"Sure! it will be a honor!" says Cyrnair to Ky "I saw you fighting that thug back at the dragon's tower, and you have some good movements. You will be more than a worthy practice mate, you will be a challenge!" 

"I dont know about all that. To quote a teacher of mine when I asked how to beat someone much like you, he told me, "girl, you riddle them with arrows at 300 paces before they get to you, and keep falling back until they drop or you run out of room. Despite my distaste for stereotypes, size matters, so use distance and speed, or kill them in their sleep."

"I would say that your teacher was a wise man..." says Cyrnair. "One of mine used to say. - Best way to avoid beign hit, is not being there when the hit lands. As you are big and clumsy, better learn to use that shield so you at least give them something that it's actually designed to be hit, not like your pretty face... -  I will say that you excel at the first part of his advice.. 

((Having this new keep at their disposal, Flint has been a but overwhelmed. Being used to sleeping in the mountain caves and hovels much of his life of his village, this whole experience has been an adjusting period. Not requiring much, he finds a simple room on the first floor, perhaps in the corner of the keep, where he could have views of the night sky.))

As Crynair leaves the table to train with Ky'Lera, Flint relies to Aowyn's question, "I believe we are going to begin seeking out these items of power that the sun god told us would help in destroying Visarai." Then to Frixori, "If you are to become this Phoenix Queen, does that mean we will need to defeat Visarai first before you can....rise to your new position?"

Frixori shrugs. "I dont really know to be honest. From what I have learned this far, Visarai does not have anything to do with the cycle... other then trying to break it."

OOC: This next part was actually rp and rolled out I. PM.

As the rest of you continue to talk, you hear the trumpets of fanfare from behind the keep. As you make your way to the back of the keep through the rear entrance of the barracks, you see Ky and Cyrnair squaring off the do battle. They are dressed fully in their armor and wielding all of their normal equipment.

A yellow glow fills the surrounding battle pit, and the astral form of a Diva stands in the middle of the pit. The astral form of the Diva says, "Since this is the first time you have entered the ring, I have been sent via astral projection from Ra to deliver this message to you. This ring is sacred ground, and no blood will be spilled. Divine energy will blunt your blows, and the damage you take will be muted. You will feel the effects as if they are lethal, but no real harm is done. This is a place devoted to training your mind to the dangers of combat, without fearing of death, or injury, even when sparring."

As they both draw their weapons, divine energy shimmers around their bodies and weapons. The Diva disappears from the center of the ring.

Ky will draw her buckler and scimitar. "I think this will be fun!" Casting hunters mark, she rushes forward and attacks Curnair with 2 graceful strikes. They would have made contact against most normal foes, but Cyrnairs training and use of his new longsword and shield deflect the blows with skill.

Cyrnair smiles after deflecting with his shield and says, "You are lethal with the bow, perhaps dropping that advantage is a tactical mistake... " He then swings back his sword trying to get Ky off guard. His first blow misses the mark as she dances away, but it was a faint anyway, and he swings his sword laterally. The blade flares with divine energy, increasing the strength of the attack. Divine light sparks off her body and Ky is pushed back 5 feet and she drops to her knees.

For a moment, you all worry that she is truly injured but she stands, no blood showing. Recasting Hunters Mark, she lunges forward with another series of blows.

Breathing heavily, Ky says "I am glad to have you in our group instead of against us. If I used my bow, it would not be a fair fight. I would kite you until you fell. You are strong but slow my angelic friend. I am small and quick, but if you keep the enemies off of me, I will pick them off at a distance for you. I do need more sword work though."

Both attacks are blocked more easily by Cyrnair. You can all see that that 1st strike from Cyrnair took something significant out of Ky, but she fights on.

Cyrnair grins. It is clear he is enjoying sparring, essentially knowing he can go all out against his training partner without worry of harming them permanently. "I'll do my best not to let them get near you... I've seen your arrows take down enemies as if they were just flies. I am sure that even flying I would get a rough time trying to get you and your bow... " he says as he deflects the attacks again with his shield, and pushes her back enough to give him some breathing room.

He says, "you are nimble, try to use that on your advantage, people in heavy armor like me, used to have a hard time making quick spins and turns, try to get them off-balance. use their own shield to block their vision of you " he moves so she can see what he's refering too "you see? if you manage to get into that postion I wouldn't be able to see you, and the joints of the armor will not allow me to turn fast enought for you to deal a blow in my low legs from the side, or better, from behind, for most of the armors doesn't protect that part of the body. And if you cut trough the back of the knee. " he shrughs " well, you know... the higher they are, the harder the fall.. " he smiles to her. "still be wary of the quick and sudden attacks!" 

With that he thrust his sword twice in rapid succession. Ky is able to get her blade in the way to deflect the first blow, but as Cyrnair brings back his blade, it connects with her shoulder. Ky grunts in pain, still standing, but barely.

Ky says through heavy breaths and gritted teeth, "Being a General and a Gorilla Fighter made me more of a distance fighter from the start. My people tend to fight from a distance anyway."

Despite the pain, she smiles in a feral way, seeming to drink it in and enjoy every moment of it.

"I know I have lost this bout,  but perhaps one day we can try again. I clearly have gotten rusty over the years firing from afar."

She attacks once more, and this time is able to land 2 hits through his armor, in the joints where Cyrnair had indicated. Divine light flares off Cyrnair, absorbing the blows, and he grunts in pain.

Cyrnair stops and lower his shield and sword, breathing heavily. "It will always be a pleasure " he smiles " and I bet that in a hundred years or so I will be the one rusty and you'll throw my ass to the ground " he offers his hand to Ky to stand. 

"How about you teach me some lessons in archery? I know the basis but it always seemed too bulky to have a longbow over the old half-plate armor, but perhaps now with this new little marvel from Nah'tarith I could carry one. I mean, I've been doing more or less well with the Rod, but it's power is limited, and perhaps we need to take down more foes from afar and in a discrete way... " 

Ky extends her arm and the 2 shake. As they do so the yellow aura disperses as they walk out of the field. They look tired, as if the blows they exchanged actually took something out of them, but they do not look to be in pain or injured. The tension between the 2 of them that existed after Thundertree seems to have abated somewhat as well.

Flint rushes at the sound of horns coming from the barracks. "Well, this is certainly a useful feature," he says to the others that are watching. He winces along in pain as each combatant finds their mark multiple times.

At the end of the sparring,  Flint rushes out to Ky'Lera's side. She sees no obvious signs of the strikes, however the cleric hands still start to glow with his healing as he reaches out a hand towards the elf. "That did not look like it felt good?"

"It felt as bad as I imagine it would have hurt had it actually connected. I think that glowing energy stuff just prevents any damage. I am just feeling tired now, there is no pain at all."

OOC: Devon went to bed, but I cant sleep. I asked him about it and he said anyone that wants to try the dueling ring can do so, just rope him in. The only down side is spells/ki etc. you burn are gone, and you take a point of exhaustion afterwards... he said something about accelerated skill building in there as well. He said I am 5% trainee in the dueling fighting style now... I dont know how long it will take, but that is cool ;)

"Thank you for your concern Flint, but I am fine. We should spend some time filling the others in on why we trekked south hmmm?" Giving Flint a pointed look. "Your past is coming up to meet us quickly I fear, from what the prophesy said. Our Paladin friend here may be opposed to what we may need to do."

With lips pursed, Flint nods in agreement with his friend. "I guess that would be a good idea... With Blaise somehow aligned with this Visarai and holding, or guarding, one of the items we seek perhaps Cyrnair will be more agreeable." Bringing a hand up and rubbing his forehead in contemplation, he continues after a moment. "I've tried to make her see the error of her ways -many times - long before we started pursuing her..."

Caradoc awakens with a yawn and a smile. His eyes open to the comforting curving stone walls of his rooms in Hope's Holdfast, the hideout beneath Angelgard Keep. Home sweet home, he thinks -- then sits up in surprise. This isn't the library... did Cyrnair's kin imbue the keep with strange magicks that return you to your living quarters if you get drunk and pass out in the wrong place? This will need to be tested...

He hums to himself while making his way towards the hot tub. He takes a quick swim and scrub, singing all the while (everyone but Domavi living upstairs has given the area a certain freedom) and then pads back to his room with towel and robe draped over his shoulder.

He spends a few minutes trying to clean and mend his armor, then sighs -- it's no use. "Off to spend some coin then," he murmurs as he dresses in his blousy linen shirt and bright red jacket over loose-fitting soft yellow trousers with matching red trim around the seams and hem. A deep blue flowy cape sets off the rest of the outfit, and he stares at the back of the cape for a few moments. We need a crest... a fine crest for the Stewards of Angelgard would look lovely right there... Finally slinging his blades around his waist and gauntlets on his wrists, he drapes the heavily-damaged armor over his arm and makes his way upstairs to wander a bit.

• • If there is kitchen staff already, he will get distracted from his goals by coffee and a big breakfast
  • If not, he will poke his head in various doors on the first and second floors, setting things in his mind again after his initial search the night before -- he's looking to see if there is a chamberlain or anyone who has taken it upon themselves to take on the role of setting up and running the household
  • If there isn't, he will make his way out and down to town, where he will visit whoever made his armor last time, hoping they still have his measurements
  • Then he will amble over to the Stonehill Inn, where he will offer the job of running the household at Angelgard Keep to Toblen's daughter. She's smart and capable and under-utilized as an innkeeper's helper.

   

OOC: There is no staff currently. Frixori made breakfast for everyone at the start.

Carodoc goes down to the basement, and notices that not much has changed on this level, though it was mostly complete when you were here last. Before taking a bath, you go exploring a bit, and find the tunnel that Domavi was building by the kitchen that ran down to the north of the foothills is completed. From the outside it is well hidden, and Domavi has installed 2 sections of steel bars and doors blocking the way. If you did not know it was there, you would probably miss it in the natural curvature of the earth and forest and plant that blocks the view. Domavi really is a master craftsman. Still, you think it might not be a bad idea to figure a way to reinforce it, or find a way to guard it, as it is an entrance-way into your keep.

Checking out the other areas Domavi was working on, you discover there is a full second basement area now. It is roughly 200x200 feet in size. It is just a large opened room, but it is well crafted and comfortable. It reminds you of a large warehouse in Neverwinter, or a bunker of some sort. It seems Domavi has been busy filling his time with other tasks.

Going to check on Domavi, you see that he is almost finished with the Flametongue Longsword he has been making for Cyrnair (Not really needed now lol). "Domavi need more materials Little one. Domavi is getting finished with this, and then he has no tasks... Domavi not do well with no tasks."

At Carodoc's offer to run the keep, she is highly excited by the offer. "I will be able to hire out the staff and everything? Mistress Stonehill..." she muses to herself.

Tolben looks crestfallen and proud simultaneously. "You...err... You will do a great... um... job." He says, trying to be upbeat. "You will... uhm... be protected up there..." She runs off to the Keep to start inspecting it, to see what is needed, and starts making lists of everything that will be needed.

As Carodoc walks through the village, he remembers that it was Linene that was the one that made his armor the last time. Going to her shop, she smiles fondly at him, in a platonic way that says, 'It was fun while it lasted' and she takes the order for new armor. She informs you, "There has been a lot of orders for this kind of armor. Our little town sure has changed a lot since you showed up." She takes the coin (deduct from your funds) and says "It will be ready in 2 days. I have the leather cured already, so come back then."

She also lets you know that all the coin they had been saving to put towards the keep is now being reallocated to getting the refugees established, and sending out more caravans for more materials.

This gives you a 2 day windows to get stuff done before leaving.

Caradoc grins back at Linene, the twinkle in his eye reminding her of that wonderful natural 20 night. "I hope the changes haven't been too troublesome... We spent a fair amount of coin making sure the refugees from Nah'Thair had enough resources to travel. How much good sword material could you have brought in on those caravans? Since the keep is completed, our private master smith has time on his hands and could start crafting magic weapons for the folk Captain Aowyn is training..."

Mostly broke after placing his order for fresh armor, he wanders up towards Elora's Meadow, pausing to chat amiably with anyone and everyone he meets. Once he arrives, he finds their artificer and talks over a design for a new weapon. He updates the leaders there of anything he can that they didn't get to talk about at the previous meeting. Realizing the time, he rushes back to Gundren's Calling, hopefully before the rest of the group meets to hear Flint's story.

OOC: Waiting on Flint to tell some of his backstory as we are heading that way, but he can do so on the road as well. I am going to try and move the story forward, since I fear for the health of our PBP.

Over the next few days, as a group you are able to prepare for your upcoming journey, and assist in preparing the town before you leave. In a 2 day period you see and learn the following after asking around.

• The Keep is quickly staffed by cleaning staff, cooks, farmers, and stablehands under "Mistress Stonehill". She is quite effective at her job, and has the castle running in an organized fashion. You show her the bunker below the 1st basement, and she starts stocking it with foodstuffs and basic furniture in case of an emergency.
• Aowyn starts to recruit from the new peoples of Na'Thair. There are many that wish to secure their families, and wish to show support of the community. She quickly fills the barracks, and continues to expand her militia, now called "The Calling", which act both as patrol, and minute men during times of need. The guard is now 100 members strong.
• Sarith also recruits some, and the forces within Elora's Meadow are some 50 strong. Trixie and Braiden have started training others how to use the thunder-cannons, and Trixie is now working on a pistol thunder-piece that fires multiple rounds before reload.
• The number of innate spell-casters have increased with the people of Na'Thair joining. Many Dryads and Nymphs have started taking classes with Frixori, Nynawin, and Linene. They teach what they know as well, and growth is quick.
• The Caravans have left again, taking much of the gold brought back from Na'Thair to buy more materials. It is now escorted by 20 men and women from Gundren's Calling, all trained by Aowyn.

Asking around the village over the next few days, you also get a better sense of where this Wave Echo Cave is. You will have to go north out of the pass, then east until you get to an old miners path, and then back south. There are ruins there of an old dwarven civilization, that will lead you into the earth. Aowyn is quite happy to not have to go back into the underdark again, which is what you are getting the feeling you will have to do as you will be making your way underground. It is rumored to be haunted, though there is nothing to be substantiated by that.

Before leaving, Ky's "Uncle" comes to see her. "I have heard many rumors that you will going underground for a long period of time potentially my dear. I know you can survive yourself, but the others in your party will need to be able to have food readily available and if you run out of your stores while underground... Well, we have have furtile ground and many druidic powers to call forth food now. Your gift was well received, and used as we traveled, but you have given us a better gift with this new home." He hands her the Silver bag that was given them before. "You will need this I think."

Other then that, you all start to feel like time is wasting and you are not making much in the way of gathering any more information, so after Carodoc gets his new armor from Linene, you all pack up with enough materials to move on, and you head out of town north.

The first day is spent in traveling through past Elora's Meadow, and through the walls. You make it to where Ky, Ennis, and Flint hid from the White dragon in the recessed cave and make camp. As you all drift off to sleep, who is taking 1st watch?

I will take the 1st two watches, since I only need 4 hours. 26 Perception. If Adv. (Not sure if this is mountain or plains?) 9

As the evening wears on and everyone nods off to sleep, Ky stays up to take the first watch. The night sky is clear and oddly peaceful despite the devastation that just occurred so recently. As Ky watches, she can see on the other side of the road, a pack of Owlbears that seems to be foraging for food. They seem pleasantly distracted, and they make their way deeper into the forest heading in a northeastern direction. The watch goes by smoothly otherwise.

Who takes the next watch?

During the days on the keep Cyrnair helps Domavi with a new job, a bardo g for his horse. And he trains a little bit with him and The forge. He also helps Aowyn organizing the Calling and in the morning of the second day he start to train some of the men onto mounted combat. The hours grow larger for the paladin and he also trains with the sword at the compound and practices with the bow. He spent the night with Sarith at Melora’s Meadow, spending some time with his friend and sharing memories of his mother with him. 

Once in the road he sits near Ky and says I will do the second watch... 

(Perception 7)

As Ky falls asleep in her quick military fashion, Cyrnair takes the next watch. As time passes, you watch the morning sun rise, burning away the frost of the night spring air. You relish in the sunlight, and smile seeing the sunrise. It reaffirms your faith that at least a part of your Deity still smiles on the world even when he is gone. The night goes by uneventful otherwise, and you don't notice much of anything to speak of.

As the morning air stirs everyone awake with the scent of preserved food that Cyrnair distributes out, you all shake off the sleep and pack up for the rest of your journey. Making your way eastward, Ky leads you on the way with Carodoc going out on scouting missions to get a better feel for what is coming down the road. For spring, it is odd that even on this back road you have not come across any travelers. Perhaps the events of the past week have shaken the foundation of the world more then you are yet aware?

After stopping for a brief rest and food brake, you are led along the road before you come to what looks to be a long forgotten mining road path. Sprigs of vegetation are trying to grow along the rocky road that leads steadily into the mountains that surround your home. After seeing so many sheer cliffs and impassible sections, in addition to being roughly where the older ones of Gundren's Calling said it would be, you figure this is the path in which you were to take.

You travel on this road, steadily walking upward. Sometimes you have to get on all fours to make it up the incline, while other times, you have to throw your equipment up and climb up a bit, as their have been collapsed bits of mountain as you walk. You turn east and then south... then west and then south... and then east, then west, and have to double back north a bit, just to make it up.

After about an hour of this, you look back, and you see the trees of the Forest behind you. You estimate that you have traveled roughly 600 feet above where you started, and about a mile in the past hour, even with Ky's guidance. This continues until nightfall, at which point, you find a decently flat portion of the trail, on a plateau of sorts. Ky again takes the first watch (Always have an elf in the party for night time lol.)

(OOC: I will say that I assume from now on that Ennis sets up the dome of force yes?)

Ky Perception: 24

Stealth: 13

OOC: LOL... well, even with stealth and advantage...

As it comes to the end of Ky's watch, Ky, you notice something very large but barely visible skulking behind some rocks off in the distance of about 100 feet. There appears to be 2 of them.

"Guys..." my says quitely, "we have company"

"I'll go check..."

Stealth: 15

Perception: 7

After the group returned to town, Gelin remained unusually quiet and reserved. He made little conversation with those around him, often appearing in a trance, clearly having been affected by the events of the previous days.

He is seen throughout the town and keep, sometimes appearing to be composing, other times sitting in quiet meditation, a platinum feather clutched in his hand.

When the group is finally ready to head out, Gelin is resolute and ready. "It seems our destiny awaits. No use hidin'"

Quote from Dreak >>

After the group returned to town, Gelin remained unusually quiet and reserved. He made little conversation with those around him, often appearing in a trance, clearly having been affected by the events of the previous days.

He is seen throughout the town and keep, sometimes appearing to be composing, other times sitting in quiet meditation, a platinum feather clutched in his hand.

 

Caradoc catches up with the dwarf bard at some point before they leave and says, "You look like you've got a lot on your mind, Gelin. You're usually singing and drinking... Just living it up! What's going on, buddy?"