Muir watches the bard grab Goldsheaf's hand and give it a kiss in shock. He stands behind Gore and quietly mutters "Well that was a bit forward...They are here to help? I wonder which of the self-interested factions sent them?"
Nef seems slightly disappointed when they lose their voice once again. Vin scratches them behind their ear to help with the hounds sudden disappointment. They continue on in silence for the trip to the hidden encampment. The young man seems keen to find people alive and when Terry gets a reply from whatever lookout is there in the forest Vin can't help but smile in relief. ""See Nef, some people survived." The hound just shakes their head and huffs in reluctant defeat. Vin smiles and proceeds forward into the encampment. As Elthana greets the town leader and Gweyn gives introductions Vin looks around. He notices the people are all injured and many look quite hungry. He address the town leader first saying "Yeah, we are here to help. I have a backpack full of magically shrunk food too. As to news... well. We've heard nothing from anyone from Hokum until just this moment. No word has made it outside the forest I think. No one even knows what's going on even in the town of Trundlesten." When the man behind Goldshelf speaks up asking who Vin pipes up saying "Oh, I'm from the Cavalcade. I think they sent a separate group of adventurers before us but no one has heard form them."
Vin looks once again around the camp and says "Umm... I have a bunch of food with me too. Everyone looks hungry. Is there somewhere I can setup giving food to them?" Once directed to a place to put the magically dehydrated food Vin would add some water. The young man listens in as he works at feeding the people here. Trying to instill the people here with a bit of hop Vin smiles politely and seems to be looking around at all the people here. He's always polite and often asks those getting food, "Can you hold on a little longer? Here, eat something. It'll help. Help is here." Vin will bring food to others as well. If he spots someone not eating and seeming completely devoid of hope he goes over to them with something warm to eat and quietly tries to get them something to eat. In general, Vin goes around trying to help the folks here feel better.
Neferox, on the other hand, seems to prowl around the camp and gets a kick out of people seeming scared of them. The hound doesn't make any aggressive moves though and seems to just be walking around the parameter of the camp peering deep into the forest around it like a patrolling guard. Their mind clearly on matters of danger and being highly alert.
"champions?" The Lizardfolk exclaims with some degree of surprise and disbelief, he glances to the loxodon, "there you go, champions of the whole of Northmorrah for ya" he mumbles a little in response to his druid brethren.
Goldsheaf speaks over the aged Lizardfolk, "Going to Hokum is not a good idea, we are what remains... We are Hokum now." She says somewhat sadly.
As Vin offers food one guard takes him over to a disturbed mount of dirt, from there the guard digs up a container of water that seems to be hot, Vin speaks with the man and begins preparing food, after some time vin has enough hot and ready food for the other guard in the area to spring into action, they begin rounding up and escorting the Hokum survivors to Vin to take what they need and eat their fill, some take food for others who cannot walk, or cannot feed themselves everyone seems grateful, and happy to accept the food some begin laughing, enjoying the offering and talking amongst themselves about the group of newcomers.
As Vin asks if he can be of help to these people a guard brings him and a bowl of food over to one of the people with the thousand yard stares, although noticeably there seems to be more to it than just trauma from the attack, none of these specific people seem to have reacted to the food at all, nor reacted to need stalking around, or the group of you that have entered, none of these people have reacted to anything since you arrived although they all look alert, just staring of at nothing, waiting...
The guard starts to explain something to Vin, the Lizardfolk sees some of the groups attention on these vacant empty people and also begins to explain in a somber tone, "ahhh the soulless, something happened back in Hokum, no idea what. but these people seem to be under some kind of strong charm spell, there seems to be no point of origin and they'll take direction from anyone, but they need directing to to anything, however small, or they'll just sit, empty, like the person that was there before has already left... But their body remains, a husk. I'm Master Gore by the way, not a resident of Hokum as such, but the master of this here forest, my druid circle has been here for generations and nothing this dire has befallen our home before, so we are truly thankful for the aid." As Master Gore gestures around there does seem to be a few druids in the ensamble of survivors, they seem better off than the residents of Hokum proper and are doing their best to aid the guard and the clerics in their tasks.
Muir follows Gore's lead in speaking with the champions "I am Master Muir. I too am a part of the Keepers of the Woods. I traveled here from across the continent when we lost communications with our brethren. Hokum is overrun by the redcaps and there seems to be a giant in the mountains they work for. These dead deer have kept everyone herded here....." Muir trails off deciding to not say anymore about the situation "Champions of Northmorrah you say? Must be quite something if you are champions of the entire continent. I am surprised to not have heard of your group prior to this meeting." Muir clearly skeptical turns and looks to Gore as he finishes his statement.
"Not surprising at all, my long-nosed friend, as this may be considered our debut."Gewyn stands back and puffs out his chest, gesturing in a broad sweeping motion at his colleagues behind him. "With the combined might of the council of Marblestead, there is no dear we can not hunt. No giant we cannot topple. No red cap we cannot make to look fashionable with a fine pinstriped sherwani. Or perhaps a frock coat for something more domestic." Gewyn grins cheekily before adopting a measure of solemnity.
"I jest, of course. My point being that in these grim times you may take heart at our arrival. For we are here for the express purpose of alleviating the plague upon this land. Now, while we wait for Shionne to grace us with her presence, would you be so kind as to tell us more about these Redcaps occupying Hokum? I am unfamiliar with the term."
Muir smiles at the bard and chuckles a bit at his joke on fashion "The recaps are.....they look like mutated gnomes or halflings....they are grotesque looking...the locals call them redcaps because they have what looks like mushrooms as hats and they are dunked......in blood. I am unable to determine what these creatures are. However, it seems to have started when there was an eruption of sorts from a different plane of existence into this world. The redcaps, not-deer, and a giant came after the eruption and slaughtered whoever was unable to escape the town. The not-deer have surrounded this camp almost like they have herded the people here. It is my opinion that they are keeping everyone here as food....I overheard the redcaps talking about the need for more blood. It is not only the Not-Deer that attack....but trees, vines, and other parts of nature have come alive....You will see when Shione arrives, she calls herself a Dryad. Gore and I have only read of these things but never thought them to be real.....No one knows what is happening. I have spoken to our leader Goodal and also the Clerics of Hermes....." Muir trails off, sullen by the account he retold "One of our masters died to allow those here to escape....it has been a difficult journey for me and these people....On my way here I found a dead adventurer cut by hundreds of tiny slashes. At the time I did not understand the wounds but now it makes sense to me that they were killed by these tiny beings. The adventurer had this patch. it depicts a silhouette of a tree split in two down the middle, perhaps one of you know what this patch means?"
Elthana stands back as Gewyn continues the introduction, looking away a bit as he them all champions of the continent. That sure sounds outlandish, even if she is supposedly one. She watches the druids and see how they do accept his words and where they will go from here. She can't help but continue to look over the people that have sought refuge here, its such an awful sight. Seeing Vin help the others is a small comfort she hopes.
As the one that calls himself Master Muir begins to weave his tale, she leans against her pole, needing the support as all of the info comes crashing down. "A different plane of existence? How is that even possible?" She takes a moment, "I'm sorry to hear of one of your masters, he was indeed brave. As for the adventurer that was killed by hundreds of tiny slashes... we have run into a large amount of what we can only assume are dead fairies. Are you saying they are in league with these others from the other plane, do you think they might have done this?" She gets quiet, trying to process all of it, then "A dryad... how interesting."
“Red Caps? Not Deer? Giants? Faeries? Has the world gone mad then?” Sam asks in a huff.
Sam’s demeanor is gruff and demanding, but not aggressively so. He asks a lot of questions and tries to cut right to specifics and details, having little mind for fluff or extraneous verbiage at the moment. “How safe are we here and now?” Sam inquires. “Do they just prevent leaving or do they cull from this herd from time to time? Do we need protect the perimeter!” This seemed the first order of business to Sam. Of course a situation can change but one needs know how restfully one can lay their head, and where they can retreat to in times of trouble.
“What can you tell us about the leadership of the foes? The giant is in charge, is it? Do we know where they are?” Sam asks, trying to cut to the core of the matter. “We saw dead faeries. Terry suggested they were opponents of the not-deer. Is this confirmed? So are they on our side? Are there more?” The more details about goes, and potential Allie’s, the better. So far the information is vague, details matter when planning an offensive.
“And what of the leadership of Hokum? Are there any here who can speak on behalf of the city. Tell their view of events, relay the situation in the city last they seen and the like? I’m not opposed to killing monsters in the woods out of civic duty and such, but we were sent to check on Hokum specifically…”
—-
After hearing what answers he can get from those around, Sam quite simply asks “Just what do you want us to do about it?”
He’s looking to find out if these people want help escaping or want Sam and the others to go on the offensive. “This many cannot move stealthily or quietly. And I fear we could not protect everyone if we tried to retreat… Similarly, if we took the offensive the enemy surely would make a counter strike to cut off any place we had to seek a reprieve, if nothing else…”
Muir looks between the female leaning against the pole and the Orc and does his best to answer their questions "From what I understand the faeries were sent from this group here to find a route out of the woods. They hadn't heard from them and were wondering if they made it....They will be sad to hear they did not. Safe you ask? Look around. I don't mean to be pessimistic or so direct but we are not safe. Try to openly leave and the Not-Deer will attack you. I believe it is only a matter of time before the Red Caps come seeking blood, presumably for the Giant in the mountains. The dead faeries were friends of the people here. It seems when this tear happened good and bad....fey creatures emerged. This is all speculation from what I have seen and spoken about with others in this camp and.....elsewhere. The leaders here are Goldsheaf and Shionne. Goldsheaf is the woman who runs the town, she is no mayor or council person but she handles all logistics for the sale of produce from the community to Marblestead and other towns....She is their leader. Shionne as I mentioned is a Dryad trying to help. I have not met them yet." Muir looks at Gore to fill in the blanks
Gore nods solemnly along with Muir's retelling of information, "the attack upon the town was horrific, but I'll leave Goldsheaf to explain that... Regarding safety in this camp? I can say that the Not-Deer have not dared tread foot in here... Yet. Nor have the redcaps ventured into the woods thankfully, however the trees do wander in every so often, the guards are capable enough to fight them off and they do provide good fuel. Lastly there is some kind of plague effecting the survivors, aside from the mutations and the soulless, many campers have been suffering nightmares which leave them exhausted and pained, I've tried healing them afterward but none of my limited healings or medicines seem to help, it's like they're being attacked in their sleep, one a night, every night like clockwork."
Terry shifts uncomfortably at this, Vin also returns from helping around the camp as Goldsheaf steps forward to answer questions next, her cheeks are a little red with blushing at Gerwyn's forwardness but she says nothing to protest, as she pulls her eyes away from him she clears her throat before addressing the group "firstly, if we are to escape we would be slow and would need to be unimpeded, if you really took down one of the Not-Deer then only one remains, if that can be taken care of then we can gather our people and get going, we may lose more people on the way but it would mean we could get aid from Marblestead through Trundlesten. It's not our best option though...
Really we need to take back the town, before the winter truly sets in and leaves us all frozen to death, there are maybe a hundred of these redcap things patrolling around in the town itself last we checked things out. The giant hasn't been seen since shortly after the attack. If we are to mount a counter attack we will need to do recon and work out a plan.
Alternatively if we are to run, then we still need to get a good lay of the land so that we can be prepared for any currently unforseen resistance, it would also help for any groups in the future who come here to take back the land, to know what they really face. I did not know of these adventurers" she says pointing to the patch that Muir holds out, "where was this found?"
"May I?" Elthana asks the loxodon as he holds out the patch, and if he gives it to her, she looks it over then recalls, "Before we left Marblestead, we were told that an adventuring group had been sent by the cavalcade to Hokum before us. They were I believe, called the Splitters, because they all wielded some form of an axe." Elthana looks to Vin to see if he has anything to add, coming from the cavalcade himself. Then adding, "This doesn't bode well for them, unfortunately."
"I'm of a mind to fight, mostly," Sam admits. "I think we'd lose too many trying to protect those who cannot protect themselves to make retreat an option."
"These Red Caps don't come into the woods? So they will not be a threat to us here?" he asks to confirm that he understood. "So our concerns are the Not-Deer, the marauding pack of deer it can seemingly send, and the trees? Not counting the dream attacks, which I have no clue how we would even begin to counter..."
"Do the trees look like anything but trees? Is it like existing trees waking up and attacking or is it walking trees moving in from elsewhere? And do we know anything of the Not-Deer? Habits, tendencies, where it can often be found? It fled from us, which means it is scared of us... Which means I would like to find it and put it down for good."
"If we could take out the Not-Deer and maybe the trees you speak of, then at least we would be safer, if not safe. We would have more freedom to spy on Hokum and get the lay of things, with less worry of things creeping up behind us..."
Muir looks back and forth between the strangers. He hears the Orc's next round of questioning and points to him with his trunk "You don't say! An Orc who likes to fight haha." Muir laughs for a moment and abruptly stops. "I apologize that was rude of me, I don't even know your name and here I am making assumptions about you. To answer your questions..The Red Caps have not come to the woods yet. We are prevented from leaving because of the Not-Deer and trees in the woods. I did not encounter any of these trees when coming here but others have. They appear to look like any other tree but alive. When I was in Hokum it was mostly empty. The Red Caps were outside of the town, towards the mountains, camped talking about their next steps. I was chased here before I could do any reconnaissance. If we were to take back the town, we would need to eliminate what's in the woods first so we can send a larger fighting force to town. I don't know what to do with the soulless....Perhaps they could be given a task"
Vin comes back over to the group when called for having given out some food and then looking at one of the soulless and whispers to them "Don't give up." he seems sad when he comes over to the group and gets to listen in to all the conversations of what to do. He hears the problem of the not-deer corralling and the redcaps threatening death at any moment. He tries not to think too hard on the subject of otherworlds and such as he has a ton of questions but one look around the camp of injured, hurt, or worse people in the group and its a simple matter for him. Get them to safety. Neferox seems to come over to him and while listening Vin says to Nef "Not run away Nef. Save them." Nef seems to look around the camp then at Vin. Vin says to them "It's the right thing to do." Neferox sighs but nods their head and then vin suddenly looks startled and then thoughtful.
As Elthana shows Vin the symbol he takes it and says "Yeah, that's their symbol. I guess they didn't make it..." He looks solemn and a bit worried but hides it quick. He then asks "I don't suppose anyone has seen a person with a ring with a leaf design on it? They should be from a group of guards sent by Trundlesten. I told their sister I would try to find them." he seems focused on saving folks more then the mystery but he's obviously curious about the entire thing. He listens to the explanation of how the not-deer are like sentries and how some of the trees are deadly too. The boy looks at Gore and Muir and says "Nef knows a way we can all get out of here... I don't think you will like it but... I think it would work to get everyone out of here."
Elthana notices Muir point at Sam as he doesn't know their names, "Ah yes, introductions I suppose are in order? My name is Elthana, that is Sam our warrior, Vin here with his beast Neferox, and Gewyn our bard." She nods to each in turn as she introduces them.
"Yes, getting these folks back to Hokum I'd agree would be our main goal. If we can defeat those that are keeping them here, that would be good." She looks to Vin, "I'm curious to hear Nef's idea. I hope it doesn't include anyone getting more hurt than they already are." She looks to her team, "Would it help if I scouted towards Hokum to see exactly where the redcaps are? And possibly an idea of how many? Might help with determining what we do next."
One of the guard, a middle aged man who led the group into camp, and met Muir in the forest previously, approaches with some amount of curiosity.
As Goldleaf is about to answer Elthanas question a voice permeates the air around the group, with a heavy accent it reels off their names, "Elthana, Sam, Vin, Neferox, Gweyn, Muir..." Terry steps forward toward the large tree everyone is stood by as it begins glowing in an autumnal golden yellow.
The group watches as out of the tree a golden skinned tall and slim woman steps from the bark and, with Terry's guiding hand, gently lowers to the ground. The woman's features are heavily angular, her pointed ears more acute and longer than any elf seen before, her hair floats in the air elegantly behind her and is comprised of thousands of soft golden leaves and vine, her dress is similarly made of slowly moving and constantly flowing golden leaves, that swirl around her.
"May I present lady Shionne, of house summer. I shall act as her Translator" Terry states in a presentation fashion.
Some of the survivors around the camp watch as Shionne emerges, but most act without much profound interest, as if this is a common sight for them.
Shionne begins speaking, her words are a subtle song that flow and rhyme, with strange elongated vowels that that form from her mouth with ease. "Welcome newcomers, I have listened, and I am proud of the achievements you have accomplished thus far, I may be able to supply some much needed information for your plans." Terry echoes her words back in the common tongue.
Neferox looks to Elthana as they inquire about their plan and then looks to terry expectantly. She growls in annoyance when Terry seems to ignore her but as the goatman stands by a tree that suddenly slows in golden color they stop. Vin for their part doesn't seem keen on explaining Nef's plan and seems to want an alternative but can't think of one. The distraction of lady Shionne entering the camp catching their attention in a welcomed way. The boy a bit awestruck at the golden figure that emerged from the tree itself watches as Terry provides an introduction to her as lady Shionne of House Summer. Neferox just slumps down looking unimpressed and bored. She is watching from the corner of their eye though as she listens.
When she speaks Vin seems to perk up like the beautiful song of the language is almost familiar but not quite. Vin replies in common "I'm glad you came to help the people here. Thank you Shionne. Ummm... My name is Vin and any information you can give us would be very welcomed. It's a bit much for me to even take in there are other worlds out there. Let alone understand what kind of battle is being waged here or even why. I'm hopeful we can save the survivors here though." he's a bit awkward in replying to someone obviously of high standing but the young man tries to sound as polite and friendly as he can. He seems extremely curious to learn more but he's trying to stay focused on the problems at hand. His desire to learn more about these feylike beings burning in his mind but he has a lot of practice in not doing things for himself.
Neferox just continues to lay down and waits to be able to tell her plan and hopefully get the ability to speak again.
Muir gives Gore a smile as Shionne speaks as his ears gently flap. He says nothing but instead listens to Shionne. He looks at Vin as he speaks and notices his dog called Neferox. It seems to Muir they have a connection beyond normal owner and dog relationships. He wonders to himself....
Sam smirks a bit as Muir makes the crack about Orcs and fighting but has no other response. It’s not exactly untrue and he’s used to people assuming that and worse. “Just how far are we from Hokum?” Sam asks after Muir has had their say. “Close enough the Red Caps need be considered an imminent threat or they a force that would need time to get here, if trouble started?”
“Task for the soulless, huh? Give them torches and burn the woods down, mayhap. Solve the tree being problem, maybe the Not-Deer issue as well…” Sam considers aloud. “Though we’d likely get caught in the flames too, so probably not option A.”
Sam bends down and strokes the lions back a moment, considering things. “Remind me, Vin” he asks. “The group with the symbol? You were acquainted with them? Same school or something?”
When Elthana is doing introductions Sam rises at his name and gives a nod to Muir. He listens to her questions and adds one more: Are the soulless able to follow someone through the woods? Adjust speed as they do? Or need constant direction?
As their names Ring out Dam turns, eyes wide but wary. He can hear power in the voice and he always respects power.As Terry introduces Shionne Sam almost kneels down but quickly realizes nobody else is and stops himself before he makes a scene. He does bow his head for the introduction, though, only revising it to look upon her once she begins speaking.
As Vin speaks up Sam listens attentively and respectfully, eager to find out more information but hesitant to speak up to Shionne himself…
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Muir watches the bard grab Goldsheaf's hand and give it a kiss in shock. He stands behind Gore and quietly mutters "Well that was a bit forward...They are here to help? I wonder which of the self-interested factions sent them?"
Nef seems slightly disappointed when they lose their voice once again. Vin scratches them behind their ear to help with the hounds sudden disappointment. They continue on in silence for the trip to the hidden encampment. The young man seems keen to find people alive and when Terry gets a reply from whatever lookout is there in the forest Vin can't help but smile in relief. ""See Nef, some people survived." The hound just shakes their head and huffs in reluctant defeat. Vin smiles and proceeds forward into the encampment. As Elthana greets the town leader and Gweyn gives introductions Vin looks around. He notices the people are all injured and many look quite hungry. He address the town leader first saying "Yeah, we are here to help. I have a backpack full of magically shrunk food too. As to news... well. We've heard nothing from anyone from Hokum until just this moment. No word has made it outside the forest I think. No one even knows what's going on even in the town of Trundlesten." When the man behind Goldshelf speaks up asking who Vin pipes up saying "Oh, I'm from the Cavalcade. I think they sent a separate group of adventurers before us but no one has heard form them."
Vin looks once again around the camp and says "Umm... I have a bunch of food with me too. Everyone looks hungry. Is there somewhere I can setup giving food to them?" Once directed to a place to put the magically dehydrated food Vin would add some water. The young man listens in as he works at feeding the people here. Trying to instill the people here with a bit of hop Vin smiles politely and seems to be looking around at all the people here. He's always polite and often asks those getting food, "Can you hold on a little longer? Here, eat something. It'll help. Help is here." Vin will bring food to others as well. If he spots someone not eating and seeming completely devoid of hope he goes over to them with something warm to eat and quietly tries to get them something to eat. In general, Vin goes around trying to help the folks here feel better.
Neferox, on the other hand, seems to prowl around the camp and gets a kick out of people seeming scared of them. The hound doesn't make any aggressive moves though and seems to just be walking around the parameter of the camp peering deep into the forest around it like a patrolling guard. Their mind clearly on matters of danger and being highly alert.
"champions?" The Lizardfolk exclaims with some degree of surprise and disbelief, he glances to the loxodon, "there you go, champions of the whole of Northmorrah for ya" he mumbles a little in response to his druid brethren.
Goldsheaf speaks over the aged Lizardfolk, "Going to Hokum is not a good idea, we are what remains... We are Hokum now." She says somewhat sadly.
As Vin offers food one guard takes him over to a disturbed mount of dirt, from there the guard digs up a container of water that seems to be hot, Vin speaks with the man and begins preparing food, after some time vin has enough hot and ready food for the other guard in the area to spring into action, they begin rounding up and escorting the Hokum survivors to Vin to take what they need and eat their fill, some take food for others who cannot walk, or cannot feed themselves everyone seems grateful, and happy to accept the food some begin laughing, enjoying the offering and talking amongst themselves about the group of newcomers.
As Vin asks if he can be of help to these people a guard brings him and a bowl of food over to one of the people with the thousand yard stares, although noticeably there seems to be more to it than just trauma from the attack, none of these specific people seem to have reacted to the food at all, nor reacted to need stalking around, or the group of you that have entered, none of these people have reacted to anything since you arrived although they all look alert, just staring of at nothing, waiting...
The guard starts to explain something to Vin, the Lizardfolk sees some of the groups attention on these vacant empty people and also begins to explain in a somber tone, "ahhh the soulless, something happened back in Hokum, no idea what. but these people seem to be under some kind of strong charm spell, there seems to be no point of origin and they'll take direction from anyone, but they need directing to to anything, however small, or they'll just sit, empty, like the person that was there before has already left... But their body remains, a husk. I'm Master Gore by the way, not a resident of Hokum as such, but the master of this here forest, my druid circle has been here for generations and nothing this dire has befallen our home before, so we are truly thankful for the aid." As Master Gore gestures around there does seem to be a few druids in the ensamble of survivors, they seem better off than the residents of Hokum proper and are doing their best to aid the guard and the clerics in their tasks.
Muir follows Gore's lead in speaking with the champions "I am Master Muir. I too am a part of the Keepers of the Woods. I traveled here from across the continent when we lost communications with our brethren. Hokum is overrun by the redcaps and there seems to be a giant in the mountains they work for. These dead deer have kept everyone herded here....." Muir trails off deciding to not say anymore about the situation "Champions of Northmorrah you say? Must be quite something if you are champions of the entire continent. I am surprised to not have heard of your group prior to this meeting." Muir clearly skeptical turns and looks to Gore as he finishes his statement.
"Not surprising at all, my long-nosed friend, as this may be considered our debut." Gewyn stands back and puffs out his chest, gesturing in a broad sweeping motion at his colleagues behind him. "With the combined might of the council of Marblestead, there is no dear we can not hunt. No giant we cannot topple. No red cap we cannot make to look fashionable with a fine pinstriped sherwani. Or perhaps a frock coat for something more domestic." Gewyn grins cheekily before adopting a measure of solemnity.
"I jest, of course. My point being that in these grim times you may take heart at our arrival. For we are here for the express purpose of alleviating the plague upon this land. Now, while we wait for Shionne to grace us with her presence, would you be so kind as to tell us more about these Redcaps occupying Hokum? I am unfamiliar with the term."
Muir smiles at the bard and chuckles a bit at his joke on fashion "The recaps are.....they look like mutated gnomes or halflings....they are grotesque looking...the locals call them redcaps because they have what looks like mushrooms as hats and they are dunked......in blood. I am unable to determine what these creatures are. However, it seems to have started when there was an eruption of sorts from a different plane of existence into this world. The redcaps, not-deer, and a giant came after the eruption and slaughtered whoever was unable to escape the town. The not-deer have surrounded this camp almost like they have herded the people here. It is my opinion that they are keeping everyone here as food....I overheard the redcaps talking about the need for more blood. It is not only the Not-Deer that attack....but trees, vines, and other parts of nature have come alive....You will see when Shione arrives, she calls herself a Dryad. Gore and I have only read of these things but never thought them to be real.....No one knows what is happening. I have spoken to our leader Goodal and also the Clerics of Hermes....." Muir trails off, sullen by the account he retold "One of our masters died to allow those here to escape....it has been a difficult journey for me and these people....On my way here I found a dead adventurer cut by hundreds of tiny slashes. At the time I did not understand the wounds but now it makes sense to me that they were killed by these tiny beings. The adventurer had this patch. it depicts a silhouette of a tree split in two down the middle, perhaps one of you know what this patch means?"
Elthana stands back as Gewyn continues the introduction, looking away a bit as he them all champions of the continent. That sure sounds outlandish, even if she is supposedly one. She watches the druids and see how they do accept his words and where they will go from here. She can't help but continue to look over the people that have sought refuge here, its such an awful sight. Seeing Vin help the others is a small comfort she hopes.
As the one that calls himself Master Muir begins to weave his tale, she leans against her pole, needing the support as all of the info comes crashing down. "A different plane of existence? How is that even possible?" She takes a moment, "I'm sorry to hear of one of your masters, he was indeed brave. As for the adventurer that was killed by hundreds of tiny slashes... we have run into a large amount of what we can only assume are dead fairies. Are you saying they are in league with these others from the other plane, do you think they might have done this?" She gets quiet, trying to process all of it, then "A dryad... how interesting."
“Red Caps? Not Deer? Giants? Faeries? Has the world gone mad then?” Sam asks in a huff.
Sam’s demeanor is gruff and demanding, but not aggressively so. He asks a lot of questions and tries to cut right to specifics and details, having little mind for fluff or extraneous verbiage at the moment. “How safe are we here and now?” Sam inquires. “Do they just prevent leaving or do they cull from this herd from time to time? Do we need protect the perimeter!” This seemed the first order of business to Sam. Of course a situation can change but one needs know how restfully one can lay their head, and where they can retreat to in times of trouble.
“What can you tell us about the leadership of the foes? The giant is in charge, is it? Do we know where they are?” Sam asks, trying to cut to the core of the matter. “We saw dead faeries. Terry suggested they were opponents of the not-deer. Is this confirmed? So are they on our side? Are there more?” The more details about goes, and potential Allie’s, the better. So far the information is vague, details matter when planning an offensive.
“And what of the leadership of Hokum? Are there any here who can speak on behalf of the city. Tell their view of events, relay the situation in the city last they seen and the like? I’m not opposed to killing monsters in the woods out of civic duty and such, but we were sent to check on Hokum specifically…”
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After hearing what answers he can get from those around, Sam quite simply asks “Just what do you want us to do about it?”
He’s looking to find out if these people want help escaping or want Sam and the others to go on the offensive. “This many cannot move stealthily or quietly. And I fear we could not protect everyone if we tried to retreat… Similarly, if we took the offensive the enemy surely would make a counter strike to cut off any place we had to seek a reprieve, if nothing else…”
Muir looks between the female leaning against the pole and the Orc and does his best to answer their questions "From what I understand the faeries were sent from this group here to find a route out of the woods. They hadn't heard from them and were wondering if they made it....They will be sad to hear they did not. Safe you ask? Look around. I don't mean to be pessimistic or so direct but we are not safe. Try to openly leave and the Not-Deer will attack you. I believe it is only a matter of time before the Red Caps come seeking blood, presumably for the Giant in the mountains. The dead faeries were friends of the people here. It seems when this tear happened good and bad....fey creatures emerged. This is all speculation from what I have seen and spoken about with others in this camp and.....elsewhere. The leaders here are Goldsheaf and Shionne. Goldsheaf is the woman who runs the town, she is no mayor or council person but she handles all logistics for the sale of produce from the community to Marblestead and other towns....She is their leader. Shionne as I mentioned is a Dryad trying to help. I have not met them yet." Muir looks at Gore to fill in the blanks
Gore nods solemnly along with Muir's retelling of information, "the attack upon the town was horrific, but I'll leave Goldsheaf to explain that... Regarding safety in this camp? I can say that the Not-Deer have not dared tread foot in here... Yet. Nor have the redcaps ventured into the woods thankfully, however the trees do wander in every so often, the guards are capable enough to fight them off and they do provide good fuel. Lastly there is some kind of plague effecting the survivors, aside from the mutations and the soulless, many campers have been suffering nightmares which leave them exhausted and pained, I've tried healing them afterward but none of my limited healings or medicines seem to help, it's like they're being attacked in their sleep, one a night, every night like clockwork."
Terry shifts uncomfortably at this, Vin also returns from helping around the camp as Goldsheaf steps forward to answer questions next, her cheeks are a little red with blushing at Gerwyn's forwardness but she says nothing to protest, as she pulls her eyes away from him she clears her throat before addressing the group "firstly, if we are to escape we would be slow and would need to be unimpeded, if you really took down one of the Not-Deer then only one remains, if that can be taken care of then we can gather our people and get going, we may lose more people on the way but it would mean we could get aid from Marblestead through Trundlesten. It's not our best option though...
Really we need to take back the town, before the winter truly sets in and leaves us all frozen to death, there are maybe a hundred of these redcap things patrolling around in the town itself last we checked things out. The giant hasn't been seen since shortly after the attack. If we are to mount a counter attack we will need to do recon and work out a plan.
Alternatively if we are to run, then we still need to get a good lay of the land so that we can be prepared for any currently unforseen resistance, it would also help for any groups in the future who come here to take back the land, to know what they really face. I did not know of these adventurers" she says pointing to the patch that Muir holds out, "where was this found?"
"In a cave on a dead orc not more than a day's travel away" Muir responds holding out the patch for her to see
"May I?" Elthana asks the loxodon as he holds out the patch, and if he gives it to her, she looks it over then recalls, "Before we left Marblestead, we were told that an adventuring group had been sent by the cavalcade to Hokum before us. They were I believe, called the Splitters, because they all wielded some form of an axe." Elthana looks to Vin to see if he has anything to add, coming from the cavalcade himself. Then adding, "This doesn't bode well for them, unfortunately."
"I'm of a mind to fight, mostly," Sam admits. "I think we'd lose too many trying to protect those who cannot protect themselves to make retreat an option."
"These Red Caps don't come into the woods? So they will not be a threat to us here?" he asks to confirm that he understood. "So our concerns are the Not-Deer, the marauding pack of deer it can seemingly send, and the trees? Not counting the dream attacks, which I have no clue how we would even begin to counter..."
"Do the trees look like anything but trees? Is it like existing trees waking up and attacking or is it walking trees moving in from elsewhere? And do we know anything of the Not-Deer? Habits, tendencies, where it can often be found? It fled from us, which means it is scared of us... Which means I would like to find it and put it down for good."
"If we could take out the Not-Deer and maybe the trees you speak of, then at least we would be safer, if not safe. We would have more freedom to spy on Hokum and get the lay of things, with less worry of things creeping up behind us..."
Muir looks back and forth between the strangers. He hears the Orc's next round of questioning and points to him with his trunk "You don't say! An Orc who likes to fight haha." Muir laughs for a moment and abruptly stops. "I apologize that was rude of me, I don't even know your name and here I am making assumptions about you. To answer your questions..The Red Caps have not come to the woods yet. We are prevented from leaving because of the Not-Deer and trees in the woods. I did not encounter any of these trees when coming here but others have. They appear to look like any other tree but alive. When I was in Hokum it was mostly empty. The Red Caps were outside of the town, towards the mountains, camped talking about their next steps. I was chased here before I could do any reconnaissance. If we were to take back the town, we would need to eliminate what's in the woods first so we can send a larger fighting force to town. I don't know what to do with the soulless....Perhaps they could be given a task"
Vin comes back over to the group when called for having given out some food and then looking at one of the soulless and whispers to them "Don't give up." he seems sad when he comes over to the group and gets to listen in to all the conversations of what to do. He hears the problem of the not-deer corralling and the redcaps threatening death at any moment. He tries not to think too hard on the subject of otherworlds and such as he has a ton of questions but one look around the camp of injured, hurt, or worse people in the group and its a simple matter for him. Get them to safety. Neferox seems to come over to him and while listening Vin says to Nef "Not run away Nef. Save them." Nef seems to look around the camp then at Vin. Vin says to them "It's the right thing to do." Neferox sighs but nods their head and then vin suddenly looks startled and then thoughtful.
As Elthana shows Vin the symbol he takes it and says "Yeah, that's their symbol. I guess they didn't make it..." He looks solemn and a bit worried but hides it quick. He then asks "I don't suppose anyone has seen a person with a ring with a leaf design on it? They should be from a group of guards sent by Trundlesten. I told their sister I would try to find them." he seems focused on saving folks more then the mystery but he's obviously curious about the entire thing. He listens to the explanation of how the not-deer are like sentries and how some of the trees are deadly too. The boy looks at Gore and Muir and says "Nef knows a way we can all get out of here... I don't think you will like it but... I think it would work to get everyone out of here."
Elthana notices Muir point at Sam as he doesn't know their names, "Ah yes, introductions I suppose are in order? My name is Elthana, that is Sam our warrior, Vin here with his beast Neferox, and Gewyn our bard." She nods to each in turn as she introduces them.
"Yes, getting these folks back to Hokum I'd agree would be our main goal. If we can defeat those that are keeping them here, that would be good." She looks to Vin, "I'm curious to hear Nef's idea. I hope it doesn't include anyone getting more hurt than they already are." She looks to her team, "Would it help if I scouted towards Hokum to see exactly where the redcaps are? And possibly an idea of how many? Might help with determining what we do next."
One of the guard, a middle aged man who led the group into camp, and met Muir in the forest previously, approaches with some amount of curiosity.
As Goldleaf is about to answer Elthanas question a voice permeates the air around the group, with a heavy accent it reels off their names, "Elthana, Sam, Vin, Neferox, Gweyn, Muir..." Terry steps forward toward the large tree everyone is stood by as it begins glowing in an autumnal golden yellow.
The group watches as out of the tree a golden skinned tall and slim woman steps from the bark and, with Terry's guiding hand, gently lowers to the ground. The woman's features are heavily angular, her pointed ears more acute and longer than any elf seen before, her hair floats in the air elegantly behind her and is comprised of thousands of soft golden leaves and vine, her dress is similarly made of slowly moving and constantly flowing golden leaves, that swirl around her.
"May I present lady Shionne, of house summer. I shall act as her Translator" Terry states in a presentation fashion.
Some of the survivors around the camp watch as Shionne emerges, but most act without much profound interest, as if this is a common sight for them.
Shionne begins speaking, her words are a subtle song that flow and rhyme, with strange elongated vowels that that form from her mouth with ease. "Welcome newcomers, I have listened, and I am proud of the achievements you have accomplished thus far, I may be able to supply some much needed information for your plans." Terry echoes her words back in the common tongue.
Neferox looks to Elthana as they inquire about their plan and then looks to terry expectantly. She growls in annoyance when Terry seems to ignore her but as the goatman stands by a tree that suddenly slows in golden color they stop. Vin for their part doesn't seem keen on explaining Nef's plan and seems to want an alternative but can't think of one. The distraction of lady Shionne entering the camp catching their attention in a welcomed way. The boy a bit awestruck at the golden figure that emerged from the tree itself watches as Terry provides an introduction to her as lady Shionne of House Summer. Neferox just slumps down looking unimpressed and bored. She is watching from the corner of their eye though as she listens.
When she speaks Vin seems to perk up like the beautiful song of the language is almost familiar but not quite. Vin replies in common "I'm glad you came to help the people here. Thank you Shionne. Ummm... My name is Vin and any information you can give us would be very welcomed. It's a bit much for me to even take in there are other worlds out there. Let alone understand what kind of battle is being waged here or even why. I'm hopeful we can save the survivors here though." he's a bit awkward in replying to someone obviously of high standing but the young man tries to sound as polite and friendly as he can. He seems extremely curious to learn more but he's trying to stay focused on the problems at hand. His desire to learn more about these feylike beings burning in his mind but he has a lot of practice in not doing things for himself.
Neferox just continues to lay down and waits to be able to tell her plan and hopefully get the ability to speak again.
Muir gives Gore a smile as Shionne speaks as his ears gently flap. He says nothing but instead listens to Shionne. He looks at Vin as he speaks and notices his dog called Neferox. It seems to Muir they have a connection beyond normal owner and dog relationships. He wonders to himself....
Sam smirks a bit as Muir makes the crack about Orcs and fighting but has no other response. It’s not exactly untrue and he’s used to people assuming that and worse.
“Just how far are we from Hokum?” Sam asks after Muir has had their say. “Close enough the Red Caps need be considered an imminent threat or they a force that would need time to get here, if trouble started?”
“Task for the soulless, huh? Give them torches and burn the woods down, mayhap. Solve the tree being problem, maybe the Not-Deer issue as well…” Sam considers aloud. “Though we’d likely get caught in the flames too, so probably not option A.”
Sam bends down and strokes the lions back a moment, considering things. “Remind me, Vin” he asks. “The group with the symbol? You were acquainted with them? Same school or something?”
When Elthana is doing introductions Sam rises at his name and gives a nod to Muir. He listens to her questions and adds one more: Are the soulless able to follow someone through the woods? Adjust speed as they do? Or need constant direction?
As their names Ring out Dam turns, eyes wide but wary. He can hear power in the voice and he always respects power.As Terry introduces Shionne Sam almost kneels down but quickly realizes nobody else is and stops himself before he makes a scene. He does bow his head for the introduction, though, only revising it to look upon her once she begins speaking.
As Vin speaks up Sam listens attentively and respectfully, eager to find out more information but hesitant to speak up to Shionne himself…