Almeric was paying particular attention to his young clerk and his growing friendship with the enigmatic Fahm. Wispering through his helm, he can't help but offer some 'advice'

"Fascinating Fergus. I do remember from Occultism and Spirituality lectures that EVERY tradition is very different. Every Master within each tradition is different from each other and different students can have very different outlooks. What binds the Capellars together is a common cause = Achieve our primary aim at ANY cost. Even I can see that your 'traditions' and your 'Masters' are opposed, notwithstanding your personal feeling. Be careful about using magic in close proximity, and never in public."

Almeric thoughts are cut short as the Fay creature reveals themselves. He keeps his mouth shot, having no wish to antagonise her. She surely recognises his 'type'. Almeric studies the Fay carefully and in silence.

Fergus takes in the stranger for a moment and once the others start to engage with them, he in similar fashion to Thatch scans their perimeter.
He comments in a low voice.

"Strange that we would get a warning as we attempt to leave, we should keep moving. Keep eye for an ambush should they be a distraction or this Tuannon if they speak true."

(Perception:18)

Quote from EtyenAndiros >>

Quote from Damian_May>>

Cainneach finds the fay being difficult to read, mostly she seems amused by their predicament.

" Harm you do not mean.....yet festooned with enough metal to butcher a village.    Whether you mean harm or not Tuannon does not like trespassers in his garden."   

" The gate is not far.  Have you met any other guests in Tuannons abode yet?"

"Many pardons for our equipment and appearance, gracious host.  We were warned of the dangers of the Dell, although we received no word of Tuannon Dur.  We will be sure to correct those who informed us.  I believe the only others we've encountered here were the meager remains of the long dead St. Ambrosius, a flock of indifferent, but very large bats, and the dead fellow you see with us."

Quote from LAXGunner >>

Thatch scrunches up his face in thought at the words of the Aos Si and stares nervously at the stone column across the river.  “Truly, we are leaving as fast as we can.  What other guests should we expect to meet here?  Especially if this Tuannon does not like visitors.” 

A dark thought crosses his mind as he turns to look at the burden Ori and Sir Almeric carry.  “Did Tuannon hang this man up as a warning to others who enter his garden?”  Thatch scans the reeds to either side of the path, alert for danger after their warning. Perception: 10.

There was a sudden shrill laugh akin to a green woodpeckers call from the fay woman.

" Visitors he does not like, which is why he makes them all permanent guests....they do not sleep peacefully.....but are not great conversationalists.", she chuckled disconcertingly.

Quote from SalazarSacvage >>

Fergus takes in the stranger for a moment and once the others start to engage with them, he in similar fashion to Thatch scans their perimeter.
He comments in a low voice.

"Strange that we would get a warning as we attempt to leave, we should keep moving. Keep eye for an ambush should they be a distraction or this Tuannon if they speak true."

(Perception:18)

Fergus is unable to make out anything more in the mist and gloom, though he notes despite his whisper the glittering inhuman eyes flick to regard him curiously.

" So many unusual mortals in one place....perhaps you may survive...", the wistful words carry across the river.

Ori whispers to Almeric, "Help me strap club to this fella and I'll carry them together. Sounds like the question is when, not if things will get interesting. Both of us shouldn't be burdened and I'll pull an axe out to use while carrying him." Assuming Almeric will assist, Ori wants to "spike" the taxman in the back, and wrap ihis arms behind his back in a way to try and cover the spikes as to no stick himself if they have a bumpy run. And then tie a rope all the way around to hold it in place and then put him over his shoulder and draw a hand axe. Ori could pass his backpack to Almeric if the body is heavy (carrying 90lbs with a capacity of 270).

Bowing her head to the fey woman, Famh smiles.  "Thank you, Sister, for this news.  Are we on the quickest path to the gate out of Tuannon's realm if we continue as we are, or would you advise us to change course?  And if there are any particular perils we should beware of, I would be grateful indeed for the warning."

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

Bowing her head to the fey woman, Famh smiles.  "Thank you, Sister, for this news.  Are we on the quickest path to the gate out of Tuannon's realm if we continue as we are, or would you advise us to change course?  And if there are any particular perils we should beware of, I would be grateful indeed for the warning."

" The way you travel is the shortest to the gate."

" Tuannons Barrow lies at the centre of the Dell, though he is not bound there.....his guests are sewn all about."

" Farewell.", the wild figure turned and melted into the shadows as she stalked away from the river bank.

(Assuming Ori plan of tied-up body + club was assisted with/done)

Ori lifts the body over his shoulder, club handle up in the air. He draws a handaxe from his belt into his main hand. "Well mates, I believe we have warn out our welcome and should plan a swift return. I suggest we pick up our pace, clearly someone knows of our presence and I doubt they are the only one!"

Tana, still grouped at the back alongside Famh, tips her head with a quirk of an eyebrow as the fey departs. 

"Seems like the folk here are a real friendly bunch..." She murmurs quietly, glaze lingering on the fading shadows for a moment longer before returning her attention to the rest of the group. She bobs her head in agreement when Ori suggests a bit of haste in their exit.

Thatch shakes his head as the Aos Si disappears back into the wood. “We would have been further along if she never stopped us.  Strange that she is not worried about being one of Tuannon’s guests.”  He heeds Ori’s suggestion to move quickly and heads to the front of the group, pushing the pace to get back to the gate and out of this Dell.  He turns to Famh as he walks "You got on well enough with her, have you had dealings with these types of creatures before?"

"A few."  Famh seems unsure whether she wants to say anything more.  She looks around the group she has been learning to travel with and might soon be fighting alongside, and takes a slow breath.  "But it seems to be more that they recognize my mother in me.  I have no doubts she truly was a faerie changeling, and some of the Kindly Ones I have met," her eyes rove about the mist around them, clearly hoping Tuannon would be mollified by the flattering nickname, "have been kinder to me because I am her daughter.  It's the same with this magic.  I'm no druid or alchemist, to know how to do such things!  But the faeries sometimes whisper in my dreams, the ones that mean me kindness, and sometimes they teach the glamours they used to use in the old times."

Up until this point, she has seemed completely unaware of Cainneach's unease, but she seems to pick up something now, perhaps a troubled look, and turns to him.  "I realize we haven't talked in a while, Con, and I'm sorry.  This is all so new for me, travelling with folk and getting to know them, sometimes I forget how to keep up with the friends I've already made."

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

... sometimes I forget how to keep up with the friends I've already made."

 (Sorry cant resist that set up!)

As Ori makes his way to Famh and Cainneach starting to breathe a little heavier picking up the pace while carrying the tax man. "I suggest with your feet mate!"

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

"A few."  Famh seems unsure whether she wants to say anything more.  She looks around the group she has been learning to travel with and might soon be fighting alongside, and takes a slow breath.  "But it seems to be more that they recognize my mother in me.  I have no doubts she truly was a faerie changeling, and some of the Kindly Ones I have met," her eyes rove about the mist around them, clearly hoping Tuannon would be mollified by the flattering nickname, "have been kinder to me because I am her daughter.  It's the same with this magic.  I'm no druid or alchemist, to know how to do such things!  But the faeries sometimes whisper in my dreams, the ones that mean me kindness, and sometimes they teach the glamours they used to use in the old times."

Up until this point, she has seemed completely unaware of Cainneach's unease, but she seems to pick up something now, perhaps a troubled look, and turns to him.  "I realize we haven't talked in a while, Con, and I'm sorry.  This is all so new for me, travelling with folk and getting to know them, sometimes I forget how to keep up with the friends I've already made."

If Cainneach wasn't uneasy before, he certainly is now.  His face flushed, he quickly and quietly responds, "You have nothing to apologize for, Famh.  I'm still getting used to spending time in groups of people.  How they all interact, get along, it had been only me and Dru for several years, so I always had her attention.  I'm finding it's important to get to know everyone, find out what they're capable of.  Could save my life!"  Cainneach smiles, trying to be reassuring.  "I guess you're never really alone, though, with the faeries following you.  It's hard to imagine, I'm not sure how'd I'd cope with that.  You are truly strong."

Quote from Engineered_Beard >>

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

... sometimes I forget how to keep up with the friends I've already made."

 (Sorry cant resist that set up!)

As Ori makes his way to Famh and Cainneach starting to breathe a little heavier picking up the pace while carrying the tax man. "I suggest with your feet mate!"

Cainneach looks up at Ori and grins.  "You're right, my large friend!  I'm with Thatch and Ori here, let's get out of this place.  To the gate as quick as we can manage!"  Cainneach keeps an eye on Ori to make sure he's handling his burden well enough, quickening the pace slightly.

The companions follow the river for some distance before again coming towards a tall iron fence, the path hugs close to the fenceline here and they are able to follow it straight for a long distance before Thatch and Cainneach spot something ahead.

An iron-shod halberd lies on the ground some distance from the path. Tendrils of dead ivy are wound about it, and it is pock-marked with rust.

A little way past the halberd the path splits into three, one carrying along the fence line, one heading right at a 45 degree angle and another at right angles.

Thatch looks back at Famh “Our experiences with those fair folk or their ilk have been less than pleasant.  I am sure that they come in all types, but the ones we came across seem fickle and dangerous.  I hope the ones you know continue to show you kindness. And those around you.”

At the fork in the trail, Thatch points out the halberd. “It looks like it has been here awhile.  Too long for our taxman, perhaps it belongs to another one of Tuannon’s guests?  Speaking of, if his barrow lies in the center of the Dell should we avoid these other paths and continue along the fence?”

"Unless Tuannon's removed the gate from the fence to keep us in, that's where we'll find the way out of this haunted place." Famh agrees, looking about her and sniffing the breeze.  "Or unless there's rotten ground there, or another danger ... lor even one of his past guests who's resting a little less quietly."

=============================

Survival 15

Nature 8

Quote from LAXGunner >>

Thatch looks back at Famh “Our experiences with those fair folk or their ilk have been less than pleasant.  I am sure that they come in all types, but the ones we came across seem fickle and dangerous.  I hope the ones you know continue to show you kindness. And those around you.”

At the fork in the trail, Thatch points out the halberd. “It looks like it has been here awhile.  Too long for our taxman, perhaps it belongs to another one of Tuannon’s guests?  Speaking of, if his barrow lies in the center of the Dell should we avoid these other paths and continue along the fence?”

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

"Unless Tuannon's removed the gate from the fence to keep us in, that's where we'll find the way out of this haunted place." Famh agrees, looking about her and sniffing the breeze.  "Or unless there's rotten ground there, or another danger ... lor even one of his past guests who's resting a little less quietly."

=============================

Survival 20

Nature 12

Famh is once again struck with how quiet it is within the Dell and how the absence of life except the black reeds just feels wrong on every level.  She sees that all the paths are of the same construction, there are no signs here of danger....

From the rear, Fergus looks beyond the group at the halberd and fork in the path.

"We should stick with the path near the fence, right? I mean we could get lost on the other two but at least with the fence in sight we will come across the gate eventually. Unless there is more than one fence." he thinks out loud.

Nodding in agreement the companions begin to move on following the fence line as it curves rightward.

Just as you are passing the point where the  four paths come together, a pebble rolls across the path ahead of you.

A twitching hand, covered with bloodless sores, emerges from the ground. And then another. And another.

The seven dead crawling from the earth are dressed in the dilapidated remains of Selentine Legion ( Roman) armour and wielding tarnished blades.....their eyes burn with a blue fire and wisps of blue phospherescence drift from their almost skeletal forms.

( Roll Initiative. If you beat 12 then please take your action.)

(OOC: Okay, that was strange.  "Dice rolls not yet available for this section"...never seen anything like that before.  Let's try this again ..._

Famh's initiative: 23