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

(Second attack added above)

Aurelius hurries to the druid's side. "We will find her, Elyria, have no doubt.  I swear it on my life. Also, your lupine friends might be able to smell an invisible creature..."

He casts cure wounds on himself for 5 hp.

(The second blast from Aurelius' causes the Darkling to burst forth a bright light and then turn to ash.  You are all far enough away to not be blinded by the light this time.  We are out of combat, but you can try to track down others or whatever you decide to do now.) 

Assuming there are several invisible enemies still nearby, Aurelius will trust Elyria and her wolves to keep watch for a moment while he kneels and attempts to make a connection with his fey patron.  Not having done this since his trip to the Feywild, he is a little unsure, so he approaches the process similarly to a prayer to his deity, reaching out with his connection to the Weave, seeking communion through the binding covenant of his pact with the Queen.  If he achieves some sort of communication, he will briefly explain the situation to Her, and ask a boon of transport for himself and Elyria to find their companion, or else whatever assistance the Mistress of the Summer Court might wish to offer.`

(Edit- he does take a moment to carefully comb his flowing locks and check his face for blood or smudges before initiating the contact.  No sense in losing the opportunity to make an impression...)

"Thanks Aurelius, you're kind. Im sorry I've been harsh with you." She says sobbing away with Freke and Gere at her sides, trying to comfort her, Aelric too swooping down for a group hug in Elyrias moment of despair. "She must have had some sort of Fey enchantment making her leave me like that? Oh Aurelius what shall we dooo?"

(I am going to fast-forward a bit.  But feel free to let me know if there is something you would like to do before the next day has passed.) 

Aurelius does not receive any immediate response to his attempt to connect with the Mistress of the Summer Court.  Freke and Gere do not seem to sense any enemies, though they seem more focused on comforting Elyria.  After the hour is up they fade away as they return back to where they came.  The night grows dark, the area lit only by the moon, which was full two nights ago, rising high into the sky.  

The two of you find a spot to set up camp, and once Aelric gets a bit of rest, he finds a high perch to observe the area, flying occasional circles overhead.  There are just a pair of false alerts throughout the night.  One a mountain lion, probably out hunting, makings its way along the rim of the canyon before continuing along its way. The other just a mouse. It is a cold, quiet night - no wind, no clouds, and the sky filled with moon and stars.  

That night, just before waking, Aurelius has a dream.  It must be a glimpse of the Summer Court and he is dancing with the Summer Queen herself. No other details remain when he wakes, just a notion of enchanting music and a lovely dance partner.  And her parting words to him, "The bridge will open at every twilight. With patience you shall have your passage. Please find my servant."  And immediately he awakens. 

Elyria's rest is void of any such images.  The time is her own and filled with her own reflections.  

The next day comes with clear skies and warmer weather.  You have time to while away the day while waiting for the evening's twilight to come.  

(You have finished a Long Rest.  I'll give you each a chance to do what you wish before that next evening.)  

Upon awakening, Aurelius will share the message from his dream with Elyria.  "I'm sure it was true.  The gateway to the next world will open tonight at twilight.  We should prepare to cross tonight, and in the meantime continue to be vigilant for the darklings today, I am not sure if they are still in our world.  I am going to take some time to adjust my prepared spells, you may want to gather anything you need."

(OOC are we too far from the blink dogs to journey to recover them and return by the evening? Aurelius could re-summon his warhorse to carry them both if necessary.)

As they wait for evening, Aurelius attempts to distract the elf from her sorrow by sharing some stories from his past, before joining M.E.T.A.L. His elven father and human mother met when his father was serving as an ambassador from an woodland elven king in the east to the human city-states along the coast.  After his mother died, Aurelius went to his father's homeland and served as a warrior in the kingsguard.  That is where he trained as a paladin and took the Oath of the Ancients.  He shares humorous escapades that he encountered through the decades in the king's service, intrigues, affairs, and the frivolities of aristocrats.  Behind the jovial telling, though, you sense pain in the memories.

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

(OOC are we too far from the blink dogs to journey to recover them and return by the evening? Aurelius could re-summon his warhorse to carry them both if necessary.)

(Elyria and Rahkeshi's blink dogs were back in the glade - yes, too far to travel there and back.  But the two sent a message - so Aurelius' blink dog could have got the message also. And... we'll see what happens! The message was to go back to the Feywild to meet up with them.)

Elyria will cry herself to sleep huddled up under an old wrinkled oak, eventually dreaming of the Feywild and Rahkeshi, hunted by dark fey shapes.
In the morning she perks up somewhat when Aurelius tells her of his dream. She didn't imagine there would just be the two of them left. The others were gone now, Sinver, Bryant, Lilliana and Rahkeshi, her beloved Rahkeshi.

During the next day Elyria tries to keep herself occupied with watching out for darklings and other dangers, but as the day progresses she relaxes a bit and listens to Aurelius, in the end laughing warmly at some of his escapades but also smiling compassionately over the more serious parts. When dusk is closing in she realizes Aurelius has done a good job with distracting her from the pain of losing Rahkeshi, and she feels grateful to the narcissistic knight. Her own story would have to wait for another time.

When twilight arrives she will be ready with her elven longbow, determined to search the farthest reaches of the Feywild for the half-orc.

@Aurelius, Elyria:

As the sun drops towards the horizon, you see the shadows in the canyon deepening.  Soon, where the broken stone arch had previously opened into air, you now seem to see the path continue on to the other side. 

You head across, and as you step over the threshold you feel a gradual change.  The other side of the canyon seems similar,  rocky with a bit of trees a short distance away.  But the air feels cooler and the whole world has a different tint. 

A short distance away are two figures.  The patterning of their armor looks familiar... and you realize they have the same sort of nature motifs as Aurelius' armor.  In fact,  the two seem to be wearing garb from the Summer Court.

You feel a certainty that you are back in the Feywild.  But it also seems different.  The tree branches seem fork at sharper angles. The undergrowth is filled with thickets of briars.  And a cold breeze nips at you now and then.  This is certainly not the Summer Court. 

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@Amrey, Flint:

You see two figures fade into existence on the short stub of natural stone bridge, walking towards you.  For a moment, it seems like you can see the missing parts of the stone bridge appearing then disappearing.  The blink dogs at your feet seem to get excited.

(If each character could give a short description of their apoearance to start. Then you can RP meeting each other.  Assume you are within 50 ft. or so of each other initially in an open, rocky area. So you definitely see each other.)

"Who goes there..." Comes from a blonde, emerald eyed elf fading into existence on the short stub of natural stone bridge. She strides gracefully wearing mantle, that seems to change coloration with the surroundings, over a simple green travellers outfit and a pair of boots with small wings on their sides. She carries an exquisite elven longbow along with a quiver and a backpack. "...and what place in the Feywild is this?"

Perception if needed: 19

Following closely behind the elf, materializes a figure clad head to toe in shiny full plate armor, with a cape-like cloak billowing behind.  The armor and accompanying shield are polished to a mirror-like sheen, and both are etched with a design in green that simulates tree branches and vines.  As this new arrival notices the two figures, he stops, as if assessing the tactical situation.
"Careful, Elyria," he murmurs, "We've been tricked by fell enemies of fair appearance before."

The paladin waits cautiously to hear the strangers' response to Elyria's questions.

" Greetings!", says Flynt in a charming voice. "I am known as Flynt McGraw. I'm hoping you might have knowledge of a couple of companions we are looking to meet. Your name wouldn't happen to be Valeria would it?" Flynt inquires of the elven female before him. "We mean no harm and only seek to return their pets." He says as he motions to the blink dogs in front of him. "The Summer Queen led us to believe we would find them near here.

Flynt takes his hand away from Betsy as he slowly raises his arms. He turns about slowly giving the two new travelers a good look at him. 

The two see before the a man dressed in a fine shirt, mustard yellow in color. However only the sleeves are visible. The rest is covered by a bronze colored breast plate covered in leaf filigree intertwined with a large rune on the front.. His pants are a darker green and blouse over a pair of knee high polished black boots. A fine green cloak that matches his pants sweeps back a bit as he turns revealing a hand crossbow holstered on one hip and a quiver on the other. A typical traveling pack rests at his feet and a wide brimmed gaucho style hat tops his head. The front of the hat is inscribed with another rune.

Three blink dogs run forward. One - Gift (I think that's the name) - makes for the half-elf paladin.  Another - Acorn - almost bowls over the blond elf.  And finally a third - Sozi -  runs up to the elf as well, mildly bumping her with her head in greeting. Sozi then looks around past the elf, circling a bit confusedly.

It's a bit chaotic for a few moments with the blink dogs running all about!

" Sacré bleu,The last person we met who claimed to represent the Fair One turned out to be a lying traitor.  So you'll forgive us if we want a little corroboration to your story," says the paladin.  Sheathing his sword, he removes his helmet, shaking free his long auburn hair.  His face is that of a half-elf,  perfect skin, strong jaw, smile full of pearly white teeth.

"My current name is Aurelius Degas, onetime agent of M.E.T.A.L, and devoted servant of her Majesty the Queen. You have probably heard the legends of my exploits by another name." (From somewhere nearby in the forest, a fanfare of trumpets plays briefly). "If you are who you claim to be, Messieurs, can you offer some sign or token of your allegiance or mission?"

To Elyria, he says, "Can you confirm their story with our friends?" pointing to the blink dogs.

As Acorn and Sozi comes to her Elyria smiles widely, kneels and hugs them both. "Come here you two." She says in sylvan. "Rahkeshi is not here Sozi, but we will find her, I promise that girl. Now tell me, is it true these men are here to return you and that they saw the Summer queen?" She asks the Blink dogs while playfully petting them.

Elyria then reverts to common and faces the two men, still kneeling by the Blink dogs. "They are not pets, they are companions. Now, why exactly are you looking for Valeria."

Acorn especially seems to appreciate Elyria's hugs. Sozi is pleased worh the hug a moment,  looking at Elyria as if wanting further explanation.  She continues  to pace around. 

When asked to vouch for the two newcomers, all the blink dogs bark is if in approval. You're pretty sure it's approval.  And to make clear, each goes over and rubs against each in a friendly gesture. 

Unfazed by the cool reception Flynt continues "We are M.E.T.A.L. agents sent to locate another team. Your acceptance of us is immaterial. If you can not help us in our endeavor then we will bid you good day and leave you be. However, the dogs seem to recognize you so I feel as though we are on the right track. Perhaps you know Nesben since you claim to be a former agent as well."

 Producing the sending stone Flynt attempts to send a message. 

"Nesben, we have been transported by the Summer Queen. We have encountered two travelers who wish to verify our identities. One says he is a former agent by the name of Aurelius Degas. They resemble the descriptions but there is no sign of the half-orc. Please advise."

Flynt tries to discern the validity of the names given.

Insight: 9

(I don't know if the name change from the ones Nesben gave is is intentional or an accident but I decided Togo with it.)

"Nesben? Nesben.... sounds vaguely familiar." Aurelius shrugs. "I tend to forget the names of bureaucratic flunkie types.  Very well, as our friends have verified your story, we will accept you as who you claim to be.

"Elyria and I, and our half-orc companion, before we met the Summer Queen we did indeed have other names, but she requested that we give them to her, and we did.  Now we no longer answer to them.  But if it helps, the name I gave away was Aeneas Northstar.  Yes, Yes, the Aeneas.  I can sign autographs later, but first we are searching for Rahkeshi, our missing teammate, who was kidnapped by dark fey and brought to this plane under some sort of charm.  Will you join us to rescue your fellow agent from whatever foul intrigue she has fallen into?"

(Nesben!  Aurelius and Elyria do recall Nesben Dimplunis who was a high-ranking member of M.E.T.A.L.  The gnome with bright pink hair, former R&D, may have briefed you on missions in the past...)

(Yes, the name discrepancies are intentional.)