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

"M.E.T.A.L agents..." Elyria repeats thoughtfully. "...I'm sorry, as Aurelius said we just lost a valued team member, and we do indeed need all the help we can get to find and rescue her." Elyria continues, clearly distraught over mentioning Rahkeshi. "I...used to be Valeria....but I'm Elyria now. Will you help us?" She now says pleadingly, clearly changing mood quickly.

In his head,  Flynt hears, 'Says he is a what? Use your judgement to identify.  Contact tomorrow if necessary.'  And the message ends.

Aurelius suddenly snaps his fingers, "Oh, Nesben.  Now I remember... short fellow, nervous type, alway rambling on about something or other.  I usually stopped listening after a few minutes.  Did not properly care for his hair, as I recall."

Insight:3 (for my own reference. Must have rolled 2 "1's" in a row ugg)

Unable to get a read on the truthfulness of their claims,, Flynt cast a sideways glance at the pair. Ultimately he decides it doesn't matter for now he'll just have to be on guard for any treachery.

Nodding slowly he says, "Speaking for myself I'll help find Rahkeshi, and since the other half of our mission seems complete we can start right away. What was your plan to find her?" 

@Flynt:

Given what Aurelius had said about giving his name to the Summer Queen,  and what you have now experienced, the difference in names seems possible.  Certainly the blink dogs appear to know the people. 

Otherwise, the descriptions you had seem to match up.

Addressing Sozi, Aurelius explains that Rakheshi is in danger, and asks if the blink dogs are skilled in tracking by smell?

"She and her captors passed through this same portal approximately one day prior to ourselves, although time runs differently here. Perhaps they left a trace of their direction.  If not, we could inquire at the Summer Court about this 'Frost Greysky' and the false queen that he serves."

Sozi comes up to Aurelius as he is clearly speaking to her.  She tilts her head with intetest, but shows no sign of understanding at first.  It takes a bit, but she does start sniffing at the ground.

(15)

After a few minutes of that,  the blink dog looks back at Aurelius, seeming to nudge at something in the grass.

The paladin will move to Sozi's side and kneel down to inspect her discovery.

Assuming help from one of his companions, he will investigate.

Investigation 8

(OOC well, that roll was just sad)

Elyria giggles at the thought of Nesben.

"Thanks Flynt, deeply appreciate your help, I'm sorry if we seem overly cautious, we have been through a lot." Elyria says, joining Aurelius, futilely helping him with his investigation, but then looking for tracks in her own way assisted by Acorn and/or Aelric using a quick prayer to the nature around her for guidance with this endeavour.

Perception: 27 + 4
Survival: 24 + 4

The spot Sozi has indicated is in an open grassy area, closer to the treeline than the canyon.  Looking to where Sozi was indicating, Aurelius and Elyria find the pieces of a broken arrow shaft, probably from at least two arrows.

Grass looks to have grown up around the pieces. And the fletching is falling apart.  These have certainly been here longer than a day.

As Elyria looks around, a glint catches her eye.  She finds a shortsword in the grass. It looks usable but could probably use a clean up from being exposed to the elements for a while. 

Nearby she also notices a few scorch marks here and there beneath new plant growth.  

There are many tracks to be found, mostly animals you would expect in the forest. You do find a handful of humanoid prints and perhaps one faint set leading into the forest.  Those would have been at least 3 days old.

"Alas!" exclaims Aurelius, "We are several days behind them!  We must be swift in our pursuit.  Allons-y!"

He shoulders his pack, pats his blink dog companion on the head (whose name is... unknown.  Aure was waiting for someone who could understand their language to tell him what the dog calls itself) and waits for Elyria and her ménagerie to lead the way.  He smiles pleasantly at Flynt and the other, silent, newcomer, no trace of animosity evident in his demeanor.  

"Yes we need to go now." Elyria says, clearly eager to get going. She nods with a quick smile to Flynt and takes off into the woods taking the help of her companions to follow the trail of Rahkeshi, she hopes.

When and if needed
Stealth: 24 Perception: 16 Survival: 25 Aelric perception: 16

(With Elyria actively tracking, I won't count her Perception roll - but she still has Passive Perception.  Obviously the owl still can roll.  And others can keep a look out.)

(Stealth - I would generally look at this as a group check. At least one person has disadvantage. Amery has a warhorse. You would also be at a slow pace.)

(20, 23, 17, 21, 23, 1)

(Aurelius and Elyria seem moving into the forest. If others still wanted to do anything you can still put that and catch up.)

Elyria is able to continue following the tracks through the trees. You would guess the are at least 2 sets of footprints that you have seen, but maybe more. The trail is rather faint and hard to follow. 

After about an hour of travel, Elyria thinks she hears something in the trees ahead. Maybe something moving or just the breeze. Aelric flutters down to her, alerting her that he sees a figure in a tree ahead.)

(Will pause for any rolls if others wish to roll Perception.)

Aurelius' Perception 3

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"M.E.T.A.L agents..." Elyria repeats thoughtfully. "...I'm sorry, as Aurelius said we just lost a valued team member, and we do indeed need all the help we can get to find and rescue her." Elyria continues, clearly distraught over mentioning Rahkeshi. "I...used to be Valeria....but I'm Elyria now. Will you help us?" She now says pleadingly, clearly changing mood quickly.

 Amrey bows to the two members. Amrey Duststream at your service. In any way I can help find your lost companion, I will use all in my power to do it." 

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"Yes we need to go now." Elyria says, clearly eager to get going. She nods with a quick smile to Flynt and takes off into the woods taking the help of her companions to follow the trail of Rahkeshi, she hopes.

When and if needed
Stealth: 24 Perception: 16 Survival: 25 Aelric perception: 16

 Amrey follows, eyes scanning and watching the area around them for signs or tracks Perception: 9; Stealth: 13; Survival: 6

While Elyria seemed to hear something, only the owl has seemed to spot anything.  The rest of the party does not see anything other than trees and bushes. 

(If anyone wants to do anything to try and look around at this point they can and roll again for their attempt.) 

"Good to have you with us Amrey." Elyria says with a nod and a quick smile before resuming the search.

Noticing that Elyria has halted her forward progress, Aurelius approaches and says quietly, "What is it? Do you sense something?" and will then scan his surroundings once again with increased (hopefully) awareness.

Perception: 2

He will also watch the blink dogs closely to see if they are aware of anything unusual nearby.

"Hush, listen, do you hear that..." Elyria whispers to Aurelius.