Shayne just does his best to stay distanced and out of the way of the the creature and the hunters. This doesn't involve him and he's got no reason to get involved... ((Basically the dodge action.))
He has been in this position before. Hunting game and happening across another group. He slowly backs towards the nearest tree, moving away from the stag in a manner not to scare it. He won't be getting between a hunter and it's quarry.
Nor will Alyna. A hunt is a hunt. She stepped away (as far as she could) from the stags and hunter's path - that was not a "wild hunt" after all, just someone presumably local hunting. The miller was not with them, anyway.
But they don't go very far, for the stag knocks against a tree and falls.
One rider gallops up and dismounts fluidly. He ducks low and seizes the beast's antlers with his left hand as his right darts in with a long dagger. Blood splatters on the earth and the stag's head droops.
The second rider turns his horse's head and trots up to Eric to look down at the woodsman. The mounted huntsman towers in the saddle. Sharp eyes glint down from the hawkish face beneath a high-peaked cap, white teeth grinning through a short blond beard. The rider's dun clothes appear plain, yet fitted and sewn as finely as any His Lordship
(of Rillford and the manorial estates to the south)
might wear out hawking or hunting. A cased bow hangs at the left of the saddle and a sword at the stranger's right hip.
For a moment, the mounted hunter simply watches Eric. Then he speaks in soft, slurred tones,
(Elvish)
"Greetings! A lovely night for a hunt, is it not, oh Man?"
"Aye. Our apologies if we disturbed your method." He offers a bow of the head and then continues "Seems we got turned around back at the burning bush. We're looking for another Man who came through this way not too long ago."
Leaving out a lot of information deliberately, he gives the basics of their mission but nothing of super import. He translates for any who do not speak the tongue of the ancient ones.
Shayne does nothing of import during this time other than trying to keep an eye on the hunters to make sure they don't get too interested in the human party that is hanging out here. Basically he tries to look nonchalant while remaining very alert.
Alyna did not interfere, just listened with the curiosity. She saw some fey before, but not that type (was it polite to call them "type"? Well, she did not say it out loud. She just watched)
The tall, handsome huntsman answers Eric's questions politely, saying he knows of no lost Man. He and his companion have been hunting and might have missed news. If Eric's party would like, the hunters will provide directions to the nearest hall.
While the first speaks, the second hunter has been slowly circling the dead stag, going widdershins. He blows a piercing note on his horn.
Fammy shrieks at the sudden noise and jumps from her place by Shayne into a bush.
The stag trembles, rising from the forest floor but not on its legs.
Four wan figures that had not been there a moment before now stand about the carcass, bearing it in their arms with apparent ease. One looks toward your party, moonlight shining through his face as through smoke.
Alyna stared wide eyed at the magic of the fey and almost missed that bit about the hall. "Yes!" She realised she was saying it after she heard herself. "We would very much like some direction, please!"And smiled as friendly as she could master.
Alyna stared wide eyed at the magic of the fey and almost missed that bit about the hall. "Yes!" She realised she was saying it after she heard herself. "We would very much like some direction, please!"And smiled as friendly as she could master.
The tall, lean huntsman
who is certainly the most beautiful 'man' Alyna has ever seen
smiles at the young woman. He gives her a list of directions, using landmarks he claims she can find easily if she keeps on the proper path: a tree with glass leaves, a great white spur of rock, a 'contrary creek.' Right, left, then right again. So many paces this way and that. Some backtracking. All quite simple if you keep your wits about you.
(To follow the directions, roll a DC 10 INT check. Failure means the party is lost again. Only one roll for the group. The person with the highest INT modifier may make the roll, if you like.)
Alyna Initiative: 14
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
ROUND 1
initiative
ERIC 24
SHAYNE & Fammy 17
XYLYS 15
ALYNA 14
------------------
STAG 9
THE HUNT 5
Two lean huntsmen on pale horses burst into sight, racing toward the stag and the party.
(Declare actions and make relevant rolls)
((Slightly subject to what Eric does but...))
Shayne just does his best to stay distanced and out of the way of the the creature and the hunters. This doesn't involve him and he's got no reason to get involved... ((Basically the dodge action.))
He has been in this position before. Hunting game and happening across another group. He slowly backs towards the nearest tree, moving away from the stag in a manner not to scare it. He won't be getting between a hunter and it's quarry.
Nor will Alyna. A hunt is a hunt. She stepped away (as far as she could) from the stags and hunter's path - that was not a "wild hunt" after all, just someone presumably local hunting. The miller was not with them, anyway.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Xylys scrambles to get out of the way, wanting nothing to do with this ‘Wild Hunt’. “I ain’t standing around to get trampled!”
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
The party clears the way as the huntsmen ride in, one lifting his bow to shoot without slowing.
The stag bolts.
16
"Good luck," Shayne says and watches them pass...
The riders thunder after the running stag.
But they don't go very far, for the stag knocks against a tree and falls.
One rider gallops up and dismounts fluidly. He ducks low and seizes the beast's antlers with his left hand as his right darts in with a long dagger. Blood splatters on the earth and the stag's head droops.
The second rider turns his horse's head and trots up to Eric to look down at the woodsman. The mounted huntsman towers in the saddle. Sharp eyes glint down from the hawkish face beneath a high-peaked cap, white teeth grinning through a short blond beard. The rider's dun clothes appear plain, yet fitted and sewn as finely as any His Lordship
(of Rillford and the manorial estates to the south)
might wear out hawking or hunting. A cased bow hangs at the left of the saddle and a sword at the stranger's right hip.
For a moment, the mounted hunter simply watches Eric. Then he speaks in soft, slurred tones,
(Elvish)
"Greetings! A lovely night for a hunt, is it not, oh Man?"
(If nobody is casting a spell or taking hostile action, you may ignore initiative count and simply roleplay this scene.
Shayne's dancing lights have allowed you to see the stag's end, which you probably would have missed without the improved illumination.)
Elvish
"Aye. Our apologies if we disturbed your method." He offers a bow of the head and then continues "Seems we got turned around back at the burning bush. We're looking for another Man who came through this way not too long ago."
Leaving out a lot of information deliberately, he gives the basics of their mission but nothing of super import. He translates for any who do not speak the tongue of the ancient ones.
Shayne does nothing of import during this time other than trying to keep an eye on the hunters to make sure they don't get too interested in the human party that is hanging out here. Basically he tries to look nonchalant while remaining very alert.
Alyna did not interfere, just listened with the curiosity. She saw some fey before, but not that type (was it polite to call them "type"? Well, she did not say it out loud. She just watched)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The tall, handsome huntsman answers Eric's questions politely, saying he knows of no lost Man. He and his companion have been hunting and might have missed news. If Eric's party would like, the hunters will provide directions to the nearest hall.
While the first speaks, the second hunter has been slowly circling the dead stag, going widdershins. He blows a piercing note on his horn.
Fammy shrieks at the sudden noise and jumps from her place by Shayne into a bush.
The stag trembles, rising from the forest floor but not on its legs.
Four wan figures that had not been there a moment before now stand about the carcass, bearing it in their arms with apparent ease. One looks toward your party, moonlight shining through his face as through smoke.
Shayne, finding Fammy so easily startled, dismisses her from existence.
Alyna stared wide eyed at the magic of the fey and almost missed that bit about the hall. "Yes!" She realised she was saying it after she heard herself. "We would very much like some direction, please!" And smiled as friendly as she could master.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The cat vanishes, but her screeching and yowling lingers, faint but audible--something that has never happened before.
The tall, lean huntsman
who is certainly the most beautiful 'man' Alyna has ever seen
smiles at the young woman. He gives her a list of directions, using landmarks he claims she can find easily if she keeps on the proper path: a tree with glass leaves, a great white spur of rock, a 'contrary creek.' Right, left, then right again. So many paces this way and that. Some backtracking. All quite simple if you keep your wits about you.
(To follow the directions, roll a DC 10 INT check. Failure means the party is lost again. Only one roll for the group. The person with the highest INT modifier may make the roll, if you like.)
((Well, that's certainly NOT Eric))
Xylys has the best chances here, Alyna was too distracted to listen carefully :) But whoever does that, she offers her Guidance to the brave soul.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice