((Yep, as far as I know, the plan is still to ask the Air Force to fly us down, and bring the Dogs down in shifts while we recon and plan. Edeleth prefers to save his spells for the actual mission this time, has arrived half used up a couple of times now and doesn't like running on fumes. :D ))

Shocked by the vision, Edeleth is horrified at the fate of the first tree--the ONLY tree--he has planted. He wonders if this is a vision of the tree as it is now, or of the future. In any case, as soon as the situation with Sir Pebbles and Wrathmaw keep is sorted out, he absolutely must make a trip to Oakfields and find a way to put things right.

"Zyman," he says quietly aside. "I don't want to put any more burdens on everyone just as we go into this desperate rescue, but you probably should be warned...I think your former patron is up to something terrible in Oakfields. I have had a vision of the Naranda tree there, possessed and twisted by necromantic power. Once we have freed Sir Pebbles, I will need to see what is going on, and how to save the tree, if possible. It may be that your lich friend is somehow attempting to use it to access the material plane..."

“I was afraid of that. But if we manage to free Sir Pebbles, I can imagine some things we might try to beat the Shadow King back. But, one thing at a time.”

Quote from Grotex >>

A group of 10 Halfling Rogues (lv1) from the Old Charriot actually step forward and volunteer to follow Rosri on this mission. "If you're gonna lead this Family, ye'r gonna need some protection, boss."

"I appreciate what you are trying to do brothers, and I'll reward it when I get back. But we're going by air and I don't know how meny more the birds can carry." Rori looks at each of them in turn before speaking again. "And with Roscoe, Edeleth, Elixisys and Ozzy by my side I have all the protection I need. And don't forget about The Christmas Devil's Wrath. With this it is the enemy who'll need protection!" He gives them a reassuring smile. "The best way you can help me and protect me is by electing a 'Guild master' and the two representatives. Because that is what is going to save me in the long run!"

"Yes, now is the time to act. I have word from our mutual Fey friend that there may be a split among the enemy leadership. Best to take advantage while we can." 

"Let's ride!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQUXuQ6Zd9w

The Party still needs to contact the 15th Squadron for the Eagles. As it turns out, their second in command Gorlahk is currently wrestling at the arena, in front of all his Riders....him and Uther from Team 1 are in the middle of an Epic tag team match...

Elixisys sends Chernobog to fly ahead of the group and then above the match before they arrive. "If we're going to have to wait then I might as well have a good view." He says with a shrug as they walk over.

((Ooc: I'm assuming someone told us where to find them.))

((Actually, a while ago I posted that we went to the castle and asked... Would you rather we went to the arena and hooked up with Team 1 there instead?))

I think it would be a good connection. Seleth Belian has already agreed to lend his Eagles to the mission, and he is currently at the Castle, swamped with paperwork. Gorlahk, his Half-Orc lieutenant, however, has all the men with him. 

Also, Searrirra is throwing a fundraising show at the Bard's College, in order to decorate her new Embassy of the Silver Dragon Clan

Edeleth sighs and follows Elixisys.  Military officials were always so hard to pin down.  He hoped he would not have to do it literally in the ring to get Grohlak's attention.

The news of Saerirra's upcoming performance was also interesting.  He would welcome another chance to see Saerirra perform...when he didn't have a dog and a tree and possibly the entire material plane to rescue.

However he looks at it, the Oakfields situation is all his own fault. If he hadn't tripped running out of the volcano, Zyman would not have done...whatever that was he did. And when the damage was done, instead of leaving it alone, Edeleth had planted a tree there.  A sacred tree, which he had been given the task of protecting, and planting where they would be safe and cared for and appreciated.  Instead, he had planted it in a blighted, cursed wilderness, to undo the damage done on his behalf, and honestly, to make himself feel better about it. And now the tree was corrupted--how could he tell Master Talos that?--and was probably being possessed and used by the immeasurably evil lich...who had apparently saved his life.

"The next time, I see a tavern running around on chicken legs," he mumbles under his breath, "I shall simply go down the street and find another hostelry in which to spend the night."

He remembers that he has not yet 'paid off' the head of the thieves guild, and hopes he finds a chance to do it and enjoy a chat with his dear friend before they all probably end up suffering a brutal, gruesome, grisly, inevitable death.

Rosri sees Edeleth troubled face and walk over to his dear friend. “Umh, hi, how are you holding up? I over heard what you said to Ozzy and I can’t imagine how har it must be. Those trees is why you headed out into this world in the first place. If there is anything I can do for you, don’t hesitant to tell me.” He try to smile but it is forced. How ever much he want to be strong for his companions, he can’t but help to be terrified.

“When we get back, how about all of us go and drink wine at Gavins? We can even invite the rest of the knights!” This time the smile is real. 

He take out the evermug and offer it to Edeleth. “In the meantime we can ease our nerves with this!” 

"Thank you, Rosri." He forces a smile. The taste of Master Talos's ceremonial mead is a bit bitter at the moment, but it does remind him that the High Druid would order him to concentrate on fixing his mistakes rather than moping around feeling miserable over them. "I'm sorry you heard, I didn't want to trouble you when we already have Wrathmaw Keep and everything to deal with first."

"And, just by the way--" he gives Rosri 500 gold. "I know that the Head of the Thieves' Guild would never demand protection money from the Wood Elf Ambassador, but that's just because he's new at the job."

“Well that is what tou have friends for isn’t it?” He gives Edeleth a pat on his back and when he is handed the pouch he stumbles. “Wow” he say in respons “this is a lot of money, are you sure it is okey to give this to me? In any case, I will make sure that nothing happens to you inside the city!”

After a bit of searching around the City, the Party finds Gorlahk, his Riders, and Uther at the Bard's College, where they are witnessing Saerrira's operatic performance in front of many Nobles and Guild Representatives.

She is accompanied by a 20 piece orchestra, an entire cast of actors and dancers, and a skilled team of stage workers and Wizard light technicians.

The opera depicts a heroic woman saving a small village from a huge Monster, and finding her purpose in life. Saerrira's acting and dancing are dazzling, but her singing seems a little off (for those who've had the privilege of seeing her before). But the orchestra blends perfectly with her voice, and the performance ends in thunderous cheers from the whole auditorium.

Of course, as soon as the performance ends, a crowd of officials lines up to talk to the Dragoness Diva and newly appointed Ambassador of the Silver Dragon Clan. As she talks to the Master of the Painters Guild, anyone with a passive perception of 15 or higher notice Pygmalion Zaggat, the famous painter/tattoo artist chuckle in a corner of the room, then quickly paint a door on the wall, open it, and go through it...

As she is talking to the Guild Masters, Saerrira notices Uther, Gorlahk, the Knight Inquisitors and the 15th Airforce Squadron are all in the audience, looking like they are all grouping up for their Mission...

OOC: this will be our official Team 1 and 2 merger!

Knights of the Hanging Chicken, Assemble!

After her brief conversation with the Master of the Painters Guild and his wife, Saerirra notices Uther as well as the others she had briefly met in the past. She walks over to them, still clearly recovering from her lengthy performance.

"It is wonderful to see you all. Forgive me if I do not speak too much more tonight. This was my first time singing for an audience."

"It is good to see you again, Saerirra, and always a delight to hear you perform," says Edeleth. "I, er, can't quite remember...have you met Elixisys Berevan, our newest team member?"

"No...no I do not believe I have."

Saerirra drinks down a bit of water before looking across the large theater, a big smile on her face seeing the smiles on all who had enjoyed the show.

Elixisys extends his left hand, the right being wrapped in bandages. "A pleasure to meet you Ambassador. That was a very lovely performance. We're sorry to interrupt your party, we just wanted to steal away the airforce one of our plans." 

Saerirra shakes his hand gently.

"It's quite alright. I am fully aware that there are dangers to be fought and friends to be rescued.

"I don't suppose you would consider joining us?" Edeleth said without much hope, looking at the admiring audience's ovation. "We are hoping to find and breach the enemy stronghold, Wrathmaw Keep. It's bound to require all the subtle planning and every talent we can muster. At the very least, somebody who speaks Draconic would be an invaluable ally, and I know that you possess many other abilities that are lacking in our current team."

"You as well," he adds to Uther. "Roscoe could use another strong back in combat. He is mighty, but he has shielded us alone for far too many battles. And after Wrathmaw, if we survive, there are other dire situations we must deal with."