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

Elyria returns as Frost is speaking to Rahkeshi. He shifts his attention to ther elf. "So are you as excited about heading to the Fey lands as your half-orc friend?"

He then responds to her question, "Well, I am not sure I have all the details, but an Archfey of the Winter Court is up to some sort of mischief.  She has been gathering up supporters.  Some say she may even seek to gain a foothold in this plane."

(26)

The sun is getting lower in the sky, though it is probably still over an hour to sun set.

Elyria comes up by Rahkeshis side again, taking her hand, while smiling warmly at Frost. "Yes, but I have a feeling a lot of good things happened when we last visited...Oh no, Acorn." Elyria suddenly remembers the Blink dogs they left in the glade by Drakeriver. "We should try to bring them back to the Feywild, right Rahkeshi?" She says pleadingly, looking up at the half-orc beside her.

"Oh yes I'm excited to go back." Elyria answers Frost.

"Well if any Feywild mischief would threaten these lands I'm sure M.E.T.A.L would expect us to stop it." She says as Frost finishes. "What can you tell us of this Archfey then?"

Rahkeshi responds to Elyria. "Oh yea! Sozi! Can you get a message to them somehow?  Or I could I guess. Not that they understand me. And how would they find us?"

"Well they are just by another portal so perhaps we can fetch them through that." Elyria suggests, giving Rahkeshi a quick kiss on the cheek.

Rahkeshi looks at Elyria, seeming a bit confused, but smiling at the kiss. "So are you doing the message or me?  Hmm, I think I can cast it, you say the message?"

She reaches to grab hold of the piece of amber she wears around her neck. 

Aurelius will sit down with his back against a tree, and take a short rest while waiting for sundown. (one hit die spent for 10 healing)

"Okay, send this." Elyria says and continues in Sylvan for the Blink dogs to understand. "My friends, this is Elyria, We are heading into the Feywild in service of the Bright Queen. Please find you're way back through the portal so that we can be reunited." 

Elyria then finds a place by a a tree to rest, glancing over at Rahkeshi, smiling warmly, clearly hoping she would join her.

While Aurelius rests, he will feign shutting his eyes, but in reality will be attempting to watch and listen to Frost.  He has a tiny suspicion that the fairy may be hiding something.

Perception 8
Insight 8

Even though Elyria has a player that suspects the same thing, Elyria is oblivious to any deception on Frost's part, only thinking about Rahkeshi and the Feywild.

Rahkeshi grins at Elyria as she delivers her message in Sylvan. "Hold on. You'll have to do that again."

Grasping her amber talisman, Rahkeshi simply says,  "Ratatosk."

Moments later you see a squirrel running into the clearing like it came from nowhere.  (Maybe it just scurried out from the underbrush?) It runs up Rahkeshi's leg,  climbing her poncho, until it rests on her shoulder.   It seems to be making a chittering, scolding sound at Rahkeshi.

It takes a moment, but actually, it isn't just making squirrel sounds.  Is actually speaking. "You have woken me from my beauty sleep!"  It says indignantly. "Whoa! But YOU seem to have gotten NO beauty sleep ever! (1 psychic damage)

(WIS Save: 14)

Rahkeshi says, "Now you can give him the message. Oh, but you have to include a small insult or it doesn't work."

Once Elyria has given the message, Rahkeshi sends the squirrel off. It runs across the clearing then vanishes.

"An insult? But...Oh fine, a small one then." Elyria says and starts over in Sylvan. "My lovely mutts, this is Elyria, We are heading into the Feywild in service of the Bright Queen. Please find you're way back through the portal so that we can be reunited." 

Aurelius does not see anything amiss nearby nor can he identify anything specifically up with Frost.

Immediately as Rahkeshi starts to use her talisman,  Frost leaps to his feet.  He watches, clearly extremely interested. "Well, well. What is that? Can I see it?" 

Rahkeshi, without hesitation,  lifts the piece of amber so the Fairy can grab it, though the cord is still around her neck. Frost continues as he examines it.  "Is that an ash tree seed inside? Well, well."

He lets it go, looking at the others. "How about a quick bite? It should be night soon and we can go!"

The sun has continued to sink towards the horizon, the daylight fading to twilight.  Beneath the trees the shadows are deepening.

(18, 19, 23)

Elyria's insult must have been sufficient as the squirrel leaves. 

Rahkeshi responds to Frost. "Yes, it is an ash seed. You must really know your trees!"  She seems quite impressed.

At the mention of food, Rahkeshi says, "Good idea. Maybe something quick though."  She heads over to where she had left her pack and picks it up.

"Way ahead of you." Elyria says smiling, sitting again by her tree, munching some elven bread. 

Aurelius says to Frost, "Tell us some of your adventures in the service of Her Majesty the Queen."

(10, 8, 13, 12)

Frost looks back at Aurelius from where he had wandered over next to Rahkeshi. "Ah yes, I have performed many services for my Queen."  There is an odd emphasis on the way he says 'my'. "Tracked down treasures, killed her enemies, and retrieved secrets for her.  Surely she will be most impressed tonight though."

His tone had clearly changed as he seems almost derisive as he described his actions; facetious as he says she'll be impressed.

"Now!" he says loudly.

There is movement in deep shadows about the clearing as several dark shapes move in.

Frost grabs Rahkeshi and says, "Come with me. I will see that you are safe."  And he runs, with Rahkeshi rapidly following.

Elyria catches sight of 4 dark creatures before they move,  one taller than the others.  Aurelius only spots two, but is well aware of the attack. 

(So you are not surprised by them, but roll for initiative.)

(5, 18, 14, 23)

(Frost: 5)

(Rahkeshi: 12)

 (The dark shapes that you see.)

"No, wait, Rahkeshi!" Elyria shouts as the half-orc leaves them, leaves her. "It's a trap" She says grimly and raises her elven longbow.
Elyria initiative: 21

Aurelius Initiative 19

The half-elf casts his cloak aside, leaps to his feet, and snaps his helmet down into place.  As he sizes up the tactical situation, he calls to Elyria, "Is Rahkeshi charmed?"


Round 1

Aurelius will ignite his flame tongue longsword with a bonus action, and rush and attack (twice!) the nearest opponent.  He cries out, "For the true Queen!" as his weapon cleaves a fiery arc in the air.

First Attack: 12 Damage: 9 magical slashing + 7 fire damage

Second Attack: 20 Damage: 11 magical slashing + 11 fire damage