[Almagra] AD&D2E PbP Game: Kingdom of Vrocia [IC, on Hiatus]

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

Fore notes the deep wagon tracks, as well. He kneels down next to Evermithe and looks around, slightly concerned. "What do you think?"

"the most recent tracks look completely normal
but the previous ones were made in considerable haste and with heavily laden wagons by the depth of these ruts
something sent them packing in a hurry
if the halfling was part of a group, why did they leave him behind?"

Evermithe signals the Wagon in to park so the group can set up camp for the night

in the mean time, he checks the firepit to see if it's warm enough still to coax back to life

[BPIJonathan]

Silarilas gets down off his horse, as carefully as possible. He heads over to Evermithe and says "May I be of some assistance?" as he looks for a place to set his gear that would be out of the way.

OOC: Silarilas will be careful about his movement, waiting probably until morning to do anything really strenuous so that he doesn't re injure himself. He will also spend a lot of time looking aroudn to make sure that from what he can see the area is secure, and probably having a healthy fear of beetles about now.

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tim's shoulder with the beetle bite still pains him; he realizes that he should probably rest.

But before sitting down to do so, he gathers a few big pieces of deadwood to help rekindle the fire. (Deadwood = limbs and branches from trees that have fallen to the ground over the course of time, because of naturally occurring factors.)

[Knightfall]

Fore notes the deep wagon tracks, as well. He kneels down next to Evermithe and looks around, slightly concerned. "What do you think?"

"the most recent tracks look completely normal
but the previous ones were made in considerable haste and with heavily laden wagons by the depth of these ruts
something sent them packing in a hurry
if the halfling was part of a group, why did they leave him behind?"

"Hopefully he'll be able to tell us soon," Fore replies. "He did seem to be on his own without a mount. While this trail is well traveled, I don't know anyone who'd travel it alone. It'd be safer to stay put and wait for someone else to show up."

Evermithe signals the Wagon in to park so the group can set up camp for the night

Henry leads the wagon into the clearing and brings it to a stop near the firepit. He tends to the horses while Ornia checks on the halfling.

"He's still sleeping," she says.

in the mean time, he checks the firepit to see if it's warm enough still to coax back to life

Silarilas gets down off his horse, as carefully as possible. He heads over to Evermithe and says "May I be of some assistance?" as he looks for a place to set his gear that would be out of the way.

Evermithe works to get the firepit going again with Siliarilas' help. The coals are ice cold and the two of them are forced to start from scratch.

"I can help with that," Fore offers. He heads off to gather a good supply of wood and tinder. He digs out a fire striker and works with two other elves to get a good fire going. Once they do, Ornia moves the halfling close to the fire to get him warm. She also helps Nerisha from the wagon and settles her near the fire. She has Fore help her make a place for Lady Mirabell next the fire in between her and Nerisha. The girl is still unconscious, but she doesn't look harmed, just tired.

After settling the horses, away from the fire, Henry sits on the opposite side of the fire and refuses to look at her or Ornia. He remains silent and keeps an eye on the halfling who is sleeping soundly. The warmth of the fire helps him a great deal.

OOC: Silarilas will be careful about his movement, waiting probably until morning to do anything really strenuous so that he doesn't re injure himself. He will also spend a lot of time looking around to make sure that from what he can see the area is secure, and probably having a healthy fear of beetles about now.

OOC: He is able to help somewhat with the fire, but with fore helping Evermithe, his help isn't really required. Once the fire is going, the warmth helps him a lot. He doesn't see anything that is obviously dangerous, but he twitches involuntarily when a tiny, harmless beetle crawls along the ground in front of him.

Tim's shoulder with the beetle bite still pains him; he realizes that he should probably rest.

But before sitting down to do so, he gathers a few big pieces of deadwood to help rekindle the fire.

Working alongside Fore, the two of them gather more than enough wood to get them through the night. Fore seems less concerned about finding only deadwood.

"The forest spirits won't mind, as long as we honor them," he says to Tim.

The elven ranger says several prayers while moving around the edge of the encampment. He moves with grace and purpose, almost half-dancing, as he draws symbols in the dirt and scattered scented leaves in the fire. He then sits down next to Siliarilas and offers the fellow elf some raw grass stalks he pulled up from the edge of the clearing. "They're edible," he says. "Won't fill you up, but they're tasty and good for you. I'll try to find some ragwood tubers in the morning. I'm a pretty good cook."

"Mmm, food," the halfling says in the deep dream of sleep.

"He's going to be really hungry when he wakes up," Henry says. "Hins have hardy appetites. Maybe we should wake him."

"No, let him sleep, I say. He's had a rougher day than any of us, well, except maybe Siliarilas." Fore offers a handful of grass stalks to Tim and Evermithe, as well. He motions to Ornia and she shakes her head.

"I'll try some," Nerisha says. Fore goes to gather more and comes back with two full handfuls. He gives some to Nerisha and hands a second helping to Tim. After he sits down, he stares quietly at the fire for a few minutes.

"So, are we going to talk about what happened back there or just forget about it?" He tries not to stare at Lady Mirabell.

"I have nothing more to say," Henry says. He bundles himself up in a blanket and lies down, facing away from the fire.

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

Evermithe melts out of the trees carrying two canvas pails with clean water
setting them down nearby he rights the kettle and uses a Clean Cantrip on it's interior before setting it next to the fire and pouring in the water
he then scrapes some of the embers around it's base to start heating it up with a large stick

"there is a trail across the road that leads to a good stream just down the hill
it's well marked if anyone needs additional water to clean a wound or to just freshen up a little

I'll be in the Treeline overnight to ensure that anything prowling around chooses someplace else to be rather than here

[Tellerian Hawke]

Fore seems less concerned about finding only deadwood. "The forest spirits won't mind, as long as we honor them," he says to Tim.

Tim smiles, "I'm afraid that my intentions are less noble than that, friend Fore; for one, chopping wood is a sign that we've passed this way. Second, I don't want to over-exert myself. I've learned over the years that with significant wounds, it's best not to over-do it, because exertion only serves to exacerbate the wound and prevent it from healing."

"I have nothing more to say," Henry says. He bundles himself up in a blanket and lies down, facing away from the fire.

Tim sighs at the thought of Henry's short-sightedness, and closed mind, but says nothing.

[Knightfall]

Evermithe melts out of the trees carrying two canvas pails with clean water
setting them down nearby he rights the kettle and uses a Clean Cantrip on it's interior before setting it next to the fire and pouring in the water
he then scrapes some of the embers around it's base to start heating it up with a large stick

"there is a trail across the road that leads to a good stream just down the hill
it's well marked if anyone needs additional water to clean a wound or to just freshen up a little

I'll be in the Treeline overnight to ensure that anything prowling around chooses someplace else to be rather than here

As Evermithe disappears back into the trees, Fore turns to Siliarilas and says, "Well, I guess that's one vote for no."

"I have nothing more to say," Henry says. He bundles himself up in a blanket and lies down, facing away from the fire.

Tim sighs at the thought of Henry's short-sightedness, and closed mind, but says nothing.

Fore sits silently, watching Henry, waiting for the man to fall asleep or at least feign sleep. He sees the look of disapproval on Tim's face and waits to see if he'll ask the two women about Lady Mirabell.

The silence continues for nearly ten minutes before Fore can't hold it in anymore.

"Okay, so how did she do that?" He asks Ornia. "I didn't see her cast a spell or say a prayer, or anything."

"You should really let it go, young one," Ornia insists.

"Oh come on, it's not like its secret from anyone here."

"Fore, a part of it is a secret, from her," Nerisha replies while motioning to the girl. "She isn't completely aware of her abilities. She won't be until we get where we need to go."

"You cannot tell them," Ornia says. "They won't understand."

"What choice do we have?" Nerisha whispers. "Henry knows the truth, and he will make trouble for all of us once we reach Khadfield, despite what he's promised. He'll see it as his duty to warn the constables of what he believes is witchcraft."

"He gave us his word," Fore notes.

"The word of a fearful man isn't worth the sounds made," Nerisha replies.

Fore looks at Henry and then gets up to check to make sure the man is deep asleep. Once he is sure, Fore takes his place on the nearby bench. The halfling snores quietly.

"What would you have us do, lock him in the wagon?"

"I still say we leave him behind tied to a tree," Ornia grumbles.

"We are not going to do that," Fore says shaking his head.

"Agreed," Nerisha insists with a glare at her female companion.

[Knightfall]

Half-an-hour passes uneventfully before the young girl finally stirs...

"Wh- where are we," Lady Mirabell whispers, half asleep. "Ornia? Are you there?"

"Yes, miss."

"I cannot see."

"I know," Ornia replies. "It will come back by morning. Rest. Sleep." The fey woman mumbles in the young girls ear and the slip of a girl falls back to sleep. The clearing becomes even more still with her stirrings.

"She's blind?" Fore asks while Big Tim drifts off to sleep suddenly.

"It's only temporary," Nerisha notes. "Her abilities are hard on her. When she wakes in the morning, she won't remember everything that happened. That's why Henry knowing about her is dangerous. If he confronts her, it could cause another flare-up of her powers."

"You tell them too much, Sister." Ornia sighs.

"We're going to need their help, Ornia. We won't make it to the border through Northpass with her on our own."

"Northpass? Wait, we're supposed to take you all to Hwen Hold," Fore asks, confused.

"She cannot go there," Ornia insists. "She is more important than being a bride-price for a noble fool who will treat her badly."

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

for much of the overnight period

Evermithe silently monitors the camp, drifting through every so often to keep the fire going so there will be plenty of hot coals to cook with come morning
and covering Lady Mirabell with his cloak

he'd overheard the conversation about the girl between the others and Ornia and their concerns regarding Henry

there is little he can do right now about it so he ponders the possibilities as the night creeps on

[ShadowJak]

Well now that my name is out of the way let me introduce myself
I'm 8' 453 lbs really big beat stick with a nasty hatered for orc
I hale from the land of mystra Blackwood hills area my mother is ogre a beloved shamen
My father was her human play toy a gift from my grandfather
They died during a raid on my encampment by the local Baron's soldiers who were trying to cleanse the land from our kind
I decided to pick up my grandfathers war club to defend our people but was knocked unconscious and left for dead I awoke 3 days later to the burning smell of my parents this cause my mind to slip and the only thing left was Pankake she helped nurse me back to health so I tried to track down these vile evil men to seek revenge I learned how to swing Pankake with her help we have had many adventures together

[Knightfall]

for much of the overnight period

Evermithe silently monitors the camp, drifting through every so often to keep the fire going so there will be plenty of hot coals to cook with come morning
and covering Lady Mirabell with his cloak

he'd overheard the conversation about the girl between the others and Ornia and their concerns regarding Henry

there is little he can do right now about it so he ponders the possibilities as the night creeps on

Big Tim listens to the conversation with interest, but he soon grows very tired. He is soon fast asleep while the others converse.

Fore tries to object to Ornia's insistence that Lady Mirabell will not be going to Hwen Hold, "no mater what."

Nerisha plays peacemaker and suggests they all get some sleep and discuss it in the morning. That calms Ornia down, although she looks at Fore and Siliarilas with a look that is cool, at best.

Soon everyone but Evermithe is sleeping. He silently enters the clearing several times in the night. And hour before dawn, a heavy fog rolls into the region. It's not unusual for such fogs to roll in at night, but something about it feels strange to Evermithe as he covers the human girl with his cloak. It is not eerie. The fog is simply, odd, in his mind. He feels as if something has changed but he doesn't know what it could be. Perhaps its the girl's Fate that has him on edge.

As he heads back out of camp, Evermithe feels a strange warm sensation rub against the back of his neck. It causes him to turn, alert. Lady Mirabell is sitting upright and she seems to be nodding her head at someone, something, unseen. Evermithe finds he cannot move, as his vision begins to swirl around him. The young girl looks at him and mouths the words 'it will be all right, Sir Elf. Rest now.' She then smiles and lays back down to sleep.

No sound came from the girl's mouth, but, now, Evermithe can clearly hear words being spoken in his head.

"You will forget Tymbeck Valencia, Evermithe Woodshadow. He has another destiny. Another like him sleeps now in his place. Axel Runo is your companion now, war wizard. As far as you will remember, he has been with you this whole time. The others will remember this as the truth, as well. But the girl will know.

Now sleep and wake with the dawn!"

Evermithe manages to stumble into the bush before 'being settled' at the base of a big tree. Sleep claims him, as the fog deepens. When the morning comes, he remembers the fog but nothing else.

OOC: <Well now that my name is out of the way let me introduce myself
I'm 8' 453 lbs really big beat stick with a nasty hatered for orc
I hale from the land of [Mystara] Blackwood Hills area my mother is ogre a beloved shamen
My father was her human play toy a gift from my grandfather
They died during a raid on my encampment by the local Baron's soldiers who were trying to cleanse the land from our kind
I decided to pick up my grandfathers war club to defend our people but was knocked unconscious and left for dead I awoke 3 days later to the burning smell of my parents this cause my mind to slip and the only thing left was Pankake she helped nurse me back to health so I tried to track down these vile evil men to seek revenge I learned how to swing Pankake with her help we have had many adventures together>

"Axel Runo, hear me!"

Axel hears a voice in his head but it doesn't sound like Pankake.

"No, I am not your grandfather's war club," the voice seems to be speaking in darkness. Then Axel notices that he cannot see anything. Everything is black. "We are in your mind, Axel Runo."

Axel tries to stand. He must have hit his head. Only Pankake speaks to him, but he cannot hear her. Why? He finds he cannot stand or even move. Where is Pankake?

"You are not awake, Axel. And, no, this is not a dream. I have need of your services as a warrior. There is this girl... pay attention!"

Axle's mind wanders and the darkness begins to lighten, slightly. Then Axel sees his parents. They are alive and standing in front of him. But, no, they are dead.

"Pay attention, half-ogre! You are not in the Blackwood Hills anymore. You are a place called Vrocia, which is worlds away from the Seas of Mystaros. You are needed to help protect a young woman. She is important to Vrocia's future."

Vrocia? Axel thinks to himself. Never heard of it. Mystaros, that name he knows, but his people call it something else.

"If you help the girl, it will benefit you greatly. The gods will be with you in your hunt for your parent's killers."

That got Axel's attention, causing his mind to focus. The darkness fades and he is now standing with Pankake in his hand in a mountain valley at the edge of a lake. There are green fields and forests in the distance. Beyond are high mountains covered in snow.

"You are still in your mind, Axel." The voice is closer. Axel turns to see a tall woman made of wood standing behind him. "I am Gacrena. I am one of Vrocia's guardian spirits, and I need your help. You must take the place of another of your kind who has been spirited away to another world. He was an important protector. There is a human girl, Mirabell Littlechild, who needs to be saved from those who would do her harm. Like you, she has been taken from her family, but she has a chance to return to them. She will need your help for this to happen."

The goddess Gacrena shows Axel a clearing in a wooded area. There is a warm fire and several people are sleeping around it. There are several pointy-eared elves, a hin, a frail looking human, and a human child who looks like she would break in half should a pebble hit her.

"That is her," Gacrena says. "You and these others must protect her with your lives, and in return, I promise to help you gain your revenge on the men who killed your family."

Axel sees someone else sleeping by the fire. A half-ogre, like him. No, wait, it is me! But it shouldn't be me! He thinks.

"When they wake, they will believe you have been traveling with them all this time. They will know things about you but not everything. But you will know the truth of where you come from and how you came to be here. If you tell them, they may or may not believe you. It would be best for you not to burden them with this knowledge. The truth will come out, eventually."

Axel watches as another elf enters the clearing. He doesn't seem hostile, but he does seem tough, well, for a elf man. The elf quickly moves around the camp tending to the fire and covering the girl with his cloak. Then he begins walking towards the woods. The goddess steps towards the human child and taps her gentle on the shoulder. The child sits up and looks directly at the goddess. The two of them seem to speak to each other but Axel cannot hear their words. The girl looks towards the elf walking from the glade. He abruptly stops and turns. He sees the girl but not the goddess. The girl nods and seems to say something to the elf man. He wobbles away towards the woods.

"He will not remember any of this, Axel." The goddess is now standing next to him and next to the girl. At the same time. Axel's head hurts. "The girl will know who you are and who you replaced. Her mind is already too strong for me to erase. And I cannot blank your mind. It is alien to me. So chaotic. I'm sorry that you will be burdened with this secret. Now sleep, Axel. Sleep and wake with the dawn."

With that the darkness engulfs Axel once again and his mind goes dark, as if he passed out from too much drink.

Dawn...
The clearing is covered with a slight frost, but the embers of the flames have not yet gone out. Sun glints through the trees. There are wisps of fog above the treetops but the ground is clear. Dew has settled on the leaves and grass.

Fore turns over in his sleep and rolls into Axel. The big half-ogre is soon wide awake. The little girl is awake and holding her hands over the smouldering coals. She still has Evermithe's cloak, wrapped around her.

"Good morning, Axel," Mirabell says quietly, as not to wake the others. "How are you feeling this morning?"

The halfling snorts and then keeps on snoring. The girl giggles. The elf named Fore yawns and stretches. He almost kicks the coals out of the fire and onto Ornia.

Axel knows them. He knows their names. He knows some of their stories. The goddess hadn't mentioned that to him. So, it hadn't been a dream. It had been real. He was somewhere else, worlds away.

"Try not to think about it too much," Mirabell suggests in a whisper. "It will just make the situation more confusing. I promise you we will tell them the truth, eventually. And I promise that the goddess will help you find the people that killed your family." She pauses. "I am sorry that happened to you."

In the treeline, Evermithe wakes up at the base of a tree with no idea how he got there or how he fell asleep.

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

the young elf stirs to wakefulness and shakes the cobwebs from his mind as he rises

he walks over to the fire picking up several twigs and small sticks to coax the fire back up

"that fight must have taken more out of me than I thought."
he comments as he places several logs onto the restored fire in a particular manner to maximize the
heat thrown out and around the local area after tapping on Fore's Ankle firmly <enough to rouse him up>

"HEY Fore! You're about to light your Boot on Fire!"

he turns to see the Lady Mirabell awake
"Good Morrow M'Lady, did you sleep well last night?"

"Morning Axel, Ornia."

[ShadowJak]

Axel sits runs his eyes still blinking out the sandmans sand he try's to sit up knowing that his head hurts but he needs to visit Mother Nature so not waiting Axel gets up suddenly and walks into the woods to do his business dragging Pankake growling about last night after about 20 mins he returns and takes a seat near the fire looking fir something to eat pankake tells him that we are on a new adventure Axel smiles
Now Axel looks at this group knowing that he has been told they know who he is he nods to the group and grabs something to eat knowing that's it's easier to keep his mouth shut by stuffing food into it and pankake agrees she is still concerned as to why we are here but has not said anything yet this hooman child is creeping Axel out with her being so nice to him the elves are weak but useful and that noisy halfling would make a good snack but for now filling his belly and getting a good work out is on his mind Pankake is whispering something about a Goddess talking to her but is still complaining about needing a bath Axel speaks up " not now Pankake I'm eating we bathe later in the blood of our enemies now let me eat woman "

[Knightfall]

the young elf stirs to wakefulness and shakes the cobwebs from his mind as he rises

he walks over to the fire picking up several twigs and small sticks to coax the fire back up

"that fight must have taken more out of me than I thought."
he comments as he places several logs onto the restored fire in a particular manner to maximize the
heat thrown out and around the local area after tapping on Fore's Ankle firmly <enough to rouse him up>

"HEY Fore! You're about to light your Boot on Fire!"

"Wh- what!?" Fore wakes with a start. He sees his boot near the fire pit and quickly sidles back fro the embers. He looks up at Evermithe with a dozy smile and yawns, "Thanks."

he turns to see the Lady Mirabell awake
"Good Morrow M'Lady, did you sleep well last night?"

Lady Mirabell nods. "Very well, thank you. It was a bit chilly, but I'm okay." She holds up the ends of Evermithe's cloak, "Thank you."

"Morning Axel, Ornia."

Axel sits runs his eyes still blinking out the sandmans sand he try's to sit up knowing that his head hurts but he needs to visit Mother Nature so not waiting Axel gets up suddenly and walks into the woods to do his business dragging Pankake growling about last night

Evermithe watches the half-ogre walk into the woods with some mild unease in his gut. He and the brutish warrior are polar opposites, yet the big man had fought well agianst the beetles. Hadn't he? The young elven war wizard's head is still a bit hazy.

"Good morning," Ornia says politely. "You like to be by yourself, it seems. That, I can understand." She looks at Lady Mirabell and then at Nerisha who is still sleeping. The elf woman's wounds were very severe. More rest would be good for her.

"Good morning, Mir-,, uh, Lady Mirabell." Fore says sheepishly. She smiles at him shyly while Ornia stares down the elf. She points to one eye and then at Fore. He shrugs his shoulders, gets up, and goes to check on the mounts.

after about 20 mins [Axel] returns and takes a seat near the fire looking fir something to eat pankake tells him that we are on a new adventure Axel smiles
Now Axel looks at this group knowing that he has been told they know who he is he nods to the group and grabs something to eat knowing that's it's easier to keep his mouth shut by stuffing food into it and pankake agrees she is still concerned as to why we are here but has not said anything
yet this hooman child is creeping Axel out with her being so nice to him the elves are weak but useful and that noisy halfling would make a good snack but for now filling his belly and getting a good work out is on his mind

The available food that Evermithe prepares barely sates Axel's hunger. The food is good but it isn't meaty. He tries to fill up on bread.

"Hey Axel, leave some for me," Fore jokes. He comes back to the fire and sits next to Axel. Axel has this sense that he likes Fore, or will like him.

Pankake is whispering something about a Goddess talking to her but is still complaining about needing a bath Axel speaks up " not now Pankake I'm eating we bathe later in the blood of our enemies now let me eat woman "

Axel's words rouse the halfling. He wakes, startled. Then he sees Axel and begins screaming. "Don't eat me! Don't eat me!"

"Calm down, friend," Ornia exclaims. "He's not going to eat you." The fey woman looks at Axel, uncertain. "No one here will hurt you."

"What is going on?" Nerisha yawns. The halfing's screams woke her up.

"The halfling is awake," Fore mumbles as he eats.

"My, my n-name is K-Kepli," The hin stammers. "Kepli Batel! W-where am I? Where are the others?"

Pankake whispers to Axel to pay attention to the little one. 'There could be foes to kill. For his others aren't here. Someone may have taken them.'

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

"Good morning," Ornia says politely. "You like to be by yourself, it seems. That, I can understand."

"I actually do prefer company, but given the injuries most of us have suffered, I felt it was better to let everyone sleep in order to recover their energy

not only that, but should someone have tried to enter Camp.
their distraction resulting from looking at the fire would disrupt their night vision further blinding them to my presence in the trees
and enabling me to gain a tactical advantage as well as surprise"

Evermithe then turns to the startled Halfling

"you are safe now,
we found you yesterday along the road where you had been attacked by several giant beetles
we've tended and bound your wounds, but I'm concerned that there were no others with you on the road"

"Fore, see that Henry tends to the horses and gets everything prepped for departure
we'll need to do a bit of Hunting today.
while we had factored a bit for Axel's appetite, Halflings too have a very healthy appetite which we will need to adjust for."

[Knightfall]

"Good morning," Ornia says politely. "You like to be by yourself, it seems. That, I can understand."

"I actually do prefer company, but given the injuries most of us have suffered, I felt it was better to let everyone sleep in order to recover their energy

not only that, but should someone have tried to enter Camp.
their distraction resulting from looking at the fire would disrupt their night vision further blinding them to my presence in the trees
and enabling me to gain a tactical advantage as well as surprise"

"Sensible tactics," Ornia nods approvingly. "I'm glad your with us and not against us, war wizard."

Evermithe then turns to the startled Halfling

"you are safe now,
we found you yesterday along the road where you had been attacked by several giant beetles
we've tended and bound your wounds, but I'm concerned that there were no others with you on the road"

The halfling takes a minute to calm down, once he realizes that Axel isn't going to eat him. "There is a good reason for that, I'm afraid. My companions and I were on our way back to Kara's Vale from Khadfield, but we decided to take one of the shorter trails -- a trail called the Redrun."

"You're lucky to be alive!" Fore exclaims. "That trail is highly dangerous!" Fore turns to Evermithe "The Redrun is not only treacherous to hike, it is near several dens that monsters lair up in. Likely, Kepli and his group disturbed the beetles and were attacked from below."

"Yes, but it wasn't beetles, at first," the hin says. "A small group of goblins attacked from several hidden pits. We managed to fight them off, but Ol' Winnie was killed."

"Your friend?" Ornia asks.

"Yes, my loyal pony," the hin sighs.

"I'm surprised you got ponies through that trail," Fore says, shaking his head.

"It was a mistake for sure," Kepli replies.

"How many others were with you?" Nerisha asks.

"Four, not including our ponies and Jimi's riding dog, Lil' Sourface. Poor Jimi. He fell and broke his neck. His mount refused to leave his grave."

"Where is this Redrun?" Ornia asks, concerned.

"In the deeper part of the woods to the north. The distance from Khadfield to Kara's Vale is shorter along that trail, but it is very dangerous and narrow. There are tree roots all along it. Wagons can't pass through it. Only the toughest foresters would ever dare to travel it and never alone." Fore uses a stick to draw in the dirt to show where the Redrun is in comparison to the main trail.

"Are the others still alive?" Lady Mirabell asks Kepli. "Or did the beetles... take them."

"I don't know. When the beetles appeared, I got separated from the others. Blast! I knew we should have waited for Felgar. He's going to be mad I went off alone again."

"Another friend?" Fore asks.

"A very good friend. He's saved my life more times than I can ever thank him for. Not that he'd ever ask for such a thank you."

"We should try to find his friends," Lady Mirabell suggests. "If they're still alive, we-"

"Lady Mirabell, we cannot," Ornia insists. She looks at Kepli. "I'm sorry that you lost your friends, but considering how many beetles we faced, there is no chance any of them are alive."

"I- I understand."

"Now wait a minute," Fore says. "We should all have a say in this. Axel? Siliarilas? What do you think we should do? Nerisha?"

"Fore, see that Henry tends to the horses and gets everything prepped for departure
we'll need to do a bit of Hunting today.
while we had factored a bit for Axel's appetite, Halflings too have a very healthy appetite which we will need to adjust for."

Fore nods and then asks Evermithe. You've taken charge of this group. What do you think?"

Fore waits for an answer while he gathers up his gear near the fire. Then he looks for Henry, but doesn't see him sleeping by the fire. Looking around the clearing, Fore doesn't see the man anywhere.

"Uhm, does anyone know where Henry is?" Fore asks.

Evermithe hadn't noticed that the troublesome human was missing from around the fire. The last time he'd checked during the night, everyone had been present around the fire. That had been just before the fog had rolled in. Had Henry used the cover of the fog to slip away?

[ShadowJak]

Well now that I have eaten and been informed about the missing halflings Axel speaks up "I say it's time to feed Pankake and she has a very big appetite" Axel picks up Pankake holding her above his head so she can get a good look at everyone here Pankake whispers to him " I don't trust the wee one but I'm hungry so I say we go look for it's friends and we both shall dine on the sweet nectar of victory and maybe kill some goblins for fun " Axel nods to Pankake and speaks again "but I don't like halfling orcs taste so much better we go looking for more halfling then we eat less I don't like eat less me like eat more and elf don't know how to feeds us so we need to get food " Pankake Agrees Axel stands up " Ok we go look for Halfling and get more food we kill goblins for fun halfling fat make good pillow to sleep on maybe they know where bad men are I done now " Axel sits down and places Pankake next to him but keeps an eye on the creepy hooman child

[Boneguard]

As the group were discussing with the Hin, some rustling through the leaves from the direction of khadfield. A fuming gnome came out shortly after, upon seeing the Hindu amongst the group.

"There ye' are ye' little rascal! How many time must I tell ye' to run yer travel plans by me? It's a marvel ye're still alive?" He looked around. "Where are the others? I was told others left with ye'?"

Suddenly realising he had not introduced himself yet. "Felgar Darkshine, Sternshield of Gaerdal Ironhand." He simply stated.

[Boneguard]

Accidentally double posted

[Knightfall]

Well now that I have eaten and been informed about the missing halflings Axel speaks up "I say it's time to feed Pankake and she has a very big appetite" Axel picks up Pankake holding her above his head so she can get a good look at everyone here Pankake whispers to him "I don't trust the wee one but I'm hungry so I say we go look for it's friends and we both shall dine on the sweet nectar of victory and maybe kill some goblins for fun" Axel nods to Pankake and speaks again "But I don't like halfling, orcs taste so much better, we go looking for more halfling then we eat less, I don't like eat less, me like eat more and elf don't know how to feeds us, so we need to get food" Pankake Agrees Axel stands up "Ok we go look for Halfling and get more food, we kill goblins for fun, halfling fat, make good pillow to sleep on, maybe they know where bad men are, I done now" Axel sits down and places Pankake next to him but keeps an eye on the creepy hooman child

"More food, got it," Fore replies once Axel is done. "I'll see if I can find a buck that we can roast over the fire. But rabbit will be more likely."

Fore heads out into the trees to hunt for something, larger, that he knows will sate the half-ogre's hunger. He wonders where Henry has gone, but he knows wil ltrak him down, if anyone really cares.

"I agree with Axel," Nerisha says. Ornia looks at her Sister as if she's grown a second head. "We can't just leave innocents to die in forest if there is any chance they can be saved."

"No!"

"It's not up to you, Ornia," Lady Mirabell insists. "You might be here to protect me, but you do not control me or them. Do I make myself clear?"

For a moment, Ornia looks like she's going to continue to object. Her mouth gapes open and then she sighs and nods her head.

"Thank you, thank you, good lady," Kepli says enthusiasically. He gets up, slowly, and moves to shake Lady Mirabell's hand. She hugs him back much to his surprise.

As the group were discussing with the Hin, some rustling through the leaves from the direction of khadfield. A fuming gnome came out shortly after, upon seeing the Hindu amongst the group.

"There ye' are ye' little rascal! How many time must I tell ye' to run yer travel plans by me? It's a marvel ye're still alive?" He looked around. "Where are the others? I was told others left with ye'?"

"Felgar!" Kepli tries to run over to his friend, but he's still too weak to do anything but limp. "You're found me! You're here! Oh, the others... Felgar, it's not good. We took a bad trail and there were goblins and giant beetles. I lost the others. Jimi is dead. And poor Ol' Winnie. The goblin's killed him. The beetles almost killed me. If these heroes hadn't come along, I'd be filling some giant bug's gut."

Suddenly realising [to] introduced himself yet. "Felgar Darkshine, Sternshield of Gaerdal Ironhand." He simply stated.

"Yes, yes, proper introductions!" Kepli limps, first to his friend, and then back with the gnome to the others around the fire. "This is him! My friend I told you about! Oh, it's so good that you're here, Felgar. This nice lady has agreed to help look for the others -- Ausan, Bertolph, and Dobrim. But not poor Jimi. He fell and broke his neck in the woods. His riding dog, Lil' Sourface, wouldn't leave the foot of Jimi's grave no matter what we did. I guess we should find his grave and give a more proper burial. We were in a hurry. We were afraid that more goblins would come. That was before the beetles appeared out of nowhere."

"Hello," Lady Mirabell waits until Kepli takes a breath and then introduces herself to Felgar. "I am glad to meet you, Mr. Darkshine. I know of your god, but I've never met a Sternshield before. Did I say that right?"

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Sternshield," Ornia stands and bows respectfully. Felgar can see and sense the fey in her. "Your friend here was lucky indeed that we came along. We saved him from a number of giant beetles including something called a Red Borer."

The others greet the gnome one by one. Eventually, Fore comes back from his hunt with a young stag on his back. He is more than a little surprised by the gnome's presence.

"Uhm, someone want to clue me in?"

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

"this Redrun trail is too narrow and rough to even consider getting the wagon near it's route.
however, I just might have a means to gauge the Redrun and maybe, spot if anyone else might still be alive
somewhere along it"

looking around, he takes note of Henry's absence with concern
"Ornia, where is Henry?
he was here right up until the fog moved in early this morning."

Evermithe steps away from the fire and the parked wagon and lets out a sharp yet pure whistling note while looking upward into the morning sky

seconds later, a gleaming flash of green streaks across the clearing and lands on his outstretched arm
everyone can now see the flash is a Bird of Prey and arguably the most magnificent Falcon they have ever seen!
his brilliant Emerald Green plumage sparkles in the sunlight as the elf softly speaks to it as he returns nearer the fire.

the bird gazes upon the assembled group with it's piercing golden eyes almost as if seeing straight through them

[Knightfall]

"this Redrun trail is too narrow and rough to even consider getting the wagon near it's route.
however, I just might have a means to gauge the Redrun and maybe, spot if anyone else might still be alive somewhere along it"

"I think it's worth checking out," Fore agrees. "The wagon will have to stay here. You should probably stay here too, Lady Mirabell. It will be risky enough, plus you can barricade yourself in the wagon."

"I wish I could be of more use," Mirabell replies. "But I am not a warrior."

"I should stay with you," Ornia says.

"No, they'll need you. Nerisha will stay with me. And Mister Kepli, here. Neither of them are up to trapsing through the woods."

"Agreed," Nerisha says with a sigh. "I'll watch out for her Sister, as best I can. Go with the others and find the halfling's friends."

Ornia nods.

"Axel, give me a hand with this deer," Fore begins the process of skinning the animal, away from the others, and prepping it for cooking on the fire. "I'll save you the liver, and I'll split the heart with you, after I make the proper sacrifices to the Roan God."

Pankake whispers approvingly in Axel's ear. Good food. Useful elf.

looking around, he takes note of Henry's absence with concern
"Ornia, where is Henry?
he was here right up until the fog moved in early this morning."

"i have not seen him since he laid down to go to sleep last night," Ornia replies. She senses that the war wizard might be accusing her of something. "I admit that I don't want him here, but I would never go against Lady Mirabell's wishes. I did nothing to him. I swear it." She gets up and helps Evermithe look around the camp. "Strange, all his gear is here. If he fled, he didn't take anything with him. That wouldn't be like him at all. Well, as much as I know about him. M'Lady?" Ornia turns towards Mirabell. "Would he just flee without his waterskin and other personal items?"

"Very unlikely," she says quietly. "I don't know where he went, but I don't think he's in any danger. Well, that's the sense I get."

"How can you be sure?" Fore asks.

"It is... just a feeling," th girl replies.

"Well, if we take the time to look for him, Kepli's friends might not survive much longer," Fore says. "I say we look for him later. As far as we know, he's fine and has just run off."

From what Evermithe finds in t he camp, he isn't sure that Henry fled in the night. In fact, the war wizard can find no trace of Henry leaving the camp or anyone else but him entering the camp until this morning. As he goes over it and over it in his mind, he starts to get a headache. Something is not right, but Evermithe can't seem to reason out what it could be.

Evermithe steps away from the fire and the parked wagon and lets out a sharp yet pure whistling note while looking upward into the morning sky

seconds later, a gleaming flash of green streaks across the clearing and lands on his outstretched arm
everyone can now see the flash is a Bird of Prey and arguably the most magnificent Falcon they have ever seen!
his brilliant Emerald Green plumage sparkles in the sunlight as the elf softly speaks to it as he returns nearer the fire.

the bird gazes upon the assembled group with it's piercing golden eyes almost as if seeing straight through them

"It's so beautiful," Lady Mirabell gasps. She moves fluidly forward, being cautious. She looks right into the bird's eyes. "Hello, beautiful bird," she says. The bird is unusually calm in her presence.

"Quite an amazing specimen," Kepli agrees.

"I see your plan," Fore says. "You want your bird to scout the Redrun. That's a good idea, but there will be some risk for the bird too. Lots of winged predators in the forest. I spotted a griffon out here about a month ago. Regardless, we'll still have to go get the missing halflings, if he finds them. It is a he, right?"

[Knightfall]

"There is still another issue as well," Ornia says. "We have to find a high place to bury Urkold. And soon. Every night that he goes uninterred in the traditions of his people, the more likely it will be that he rises as an undead creature." The fey woman looks to where they placed the fallen man's corpse for the night.

[Boneguard]

"I agree with Axel," Nerisha says. Ornia looks at her Sister as if she's grown a second head. "We can't just leave innocents to die in forest if there is any chance they can be saved."

"No!"

"It's not up to you, Ornia," Lady Mirabell insists. "You might be here to protect me, but you do not control me or them. Do I make myself clear?"

For a moment, Ornia looks like she's going to continue to object. Her mouth gapes open and then she sighs and nods her head.

"Thank you, thank you, good lady," Kepli says enthusiasically. He gets up, slowly, and moves to shake Lady Mirabell's hand. She hugs him back much to his surprise.

As the group were discussing with the Hin, some rustling through the leaves from the direction of khadfield. A fuming gnome came out shortly after, upon seeing the Hindu amongst the group.

"There ye' are ye' little rascal! How many time must I tell ye' to run yer travel plans by me? It's a marvel ye're still alive?" He looked around. "Where are the others? I was told others left with ye'?"

"Felgar!" Kepli tries to run over to his friend, but he's still too weak to do anything but limp. "You're found me! You're here! Oh, the others... Felgar, it's not good. We took a bad trail and there were goblins and giant beetles. I lost the others. Jimi is dead. And poor Ol' Winnie. The goblin's killed him. The beetles almost killed me. If these heroes hadn't come along, I'd be filling some giant bug's gut."

Suddenly realising [to] introduced himself yet. "Felgar Darkshine, Sternshield of Gaerdal Ironhand." He simply stated.

"Yes, yes, proper introductions!" Kepli limps, first to his friend, and then back with the gnome to the others around the fire. "This is him! My friend I told you about! Oh, it's so good that you're here, Felgar. This nice lady has agreed to help look for the others -- Ausan, Bertolph, and Dobrim. But not poor Jimi. He fell and broke his neck in the woods. His riding dog, Lil' Sourface, wouldn't leave the foot of Jimi's grave no matter what we did. I guess we should find his grave and give a more proper burial. We were in a hurry. We were afraid that more goblins would come. That was before the beetles appeared out of nowhere."

"Hello," Lady Mirabell waits until Kepli takes a breath and then introduces herself to Felgar. "I am glad to meet you, Mr. Darkshine. I know of your god, but I've never met a Sternshield before. Did I say that right?"

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Sternshield," Ornia stands and bows respectfully. Felgar can see and sense the fey in her. "Your friend here was lucky indeed that we came along. We saved him from a number of giant beetles including something called a Red Borer."

The others greet the gnome one by one. Eventually, Fore comes back from his hunt with a young stag on his back. He is more than a little surprised by the gnome's presence.

"Uhm, someone want to clue me in?"

"Yes you did." He replied at Lady Mirabell inquiry. A Sternshield denotes a member of a my Divine Order. A priesthood dedicated to protecting others and communities. Although, some individuals makes this vow harder to keep that it should." He explain, sternly looking at Kepli as he concluded it.

"However, if some of Kepli's friends and relatives might still be alive, maybe we should try to rescue them. Or at tge very least bring back their bodies so their family can give them a proper burial." He said in an oddly gentler tone.

[Lord Sheriff Takari]

"M'Lady
this is Screech, my companion and Familiar"

answering Fore's query
"indeed, I can see through Screech's eyes using his unrivaled vision to conduct a search of the Redrun trail.
I can cover a vast amount of ground in short order focusing in on any location where a fight might have occurred
thus narrowing down possibilities of where the others might have ended up, minimizing our delay.
however, performing this will require my complete focus such that I will not be able to perform any other task or action
once I enter the Trance like State.
I will be most vulnerable until I have completed my sweep which could take a few hours.
as for your concerns regarding predators
Screech has been with us since I arrived and is still as natural and free as any other wild Raptor
my Father has one just like Screech, and has yet to find any natural creature anywhere that can outrun an Elvish Falcon in a dive"

Evermithe then turns to Ornia who's been assisting him in sorting out Henry's strange disappearance

"I know that you have little faith in Henry's word.
I also have my misgivings about him, but what concerns me most is the complete lack of any trace of his departure
above and beyond what he already knows about Lady Mirabell.
if he managed to depart on foot during the fog, he'll have several hours lead time on us, either back to Kara's Vale or ahead to the next village.
if he went back to Kara's Vale, we have little need or reason to go after him.
but if he ran ahead to the village in front of us, it is very possible he can stir up trouble there that could result in further delay
not to mention denying us the chance to re-provision and possibly acquire a few healing potions.