Just as Bugs was cautiously turning around to look for a possible attack from the rear when Resmae bounded out of their hiding spot and called out to the other Harengon. Bug's jaw dropped open in disbelief. Who . . . would . . . jump . . out . . . and say "hello!" to a bandit! Harengon or not! He almost slapped his palm against his forehead in disbelief (But not quiet because he has been travelling with these circus folks for a few hours and that has been enough to get to know them so disbelief isn't really the right word anymore.) but stopped himself before he put a palm shaped splatter of mud on his head. As he stood up out of his hiding spot he gently pushed down on Wildred's shoulder. "Shhh . . . stay here."
Bugs stepped forward next to the other two and doffed his hat with its bright red feather. He looked at the leading rabbit and smiled. "What's up, Doc?"
Wildred absolutely horrified at the new young rabbit Resmae just casually hopping out to greet the band of clear roughians, decides to heed his friends advice and stays put. He had been in a similar situation before on the Isle of Gundarian where he and a fellow group of achademics had been researching the variable properties of seaweed and their reaction to the base temperatures of certain climates deriving from,magical energies in sea currunts, when all of a sudden they were engaged with 5 bloodthirsty bandits demanding there university robes...Needless to say only Wildred had escaped with his life as the others in their pomp had defiantly refused to derobe and said they would " rather die " to which the bandits had happily obliged them!
Wildred thought for a moment....snapping out of his daydream,should he attempt to move!? No he would take his chances and if battle insued he would have the upper hand.He patiently listened in as the leader took note of Aros attire.
(Wildred would like to get a rundown of the band, the leader in particular is their anything that stands out on the bandits,anything on their belts or equipment that he could use to his advantage on the likely hood of an attack,Also can he tell wether the rabbits are actually going to search the bush where he is hiding as to get the drop on them, will roll perception and insight now or investigation just incase you want that as a check)
Aros is momentarily flustered. A group claiming to be bandits should understand clearly what she just said, but they gave no indication whatsoever that they could comprehend it...
She doesn't have time to ponder over that too much. They were at a severe disadvantage here. Surrounded by professional criminals, outnumbered, and in the bodies of children. And Resmae having just given away their position entirely... Aros wasn't used to being on the back foot like this. So she says the first thing that comes to her head.
"Well sheesh, you don't have to round on us! I just want to know how you walk on this mud so easily! As for hard to find? Apparently, you couldn't find your nose if it wasn't attached to your face, couldn't find the three of us - boasting about your ears and nose! How about this, I'll teach you how to actually find people, and you teach us how to walk on this mud, deal?" Resmae takes a look at all the blades pointed at them, "and you best put these blades away or I'm calling Sammy."
At the mention of his name, he stays hidden, but wags his tail and it makes the mangroves rustle, noting a larger creature hidden there.
Bugs glances at Aros - he has no idea what she just said. In general he is willing to let her take the lead in conversations as she seemed to have the showbiz skills, but he was also a harengon like these. If a bit on the young side at the moment.
"Say, Doc, I'm guessing your not this Agdon Longscarf fellow given the lack of a scarf and the whole "prince" thing and just calling you "feather" seems rude. Who do we have the honor of addressing?" He so badly wanted to call her racoon with that funny mask but that just didn't seem like a wise idea. He was now prepared to sit back and let Aros take over the talking. Hopefully someone would be able to understand what she was saying. In the meantime he kept his eyes and ears open.
Halei casts a minor illusion spell. The sound of the swamps increases just so, the sound of frogs, crickets, and cicadas surround the group; Halei hopes it will be enough to cover the sound of her movement across the mud, as well as assist Wildred if he needed cover to move as well.
She does her best to sneak as close as she can to the snail without being seen.
We return to our young and fearless heros, as they find themselves cornered by a group of ambitious herangon bandits.
Wildred, you are still unseen as you observe the tall female herangon. With her all-black attire. She appears to be the leader of this little gang of rabbit folk. Besides her black hat with a long black feather, black cape, black boots, and ornamental rapier, she has a gourd dangling from her black belt with a shiny golden stopper in it. She is standing over Resmae and Aros. Balliol is not far behind them.
Also standing around Resmae and Aros are three other rabbit folk. While they are less spectacular in their dress sense than the upfront lady of the group, you get the impression they are nonetheless deadly in their intent. Casually fearless in their intimidation of your friends. They also wield bladed weapons. Behind them, the fifth herangon, atop the laden and victimised snail. Its treatment, a serious reminder in a comical situation.
Resmae questions the bandits, "Well, sheesh, you don't have to round on us! I just want to know how you walk on this mud so easily!..."
Resmae, one of the hare folk bandits, picks up his big rabbit foot and puts its base only a few inches away from your face. "Big, Bouncy Feet!" he says, putting his foot back down, and he bends down close to you and tilts his head, and with a great, big grin, he winks at you (cue the sound of a high pitch bell dinging to his wink).
A brief splash of mud is noticed by the bandits as they all peer toward the rogue sound. But they see nothing.
"Now," announces the leader. "I am Miss Jebbek, and this is a robbery."
Just as she points out her rapier in a threatening manner, a strange-looking insect buzzes into the scene and steals the attention of all present. It buzzes over to Aros, circling her several times. Aros, not knowing what the creature is, starts desperately swatting at the little critter as it buzzes around her.
One of the herangon bandits pipes up, "I wouldn't do that if I were yo..."
Just as he warns Aros, the insect flies in and stops a few inches in front of her face. The insect spins and spins and spins in front of Aros, making her eyes go around and around in her head, and then, out of nowhere, (pause for comic effect) Thwaaaack!. It whacks Aros on the lips with its tail and disappears from sight. Aros's eyes shoot wide open, and she grabs her mouth with both her hands squealing with a muffled scream of pain.
The bandits start laughing and laughing. A couple of them unable to contain their amusement, bending over, their hands on their bent knees as they heartily bellow with laughter.
"Dang girl, you just got bit by a smapper! Heeee hee hee, haaa haa haaaaaa!"
Aros removes her hands from her stinging lips and you all stare at her with horror. She looks back at Resmae and goes to speak. But nothing is heard except a muffled sound as she tries desperately to speak through her now missing mouth.
"Oh!, That's gonna sting! Hee heee!" calls one of the bandits loudly.
"And, you will need a good wizard to fix that up for you." says the leader as she grins a sinister grin, and the glint of a gold tooth hits your eye.
Aros, you have nothing but jaw, chin and skin where your mouth once was. You are unable to speak and can only breathe through your nose.
The sound of the swamp starts to increase in volume. You see the bandits laughter, give way to confusion as they look around the area, searching for the reason for the crescendoing nature around. The wind howls, the sound of bubbling mud, frogs, crickets, and small winged insects seemingly getting louder and louder all around.
As Resmae is mocked and circled by these self proclaimed bandits, she just looks annoyed. She thought she'd make some new rabbit friends, and here they were just common thieves. But when Aros is attacked by the smapper, she thinks it has been done by these bandits and anger boils within her. "What?!! What have you done to Aros?? Give her, give her back her mouth!" she almost squeaks this out in her childish bunny state. She pulls out her mace and starts gesticulating with it, looking at the bandits as menacingly as she can. Ignoring the sounds that start to emanate around them, "Change her back!!!"
Halei positions herself behind the snail and out of sight of the leader. "Psst," she whispers up towards the snail rider. "Hey friend, you mind hopping off that snail for a second and helping me out? I didn't exactly come here prepared and I would really appreciate if I could borrow any armor and weapons you may have. Quickly and quietly please. Oh, and would you mind if I took a ride on your snail? It just looks so fun, I've never ridden a snail before!" Halei smiles widely up at the bandit.
(Halei casts Charm Person on the bandit on the snail)
Balliol looked at Aros and her missing mouth and then back at the self-proclaimed Miss Jebbek.
"Miss. Jeb, huh? Guess that answers the whole "prince" thing." Here he looked around at his companions. "This here is a just a flunky folks, not the boss rabbit at all. That pretty feather isn't much to mine, but I think a little hand," and here he waved his hands in the air just a bit hoping that Wildred would get the idea to use mage hand, "just might let Becky here know not to mess with children." He then reached out as if plucking the feather from her cap, hoping that Wildred would get the idea and grab the feather and float it over to him.
(If the feather is grabbed successfully and come his way he would do the following: Bugs gently plucks the feather out the air and tucks it next to the other feather in his cap. "Now Doc, It appears this IS a feather robbery. But you have it backwards. I suggest you leave now. I don't really need a silly mask like that one, but . . . "
Despite the bravado on the outside, on the inside Bugs was contemplating insulting the lands of Faerie. Perhaps if another rock came hurtling their way again, but they knew to dodge and the others didn't, this strangely cantankerous land could be used to their advantage.
Balliol looked at Aros and her missing mouth and then back at the self-proclaimed Miss Jebbek.
"Miss. Jeb, huh? Guess that answers the whole "prince" thing." Here he looked around at his companions. "This here is a just a flunky folks, not the boss rabbit at all. That pretty feather isn't much to mine, but I think a little hand," and here he waved his hands in the air just a bit hoping that Wildred would get the idea to use mage hand, "just might let Becky here know not to mess with children." He then reached out as if plucking the feather from her cap, hoping that Wildred would get the idea and grab the feather and float it over to him.
(If the feather is grabbed successfully and come his way he would do the following: Bugs gently plucks the feather out the air and tucks it next to the other feather in his cap. "Now Doc, It appears this IS a feather robbery. But you have it backwards. I suggest you leave now. I don't really need a silly mask like that one, but . . . "
Despite the bravado on the outside, on the inside Bugs was contemplating insulting the lands of Faerie. Perhaps if another rock came hurtling their way again, but they knew to dodge and the others didn't, this strangely cantankerous land could be used to their advantage.
Wildred thought to himself it was a lovely feather.....with a cheeky grin on his face in perfect sync with his bunny friend he uses mage hand to gently pluck the feather from the bandits hat and attempt to float it over to his friend.
Just as Bugs was cautiously turning around to look for a possible attack from the rear when Resmae bounded out of their hiding spot and called out to the other Harengon. Bug's jaw dropped open in disbelief. Who . . . would . . . jump . . out . . . and say "hello!" to a bandit! Harengon or not! He almost slapped his palm against his forehead in disbelief (But not quiet because he has been travelling with these circus folks for a few hours and that has been enough to get to know them so disbelief isn't really the right word anymore.) but stopped himself before he put a palm shaped splatter of mud on his head. As he stood up out of his hiding spot he gently pushed down on Wildred's shoulder. "Shhh . . . stay here."
Bugs stepped forward next to the other two and doffed his hat with its bright red feather. He looked at the leading rabbit and smiled. "What's up, Doc?"
Wildred absolutely horrified at the new young rabbit Resmae just casually hopping out to greet the band of clear roughians, decides to heed his friends advice and stays put. He had been in a similar situation before on the Isle of Gundarian where he and a fellow group of achademics had been researching the variable properties of seaweed and their reaction to the base temperatures of certain climates deriving from,magical energies in sea currunts, when all of a sudden they were engaged with 5 bloodthirsty bandits demanding there university robes...Needless to say only Wildred had escaped with his life as the others in their pomp had defiantly refused to derobe and said they would " rather die " to which the bandits had happily obliged them!
Wildred thought for a moment....snapping out of his daydream,should he attempt to move!? No he would take his chances and if battle insued he would have the upper hand.He patiently listened in as the leader took note of Aros attire.
(Wildred would like to get a rundown of the band, the leader in particular is their anything that stands out on the bandits,anything on their belts or equipment that he could use to his advantage on the likely hood of an attack,Also can he tell wether the rabbits are actually going to search the bush where he is hiding as to get the drop on them, will roll perception and insight now or investigation just incase you want that as a check)
(Got a Nat 1!!lol....the funny thing is I was already planning on maybe using mage hand to mess with them anyway not necessarily the feather before balliol even said anything in the private chat hence the insight/perception/investigation check request above in brackets)
Her eyes open wide, and panic visible on her face, Aros stands before the bandits, not knowing what to do. She holds her hands where her mouth should be, and you can all hear the pained and muffled sounds as she tries to speak.
Resmae, You are furious at the bandits, believing they are responsible for Aros being now mute. You wave your mace at them threateningly, demanding that they restore her to her former glory. Your voice becomes drowned out by the crescendoing sound of the wildlife all around.
Halei, while your illusionary wildlife sounds crescendo in the air, alarming everyone except you. With the skill of the wood elf that you are, you slip past in the confusion and make your way behind the mound and next to the bandit on the snail. Weaving your charming magic, the bandit stares back at you. A big smile on his face. As you make your demands on your new friend, the wildlife sounds you previously conjured quickly dissipate and give way to the sound of your voice and you are noticed.
Miss Jebbek turns to see you there, charming one of her own. As the snail riding herangon starts to dismount, Miss Jebbek demands he remains upon the snail.
"Sit back down, you fool!" she barks at him. Her demeanour changes as she turns her attention to Halei. "Well, you are a sneaky one!. Come on up here with me," and she orders the farthest bandit on her right to stand by Halei.
Balliol, You speak forth tough talk toward Miss Jebbek, and she turns her attention back to you. You gesture in secret to Wildred, careful not to be noticed or have Wildred's cover blown.
Wildred, you pick up on Balliol and his message, which you misinterpret. You mutter some arcane words, and a large purple mist-like hand emanates from your mind and position. The hand grows and makes its way toward Balliol. The hand plucks Balliol's feather from his cap, taking and offering it to Miss Jebbek, who gracefully takes the feather and pushes it next to the feather in her hat.
"A peace offering!" she says with delight in her voice as she and the rest of the bandits' eyes follow the hand back to Wildred's location. "One of you has some manners. Come join us, lad." she waves her hand at Wildred, beckoning him forth.
It is only Sammy that remains hidden from the bandits now. Balliol, you have lost the feather from your hat.
Resmae stops waving her mace around confused. She lowers it and watches as the bandits find and bring out all her friends, though, she smiles to herself, not her Sammy. She steps up directly to Miss Jebbek, "Why did you do that to my friend? She just asked if you've ever been to a carnival, no reason to.. to take her mouth away!" Resmae can't help it as in her childish state her lower lip begins to tremble a bit as she wrestles with her anger and fear for her friend. "Put it back, put it back or.. or else!"
When Wildred steps out after giving Miss Jebbek Balliol's feather, Resmae looks at him in confusion. She starts wondering if the feywild was as fun as she thought it was going to be.
Halei freezes as she's caught red handed. She really hadn't expected to be caught so she's frozen in indecisiveness. Her first reaction is to punch the bandit closest to her in the gut, but she isn't the best fighter and doesn't have the most useful weapons at her disposal. Not to mention she's still never killed someone before, and she wasn't sure how she would be able to incapacitate them, and that's not even including the rest of the bandits around her. So, just as she thinks to go to punch the bandit she stops herself before she moves. She lets the bandit guide her over towards Miss Jebbek.
Balliol felt the feather get tugged from his own hat and sent over to the stupid bandit. He nearly sputtered in frustration. How could Wildred have missed something so simple? He thought they had a connection! He thought . . .well, ok, so he hadn't been very specific. But to give away his feather!
He stopped his mind from wandering and refocused on the problem at hand. He decided he'd had enough of these fools.
He didn't like the odds of taking on all five of the bandits. So what about taking on Faerie? Or at least offering it a bit of a challenge? It seemed risky, but . . .
Bugs stepped forward until he was right near the lead bandit. As he stepped forward he put a hand on the shoulder of Resmae and Aros and very gently tried to push them back a bit. He didn't force them at all - he just tried to indicate that he thought they should take a step backwards. "You know Doc, with bandits like you about this land is hardly a bastion of justice. Karmic retribution can be a real pain - as if this land knew anything about justice!" He looked her in the eye as he spoke.
Those were almost the exact words Eros had used earlier to bring a challenge from the land of faerie itself. It probably wouldn't be wise to keep challenging it, but maybe just this once? He hoped the others were listening and understood the implication of what he had just said. He'd carefully repeated Aros' words so that they understand the possible implications of challenging the land. He tried to lock eyes with the lead bandit to hold her there, but was on hare trigger and was prepared to rabbit hop away from his present location if the land responded. (At pretty much any significant noise or motion or reaction he will jump as far as possible using his rabbit hopp ability - away from everyone else.)
Standing tall (as she can) Resmae scolds the bandits, "Put it back, put it back or.. or else!"
Resmae, Jebbek leans forward with her face just inches from yours. The sinister smile she wore moments earlier gives way to a more menacing grimace. "Or else what?" she snarls, her eyes narrowing. She pauses briefly before standing again, the untrustworthy smile returning to her face.
Balliol steps up the log and puts each of his hands on Aros's and Resmae's shoulders. Tactiley indicating to them to carefully move back and follow his lead. "You know Doc, with bandits like you about this land is hardly a bastion of justice. Karmic retribution can be a real pain - as if this land knew anything about justice!"
Jebbek and the other bandits (except for the herangon atop of the snail, who still gazes adoringly at Halei) look quizzically at Balliol, then at each other, then back at you all. Jebbek, suddenly claps her hands loudly.
Balliol, being on edge and waiting for the wild to test your resolve, you are startled by Jebbek's loud clap, which sets off your rabbit hop, and you bound a few feet into the air before realising your fault. Aros and Resmae, also startled by the clap and Balliol bounding into the air, look skittishly around for what to do next.
Jebbek and the other bandits laugh at your surprise.
Wildred, a bubble pops in the mud near you. Then another, and another, until the mud under your feet starts to bubble like it's boiling.
The sound of bubbling mud begins to encompass the area around you. More and more of the foot or so of fetid mud you have been trudging through starts to bubble and pop all around. The bandits, unphased by the bubbling mud, continue laughing and joking at your expense.
Soon the mud gives way to an influx of muddy water that quickly floods the marshlands leaving just small protruding mounds for refuge. The water has risen about five feet in less than a minute or so.
The bandits, Aros, Resmae and Halei have managed to stay out of the rising water by crowding onto the mound.
Balliol, you have also moved up as much as you can, but still find yourself standing on the log in a couple of feet of muddy water.
Wildred, despite your best efforts to make it to the bank, you are not quite there and find yourself treading water to stay afloat.
The rest of you find yourselves standing on some of the only unsubmerged land available to you. You are cozied up and very close, sharing it with the bandits who now look down upon you all, grinning. You are rather uneasy at your vulnerability in this proximity.
This was turning complicated by the second wildred thought.......Wildred looks for a tree or something to grab hold,in the hope it helps him to not get to exhausted treding water but close enough by to help his friends if they need him..
(Will role perception preemptive just incase you need one)
Bugs looks around at the muddy water in annoyance. Was this the worlds response to claims of injustice? He'd been hoping for a meteor from the heavens or something similarly dramatic. But no, he got mud. He tried to move up on the log a bit to stay drier and looked about for signs that the water might be going down. Meanwhile he waited for the bandit leaders answer. Soon, he thought they needed to simply leave. If that would be allowed.
Resmae is still convinced that the bandits took away Aros's mouth and the NEED to put it back! But when Balliol has his hand on her shoulder and then hops feet in the air in sudden surprise, it totally discombobulates her. When the mud starts rising she really doesn't like the situation they are in. She then strengthens her resolve and points her mace back in Jebbeks face, "Put her mouth back or else I'll have Sammy eat you." she says in a flat, low tone, staring in the larger rabbits eyes.
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Wildred absolutely horrified at the new young rabbit Resmae just casually hopping out to greet the band of clear roughians, decides to heed his friends advice and stays put. He had been in a similar situation before on the Isle of Gundarian where he and a fellow group of achademics had been researching the variable properties of seaweed and their reaction to the base temperatures of certain climates deriving from,magical energies in sea currunts, when all of a sudden they were engaged with 5 bloodthirsty bandits demanding there university robes...Needless to say only Wildred had escaped with his life as the others in their pomp had defiantly refused to derobe and said they would " rather die " to which the bandits had happily obliged them!
Wildred thought for a moment....snapping out of his daydream,should he attempt to move!? No he would take his chances and if battle insued he would have the upper hand.He patiently listened in as the leader took note of Aros attire.
(Wildred would like to get a rundown of the band, the leader in particular is their anything that stands out on the bandits,anything on their belts or equipment that he could use to his advantage on the likely hood of an attack,Also can he tell wether the rabbits are actually going to search the bush where he is hiding as to get the drop on them, will roll perception and insight now or investigation just incase you want that as a check)
Aros is momentarily flustered. A group claiming to be bandits should understand clearly what she just said, but they gave no indication whatsoever that they could comprehend it...
She doesn't have time to ponder over that too much. They were at a severe disadvantage here. Surrounded by professional criminals, outnumbered, and in the bodies of children. And Resmae having just given away their position entirely... Aros wasn't used to being on the back foot like this. So she says the first thing that comes to her head.
"You folks ever been to the carnival?"
"Well sheesh, you don't have to round on us! I just want to know how you walk on this mud so easily! As for hard to find? Apparently, you couldn't find your nose if it wasn't attached to your face, couldn't find the three of us - boasting about your ears and nose! How about this, I'll teach you how to actually find people, and you teach us how to walk on this mud, deal?" Resmae takes a look at all the blades pointed at them, "and you best put these blades away or I'm calling Sammy."
At the mention of his name, he stays hidden, but wags his tail and it makes the mangroves rustle, noting a larger creature hidden there.
Bugs glances at Aros - he has no idea what she just said. In general he is willing to let her take the lead in conversations as she seemed to have the showbiz skills, but he was also a harengon like these. If a bit on the young side at the moment.
"Say, Doc, I'm guessing your not this Agdon Longscarf fellow given the lack of a scarf and the whole "prince" thing and just calling you "feather" seems rude. Who do we have the honor of addressing?" He so badly wanted to call her racoon with that funny mask but that just didn't seem like a wise idea. He was now prepared to sit back and let Aros take over the talking. Hopefully someone would be able to understand what she was saying. In the meantime he kept his eyes and ears open.
Halei casts a minor illusion spell. The sound of the swamps increases just so, the sound of frogs, crickets, and cicadas surround the group; Halei hopes it will be enough to cover the sound of her movement across the mud, as well as assist Wildred if he needed cover to move as well.
She does her best to sneak as close as she can to the snail without being seen.
We return to our young and fearless heros, as they find themselves cornered by a group of ambitious herangon bandits.
Wildred, you are still unseen as you observe the tall female herangon. With her all-black attire. She appears to be the leader of this little gang of rabbit folk. Besides her black hat with a long black feather, black cape, black boots, and ornamental rapier, she has a gourd dangling from her black belt with a shiny golden stopper in it. She is standing over Resmae and Aros. Balliol is not far behind them.
Also standing around Resmae and Aros are three other rabbit folk. While they are less spectacular in their dress sense than the upfront lady of the group, you get the impression they are nonetheless deadly in their intent. Casually fearless in their intimidation of your friends. They also wield bladed weapons. Behind them, the fifth herangon, atop the laden and victimised snail. Its treatment, a serious reminder in a comical situation.
Resmae questions the bandits, "Well, sheesh, you don't have to round on us! I just want to know how you walk on this mud so easily!..."
Resmae, one of the hare folk bandits, picks up his big rabbit foot and puts its base only a few inches away from your face. "Big, Bouncy Feet!" he says, putting his foot back down, and he bends down close to you and tilts his head, and with a great, big grin, he winks at you (cue the sound of a high pitch bell dinging to his wink).
A brief splash of mud is noticed by the bandits as they all peer toward the rogue sound. But they see nothing.
"Now," announces the leader. "I am Miss Jebbek, and this is a robbery."
Just as she points out her rapier in a threatening manner, a strange-looking insect buzzes into the scene and steals the attention of all present. It buzzes over to Aros, circling her several times. Aros, not knowing what the creature is, starts desperately swatting at the little critter as it buzzes around her.
One of the herangon bandits pipes up, "I wouldn't do that if I were yo..."
Just as he warns Aros, the insect flies in and stops a few inches in front of her face. The insect spins and spins and spins in front of Aros, making her eyes go around and around in her head, and then, out of nowhere, (pause for comic effect) Thwaaaack!. It whacks Aros on the lips with its tail and disappears from sight. Aros's eyes shoot wide open, and she grabs her mouth with both her hands squealing with a muffled scream of pain.
The bandits start laughing and laughing. A couple of them unable to contain their amusement, bending over, their hands on their bent knees as they heartily bellow with laughter.
"Dang girl, you just got bit by a smapper! Heeee hee hee, haaa haa haaaaaa!"
Aros removes her hands from her stinging lips and you all stare at her with horror. She looks back at Resmae and goes to speak. But nothing is heard except a muffled sound as she tries desperately to speak through her now missing mouth.
"Oh!, That's gonna sting! Hee heee!" calls one of the bandits loudly.
"And, you will need a good wizard to fix that up for you." says the leader as she grins a sinister grin, and the glint of a gold tooth hits your eye.
Aros, you have nothing but jaw, chin and skin where your mouth once was. You are unable to speak and can only breathe through your nose.
The sound of the swamp starts to increase in volume. You see the bandits laughter, give way to confusion as they look around the area, searching for the reason for the crescendoing nature around. The wind howls, the sound of bubbling mud, frogs, crickets, and small winged insects seemingly getting louder and louder all around.
Halei, now is your opportunity to move.
As Resmae is mocked and circled by these self proclaimed bandits, she just looks annoyed. She thought she'd make some new rabbit friends, and here they were just common thieves. But when Aros is attacked by the smapper, she thinks it has been done by these bandits and anger boils within her. "What?!! What have you done to Aros?? Give her, give her back her mouth!" she almost squeaks this out in her childish bunny state. She pulls out her mace and starts gesticulating with it, looking at the bandits as menacingly as she can. Ignoring the sounds that start to emanate around them, "Change her back!!!"
Halei positions herself behind the snail and out of sight of the leader. "Psst," she whispers up towards the snail rider. "Hey friend, you mind hopping off that snail for a second and helping me out? I didn't exactly come here prepared and I would really appreciate if I could borrow any armor and weapons you may have. Quickly and quietly please. Oh, and would you mind if I took a ride on your snail? It just looks so fun, I've never ridden a snail before!" Halei smiles widely up at the bandit.
(Halei casts Charm Person on the bandit on the snail)
Balliol looked at Aros and her missing mouth and then back at the self-proclaimed Miss Jebbek.
"Miss. Jeb, huh? Guess that answers the whole "prince" thing." Here he looked around at his companions. "This here is a just a flunky folks, not the boss rabbit at all. That pretty feather isn't much to mine, but I think a little hand," and here he waved his hands in the air just a bit hoping that Wildred would get the idea to use mage hand, "just might let Becky here know not to mess with children." He then reached out as if plucking the feather from her cap, hoping that Wildred would get the idea and grab the feather and float it over to him.
(If the feather is grabbed successfully and come his way he would do the following: Bugs gently plucks the feather out the air and tucks it next to the other feather in his cap. "Now Doc, It appears this IS a feather robbery. But you have it backwards. I suggest you leave now. I don't really need a silly mask like that one, but . . . "
Despite the bravado on the outside, on the inside Bugs was contemplating insulting the lands of Faerie. Perhaps if another rock came hurtling their way again, but they knew to dodge and the others didn't, this strangely cantankerous land could be used to their advantage.
Wildred thought to himself it was a lovely feather.....with a cheeky grin on his face in perfect sync with his bunny friend he uses mage hand to gently pluck the feather from the bandits hat and attempt to float it over to his friend.
(Got a Nat 1!!lol....the funny thing is I was already planning on maybe using mage hand to mess with them anyway not necessarily the feather before balliol even said anything in the private chat hence the insight/perception/investigation check request above in brackets)
Her eyes open wide, and panic visible on her face, Aros stands before the bandits, not knowing what to do. She holds her hands where her mouth should be, and you can all hear the pained and muffled sounds as she tries to speak.
Resmae, You are furious at the bandits, believing they are responsible for Aros being now mute. You wave your mace at them threateningly, demanding that they restore her to her former glory. Your voice becomes drowned out by the crescendoing sound of the wildlife all around.
Halei, while your illusionary wildlife sounds crescendo in the air, alarming everyone except you. With the skill of the wood elf that you are, you slip past in the confusion and make your way behind the mound and next to the bandit on the snail. Weaving your charming magic, the bandit stares back at you. A big smile on his face. As you make your demands on your new friend, the wildlife sounds you previously conjured quickly dissipate and give way to the sound of your voice and you are noticed.
Miss Jebbek turns to see you there, charming one of her own. As the snail riding herangon starts to dismount, Miss Jebbek demands he remains upon the snail.
"Sit back down, you fool!" she barks at him. Her demeanour changes as she turns her attention to Halei. "Well, you are a sneaky one!. Come on up here with me," and she orders the farthest bandit on her right to stand by Halei.
Balliol, You speak forth tough talk toward Miss Jebbek, and she turns her attention back to you. You gesture in secret to Wildred, careful not to be noticed or have Wildred's cover blown.
Wildred, you pick up on Balliol and his message, which you misinterpret. You mutter some arcane words, and a large purple mist-like hand emanates from your mind and position. The hand grows and makes its way toward Balliol. The hand plucks Balliol's feather from his cap, taking and offering it to Miss Jebbek, who gracefully takes the feather and pushes it next to the feather in her hat.
"A peace offering!" she says with delight in her voice as she and the rest of the bandits' eyes follow the hand back to Wildred's location. "One of you has some manners. Come join us, lad." she waves her hand at Wildred, beckoning him forth.
It is only Sammy that remains hidden from the bandits now. Balliol, you have lost the feather from your hat.
Resmae stops waving her mace around confused. She lowers it and watches as the bandits find and bring out all her friends, though, she smiles to herself, not her Sammy. She steps up directly to Miss Jebbek, "Why did you do that to my friend? She just asked if you've ever been to a carnival, no reason to.. to take her mouth away!" Resmae can't help it as in her childish state her lower lip begins to tremble a bit as she wrestles with her anger and fear for her friend. "Put it back, put it back or.. or else!"
When Wildred steps out after giving Miss Jebbek Balliol's feather, Resmae looks at him in confusion. She starts wondering if the feywild was as fun as she thought it was going to be.
Halei freezes as she's caught red handed. She really hadn't expected to be caught so she's frozen in indecisiveness. Her first reaction is to punch the bandit closest to her in the gut, but she isn't the best fighter and doesn't have the most useful weapons at her disposal. Not to mention she's still never killed someone before, and she wasn't sure how she would be able to incapacitate them, and that's not even including the rest of the bandits around her. So, just as she thinks to go to punch the bandit she stops herself before she moves. She lets the bandit guide her over towards Miss Jebbek.
Balliol felt the feather get tugged from his own hat and sent over to the stupid bandit. He nearly sputtered in frustration. How could Wildred have missed something so simple? He thought they had a connection! He thought . . .well, ok, so he hadn't been very specific. But to give away his feather!
He stopped his mind from wandering and refocused on the problem at hand. He decided he'd had enough of these fools.
He didn't like the odds of taking on all five of the bandits. So what about taking on Faerie? Or at least offering it a bit of a challenge? It seemed risky, but . . .
Bugs stepped forward until he was right near the lead bandit. As he stepped forward he put a hand on the shoulder of Resmae and Aros and very gently tried to push them back a bit. He didn't force them at all - he just tried to indicate that he thought they should take a step backwards. "You know Doc, with bandits like you about this land is hardly a bastion of justice. Karmic retribution can be a real pain - as if this land knew anything about justice!" He looked her in the eye as he spoke.
Those were almost the exact words Eros had used earlier to bring a challenge from the land of faerie itself. It probably wouldn't be wise to keep challenging it, but maybe just this once? He hoped the others were listening and understood the implication of what he had just said. He'd carefully repeated Aros' words so that they understand the possible implications of challenging the land. He tried to lock eyes with the lead bandit to hold her there, but was on hare trigger and was prepared to rabbit hop away from his present location if the land responded. (At pretty much any significant noise or motion or reaction he will jump as far as possible using his rabbit hopp ability - away from everyone else.)
Standing tall (as she can) Resmae scolds the bandits, "Put it back, put it back or.. or else!"
Resmae, Jebbek leans forward with her face just inches from yours. The sinister smile she wore moments earlier gives way to a more menacing grimace. "Or else what?" she snarls, her eyes narrowing. She pauses briefly before standing again, the untrustworthy smile returning to her face.
Balliol steps up the log and puts each of his hands on Aros's and Resmae's shoulders. Tactiley indicating to them to carefully move back and follow his lead. "You know Doc, with bandits like you about this land is hardly a bastion of justice. Karmic retribution can be a real pain - as if this land knew anything about justice!"
Jebbek and the other bandits (except for the herangon atop of the snail, who still gazes adoringly at Halei) look quizzically at Balliol, then at each other, then back at you all. Jebbek, suddenly claps her hands loudly.
Balliol, being on edge and waiting for the wild to test your resolve, you are startled by Jebbek's loud clap, which sets off your rabbit hop, and you bound a few feet into the air before realising your fault. Aros and Resmae, also startled by the clap and Balliol bounding into the air, look skittishly around for what to do next.
Jebbek and the other bandits laugh at your surprise.
Wildred, a bubble pops in the mud near you. Then another, and another, until the mud under your feet starts to bubble like it's boiling.
The sound of bubbling mud begins to encompass the area around you. More and more of the foot or so of fetid mud you have been trudging through starts to bubble and pop all around. The bandits, unphased by the bubbling mud, continue laughing and joking at your expense.
Soon the mud gives way to an influx of muddy water that quickly floods the marshlands leaving just small protruding mounds for refuge. The water has risen about five feet in less than a minute or so.
The bandits, Aros, Resmae and Halei have managed to stay out of the rising water by crowding onto the mound.
Balliol, you have also moved up as much as you can, but still find yourself standing on the log in a couple of feet of muddy water.
Wildred, despite your best efforts to make it to the bank, you are not quite there and find yourself treading water to stay afloat.
The rest of you find yourselves standing on some of the only unsubmerged land available to you. You are cozied up and very close, sharing it with the bandits who now look down upon you all, grinning. You are rather uneasy at your vulnerability in this proximity.
This was turning complicated by the second wildred thought.......Wildred looks for a tree or something to grab hold,in the hope it helps him to not get to exhausted treding water but close enough by to help his friends if they need him..
(Will role perception preemptive just incase you need one)
Halei looks at the mudwater in confusion, hugging close to the group she turns to Jebbek and asks "Do you know what's happening?"
Bugs looks around at the muddy water in annoyance. Was this the worlds response to claims of injustice? He'd been hoping for a meteor from the heavens or something similarly dramatic. But no, he got mud. He tried to move up on the log a bit to stay drier and looked about for signs that the water might be going down. Meanwhile he waited for the bandit leaders answer. Soon, he thought they needed to simply leave. If that would be allowed.
Resmae is still convinced that the bandits took away Aros's mouth and the NEED to put it back! But when Balliol has his hand on her shoulder and then hops feet in the air in sudden surprise, it totally discombobulates her. When the mud starts rising she really doesn't like the situation they are in. She then strengthens her resolve and points her mace back in Jebbeks face, "Put her mouth back or else I'll have Sammy eat you." she says in a flat, low tone, staring in the larger rabbits eyes.