Gewyn, having spoken his fair share, grabs another bite of food as he hums a tune to himself. He takes a mouthful, chews contemplatively for a moment, then grabs a pinch of salt from a small pouch and sprinkles it over top of his bowl, with an extra little sprinkle on his tongue just for good measure. He looks expectantly at the others as he continues to eat.
Sam has paused throwing a stick for Órga to chase once Shionne made her entrance. Both Sam and the lion listened, each with their head tilted to one side. Only Órga had their tongue lolling out though…
“Aye. Morning,” Sam agrees. “Beasties and evil nightmares aside, we’d apt to have a dozen broken legs and knocked heads bringing this lot through in the dead of night…”
“Besides, we’ve some questions and things to discuss…” Sam is thinking of the dead trees, the impaled guard and other such topics but he’ll wait and see if the thinking types ask first before he barges all over the topics. Besides, he could still use some sleep…
Vin walks over to the group discussing plans to leave. Nef now in their shadow following behind once again as the peer with red eyes at everyone. They seem to look at Shionne a bit longer then others but otherwise doesn't seem to care. Vin nods as he listens and says "I was struggling not to trip on tree roots just on our way back. I think waiting until first light is the only option with people injured." They look around at their companions and then back at Shionne and Goldsheaf. "Did my companions mention the dying trees yet? I know there was some worry on that."
Muir sits and listens to Sam and Vin speak and wonders what and how much he should say...He decides to hold back for now.
"Terry translate this please. We came across 2 things in the woods that should alter our escape route. The first where we killed the creature. There was a huge clearing that smelled of death. We did not cross the clearing but instead looked up at the trees and found one of the guards that helped my companions impaled and torn to shreds in a tree. It seems like it was put there to feed a pet or some sort of signaling system perhaps. The second as Vin mentioned was a blight that has killed trees in the woods. Upon conferring with Gore we believe something is feeding off the trees by using its root system. The trees we came upon were not entirely dead but dying probably because they are not near the source of the blight. If we are to leave tomorrow morning there is a cave to the northeast that should provide cover and safety until the rest of us can figure out what is happening in the rest of the woods. Perhaps you could offer some insight to the dying trees"
Shionne listens to the translation provided by Terry, Goldsheaf perks up with interest, "a signalling system? Impaled in a tree? How do you mean?, I'm sorry to hear of your companion, but I don't understand... That sounds like the work of something intelligent, not just trees and deer..."
Shionne speaks, he words singing out for all the group to hear, only to be somewhat drowned out by Terry's translation back to the group, "dying trees, a blight, you say from a single source? This speaks of the corruption that spread throughout our outer-lands and became home to those which we banished. In our lands this was caused by invading the invading corruption for other realms, but we never figured out the source, the lands that were corrupted became forbidden for the safeguarding of our people's."
Vin looks to Goldsheaf with a look of understanding concern "Well, if it was just wild animals and trees attacking, people would of got out and made it to Trundlesten with news and requests for a whole army to come. Instead they act more like a barrier of guardians and sentries to prevent escape. I haven't heard the details of what happened in town but..." he gestures around. "I know its enough to get a response of force. I know it's scary to think on... I'm terrified of the idea something can control animals and plants like that... let alone other things it can do. That's why we are trying to move fast right? Get to safety. I think Trundlesten is best to escape to but... you know these lands better then me. We will do what we can to help. We've already made a lot of progress killing the not-deer right? So we can do this. Just got to stay strong and have hope."
Nef looks to Shionne and gives a few growls. Not in warning but an unmistaken question directed to her. Vin looks to her to see if she needs translation but he doesn't look like he wants to.
“Sounds like it’s not just some faerie strays,” Sam says from where he sits strolling the lion’s fur. “It sounds like a faerie invasion. Sounds like Faerie has declared war…”
Sam says it in a more thoughtful tone than dramatic one but his eyes and his face is very serious. He turns to look to Elthana, to Gewyn and to Vin and gives each a long look. “I think this is something we need to report on back to our Faction leaders, if we can. If you have a way. We haven’t reached Hokum yet but we know the problem is Faeries. Real live actually existing faeries. They’ve taken lives. They taken mins or soils or gods know what… they have taken land and the seem too to be taking the very life out of the land. Declared or not, those be the actions of warfare…”
Sam stands at this, letting out a large sigh and pressing his hands to the small of his back for a moment. Sam then turns to look directly at Shionne. “Am I wrong? Would the faerie kings and queens think any different if our people had entered your realm and done as much? Even if I was there to suggest it was only the bad ones… the people we threw away and ignored?”
Muir sits and listens to Shionne and feared as much that it was something from her world. He wants to ask more but here's Vin suggest taking everyone to Trundlesten. Muir shoots Nef a glance after hearing the dog's growl. He can't help but wonder if everyone knows..... He sits quietly listening to Sam and waits to see who speaks next
Gewyn steps forward saying, "Well I think discussions of war and what have you can be had at a later time..."He makes pointed eye contact with Sam and then nudges his head slightly toward the frightened, ragged masses. A later time with fewer people close to panic, his gaze seems to suggest.
"Our priority for now is getting everyone to safety. Once we are all free of this forest, we can make our way to Trundlesten where there is warmth, food, drink, and merriment. There the good people of Hokum can rest and recover while the land reclamation efforts take place."
"that must be our priority, I agree.." Mayor Goldsheaf speaks up, nodding to Gewyn.
"However the thought had crossed my mind, if we were to lure away the, um.. 'redcaps' or make a successful counter attack with you and the guard, maybe the druids too. We could get back to our homes, our resources, protect ourselves and heal properly. It may be a long shot but if it is possible, then our journey would be quicker, we should discuss all possibilities" there is a sad desperation in her voice but she is trying to mask it with reason.
Muir listening to the conversation between everyone and looks at Gore. Gore gives him a look as if agreeing to what Muir is thinking. "Gore and I will aid where we can. If a counterattack is what you decide then we should bring those who cannot fight to the cave Gore knows of. He can lead the way. It is northeast from here and away from town, the clearing that smelled of death, the trees with the impaled, and the blight. He can stay and provide sanctuary to those in the cave. However, leading this group to Trundlesten right now would be a tragic mistake as there are too many unanswered questions. If Trundleston is the desired plan then we should not move out until we find a safe route which includes scouting the road there. We do not know if any of what is happening has spread outside of these woods." Muir pauses a moment before speaking Sylvan to Shionne directly.
Elthana waits in the wings as the rest discuss. Which way they go doesn't matter to her, but she does want to rid Hokum of whatever blight has taken over the city - these redcaps or what have you. The issue with the trees bothers her as well. She remains quiet though as she figures another voice will not help things. She does notice Muir give a look when Nef growls at Shionne... she wonders what that was about.
Shionne looks surprised at Muir, he speaks to her in her own tongue fluently, she responds and this time Terry does not translate, he looks a little uncomfortable as Shionne directly addresses Muir. After a moment of her speaking she looks sad, longing, like someone reminiscing on loss. She then appears, in her sung language, to thank Muir, this much is apparent from her demeanour.
Elthana looks at Muir and Shionne with a bit of annoyance as they communicate without the rest of the group. So she turns to Terry, hand on hip and asks, "And may I ask why you stopped interpreting? Just because our Loxodon friend here understands her, doesn't mean the rest of us do."
"oh! I, um, well.. your Loxodon friend has asked a question of a.. um, personal nature, it's not really my place to say unless expressly wished by my mistress.. um.." Terry trails off and kind of hangs his head a little shamefully, uncomfortably, maybe just as a way to not have to look at Elthana and her frustrations but also very obviously because he's a little intimidated.
Muir finishes his conversation and looks to the others “Apologies everyone. It was easier for me to talk to her directly instead of through Terry. Shionne is in a weakened state because of her distance from the portal and losing her sisters. If we are able to get her closer to the portal she would be more help. At this distance she is…how can I put it…existing. If we use the cave to the northeast it may help her regain her strength while we carry out whatever the plan is”
"Of course talk of it can wait," Sam replies to Gewyn. "We have our immediate concerns, of course. Which is why I suggested you all warn your faction leaders - Let's not have Marblestead caught off guard, eh?"
Sam watches the back and forth between the Faerie Ambassador and Muir with suspicious eyes. "Not she did not deny a war was afoot though," Sam quietly notes to Gewyn after.
"We came from outside these woods. Except for one lone dead faerie there was no sign of trouble until we entered them. And as our majesty there said, the wee lad was just too far from the portal. It would seem the further we get the people from the portal the safer they are from the faerie menace, no?" Sam asks the others. "I'm for taking out some of these redcaps or stopping trees from dying, though that one seems a bit outside my ken... But our first goal should be saving these people and any others we can who may still be at Hokum. We were assembled to investigate the problem with Hokum, not to save Our Lady of the Tree." Sam smiles and gives a bit of an apologetic bow to Shionne.
"I would suggest the lead these people back the way we came. Get them to the edge of the forest and then trust their guards to lead them on to Trundlesten from there. Meanwhile we would turn back to Hokum, see what is what and give any trouble makers what for."
"We can probably do both. I know a lot of people want to do more but they can't because they need to protect the people hurt, scared, or just want out of this. Why not send all the people that don't want to or can't fight to Trundlesten with some people to keep an eye on them on the way and the rest can help out with scouting Hokum, helping Shionne, and other things." Vin tries to get a sense of how many want to fight or help out and how many need to just get out of here. Thru know there's a lot of the redcaps and a giant so finding out what else is here will be really helpful when Marblestead sends a force to help.
Listening to the others Muir remembers the Clerics’ plans from Lyvander “The Clerics of Hermes are sending forces this way. If my calculations are correct scouts should be here in less than a week’s time and their forces a few days after. It would be a great help in retaking the town. So if we bring those that cannot fight to the cave and make sure they are safe we can move out to meet the scouts and take out whatever we find along the way. What day the rest of you?”
As a plan is formed, the most important point is rounded upon, and that is that the first thing needed is rest.
As the group bed down, trying to shield themselves from the new winter's chill proves difficult, especially as keeping fully dry whilst moving around in the forest is near impossible.
Sleep comes to those who need it, Vin spends a little time conversing with Goldsheaf about the primary attack in Hokum, but the conversation is intentionally quiet as to not instigate more upset from the survivors. Shionne returns to her tree for a little while but returns an hour or so later, peeking her head out from a different tree this time, a soft glow predicating her arrival as she appears from the tree that Gewyn has chosen to lay his head against, the two have a conversation whilst Gewyn plays with his mirror and Neferox' squints her eyes at them in suspicion from across the encampment.
Eventually each member of the group gets some much needed rest, having been reassured by the guard that they would be watched over throughout the night along with the rest of the camp.
Gewyn, having spoken his fair share, grabs another bite of food as he hums a tune to himself. He takes a mouthful, chews contemplatively for a moment, then grabs a pinch of salt from a small pouch and sprinkles it over top of his bowl, with an extra little sprinkle on his tongue just for good measure. He looks expectantly at the others as he continues to eat.
Sam has paused throwing a stick for Órga to chase once Shionne made her entrance. Both Sam and the lion listened, each with their head tilted to one side. Only Órga had their tongue lolling out though…
“Aye. Morning,” Sam agrees. “Beasties and evil nightmares aside, we’d apt to have a dozen broken legs and knocked heads bringing this lot through in the dead of night…”
“Besides, we’ve some questions and things to discuss…” Sam is thinking of the dead trees, the impaled guard and other such topics but he’ll wait and see if the thinking types ask first before he barges all over the topics. Besides, he could still use some sleep…
Vin walks over to the group discussing plans to leave. Nef now in their shadow following behind once again as the peer with red eyes at everyone. They seem to look at Shionne a bit longer then others but otherwise doesn't seem to care. Vin nods as he listens and says "I was struggling not to trip on tree roots just on our way back. I think waiting until first light is the only option with people injured." They look around at their companions and then back at Shionne and Goldsheaf. "Did my companions mention the dying trees yet? I know there was some worry on that."
Muir sits and listens to Sam and Vin speak and wonders what and how much he should say...He decides to hold back for now.
"Terry translate this please. We came across 2 things in the woods that should alter our escape route. The first where we killed the creature. There was a huge clearing that smelled of death. We did not cross the clearing but instead looked up at the trees and found one of the guards that helped my companions impaled and torn to shreds in a tree. It seems like it was put there to feed a pet or some sort of signaling system perhaps. The second as Vin mentioned was a blight that has killed trees in the woods. Upon conferring with Gore we believe something is feeding off the trees by using its root system. The trees we came upon were not entirely dead but dying probably because they are not near the source of the blight. If we are to leave tomorrow morning there is a cave to the northeast that should provide cover and safety until the rest of us can figure out what is happening in the rest of the woods. Perhaps you could offer some insight to the dying trees"
Shionne listens to the translation provided by Terry, Goldsheaf perks up with interest, "a signalling system? Impaled in a tree? How do you mean?, I'm sorry to hear of your companion, but I don't understand... That sounds like the work of something intelligent, not just trees and deer..."
Shionne speaks, he words singing out for all the group to hear, only to be somewhat drowned out by Terry's translation back to the group, "dying trees, a blight, you say from a single source? This speaks of the corruption that spread throughout our outer-lands and became home to those which we banished. In our lands this was caused by invading the invading corruption for other realms, but we never figured out the source, the lands that were corrupted became forbidden for the safeguarding of our people's."
Vin looks to Goldsheaf with a look of understanding concern "Well, if it was just wild animals and trees attacking, people would of got out and made it to Trundlesten with news and requests for a whole army to come. Instead they act more like a barrier of guardians and sentries to prevent escape. I haven't heard the details of what happened in town but..." he gestures around. "I know its enough to get a response of force. I know it's scary to think on... I'm terrified of the idea something can control animals and plants like that... let alone other things it can do. That's why we are trying to move fast right? Get to safety. I think Trundlesten is best to escape to but... you know these lands better then me. We will do what we can to help. We've already made a lot of progress killing the not-deer right? So we can do this. Just got to stay strong and have hope."
Nef looks to Shionne and gives a few growls. Not in warning but an unmistaken question directed to her. Vin looks to her to see if she needs translation but he doesn't look like he wants to.
“Sounds like it’s not just some faerie strays,” Sam says from where he sits strolling the lion’s fur. “It sounds like a faerie invasion. Sounds like Faerie has declared war…”
Sam says it in a more thoughtful tone than dramatic one but his eyes and his face is very serious. He turns to look to Elthana, to Gewyn and to Vin and gives each a long look. “I think this is something we need to report on back to our Faction leaders, if we can. If you have a way. We haven’t reached Hokum yet but we know the problem is Faeries. Real live actually existing faeries. They’ve taken lives. They taken mins or soils or gods know what… they have taken land and the seem too to be taking the very life out of the land. Declared or not, those be the actions of warfare…”
Sam stands at this, letting out a large sigh and pressing his hands to the small of his back for a moment. Sam then turns to look directly at Shionne. “Am I wrong? Would the faerie kings and queens think any different if our people had entered your realm and done as much? Even if I was there to suggest it was only the bad ones… the people we threw away and ignored?”
Muir sits and listens to Shionne and feared as much that it was something from her world. He wants to ask more but here's Vin suggest taking everyone to Trundlesten. Muir shoots Nef a glance after hearing the dog's growl. He can't help but wonder if everyone knows..... He sits quietly listening to Sam and waits to see who speaks next
Gewyn steps forward saying, "Well I think discussions of war and what have you can be had at a later time..." He makes pointed eye contact with Sam and then nudges his head slightly toward the frightened, ragged masses. A later time with fewer people close to panic, his gaze seems to suggest.
"Our priority for now is getting everyone to safety. Once we are all free of this forest, we can make our way to Trundlesten where there is warmth, food, drink, and merriment. There the good people of Hokum can rest and recover while the land reclamation efforts take place."
"that must be our priority, I agree.." Mayor Goldsheaf speaks up, nodding to Gewyn.
"However the thought had crossed my mind, if we were to lure away the, um.. 'redcaps' or make a successful counter attack with you and the guard, maybe the druids too. We could get back to our homes, our resources, protect ourselves and heal properly. It may be a long shot but if it is possible, then our journey would be quicker, we should discuss all possibilities" there is a sad desperation in her voice but she is trying to mask it with reason.
Muir listening to the conversation between everyone and looks at Gore. Gore gives him a look as if agreeing to what Muir is thinking. "Gore and I will aid where we can. If a counterattack is what you decide then we should bring those who cannot fight to the cave Gore knows of. He can lead the way. It is northeast from here and away from town, the clearing that smelled of death, the trees with the impaled, and the blight. He can stay and provide sanctuary to those in the cave. However, leading this group to Trundlesten right now would be a tragic mistake as there are too many unanswered questions. If Trundleston is the desired plan then we should not move out until we find a safe route which includes scouting the road there. We do not know if any of what is happening has spread outside of these woods." Muir pauses a moment before speaking Sylvan to Shionne directly.
Elthana waits in the wings as the rest discuss. Which way they go doesn't matter to her, but she does want to rid Hokum of whatever blight has taken over the city - these redcaps or what have you. The issue with the trees bothers her as well. She remains quiet though as she figures another voice will not help things. She does notice Muir give a look when Nef growls at Shionne... she wonders what that was about.
Shionne looks surprised at Muir, he speaks to her in her own tongue fluently, she responds and this time Terry does not translate, he looks a little uncomfortable as Shionne directly addresses Muir. After a moment of her speaking she looks sad, longing, like someone reminiscing on loss. She then appears, in her sung language, to thank Muir, this much is apparent from her demeanour.
Elthana looks at Muir and Shionne with a bit of annoyance as they communicate without the rest of the group. So she turns to Terry, hand on hip and asks, "And may I ask why you stopped interpreting? Just because our Loxodon friend here understands her, doesn't mean the rest of us do."
"oh! I, um, well.. your Loxodon friend has asked a question of a.. um, personal nature, it's not really my place to say unless expressly wished by my mistress.. um.." Terry trails off and kind of hangs his head a little shamefully, uncomfortably, maybe just as a way to not have to look at Elthana and her frustrations but also very obviously because he's a little intimidated.
Muir finishes his conversation and looks to the others “Apologies everyone. It was easier for me to talk to her directly instead of through Terry. Shionne is in a weakened state because of her distance from the portal and losing her sisters. If we are able to get her closer to the portal she would be more help. At this distance she is…how can I put it…existing. If we use the cave to the northeast it may help her regain her strength while we carry out whatever the plan is”
"Of course talk of it can wait," Sam replies to Gewyn. "We have our immediate concerns, of course. Which is why I suggested you all warn your faction leaders - Let's not have Marblestead caught off guard, eh?"
Sam watches the back and forth between the Faerie Ambassador and Muir with suspicious eyes. "Not she did not deny a war was afoot though," Sam quietly notes to Gewyn after.
"We came from outside these woods. Except for one lone dead faerie there was no sign of trouble until we entered them. And as our majesty there said, the wee lad was just too far from the portal. It would seem the further we get the people from the portal the safer they are from the faerie menace, no?" Sam asks the others. "I'm for taking out some of these redcaps or stopping trees from dying, though that one seems a bit outside my ken... But our first goal should be saving these people and any others we can who may still be at Hokum. We were assembled to investigate the problem with Hokum, not to save Our Lady of the Tree." Sam smiles and gives a bit of an apologetic bow to Shionne.
"I would suggest the lead these people back the way we came. Get them to the edge of the forest and then trust their guards to lead them on to Trundlesten from there. Meanwhile we would turn back to Hokum, see what is what and give any trouble makers what for."
"We can probably do both. I know a lot of people want to do more but they can't because they need to protect the people hurt, scared, or just want out of this. Why not send all the people that don't want to or can't fight to Trundlesten with some people to keep an eye on them on the way and the rest can help out with scouting Hokum, helping Shionne, and other things." Vin tries to get a sense of how many want to fight or help out and how many need to just get out of here. Thru know there's a lot of the redcaps and a giant so finding out what else is here will be really helpful when Marblestead sends a force to help.
Listening to the others Muir remembers the Clerics’ plans from Lyvander “The Clerics of Hermes are sending forces this way. If my calculations are correct scouts should be here in less than a week’s time and their forces a few days after. It would be a great help in retaking the town. So if we bring those that cannot fight to the cave and make sure they are safe we can move out to meet the scouts and take out whatever we find along the way. What day the rest of you?”
As a plan is formed, the most important point is rounded upon, and that is that the first thing needed is rest.
As the group bed down, trying to shield themselves from the new winter's chill proves difficult, especially as keeping fully dry whilst moving around in the forest is near impossible.
Sleep comes to those who need it, Vin spends a little time conversing with Goldsheaf about the primary attack in Hokum, but the conversation is intentionally quiet as to not instigate more upset from the survivors. Shionne returns to her tree for a little while but returns an hour or so later, peeking her head out from a different tree this time, a soft glow predicating her arrival as she appears from the tree that Gewyn has chosen to lay his head against, the two have a conversation whilst Gewyn plays with his mirror and Neferox' squints her eyes at them in suspicion from across the encampment.
Eventually each member of the group gets some much needed rest, having been reassured by the guard that they would be watched over throughout the night along with the rest of the camp.
(Wisdom save from everyone, please)