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

Aurelius notices that the elf woman is a bit apprehensive about your mentions of the Summer Queen.  But she seems pleased as she continues speaking with you, perhaps thinking of some scheme.  

While Flynt does not pick up on anything with the elf woman, he does notice once or twice the other elf casts a very quick glance off into the trees.  

Amrey is able to point out a couple of other possible tracks. Elyria and the elf both investigate and it seems to confirm both a third creature and that the creature was not fairy or half-orc. 

The paladin, picking up on some subtle cues (rather unlike him), addresses the fey elves.  "You have not yet introduced yourselves.  In addition to this discourtesy, I sense that there might be some strife between our Lady and yours.  We have no wish to become involved in such a quarrel at the moment, we are solely focused on the safety of our companion.  We offer no threat to your liege.  If your intentions are not to honestly help us, then please allow us to continue on our way.  But deception dishonors both you and your Mistress.  Speak plainly, or we must part ways."

His eyes darken a bit, perhaps enhanced by a cantrip, and he continues, "Do not think to test our mettle.  Any who stand between us and our quarry will be scattered as chaff in the wind."

As Aurelius shifts tone Elyria is at first confused, but still trusting the narcissistic knight she takes a step away from the elves, trying to sense herself if there is any deception in the air.
Insight: 19 Perception: 22

(OOC: Did Aelric see anything that he could report on yet?)

(Aelric has not seen anything, but roll Perception again for him.)

Aelric new perception: 14

The female elf gives Aurelius an almost imperceptible nod.  "If you need names, I am Olcelle and he is Fylanis. And yes, we have freely offered you a trifling assistance here. But if you think you will find true help without some bargain in return, then you really show yourselves as coming from another realm."

The other elf, Fylanis apparently,  turns to listen to the conversation, but does not interrupt. Olcelle continues. "We serve Lady Sylmare, who is a minor part of the Winter Court. But we are not enemies.  It is not for me to say,  but if the Lady may help you or may not as fits her purposes. Or you are free to go...  where exactly were you going?"

Aelric just sees the two elves you are speaking with. Elyria does not spot anything new. But listening to Olcelle she gets the same impression that the elf sees some advantage in dealing with your group.

"Olcelle, we seek to find our teammate Rahkeshi and the fey Frost Greysky that took her. We are prepared to bargain for your help in finding them." Elyria says pleadingly.

Aurelius seems about to reply to Olcelle, but when he hears Elyria's plea, he stops, and instead quietly informs Flynt of what is being said.  He also mentions his intuition that there are other motives at work here.  "Elves can be somewhat... unpredictable.  Be on your guard," he says in Common.

Olcelle turns her attention to Elyria. "Good. I can take you to our village, which as Fylanis indicated, is within a days travel. Perhaps those tracks you were following would have taken you there anyway. But we would gladly accompany you.  Once there you can see if Lady Sylmare can aid your search." 

She then shifts her gaze, "Fylanis, why don't you scout ahead a bit?"  Fylanis nods and moves out along the basic course you had been following before.

(Olcelle is speaking Elvish.)

"I'll go with." pipes up Flynt. He doesn't reveal that he noticed the look Fylanis gave the woods. "Always better to have two sets of eyes." He flashes a charming smile and moves off after Fylanis. "Besides nothing will surprise us as long as I'm around. That way you can focus.on the tracks."

Fylanis hesitates a moment when Flynt offers to scout with him and he looks over to Olcelle.  She gives him a nod and the elf then heads forward into the forest, waiting for Flynt.  Once the pair has moved off, Olcelle asks the rest in Elvish, "Ready to move?" 

(Flynt roll Perception and Stealth check - Flylanis appears to be trying to stay out of sight.)

Aurelius nods. Shouldering his pack, he prepares to follow.  Elves, he thinks.  You can live among them for fifty years, and still not understand what's going on between those pointy ears.

He remains alert for danger, while pondering the best way to proceed in locating Greysky and his captive.  Hopefully, they can find some direction with this Sylmare, without having to commit too much in return.  The assistance would be pointless if the demanded payment delayed them much. Every day she is further removed from us.

The paladin utters a whispered prayer to Rillifane, for protection and guidance, hoping that Rahkheshi will be strengthened to endure whatever is happening to her.

"That is very kind of you Olcelle, I look forward to seeing your village and meeting Lady Sylmare." Elyria answers gratefully with a smile and sets off together with Olcelle, trusting Fylanis and Flynt to spot any threats now.

(Flynt can still make his rolls, just moving along a little bit.) 

Olcelle leads the way and after about two hours Fylanis halts along with Flynt for the others to catch up.  He reports (still in Elvish) that he hasn't seen anything and the group presses on.  It is about two more hours later that both Elyria and Aurelius start to realize they are getting tired. (They were up the previous day until the sun set and now have been going several more hours. They are not exhausted but are just tired. Perception and similar rolls at disadvantage but would not have any penalty if you had to fight. So up to you whether to continue.)

Olcelle asks Aurelius and Elyria. "Do you need to stop and rest for a while? I suppose we can, I don't think we would make it all the way to the village without a stop." 

"If you think we need to rest before reaching your village, then we might as well do it here." Elyria says although still eager to press on. She then quickly translates to Flynt.
Survival to determine if this would be a suitable camp site: 23

"I agree with Elyria about resting here. What dangers lurk in  these woods?" asks Aurelius. 

Stealth:10

Perception:  12

 Flynt struggles to keep pace with the native forest dweller. He's so busy trying to be stealthy his observation of the area around them suffers a bit. When the group finally stops he is a bit out of breath. 

Fylanis eventually notices Flynt struggling to keep up and tries to keep a slower pace.  He remains quiet, since he doesn't seem to share a common language with the man.  The elf gives no signs of having spotted anything as they travel, and Flynt does not see anything himself. 

Elyria is able to rather quickly find a small glen where they could make up a camp.  It seems both comfortable and a good spot to keep an eye out.  When asked about dangers Olcelle speaks in Elvish, "There are many wild creatures in the forest of course.  Really only the wolves ever seem to cause much trouble though.  But there are trolls sometimes in these parts.  And various hobgoblins and gnolls at times. Oh, and we do get various bands of raiders now and then.  Just various groups of Eladrin, Satyrs, Centaurs, or others that have headed out here to the Wild for their own purpose."  

Fylanis joins in on the conversation in Elvish as well, "Should be to the village by mid-day tomorrow if we stop here for a rest.  I'm afraid we only carry rations for ourselves, but if you travelers do not have food I'd be happy to see what I can find." 

Once decided to rest, you set up a camp in no time.  It seems early to retire to Flynt, but for Aurelius and Elyria the rest is most welcome as their 'day' has been long.  It is a bit strange as the land is still bathed in the same perpetual twilight.  

Let me know what the characters want to do during the rest, if anything specific.  And an order if any are going to keep watch. Olcelle and Fylanis would offer to each cover half of the rest if you wish as they only need to meditate a bit.  

Aurelius suggests that Flynt take the first 2-hr watch, since he is the least fatigued, and then wake the paladin for another 2 hr watch, by which time Elyria should be fully rested and able to finish the night while the two warriors complete their long rest.

During his watch, Aurelius will ask Fylanis or Olcelle, whichever is not currently meditating, to teach him a popular song of their people.  In return, the paladin will sing to them Tel' etriel ent Tel' takal  (The Lady and the Dragon).