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

(Elyria also speaks with animals but go ahead ;-)

There is no response to the first elk towards either of you two. The other two pause, taking a look at Elyria. Their response seems to indicate they are a bit crazed, and the elf girl simply must be attacked. To Aurelius only they say, "The elf girl is enemy. She must be attacked, that is how it is." (Elyria's ability allows her to decipher noises and motions. Not specifically verbal like Aurelius' spell.) 

You see additional elk emerge from the surrounding brush and trees.  You now count 7 elk nerby. But thus far only the one seems to be acting violent.  (5 of the elk have had their turn, the other 2 - including the original one that was charging - have not.) 

(Flynt is now up.) 

Flynt assesses the situation and not wanting to aggravate things holds real still until the negotiations end. 

(Flynt will hold his action until direct action is taken against him. He will then cast Expeditious Retreatand move from harms way.)

Aurelius whispers to Elyria, "Did you catch that?  For some reason, they are focused on you. Could be the amulet.  You might want to take to the treetops until we figure this out."

(Elyria is already flying, up in the air and has put the amulet on a branch some distance away from her. post #1951 :-)

The Elk that had begun to charge Elyria continues moving in her direction, though it seems a bit frustrated and confused by her being out of reach up in the air.  As the other group moves it too seems to track after Elyria, with another 4 elk coming out of the woods. (A total of 11 are now visible - 1 actively trying to get to Elyria, 5 more closer to Elyria that seem to be tracking her movement, and another 5 that are farther from Elyria and calmer.) 

None are making any action to go after Flynt or Aurelius. 

(Elyria is up again, followed by Aurelius.) 

"I'm not sure it has anything to do with the amulet." Elyria says, her winged boots allowing her to hover above the elks. "Someone must have set them up to this. Try to talk to it some more Aurelius! Try to figure out who's making them do this!"

Insight to try to determine if the elks are charmed: 6

And over to Aurelius.

The paladin speaks to the elk, "Noble friends, what has this elf done? She seems harmless. Has someone commanded you to attack her? Has something been stolen from you or one of you been injured?"

Elyria's insight does not really reveal anything.  

The most agitated elk keeps trying to follow Elyria, pacing beneath her as if trying to figure some way to get up where she is located. To Aurelius he responds. "She is wrong. Just wrong. She must be destroyed."  It all seems irrational. 

The group of 5 elk farthest from Elyria now seem to start backing away, showing a more natural suspicion of humanoids.  They soon make for the cover of the forest, trying to get some distance. 

(Flynt is up now if he wishes to try anything.) 

In Elvish, Aurelius says, "I do not know the prayer to dispel magic, but if you do, that might work, Elyria.  They definitely seem to be enchanted in some way.  Perhaps by the Betrayer, although this doesn't really have his particular stink on it."

Elyria nods at Aurelius and uses her forest magic to try to free the elk from any enchantment forcing it to hunt her.
(Dispel Magic on still agressive elk.)

No change in Flynt action. Still reserving a reaction, same as before.

Elyria's Dispel Magic spell does not appear to have any effect on the elk.  It is still clearly making every effort to get to Elyria,  though impossible with her hovering just overhead. 

Of the other 5 elk, the two farthest away seem to also become spoiled by all the humanoids here and retreat back into the brush and forest. 

(It ocurrs to Elyria that when magic items bestow a curse, simply discarding the item does nothing to affect the curse.)

Elyria pales as the truth dawns upon her. "I must be cursed, cursed by the amulet. I will have to hide now. I will find you again when the danger is over. Take care of Yoê while I'm gone." She says and uses her forest magic (Pass without trace.) to fly away and hide in the forest.
Stealth: 32

As Elyria moves away, the one elk immediately follows and several of the others wander in her direction. But once she's a short distance away, they all stop.  Within a few moments they bolt back through the trees and disappear.

Elyria sends Aelric to check if the elks went far enough for her to safely return to her teammates.
Aelric perception if needed: 17

"Well that's not natural" comments Flynt as the deer disperse.

Aelric is able to track most of the elk. They made their way away from the site, settling in a more distance clearing.  They no longer seem agitated at all.  You are not sure how far away is 'enough' - although it does not seem terribly far. You are sure they are many times farther away than would be an issue.  

After Aelric reports back Elyria decides to reunite with her teammates, settling in a tree for now. "So, any suggestions on how to rid me of a curse?" She says with a weak smile.
"I guess I'll just have to live with this for the time being. Perhaps I would have to return to Gwyllinwald for help eventually." She says, trying to make herself comfortable in the tree, keeping a good look out for new threats, hoping that Yoë will return soon.
Perception: 19 Stealth: 35 Aelric perception: 11

"Perhaps there is a healer in Yoë's village that can remove curses..." suggests the paladin. "So, do you think the animals were just reacting to a curse placed previously, or did something change today?  Seems odd that you haven't had trouble with animals before, but once the Betrayer is discovered, now you are cursed all of a sudden.  If it was the amulet that did it, why haven't we noticed until now?"