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

Aelric returns the following day, flying over to Elyria and giving her a note. 

Dear Elyria,
I am well, as hopefully Yoë has told you. I cannot voluntarily leave Leilatha's service for 22 days, though I fear she has something up her sleeve. But if she were defeated it should cause the contract to bind to whoever deals the killing blow. I will presume you are correct about entering the fortress. If so, with Yoë's help I think you can avoid many of the guards. However, it may be easier to catch her traveling. She has a bodyguard and 3 servants who know magic that are almost always with her. Traveling she has a unit of 5 satyr guards, but they'll be spread out. You could likely pick them off and get to her. She has traveled northward a lot lately, but I don't know where. Whatever you decide, stay near and I will try to get information to you when I can. Know too that Leilatha is a hag. Her illusion magic is powerful but otherwise she seems limited. 

Strange you mention purple mushrooms. I've done a bit of research on such things. I think I might know what you are referring to.

The spirits have told also warned of something malevolent following you - so, watch out for that too. You all take care of yourselves. 

Rahkeshi

After Aelric flies away, suddenly 3 small creature pop into view, all hovering around Elyria. 
                                                                                

The purple one with the twirling propeller top addresses the elf in Sylvan:

 They all seem to come before Elyria and nod.  They then all fly off in different directions, vanishing as they do. 

Elyria listens to Flynt and then she reads the letter silently, a troubled look on her face as she does.
She smiles warmly as the nature spirits appear before her, giving them a quick wave as they disperse.

"Let's go inside." She says plainly, motioning for the others to follow her.
Once inside Elyria reads them the letter in a lowered voice. "I fear this malevolence following me could be Frost the ogre mage. If he were sent to kill me he would likely already have done that. I suspect he is either after Leilatha or the bracelet Rahkeshi is carrying, or both. The mention of Ratatosk makes me certain that her bracelet is indeed one piece of the Raiments of Nature." She continues, looking at the others. "We must decide if we should try to reveal and take care of my stalker now or if we should simply go on and take care of Frost as he chooses to reveal himself."

(Where did Aelric fly off to?)

Aurelius the Paladin nods to himself. "I was sure Sylmare would send someone to follow you. It's probably another invisible troll, or even the Betrayer himself. We should keep on high alert from this point forward. Luckily, we have Flynt with us.

"Since we still have a window of time to rescue our friend, I suggest that we lay a trap for that which follows you and eliminate the threat behind us before we attempt to take out Leilatha.

(Yes, as stated Elyria read the letter to the others once inside as she suspected Frost might be eavesdropping outside ;-) Not sure where Aelic flew off to but maybe he spotted a rodent.)

Elyria nods at Aurelius suggestion but gives him a annoyed look as tries to make fun of Rahkeshi again. "I suppose we could try to find Frost now, my friends Freke and Gere might be able to sniff him out if he is anywhere near here and I might then be able to reveal him to us." She suggests in a lowered voice. "Trying to catch Leilatha while she travels seems like a good idea. We can just wait for Rahkeshi to send word and we will intercept the hag on the road north."

(sorry I had posted before I saw Elyria's comments. I have edited Aurelius' response)

"Very well, perhaps you could set out alone in the direction of the fortress. Hopefully your stalker would follow you. After an hour or two we would follow and you could double back. Hopefully we could trap the Betrayer between us and reveal him."

"I don't mind being a bait but don't you think he could lurk around close then? I could call upon Freke and Gere to sniff him out, he should reek with evil." Elyria suggests

(Sorry,  Aelric simply flew up to a nearby branch to observe you all. He's still nearby.)

"Yes of course, send them out, perhaps he is nearby."

The paladin will don his armor, freshly polished.  Before placing his helmet, he admires his visage in the reflection of his shield, running his fingers through his auburn hair, smiling at what he sees.  He prays to his deity, preparing the divine power he might be called upon to use today.  He then paces the floor, waiting to discover if the summoned dire wolves have detected anything.

Elyria nods and steps outside, calling upon her friends Freke and Gere, asking them to find the malevolent being that stalks her.
Freke hearing and smell perception: 10
Gere hearing and smell perception: 21
She follows and directs them from some distance, ready to use her nature magic to reveal any invisible threat. (Faerie fire)

Aurelius will follow his friend, sword in hand, ready for action.

Flynt nods in agreement to Elyrias idea but adds, "When we locate your shadow we should capture not kill. Might be we can extract some information from it. I'll scout from the air to help out. Hspeaks the command word and his armor casts polymoph upon him transforming him into a giant owl. The owl that is Flynt Flys off to search the area for signs of a large creature passing.

Perception:19

(93, 1)

Freke right away hears something up in the air moving away from your position. Both Freke and Gere are soon in pursuit. Within a few seconds they are indicating something is directly above them. 

Elyria blankets the space above Freke and Gere with green faerie fire. (Dex save 14) "He is there! Catch him!" She calls out to Aurelius and Flynt.

(16, 7)

The green faerie fire causes a faint glow in the air but does not seem to have an effect.  The two wolves still seem to be indicating something is there though, but it continues to move.  

Initiative18

Aurelius Degas stretches forth his hand, calling upon his fey gods, and casts moonbeam in a 40-foot tall column where the wolves indicate there is something in the air. (If a creature starts its turn there, it is engulfed in ghostly flames and must take 12 radiant damage, DC 15 CON save for half damage, shapechangers have disadvantage).

Flynt circles the area at about a 30ft radius.

(OOC - My apologies, I've been traveling and not had much time to update.  Will be back Sunday evening. The moonbeam was successful... so I've got to put that together!)

(no worries, Travel safe!)

(8)

The beam of moonlight seems to catch something about 30 ft. up in the air.  Whatever it is does not become visible, but there is a momentary flare of ghostly flames there, indicating the location of something. 

(Everyone roll initiative.) 

 (13)

Initiative: 12