Leaning against a nearby tree Flynt speaks up in support,  "I agree with Aurelius. There is precedent for his concern. As for the remaining pieces, my mission was to assist you in locating and procuring them for M.E.T.A.L. So if that takes me to the desert then so be it." Flynt pull out his compass and checks the distance to the next location.

Flynt's compass only points to Rahkeshi. Unfortunately, with many pieces and in such close proximity, it does not seem to register anything else.

Elyria keeps leading the team on in silence.

Everyone seems to be quiet as you move along towards lower ground.  It may be a bit awkward, but you make decent time as you travel. 

Rahkeshi keeps up her silence for some time, keeping a bit of distance from the group. Slowly she eventually comes closer to where Elyria is setting pace for the group. Keeping her voice low she asks, "Are you upset with me? I don't quite understand why Aurelius was so concerned." 

"No...no I'm not upset with you Rahkeshi..." Elyria says, slowing down slightly to speak to the half-orc. "...I don't doubt you simply are very determined to find the remaining parts of the Raiments of Nature, but according to legend the artefact might have changed, even corrupted that druid of old, and none of us want that to be your fate Rahkeshi, so I think he's simply concerned about you." The blonde elven maiden continues with a warm smile, affectionately laying her and briefly on the others shoulder. "Just remember we are all with you in this Rahkeshi, all of us."

Rahkeshi casts a glance back at Aurelius as Elyria comments on his concern. "Alright, perhaps the intolerable half-elf isn't all bad." The half-orc seems in a bit lighter mood now, content to walk along with Elyria, leading the way back towards the hideout. 

It's about 4 hours into the trip when Elyria notes movement ahead. You have made it back down into the forested areas below Leilatha's fortress.  So far, the trip has been uneventful and quiet.  Very quiet, you've not really even run across any animals or heard many sounds in the distance.  But at this point the movement seems like something larger, probably humanoid. 

"No, just mostly bad." Elyria says with a wink and a playful smile.


As Elyria notices the movement ahead she quickly motions for the rest of the team to hide, hiding herself while sending Aelric ahead to find out what large humanoid is coming their way.

Stealth: 19

Aelric perception: 12

Unable to hear the conversation between the two females, Aurelius continues his brooding silence.  He ducks quickly into the trees at Elyria's signal.

Stealth 12

Flynt heads the opposite direction from Aurelius in a flanking maneuver.

Aelric is able to keep track of the motion of at least 2 humanoids but cannot directly see them. They are keeping hidden fairly well.  (OOC - they are not "large humanoids" but something larger than a small animal and humanoid size/shape.)  Their path is not directed towards you, so if they are aware of you they are not showing it. 

(Flynt should make a Stealth check if you are trying to move quietly or not be noticed.  All the characters can make Perception checks if you want to try to spot the target directly. Not Aelric as you already rolled that.) 

Elyria perception: 23

Elyria is able to mark the location of the figures from the ground. As Aelric reported, they are near you but do not seem headed directly towards you.  She can tell they are Eladrin elves. 

Elyria hesitates for a moment, but then she gets out of hiding, motioning for the others to stay hidden, standing in plain sight, calling out to the Eladrin elves.
Insight to be notice if the seem hostile: 16

Aurelius Perception 16

Does the paladin recognize either of the newcomers?

Neither Elyria now Aurelius can get a good enough glimpse to identify the newcomers. They do not seem hostile to Elyria as they just keep on walking at what seems a steady pace. 

"Greetings travellers, may I have a word?" Elyria calls out, trying to catch up with the Eladrin elves.

Perception: 22

The two elves draw their short swords, turning towards Elyria. A third, previously unseen, steps out as well, though his sword remains sheathed. "Who are you?" he demands in Sylvan. "What brings you to this forest?" 

"I am Elyria, and I came here to free my companion, but also to free the eladrin elves of Alvahollow and the satyrs of these lands from the rule of the evil hag sisters sending them to die against each other." The blonde elven maiden says with no hesitation. "I wish now that you go back home to Alvahollow and live the rest of your lives in peace." She adds, her voice warm with compassion.

The pair with swords drawn stay still, but the Eladrin that spike steps forward. "What nonsense is this? Hag sisters? Are you claiming to support both sides?" he asks in Sylvan.  There is a clearly condescending tone to his words.

None of you recognize these elves.  You do see now they wear the colors of Lady Sylmare though.  Their attention is on Elyria, so they do not seem to have noticed Aurelius or Flynt to either side. Nor Rahkeshi who had found cover back a little ways behind Elyria.

"There are no sides anymore. Lady Sylmare and Lady Leilatha were a pair of hag sisters in disguise, sending their subjects to fight their battle, to die for them when they could have lived on in peace. They are both defeated and dead now so you have no reason to go on fighting." Elyria says, undeterred by the concescending words of the Eladrin.