.
The sooner we get back, the better. he says, Should we travel through the night? I would rather arrive tired on the morning than hear the sad tales of those children and elders who bodies could not await our arrival.
"Agreed Nikolae, quicksilver away! the mule looks up with not a care in the world and slowly starts to make its way along with them.
Trevor stands with his mouth agape as he listens to AAremeth and Nikolae talk about travaeling through the vale by night. Sure, Nikolae, being a stranger to these lands, doesn't have a clue. But AAremeth?!? He should know better!
As he starts to utter his discomfort though, Trevor takes the measure of his surroundings, slowly realizing that he won't, under any circumstance, sleep here.
"Great idea! Let's dash."
Along the way, he takes his usual place, closing the line, careful of his surroundings.
As the group slowly moves nearer the village, his mood darkens. Those last few days have felt like months, and he really found himself, and a sense of purpose in these dangerous woods. Somehow, the idea of things going back to normal, of meeting with Gavel Kreed and Payday, of listening to their veiled threats, seems like a bigger challenge than the woods...
But of course, this is the path he chose, and the idea of seeing the temple and Priestess Shana lifts his spirit a little, and broadens his stride.
AAremeth sees Trevor's shocked expression and then nods to him as he agrees,as if he just saw his reasoning. If they don't travel all night well, they can at least get away from there. besides, nikolaes words wring truer than any he has heard, he could see not running as fast as they could when they didn't have all the ingredients, but now every second they dally is one that the afflicted don't have.
As the group leaves the abandoned monastery, Harn takes his normal place at the front, scanning the trees for any signs of danger. When night falls, the barbarian unwraps his enchanted torch, allowing the light to aid them in keeping to the most direct path back to the Hallow.
At Harn's discretion, Lueck will use his Light spell to help illuminate the way.
The moon glistens off the river as you cross back over a gentle breeze rustles through the trees as you skirt the wood. You know you will be tired, but if nothing interferes you should make the Hollow before the sun. If the situation wasn't so dire you would be able to enjoy better this pleasant autumn night. After a few hours of walking along in a southernly direction along the riverside. It meets up With the Darkmoon river the final tributary of the river Foam that stands between you and Falcon's Hollow. The river isn't as deep and the current isn't as fast but still not a crossing to be taken lightly. Do you chance a swim or try a makeshift raft? The sick of the Hollow await your decision.
Lueck can you cast that spell that makes people bigger again? if so, I think applying to Harn and using him as a ferry sounds like a most positive solution to this quandary. what do you say Harn, I know you've always wanted to be a means of transportation."AAremeth jokes, the forced march must be getting to him.
"Yeah, or I can throw yer bony self across." Harn mumbles in response to Aaremeth's statement, the long march even starting to wear on Harn's normally bountiful supply of energy.
AAremeth chuckles at getting under Harn's skin a bit. but Harn, I am explosive. and it wouldn't do to blow up one of the ones carrying some of the cure's ingredients. now keeping him nice and dry and out of the river, well that sounds like good sense.
I wouldn't be able to cast that again until I've had time to conduct my daily prayers. And we do have the mule with us to be concerned about. Is there not a bridge anywhere nearby?
Harn and Trevor both know there is no bridge on the Darkmoon river it starts at a lake in the middle of the wood. The current is quick (dc 12 swim checks) the rive is about forty feet wide. weather a better spot to ford the river upriver or not is a gamble as conditions change with the seasons and whether conditions.
"Well, I ain't much o' a swimmer, but I can give it a try." says Harn as he gazes across the water. "there aren't any bridges that cross the river but we might be able to find a safer place to cross if we follow the river. Though with the recent rains, I don't see that as too likely."
Does anyone have a rope? Could we chop down one tree and fell it so that it bridges the river. Then string a rope across to help steady those walking across? Is the donkey nimble enough for something like that?
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I'll only be able to enlarge a single person, who should assist Quicksilver across during the few minutes that spell will last. Nikolae says, And the rest of us could benefit from dolphin assist, if we don't locate a better place to ford across within a mile or so...
Can any of you local boys think of a better crossing point nearby, with your knowledge of the area?
"Not that I know of. I say we use magic!"
He takes the silk rope from his pack and attaches his grappling hook to hit, testing the knot. He then throws the hook in a very high arc, going more for distance than precision, to gauge the width of the river and to see if he can at least secure a rope first.
If the rope is long enough, he'll move along the bank, lloking for a good spot to get the hook in, then throw it again.
He then proceeds to take his armor and shirt off, packing all his belonging tidily so that they form a tight bundle.
Looking at the rest of the group with a big childish smile, he says: So, who gets to be a giant this time?
Feeling his bulk increase, Trevor grabs Quicksilver's leach by one hand and the rope by the other. "AAremeth! sign to it or something. Just make sure she remains calm. Hey there Quicky, no need to panic, just follow my lead."
Trevor moves through the water, taking careful steps, giving a chance to Quicksilver to get used to the water. Almost as if in a trance, he seems to be repeat some ancient mantra: "Woah! Cold! Cold! Freezing..!"
Trevor flounders a bit but thanks to his larger size and the buoyant Quicksilver he recovers and makes the other bank safely. He quickly secures the rope allowing his companions a much safer passage through the chilly water.
Trevor makes as many trips as he can, starting with carrying AAremeth on his shoulders, then pauses as he's not sure if Vermiis would allow him to grab Nikolae.
Does anyone have a rope that Trevor can string to the other side?
On Trevor's first trip back, Harn hands over fifty feet of silk rope after tying one end off on his side before saying, "Now don't lose that to tha current now, took me a week o' work ta earn enough ta buy that."
Looking at Harn with a little smile, Trevor replies, pointing at the rope tied to the tree: "You mean you don't trust your own knot?"
Looking at the group: "OK, who's next on the Trevor express?"
AAremeth, now on the hallow side of the bank suits back up and ensures the rope stays nice and tight, "thanks Trevor. I still kindo of want to see what a dolphin is.
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Nikolae conjures a dolphin to assist as well, and not merely for Aaremeth's viewing pleasure.
The sleek grey-skinned creature seems as strong as a horse, despite it's compact size, and swims with impossible speed and agility, providing a stabilizing boost to anyone crossing along the rope.
Lueck will wait for the rope to be strung across, and use it and the dolphin's aid to cross.
base roll, plus any bonuses for the assistance.
EDIT: *gulp* There are bonuses, right? Big, juicy bonuses?
The dolphin ferries each of you across in turn playfully hoping out of the water, and swimming up on it's tail backward when going for another person to help cross. It chitters away as if talking in it's own language, and even shakes his head when Vermiis asks Can I eat the big fish?
With the river crossing behind you you make haste onward toward Falcon's Hollow arriving shortly before dawn. The town is quiet in the predawn hours; you are happy to see civilization again. Still a certain foreboding lingers in the air, and your weariness from the rapid trek is quickly catching up with you.
The reality of the situation hitting him fully since their arrival back to the town, Harn says, "Even though it's still early, I say we go wake up Laurel or that trek through the woods wouldn't have done us any good." With that, Harn trudges off to Laurel's shop, not standing as tall as he had when he had left the town, the long trek wearing down even on the hardy lumberjack.
"That is a sound plan to me, again any of you that'd like to stay in my home is welcome, though I think after word gets around that we provided the cure, the mayor will have you staying where ever you like for free. Quicksilver looks around and for once starts to take an enthusiastic lead back toward town.
"You're right Harn, let's go." Trevor picks up the pace, With mixed feeling, he enters the village, with its memories and unfinished business...
AAremeth Follows Quicksilver as long as the Mule's energy lasts and finally retakes the lead as home comes into sight. He opens the door to his shop and pats Quicksilver's bottom as the mule walks into the store.
He then walks over to Laurel's without closing his shops door and knocks on the door with an urgent rap. He typically wouldn't be so boisterous and impolite with Laurel, but he is sure that she will great the ingredients with a warm reception and relief.
After a few more knocks A light is seen in the upstairs window. A moment later you can tell that the light is moving down the stair and into the shop. The curtain is pulled back a bleary eyed Laurel smiles and quickly opens the door. I hope your mission was successful? I know you have returned not moment to soon. Many have become bedridden. We have had very few deaths so far, but I fear for those that are suffering.
"It was successful."with a bit of relief in his voice. He tears a t a pouch at his waist and presents the iron bloom mushrooms. " I dunno between our lumberjacks and couple of heroes just of the road, they have me doubting that the woods are all that intimidating." He steps aside to let the others be seen and give over their portions of the ingredients.
Relieved to finally feel some sense of closure, that everything will be all right, Trevor says: "I hope this works. Let us know if we can help in any way. Should we get the news out? Or do you want to test it first? And by the way, anything happened while we were gone? I didn't like leaving priestess Shana while the Gaven is making all kinds of threats."
As he says this, a chill passes down his spine and he spins to get a view of his surroundings.
Perception:
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Nikolae unbundles the bark, and, uh, whatever the other thing was, and hands them over to the apothecary. Hopefully, these components will help stave off the contagion.
Looking to the others, Should we remain here, and distribute the cure when she has completed her work? Nikolae looks dead on his feet. I could nap right here, in her doorway...
We should certainly stand guard. There may be more of those insane cultists in town, and they may be watching this place and noting our return. Still, it has been a brutal day and we should take turns resting.
It will take me a few hours to get this prepared. Laurel says as she takes the bark with the moss and the "rat's Tail" If you fellows feel you need to stay you can, but at least get some rest. You all look little better than sick folk or zombies. Laurel adds I will lock the door, and wake you if there is trouble, or when it is ready.
"That's a fine offer that I will gladly accept. Many thanks.
I'll take the back."
With that said, Trevor will move near the back door and sit on the floor, axe in hand, across the door. Sleep will quickly overcome him if nothing happens.
Perception:
Pardon our intrusion, but we are just trying to make sure everything is safe.
Lueck will go throughout the building, checking for any windows or doors. Are there few enough that we could all follow Trevor's example and guard each one?
Trevor it is not long before you are asleep sitting against the back door. Lueck The front "shop" area has a door and a picture window. The two windows upstairs both have shudders that are barred. Laurel says No worries dear. I am sure that if someone comes to cause trouble they will be in for quite the surprise with all you lot slumbering away in here.
You all sleep soundly only waking later to the sound of a growing crowd outside Laurel's shop. You are uncertain how long you have been asleep, but even though somewhat revived you feel you could sleep more easily. The word has spread that the cure is available, and while Laurel has had doses taken to those who are bedridden others who are not yet that sick gather hoping that there is enough medicine for all.