This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nym eyes the trail of blood with mounting anxiety before looking back at the others, her mounting concern for her friend evident in expression and tense body language. Yet she said not a word, conducting an internal dialogue with herself about how it possibly could be nothing to be worried about...or several worst case scenarios. She tried not to dwell on the latter as she moves slowly and meticulously forward, whispering a prayer to The Dark Maiden under her breath. "Eilistraee let me Vigilant against those who would do me or my allies harm." Touching her middle finger tip between her eyes as she follows the path towards the druid's home, taking point unless another should move ahead of her or stop her.
Chrys hangs back, knowing full well that "subtle" is not her style. Breaking away from the others, she walks directly in the center of the beaten path as the others attempt to be stealthy, in order to provide as much of a distraction for them to take advantage of as possible as she approaches. When she's within 60 feet of the druid's abode, she reaches out with her Divine Sense to get an idea of what might be waiting for them ahead.
Chrys's attempt at stealth, which is pretty much just trying to not stomp heavily down the path, not actually hiding: 5
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Immediately spooked at the sight and the faint coppery smell of fresh blood, and what appears to be the tell-tale signs of a skirmish, Kess draws her scimitars and narrows her eyes.
"Watch yourselves... the culprit may still be near," She'd whisper to the others, before moving a bit further ahead and falling into a stealthy crouch.
Stealth: 8
From there, Kess would focus, listening as carefully as she could, eyes peeled...
With Nym and Kess out front, exercising as much stealth as possible, Lumen and Vesper in the rear, and Chrys quickly stomping down the middle of the gully in her heavy dwarves boots and steadily clinking chainmail, you all make your way down the riverbed with a high degree of urgency. You continue to spot the steady stream of blood spatters on the forest floor, although the source of the trail remains a mystery, as you see no signs of either a victim or cause for what is clearly a grievous injury.
The next twenty minutes seems to pass by very quickly, despite the extremely tenuous nature of the situation. Being familiar with this route, Nym watches for the landmarks that indicate that you're getting closer, and finally, you see up ahead, a small stone cabin that's built against the base of a large oak tree at the edge of a small, lush clearing. The roof of the cabin is covered with a thick blanket of moss, and hanging on the front door is some kind of druidic symbol fashioned out of sticks that have been bent and tied together. Nym knows this place to be Dauric's home.
There doesn't seem to be any activity in or around the immediate area, but there are three large elk grazing at the edges of the clearing. You see that the blood trail becomes a bit scattered here, but a quick scan reveals that it indeed continues right up towards the doorway of the cabin. There is a small window that sits high on one of the side walls, and you see the glow of warm flickering light emanating from it.
Chrys
Reaching out with your Divine Sense, you do not detect the presence of any celestial, fiends or undead in the area.
"Well, I don't sense any defilement or evil presence from here,"Chrys tells the others. "Only one way to find out, though. I'm gonna knock on his door. Maybe the rest o' you should stay back an' be ready, in case somethin' nasty answers."
If no one objects, Chrys will do just that -- approach the cabin, and knock on the door.
As you both walk up to the front of the cabin, with the others hanging back just a few feet, you can now see more closely, a larger collection of blood drops that's spattered right on the stone step beneath the door. (I'll assume that Nym is standing next to Chrys when she knocks.)
A few moments pass before the thick wooden door pulls open, the lower left corner brushing with a brief scrape before giving way. A dragonborn male appears before you. He wears simple brown leggings and a long, brown shawl that's wrapped over his upper torso that's fastened with bone clasp at his right shoulder. His arms are bare, and the first thing you notice are the smears of blood that cover some of his fine, lustrous black scales on his hands and forearms. However, you do not see any apparent injures on him that would immediately explain all of the blood you have seen.
He looks briefly at Chrys with a stern expression, but quickly spots the white haired elf next to her.
"Thurirl Nym," he says in a gravelly and hurried tone, addressing her with the draconic word for "friend." "You are unexpected.. but come in. It seems that the gods have brought you here for reason, for I have urgent need of your healing skills."
The dragonborn then stands aside. Assuming that you enter or look into the cabin, you see three other creatures huddled together on the floor. A pair of grievously wounded elves are supporting a third who has lost an arm, and who is shivering uncontrollably, clearly on the brink of death. All three are covered in blood and there's a rather large pool of blood on the stone floor beneath them.
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Nodding at Kessdarra's words, Nym would step quietly forward ahead of the group, following the bloody drops. The longer the blood went on the more she wondered what was bleeding. Duaric wasn't small and to be bleeding this consistently wasn't a good sign. Could it be an animal? Finally they reached their destination, Nym silently pointing out the stone cabin before glancing about the area and pausing at sight of the grazing elk. Seeing the beasts caused her to relax. Surely if their friend was in danger they wouldn't be eating without care nearby. Not taking her eyes off of the door where the blood had puddled slightly at the elf's comment, Nym murmured back, "I'm not so sure." Before nodding at Chrysoberyl's plan, stepping up next to her. "Let's see then." Hand resting on the hilt of her longsword as they wait tensely for a reply to the knock, hand gripping tight as the door opens before revealing a familiar draconic form.
The dark elf's posture immediately relaxed, a relieved smile overtaking her feature's at Duaric's stern glare down at the dwarf. Nodding at the familiar greeting before returning it with a grin, "Abban Duaric." But his tone set her on edge again, brow furrowing in confusion and concern as he spoke. He didn't have to say anything further though as he stepped back so they could enter and see the gory scene on the floor. Sucking in a breath, Nym rushes forward without a word, kneeling in the bloody pool directly in front of the shivering elf. Placing a delicate hand to their shoulder, the woman pleads, "Eilistraee please Spare the Dying soul before me from reincarnating too soon."
Giving the trio a shaky smile to try and reassure them, the cleric states in Elvish, "I am here to heal and help." Letting her hand lift away from the now one armed elf, Nym begins uttering a Prayer of Healing, "Let those here be blessed with your moonlight Eilistraee so that they might heal and be able to dance under the sun once more." Amethyst eyes looking over each of the injured elves before sliding to Duaric, worried that he might be hurt in some way as well.
((Prayer of Healing heals: 11. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to roll for each individual person or if the one roll gets applied to all.))
Once Nym enters the cabin, Dauric stands aside and says, "Friends of Nym are welcome here. Come in if you wish. I am Dauric."
The two conscious elves look warily at Nym when she approaches and crouches down, but they seem to relax when she beings her healing prayers and helps to stabilize their severely injured companion. Nym, and anyone else who enters the cabin, can see that the two less injured elves are male, one wirey with long copper hair, who appears to have lost his eye in whatever battle caused these horrible injuries, the other a wild-eyed older elf with a thin frame and gaunt visage. He seems slightly less injured but both are visibly exhausted.
The unconscious elf is a tall female with hazelnut hair that's streaked with strands of white. She appears to have suffered much worse, and now has a bloody stump where her left arm used to be. The copper haired elf is holding a cloth tightly to the stump to try and stop the bleeding, and Nym's healing definitely helps to help clot the wound and stem the flow. Her Prayer of Healing shows a significant restorative effects on all three of them, although the two males still appear to be quite tired. The woman is now stable at least, but her body still lies motionless in their arms, her eyes closed, the rhythm of her breathing labored and slow.
"Sar thank va, Quessir Tyss," the older elf says to Nym."Vian kindness ent prayers have saved saren kin, nesh sar were sure si was tarkhal que lor."
"Sar have heard tales Ath Quessir siilen Alet from Tel' nevae, leha sar have aeleth lor nae linta nehel'feer ausa saren eyes."
Nym, Kess and Vesper
Translation from elvish: "We thank you elf cousin. Your kindness went prayers have saved our kin, for we were sure she was lost to us."
"We have heard tales of elves that come from the darkness, but we have yet to see them with our eyes."
Chrys stomps in after Nym, allowing her to care for the wounded. She stands by, ready to help with a healing hand if necessary, but also hangs back awkwardly as the elvish flies right over her head.
"Maybe I should be takin' lessons in that elven talk," she whispers to Lumen as the elves and the druid converse with one another. Refocusing on the three elves, Chrys observes them carefully, trying to determine if they're members of Calia's team of forest rangers by any telltale equipment or clothing, or otherwise identifiable as a part of any group she might know of.
Observational skills: Perception: 17 Behavioral clues from the conscious elves? Insight: 11 History for anything she might know about elves in this forest: 18
As Chrys carefully observes the three elves and helps with the bandages, she sees that they share basic elven features and physical traits with other elves that she's seen. They do appear to have their own style of dress, hair styling and adornments that are certainly different than what she saw with Calia and her band of rangers. Everything about their clothing and decorations is crafted to mimic the shape of leaves, from the large red overlay on the lightly quilted green and reddish-brown tunics, greaves and wrist guards and their flowing green cloaks and headbands. All three sport a few green ribbons in their long hair that are wrapped in tight coils around small braided strands. However, their manner of dress and vocal stylings don't indicate to Chrys any specific details about who they are or where they might have come from.
You all notice that they wear symbols of the full moon under a moon bow, which you recognize as the emblem of Sehanine Moonbow, the Goddess of Moonlight. (Kess knows that Sehanine is considered by some to be the fey aspect of Selûne.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"No thanks needed Quessir Tys. I am happy to help those in need." Giving the more conscious pair a small smile before switching back to quiet elvish, "Sar are ennamar leha sar are col viaren hakar."
"We are few but we are not your enemy."
Setting her pack out of range of the thankfully no longer growing puddle of blood, Nym frowns as she watches Chrysoberyl begin to bandage the elven woman's stump, the cloth quickly soaking with blood. Reaching forward to tighten the fastening of the bandage tighter, she explains in Common regretfully while casting, "I'm afraid I cannot Regenerate her arm nor your eye, but I can at least help Cure Wounds you've received. And...how did you receive them?"
Glancing towards the dragonborn for a moment before asking, "Do we need to worry about company? We didn't see any following on our trek here. Did we?"Looking back over the rest of the group for confirmation before realizing, "Ah, apologies Abban Duaric. These are my companions I came across while investigating the lake. Chrysoberyl, Kessdarra, Lumen and Vesper. They're investigating the same thing so we're working together to try and help the forest and a friend of yours, Phelannie."
((Edit: Knew I forgot something. The female elf heals 10))
Lumen is wide-eyed through the journey to the cottage, eyes alert for anyone flanking or following them. He's convinced that the cultist who got away attacked Nym's druidic friend, and he's looking for an ambush.
Perception: 14
When they enter the cottage and see the horror show inside, he casts healing word on the worst-off-looking victim (6 hp). This would be before the more-effective-but-more-prolonged prayer of healing. He doesn't want anyone dying.
The elvish flies once again over his head, and he whispers back to Chrys: "that's not a bad idea. We should ask those three to teach us. We can see if dwarvish or orcish blood is more allergic to those vowels and apostraphes..."
He's eager to hear the answers about expecting company, and how this happened, though now he dreads the story he expects: a band of orcs.
He'll turn around and face outward, scanning the trees for any sign of movement or presence, though listening to any speech directed at him in Common.
The two male elves extend their gratitude to both Chrys and Lumen as well for their aid in healing and helping to bandage wounds. When Nym asks about the source of the wounds, the younger, copper elf answers, this time in the common tongue.
"Again, please accept my gratitude to you for your generous aid. It is plain to see that we made the right choice in coming all the way to Dauric's home during our time of great need. The gods have given us more than we would have asked. I am grateful to them for sparing Lia during our long ride here."
"I am Aelar Liadon, this is Fivin Hanali, and our companion is Lia Pianthis. Lia and I are the leaders of a group of elves who call ourselves the Warriors of Sehanine. We live a secluded life at our home deeper in the forest, where we honor The Lunar Lady. As for what has caused these terrible injuries we have sustained, I am saddened to say that it was a dragon who attacked our fortress of Ravensglade Keep."
"Recently, one of our scouting parties spotted a troupe of orcs who were chopping their way through the forest and threatening the sacred fauna of the wood. After a brief meeting of our fellow leaders, the decision was made to use lethal force and drive the orcs from the forest, where they do no good. Our attack was swift and brutal, and we killed half of the orc force and routed the survivors. Several of our own were injured as well, and sadly, Lia's husband Lucan was killed during the attack."
"Unfortunately, while we were away from our home, we neglected to notice a new threat flying in from the north. A black dragon had moved into the area and had apparently spotted our keep from the air. This vile wyrm attacked us during our evening of mourning and remembrance for our fallen kin, and although we quickly jumped to arms, we underestimated the dragon's power and many of our warrior fell beneath her mighty claws and tail."
"Our warriors were decimated and only the "Setting Sun" remained, myself and Lia, and Fivin, the chronicler of our tribe. The other elves of our keep have fled or are dead, save for Lia's two children, Faen and Syllin, who are still trapped within the walls of our fortress."
"Dauric is known to us, and so in our desperation, we rode swiftly all the way here, to seek his aid, as we had nowhere else to turn. Now that the gods have brought you here as well, and we have witnessed your kindness, I would plead with you to help us rescue the children and slay this dragon. We were able to injure the beast, and so it is in a weakened condition right now. If you were to make quick way to our keep, you may stand a chance for victory. To delay would give her a chance to heal, and should that happen, I fear that all would be lost."
Looking down briefly at the still unconscious Lia, Aelar gently places his hand on her damp brow, and then looks back up at you.
Chrys sighs. Her worst fears seemed to be coming true -- there were always glorious tales and legends of epic battles with dragons. They'd fueled her imagination as a child, and helped frustrate her mother to no end, when she preferred to emulate the heroes of the stories rather than clean her room or do her homework. That desire for heroics had even propelled her into the guard against her family's wishes.
But the legends had always been just that - legends, stories, tales of fancy, exaggerated for excitement and fun. Seeing the actual ramifications of a black dragon's presence bled the stories of their fancy. Yet also hardened Chrys's own resolve. Legends exist for a reason, she thought. Not 'cause it can be done... but 'cause it needs to be done.
Looking up, she nods at Aelar. "Aye, we'll help ya. Much as I wanna protect this forest and hit them Claws while they're weak, the lives o' the children are always gonna trump every other concern in my book. I got a soft spot for kids, see. An' a strong dislike o' black dragons that kidnap 'em." She looks to the others. "I know it's a tall order for a group such as us. An' we got a mission to do, too. But I can't let them kids suffer if we got a chance ta save 'em. I don't wanna put words in the mouths o' the rest o' the Pie Pals, though. What'cha all thinkin'?"
Nodding at the elves' thanks, Nym took note when they said that they had a long ride here before also trying to remember their names. But when the leader explained what they had been attacked by, her eyes pressed closed, brow furrowing as she rubbed her forehead before running her hand upwards through her hair with a curse under her breath. It was exactly as they had feared. The drow kept quiet, listening with pursed lips as Aelar continued to explain his group's daunting past few days. She couldn't imagine the horrors they had seen and what they had gone through to get here to safety. Heart feeling tight at the man's desperate plea for help, Nym was already opening her mouth to say yes, of course they would, but hesitated as she realizes that she could only speak for herself. She wanted to help these people, her conscience and faith would not allow otherwise. But what were her chances of survival alone? Less than zero?
The cleric was about to speak when Chrys' gruff voice spoke up behind her. Meeting the dwarf's eyes with rising hope, Nym nods before looking back to Aelar. "I'm of the same mind. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to help. I don't know if it's in any of our abilities to be able to defeat this dragon but I will do everything possible to return Syllin and Faen safe and sound." Looking back at Lumen and Kessdarra and Vesper she reasons somewhat desperately, "The forest could never be safe with this black dragon around. Killing or driving it away is just as important as dealing with the orcs, I'm sure of it."
"I'd say that the dragon is more of a problem than dealing with the orcs. Dragons can fly and have breath weapons, they can cause more damage than orcs can. I don't know how much we'll be able to do against it, but I'm willing to give it a shot for the sake of the children."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"I also am of the same mind," Kess would nod grimly, though inwardly she swatted off a primal urge to fear at the very idea of facing the breath and teeth of a dragon. "This vile dragon has spilt innocent blood, and will surely spill more if nothing is done; she must be slain or driven off. Considering what your little ones are going through, I think it's well worth risking the wyrm's wrath."
Lumen's eyebrows rise, listening to the story from his perch at the doorway. They rise even further as his friends all offer to save some kids and maybe fight a dragon. He finally turns back inside. "Seems we have to try saving the kids and whoever else we can. Fighting a dragon, well, we're massively underequipped for that. Any chance there's a cache of mythical weapons or protections between here and there we could stop by to pick up?" He's fairly sure that if there were, the elves would have used them, but he had to ask. He's heard and told enough stories about doomed charges at dragons' breath to know that they'd be doomed if they tried. He also asks the relevant people the appropriate questions to find out if the orcs seem to be coming from an area where the orcs they had been trying to seek out would be the same orcs menacing the elves.
Aelar thanks you with tears in his eyes when he hears you proclamations to off your aid. “The Lunar Lady has always looked after us, and she has answered our prayers once again!”
“I am fully aware of the dangerous nature of this task, and although we do not carry any gold, I can provide you with whatever aid I possess. Firstly, I will draw you a map to help you find our keep. On foot, it should take you seven days to reach Ravensglade. I warn you, the going will be treacherous at times, for as the forest gets deeper, the terrain becomes more varied and tangled, and there are long stretches of swamp. You will need to take great care while navigating."
"I will also lend you my long sword, Moonpetal. It has magical properties and will help you in your attempt to slay the dragon Duskbringer, should you find her. And if you do manage to dispense with her and rescue the children, then you are also welcome to any treasure you find within our keep."
"There also things you should know about this part of the forest we call our home."
"A fey spirit lives within the woods that is known to us. It manifests as a pale blue, spectral fox with three tails. If you find this fox, there is a chance that it will be able to help you."
"The Ruins of an ancient city called Vehlarr lie north of our keep, and if you navigate carefully, it should not take any days off of your travel to divert here. Although the ruins are deserted, there may be items there that could be of use to you."
"Although we killed and routed much of the orc tribe, there are still decimated bands of orcs probably still roving the forest. They must be destroyed. And yes, master half orc, they bear the sign of the red claw. They have been rampaging across the forest, desecrating the sacred wood and trying to make ill bonds with other evils who would further their cause. At full strength, I am convinced that they were intent on dominating this eastern portion of The High Forest, so as to provide close staging ground for raiding the trade routes to the north."
"If you do manage to reach Ravenslade Keep, you will likely find the children in the library. Lia's daughter loves the old books within."
"And one last thing... when we fought Duskbringer, a strange, glowing orb seemed to float around the dragon’s head, and every now and then the great wyrm would pause as if listening to the thing. I do not know what this means, for I have never seen such a thing."
By now, Lia has opened her eyes and regained consciousness. Aelar whispers to her in elvish, and although she is still exhausted and filled with sorrow, she tries to get up, demanding to join you on your quest to the keep. The two engage in a brief argument of heated words.
Nym, Kess and Vesper
"No, my dear Winter. You are in no shape for the journey right now and would only hinder them on their quest."
"It is your fault, Autumn," Lia retorts with a wrathful tone. "You forced me to leave my own children behind to die at the hands of the dragon!"
"We would have all died, Winter, if we had stayed behind. Faen and Syllin know where to hide, and if we help these good folk, they can return to our home and save them. Fiven saw them alive before we left, and you know they have the hearts of true warriors. I believe that they have weathered the storm and await our return."
Lia calms down, and then looks at you with saddened eyes. "Please, I beg of you to do everything you can to save my children! Here, take this. She hands you the pendant from her neck, a flower encased in a circle, hanging from a silver cord. "They both wear one like it, and if you show them this, they will know I sent you."
Through all of this, Dauric listens, and then turns to you, his hard Dragonborn features obviously softened by the tale of these elves.
"This will be a difficult task indeed, but I will offer what help I can. I will provide you with enough food for your journey there and back, and I can offer other boons as well. Please tell me, what do you need, or what information you would ask of me that you feel would prove useful?"
"This dragon, Duskbringer, as she is called, is not just a threat to these elves, but to this entire region of the forest. I have heard rumblings of her advancement from the west. My guess is that like the orcs of the red claw, she is also looking for new hunting grounds. The emergence of both have poisoned this part of the wood."
Nym eyes the trail of blood with mounting anxiety before looking back at the others, her mounting concern for her friend evident in expression and tense body language. Yet she said not a word, conducting an internal dialogue with herself about how it possibly could be nothing to be worried about...or several worst case scenarios. She tried not to dwell on the latter as she moves slowly and meticulously forward, whispering a prayer to The Dark Maiden under her breath. "Eilistraee let me Vigilant against those who would do me or my allies harm." Touching her middle finger tip between her eyes as she follows the path towards the druid's home, taking point unless another should move ahead of her or stop her.
((Stealth: 7))
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Chrys hangs back, knowing full well that "subtle" is not her style. Breaking away from the others, she walks directly in the center of the beaten path as the others attempt to be stealthy, in order to provide as much of a distraction for them to take advantage of as possible as she approaches. When she's within 60 feet of the druid's abode, she reaches out with her Divine Sense to get an idea of what might be waiting for them ahead.
Chrys's attempt at stealth, which is pretty much just trying to not stomp heavily down the path, not actually hiding: 5
Immediately spooked at the sight and the faint coppery smell of fresh blood, and what appears to be the tell-tale signs of a skirmish, Kess draws her scimitars and narrows her eyes.
"Watch yourselves... the culprit may still be near," She'd whisper to the others, before moving a bit further ahead and falling into a stealthy crouch.
Stealth: 8
From there, Kess would focus, listening as carefully as she could, eyes peeled...
Perception: 14
With Nym and Kess out front, exercising as much stealth as possible, Lumen and Vesper in the rear, and Chrys quickly stomping down the middle of the gully in her heavy dwarves boots and steadily clinking chainmail, you all make your way down the riverbed with a high degree of urgency. You continue to spot the steady stream of blood spatters on the forest floor, although the source of the trail remains a mystery, as you see no signs of either a victim or cause for what is clearly a grievous injury.
The next twenty minutes seems to pass by very quickly, despite the extremely tenuous nature of the situation. Being familiar with this route, Nym watches for the landmarks that indicate that you're getting closer, and finally, you see up ahead, a small stone cabin that's built against the base of a large oak tree at the edge of a small, lush clearing. The roof of the cabin is covered with a thick blanket of moss, and hanging on the front door is some kind of druidic symbol fashioned out of sticks that have been bent and tied together. Nym knows this place to be Dauric's home.
There doesn't seem to be any activity in or around the immediate area, but there are three large elk grazing at the edges of the clearing. You see that the blood trail becomes a bit scattered here, but a quick scan reveals that it indeed continues right up towards the doorway of the cabin. There is a small window that sits high on one of the side walls, and you see the glow of warm flickering light emanating from it.
Chrys
Reaching out with your Divine Sense, you do not detect the presence of any celestial, fiends or undead in the area.
Kess' brow knit in concern as she looks over at Nym before looking back to the cabin.
"That doesn't look good..."
"Well, I don't sense any defilement or evil presence from here," Chrys tells the others. "Only one way to find out, though. I'm gonna knock on his door. Maybe the rest o' you should stay back an' be ready, in case somethin' nasty answers."
If no one objects, Chrys will do just that -- approach the cabin, and knock on the door.
As you both walk up to the front of the cabin, with the others hanging back just a few feet, you can now see more closely, a larger collection of blood drops that's spattered right on the stone step beneath the door. (I'll assume that Nym is standing next to Chrys when she knocks.)
A few moments pass before the thick wooden door pulls open, the lower left corner brushing with a brief scrape before giving way. A dragonborn male appears before you. He wears simple brown leggings and a long, brown shawl that's wrapped over his upper torso that's fastened with bone clasp at his right shoulder. His arms are bare, and the first thing you notice are the smears of blood that cover some of his fine, lustrous black scales on his hands and forearms. However, you do not see any apparent injures on him that would immediately explain all of the blood you have seen.
He looks briefly at Chrys with a stern expression, but quickly spots the white haired elf next to her.
"Thurirl Nym," he says in a gravelly and hurried tone, addressing her with the draconic word for "friend." "You are unexpected.. but come in. It seems that the gods have brought you here for reason, for I have urgent need of your healing skills."
The dragonborn then stands aside. Assuming that you enter or look into the cabin, you see three other creatures huddled together on the floor. A pair of grievously wounded elves are supporting a third who has lost an arm, and who is shivering uncontrollably, clearly on the brink of death. All three are covered in blood and there's a rather large pool of blood on the stone floor beneath them.
Nodding at Kessdarra's words, Nym would step quietly forward ahead of the group, following the bloody drops. The longer the blood went on the more she wondered what was bleeding. Duaric wasn't small and to be bleeding this consistently wasn't a good sign. Could it be an animal? Finally they reached their destination, Nym silently pointing out the stone cabin before glancing about the area and pausing at sight of the grazing elk. Seeing the beasts caused her to relax. Surely if their friend was in danger they wouldn't be eating without care nearby. Not taking her eyes off of the door where the blood had puddled slightly at the elf's comment, Nym murmured back, "I'm not so sure." Before nodding at Chrysoberyl's plan, stepping up next to her. "Let's see then." Hand resting on the hilt of her longsword as they wait tensely for a reply to the knock, hand gripping tight as the door opens before revealing a familiar draconic form.
The dark elf's posture immediately relaxed, a relieved smile overtaking her feature's at Duaric's stern glare down at the dwarf. Nodding at the familiar greeting before returning it with a grin, "Abban Duaric." But his tone set her on edge again, brow furrowing in confusion and concern as he spoke. He didn't have to say anything further though as he stepped back so they could enter and see the gory scene on the floor. Sucking in a breath, Nym rushes forward without a word, kneeling in the bloody pool directly in front of the shivering elf. Placing a delicate hand to their shoulder, the woman pleads, "Eilistraee please Spare the Dying soul before me from reincarnating too soon."
Giving the trio a shaky smile to try and reassure them, the cleric states in Elvish, "I am here to heal and help." Letting her hand lift away from the now one armed elf, Nym begins uttering a Prayer of Healing, "Let those here be blessed with your moonlight Eilistraee so that they might heal and be able to dance under the sun once more." Amethyst eyes looking over each of the injured elves before sliding to Duaric, worried that he might be hurt in some way as well.
((Prayer of Healing heals: 11. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to roll for each individual person or if the one roll gets applied to all.))
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Once Nym enters the cabin, Dauric stands aside and says, "Friends of Nym are welcome here. Come in if you wish. I am Dauric."
The two conscious elves look warily at Nym when she approaches and crouches down, but they seem to relax when she beings her healing prayers and helps to stabilize their severely injured companion. Nym, and anyone else who enters the cabin, can see that the two less injured elves are male, one wirey with long copper hair, who appears to have lost his eye in whatever battle caused these horrible injuries, the other a wild-eyed older elf with a thin frame and gaunt visage. He seems slightly less injured but both are visibly exhausted.
The unconscious elf is a tall female with hazelnut hair that's streaked with strands of white. She appears to have suffered much worse, and now has a bloody stump where her left arm used to be. The copper haired elf is holding a cloth tightly to the stump to try and stop the bleeding, and Nym's healing definitely helps to help clot the wound and stem the flow. Her Prayer of Healing shows a significant restorative effects on all three of them, although the two males still appear to be quite tired. The woman is now stable at least, but her body still lies motionless in their arms, her eyes closed, the rhythm of her breathing labored and slow.
"Sar thank va, Quessir Tyss," the older elf says to Nym. "Vian kindness ent prayers have saved saren kin, nesh sar were sure si was tarkhal que lor."
"Sar have heard tales Ath Quessir siilen Alet from Tel' nevae, leha sar have aeleth lor nae linta nehel'feer ausa saren eyes."
Nym, Kess and Vesper
Translation from elvish: "We thank you elf cousin. Your kindness went prayers have saved our kin, for we were sure she was lost to us."
"We have heard tales of elves that come from the darkness, but we have yet to see them with our eyes."
Chrys stomps in after Nym, allowing her to care for the wounded. She stands by, ready to help with a healing hand if necessary, but also hangs back awkwardly as the elvish flies right over her head.
"Maybe I should be takin' lessons in that elven talk," she whispers to Lumen as the elves and the druid converse with one another. Refocusing on the three elves, Chrys observes them carefully, trying to determine if they're members of Calia's team of forest rangers by any telltale equipment or clothing, or otherwise identifiable as a part of any group she might know of.
Observational skills: Perception: 17
Behavioral clues from the conscious elves? Insight: 11
History for anything she might know about elves in this forest: 18
As Chrys carefully observes the three elves and helps with the bandages, she sees that they share basic elven features and physical traits with other elves that she's seen. They do appear to have their own style of dress, hair styling and adornments that are certainly different than what she saw with Calia and her band of rangers. Everything about their clothing and decorations is crafted to mimic the shape of leaves, from the large red overlay on the lightly quilted green and reddish-brown tunics, greaves and wrist guards and their flowing green cloaks and headbands. All three sport a few green ribbons in their long hair that are wrapped in tight coils around small braided strands. However, their manner of dress and vocal stylings don't indicate to Chrys any specific details about who they are or where they might have come from.
You all notice that they wear symbols of the full moon under a moon bow, which you recognize as the emblem of Sehanine Moonbow, the Goddess of Moonlight. (Kess knows that Sehanine is considered by some to be the fey aspect of Selûne.)
"No thanks needed Quessir Tys. I am happy to help those in need." Giving the more conscious pair a small smile before switching back to quiet elvish, "Sar are ennamar leha sar are col viaren hakar."
"We are few but we are not your enemy."
Setting her pack out of range of the thankfully no longer growing puddle of blood, Nym frowns as she watches Chrysoberyl begin to bandage the elven woman's stump, the cloth quickly soaking with blood. Reaching forward to tighten the fastening of the bandage tighter, she explains in Common regretfully while casting, "I'm afraid I cannot Regenerate her arm nor your eye, but I can at least help Cure Wounds you've received. And...how did you receive them?"
Glancing towards the dragonborn for a moment before asking, "Do we need to worry about company? We didn't see any following on our trek here. Did we?" Looking back over the rest of the group for confirmation before realizing, "Ah, apologies Abban Duaric. These are my companions I came across while investigating the lake. Chrysoberyl, Kessdarra, Lumen and Vesper. They're investigating the same thing so we're working together to try and help the forest and a friend of yours, Phelannie."
((Edit: Knew I forgot something. The female elf heals 10))
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Lumen is wide-eyed through the journey to the cottage, eyes alert for anyone flanking or following them. He's convinced that the cultist who got away attacked Nym's druidic friend, and he's looking for an ambush.
Perception: 14
When they enter the cottage and see the horror show inside, he casts healing word on the worst-off-looking victim (6 hp). This would be before the more-effective-but-more-prolonged prayer of healing. He doesn't want anyone dying.
The elvish flies once again over his head, and he whispers back to Chrys: "that's not a bad idea. We should ask those three to teach us. We can see if dwarvish or orcish blood is more allergic to those vowels and apostraphes..."
He's eager to hear the answers about expecting company, and how this happened, though now he dreads the story he expects: a band of orcs.
He'll turn around and face outward, scanning the trees for any sign of movement or presence, though listening to any speech directed at him in Common.
Perception: 5
The two male elves extend their gratitude to both Chrys and Lumen as well for their aid in healing and helping to bandage wounds. When Nym asks about the source of the wounds, the younger, copper elf answers, this time in the common tongue.
"Again, please accept my gratitude to you for your generous aid. It is plain to see that we made the right choice in coming all the way to Dauric's home during our time of great need. The gods have given us more than we would have asked. I am grateful to them for sparing Lia during our long ride here."
"I am Aelar Liadon, this is Fivin Hanali, and our companion is Lia Pianthis. Lia and I are the leaders of a group of elves who call ourselves the Warriors of Sehanine. We live a secluded life at our home deeper in the forest, where we honor The Lunar Lady. As for what has caused these terrible injuries we have sustained, I am saddened to say that it was a dragon who attacked our fortress of Ravensglade Keep."
"Recently, one of our scouting parties spotted a troupe of orcs who were chopping their way through the forest and threatening the sacred fauna of the wood. After a brief meeting of our fellow leaders, the decision was made to use lethal force and drive the orcs from the forest, where they do no good. Our attack was swift and brutal, and we killed half of the orc force and routed the survivors. Several of our own were injured as well, and sadly, Lia's husband Lucan was killed during the attack."
"Unfortunately, while we were away from our home, we neglected to notice a new threat flying in from the north. A black dragon had moved into the area and had apparently spotted our keep from the air. This vile wyrm attacked us during our evening of mourning and remembrance for our fallen kin, and although we quickly jumped to arms, we underestimated the dragon's power and many of our warrior fell beneath her mighty claws and tail."
"Our warriors were decimated and only the "Setting Sun" remained, myself and Lia, and Fivin, the chronicler of our tribe. The other elves of our keep have fled or are dead, save for Lia's two children, Faen and Syllin, who are still trapped within the walls of our fortress."
"Dauric is known to us, and so in our desperation, we rode swiftly all the way here, to seek his aid, as we had nowhere else to turn. Now that the gods have brought you here as well, and we have witnessed your kindness, I would plead with you to help us rescue the children and slay this dragon. We were able to injure the beast, and so it is in a weakened condition right now. If you were to make quick way to our keep, you may stand a chance for victory. To delay would give her a chance to heal, and should that happen, I fear that all would be lost."
Looking down briefly at the still unconscious Lia, Aelar gently places his hand on her damp brow, and then looks back up at you.
"Will you help us?"
Chrys sighs. Her worst fears seemed to be coming true -- there were always glorious tales and legends of epic battles with dragons. They'd fueled her imagination as a child, and helped frustrate her mother to no end, when she preferred to emulate the heroes of the stories rather than clean her room or do her homework. That desire for heroics had even propelled her into the guard against her family's wishes.
But the legends had always been just that - legends, stories, tales of fancy, exaggerated for excitement and fun. Seeing the actual ramifications of a black dragon's presence bled the stories of their fancy. Yet also hardened Chrys's own resolve. Legends exist for a reason, she thought. Not 'cause it can be done... but 'cause it needs to be done.
Looking up, she nods at Aelar. "Aye, we'll help ya. Much as I wanna protect this forest and hit them Claws while they're weak, the lives o' the children are always gonna trump every other concern in my book. I got a soft spot for kids, see. An' a strong dislike o' black dragons that kidnap 'em." She looks to the others. "I know it's a tall order for a group such as us. An' we got a mission to do, too. But I can't let them kids suffer if we got a chance ta save 'em. I don't wanna put words in the mouths o' the rest o' the Pie Pals, though. What'cha all thinkin'?"
Nodding at the elves' thanks, Nym took note when they said that they had a long ride here before also trying to remember their names. But when the leader explained what they had been attacked by, her eyes pressed closed, brow furrowing as she rubbed her forehead before running her hand upwards through her hair with a curse under her breath. It was exactly as they had feared. The drow kept quiet, listening with pursed lips as Aelar continued to explain his group's daunting past few days. She couldn't imagine the horrors they had seen and what they had gone through to get here to safety. Heart feeling tight at the man's desperate plea for help, Nym was already opening her mouth to say yes, of course they would, but hesitated as she realizes that she could only speak for herself. She wanted to help these people, her conscience and faith would not allow otherwise. But what were her chances of survival alone? Less than zero?
The cleric was about to speak when Chrys' gruff voice spoke up behind her. Meeting the dwarf's eyes with rising hope, Nym nods before looking back to Aelar. "I'm of the same mind. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to help. I don't know if it's in any of our abilities to be able to defeat this dragon but I will do everything possible to return Syllin and Faen safe and sound." Looking back at Lumen and Kessdarra and Vesper she reasons somewhat desperately, "The forest could never be safe with this black dragon around. Killing or driving it away is just as important as dealing with the orcs, I'm sure of it."
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
"I'd say that the dragon is more of a problem than dealing with the orcs. Dragons can fly and have breath weapons, they can cause more damage than orcs can. I don't know how much we'll be able to do against it, but I'm willing to give it a shot for the sake of the children."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"I also am of the same mind," Kess would nod grimly, though inwardly she swatted off a primal urge to fear at the very idea of facing the breath and teeth of a dragon. "This vile dragon has spilt innocent blood, and will surely spill more if nothing is done; she must be slain or driven off. Considering what your little ones are going through, I think it's well worth risking the wyrm's wrath."
Lumen's eyebrows rise, listening to the story from his perch at the doorway. They rise even further as his friends all offer to save some kids and maybe fight a dragon. He finally turns back inside. "Seems we have to try saving the kids and whoever else we can. Fighting a dragon, well, we're massively underequipped for that. Any chance there's a cache of mythical weapons or protections between here and there we could stop by to pick up?" He's fairly sure that if there were, the elves would have used them, but he had to ask. He's heard and told enough stories about doomed charges at dragons' breath to know that they'd be doomed if they tried. He also asks the relevant people the appropriate questions to find out if the orcs seem to be coming from an area where the orcs they had been trying to seek out would be the same orcs menacing the elves.
Aelar thanks you with tears in his eyes when he hears you proclamations to off your aid. “The Lunar Lady has always looked after us, and she has answered our prayers once again!”
“I am fully aware of the dangerous nature of this task, and although we do not carry any gold, I can provide you with whatever aid I possess. Firstly, I will draw you a map to help you find our keep. On foot, it should take you seven days to reach Ravensglade. I warn you, the going will be treacherous at times, for as the forest gets deeper, the terrain becomes more varied and tangled, and there are long stretches of swamp. You will need to take great care while navigating."
"I will also lend you my long sword, Moonpetal. It has magical properties and will help you in your attempt to slay the dragon Duskbringer, should you find her. And if you do manage to dispense with her and rescue the children, then you are also welcome to any treasure you find within our keep."
"There also things you should know about this part of the forest we call our home."
"A fey spirit lives within the woods that is known to us. It manifests as a pale blue, spectral fox with three tails. If you find this fox, there is a chance that it will be able to help you."
"The Ruins of an ancient city called Vehlarr lie north of our keep, and if you navigate carefully, it should not take any days off of your travel to divert here. Although the ruins are deserted, there may be items there that could be of use to you."
"Although we killed and routed much of the orc tribe, there are still decimated bands of orcs probably still roving the forest. They must be destroyed. And yes, master half orc, they bear the sign of the red claw. They have been rampaging across the forest, desecrating the sacred wood and trying to make ill bonds with other evils who would further their cause. At full strength, I am convinced that they were intent on dominating this eastern portion of The High Forest, so as to provide close staging ground for raiding the trade routes to the north."
"If you do manage to reach Ravenslade Keep, you will likely find the children in the library. Lia's daughter loves the old books within."
"And one last thing... when we fought Duskbringer, a strange, glowing orb seemed to float around the dragon’s head, and every now and then the great wyrm would pause as if listening to the thing. I do not know what this means, for I have never seen such a thing."
By now, Lia has opened her eyes and regained consciousness. Aelar whispers to her in elvish, and although she is still exhausted and filled with sorrow, she tries to get up, demanding to join you on your quest to the keep. The two engage in a brief argument of heated words.
Nym, Kess and Vesper
"No, my dear Winter. You are in no shape for the journey right now and would only hinder them on their quest."
"It is your fault, Autumn," Lia retorts with a wrathful tone. "You forced me to leave my own children behind to die at the hands of the dragon!"
"We would have all died, Winter, if we had stayed behind. Faen and Syllin know where to hide, and if we help these good folk, they can return to our home and save them. Fiven saw them alive before we left, and you know they have the hearts of true warriors. I believe that they have weathered the storm and await our return."
Lia calms down, and then looks at you with saddened eyes. "Please, I beg of you to do everything you can to save my children! Here, take this. She hands you the pendant from her neck, a flower encased in a circle, hanging from a silver cord. "They both wear one like it, and if you show them this, they will know I sent you."
Through all of this, Dauric listens, and then turns to you, his hard Dragonborn features obviously softened by the tale of these elves.
"This will be a difficult task indeed, but I will offer what help I can. I will provide you with enough food for your journey there and back, and I can offer other boons as well. Please tell me, what do you need, or what information you would ask of me that you feel would prove useful?"
"This dragon, Duskbringer, as she is called, is not just a threat to these elves, but to this entire region of the forest. I have heard rumblings of her advancement from the west. My guess is that like the orcs of the red claw, she is also looking for new hunting grounds. The emergence of both have poisoned this part of the wood."