This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elthana looks to Neferox, a bit surprised by the reaction, but finds herself smiling when the hound wags her tail. As Sam starts talking with Vin, she moves to the exterior door and puts her ear to it, trying to make sure there were no other sounds, still disturbed by what she saw from the roof.
Perception 25
She then assists making sure the trading post is clear, she looks to Vin, "Ready to scout on ahead as the rest secure this building? Would be good to find a clear path to the townsfolk. I do not know what drained those redcaps out there... I just know it wasn't the trees we brought."
"Umm... she says.... uhh... she didn't like that."
Órga snorts but Sam just smirks and scratches the back of the lion's neck. "You're right. It IS always those who talk trash who are the most thin skinned," Sam says to Órga.
"Rest here... I'm going to go scout out the rest of the building and... No, no. You rest, you still have wounds to lick. Don't worry about me, I'll pull Molly from the bag so I have company, eh?" Sam says, patting the rust colored bag he wears on his hip. "We'll be back before you know it and then we'll see about freeing the prisoners, eh?"
Órga seems less than happy about it, but he does realize he is not at his best. Some down time does sound good... The lion snorts again and then Sam is heading off the poke his head into the other rooms of the building just to be sure that they are empty.
Before Sam gets very far he does indeed reach into the rust colored bag and pull out a warm lump of fur. Tossing it a couple feet ahead of him Sam prepares to welcome Molly back and explain to her what is going on. When the ball of full shimmies and shakes and begins to expand, though... It expands not into fur but to feathers! "Wha...?" Sam asks himself even as a small brown and white owl shakes itself free and then flies up to perch atop Sam's head.
"Hey! Get offa there!" Sam grunts with a bit of annoyance but a bit more mirth. "Where is Molly and who are you, little one??"
The owl doesn't answer as such, rather flies to one end of the hall and then back to Sam, this time landing upon his shoulder. Sam cranes his neck away from it so her can try to turn his head enough to get a good look. "You won't be much use in a fight now, will ya?" he scoffs.
The owl quickly flaps their wings several times and rolls it's eyes as the oaf.
"Ya, ya... If you say so, little one. If you say so..." Sam is dubious and already reaching for his bag again. "No offense, eh?" Sam offers and tosses the third ball of fur he has pulled out today.
Little One gives a hoot as the new furball shivers and quakes and almost bounces itself into existance as a growing presence Sam has indeed seen before... In a flash the ball of fur has stretched and expanded and finally bleats out a welcome...
"Molly! There you are, girl! I didn't know you had feathered friends in there as well...."
As the trio explore, Sam catched the animals up on what has been happening with a hushed but running narrative...
((And that's that til I get results from an Investigation check and such...))
Elthana looks to Neferox, a bit surprised by the reaction, but finds herself smiling when the hound wags her tail. As Sam starts talking with Vin, she moves to the exterior door and puts her ear to it, trying to make sure there were no other sounds, still disturbed by what she saw from the roof.
Perception 25
She then assists making sure the trading post is clear, she looks to Vin, "Ready to scout on ahead as the rest secure this building? Would be good to find a clear path to the townsfolk. I do not know what drained those redcaps out there... I just know it wasn't the trees we brought."
"It makes me really nervous too. Let's go check it out Elthana. Hopefully the villagers are okay." Vin joins Elthana in the scouting after they make sure the building is clear of additional invaders. Nef sticking with the rest of the group as Vin wraps shadows around himself turning invisible once again. He will do his best to keep an eye out for whatever is between them and the prisoners but otherwise makes his way with Elthana.
Stealth Check: 24
Perception Check: 16
Neferox on the other hand just continues to glare at Orga while she sticks with the others for the next phase of the plan.
Whilst Vin and Elthana leave to scout the town, Sam Gewyn and Muir, get to investigating and preparing to barricade the Trade post.
As Sam enters the gatehouse, accessed from the roof to the south of the trade post, there is a lot of noise out of his freshly summoned giant goat Molly, after a short while Sam exits, hesitantly followed by half a dozen malnourished townspeople.
At the sight of new survivors Hirsi jumps into action hastily abandoning Muir to tend to wounds and help the people find a place to rest, sharing what little rations she has with her, Gewyn also joins, and plays some soothing music laced with magic that seems to calm the nerves and anxieties of those who hear it. As the group settle, they find a minimally damaged meeting room within the building to rest and begin to tell tale of how they ended up in this position. "We are mostly residents of the southern buildings, the night of the attack we gathered in the panic but were separated from those who escaped into the forests, Tobias here worked the gatehouse so knew a place we could hide, we've been there weeks, lost count of the days, we could only send a few people out at a time to gather food and supplies, but even then, well... There was more of us to begin with. So we mostly hid." With the help of Gewyn's music the group find rest even through the upset of the trauma that they have been through.
Meanwhile, Iver and his guards have been making busy work of gathering a few of the smaller felled trees that were barricading the southern gateway, they drag them inside the Tradepost building to begin make a barricade that will hold the large double doors closed. Once that is done Iver moves over to Muir, "hey uhh, is there any way you can create vines or some kind of hardy stringy vegetation, I heard you keepers can do things like that, I have an idea if you think it'll help"
At this point all rooms of the Tradepost building have been investigated and secured, Vin and Elthana have been gone for just over half an hour, and six towns people have been rescued. The moon hangs heavy in the sky illuminating the ruinous town in a pale blue hue, the distant sounds of fighting from the center of town and from the west in the strip of felled trees continues. The day has not yet been won.
Sam, after asking their names himself, introduces the refugees around with special attention to Iver - Sam explains to Iver that he intends to leave these survivors here when the group sets out to search for more. "Perhaps you can put them to good use in helping defend the place? Hopefully at least a couple can help... and the rest can be put somewhere safe and out of the way?"
Sam also introduces everyone to his new animal friends. Iver has met Órga and Molly but sam also introduces Hooter, the small brown and white owl. "Probably not much use in a fight but she's got good eyes, eh? And assuming nothin unfortunate happens, I'll have her return to you here when we're on our way back so you know we're coming..." The refugees are also introduced to the animals, which are surprisingly friendly and accomodating. Any small children are even given rides upon Molly and Sam if they are up to it.
After the introduction, Sam and his zoo get to work helping fortify their position here. Hootie is a perfect supervisor as she watches everything and says little. Molly is helpful in moving and pushing things around. Sam mostly rests, but all job sites have one of those... They all do what they can and hope it is enough.
Muir smiles at the survivors and proudly watches Hirsi spring into action. He thinks she will make a fine Keeper once she passes these trials. He walks to Iver who asks him about vines "Iver, I can cast a spell but it would only last for 10 minutes. I do not have the plant growth spell you are asking for prepared for the day. It takes concentration over a long rested period for me to prepare new spells. What is your idea?"
"ah ten minutes won't cut it, I was thinking of making a rope ladder from the roof to the outside, meaning we could shore up the door proper..." Iver casts a glance around at the work being done mostly by his guards and Molly, but also looks toward the couple of the more able bodied townspeople that are still clutching metal poles and other improvised striking weapons, that oddly enough look to be either silver or iron. "I think we'll just put the goat to use dragging the blockade instead, that should work in a pinch, plus with that feathered early warning system we can be ready for your return."
Neferox begins barking at Iver and his guard, after nuzzling the half elf over to the door, the barricade is moved and both Vin and Elthana enter, ready to offer their reconnaissance report.
Sam inquires with whoever the most un-withdrawn survivor that he rescued is why they all seem to be carrying silver or iron. "I think we have a few better weapons available, if you would prefer. Some crossbows... I have a couple handaxes I could give yas... Might be better than just a silver or iron club?"
To Iver, Sam offers to leave Molly with him to help work the door. "Honestly I'd prefer her with me than not, she's good with her head... But with her strength we could make the door heavier and sturdier than otherwise, and still open when we return."
When the others return, they too are introduced to Hootie. Hootie isn't much of a conversationalist or very expressive, her main signs of affection are a willingness to land on ones shoulder and comminication is basically head tilts and eye blinks. But Sam seems to get a sense of what she is putting out there and she, more or less, listens to him.
Elthana raises an eyebrow as Sam introduces them to yet another animal, "You're collecting quite the menagerie, aren't you Sam?"
"So, there is a lot of carnage out there. Mainly redcaps are littering the ground and I don't think it is all from our friendly neighborhood trees. As a matter of fact, we need to hurry as there is a fight right by the prisoner location where another type of tree is fighting several redcaps, not one of the allies we brought. Vin and I assisted a bit, but I didn't feel right leaving you all behind. So now that you have this place ready, let us go, now." She turns on her heel and is about to head out the door, "Vin, if there is anything you want to add before we head out? We should still try and keep noise to a very low level as we traverse this town."
Muir raises an eye...another tree..."I am ready......Hirsi would you like to come with me or stay here? I think you can help these people and Iver a great deal if you have had enough of the fighting."
Vin pauses when he sees the additional survivors and seems glad to see them. He has a few rations left on him and he gives them up to the malnourished folks. He only has five days worth of rations but he can go hungry a few days where as they look like they've gone many days without food. He gives them all. he also says "Help's here and we are going to do what we can to save the others in the prison the redcaps made. I'm glad you survived. You have some strong folks helping keep you safe till we can hopefully escape or drive out the creatures." He then has his attention brought to Elthana and he replies "No, that covers it well Elthana. We gave them enough backup that it seemed they could handle it from there but we should hurry in case any reinforcements show up. This might be our best chance to safe them."
Neferox was just the big scary black dog glaring at Sam's pets like they were chicken nuggets. Once Vin showed up she snapped out of it and is ready to join Vin. There is a release of tension from her when Vin returns. It's quite clear she doesn't do well separated from the half-elf. The pair of them ready to go as soon as Vin arrived pretty much.
The townspeople happily accept any weaponry to help defend themselves as it is offered up by Sam, they also take whatever food Vin gives and share it gladly amongst themselves, eating small morsels and saving small parcels of food for later. "I've done what I can to soothe the anxieties, but this is obviously traumatic for them" Gewyn adds as he joins the group, listening to the recon report, "I'm ready when you are".
Hirsi meets Muir's gaze with a look of determination, "there are more people out there who need help, I'm coming with you, but I think I've learned not to be so hasty, I'll hang back, and act with thought."
Iver bids everyone farewell as the group exits, reassuring you all that him amd his men can hold the fort, especially with the temporary barricade and Molly to help.
The group feel the cold wind once more as they exit, no longer having the luxury of four large walls blocking the worst of the winter night, heading north they see exactly what Elthana described, the streets littered with the limp and deflated bodies of redcaps, their once greedily collected fluid now splattered all over the cobblestone, slick and soaking up the falling snow.
The distant sounds of fighting grow louder as the group make their way closer to the large circular market area, you feel the warmth in the breeze coming from the large bonfire in the center (and as you all reach the entrance to the market area, can everyone give me a stealth roll and anyone can also give a perception)
Sam aims to walk in front while Vin and Elthana give him hushed directions as needed. If one or both insist on leading Sam will shrug and allow it, but will point out he may be clumsier but he can also take more hits…
Whatever the marching order, Hootie stays overhead but nearby. She flies from one tree to the next, looks ahead to make sure it’s safe and to allow the rest to catch up. She’s pretty hood at seeing which direction the group is going and going there first but she does, on occasion, have to glitter back and course correct.
Órga is a bit of a grump lion and brings up the rest. Not currently feeling his best he thinks it wise to protect from behind. Let the big oaf stumble in, Órga figures he can leap in with a running start and take the prey down that way…
They are all a bit off put by the redcap bodies that seem littered about everywhere. True, this had been their intention, if the could manage it, but seeing the aftermath is still disturbing…
Elthana begrudgingly lets Sam lead, but she's right by his shoulder as they head back the way Vin and Elthana scouted. As they make their approach to the area of concern, Elthana grabs Sams arm and points down an alleyway to the East. Seeing that Gewyn sees it to and is as confused as she is, she shows the rest the metallic shavings that seem to have been left in the wake of something being moved down that alleyway.
She whispers quietly, "I'm not sure what that is, but I don't think it was there before? Or I just didn't notice it. Keep your eyes peeled." she then realizes something and looks straight at Sam, "Unless you want to send hootie down that way to investigate?"
Hanging back a bit and in the middle of the party with Nef by his side Vin was ready to support in any direction with his ranged attacks. Nef was on high alert as well but mostly just for noises of things getting too close to the group as they made haste through the streets. Elthana points out something to Sam and Vin looks in the direction indicated as well. The boy is a bit focused on saving lives. Whatever it is, if its not going towards the tower they took or the prisoners, his opinion is to wait on it. They have little time based on how the fey were doing. That said sending Hootie to scout was a solid idea. "Might be good to get eyes on what it is, might come up later to deal with when we are heading back with the villagers or moving onto our third goal after."
Hearing the fighting up ahead he tries to discern if it is further then the prisoner house or if it sounds like the fighting is centered around there. If it sounds like the fighting is around the location of the prisoners Vin will suggest they hustle. If it sounds further then that location he won't feel as pressured and just focus on keeping an eye out for nearby threats.
Sam squints and looks where he’s being point to to try to make out what Elthana is talking about. He also tosses his head that way to indicate to Hootie to fly down and see what they see…
“We communicate,” Sam explains quietly, “but not really. Not like you and me, or even Vin and Neferox… More vague, saw someone maybe but details are few…”
“Shavings though?” Sam asks, squinting some more but not quite sure he sees what they see. “I found some earlier. That bloody pool or whatever that those things came out of? Symbols all around it, sketched out with metal shavings… I kicked it all apart hoping it would stop more from coming or such…”
Muir looks where everyone else is looking and wonders aloud "Metal scapings eh? Perhaps they've moved their food source? I haven't seen any around...Perhaps it was a cauldron of their food moving elsewhere, which means.....nothing good....Hirsi don't wander, stay close"
As the group notice the metal shavings pointed out by Elthana they are difficult to discern in the glistening snow, laid upon recent footprints, but on further inspection they are the same kind of shavings that Sam has seen before used to make some kind of runic circle around the fouls smelling pool that summoned forth the vicious Madcaps. "I saw some remnants of metal dust back at the Tradepost too" Gewyn puts forth, "seems like it's a mix.. not just iron but silver too, I've seen things like this used for magic components before". Hootie darts down the alley staying high but not breaking above the roof line, she disappears into the darkness for now.
Peering over the circular marketplace the group can hear the fighting coming from the northern most building, the one that Vin, Muir and Elthana would know is where the prisoners are being held, though from this stealthy position, any movement of the fighting is obfuscated by the large bonfire burning away in the center of the market, sthe cauldrons propped at the base of which remain boiling away with the tang of a metallic stench.
Torn between the alley into the cluster of houses, or toward the fighting, a decision must be made, just then hootie appears from the darkness once more and perches on Sam's shoulder.
Hirsi tugs at Muir's shoulder and whispers in his ear.
Elthana goes over to the scrapings, bends over and picks up a sample. Putting it in her bag, if anyone looks at her questioningly, she shurgs and says, "Maybe Shionne or someone will know more about this? Since the redcaps and such are from their world."
She looks to Sam once Hootie is back, "Your bird there see anything?"
Muir listens to Hirsi and feels the pull of nature from the other side of the bonfire. The sheer druidic power coming from the opposite side of the bonfire where the prisoners are kept is one he has never felt. He's not sure who or what is causing it but can't help but be drawn to it. Muir turns to the group "We must go save the prisoners...I feel something, something I have never felt in terms of natural power coming from the other side of this bonfire"
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Elthana looks to Neferox, a bit surprised by the reaction, but finds herself smiling when the hound wags her tail. As Sam starts talking with Vin, she moves to the exterior door and puts her ear to it, trying to make sure there were no other sounds, still disturbed by what she saw from the roof.
Perception 25
She then assists making sure the trading post is clear, she looks to Vin, "Ready to scout on ahead as the rest secure this building? Would be good to find a clear path to the townsfolk. I do not know what drained those redcaps out there... I just know it wasn't the trees we brought."
Órga snorts but Sam just smirks and scratches the back of the lion's neck. "You're right. It IS always those who talk trash who are the most thin skinned," Sam says to Órga.
"Rest here... I'm going to go scout out the rest of the building and... No, no. You rest, you still have wounds to lick. Don't worry about me, I'll pull Molly from the bag so I have company, eh?" Sam says, patting the rust colored bag he wears on his hip. "We'll be back before you know it and then we'll see about freeing the prisoners, eh?"
Órga seems less than happy about it, but he does realize he is not at his best. Some down time does sound good... The lion snorts again and then Sam is heading off the poke his head into the other rooms of the building just to be sure that they are empty.
Before Sam gets very far he does indeed reach into the rust colored bag and pull out a warm lump of fur. Tossing it a couple feet ahead of him Sam prepares to welcome Molly back and explain to her what is going on. When the ball of full shimmies and shakes and begins to expand, though... It expands not into fur but to feathers! "Wha...?" Sam asks himself even as a small brown and white owl shakes itself free and then flies up to perch atop Sam's head.
"Hey! Get offa there!" Sam grunts with a bit of annoyance but a bit more mirth. "Where is Molly and who are you, little one??"
The owl doesn't answer as such, rather flies to one end of the hall and then back to Sam, this time landing upon his shoulder. Sam cranes his neck away from it so her can try to turn his head enough to get a good look. "You won't be much use in a fight now, will ya?" he scoffs.
The owl quickly flaps their wings several times and rolls it's eyes as the oaf.
"Ya, ya... If you say so, little one. If you say so..." Sam is dubious and already reaching for his bag again. "No offense, eh?" Sam offers and tosses the third ball of fur he has pulled out today.
Little One gives a hoot as the new furball shivers and quakes and almost bounces itself into existance as a growing presence Sam has indeed seen before... In a flash the ball of fur has stretched and expanded and finally bleats out a welcome...
"Molly! There you are, girl! I didn't know you had feathered friends in there as well...."
As the trio explore, Sam catched the animals up on what has been happening with a hushed but running narrative...
((And that's that til I get results from an Investigation check and such...))
"It makes me really nervous too. Let's go check it out Elthana. Hopefully the villagers are okay." Vin joins Elthana in the scouting after they make sure the building is clear of additional invaders. Nef sticking with the rest of the group as Vin wraps shadows around himself turning invisible once again. He will do his best to keep an eye out for whatever is between them and the prisoners but otherwise makes his way with Elthana.
Stealth Check: 24
Perception Check: 16
Neferox on the other hand just continues to glare at Orga while she sticks with the others for the next phase of the plan.
Whilst Vin and Elthana leave to scout the town, Sam Gewyn and Muir, get to investigating and preparing to barricade the Trade post.
As Sam enters the gatehouse, accessed from the roof to the south of the trade post, there is a lot of noise out of his freshly summoned giant goat Molly, after a short while Sam exits, hesitantly followed by half a dozen malnourished townspeople.
At the sight of new survivors Hirsi jumps into action hastily abandoning Muir to tend to wounds and help the people find a place to rest, sharing what little rations she has with her, Gewyn also joins, and plays some soothing music laced with magic that seems to calm the nerves and anxieties of those who hear it. As the group settle, they find a minimally damaged meeting room within the building to rest and begin to tell tale of how they ended up in this position. "We are mostly residents of the southern buildings, the night of the attack we gathered in the panic but were separated from those who escaped into the forests, Tobias here worked the gatehouse so knew a place we could hide, we've been there weeks, lost count of the days, we could only send a few people out at a time to gather food and supplies, but even then, well... There was more of us to begin with. So we mostly hid." With the help of Gewyn's music the group find rest even through the upset of the trauma that they have been through.
Meanwhile, Iver and his guards have been making busy work of gathering a few of the smaller felled trees that were barricading the southern gateway, they drag them inside the Tradepost building to begin make a barricade that will hold the large double doors closed. Once that is done Iver moves over to Muir, "hey uhh, is there any way you can create vines or some kind of hardy stringy vegetation, I heard you keepers can do things like that, I have an idea if you think it'll help"
At this point all rooms of the Tradepost building have been investigated and secured, Vin and Elthana have been gone for just over half an hour, and six towns people have been rescued. The moon hangs heavy in the sky illuminating the ruinous town in a pale blue hue, the distant sounds of fighting from the center of town and from the west in the strip of felled trees continues. The day has not yet been won.
Sam, after asking their names himself, introduces the refugees around with special attention to Iver - Sam explains to Iver that he intends to leave these survivors here when the group sets out to search for more. "Perhaps you can put them to good use in helping defend the place? Hopefully at least a couple can help... and the rest can be put somewhere safe and out of the way?"
Sam also introduces everyone to his new animal friends. Iver has met Órga and Molly but sam also introduces Hooter, the small brown and white owl. "Probably not much use in a fight but she's got good eyes, eh? And assuming nothin unfortunate happens, I'll have her return to you here when we're on our way back so you know we're coming..." The refugees are also introduced to the animals, which are surprisingly friendly and accomodating. Any small children are even given rides upon Molly and Sam if they are up to it.
After the introduction, Sam and his zoo get to work helping fortify their position here. Hootie is a perfect supervisor as she watches everything and says little. Molly is helpful in moving and pushing things around. Sam mostly rests, but all job sites have one of those... They all do what they can and hope it is enough.
Muir smiles at the survivors and proudly watches Hirsi spring into action. He thinks she will make a fine Keeper once she passes these trials. He walks to Iver who asks him about vines "Iver, I can cast a spell but it would only last for 10 minutes. I do not have the plant growth spell you are asking for prepared for the day. It takes concentration over a long rested period for me to prepare new spells. What is your idea?"
"ah ten minutes won't cut it, I was thinking of making a rope ladder from the roof to the outside, meaning we could shore up the door proper..." Iver casts a glance around at the work being done mostly by his guards and Molly, but also looks toward the couple of the more able bodied townspeople that are still clutching metal poles and other improvised striking weapons, that oddly enough look to be either silver or iron. "I think we'll just put the goat to use dragging the blockade instead, that should work in a pinch, plus with that feathered early warning system we can be ready for your return."
Neferox begins barking at Iver and his guard, after nuzzling the half elf over to the door, the barricade is moved and both Vin and Elthana enter, ready to offer their reconnaissance report.
Sam inquires with whoever the most un-withdrawn survivor that he rescued is why they all seem to be carrying silver or iron. "I think we have a few better weapons available, if you would prefer. Some crossbows... I have a couple handaxes I could give yas... Might be better than just a silver or iron club?"
To Iver, Sam offers to leave Molly with him to help work the door. "Honestly I'd prefer her with me than not, she's good with her head... But with her strength we could make the door heavier and sturdier than otherwise, and still open when we return."
When the others return, they too are introduced to Hootie. Hootie isn't much of a conversationalist or very expressive, her main signs of affection are a willingness to land on ones shoulder and comminication is basically head tilts and eye blinks. But Sam seems to get a sense of what she is putting out there and she, more or less, listens to him.
Elthana raises an eyebrow as Sam introduces them to yet another animal, "You're collecting quite the menagerie, aren't you Sam?"
"So, there is a lot of carnage out there. Mainly redcaps are littering the ground and I don't think it is all from our friendly neighborhood trees. As a matter of fact, we need to hurry as there is a fight right by the prisoner location where another type of tree is fighting several redcaps, not one of the allies we brought. Vin and I assisted a bit, but I didn't feel right leaving you all behind. So now that you have this place ready, let us go, now." She turns on her heel and is about to head out the door, "Vin, if there is anything you want to add before we head out? We should still try and keep noise to a very low level as we traverse this town."
Muir raises an eye...another tree..."I am ready......Hirsi would you like to come with me or stay here? I think you can help these people and Iver a great deal if you have had enough of the fighting."
Vin pauses when he sees the additional survivors and seems glad to see them. He has a few rations left on him and he gives them up to the malnourished folks. He only has five days worth of rations but he can go hungry a few days where as they look like they've gone many days without food. He gives them all. he also says "Help's here and we are going to do what we can to save the others in the prison the redcaps made. I'm glad you survived. You have some strong folks helping keep you safe till we can hopefully escape or drive out the creatures." He then has his attention brought to Elthana and he replies "No, that covers it well Elthana. We gave them enough backup that it seemed they could handle it from there but we should hurry in case any reinforcements show up. This might be our best chance to safe them."
Neferox was just the big scary black dog glaring at Sam's pets like they were chicken nuggets. Once Vin showed up she snapped out of it and is ready to join Vin. There is a release of tension from her when Vin returns. It's quite clear she doesn't do well separated from the half-elf. The pair of them ready to go as soon as Vin arrived pretty much.
The townspeople happily accept any weaponry to help defend themselves as it is offered up by Sam, they also take whatever food Vin gives and share it gladly amongst themselves, eating small morsels and saving small parcels of food for later. "I've done what I can to soothe the anxieties, but this is obviously traumatic for them" Gewyn adds as he joins the group, listening to the recon report, "I'm ready when you are".
Hirsi meets Muir's gaze with a look of determination, "there are more people out there who need help, I'm coming with you, but I think I've learned not to be so hasty, I'll hang back, and act with thought."
Iver bids everyone farewell as the group exits, reassuring you all that him amd his men can hold the fort, especially with the temporary barricade and Molly to help.
The group feel the cold wind once more as they exit, no longer having the luxury of four large walls blocking the worst of the winter night, heading north they see exactly what Elthana described, the streets littered with the limp and deflated bodies of redcaps, their once greedily collected fluid now splattered all over the cobblestone, slick and soaking up the falling snow.
The distant sounds of fighting grow louder as the group make their way closer to the large circular market area, you feel the warmth in the breeze coming from the large bonfire in the center (and as you all reach the entrance to the market area, can everyone give me a stealth roll and anyone can also give a perception)
Sam aims to walk in front while Vin and Elthana give him hushed directions as needed. If one or both insist on leading Sam will shrug and allow it, but will point out he may be clumsier but he can also take more hits…
Whatever the marching order, Hootie stays overhead but nearby. She flies from one tree to the next, looks ahead to make sure it’s safe and to allow the rest to catch up. She’s pretty hood at seeing which direction the group is going and going there first but she does, on occasion, have to glitter back and course correct.
Órga is a bit of a grump lion and brings up the rest. Not currently feeling his best he thinks it wise to protect from behind. Let the big oaf stumble in, Órga figures he can leap in with a running start and take the prey down that way…
They are all a bit off put by the redcap bodies that seem littered about everywhere. True, this had been their intention, if the could manage it, but seeing the aftermath is still disturbing…
Elthana begrudgingly lets Sam lead, but she's right by his shoulder as they head back the way Vin and Elthana scouted. As they make their approach to the area of concern, Elthana grabs Sams arm and points down an alleyway to the East. Seeing that Gewyn sees it to and is as confused as she is, she shows the rest the metallic shavings that seem to have been left in the wake of something being moved down that alleyway.
She whispers quietly, "I'm not sure what that is, but I don't think it was there before? Or I just didn't notice it. Keep your eyes peeled." she then realizes something and looks straight at Sam, "Unless you want to send hootie down that way to investigate?"
Hanging back a bit and in the middle of the party with Nef by his side Vin was ready to support in any direction with his ranged attacks. Nef was on high alert as well but mostly just for noises of things getting too close to the group as they made haste through the streets. Elthana points out something to Sam and Vin looks in the direction indicated as well. The boy is a bit focused on saving lives. Whatever it is, if its not going towards the tower they took or the prisoners, his opinion is to wait on it. They have little time based on how the fey were doing. That said sending Hootie to scout was a solid idea. "Might be good to get eyes on what it is, might come up later to deal with when we are heading back with the villagers or moving onto our third goal after."
Hearing the fighting up ahead he tries to discern if it is further then the prisoner house or if it sounds like the fighting is centered around there. If it sounds like the fighting is around the location of the prisoners Vin will suggest they hustle. If it sounds further then that location he won't feel as pressured and just focus on keeping an eye out for nearby threats.
Sam squints and looks where he’s being point to to try to make out what Elthana is talking about. He also tosses his head that way to indicate to Hootie to fly down and see what they see…
“We communicate,” Sam explains quietly, “but not really. Not like you and me, or even Vin and Neferox… More vague, saw someone maybe but details are few…”
“Shavings though?” Sam asks, squinting some more but not quite sure he sees what they see. “I found some earlier. That bloody pool or whatever that those things came out of? Symbols all around it, sketched out with metal shavings… I kicked it all apart hoping it would stop more from coming or such…”
Muir looks where everyone else is looking and wonders aloud "Metal scapings eh? Perhaps they've moved their food source? I haven't seen any around...Perhaps it was a cauldron of their food moving elsewhere, which means.....nothing good....Hirsi don't wander, stay close"
As the group notice the metal shavings pointed out by Elthana they are difficult to discern in the glistening snow, laid upon recent footprints, but on further inspection they are the same kind of shavings that Sam has seen before used to make some kind of runic circle around the fouls smelling pool that summoned forth the vicious Madcaps. "I saw some remnants of metal dust back at the Tradepost too" Gewyn puts forth, "seems like it's a mix.. not just iron but silver too, I've seen things like this used for magic components before". Hootie darts down the alley staying high but not breaking above the roof line, she disappears into the darkness for now.
Peering over the circular marketplace the group can hear the fighting coming from the northern most building, the one that Vin, Muir and Elthana would know is where the prisoners are being held, though from this stealthy position, any movement of the fighting is obfuscated by the large bonfire burning away in the center of the market, sthe cauldrons propped at the base of which remain boiling away with the tang of a metallic stench.
Torn between the alley into the cluster of houses, or toward the fighting, a decision must be made, just then hootie appears from the darkness once more and perches on Sam's shoulder.
Hirsi tugs at Muir's shoulder and whispers in his ear.
Elthana goes over to the scrapings, bends over and picks up a sample. Putting it in her bag, if anyone looks at her questioningly, she shurgs and says, "Maybe Shionne or someone will know more about this? Since the redcaps and such are from their world."
She looks to Sam once Hootie is back, "Your bird there see anything?"
Muir listens to Hirsi and feels the pull of nature from the other side of the bonfire. The sheer druidic power coming from the opposite side of the bonfire where the prisoners are kept is one he has never felt. He's not sure who or what is causing it but can't help but be drawn to it. Muir turns to the group "We must go save the prisoners...I feel something, something I have never felt in terms of natural power coming from the other side of this bonfire"