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

As Yoë is barraged with questions Flynt uses his own insight talents to assess the validity of the satyrs answers. Coming to the same conclusion as Elyria about the beings state of mind and intentions he works through the information Yoë had provided. Just as he is about to speak up Aurelius asks him about his mission.

"I seek a cloak or robe as far as I know. It is supposed to belong to a set of items so I suppose it's possible they are related. The item I seek is the same one you were sent for originally, or so I was told. I was sent to help you finish the mission. I still don't believe we need Sylmare's assistance in finding this place. I truly don't believe you should deliver her the mushroom before we attempt it on our own. Nor do I think you should send some with anyone connected to Leylatha. I think you give up our leverage too easily. I'm not suggesting breaking our word but delaying the delivery until we assess our options a little better seems prudent. Now Yoë, will you show us the way? We'll deal with the wards when we get there. Elyria I fear your emotional connection may be clouding your judgment. You say you don't want to be involved in their games yet you work as Sylmare's pawn. The only way to not play their game is to play your own. If these mushrooms are valuable to Sylmare they are doubly valuable to Leylatha and we should play the two against each other. A trade may be in order. Rakeshi for mushrooms. We can still deliver some to Sylmare and keep our word but the status quo remains the same. Now Yoë, I would like you to look at something and tell me if you recognize the location it is indicating."

Flynt removes his compass and show Yoë where it's indicating.

(OCC: I was trying to find my iintroductory thread where all this info about my mission was revealed but I seem to have lost it. So if I'm wrong about some of the details I apologie.)

Yoë looks a bit wide-eyed at Aurelius as he asks a bunch of questions.  She narrows her eyes a bit as he summarizes the message she had delivered. "It doesn't sound like much does it? Rahkeshi wanted you, well more Elyria, to know she was doing okay.  And then to know Leilatha's fortress is warded."  She ticks the items off on her hand as she goes. "And she cannot really leave yet.  Do not trust Sylmare."  She stops, recounting on her fingers. "Four. There was one more...  Oh! She said to bide your time until the month was up, then she would send word.  I know a place deeper in the forest where we could hide out."

She then considers the next question. "There is a cave that enters at a spot a bit below Leilatha's fortress.  We can pass the wards because we are invited.  You could don a disguise but that won't get you in.  Unless...  you really think your charm thing will work?"

And the next question. "Rahkeshi said sisters? Yes, of course. There are four sisters. Sylmare, Leilatha, Alanais, and Meribeth."  She pauses a moment, "I think Alanais lives somewhere closer to the Winter Court. I'm not really sure about the whereabouts of Meribeth."  

"As for the item Rahkeshi mentioned.  Well, she did have a number of items she kept close eye on.  There is her bracelet.  That amber she wears around her neck.  And then there's also a little pearl she has.  Oh, and her necklace."  She again pauses. "I'm not sure where the Voice comes from exactly. I Rahkeshi said that several of the items all work together like they are one."

The compass Flynt shows her takes Yoë a moment to understand. "Well, Leilatha's fortress is certainly in that direction.  As for that number and the distance... I guess that's about right probably. What is this item?"

(OOC - Here is from the intro...
The gnome then looks up, smiling. "That's it!  Then you join up with the other team!"  He again glances down at the papers he holds, pushing up his glasses. "Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is one other matter.  M.E.T.A.L. has learned of an artifact that may be in this area as well.  The Raiments of Nature it is called.  Supposedly it was destroyed a couple thousand years ago.  An evil druid had gotten ahold of it and had turned hundreds of miles of forest into a stronghold of black horrors.  It is a whole set: armor, cloak, crown, boots, staff, umm..."  He consults the notes for a moment, "Bracelet, amulet, and feather charm." )

Elyria listens to Flynt, first feeling anger build over him suggesting she is Lady Sylmare's pawn, but then she realized he just might be right. "Listen Flynt, I won't claim to have all the answers but I have to be sure we will be able to pass those wards. Unless I feel confident about being able to do that after trying to attune to the amulet tonight I will go back to Lady Sylmare for her help with that. I really believe she will help me with that Flynt. And we need to find a way to get inside, not only to save Rahkeshi, but possibly also to find the Raiments of nature. It doesn't seem like we are in a real hurry though. You and Aurelius should follow Yoë to that hiding place deeper in the forest, I will find you there when I have concluded my business with Lady Sylmare. When the month is up we will use the amulet to enter Leylatha's castle and hopfully find all that we are looking for." Elyria says, looking between Flynt and Aurelius.

Aurelius smiles at Yoë, "Thank you for your patience with us, with me, we are all just worried about our friend Rahkeshi, and unsure how to proceed, and also worried about giving these two sisters more power than they already have.  If you take us to your hiding-place, won't you be missed back at the fortress?  Do you need to return by morning?"

To Elyria, he shrugs and says, "So be it, who am I to stand against the power of love? I do share Flynt's concerns though, please be careful, and be sure that Aelric always has a means of escape so that he can alert us if you fall into danger, or are being controlled.  After all, that would mean a lot of extra paperwork for me if I were to lose both of you." At this last, he smiles.

"I wonder if there is any way we could get the other sisters involved in such a way that Leilatha and Sylmare are too distracted to focus on us."

At Aurelius' mention of love Elyria blushes and turns away again, this time focusing on her very interesting bedroll to the extent that she couldn't possibly have heard what he said.
"We should try to get some rest now gentlemen." She says after a while, offering her bedroll to Yoë.

Yoë looks at Aurelius shaking her head at his suggestion of going back. "I honestly figured it would take more time to find you.  But even now I would probably not make it back before Leilatha suspected something.  I knew I wouldn't be able to return. But it was worth it to help Rahkeshi and her friends."  The satyr seems very happy with herself as she says this last.

When Elyria suggests a rest, she nods. "Probably a good idea. We can set out early tomorrow and I will show you the hiding place." 

As she prepares to start her trance, Elyria pricks her finger, allowing a drop of blood to drip onto the face of the medallion. The blood soon seems to flow into the crevices of the medallion and within a minute there is no longer a trace left. You focus in on the item and start to feel the magic within the device starting to do something. 

You eventually seem to be attuned to the item.  Though its function is not entirely clear to you even now, you sense somehow it wraps you in a strange Fey magic.  Something related to the magic revolving around invitations is there, you presume that is what would allow you to pass Leilatha's wards.  The magic also gives you a general resistance to magic as well. (Advantage on all Saves vs. Spells) You feel there is more to it, but you have not figured it all out.  

Before they part ways, Aurelius suggests that Yoë draw a map of the hiding place, and that Aelric carry the map to Presxina the herbalist, with instructions to meet us there.

The next morning Elyria would be eager to get going again, suggesting she would be given the location of the hiding place before heading back to Lady Sylmare. She would agree to Aelric carrying out the mission Aurelius suggests if she believes he will be able to find his way back to her later.

Yoë pulls out a sheet of parchment and draws out a rough map of how to get to the hiding place. It's not particularly detailed but has a number of landmarks - a sketch of a tree, a small stream, and a formation of rocks.  She explains that it is a small home built into an old, very large tree.  Nobody but her family has used it for a very long time. 

"Yea, great uncle Sponto was said to have lived there.  Or was it great, great uncle?  Well, anyhow, after he passed the family would use it as a sort of retreat, away from the world.  Nobody really knows about it!" she explains. 

The message is given to Aelric and sent off back to Presxina at the harengone village.  You know Aelric would be able to trace you back to this general area.  (He couldn't really follow a map, but if it is just to locate Elyria, generally he should be able to do that from the air with only a very general direction.) 

Unless you had any other changes, Yoë will lead Aurelius and Flynt to the hideout, while Elyria begins the trek back to Lady Sylmare's domains. 

Elyria would commit Yoë's map to memory before sending Aelric off to the harengone village. "Thanks again for helping us Yoë." Elyria says, giving the satyr a quick hug. "Be careful now, I will find my way to the hiding place before the month is up." She says to Flynt and Aurelius before heading off into the forest towards the home of Lady Sylmare.
Survival if needed: 9
Perception if needed: 22

"So," says Aurelius while riding Lady to the hidden treehouse, "I always had the impression that satyrs were all male, and that nymphs were all female.  Clearly, I was very much mistaken.  Tell me, Yoë, are all the satyr-maids as attractive as you are?"

Elyria sends Aelric off, and sets out on her separate path from Aurelius and Flynt.  The two Blink Dogs, follow after her.  Meanwhile, Yoë leads the other pair towards the east, soon leaving the road as they head through the forest. 

(I may move Elyria's travels temporarily to PM while keeping Aurelius and Flynt in the main thread.  The intention is to get everyone back together soon.) 

Yoë leads the way through the trees as you leave the main path.  She walks alongside Lady or ahead as needed.  She's clearly taken off guard a bit by Aurelius' last comment. "Oh, well, I... I'm not... well... called attractive."  She blushes lightly. "It is most strange to imagine that all of us satyrs might be male. How would we ever have children? Now nymphs..." She seems to consider the question most seriously. "I know some kinds certainly appear male.  Take the Alseids for example, most definitely there are male ones. I suppose with dryads and naiads always seem to be female though. Hmm."  

"What world do you come from Aurelius where there are only male satyrs?" she asks.  

"To be honest, I've never met a satyr.  You are creatures of legend in my world.  As to children, I always assumed a human and a goat... uh, er nevermind. I am so pleased to see I was wrong.  And surely you are wrong as well, I cannot imagine that the boy-satyrs do not dote upon such a lovely creature."

Flynt follows the two along as they chat keeping alert for any signs of a trap. 

Yoë laughs. "Well, I'm not sure I've ever concerned myself with the boy-satyrs... umm, but I think you are just being overly kind to me sir."  She seems a little embarrassed at the attention as she puzzles over your human-goat comment.  "Do you mean to think someone would... like a take a knife...  and use glue? That WOULD be quite gruesome!"  She shudders a bit. "But I mean, where then are the folk with goat heads and human legs if that were the case?" 

She seems to be almost hopping along at times as you travel.  At times humming, she does also softly sing now and then. You hear just snippets, and she often stops, starts, and repeats. 
The morning light gives green skin shine
with dancing spirits in a line.
"No... hmm..."
Viscous teeth her smile brings
As spirits... something something wings.
"Nahh..."
Only her eyes see their wings...
"Things? Rings?"

Giving up on the singing she goes back to humming. 

Aurelius laughs, "No, no, no glue, no knives.  Please, forgive my ignorance.  And please believe my sincerity as well."

As the satyr hums, the paladin starts to lend his voice to the melody , and then switches to harmony.  In his mind, however, he puzzles about the meaning of her lyric. Green skin? Viscous teeth?  Maybe she means 'vicious'?  Ah, I bet she's singing about our favorite half-orc...!  Oho, this could cause a little drama in our party!

"So... Yoë, tell me how you and Rahkeshi began working together.  Was she kind to you?  You seem very... loyal... to her... willing to risk yourself for her sake and ours. Surprising, as she she always seemed a little addled to me, and smelled vaguely of swamp."

As the group travels along Flynt marks their trail in varying and inconspicuous ways making sure that only a person who knows what to look for will recognize the marks for what they are 

Yoë looks relieved to hear about the lack of knives and glue. "Well, I'm an herbalist really.  And when Rahkeshi..."  She seems to be fishing for the right word. "Arrived. Well, then I was appointed to be Assistant to the Potion Maker.  Rahkeshi's assistant!" The statement makes her beam with happiness - it's unclear whether it's from her title or from working with the half-orc. "Yea, that's how we started working together.  She was always very kind to me. Really kind. She always kept her biting comments directed towards Leilatha."  She grins. "She really has a way with words." 

She takes a deep breath, "Yea, I know I'm risking a lot to help her. Rahkeshi actually told me I shouldn't go. But there was no way I wasn't going to help her." She looks at Aurelius, unsure what else to say.  At the end she mumbles, "I never thought she smelled like a swamp." 

Aurelius watches her closely for her reaction (Insight 21) as he says, "Well, I'm sure you have made her very proud of you by your brave actions, mademoiselle.  You have successfully completed your mission, and deserve to be praised.  I regret that we have no reward to bestow on you at this time."

He begins to compose his own tune:

The satyr-maiden bravely fled

from the evil for-tress

Searching for the handsome knight

who rode upon some horses... 

("well only one, really, but that rhymes better")

De-spite danger she did tread

Through meadow and o'er mountain

Never giving in to fright

Swift as a.... flowing fountain?

("Hmm, needs some work...")