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

Without her usual hide armor, Rahkeshi's shirt and pants do stick to her now that they are soaked.  But she seems to walk along without much concern. "Yes, I may need some help getting these things off in this condition," she comments, giving Elyria a quick glance.  

During the walk, Rahkeshi glances over at Aurelius when Flynt mentions his disrespect. "Whoa! You were banished by Lady Sylmare? And for disrespect! That's a story I'd like to hear!"  She then turns, glancing at Elyria just a brief moment. "And all this while Elyria was 'in service' to her? Interesting." 

Yoë and Presxina walk along in silence near the back of the group. 

"It's an interesting plan Flynt but I would still prefer if we take on Lady Sylmare on the road, no ruses, just a straight ambush, Aurelius softening up the hag and any guards close to her with his doomsday weapon and then we move in for the kill. Either way we would have to see what Sabynn comes up with for us to use before deciding on a plan I think." Elyria says with a smile and a nod to the lawman.

"You can't say you're suprised Aurelius was banished because of being insolent." Elyria says with a soft laugh, smiling and winking to Aurelius. "It was no problem though, if anything me serving her was the problem." She adds, seeming saddened again over her own poor choices.

"I don't know, I guess I'd have thought it more likely he'd try his usual empty dazzle and amaze routine on Lady Symare. Then get kicked out for trying to kiss her or something."  Rahkeshi shrugs, a smile on her face.  "Ooo! Or maybe thrown out for his singing!" 

 Presxina briefly interrupts, "I think he sings wonderfully." 

"Hmm. The new Lillianna is this?" Rahkeshi teases, looking over at Aurelius. 

Yoë, hearing the comment, seems lost. "Who's Lillianna?"  

After a bit of a walk, the group makes it back to the tree hideout without any further incident. 

The paladin feigns offense.  "Kiss the hag?? Clearly I was the only one of us who sensed her true nature from the beginning.  While somebody was off vacationing in the mountains, brewing potions for a year, I was inspiring revolt amongst the oppressed and downtrodden."  He cannot quite stifle a chuckle at this point.

Turning to Presxina, he bows and says, "Thank you.  Ignore the philistine."

And smiling wistfully at Yoë, he replies, "Lilliana was a former member of our team who got lost along the way.  She was a heroic harengon, much like our friend Presxina here.  Next time we have a rest at the campfire, I'll sing a lovely ballad to you about her." He sticks his tongue out at the druid.

The other druid sticks her tongue out back at Aurelius and then laughs, clearly perking up again. "Oh yes, Lilliana, you were so cute together on Lady." Elyria says, winking and smiling at the paladin.

"Oh! Another harengon traveled with you?" Presxina seems curious about this news. "Can't wait to hear the ballad," she says with a smile. "Is there a place for a campfire back here inside the hideout?  Some music tonight would be nice."  Yoë quickly agrees, "Yes, we need a bit of music and some dancing!"

Rahkeshi just rolls her eyes at Aurelius as he sticks out his tongue at her. "I would very much like to hear a lovely ballad. But I suppose your singing will do." She then glances around at the others and their eagerness for music and dancing.  As everyone starts to head inside, she wanders over next to Elyria, shaking her head. "This is not sounding like a restful evening. Are they always like this?"  

Elyria smiles warmly at Presxina and Yoë. The music and dancing did sound tempting but they had already been through so much this day and she was so tired now.

She laughs softly at Rahkeshi's comment, coming to meet the half-orc. "No, not much singing and rejoicing but Aurelius and Yoë does try to keep our spirits up. Maybe we should leave them to dance and frolick while we find somewhere to rest?" She says looking up at Rahkeshi with a warm smile.

"There are rooms above?" Rahkeshi asks Yoë after Elyria mentioned finding somewhere to rest. 

"Sure, there's a number of small rooms. Guess we can divvy those up," Yoë suggests. 

Rahkeshi smiles at the satyr, "Well, perhaps I'll take the higher room, so you guys can make all the noise you want. No matter how hideous."  She makes a point of looking right at Aurelius as she makes this last comment. She then lowers her voice a bit to speak to Elyria, "Perhaps we can talk a moment?" 

Elyria nods and follows Rahkeshi. "Don't forget to get some rest later, we don't know when Aelric will be back with news about where and when we can strike at Lady Sylmare." She turns and says to Aurelius, Flynt, Yoë and Presxina before heading inside, smiling warmly up at the half-orc beside her.

 Rahkeshi and Elyria head inside and upstairs.

Once inside, Yoë speaks with excitement. "Some music now? It's about time we had some fun around here! Or is everyone tired and going to spoil it?" 

"No, no, the spoilsports are gone!" Aurelius raises his voice a bit so those on the stairs might hear.  "Now first, the tale of Beatrix the harengon, also known as Lilliana.  You've actually heard this before, Presxina, at the banquet in your home village, the night before we left to quest for the purple mushrooms."   As before, Aurelius will share the epic tale of Beatrix the Harengon warrior and scholar, who gave her name to the Summer Queen and became Lilianna Faystride,  and then defeated the white dragon with the help of her friends.  He may embellish a few of the details to emphasize her accomplishments.  "Alas, fate has called her to a different path, but the memories are sweet in my mind," he concludes.

"Now, mes amis.... we dance!"  The paladin begins to tap his left foot and clap his hands together in a rhythm as he sings:

"The autumn sun hangs overhead,

Harvesting the corn!

We've picked all day 'til our fingers bled,

Harvesting the corn!

The cow in the meadow chews her cud,

Harvesting the corn!

The pig's in the shade, stuck in mud,

Harvesting the corn!

Oh, round and round the seasons go,

plant the seeds and watch them grow,

summer's long and corn grows tall,

now we're ready for the Harvest Ball!

Harvesting the corn, Hey!

Harvesting the corn!

Sun goes down and moon comes up,

Harvesting the Corn!

Pretty lil' girl, gonna try my luck,

Harvesting the corn!

Will ye come and dance with me, miss?

Harvesting the corn!

Under the moon, I'll steal a kiss!

Harvesting the corn!

Oh, round and round the seasons go,

plant the seeds and watch them grow,

summer's long and corn grows tall,

now we're ready for the Harvest Ball!

Harvesting the corn, Hey!

Harvesting the corn!

Now the farmer lives a happy life,

Harvesting the corn!

With nine little brats and a beautiful wife,

Harvesting the corn!

Moon goes down and sun comes up,

Harvesting the corn!

He sits on the porch and sips his cup,

Harvesting the corn!

Oh, round and round the seasons go,

plant the seeds and watch them grow,

summer's long and corn grows tall,

now we're ready for the Harvest Ball!

Harvesting the corn, Hey!

Harvesting the corn!"

The music trails off a bit as Flynt heads to his room to rest.

Presxina smiles as she hears the tale once again, "Oh yes, you did such a nice job with this last time."  Yoë's response is much more exuberant "What a tale!" she exclaims once the ballad of Lilianna Faystride concludes.  With everyone else having departed, Yoë and Presxina dance together to the spirited song.  The steps they each use are rather similar, the two evidently having a somewhat common knowledge of folk dances.  The two are left smiling at the end and just a tiny bit out of breath. 

"Come now Aurelius, you must join me for a dance," Presxina says after the song is complete. "Oh! Yes! You can't just sit there and sing!" Yoë cries out.  "Here, let me play something for a bit." She wanders off to the far side of the room and rummages around a bit. At least she appears with a small fiddle. "I may be a bit rusty with this," she begins as she draws the bow across the strings, messing with the pegs at the end.  Finally seeming content, she looks at the two others. "Well? Ready?" 

"Well, I must admit that I'm a better singer than I am a dancer, but never let it be said that Aurelius the Magnificent refused a fair damsel's request."

The half-elf bows deeply to his partner, and then as Yoë begins to play, he tries to dance appropriately to whichever style of music the satyr chooses.

(Sorry, I know I'd written a post earlier,  but evidently did not send it!)

Presxina bows, trying to match Aurelius. She allows him to lead her. Yoë plays a vigorous jig - she is not the most talented fiddler, but does a decent job providing music for dancing. And she is definately enthusiastic. 

When the music comes to an end, Presxina again bows, a tiny bit winded from the dance. But she actually did a fine job keeping to the tempo.  "Thank you kind sir. That was fun."

Yoë nods, smiling brightly. "That was great! Oh! Let's play another!"

The paladin smiles.  "It is good to see that there is still joy in the world, despite all the darkness elsewhere.  Let me go up to the observation post and catch my breath and look around, and then we will definitely have another.  Come with me if you like, the night air will be cool, and you can help me check our surroundings."

Presxina quickly responds, "Sure, I'll head up there with you Aurelius." Yoë just shrugs, "Maybe I'll stick down here and practice at the fiddle a bit more."  Even as she says that she starts to play a different song, now starting and stopping here and there, trying to fix any parts she messes up the first time through.  

Aurelius heads upstairs, past the first floor where there are 4 smaller rooms, then the second floor where these is just 1 larger room, then finally up to the top where there is an observation area.  As she reaches the place, Presxina says, "Well, this is certainly a clever little tree home. I'm amazed at every turn. We sure don't have anything like this in our homes out on the plains!" 

"Oui. If I recall correctly, Yoë inherited it from her family.  I confess, before meeting her I had some shamefully racist ideas about satyrs.  I was convinced they spent all their time singing and dancing and drinking, bacchanalian-style.  But while Yoë certainly loves music, as do I, there is more to her than that.  One thing my recent adventures are teaching me is not to judge others by outward appearances, for good or ill.  Some may appear simple, and yet be wonderfully complex on further examination. (In fact, I am embarrassed to say, I misjudged Lilliana when we first met as well, not being familiar with your beautiful race.)  Others may appear to be noble elves on the surface, and inwardly be hideous hags.

"However, do not worry.  The magnificent specimen you see before you is the same within and without. Valiant warrior, lyrical poet, gallant friend, thief of hearts."

He executes a mini-bow, grinning.

Presxina nods as she listens to Aurelius speak. "The satyr girl is enthusiastic!" she agrees. "I must say I was a little surprised as well, when meeting her.  We harengon have little dealings with satyrs. Or the Eladrin - these days.  I understand from history we used to have friendly dealings with them. Though certainly the hag may hold much the blame there."

She smiles as Aurelius concludes. "Well, I never doubted you sir. I'm glad you have welcomed me to join your adventure for a bit.  Though hearing your tales, I'm a bit afraid that I'd be a liability in times of danger."

She pauses a moment before asking, "Did you really help Lillianna defeat a white dragon?" Her voice is full of wonder.

Aurelius scans the nearby forest for movement or enemies.  If he sees nothing, he turns back to Presxina and replies, "Yes, indeed.  A battle of great courage and ferocity.  Its icy breath stinging our bodies and freezing the very air in our lungs as we charged it with blade, arrow and magic.  Though it were an evil creature, still it was a magnificent spectacle, the creature's wintry might cascading down on us.  But the gods smiled on our little band and we slew the beast, and saved the village."

Perception  14