Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

Elyria helps carrying Rahkeshi, her hands under the half-orc's arms. She messages Aelric to meet them at the secret entrance where they entered the fortress after quickly scouting out the progress of the advancing army and if there would be a safe way the leave towards Yoë's secret cottage.

Aelric heads out to scout out the location of the Eladrin forces and the path to Yoë's hideout. As the group is conversing with each other a small group of satyrs returns. "It's true," he says. "Lookouts in the tower report a large force of Eladrin headed this way."  He pauses a moment, taking a look around at the group gathered here. "Given our current state, I am not sure if we could defend the place."  He sounds worried.  

The satyr who had remained with you nods. "Then we must retreat.  Perhaps disperse into our forest homes. Maybe muster a larger defense."  He shakes his head, as though the thought doesn't sit well with him.  He finally looks to you as he hears Aurelius' initial offer his personal aid in defending the fortress and Flynt's suggestion to take the fight directly to Lady Sylmare.  "Excuse me interrupting you, but do you really think you can strike directly at Lady Sylmare?  If we could avoid battle, I think it would be best.  Perhaps there is some way we can delay such conflict until you could act."  

"Wise choice, fall back to your forest homes, there is nothing worth defending here anyway. We will bring with us what that army is coming for so you can weather this out while Lady Sylmare turns her attention elsewhere. We will have to end this with Lady Sylmare eventually, but for now we need to bring Rahkeshi to safety and recuperate our strength." Elyria says, carrying the half-orc together with Flynt towards the exit. "Now move swiftly and good luck." She says to the satyrs as she leaves, making her way towards the secret entrance to the fortress, meeting up with Aelric to find a way back to Yoë's secret cottage, hopefully without confrontations. Unless they seem to be a liability at some point the pack of wolves follow to protect the close perimeter around the team.

Elyria perception: 22 Aelric perception: 23 + a pack of wolves that I will roll for when necessary if that's okay ;-)

Aurelius is worried.  "What if Sylmare has a device like Flynt's?  She may follow us to the hideout.  We shouldn't stay there long, only enough to see if the antidote is there."

"Possibly, but more importantly, the betrayer knows about Yoë's cottage so I agree we can't stay there for long, but we must start by getting out of here now." Elyria says, trying to keep up pace.

• "Excellent point, cher.  We travel quick like the wind, may we find what we seek at the other end."

"Yoës cottage and quickly. She's not as lite as she looks." Agrees Flynt.

The satyr nods, "We'll do what we can. Good luck facing Lady Sylmare." He then turns to the others, motioning for them to spread the word to leave the fortress. 

Yoë gives Flynt a sideways glance as he makes his comment about Rahkeshi. "Yes, let's move."

You backtrack your steps and make your way down to the entrance where you came into the fortress.  You notice quite a few more satyrs gathered here at the moment. It seems they are preparing to head out from here as well.  Aelric returns to Elyria, reporting a clear path back to the hideout. A few Eladrin scouts were spotted, though none specifically along your route, and evidently a single harengon lurking near the hideout. 

"Hurry, we might have the harengon herbalist waiting with the antidote at the hideout." Elyria says a bit excitedly. "Can Lady carry Rahkeshi from here?" She asks Aurelius as they get outside.

"Of course.  She can carry both of you if you wish to go on ahead, but if you do so, beware of ambushers."

"Thanks Aurelius, but the betrayer could still be anywhere, we'd better stay together." Elyria says with grateful smile.

Flynt helps make sure Rahkeshi is secured upon Lady. 

With Rahkeshi secured on Lady, the rest of the party with Yoë heads towards the hideout.  As you travel, you note a few other satyrs traveling in small groups in various directions.  Only a few are headed in a similar direction to your group, while most immediately break off from your path. In a few hours, you no longer spot any others. Yoë comments that you are past the villages now. In a few more hours you are approaching the hideout.  

There is no sign of anyone in the area as you approach initially, but then a haregon steps out.  it is Presxina. "You're back! Oh, there are so many Eladrin about this forest! I thought it would be more secluded. I wasn't sure this was the right place, but it must have been. Oh!  And who are you?" The Harengon is looking over at Yoë, who is coming up behind Lady.  Her eyes then widen more as she notes the half-orc being carried by the horse. "Oh! You found your friend!  That is her, isn't it?" she asks.  Then she suddenly adds, "Is she alright?" 

Yoë eyes Presxina a moment, a little surprised to have someone out here so close to the hideout. "Well, who are you!" she fires back a bit defensively.  She then seems to have a realization. "Oh! Yes! Elyria sent her owl friend to you with a message I bet and told you to meet us here! Of course! Gosh! Nice to meet you. I am Yoë." 

As they travel to Yoë's hideout, Elyria walks by Rahkeshi travelling on Lady, while glancing worriedly about for any signs of Lady Sylmare's forces.

"Hi Presxina, I'm so glad to see you." Elyria says with a relieved smile as the Harengon steps out of hiding. "The Eladrin are Lady Sylmare's forces. She is attacking Lady Leilatha's fortress as we speak, but she is after our friend Rahkeshi and what she carries." She continues looking at Rahkeshi still laying over the horse. "Rahkeshi, our teammate, has been poisoned, likely with poison derived from the mushroom we found. Do you have the antidote we spoke about?" She asks the Harengon, a hint of desperation in her voice.

Aurelius smiles warmly as he greets the harengon.  "Bon jour, Presxina.  It is delightful to see you again, despite present circumstances.   Yoë, may I present our dear friend Presxina, who has given us much assistance in our journey.  Pres, this is Yoë,  the owner of this hidden home, and another close ally who has stood by us in difficulty. We would be very grateful if you would examine our friend Rahkeshi once we are inside, and see if there is anything you can do."

Presxina gives Aurelius a smile at his warm greeting. "Good to see you as well!"  She then turns to Elyria, approaching where she is standing near Lady and starting to take a look at the half-orc being carried by it. "Ah, so those mushrooms were being used for some nefarious purpose. I was able to come up with an antidote - I hope it works. It should counter most of the effects of the mushroom.  But it's hard to be sure you know."  As she talks, she rummages through her bag. "Here we are," she says, taking out a small glass vial. 

Yoë watches the Harengon closely, very interested in what she is saying. "So, what do these mushrooms do?" 

"Ah, well, beyond just the immediate effects, it seems they are strong hallucinogens. From what I read it potentially can cause very vivid alternate realities for the victim."  Presxina starts to explain. "Oh, but perhaps we should get the half-orc off the horse so I can do a proper exam. And maybe get inside if there's somewhere to go here. Or are we setting up camp?"

"I don't think we can stay here, I'm sorry Yoë, but a servant of Lady Sylmare is aware of this place and might lead her forces here as we speak. We must keep moving, a little bit further and then we can set up camp somewhere hidden." Elyria says in a worried tone, then moving around a bit. "Acorn! Sozi!" She calls out in a soft voice, hoping the blink dogs are still around somewhere. She also messages Aelric to keep a look out for approaching enemies.

Aelric perception: 15

 Aurelius suggests, "Why don't we remove the magical items from Rahkeshi, and then Presxina and Yoë  can take her inside and work on healing her, while we lead the Betrayer and the Eladrin away from here?  I assume it is the items they want, and not Rahkeshi herself."

"No, we must take Rahkeshi with us!" Elyria protests.

Gently, the paladin replies, "I understand you don't want to be separated from her again.  But I think she would be safer here, at least until she has recovered.  If we can lead Sylmare's forces away from her, I think that gives her the best chance to survive.  Presxina, how long do you think it would take Rahkeshi to recover once the antidote is administered?"