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

"No, I actually had some problems with a boar on my may back to you, so I fear the curse must have been placed on the amulet by Lady Sylmare." Elyria says, still sitting up in the tree. "We could ask Yoë when she gets back if she knows someone who could help me."

"Oh Elyria, stop, you're not a bore... a little too googly-eyes in love, but never a bore," quips Aurelius.

"Well, that's it for my watch... sleepy-time!" he says, and sits down with his back against a tree and starts snoring.

With Aurelius asleep, Elyria now keeps watch. (I presume that was the plan.) It is just a short while later that Yoë returns to your encampment.  Not seeing Elyria in the tree, she settles in to get some sleep herself.  

Aelric doesn't spot anything around their camp other than Yoë.  All seems silent for her watch. 

(Elyria is probably roughly finished with her 4 hour rest. Was Flynt going to take the third watch or just let Elyria stay up?) 

Elyria rolls her eyes and sighs at Aurelius' attempt to be funny, but says nothing.
As Yoë gets back she whistles do get her attention, waving and smiling.
Assuming Elyria got enough time to meditate during Aurelius' watch she keeps watch the rest of the night from her position in the tree.

If Elyria wakes Flynt, he'll take watch as requested. If not he'll continue snoozing.

(Yes, we can assume Elyria finished her rest.) 

Yoë turns, at first startled, as Elyria whistles at her. "Oh! Why are you up in that tree?"  She starts looking around, seeming a tiny panicked. "Is something happening?" 

"No, don't worry Yoë, you're in no danger right now. I however was probably tricked and cursed by Lady Sylmare through the amulet so that animals now regard me as an enemy. It's a bit embarrassing for me as a druid as you might imagine, but I hope I will be able to rid myself of it in time. You wouldn't happen to know anyone who could remove a curse would you Yoë?" Elyria says calmly from the tree she's sitting in.

"Lady Sylmare cursed you? When? While I was gone?" Yoë comes over towards the base of the tree you are in. "Someone to help you... oh... hmm..."  She looks deep in thought for a moment. "Well, there's nobody I know of here in this town.  But I kind of knew of an old woman in a town a bit further north that used to know all kinds of things about magics and such.  Always had advice when people got caught up in strange fey magics. Maybe she would help?"  There's a hint of uncertainty in her voice.  It sounds like she knows this woman better by reputation than personal knowledge. 

"Thanks Yoë, it will have to wait though, we will need the amulet later I believe, I will just have to endure this curse for now." Elyria says with a weak smile. "You better get some rest now Yoë."

"Sure thing! Just let me know if there is anything else I can do to help."  Yoë says, as she heads back over and finds a spot to sleep, settling in to rest. 

The rest of the 'night' continues without incident. Aurelius and Flynt arise feeling well-rested and ready for another day.  

Yoë too is up and seems eager to get going. "It was really nice to visit my cousins. I of course told them all about you." Here she turns to look at Aurelius. "Aurelius the Magnificient, or was it... Aurelius the Great? I believe I used both names. I told them of your looks, of your songs, of your heroic deeds. How you were here to bring down the vile Lady Leilatha and end her cruel reign. Of course, they all swooned over just the thought of you.  The name Aurelius will truly be famous here amongst the satyrs," she says. 

She stops, going silent, watching Aurerlius for a moment. There's an odd look on her face, then an obviously ill-concealed smirk.  Followed by raucous laughter. "HA! Oh! Ha, ha, ha, ha...  Nah, I didn't tell them about you guys, just like I promised.  But you probably wished I'd told them all that, eh Aurelius?"  She gets a slightly more serious look, "It's not a stretch though to think that one or two of my cousins might have swooned over your songs and deeds.  They're very swoonable girls!" 

Elyria bursts out in a soft laugh, still sitting in her tree, but almost falling down from it. "I'm sorry Aurelius, I really hope you will be with those swoonable girls in time." She says with a sincere smile to the brave paladin. She then turns to Yoë, sounding a bit more serious again. "So, did you find out anything that might be of interest to us?"

Aurelius looks alarmed and flattered at the same time, puffing up his chest a bit as Yoë speaks of praising him to her cousins.  When she starts laughing, he looks confused, then disappointed, then finally joins in the laughter with her.

"Good one, Yoë! You had me going there... Erm, 'swoonable' you say? Later, you should tell me more..."

Yoë smiles brightly as Aurelius laughs along with her joke. But she then turns her attention to Elyira. "Not sure I found out anything too interesting.  Not too many seemed to think poorly of Lady Leilatha.  I mean, most are indifferent really. A few feel like she offers protection and jobs. And a few think she's stepping on satyr affairs.  I did mention that rumor I head about her being a hag. I'm not sure many really believed it. But certainly if it were true they would not like it." 

Her attention then turns back to Aurelius.  "As for 'swoonable' ladies.  Well, it's probably hard to believe but a few of my cousins are just totally into hearing about heroic deeds and daring adventurers.  People who stand up to danger, fight rampaging dragons, take on troublesome giants. That sort of thing. Can you imagine?" 

"You better stop right there Yoë, or we might not get Aurelius with us on the remainder of our mission." Elyri says with a wink and a smile, then flying down from the tree, ready to continue the journey towards the ambush site, taking point again, ready to seek refuge in a tree if animals turns against her again.
Perception: 25 Aelric perception: 9

Your group continues along, Yoë pointing out possible paths that would be less traveled.  And in a few cases you cut overland to be certain you avoid the roads. You see a few satyrs at a distance, but none seem to note your presence.  On one occasion Aelric manages to spot a potential pack of wild cats and steers the group clear of them. 

Elyria continues to lead the team northwards towards the ambush site, trying to avoid locals and animals if they can.

Aurelius follows along, staying reasonably alert, while daydreaming of swoonable she-satyrs.

"Why would Sylmare want to curse you, Elyria, if the Betrayer was supposed to piggy-back into Leilatha's fortress with you?  Were you just supposed to die, and then he would take the amulet from your corpse?"

Flynt follows along in stoic silence.

"No idea Aurelius, can't figure out her evil ways." Elyria answers the daydreaming paladin. "Possibly it will all become clear one day."

"Could be the curse is what gets you past the wards." interjects Flynt with a shrug. "Probably a game between hags testing each other's defenses. That's why I'm pretty much over playing this by their rules. Tradition or custom be damned."