Quote from Aaggie >>

Zubien moves with the party, breathing in the air and takin gin the peacefulness of his surroundings. He watches the woods about them, he looks for herbs and the ingredients he needs for the giant draught (medicine: 13/nature: 2)

He looks over to Grymar, "Where did you learn to be so insightful with that horse, that was very well done. We of the Silver Crescent are always looking for balance in life, you must have been touched by balanced somewhere in your life, returning the balance to that horse."

He also looks over to Lore. "Your skill in the arcane is very similar to our Ki, is it not? You draw your ability from within?

“Insightful eh?  I just know the way of the woods, this biggun was more than what I usually handle, I like, bees, hornets, insects, thoze are my kind of frienz… But I know somethin of critters.  More than I know of you peoples… “. He looks down and looks at his feet, at a wildflower, anywhere but meeting your eyes.

Quote from LilithFairen >>

Lore is indeed impressed with Grymar's ability to tame the horse. "You seem to have an affinity for animals," she comments, "and...other sorts. May I ask what sparked an interest in such creatures?" 

As Zubien asks about magic, Lore replies, "It is not an energy from within, but without. A force that permeates the world around us, and touches many in different ways. Arcane magic is to apply one's will to touch that force, and reshape it to one's needs. Some are born with an innate ability to manipulate magic. Others, like myself, study the nature of magic and the arcane to understand how to exert our will through it." She lets out a soft exhale, with a small smile. "I've heard of 'ki', of this energy those like you draw from within yourselves. It must take just as much discipline to harness such a force."

“I jus likes em.  Dunno where it come from.  None of me family pleased with it neither.”  He lifts his war hammer, “This is as close as I get to my culture.  I’m no delver or miner like me family.  They think I’m daft.  But I knows things I do.  I’d love to know how you shot those beasties with fire, now thas somethin, amazin I say.  I’d just like to sit and watch you do tha.  Amazing…”  

Lehmani steadfastly refuses to accept the gold from Grymar. "Please. Keep your coin. Aiding a friend in need is more than enough reward for me. Besides, I daresay you may be returning the favor before our quest is through." She looks to the others. "I'm sure we all will."

Her eyes move to Lore. "I enjoy hearing your describe the arcane forces you wield. It's clear you share a kinship with the mystic forces that permeate our world, not unlike the kinship our friend Grymar here shares with his bees. If you don't mind me asking, where did you study to develop and hone your craft?"

Zubien - Nothing in this part of the forest matches the descriptions that Jahner gave you, but you keep a look out for them as you continue onward.

All - The rumble of thunder becomes more insentient as you travel through the woods and the darkening of the skies causes the forest to become almost as dark as night. A sudden sound eclipses the small talk and booming thunder, a scream from somewhere nearby, "Help! Gods... HELP ME!" The sound appears to be coming from somewhere off the path in the woods to the left.

DM - Roughly how far are we from our destination? Can we tell? Also, how far off the path are the woods?

Lehmani turns to the others, clutching her holy symbol, already ready to act. "Someone in need of aid... or at least claiming to be. Shall we move to assist?"

Quote from Twombley >>

Quote from MAOShea >>

Lehmani smiles kindly at Grymar. "That was a delight to see. After our difficulty at the river, I admit, felt almost as anxious as that poor horse. Your calming words to the beast and Zubien's melody managed to put me at ease as well."

She looks to the others, "I have great hope in our group. No one truly knows the will of the gods, but in my heart I believe The Holy Maker of All Things favors our quest."

 

“Thankee kindly, and that was a fine song Zub… that tune just stuck in my head, you’re good at earwiggery!”  Grymar stops here and starts digging something out of his ear, humming the tune as he does it, then he becomes conscious of what he is dong and he stops with an awkward laugh.  “Here ye go, let’s say we’re all even here, savin me from those crabbies!  I hope to return the favor even more!”  (Grymar gives each of you 12 gp).  

 Zubien shakes his head but smiles, folding the coins in your hand. "Keep them my friend, for what I did was not out for pay, you are a member of our party, and thus one of us. I will help where and when I can. No pay required." 

Quote from LilithFairen >>

Lore is indeed impressed with Grymar's ability to tame the horse. "You seem to have an affinity for animals," she comments, "and...other sorts. May I ask what sparked an interest in such creatures?" 

As Zubien asks about magic, Lore replies, "It is not an energy from within, but without. A force that permeates the world around us, and touches many in different ways. Arcane magic is to apply one's will to touch that force, and reshape it to one's needs. Some are born with an innate ability to manipulate magic. Others, like myself, study the nature of magic and the arcane to understand how to exert our will through it." She lets out a soft exhale, with a small smile. "I've heard of 'ki', of this energy those like you draw from within yourselves. It must take just as much discipline to harness such a force."

 Zubien nods, "Yes. Much of our time is perfecting our art and our patience. Through training and discipline of the mind and body, will we reach our perfection and beauty of becoming a sword saint. Until then, I practice, meditate, and continue to focus on my inner Ki." He pulls his great club over his shoulder. "Once I can prove my worth, this great piece of wood will be replaced by balanced steel. Until then, I am but a learner until my masters say otherwise." He slings his great club back over his shoulders.

Quote from Dylanthalas >>

Zubien - Nothing in this part of the forest matches the descriptions that Jahner gave you, but you keep a look out for them as you continue onward.

All - The rumble of thunder becomes more insentient as you travel through the woods and the darkening of the skies causes the forest to become almost as dark as night. A sudden sound eclipses the small talk and booming thunder, a scream from somewhere nearby, "Help! Gods... HELP ME!" The sound appears to be coming from somewhere off the path in the woods to the left.

 Zubien draws his great club, trying to pinpoint the location of the cry in the gloom (Perception: 7) We must see to this cry for help, but be on our guard and wary for an ambush or a trap. 

Lehmani - You are about an hour out from where Jahia's cottage should be. The woods press tightly against the trail here, thick trees but steps from the path.

Zubien - Drawing a deep breath and centering yourself, you judge the source of the cries to be about one hundred yards into the woods. Stepping lightly but swiftly between the trees and undergrowth, you see no traps nor signs of danger. Approaching the source of the sound you find a small clearing where a very large tree has fallen. Whatever is making the pleas for help is on the other side.

Lore - Following Zubien's lead through the woods, you're amazed at how he seems to flow through the dense plant life without seeming to disturb a single leaf, while you're constantly ducking under branches and unsnagging your pack from brush. Ahead, Zubien slows and pauses as he comes to a small clearing with a large fallen tree. You don't see any troublesome flora or fauna, but you do spy a peculiar looking fungus growing around the fallen tree. You remember Zubien searching for specific fungus earlier and think to mention it to him, after you find the source of the cries of course.

Lehmani with behind Zubien and Lore to the source of the cries.

As she moves to the source of the cries, she presses her hand to her chest, casting Guidance while scanning the perimeter of the clearing for any signs of an ambush...

Grymar follows closely behind Zubien, looking for any movement and listening for the source of the sound.  As they get closer to the clearing, he fans out, suspicious of what they might find, worried that they might have to fight again.  His eyes and ears are keen in the woods, able to detect things that are out of place.  He whispers, “On yure toes everybody.  Hairy ones included.”  

He looks at the fungus, but does not recognize it.  

Perception : 26

Nature : 2

Lehmani & Grymar -

Lehmani moves cautiously to the other side of the tree to see what sort of danger faces the person crying for help.

Lehmani - You see what appears to be a human man lying on the ground. His right leg is a bloody ruin, caught in the clamped shut jaws of a bear trap. He tries to prop himself up on his elbows with a groan but falls back to the ground, body shaking with renewed sobs.

Lehmani moves to the man's side, speaking words of comfort to see what she can learn and buy time for her companions to arrive and assist.

"Peace friend," She says, "Help has arrived. We'll have you out in just a few moments. How long have you been here?"

Grymar climbs over and sees the trap, begins work to undo it, trying to free the man’s leg.  “Jus hole on Mr., gonngetchee outta there as fas as I can.”

Lehmani is happy to assist Grymar with any Strength check, and provide Guidance

Zubien checks the area, if there is a Bear Trap, perhaps there is a threat near them (Perception: 12; nature: 9)

Lehmani - Between sobs and gasps, the man says, "Thank the gods! I've been here since this morning. I- Arrrrgggghhh!" He screams as Grymar opens the trap and his eyes roll backwards as he briefly loses consciousness.

Grymar - The mechanics of the trap are pretty straightforward and you're able to pry the trap apart, freeing the man's mangled leg. Taking advantage of his loss of consciousness, you remove his leg from the trap and carefully set the trap a safe distance away.

All - The man comes to with a gasp and begins thanking you for helping him, "Thank you again... I was setting up traps this morning like I always do, when a hart jumped out of the bushes and startled me. Stepped back right into my own trap." He winces and gasps as he looks down at his leg, gingerly trying to move it. It is obvious that without magical healing, there is no way the man will be able to leave under his own power. 

Lehmani studies the man, doing her best to keep him calm and in good humor, offering a silent nonmagical blessing as she speaks.

She speaks to him with a gentle smile. "It's a great misfortune indeed when a skilled person such as yourself is harmed by their own tools. An all too common one too, I'm afraid... I, myself, was a glassblower by trade before answering my call to service. I could tell you a tale or two about some of the close calls I had in my workshop during that time." 

She lets her smile fade just a tad as she gets down to business. "Now, how far is home for you? We're on an expedition of great importance. The fate of an entire town in our hands and we have little time to delay. So, our resources are precious at the moment. However, we want to make certain you're able to return to your loved ones safely. Is it a great distance you need to travel?"