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

(The group is moving essentially west, slightly to the north-west. The compass points almost north, very slightly to the north-east.  You are very marginally moving farther away.)

Olcelle looks at Elyria as she asks her question. There is a pause and the words seem cautious.  "It is a question better posed to Sylmare.  But Leilatha is another Eladrin who lives in this region, though her fortress is a ways from here, nearer the mountains."

Elyria nods to Olcelle and instead falls back to Flynt. "I believe we were interrupted earlier, what was it that you were looking for again, I assume Aurelius and myself are expected to assist you with this assignment." She says to Flynt as they move through the forest.

Flynt slows his pace a bit to put some more distance between them and the rest before answering. "I'v been charged with recovering an artifact known as  "Nature's Mantle". The compass I used yesterday points towards this artifact. Yes, I was told to provide back up to you and then proceed with your help. I have a feeling our two objectives may be intertwine." Flynt says in a low whisper.

Aurelius takes his friend's place by the side of Olcelle. He asks, "Why would this Leilatha want to kidnap our friend, a druidess and a half-orc?"

"That is a question better posed to Sylmare. I cannot really say," Olcelle responds to Aurelius' question.

Elyria ponders Flynts words for moment. "What is the significance of this artefact then? Why does M.E.T.A.L want it? Do we know anything of who could be in possession of it now?" She continues after a while, peppering Flynt with more questions.

"All your questions will be answered when we locate the item." says Flynt with a shrug. 

"So I guess we don't really know much then huh, well, we'll just have to see." Elyria says and shrugs too. "Perhaps Lady Sylmare has some answers for us?"

(FYI - the artifact I changed to Nature's Raiments. It fits a bit better and avoids confusion with Nature's Mantle.)

As they trudge along, Aurelius will regale Olcelle and Fylanis with the tale of their battles against the white dragon and the troll.  He will use the minor illusion cantrip to add appropriate sound effects and theme music to the effort, highlighting of course his own central role in gaining the victory against terrible odds.  He might just possibly be exaggerating. A bit. 

Performance 18

Elyria will roll her eyes and then laugh as Aurelius recounts his heroics, but she will not correct his embellishments, letting the knight have his moment of glory.

The day passes, with Olcelle remaining a bit quieter during the travels. A while later, Fylanis comes back to report other elves are nearby.  You think you should be less than an hour to the village, based on what was said earlier.  A few minutes later three elves appear, dressed very much like the pair you have been traveling with. 

You see Fylanis immediately look to one of the female arrivals with a smile, which she readily returns.  Another, perhaps slight older male comes up to Olcelle. "Good to see you return. You bring visitors to Lady Sylmare?" he says.

"Yes. Will you take word ahead?" Olcelle replies.

"Of course."

(All conversation is in Elvish.)

Aurelius will quietly translate for Flynt, adding, "Well, at least they called us 'visitors' and not 'prisoners'."  

He will introduce himself to the new arrivals with a flourish, and proceed to flirt shamelessly with the new female elves.

Elyria can't help but giggle at Aurelius joke. Then she studies with some interest just how quickly he fails in his flirting attempts this time.

Of the three new arrivals, one is male and the other two female.  The one that had smiled at Fylanis earlier politely listens to Aurelius but quickly finds a reason to go talk to Olcelle.  The other seems to laugh a bit at Aurelius' little jokes and has to be pulled away when leaving.  After agreeing with Olcelle to go ahead to inform Lady Sylmare, the man signals to the other two and all three newcomers again depart.  

Olcelle explains to Elyria and Aurelius, "They will see that you have a place prepared for you.  I am not sure when you will be able to meet with my Lady.  But this should speed things up a bit." 

It is less than an hour and you notice the forest seems to have thinned out a tiny bit, though the trees are no less tall.  Over the past couple of hours you have been slowly gaining in elevation. The area has become hillier and you just recently came upon a small stream which you have been following.  As you come up over the next rise the first thing you notice is a bit of smoke rising in the distance.  You descend a short ways into a broad tree-covered valley. 

Olcelle says, "Well, here is our village.  It may be a bit simple but it's a comfortable place."  

As she says this, you can now see buildings, round in shape.  They are wood and many are built within the trees.  The roofs are thatched and most have a warm inviting light showing from within.  And many have thin wisps of smoke coming from the top.  You start to see a number of elves wandering about, even younger children.  All seem to be dressed in various shades of grey and brown - there is very little color.  

Picture of Village

"Well, this brings back some memories," says Aurelius, with an unfamiliar emotion tinging his voice.  Clearing his throat, he continues, "Has your village a name? Où sommes-nous?"

He will follow where he is directed, and try to observe the mood of the people around him.  Happy? Anxious? Playful? Fearful? He removes his helmet and carries it under his arm. He smiles at the children (even though they are likely older than he) and waves to the maidens as they walk among the structures.  Does the village seem prosperous, or impoverished?

(What time of day is it?) If it is not yet time to retire for the evening, and if no meeting with Sylvare is imminent, he will stow his gear somewhere, and ask if there is an elvish version of a pub or tavern, especially one where common soldiers might gather.

"Simple is good Olcelle, your village is lovely." Elyria responds with a warm smile as they enter the village.
She will place her gear where shown and then follow Aurelius, mostly to keep her mind off Rahkeshi for a while but also to see that the knight stays out of trouble, otherwise staying quiet and observing unless spoken to. "Coming with us Flynt?"

After nodding to Elyria in the affirmative Flynt addresses Olcello, "I'm honored to be welcomed to your village. " He then follows the rest.

Olcelle deftly fields the various questions posed to her, speaking in Elvish. "We call our village Alvalhollow. We should have a place prepared for you. Let me see..."  She looks off towards one of the larger trees with multiple buildings seeming to be built onto it.  She waves at a young woman approaching from there.  It is one of the female elves from earlier - the one that didn't laugh at Aurelius' jokes unfortunately.  "Here she comes.  Fylanis and Sabynn will see you to where you need to go. I must see if your meeting with Lady Sylmare has been arranged."

As you observe the people moving about the word that perhaps best describes them is somber. They do not seem unhappy or anxious, just focused on what they are doing and not overtly cheerful.  Serious perhaps.  In general they seem to hold many of the same traits as Olcelle.  

As Sabynn arrives Olcelle leaves.  Fylanis comes up alongside the young woman, standing rather close. Sabynn addresses the group - surprisingly in Common, though with a bit of an unusual accent. "Hello, I am Sabynn.  Rooms have been prepared for you if you would follow me."  She starts to lead you towards one of the buildings raised slightly from the ground, very near the base of the large tree.  You can see what at first glance seems to be a rickety ramp makings its way up, circling around the trunk of the tree.  It would appear that is how you access the higher up buildings. 

Though the place does not seem colorful, it does not seem lacking.  Everyone seems well-fed, the houses are simple but well-built.  Not everyone seems armed even, but you see many elves in ordinary garb carrying what seems to be decent weaponry - swords and longbows being most common.  Here and there you pass what seem to be guards decorated in fine armor and carrying what are exquisitely forged swords.

"I am sure Lady Sylmare will have very comfortable rooms set up for each of you.  As for your question Aurelius," Fylanis says, returning to Elvish.  "There is indeed a small public tavern I could show you.  Lady Sylmare's guard would not normally hang out there."  He hesitates a moment, looking to Sabynn.  She gives a very slight shake of her head. "I am not sure if you have access to that area.  It is not an area the general public would go, as it attached to the Lady's buildings." 

Finally you come to the building and ascend a short flight of stairs up to a deck which goes around the building.  Following Sabynn inside, you go down a short hallway passing a door to either side.  The hall opens out into a circular space: a small fire pit in the center provides warmth, a couple of couches, several wooden chairs, and a number of small tables are arranged throughout the space.  It is seems maybe 10-15 people could fit into the space.  Additional lanterns about the room provide additional light. 

There are 5 doors spaced evenly along the wall that goes around the chamber.  "These are your rooms," Sabynn says in Common, motioning to three adjacent doors, as she takes out some keys.  "One for each of you.  I believe the lady ought to choose first."   Opening the three doors, she lets Elyria choose first, then Aurelius and Flynt.  She hands each of you a key. 

The rooms are simple, everything in wood, as the rest of the building has been.  There is a bed, small desk, chair, and a small chest.  There is also a wardrobe in the room.  Each has a window looking out onto the surrounding deck of the building and the woods beyond.  One has a slight view of the ramp that leads up the large tree, while the other two do not. 

"Can I do anything else for you?" Sabynn asks in Common. 

"Would you like us to show you about? To the tavern perhaps? Until we hear back from Olcelle?" Fylanis asks in Elvish. 

In terms of time, it looks to be twilight.  But it always looks to be twilight. Asking the elves, Sabynn answers in Common. "It is quite early in the morning." Fylanis looks at Sabynn, not understanding so she repeats it for him in Elvish. "Ah yes, I think you were out of sync coming from your own lands. It was rather early when we rested.  We set out in the middle of our sleeping period." 

"Early in the morning?  Well, then, it seems a little early for tavern-visiting.   Perhaps a meal, though, and then either a tour of the village or we can offer our services such as they are to your people while we wait on your Lady, or we could even visit with the commoners and see what they can tell us of Leilath.  And maybe you can find a youth that serve as translator for my friend here, so I don't have to keep saying everything twice."