"Oh fiddle sticks, ...at least we have a trail to follow...maybe even I can follow a barrel track?"
Jack uses both hands to quickly slurp down everything still in his bowl. Then goes to his pack, hoists it upon his back, shows a thumb up to the others and walks toward the door. Pausing, and allowing those quicker to load up get in front of him.
OOC - anticipating the better spoken teammates of mine...
Glancing over to Gond, "I agree with the others who have spoke, we will get her back in one piece." Another big grin is shown on his face as Jack walks out the door.
Edit: Following the use of survival skill to track: Survival 20
The Stricken looking Gond , nods his thanks as the group leave.
“Duke Darian sends a dark carriage into the woods every day, I know not why.....perhaps it is in hope the Aos Si will deign to meet with him one day..... It’s said that anyone bold enough to seek an audience with the Duke has only to step inside, and they’ll be borne off to the castle. If you see that carriage, then for the love of God, stay well away from it! None return from Castle Ereworn.”
Jack points out the trail of the barrel in the frost to those behind him as he slows.....noting Ned himself does not seem to be leaving footprints......
Caelan was halfway to answering Barn when the scream tore through the inn like a knife. He was moving before the sound had fully settled, bowl abandoned, chair scraping back as he crossed the room in three long strides. By the time the barrel was visible through the window, moonlight gleaming off frost and frantic legs kicking uselessly in the air, his bow was already in his hand. “Damn it,” he hissed, not in anger, but recognition. The sight of the grey-skinned figure rolling the barrel set his jaw hard. No hesitation now. No careful words. “Ned,”he said flatly. “And he wants us to follow.” He was out the door as Gond burst back inside, the man’s terror spilling ahead of him. Caelan caught his arm briefly, firm, grounding. “We will bring her back,” he said, voice low and certain. Not a promise lightly given. “You have my word.” His eyes dropped to the ground immediately, already reading the frost. The barrel trail was obvious, but he didn’t trust obvious things. He crouched, fingers brushing the disturbed grass, the scuffed earth beneath. “He’s light,” Caelan muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “Too light for a man. Moving fast, but not careful. He’s panicking, or baiting.”
He straightened, drawing an arrow and nocking it, but keeping the point low. “We move now. Quiet as we can, fast as we must. He’s taken a child, which means one thing.” His gaze followed the snaking trail into the moonlit rise, toward the dark teeth of the forest. “He’s crossed the line.”
OOC: Survival Check: 9 (rolled in game)
Caelen- had noted the same as Jack....there was no spoor from Ned....but the barrel left plenty...at least for now....
Óengus's dreams turn from light melodies into a dark rhythm, and he startles awake. He sees the advanced sun in the sky, and worries his companions have left. After checking the common room, he packs his bags and instruments and asks which way they went. After receiving directions from Clotha, he follows their path quickly, hopefully catching up. Meanwhile, he plays a melody about dark forests and the things hidden there.
Confused upon waking late Óengus momentarily mistakes Annwyn for Clotha as she bolts out the door after the others, still discombobulated he follows after singing a ditty.....
Reg travelled light for the most part, and had just made his pack ready when the chaos of the capture came to light. He first rushed to the window to see the scene, Clotha’s legs peddling out of the barrel, rolling away. His pack already in his back, he grabbed up his staff and followed Caelan out of the door. He stood watching as far as he could while the others tried to discern any further information about the tracks. His mind tried to recall any information about the creature type he caught a glimpse of.
Noting the lack of tracks confirms for Reg that Ned is one of the Good Folk.......though certainly no Aos Si, Bwca or Piskie......something darker perhaps......
The instant he hears the scream and, startling up from his porridge to look out the window, spots Clotha seemingly helpless, legs protruding from a barrel while being abducted by the strange creature, Barn is on his feet. Bellowing wordlessly, he charges out the back door, drawing his halberd, ready to give chase. The determination plain on the big man's face, and rendered only a little incongruous by how disheveled he looks from having woken up so recently.
He is already well outside when the word baiting from the stranger stops him short. It would hardly be the first time a young man so thick of wit as Barn had been baited. He pauses, breathing hard with agitation more than exertion. Thankfully this time, the others would be more clever than him, right? To avoid being baited or tricked. Wynn and Jack, probably from what he remembers. And Oengus and the stranger and trapper too, one could hope.
Barn stands at the start of the barrel's trail, halberd in hand, ready to give chase whenever his companions, new and old, join him.
The rest of the group rallies at the edge of the woods......Jack and ahead of him Caelan a little within but holding......
He slowed just long enough to look back over his shoulder, moonlight catching in his eyes, sharp now, all trace of sleep burned away as he counted heads and measured distance. “Barn,” he said quietly, voice steady and grounding. “You’re with me up front. Close, but not on my heels. Give me room to stop if I need to.” His gaze slid to the trapper. “Reg, take the flank. Watch the sides and the treeline. If he cuts for cover, give us a warning before he’s gone.” Then to the others, firm but calm. “Jack. Ardwynn. Keep your spacing, two, three paces between you. Don’t bunch up. Whatever Ned is, he knows these hills better than we do, and he’ll be counting our mistakes.”
Caelan straightened, drew an arrow from the quiver, and nocked it smoothly, the point held low and ready rather than threatening. “Quiet as we can. Fast as we must. He’s taken a child.” His eyes followed the shallow groove of the barrel’s path as it wound upward through the frost, toward the dark, waiting teeth of the forest.
Smiling Jack hears the order and like a raw recruit stutter steps to follow them. Then once spaced, he breaks into a grin, proud he did it right.
You are soon deep in the forest. Ancient oak trees soar above your heads into the grey pre-dawn sky. Huge black crows caw at you mournfully from the boughs. A thick ground mist steams about you, but when it clears you can see the marks of the barrel in a trail through the morning dew on the grass. From the top of this first rise, two miles to the south you can see a slender black tower rising up from the forest.
Caelan and Barn mark the trail of the barrel and move on.....
After half a mile the path you’re following enters a clearing. Mist hangs here like a blanket and your visibility is reduced to torchlight range as the sun hangs below the horizon still.
(Caelan and Barn)
Without warning, a figure swathed in bandages and moaning lowly stumbles towards you through the mists. You have a few moments to react before it closes with you. You cannot, as yet, see any exits from the clearing through the mist.
( Everyone else)
You can make out Caelan and Barn slightly ahead and hear a low moaning sound somewhere beyond them but can't make anything out in this mist....
His eyes adjust quickly to the darkness of the pre-dawn, perhaps a little more unnaturally so, but who would know at this point. It may only be good enough to avoid roots and ruts, but perhaps that’s all he needs to keep on his feet. As he scans to maintain visual contact with the absconder or at least the group, he thinks about other tales of fae kidnappings.
(History: 15)
Reg recalls tales of folks who have been taken into hollow hills or who wandered into a fairy ring and never returned, or were taken away and returned generations later with no memory of their time missing, most aren't as direct as this one and he wonders if Ned intends something untoward with Clotha.....whether she is destined for the stew pot, a betrothal or perhaps becoming one of the fay themselves he is unsure......whatever it may be he is certain she is not a willing participant in this particular chase......
You can make out Caelan and Barn slightly ahead and hear a low moaning sound somewhere beyond them but can't make anything out in this mist....
Smiling Jack realizes his boomerang doesn't have the space, so he readies his bow as he walks. Hearing the moan, and realizes he doesn't know both the source and location he cautiously moves closer. Jack checks Ardwynn's & Oengrus location. Still keeping a distance jack patiently advances and waits to hear if this a friend or a foe.
He understands (still not executing) the fine line to keep space between but still be near.
Jack is paying attention to everything and all's location.
Jack was just at the cusp of waking with the smell of porridge teasing his nose. Maybe today he would get up the nerve the brave the in. The people there weren't always kind to him, probably his lack of refinement and ...well money kept them from being nicer.
His pile of leaves were still warm and..what is that racket?
It's coming closer!
*OOF!*
Something heavy and/or somebody rude just stepped all over him!
His head popped out of the leaves to see someone making off with a barrel. And are those legs sticking out of it!? Rubbing his eyes and rubbing his bruised shoulder, he spies his friend Ardwynn chasing after the barrel along with other folks. Hmmm....Everybody is distracted maybe he could kick into the inn and get a bite of porridge before anybody noticed?
Nah, that's not right and maybe his friend will need his help. Without another word, he followed in her wake.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
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The Stricken looking Gond , nods his thanks as the group leave.
“Duke Darian sends a dark carriage into the woods every day, I know not why.....perhaps it is in hope the Aos Si will deign to meet with him one day..... It’s said that anyone bold enough to seek an audience with the Duke has only to step inside, and they’ll be borne off to the castle. If you see that carriage, then for the love of God, stay well away from it! None return from Castle Ereworn.”
Jack points out the trail of the barrel in the frost to those behind him as he slows.....noting Ned himself does not seem to be leaving footprints......
Caelen- had noted the same as Jack....there was no spoor from Ned....but the barrel left plenty...at least for now....
Confused upon waking late Óengus momentarily mistakes Annwyn for Clotha as she bolts out the door after the others, still discombobulated he follows after singing a ditty.....
Noting the lack of tracks confirms for Reg that Ned is one of the Good Folk.......though certainly no Aos Si, Bwca or Piskie......something darker perhaps......
The rest of the group rallies at the edge of the woods......Jack and ahead of him Caelan a little within but holding......
You are soon deep in the forest. Ancient oak trees soar above your heads into the grey pre-dawn sky. Huge black crows caw at you mournfully from the boughs. A thick ground mist steams about you, but when it clears you can see the marks of the barrel in a trail through the morning dew on the grass. From the top of this first rise, two miles to the south you can see a slender black tower rising up from the forest.
Caelan and Barn mark the trail of the barrel and move on.....
After half a mile the path you’re following enters a clearing. Mist hangs here like a blanket and your visibility is reduced to torchlight range as the sun hangs below the horizon still.
(Caelan and Barn)
Without warning, a figure swathed in bandages and moaning lowly stumbles towards you through the mists. You have a few moments to react before it closes with you. You cannot, as yet, see any exits from the clearing through the mist.
( Everyone else)
You can make out Caelan and Barn slightly ahead and hear a low moaning sound somewhere beyond them but can't make anything out in this mist....
Reg recalls tales of folks who have been taken into hollow hills or who wandered into a fairy ring and never returned, or were taken away and returned generations later with no memory of their time missing, most aren't as direct as this one and he wonders if Ned intends something untoward with Clotha.....whether she is destined for the stew pot, a betrothal or perhaps becoming one of the fay themselves he is unsure......whatever it may be he is certain she is not a willing participant in this particular chase......
(Everyone else)
You can make out Caelan and Barn slightly ahead and hear a low moaning sound somewhere beyond them but can't make anything out in this mist....
Smiling Jack realizes his boomerang doesn't have the space, so he readies his bow as he walks. Hearing the moan, and realizes he doesn't know both the source and location he cautiously moves closer. Jack checks Ardwynn's & Oengrus location. Still keeping a distance jack patiently advances and waits to hear if this a friend or a foe.
He understands (still not executing) the fine line to keep space between but still be near.
Jack is paying attention to everything and all's location.
Perception (used beyond sheet 15+6) 21.
Jack was just at the cusp of waking with the smell of porridge teasing his nose. Maybe today he would get up the nerve the brave the in. The people there weren't always kind to him, probably his lack of refinement and ...well money kept them from being nicer.
His pile of leaves were still warm and..what is that racket?
It's coming closer!
*OOF!*
Something heavy and/or somebody rude just stepped all over him!
His head popped out of the leaves to see someone making off with a barrel. And are those legs sticking out of it!? Rubbing his eyes and rubbing his bruised shoulder, he spies his friend Ardwynn chasing after the barrel along with other folks. Hmmm....Everybody is distracted maybe he could kick into the inn and get a bite of porridge before anybody noticed?
Nah, that's not right and maybe his friend will need his help. Without another word, he followed in her wake.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale