Hootie lands on Sam's shoulder and looks into his eyes and attempts to communicate with him, first her eyes go very wide and then she flaps her wings as if shuddering, feathers fluffed out like the hairs standing on the back of ones neck.. she then repositions herself on his shoulder and takes off again into the alley.
Elthana looks to Sam once Hootie is back, "Your bird there see anything?"
Sam considers a moment the replies saying “She saw something scary… in the alley. She wants to show us where it is…”
Just as Sam speaks so does Muir, something about the prisoners and a natural power…
(so… a decision or are they in the same direction? I’m betting a decision is needed.)
"Yes, yes, that is why we are here, to save the prisoners." Elthana responds to Muir. She looks to Hootie, unsure what that bird is trying to convey, but hates being ambushed.
She looks around the site getting her bearings from where they were before. Pointing to a higher vantage point almost directly East of the fires, she says, "That was where Vin and I were before and saw that tree fighting that was not one of ours. Probably what you are feeling now, Hirsi and Muir. With everything going on, I'm feeling we need to move forward and splitting up isn't the best idea, but Vin and I can head back up there to see what is going on? Otherwise we can just head towards the fighting."
Muir emphatically says "I do not wish to delay any longer. Attacking from a vantage point is a good idea but I won't sit here and wait with what seems to be something tied to the powers of nature and druids fighting on the other side alone. Hirsi and I can convey that we are friends and help the tree...You all do what you must, I understand your hesitancy"
"Let's just keep moving toward the fighting and save the villagers. Elthana and I can go scope things out from that vantage point after we get them. Best we make a unified assault to save the townsfolk first. Then we can scout out to make sure the route back is safe for them while the rest of you tend to injuries or manage ways for them to mobilize away from here." Vin seems pretty focused on saving the villagers first then moving onto the next step.
Neferox is just keeping an eye out for danger and hidden enemies at this time. Defiantly on high alert and perhaps a bit closer to Vin then normal very clearly focusing on his safety first.
“Well point me in the right direction then,” Sam says, hefting up his maul and ready to keep moving. “Bootie’s prolly just bird brained anyway.” But as he says it he looks to the owl and gives them a wink. He believes they found something but they’ve been out voted us all…
Vin and Elthana scale the building and move toward their previous vantage point, Muir eagerly steps forward, is followed by Hirsi, Sam, Gewyn, Neferox and Órga.
With hootie gone into the darkness of the alley, the group refocus on the sounds fight in front of them. As the main body of the group circumvents the bonfire, the prisoner building comes into view, Infront of which five Redcaps seems to be attacking and harassing some king of tree creature, the creature is medium sized, much smaller than the awakened trees that carried out the initial distraction, and it has a void in its bark where two glowing orbs hover, replicating eyes.
As this odd plant is being attacked it slams it's foot into the ground taking root and bursting forth out of the cobblestone entangling vines sprout and restrain three of the Redcaps, it then takes a thick branched arm and beats the closest one to death, in two swift hits, the rest of the Redcaps then attack it, blistering tree bark and splintering the structure of the plant, it shrinks slightly.
Hirsi can barely contain her excitement, whatever she is feeling is being heightened by the sight of this tree creature, she takes advantage of the Redcaps being distracted and moves within 30ft, throwing something toward one of the Redcaps, it's clothes begin to move and writhe with bugs and mites, but it the attack doesn't seem to bother the redcap this time.
(Everyone is able to move up to melee if they wish or cast range attacks from 30ush ft away, this is a surprise round, no initiative necessary unless any Redcaps survive)
Seeing the battle, Sam chokes up on his maul and rushes right in to stand with... Well, whatever this tree is. He recklessly swings his maul twice looking to squash these things and pop them like disgusting little bloody pimples.
Maul attack 1: Attack 15, Damage 18
Maul attack 2: Attack 22, Damage 17
(Same target unless attack 1 hits and kills...)
Órga slides into the fray as well, a low growl and a soft but heavy footfall coming from the lion as they rushes in to attack any Redcap within range of an ally (preferrably Sam but if not, any) so that they can take advantage of their Pack Tactics...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Vin doesn't waste any time in blasting the redcaps. He's also very glad he took a few moments to support that tree being because they don't look so good now. If they didn't take out the few they did and heal them they might not still be standing. This is just one more ally to help protect the villagers and maybe help shutdown the changes to the portal. Coordinating with the plant creature Vin is going start blasting. At the same time Neferox rushes on mauling any unfortunate enough to not fall to the others first.
Eldrich Blast 1: 11 Damage: 10
Eldrich Blast 2: 22 Damage: 9
Nef goes in for some bite attacks trying to make sure none get away so any that looks like they might be able to escape she focuses them first. She will be aiming to rip their legs out from under them first hopefully knocking them prone then finishing them off after.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Muir follows Hirsi and stand slightly in front of her to intercept any red caps that may come toward them. He casts produce flame at one of the Redcaps
As Sam's maul connects with the first redcap it recoils from the crushing blow, as he is about to swing upon it once more an arrow comes out if nowhere and pins the creatures now lifeless body to the floor, it begins to deflate as it loses the blood from its head which comes spilling out onto the floor. Luckily Sam redirects his second swing which throws a Redcap back and is similarly Peirce's by another arrow, this one pinning the redcap to the wall of the building and killing it.
Neferox and Òrga both Pounce upon the same redcap neferox's first bite misses as Órga drags the creature one way but then both animals find purchase and begin tearing it to shreds, there is a moment where the two four legged fiends are playing tug of war with the mushroom like creature but as its body is pulled apart it seems that Neferox won out, and feasts upon the larger chunk of dead Redcap.
The last Redcap is caught off guard by an eldritch blast, it looks around to see where the source of the strike came from when another blasts into its chest, before it can react though it's body ignites, the flames wrapping around its body make it writhe in agony, bit the pain is short lived as it succumbs to its wounds and falls dead smouldering at the feet of the tree creature.
The tree creature reacts quickly to the fire, uprooting it's entanglement and reactively stepping away from the flames, it falls to one knee in exhaustion, before speaking. The language appears to be a gruff version of the language Shionne uses, and it's words echo from within the void of the bark which hold its two glowing orbs.
Muir steps forward with Hirsi. Upon hearing the tree talk Muir's suspicions were confirmed. Hirsi leaps to the tree, wraps her arms around her and says "I thought we'd lost you Master Thunberg..."and begins to cry of joy. Muir turns to the others "This is a friend who we thought was lost in the battle for Hokum. She was able to transfer her spirit to a tree before dying. This is Master Thunberg."Muir turns to Thunberg and speaks in Sylvan unsure if she has lost her ability to speak common
"Master Gore has mentioned that you would be helping but I never thought I would see you again. It is so good to see you. I did feel your presence when talking to Old Thicket. You emboldened me to speak up, strike a deal and end the conflict. You were....are the best of us... It seems the deal has worked out for us so far. I wish I would have been here with you and Master Gore...I could have....."
Muir pauses with sadness in his eyes
"I have so many questions about your current form but it seems that they should wait. What can you tell us about what is happening here? We think the Redcaps use blood to feed but also feed something else. There was mention of a giant and a hag. Do you know anything that could aid us?
The slashes and splintered branches of Master Thunbergs treelike body begin to slowly grow and sew themselves together once more, she listens intently as Muir speaks, understanding both in common and in Sylvan, though it appears she can only speak sylvan.
She stands once more embracing Hirsi back before putting the druidic ovate down again, hirsi sees the confusion on people's face with the sylvan language and translates what she can as Master Thunberg replies;
"I spent a long time wandering as a spirit after I died, watched over my people, though they could not see or feel my protection, once they made camp and were secluded away, I helped some approaching guard find them, and helped keep the predators at bay, then I explored the town. I watched as these things collected blood from their prisoners, and take some of it into the mountain, I watched as they sometimes brought different blood back, I watched them sleep, and eat and prepare ritualistic evil magics with the different blood and metals.
All the while I could feel a strong source of power coming from the mountain, but it has been getting weaker, taken over by something evil... It's nearly gone now, but before it became too weak it called upon my wandering soul, light overtook me and I felt a presence of raw energy, it's was filled with sorrow, guilt. It offered me the chance to protect what I had failed to. To help. But that chance would come at the cost of everything that comes after... Now I am here, I'm back, and I can help here, help Hokum as you have all helped too.
A hag, A giant, this is something I have no knowledge of, I could not traverse beyond the bounds of the town or the forest, my home."
There is mixed feelings coming from Hirsi, the Harengon had trained under Thunberg and Gore and now the druidic beliefs of the circle of life, that which is natural and sacred to the afterlife of druids was something that would be forever out of reach for her old master. Thunberg is now an unnatural creature dedicated to the protection of the natural order, a contradiction unto herself.
Sam is getting edgy with the talky talky and inching his way over towards where the prisoners are held. Órga stays at his side mimicing his tension.
"We doing this, or not?" he asks, some annoyance in his voice. "Hag. Giant. Five of these redcaps who combine into one giant redcap... We need to free the prisoners and get them to the safe house before we track it down, right?"
Gewyn listens to the words of Master Thunberg spoken through Hirsi, and is struck by the profound sadness of her situation. "Bittersweet it is to see you again," he says quietly. "To no longer belong in a place, yet to be bound there all the same... I know a song for that feeling..."
He turns, hearing Sam's questions, and shakes himself from his thoughts. He casts an understanding look over his shoulder at Master Thunberg. Then, back to Sam and the others he says, "I agree we should get moving, and I think it's now or never for me." He shakes his hands out restlessly. "I'm running hot, so let's do what we came here to do before my nerve runs out"
As Master Thunberg has their attention and letting them know what is going on through HIrsi, Elthana is abruptly aware of the sound of a bird being killed behind her as well as other... noises. She turns to Vin, "Look, I need to know what is going on over there." she points to an area the next building over and into the alley. "You can either come with me, or go let the others know and help with the prisoners. If it doesn't look like I can handle it, I will come back and let you all know what I see. I can just scout it out."
Sam stiffens and turns to look back towards the alley they disregarded in order to come here and help the tree... spirit... thing.
"Hootie is gone," he says quietly but in a malicious tone and breaks off into a run... It is too late to do right by his new little friend who he should have had more care for, but it is the perfect time for revenge. Órga roars and takes off after him, staying on his heel.
(Sam full sprint towards alley, he only slows an midge before entering the alley in order to grow in size and enter the alley Large and in Charge, maul ready to swing...)
As Muir moves into the building holding the prisoners he is first hit by the smell, filth, decay, and. The second quick realisation is that the Tradepost building was severely lacking in metal cattle gates, he knows this because it seems the majority of those gates have been dragged into this building, what looks to have once been a butchers shop, to some degree it still is.
Walking through the rooms, Muir and whoever decided to investigate with him find around 35 townspeople, of all ages, races, genders...each one tied to a metal gate stood on its end, each person wounded with long thin cuts covering their arms legs and torso. Oddly enough they do not look as malnourished as those who were rescued from the gate house, though their condition still dire, these townspeople having been kept sustained to a certain degree to be bled over and over again. Rotting wheat bread and fruits litter the floor along with blooded butchers tools and the withered remains of those who likely could not stand the torture.
None of the townspeople move or look around, most don't even realise the groups presence, but the painfully slow rise and fall of their chests give the group enough evidence to figure out which ones are alive and which ones were lucky enough to have already passed.
Sam sprints off with Órga, he arrives wuickly to the mouth of the alley, pausing to observe what may be laying in wait within the darkness, (perception check please)
Elthana, still in eyesight and earshot of Vin, turns back towards the kid, panic on her face.
“Vin! Quick, we need help! Sam and I are about to be overrun with more madcaps!!” Elthana points down to where Sam and his Lion are, then puts her hands together as if in prayer and as soon as she starts to nod, she disappears in a swirl of black smoke and shadows.
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Hootie lands on Sam's shoulder and looks into his eyes and attempts to communicate with him, first her eyes go very wide and then she flaps her wings as if shuddering, feathers fluffed out like the hairs standing on the back of ones neck.. she then repositions herself on his shoulder and takes off again into the alley.
Elthana looks to Sam once Hootie is back, "Your bird there see anything?"
Sam considers a moment the replies saying “She saw something scary… in the alley. She wants to show us where it is…”
Just as Sam speaks so does Muir, something about the prisoners and a natural power…
(so… a decision or are they in the same direction? I’m betting a decision is needed.)
"Yes, yes, that is why we are here, to save the prisoners." Elthana responds to Muir. She looks to Hootie, unsure what that bird is trying to convey, but hates being ambushed.
She looks around the site getting her bearings from where they were before. Pointing to a higher vantage point almost directly East of the fires, she says, "That was where Vin and I were before and saw that tree fighting that was not one of ours. Probably what you are feeling now, Hirsi and Muir. With everything going on, I'm feeling we need to move forward and splitting up isn't the best idea, but Vin and I can head back up there to see what is going on? Otherwise we can just head towards the fighting."
She spins her black pole once. "Thoughts?"
Muir emphatically says "I do not wish to delay any longer. Attacking from a vantage point is a good idea but I won't sit here and wait with what seems to be something tied to the powers of nature and druids fighting on the other side alone. Hirsi and I can convey that we are friends and help the tree...You all do what you must, I understand your hesitancy"
"Let's just keep moving toward the fighting and save the villagers. Elthana and I can go scope things out from that vantage point after we get them. Best we make a unified assault to save the townsfolk first. Then we can scout out to make sure the route back is safe for them while the rest of you tend to injuries or manage ways for them to mobilize away from here." Vin seems pretty focused on saving the villagers first then moving onto the next step.
Neferox is just keeping an eye out for danger and hidden enemies at this time. Defiantly on high alert and perhaps a bit closer to Vin then normal very clearly focusing on his safety first.
“Well point me in the right direction then,” Sam says, hefting up his maul and ready to keep moving. “Bootie’s prolly just bird brained anyway.” But as he says it he looks to the owl and gives them a wink. He believes they found something but they’ve been out voted us all…
Vin and Elthana scale the building and move toward their previous vantage point, Muir eagerly steps forward, is followed by Hirsi, Sam, Gewyn, Neferox and Órga.
With hootie gone into the darkness of the alley, the group refocus on the sounds fight in front of them. As the main body of the group circumvents the bonfire, the prisoner building comes into view, Infront of which five Redcaps seems to be attacking and harassing some king of tree creature, the creature is medium sized, much smaller than the awakened trees that carried out the initial distraction, and it has a void in its bark where two glowing orbs hover, replicating eyes.
As this odd plant is being attacked it slams it's foot into the ground taking root and bursting forth out of the cobblestone entangling vines sprout and restrain three of the Redcaps, it then takes a thick branched arm and beats the closest one to death, in two swift hits, the rest of the Redcaps then attack it, blistering tree bark and splintering the structure of the plant, it shrinks slightly.
Hirsi can barely contain her excitement, whatever she is feeling is being heightened by the sight of this tree creature, she takes advantage of the Redcaps being distracted and moves within 30ft, throwing something toward one of the Redcaps, it's clothes begin to move and writhe with bugs and mites, but it the attack doesn't seem to bother the redcap this time.
(Everyone is able to move up to melee if they wish or cast range attacks from 30ush ft away, this is a surprise round, no initiative necessary unless any Redcaps survive)
As Elthana reaches the spot they were in before, she pulls out her long bow again and fires her arrows at a redcap closest to the fighting tree.
Attack: 12 Damage: 9
Attack: 19 Damage: 13
Seeing the battle, Sam chokes up on his maul and rushes right in to stand with... Well, whatever this tree is. He recklessly swings his maul twice looking to squash these things and pop them like disgusting little bloody pimples.
Maul attack 1: Attack 15, Damage 18
Maul attack 2: Attack 22, Damage 17
(Same target unless attack 1 hits and kills...)
Órga slides into the fray as well, a low growl and a soft but heavy footfall coming from the lion as they rushes in to attack any Redcap within range of an ally (preferrably Sam but if not, any) so that they can take advantage of their Pack Tactics...
Bite: Attack 23, Damage 6
Vin doesn't waste any time in blasting the redcaps. He's also very glad he took a few moments to support that tree being because they don't look so good now. If they didn't take out the few they did and heal them they might not still be standing. This is just one more ally to help protect the villagers and maybe help shutdown the changes to the portal. Coordinating with the plant creature Vin is going start blasting. At the same time Neferox rushes on mauling any unfortunate enough to not fall to the others first.
Eldrich Blast 1: 11 Damage: 10
Eldrich Blast 2: 22 Damage: 9
Nef goes in for some bite attacks trying to make sure none get away so any that looks like they might be able to escape she focuses them first. She will be aiming to rip their legs out from under them first hopefully knocking them prone then finishing them off after.
bite Attack 1: 13 Damage: 12
Bite Attack 2: 8 Damage: 13
Muir follows Hirsi and stand slightly in front of her to intercept any red caps that may come toward them. He casts produce flame at one of the Redcaps
Attack: 11 Damage: 13
As Sam's maul connects with the first redcap it recoils from the crushing blow, as he is about to swing upon it once more an arrow comes out if nowhere and pins the creatures now lifeless body to the floor, it begins to deflate as it loses the blood from its head which comes spilling out onto the floor. Luckily Sam redirects his second swing which throws a Redcap back and is similarly Peirce's by another arrow, this one pinning the redcap to the wall of the building and killing it.
Neferox and Òrga both Pounce upon the same redcap neferox's first bite misses as Órga drags the creature one way but then both animals find purchase and begin tearing it to shreds, there is a moment where the two four legged fiends are playing tug of war with the mushroom like creature but as its body is pulled apart it seems that Neferox won out, and feasts upon the larger chunk of dead Redcap.
The last Redcap is caught off guard by an eldritch blast, it looks around to see where the source of the strike came from when another blasts into its chest, before it can react though it's body ignites, the flames wrapping around its body make it writhe in agony, bit the pain is short lived as it succumbs to its wounds and falls dead smouldering at the feet of the tree creature.
The tree creature reacts quickly to the fire, uprooting it's entanglement and reactively stepping away from the flames, it falls to one knee in exhaustion, before speaking. The language appears to be a gruff version of the language Shionne uses, and it's words echo from within the void of the bark which hold its two glowing orbs.
Muir steps forward with Hirsi. Upon hearing the tree talk Muir's suspicions were confirmed. Hirsi leaps to the tree, wraps her arms around her and says "I thought we'd lost you Master Thunberg..."and begins to cry of joy. Muir turns to the others "This is a friend who we thought was lost in the battle for Hokum. She was able to transfer her spirit to a tree before dying. This is Master Thunberg." Muir turns to Thunberg and speaks in Sylvan unsure if she has lost her ability to speak common
"Master Gore has mentioned that you would be helping but I never thought I would see you again. It is so good to see you. I did feel your presence when talking to Old Thicket. You emboldened me to speak up, strike a deal and end the conflict. You were....are the best of us... It seems the deal has worked out for us so far. I wish I would have been here with you and Master Gore...I could have....."
Muir pauses with sadness in his eyes
"I have so many questions about your current form but it seems that they should wait. What can you tell us about what is happening here? We think the Redcaps use blood to feed but also feed something else. There was mention of a giant and a hag. Do you know anything that could aid us?
The slashes and splintered branches of Master Thunbergs treelike body begin to slowly grow and sew themselves together once more, she listens intently as Muir speaks, understanding both in common and in Sylvan, though it appears she can only speak sylvan.
She stands once more embracing Hirsi back before putting the druidic ovate down again, hirsi sees the confusion on people's face with the sylvan language and translates what she can as Master Thunberg replies;
"I spent a long time wandering as a spirit after I died, watched over my people, though they could not see or feel my protection, once they made camp and were secluded away, I helped some approaching guard find them, and helped keep the predators at bay, then I explored the town. I watched as these things collected blood from their prisoners, and take some of it into the mountain, I watched as they sometimes brought different blood back, I watched them sleep, and eat and prepare ritualistic evil magics with the different blood and metals.
All the while I could feel a strong source of power coming from the mountain, but it has been getting weaker, taken over by something evil... It's nearly gone now, but before it became too weak it called upon my wandering soul, light overtook me and I felt a presence of raw energy, it's was filled with sorrow, guilt. It offered me the chance to protect what I had failed to. To help. But that chance would come at the cost of everything that comes after... Now I am here, I'm back, and I can help here, help Hokum as you have all helped too.
A hag, A giant, this is something I have no knowledge of, I could not traverse beyond the bounds of the town or the forest, my home."
There is mixed feelings coming from Hirsi, the Harengon had trained under Thunberg and Gore and now the druidic beliefs of the circle of life, that which is natural and sacred to the afterlife of druids was something that would be forever out of reach for her old master. Thunberg is now an unnatural creature dedicated to the protection of the natural order, a contradiction unto herself.
Sam is getting edgy with the talky talky and inching his way over towards where the prisoners are held. Órga stays at his side mimicing his tension.
"We doing this, or not?" he asks, some annoyance in his voice. "Hag. Giant. Five of these redcaps who combine into one giant redcap... We need to free the prisoners and get them to the safe house before we track it down, right?"
Gewyn listens to the words of Master Thunberg spoken through Hirsi, and is struck by the profound sadness of her situation. "Bittersweet it is to see you again," he says quietly. "To no longer belong in a place, yet to be bound there all the same... I know a song for that feeling..."
He turns, hearing Sam's questions, and shakes himself from his thoughts. He casts an understanding look over his shoulder at Master Thunberg. Then, back to Sam and the others he says, "I agree we should get moving, and I think it's now or never for me." He shakes his hands out restlessly. "I'm running hot, so let's do what we came here to do before my nerve runs out"
As Master Thunberg has their attention and letting them know what is going on through HIrsi, Elthana is abruptly aware of the sound of a bird being killed behind her as well as other... noises. She turns to Vin, "Look, I need to know what is going on over there." she points to an area the next building over and into the alley. "You can either come with me, or go let the others know and help with the prisoners. If it doesn't look like I can handle it, I will come back and let you all know what I see. I can just scout it out."
And she heads off in that direction.
Muir moves to release the prisoners as Hirsi talks with Thunberg
Sam stiffens and turns to look back towards the alley they disregarded in order to come here and help the tree... spirit... thing.
"Hootie is gone," he says quietly but in a malicious tone and breaks off into a run... It is too late to do right by his new little friend who he should have had more care for, but it is the perfect time for revenge. Órga roars and takes off after him, staying on his heel.
(Sam full sprint towards alley, he only slows an midge before entering the alley in order to grow in size and enter the alley Large and in Charge, maul ready to swing...)
As Muir moves into the building holding the prisoners he is first hit by the smell, filth, decay, and. The second quick realisation is that the Tradepost building was severely lacking in metal cattle gates, he knows this because it seems the majority of those gates have been dragged into this building, what looks to have once been a butchers shop, to some degree it still is.
Walking through the rooms, Muir and whoever decided to investigate with him find around 35 townspeople, of all ages, races, genders...each one tied to a metal gate stood on its end, each person wounded with long thin cuts covering their arms legs and torso. Oddly enough they do not look as malnourished as those who were rescued from the gate house, though their condition still dire, these townspeople having been kept sustained to a certain degree to be bled over and over again. Rotting wheat bread and fruits litter the floor along with blooded butchers tools and the withered remains of those who likely could not stand the torture.
None of the townspeople move or look around, most don't even realise the groups presence, but the painfully slow rise and fall of their chests give the group enough evidence to figure out which ones are alive and which ones were lucky enough to have already passed.
Sam sprints off with Órga, he arrives wuickly to the mouth of the alley, pausing to observe what may be laying in wait within the darkness, (perception check please)
Elthana, still in eyesight and earshot of Vin, turns back towards the kid, panic on her face.
“Vin! Quick, we need help! Sam and I are about to be overrun with more madcaps!!” Elthana points down to where Sam and his Lion are, then puts her hands together as if in prayer and as soon as she starts to nod, she disappears in a swirl of black smoke and shadows.