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

Elyria hurries forth to check if any of the Hobgoblins are still alive or if there is some indication why they were here.
Perception: 19
"What do you think Olcelle, were they waiting for us or just happened to pass by?" She asks when together with their guide again.

Olcelle accompanies Elyria in checking out the hobgoblins.  "I suspect they were just unlucky to find us. They would have sent more if they wanted a fight.  Had they got away though, there are probably others they could have alerted." 

The three are definately dead. They have nothing but their gear.  One wears half-plate while the other two have chainmail. The pair carry longsword and longbow,  while the third has a greatsword and javelin.

"Is it safe to stay do you think Olcelle, or should we move on." Elyria asks while returning to the camp.

"I think there is time to finish our rest," Olcelle says in Elvish.  "They're not likely to even realize anything happened until we've moved on."

The elf speaks briefly to Fylanis who will now take watch while she meditates. 

Elyria nods to Olcelle and goes back to her trance by the old oak, ready to move on as they are rested.

Aurelius will retrieve his javelin, and will inspect the armor and weapons of the deceased hobgoblins looking for anything out of the ordinary.

Perception 1

Arcana  16

Afterwards, he will complete his watch, and then his long rest.

Aurelius thinks all of the armor and equipment looks worthless. It's possibly all unusable,  perhaps why they didn't attack. 

(I will move things along,  but feel free to fill in Flynt if you wish.)

Everyone completes their long rest, with no further events.  It still looks like evening - still twilight.  But at least you feel well-rested.

Everything is gathered up and you head on for the day.  Fylanis is ready to scout out ahead and he checks to see if anyone else wishes to come with him. 

After a couple of hours,  there is a tiny rustling from the underbrush and a squirrel runs up to Elyria.  It chitters sharply at the elf, standing on its hind legs.  It seems vaguely familiar. 

You then hear the creature speaking. It is a voice Elyria knows well, as does Aurelius. "Greetings stupid elf!"  The word 'elf' is said with scorn as if it were a bad word - though there is a hint of sarcasm there too. Elyria feels a psychic blow to her mind with the insult. (WIS save DC 10 or take 4 psychic damage)

The squirrel continues in the same voice, "Ok, trying this again.  Here goes. First, I'm being held by Leilatha, or at least she's in charge here. I don't know where exactly - large fortress surrounded by gardens.  There's recently been snow here, so maybe that helps. And...  and I just keep hoping Elyria!  Hoping after all these months you'll come. Please just let this find you this time."

Clearly Rahkeshi's voice.  And the same squirrel that delivered your message to the blink dogs.  The squirrel disappears,  nearly as quickly as it appeared. 

"Ratatosk, what are you doing here." Elyria says as she spots the squirrel. "Ouch, that was uncalled for." She says as Ratatosk insults her. Wis save: 24

When Elyria hears Rahkeshis voice her eyes wells with tears of joy. As Ratatosk disappears Elyria turns to Aurelius and Flynt. "I know where Rahkeshi is...almost." She then turns to Olcelle. "We must find a large fortress surrounded by gardens where there recently has been snow and where Leilatha rules." She says like she is expecting Olcelle to take them there.

Everyone could hear the squirrel address Elyria in the female half-orc voice.  Olcelle seems to not react at first.  When Elyria speaks to her, she responds. "We do know Leilatha. You will need to speak with Sylmare about this."

She turns as though that is the end of the conversation. But she stops and looks at Elyria.  Her voice is still mostly devoid of emotion.  "I see you care deeply about this other one.  I will not stop you from going. But I advise against it. Speak with Sylmare."

"I...yes Olcelle, I will confer with my associates." Elyria says and turns to Aurelius and Flynt. "I do want to find Rahkeshi as soon as possible but there is perhaps wisdom in seeing Sylmare first, what do you say?"

The paladin breaks into a smile as he hears his friend's voice, proving that she yet lives.  His heart has been heavy, and it now feels as if a great burden has been lifted. 

"As formidable as I am, the three of us against a fortress seems like a futile endeavor.  I believe we should seek the advice of Lady Sylmare, and any information she can give us about the location and defenses of this Leilatha.  Perhaps we might even be able to recruit some companions to aid us in our quest.
"Do you have any method of sending (i.e. sending) a message to Rahkeshi?"

Flynt simply observes the interactions. The whole time gathering as much information as he can glean from his new companions. He finds being unable to understand the entire conversation almost beneficial to this end. It had been his experience that body language and mannerisms often give one more insight into a person than words anyway. So not having the distraction of having to follow a conversation allowed him to focus more on his information gathering. So for now the lawman stays quiet, content to simply observe.

Insight: 11

(Some of the things Flynt is looking to discover:

Does Olcelle and Fylanis mood and attitude towards the group change after the encounter with the squirrel?

Does it seem as if they are hiding something about the quarry they track?

While with Fylanis did he ever get the impression that the elf was ignoring certain signs in an attempt to disguise the true identity of one of the three tracks?

(OOC I'm assuming the squirrel's message was delivered in Common, since Rahkeshi doesn't speak Elvish)

Elyria walks back to Olcelle. "We will accept your offer to speak to Lady Sylmare." She says with a bow of gratitude.

Aurellius will continue to translate for Flynt.

(Yes,  the squirrel's message was in Common.)

Flynt does notice that after the message was received,  both Olcelle and Fylanis are a bit more tense, and there are a few glances between the pair.  Clearly the name Leilatha is significant to them.

You do not get any impression Fylanis was deceptive about the three tracks. 

Olcelle gives a brief bow in return to Elyria's. "Let's go then.  Four or five hours at most and we will be there."

Elyria nods at Olcelle and motions for Flynt and Aurelius to follow.
"Who is this Leilath?" She asks Olcelle as they move out.

(Is the group moving in the direction the compass pointed?)

Aurelius softly sings, "... Leilath, she's got me on my knees, Leilath, I'm begging, darling please..." as he follows the two elven women.