As the owl familiar telepathically communicates her findings, Xarian speaks up.
"Ash sees a lone humanoid retreating to the treeline east of us. Maybe three miles. Too far to sprint there. But we follow anyway, yeah? Not sure if it is the screamer or the one whose presence made someone else scream."
Still becoming accustomed to his new group, one in which he is no longer taking orders from a captain, Xarian is not sure who he is addressing the question to. Nevertheless, he continues to move east in the direction Ash saw the figure at a fast walk unless called back by his companions.
"I say we go," Krizira says. "Hopefully we can track them down." She is firm in her words, but with her voice it still sounds a bit like it's coming from a child. "But there is only one humanoid? No sign of a victim or anything?"
Xarian looks a little embarrassed as he continues his fast walk, while Ash herself turns away, looking slightly miffed, and begins to preen fussily.
"No, Krizira. Only one humanoid. It is perhaps three miles away, which is far, even for a flying owl, to see creatures who are not standing up." His face looks sheepish. "She will fly up and check again once we get closer," he adds hopefully, hearing the telepathic response from his familiar a moment later.
Over the next hour your party moves east off the road. The air is quiet again, but it feels heavier the closer you move to your quarry. Ash is able to keep tabs on the individual - moving as fast as they can - by flying up periodically, but loses sight as they disappear into the tree line. A further hour and you yourselves reach the edge of the woods, though by now darkness has fallen completely.
The minor moon Glasur hangs in the sky, throwing off a silvery glow.
A second terrified scream pierces the air from deep within the trees, though much closer this time.
"**** me."Richterexclaims, jumping slightly as the scream interrupts the quiet again. "This just feels off."He says to the others, peering warily into the dark shadows of the trees. "I know we can't just leave it alone, but be careful yeah? Eyes and ears peeled moving forward."
Before they move off, he checks the ground for tracks to see if they can continue following that person they saw in the distance.
Syl moves closer to the others when the fearful scream rings out, eyes darting around in the darkness. She draws her rapier, ready to follow the others.
Spotting Richter checking the ground, she starts to do the same to help, tapping him on the shoulder when she thinks she sees something. "Are those the tracks?"
"It may be a trap, but I agree. We cannot leave it alone, on the chance someone is in trouble." This time, there is almost no fear in Xarian's voice. Only determination and perhaps a touch too much eagerness. If no one else does, he takes the lead, advancing cautiously, maul in hand.
On his shoulder, Ash continues to peer about in the darkness of the woods for threats or hazards, her large eyes reflecting the moon Glasur in microcosm.
AshPerception at advantage due to Keen Hearing and Sight: 14
Even with all three of you checking the ground, you oddly enough don't find any tracks. Perhaps you veered way off course, and they just aren't in this area?
Cautiously, your party moves forward into the pine woods. The air is still and heavy as you move among the trees. Nature is silent - neither songbird nor insect breaks the quiet. You've been traveling in the woods for about ten minutes when you see a flickering light through the trees. As you get closer, you find the dense trees break into a clearing. The light is from a torch thrown onto the ground in the middle of the clearing, next to a pack with some of its contents strewn about.
Ash surveys the trees around the clearing...And sees nothing.
"Well that isn't obvious at all." Richter scoffs as they spot the bag and torch in the clearing. Clearing his mind, he focuses on the construction he wishes to will into existence. A simple longsword summons to his hand, which he twirls experimentally before letting it settle at his side. "If we don't all wish to walk into the trap, I don't mind being the bait."
"Just make sure you blast whatever comes out before it gets me."He adds with a grin.
With that, he'll move away from the edge of the trees further into the clearing, warily looking around to watch for movement.
Krizira takes a long look on the clearing. But she then starts to focus on the surrounding trees, trying to spot anything that might be lurking there. "Sounds alright to me," she says in response to Richter. She takes her longbow out, ready to react if anything appears.
Too late, Xarian has an idea. Richter is already entering the clearing. Hesitating for just a moment, Xarian lurches up to join the swordsman. "I'm no good fighting at a distance anyway," he whispers softly with a rueful grin. "Besides, I want to try something. If we can be bait, maybe so can..."
If and when the two arrive safely within thirty feet of the torch and the pack at the center of the clearing, Richter would notice the big man waggling his fingers, his movements halting and hesitant until... a Minor Illusion appears next to the pack and the torch. A still image of a large, well-built young man with close-set cruel eyes and a pig nose, greatsword at his back. Kneeling to inspect the items strewn on the forest floor.
(Only Xarian would recognize the likeness as being that of Gerrard Borresquieu, who had laid such a beating on Xarian just days before in the practice yard. The self-assured and sadistic son of Acrine's guard captain.)
Sylnora settles in beside Krizira, watching the clearing intently as the other two move forward to investigate. "Be careful. We've got your back."She says quietly.
As the owl familiar telepathically communicates her findings, Xarian speaks up.
"Ash sees a lone humanoid retreating to the treeline east of us. Maybe three miles. Too far to sprint there. But we follow anyway, yeah? Not sure if it is the screamer or the one whose presence made someone else scream."
Still becoming accustomed to his new group, one in which he is no longer taking orders from a captain, Xarian is not sure who he is addressing the question to. Nevertheless, he continues to move east in the direction Ash saw the figure at a fast walk unless called back by his companions.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"I say we go," Krizira says. "Hopefully we can track them down." She is firm in her words, but with her voice it still sounds a bit like it's coming from a child. "But there is only one humanoid? No sign of a victim or anything?"
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Xarian looks a little embarrassed as he continues his fast walk, while Ash herself turns away, looking slightly miffed, and begins to preen fussily.
"No, Krizira. Only one humanoid. It is perhaps three miles away, which is far, even for a flying owl, to see creatures who are not standing up." His face looks sheepish. "She will fly up and check again once we get closer," he adds hopefully, hearing the telepathic response from his familiar a moment later.
Oh, you think so?
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Over the next hour your party moves east off the road. The air is quiet again, but it feels heavier the closer you move to your quarry. Ash is able to keep tabs on the individual - moving as fast as they can - by flying up periodically, but loses sight as they disappear into the tree line. A further hour and you yourselves reach the edge of the woods, though by now darkness has fallen completely.
The minor moon Glasur hangs in the sky, throwing off a silvery glow.
A second terrified scream pierces the air from deep within the trees, though much closer this time.
"**** me." Richter exclaims, jumping slightly as the scream interrupts the quiet again. "This just feels off." He says to the others, peering warily into the dark shadows of the trees. "I know we can't just leave it alone, but be careful yeah? Eyes and ears peeled moving forward."
Before they move off, he checks the ground for tracks to see if they can continue following that person they saw in the distance.
Survival: 7
Syl moves closer to the others when the fearful scream rings out, eyes darting around in the darkness. She draws her rapier, ready to follow the others.
Spotting Richter checking the ground, she starts to do the same to help, tapping him on the shoulder when she thinks she sees something. "Are those the tracks?"
Krizira looks herself for any tracks. "I'd hate to come up empty. It does feel off though."
(Survival: 6)
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
"It may be a trap, but I agree. We cannot leave it alone, on the chance someone is in trouble." This time, there is almost no fear in Xarian's voice. Only determination and perhaps a touch too much eagerness. If no one else does, he takes the lead, advancing cautiously, maul in hand.
On his shoulder, Ash continues to peer about in the darkness of the woods for threats or hazards, her large eyes reflecting the moon Glasur in microcosm.
Ash Perception at advantage due to Keen Hearing and Sight: 14
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Even with all three of you checking the ground, you oddly enough don't find any tracks. Perhaps you veered way off course, and they just aren't in this area?
Cautiously, your party moves forward into the pine woods. The air is still and heavy as you move among the trees. Nature is silent - neither songbird nor insect breaks the quiet. You've been traveling in the woods for about ten minutes when you see a flickering light through the trees. As you get closer, you find the dense trees break into a clearing. The light is from a torch thrown onto the ground in the middle of the clearing, next to a pack with some of its contents strewn about.
Ash surveys the trees around the clearing...And sees nothing.
(For dimensions, it's about 50-55ft from the edge to the center of the clearing in all directions)
"Well that isn't obvious at all." Richter scoffs as they spot the bag and torch in the clearing. Clearing his mind, he focuses on the construction he wishes to will into existence. A simple longsword summons to his hand, which he twirls experimentally before letting it settle at his side. "If we don't all wish to walk into the trap, I don't mind being the bait."
"Just make sure you blast whatever comes out before it gets me." He adds with a grin.
With that, he'll move away from the edge of the trees further into the clearing, warily looking around to watch for movement.
Krizira takes a long look on the clearing. But she then starts to focus on the surrounding trees, trying to spot anything that might be lurking there. "Sounds alright to me," she says in response to Richter. She takes her longbow out, ready to react if anything appears.
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Too late, Xarian has an idea. Richter is already entering the clearing. Hesitating for just a moment, Xarian lurches up to join the swordsman. "I'm no good fighting at a distance anyway," he whispers softly with a rueful grin. "Besides, I want to try something. If we can be bait, maybe so can..."
If and when the two arrive safely within thirty feet of the torch and the pack at the center of the clearing, Richter would notice the big man waggling his fingers, his movements halting and hesitant until... a Minor Illusion appears next to the pack and the torch. A still image of a large, well-built young man with close-set cruel eyes and a pig nose, greatsword at his back. Kneeling to inspect the items strewn on the forest floor.
(Only Xarian would recognize the likeness as being that of Gerrard Borresquieu, who had laid such a beating on Xarian just days before in the practice yard. The self-assured and sadistic son of Acrine's guard captain.)
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Sylnora settles in beside Krizira, watching the clearing intently as the other two move forward to investigate. "Be careful. We've got your back." She says quietly.
As the duo approach the center of the clearing and Xarian casts his spell, a disembodied voice rings out in the clearing from in front of you.
"Take what you require for your own nourishment. Tithe a portion to your Singer. Leave the rest for the King of Bone."
To your left and right, shadows move against the darkness as figures that had been so still even Ash had missed them begin to stir.
((Roll Initiative!))
(Krizira Initiative: 23)
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Xarian Initiative: 8
Ash Initiative: 18
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Initiative: 15
Sylnora Initiative: 12
Techlas: 18