Avernus Log

[Weave]

Shamelessly stolen from Steerpike, I present the Avernus log (with special thanks to OmegaLimit and Magnus Pym for keeping the chat log for me).

 [ic=An Unusual Series of Events]
 In the far-flung reaches of Hijae, the characters traverse through one of the storm-wracked regions during a midsummer afternoon. The air is cold, the rain is icy, and the winds are whipping.

The act known as Stormpeace, in which a traveler asks to take refuge within a household until the storm passes, has brought you all together.

Icy rains pound against the windowpanes of this small hovel cast in the middle of tall woods of southern Hijae. The house itself seems to consist of a single room with a small stove, a few cabinets, wash bucket, and loft equipped with a crude straw bed.

The hovel itself seems oddly abandoned, or at least recently empty. A dim fire still flickers in the corner, casting eerie shadows along the walls. The center of the small home is dominated by a circular table, coated in discarded papers covered in scribbles and strange maps. There are only 2 chairs.

One by one, each of the characters enters the household in a somewhat awkward procession. Kowa and Yamhata, travelers from the Moonshael Isles, enter first, dripping wet.

The hovel seems to have been concealed beforehand, as if to be kept hidden, but the storm has blown away all branches shrubbery once covering it.

* Yamhata makes sure his horse has as much shelter from the storm as possible before entering

There is a small stable, suitable for two horses, alongside the hovel.

* Kowa puts his pony under shelter carefully and silently, then proceeds to the hovel.

Cervus, the minotaur, spies a distant glow up ahead. Perhaps shelter from the harrowing storm.

* Cervus removes his goggles and opens his spyglass, hoping for a better view

Cervus, you spy a small homestead on a little hill only a few hundred feet away.

* Cervus stows his spyglass and puts his goggles back on and begins walking towards the light

Finn and Kalidus, traveling together, spy a dim light in the distance as well.

* Finn holds his hand over his brow to block the rain from his eyes and squints at the light in the distance, heading towards it to investigate the glow first hand.

* Finn makes a beeline to the door, pounding vigorously but politely as possible, hoping to be heard over the rain and wind


* Yamhata looks around the room for signs of recent activity

Yamhata, the papers on the table seem to be fresh with ink.

* Kowa inspects the papers in the middle, still careful to the surroundings and staying aware of Yamhata's position.

Kowa, The papers littering the table seem to involve the tracking of a ship off of the coast of Hijae, several miles from here, even going so far as to detail the schedule of the watch on board.

* Yamhata moves around the room checking for other signs, glancing once or twice at the map that Kowa is deciphering

* Kowa keeps the papers.

Brenin awakens to the rude squealing of Mr. Pig. Your makeshift hollow from last night seems to have become waterlogged.

<Brenin> Wha.. blurrhhhf

* Brenin spits mud out of his mouth

<Brenin> Well this is just great!

<Brenin> (speaking to Mr. Pig) Oh, so its my fault? Well, sorry for ruining your plans!

* Brenin attempts to squeeze the water out of his cloak

Mr. Pig moves towards the trail with Brenin.

<Brenin> (to Mr. Pig) Why didn't we stay at the inn longer? Do I look like I'm made of money?

<Brenin> What, what are you talking about?

<Brenin> Fine. We may as well move on anyways.

* Brenin gathers his waterlogged things

Once back on the path, a distant glow from a nearby hovel lights your way ahead of you.

<Brenin> Onwards my porcine friend!

Cervus enters the hovel.

* Cervus opens the door and enters the hovel, bending low to get his horns inside

* Yamhata turns to face the intruder

<Cervus> I beg for Stormpeace

Kowa darts to the shadows just as the minotaur enters, avoiding notice.

* Yamhata looks at the creature warily, still checking the room for anything of interest

Just behind the minotaur at the door a human and a kassari enter.

<Cervus> Well, it seems there are many of us who seek shelter from the storm

* Cervus removes his goggles and begins unwrapping a massive richly dyed wool scarf from his head

<Yamhata> "Stormpeace as well, I am assuming?" I say to the other two.

* Kalidas I follow close behind Finn

<Cervus> Welcome, I fear the hovel will be cramped at the rate we are gathering travellers.

<Finn> "I wish to seek stormpea.... oh.... popular theme I see...."

Just as Finn and Kalidas enter, the sounds of faint hoof beats can be heard just behind them Riding into view comes an indigo haired gnome and a boar.

<Yamhata> "Strange that this place is so busy."

<Finn> "I see we are nearing capacity... whose house is this?"

<Brenin> Mr. Pig! How dare you! My mother is a saint!

<Cervus> The orcish fellow was the only one here when I arrived.

* Brenin rides up to the open door

* Finn promptly slams the door shut and yells "At capacity!! Move along!"

<Brenin> Oh. How rude.

* Finn opens the door quickly and invites Brenin in, "Sorry! Trying to lighten the mood in this dark storm!"

<Brenin> Ah.. I.. I see. I seek storm rights. Storm safety, whatever it is you people call it.

<Yamhata> "Someone let him in. Make sure the pig stays outside."

<Finn> "I don't believe I am the one to give permission to rest here, but the theme seems to be that all are welcome."

<Brenin> Well then, I'll just invite myself in!

* Cervus is a tall (6'8", not counting horns) pale blue furred minotaur with elkish features and horns. He has a pair of smoked goggles and an elaborately dyed wool scarf in hand along with a backpack over his shoulder and a long fauchard doubling as a walking stick

* Yamhata is a 6'6 humanoid clad in a set of scale mail and a concealing explorer's outfit along with an ornate helmet and black mask that looks designed for intimidation in battle; there is a long sword scabbard on his back and another short one on his hip

* Kalidas is a 6' creature who looks like a lion standing on two legs with bright green eyes. He appears to have nothing with him other than the clothes on his back and a small satchel he carries with him. He stands in a corner near Finn not saying anything, but watching intently.

* Finn is a 5'8" human with long blonde hair, dressed in a tattered brown cloak and what looks like might be studded leather armor beneath that. He can't be any older than 19 or 20, and struggles to maintain his composure around the behemoths in this room.

* Brenin rides through the door atop Mr. Pig, soaked indigo cloak trailing wetly behind him

* Finn sits on the opposite side of the room as Cervus, nervous and afraid of his beastly stature.

<Cervus> Ah... you are not going to stable your boar?

* Brenin blinks in confusion

<Brenin> Stable... Mr. Pig..?

<Brenin> Who would put their friend in a stable?

<Brenin> Strange customs you northerners have.

The cottage is quite cramped with the seven of you.

<Finn> "Mr. Pig shall not share a bedroll with me I am afraid, hope you brought a spare."

* Brenin rides over to the fire and begins drying himself out; Mr. Pig shakes the water out of his bristly fur

<Brenin> Mr. Pig has his own blankets, thank you. I'm sure he would much prefer them to sharing yours.

* Cervus unrolls a large winter blanket and wraps it around himself, sitting down against wall across from the door

* Finn tries to hide behind Kalidas for the most part, afraid of Yamhata and Cervus

* Kalidas takes some bread from his satchel and breaks a piece off which he hands to Finn before eating some himself

* Cervus looks around the room for extra logs for the fire

Cervus, removing a few logs, you notice a secret compartment in the cabinet floor.

* Finn Finn graciously accepts Kalidus' gift, and eats it slowly, savoring the bread he has grown to love.

* Brenin wrings the water from the luxurious indigo plume of horsehair that sprouts from his helm

<Cervus> Hmmmm

* Cervus glances towards Yamhata

<Finn> "What is it Cervus?"

<Cervus> This isn't perchance your home is it?

The group shakes their heads.

<Cervus> Ah, I seem to have found a compartment over here. It would be rude to go looking if it was our friends home however.

* Cervus puts a few more logs on the fire then walks back to the secret compartment

The fire begins to take flame and warm the hovel. Kowa is revealed from the shadows to all but Yamhata's surprise.

* Kowa is a small(5'8'') humanoid wrapped in strange, yet simple attires. A Kaki bottom-Cotton white top Samurai Kimono. He appears to be wearing something under, but it's pitch black. He's completely covered, his face as well since he's under a black mask... all but his eyelids which show black pupils and tanned skin. On his side lays a Katana. His arms are folded and he stares at you, from a shady corner. He doesn't say a word... for now.

* Yamhata moves to the compartment

<Yamhata> "I am wondering if they are even home. If you won't look, I will."

<Brenin> Ah! Radiant warmth! You have my thanks.. uhhh, I didn't quite catch your name.

<Cervus> Recently I've been going by Cervus

<Brenin> Recently? How about formerly?

<Brenin> Which do you prefer?

<Cervus> Cervus is fine. As for before, I am unsure. I am recently decanted

<Brenin> Like a fine wine?

<Brenin> Hmmm, have you grown ripe with age?

<Cervus> Hmmm, something like that Brenin

<Brenin> Well, then, a pleasure to meet you Cervus! I can't say I've seen your like before.

A noise alerts Finn to something outside'¦

<Finn> "Shhhhhhhh. Did anyone else hear that outside?"

* Finn makes his way to the door and opens it, peering into the storm.

Now, getting closer, everyone starts to hear the noise'¦ A shrill cry from outside penetrates the darkness.

<Brenin> Second largest, is that mysterious figure a friend of yours? And what was that?

<Finn> "There it is again! Do you hear it this time!?"

Hoof beats approach from outside.

* Cervus tries to open the secret compartment

Cervus, pry open the compartment, but it seems you'd need to really squeeze to fit inside. There's a steep set of stairs that descend into
darkness, your Drakvision reveals that they go down about 15 feet.

* Yamhata turns around and looks for something to put out the fire with quickly

* Kalidas I stay close to Finn

* Kowa quickly takes ALL the papers on the table, fearing an impending attack.

<Brenin> Prepare yourself Mr. Pig! Who knows what lurks without!

<Cervus> Most likely more travellers seeking Stormpeace

* Brenin dramatically shoves his helmet on his head and leaps atop Mr. Pig

<Brenin> We shall see, Cervus!

<Cervus> Hmmm, there seems to be a tunnel over here.

* Brenin 's voice is slightly muffled

<Finn> "My thoughts exactly, minotaur"

<Yamhata> "I doubt there are that many of us looking for Stormpeace in the area."

<Cervus> And yet we are all here in this hovel doing just that

<Finn> "By my count we are already at 7 counting the pig, what's another 1 or two"

The noises are moving rapidly towards the house.

* Yamhata draws his sword

<Cervus> Have you encountered many of my kind before Finn? Nearby?

<Finn> "You are the first sir, I have only heard about you in stories, but only the best stories I assure you. I can regale you with one
sometime if you would like?"

<DM_Weave> Finn, staring out into the rain, an arrow wizzes by your head, narrowly avoiding everyone and sticking into the wall across
from you with a loud twang.

* Cervus stares at the arrow

<Cervus> Perhaps at some other time Finn.

* Finn flings the door shut and dives out of the doorway

<Finn> "Too young to die!!!!"

<Brenin> Ha ha! Gird your loins for war Mr. Pig! It's a battle, then!

* Kowa takes what seems to be the most important papers and seek a safe exit.

* Brenin hoists his lance dramatically

<Finn> "A battle?!"

Coming into view through the rains outside, a wounded man hobbles hastily, a scroll case in his hand. An arrow strikes him hard in the
back, and he stumbles to one knee.

<Brenin> Arrows! Arrows mean battle!

* Finn takes a deep breath and rehearses in his mind before speaking again.

<Brenin> Don't they teach you people anything these days!

<Brenin> Quickly! Open the door!

* Cervus kicks open the door, runs over to the man and drags him away from the door

 * Brenin charges out into the night

<Brenin> For glory!

Cervus, the man is fading, but reaches up to you desperately. He is an elf.

<Yamhata> "What is that pig and its minion doing?"

Brenin, out in the icy rain, you are met head on by four horsemen, each garbed in a red cloak. Three of the four are humans, their leader
is a rather portly dwarf with a lance. They stop upon seeing you.

<Cervus> Is anyone familiar with the healing arts?

* Brenin cuts a dashing figure, indigo hair, plume and cape trailing behind him

* Finn calls out to the man in Hijaean "Who are your assailants?!"

* Kalidas creates water seemingly out of nowhere on the fire

The fire goes out.

<Brenin> Avast! No good doers! Vileant scoundrons!

Finn, he gasps, and only manages to speak the words "Balsaer... Sylas Ward..." as he lifts the scroll to your hands.

* Finn takes the scroll

<Finn> "Can anyone heal this man?"
[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=Skirmish with the Red Cloaks]
"Hold yerself steady, silly feything' the dwarf says to Brenin.

* Kalidas rushes over and begins to attend to the dying man

Kowa makes his way out a back window and sneaks around the house in the rain to flank the intruders.

<Brenin> Oh! Oh! And why is that?!

* Yamhata takes the fire going out as an opportunity to get the more vulnerable-looking individuals inside to the rear of the room

* Brenin bounces in the saddle

* Finn and Kalidas tend to the dying man, away from the door, assuming Cervus successfully dragged him to safety

<Finn> "Can you save him Kalidas? Is he too far gone?"

* Kalidas I cast cure light wounds on him (everyone should try not to die because I don't have very many of these)

<Kalidas> Perhaps we should bring him down into that compartment out of the way of harm, Finn

<Finn> "Yes Kalidus, lets move him down stairs to shelter."

* Finn attempts to carry the man down into the basement with the aid of Kalidas

* Cervus grabs his fauchard and follows after Brenin

<Brenin> Murdery in the night! Bows! Arrows!

"Look at tha little thing, Golrick, it's trying to talk to us" one of them laughs.

* Yamhata follows the minotaur, sword in hand

Yamhata, Cervus, Brenin, and Kowa are now all outside.

<Brenin> Explain yourselves, or face ultimate justicance!

The portly dwarf steps forward and speaks to the three of you: "What the hells... there's more of you?"

<Brenin> Yes?

* Yamhata stares at the dwarf, lowering his head slightly, in a sturdy stance

"Listen, if you're here for the scroll, me n' my men'll have ta kill ya. If not, just hand it over. "We been chasin' the bastard for days now."

<Brenin> You have?

<Brenin> Why?

Yamhata gives a piercing stare to the dwarf, sending visible shivers down through his body.

<Brenin> Chasing who?

<Cervus> Hmmm, why do you want him?

<Yamhata> "Kill?

<Yamhata> "A harsh word, don't you think?"

Hesitating for a moment, he responds to Brenin. 'He's taken something from the Eastagonian House of Aislon.'

<Brenin> Never heard of this Mr. House.

<Cervus> You tracked him all the way from Eastagon?

'Well, sort of... he's a, uhh, well, not just him'¦ LISTEN! There's three of you, and four of us, I suggest you stand aside.' Another chimes in: 'I
don't listen to no fey ridden gnomes, ya hear?'

<Brenin> Surely you jest! There are obviously four of us.

* Brenin points dramatically to Mr. Pig, who lets out a terrifying battle squeal

<Cervus> I do not like your tone of voice, so I suggest you settle down.

Settle down?? Do you know..." the dwarf looks over to see his target's body has been moved out of sight, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN ON?!
Where's that elf!?'

<Brenin> Was there ever a man to begin with? Perhaps it was all a dream!

<Brenin> Oneiria works in strange ways, this I know.

The Dwarf blinks stupidly at Brenin's comment. That's it... MEN, WE FIGHT!'

Kowa bursts from concealment behind the horsemen!

* Kowa screams: "Go yahmata!" and throws a shuriken on his nearest opponent.

Kowa's shuriken flies into the back of one of the horsemen.

<Brenin> Charge Mr. Pig, charge!

Kowa, the man you hit with the shuriken turns with his shortbow and attempts to fire upon you, but it streaks wildly past you in the rain!

* Finn I spend my round in the basement questioning the man

From here, Kalidas and Finn are given a separate duo session over the weekened as they are not involved in the ensuing battle.

Yamhata intimidates them, sending fear coursing through their veins.

The Dwarf, annoyed with Brenin, raises his sword and barrels towards him. Brenin triumphantly raises his shield and repels the blow with
ease!

* Kowa grins at yet another sight of Yamhata's intimidating glares.

Cervus, you are charged by a human wielding a longsword. His swing goes wide as you duck to avoid it.

Brenin charges at the dwarf on his trusty steed, lance lowered, with a mad grin on his face. His lance strikes true and catches the dwarf in the
chest, dismounting him from his horse, unconscious.

<Brenin> Ha ha! Villaining wretchen!

"Gods, Golrick! Shit! That Gnome can hit!" one of the screams.

* Cervus moves forward with a roar, the flesh on his arms twisting and molting into blue scales.

Cervus, you rend the human asunder, his armor peeling off him as he cries hysterically. Though it may not have been your intention, the man
is violently killed. His horse rears up and attempts to flee, but you tackle the beast and anchor it where it stands.

* Kowa grins under his mask at Cervus' prowess

* Cervus growls furiously as his scaled hands drip

It looks as though the group, having lost two of its members, is going to attempt to retreat'¦

* Yamhata moves and swings his sword at the nearest enemy

Yamhata goes to strike, but the waterlogged ground sucks up a footstep and causes his swing to whiff.

One of the shortbow men withdraws, running at full speed away.

The fleeing man narrowly avoids some well-placed caltrops from Kowa, getting away safely. Kowa throws a well-timed shuriken at the last
horseman, catching him in the neck and slaying him with a sneak attack.

The man gargles on his own blood for a moment, then unceremoniously slumps off of his mount and onto the ground, dead.

* Kowa takes his shuriken back.

The sound of the fleeing enemy pervades the silence before fading back to rain.

* Kowa also stares at the bodies for a moment, then back at Cervus.

* Cervus exhales loudly

<Kowa> "Quite a beast!" I say, looking at Cervus, then turns back to Yamhata.

<Brenin> A rousing bout!

<Brenin> What say you Cervus?

Three corpses lay strewn about before them, the dwarf unconscious.

<Yamhata> "Do we have any reason to keep the dwarf alive?"

<Kowa> "Let's not kill the dwarf, I have some questions for him."

<Kowa> "Yes, brother."

<Brenin> By all means, quest away!

<Brenin> Haha!

* Brenin rides back to the hovel

<Kowa> "Brother, let's take him inside. I'll explain later."

* Cervus goes to stable the horse he grabbed and lets the others decide the dwarfs fate

* Yamhata heaves the dwarf over his shoulder and carries him to the hovel

* Kowa arranges a small cornered place for Yamhata to leave the man.

<Yamhata> "You should ask your questions quickly so we can dispose of him along with the other bodies." I say, grunting a little as I carry the
sack of cowardice

<Kowa> "Why be in such a hurry?" *takes some papers from inside his Kimono. "They were definitely talking about this" I say, handing the
sheets to Yamhata. "Take a look".

* Yamhata drops the dwarf and looks at the paper

* Kowa slaps the dwarf on the face to wake him up

* Brenin lays out Mr. Pig's blanket for him

 Yamhata, you haul the dwarf inside. Unfortunately, his wound is bleeding profusely, and it's spilled across your armor.

* Cervus enters from outside, the extra horse safely stabled

* Brenin cheerily lays out his own bedroll and blanket near the fire

<Yamhata> "I don't suppose you can stabilize this dwarf, can you minotaur?"

<Cervus> I am not knowledgable with the healing arts

Kowa, you do your best to cauterize the wound with the fire poker, and the dwarf wakes up with a loud scream.

<Kowa> "What about the papers?!" I ask him.

<Brenin> Well I don't know about the rest of you, but that tuckered me out! Try not to be too loud.

<Kowa> "Keep it down sleeping beauty"

* Brenin wraps himself up in his blanket and starts snoring

<Yamhata> "Ah, nevermind." He looks at the dwarf. "Answer and answer promptly, or I'll burn a hole in your face."

He sucks in air "My.. lungs.... Papers....? I don't know nothin about no papers... I'm here... for the scroll case... oh, gods, please save me"

* Yamhata takes hold of the poker and waves it in his face

<Kowa> "What scroll case?! There were only papers. Tell me what you know. I could let you live!"

"Ahhh, please, I beg you! The scroll case... on the elf... Elcias"

<Cervus> hmm

* Kowa slaps him again softly, "tell me!"

<Cervus> hmmm

'It has a memory crystal in a hidden compartment'¦'

* Cervus goes downstairs to check on the others

* Kowa signs Yamhata to let the dwarf take a quick glimpse of the papers.

'...I serve... Balsaer.... I swear I don't know nothin else! Please....don let me die..." he coughs up some blood.

<Kowa> Alright then (finish him with my wrist-hidden dagger... slit his throat)

* Kowa looks around for the elf.

* Yamhata moves the papers away to avoid a blood splatter when he sees Kowa's familiar movements

With a quick slash, the dwarf lets out one last breath of air and gargles out a small moan. Brenin snores.

<Kowa> "Shall you go brother? I have shurikens and caltrops to pick up"

<Brenin> ..no.. n-don't take my lemon pie...

<Yamhata> "The elf is weak. Let us remove the evidence of battle first, and worry about him after."

* Brenin rolls over and snores even louder

<Kowa> "Very good, brother."

* Kowa helps Yamhata lift the bodies.

The two of you move the bodies outside, into the rain. Lightning begins to arc across the skies in great forks.

<Yamhata> Hmm

<Yamhata> I'll get rid of them, you go back to the elf

<Kowa> "Sure" runs inside the hovel and sneakily gets to the elf.

<Kowa> (by the way, its now Yamhata that has the papers" Yamhata, there is a certain sense of importance to these papers, anyways, thats what
you thought after seeing how they sounded important to me.

<Yamhata> Sure

<Yamhata> I'll keep them safe

[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=The Journey Begins]Yamhata returning with the loot, brings back the things that were of most value on his person, while the rest is hidden under a nearby tree, in a pile

Brenin is sleeping with Mr. Pig by the fire, and Kowa and Cervus, you two are greeted by Yamhata returning, rain pouring off his armor. Finn and Kalidas are still in the basement with the elf. The storm outside shows no signs of letting up, and it's nearly pitch black outside, save for the occasional lick of lightning across the sky.

*Kowa heads to the basement

Yamhata: "They had a few items of interest, although much of it will need repairing to be worth selling or future use"

Cervus: nods and examines the items

Yamhata: 2 purplish potions

Yamhata: 32 shortbow arrows

Yamhata: 3 shortbows

Yamhata: a Masterwork heavy mace with the inscriptions "Thou shall not speak against
me" along the handle

Yamhata: a longsword

Yamhata: a shortsword

Yamhata: a dagger

Yamhata: 1 light wooden shield

Yamhata: 40 copper, 52 silver, 89 gold pieces all together

Yamhata: two sets of heavily torn studded leather, and a single set of penetrated scale
mail

Kowa, you get through the hatch in the cupboard and find Kalidas and Kowa
gathered around a faintly glowing pool of water with the elf next to them.

Yamhata: "I will repair the armor, in time"

The elf looks at you, Kowa, then hastily back at Finn and Kalidas.

It's a dark, unworked stone basement, more similar to a cave than anything else

*Kowa stands calmly, watching the elf and the group for a few more moments

Finn: AH! didnt see you there

*Kalidas: I look up at him, but wait for Finn to speak

Finn: Ko....la was it?

Kowa: Something like that yeah.

Finn: Right. Perhaps we should go upstairs, the elf has told me... well... not much but its
something everyone should hear

Elcias the elf nods in agreement. 'My name is Elcias, Kola.' He gives a curt bow in greeting.

*Kowa doesn't seem to care much about the happenings of the moment.

*Kowa nods to the elf.

*Finn tries to walk to the stairs, waiting for Kowa/Kola to proceed up them

*Kowa then proceeds upstairs

Yamhata, the party emerges from the basement. The elf known as Elcias holds the scrollcase tight in his hands.

Yamhata: "What do we know about the elf?" he says, unsheathing his katana. "Do we
need to extract more information?"

Finn: "No! No! Wait!"

Elcias grows exceptionally pale and frantically shakes his head. 'N-no, I mean no harm!'

*Kowa signs for his brother to patiently wait, we're in no hurry right now

lightning flashes outside briefly illuminating the room lit by the dying fire.

Finn: "He is a harmless messenger! His escorts were killed by those scoundrels outside
and he hasn't yet made it to the Twilight Coast.

*Yamhata sheathes his sword

Finn: "For those of you who are less familiar with the area, its about 3 days from here.
Sadly this elf is rather defenseless, but the message apparently won't be authentic unless
it is delivered from him."

Finn: "I... I think the right thing to do would be to help him get there.... don't you guys?"

"Please. It is of grave importance."

*Kowa stares at the elf for a moment.

Yamhata: "I suppose it would be too much to hope there would be a reward for this
errand?"

Finn: "Sense of accomplishment?"

*Finn smiles and shrugs

*Kowa then stares, looking slightly disgusted, at Finn.

Yes, there is a reward'¦

*Kowa then puts his gaze back on the elf.

I can provide what would have been my share had I delivered it myself, roughly 1,000 gold pieces.

Kalidas: What about the payment for your guards....they won't be needing it anymore so
why don't they just take that

'It's possible to collect there debt too, I suppose. There's was smaller than mine, though'¦ So I ask of you all, will you help me?'

Yamhata: "As tempting as that sounds, elf, I feel it would be dishonorable to leave you
without the funds you would have received. Why is this so important?"

Kowa: Its only a scrollcase.

'It contains a message that, as your friend explained,' he motions to Finn, 'is
validated by my presence.'

Kowa: You know the real question though.

Kowa: But I still haven't received an answer for this.

The elf looks around nervously.

Finn: Kola, the mans business is private.

Kowa: What are you afraid of? I'm only asking you to talk.

Kowa: *looks to Finn* I'm not working for peanuts.

Yamhata: "Explain to me why it would be worth my time, say, to take you there without
claiming your reward."

'It... it is... very important... I...' he begins to sweat profusely.

Yamhata: "*What* is important?"

Finn: "How did the interrogation on the thugs outside go?"

*Kowa looks to Yamhata, seemingly forgetting about the elf and the others

Yamhata: "Let's just say any of their friends won't find them for a few weeks, at least."

Yamhata growls his command threateningly at the elf. The color drains from the already pale elf's face.

Finn: "Did you gather any indication of their motives?"

"I-it involves matters of something secretive.... s-sir... It needs to be delivered t-to Sylas Ward..."

*Finn walks over and places his hand on the elf's shoulder

He looks at you hastily.

Lightning once again lights the room.

Finn: "Please men! This poor man endured his escorts being killed before his eyes, we should be comforting him!"

Cervus offers to tend to the fire, lest anyone wishes it grow dark...

Kowa: (agreed)

Yamhata nods to Cervus

Yamhata: "Fine. I suppose we should see this place, anyway. I don't suppose the False
Mantis will be looking for us anywhere near there."

Finn: "False... Mantis?"

(the elf exhales deeply)

*Kowa looks to Finn, somewhat interested.

Kowa: Who?

Finn: "Are you two being followed? WAIT. If it by some sort of authorities I'd rather I
didn't know!"

The firelight in the room grows a bit as Cervus pokes it around.

*Kowa looks around at the mention of TWO

Finn: "If it is private matters, I can't be hypocritical and pry... no worries"

"My name, for those who haven't heard, is Elcias." He gives a few short bows across the room.

*Finn nods back to Elcias

'I suppose we should rest... though I do not have enough blankets for everyone,
and my hovel is small...

*Finn raises his hand and looks around the room at the three he isn't familiar with

'If we are to reach the intended destination in time, we need to leave tomorrow at
sunup sharp.

Finn: "Finnigan Luntree Morganus, I don't think we ever really introduced ourselves"

*Finn smiles awkwardly, unsure who is more afraid of now, Yamhata, Kowa, or the
beastly Cervus

Yamhata: "I am Yamhata Iemitsu. I have the necessary sleeping provisions on my steed."

Finn: "Ah yes, for those who didn't hear, this is Elcias' house..."

*Kowa doesn't seem to care much

Yamhata: "I recommend we do not all sleep at once. I will take the first watch. Who will
take second? Kowa?"

Kowa: Yes Brother

*Finn fetches his bedroll and plops down in the corner of the room quietly

"There's a loft up there with some additional bedsheets, if anyone wishes to claim
them; that is where I'll be sleeping."

*Finn darts out of his bedroll and makes a break for the extra sheets

*Finn: (assuming I get there unchallenged, I walk around and offer the extra sheets to
others before hogging them to myself)
*Kowa stands not too far from Yamhata, in the shadows, and sleeps with his back on
anything there is.

*Kalidas takes one from Finn

*Cervus grabs a blanket from Finn.

*Finn bows to Cervus and hands him a sheet, smiling

Elcias climbs up to the loft with his scrollcase.

Kowa, you set yourself up near the wall opposite the door.

Yamhata and Kowa elect to take watches. Yamhata has the first four hours, Kowa the second four. Yamhata heads outside to start his watch. The rest of the party sleeps in the cluttered hovel of Elcias'.

Cervus sprawls himself out across any remaining ground, and Brenin, Mr. Pig,
and himself mostly dominate the floor area.

Yamhata takes a brief moment to survey the terrain around him, looking for the best spot.

*Kalidas heads down into the cove and curls up where there is room, dark, and especially
quiet but before going calls up to Finn "wake me in the morning, Finn"

Finn: "Sure thing"

Yamhata takes his watch.

*Yamhata goes to wake up Kowa after the four hours

*Kowa wakes up, totally prepared.

Kowa: Brother, how'd it go?

*Finn sleeps like a baby wrapped in several blankets, with his armor in a neat pile next to him.

*Brenin snores.

Yamhata: "Brother, your watch. I heard noises in the forest, but it was uneventful
otherwise. It may have just been the wind, or an animal."

Kowa: "any perch available?"

Yamhata: "I did not find one, but you might. You are nimbler and lighter than I."

Kowa steps outside.

*Kowa nods and goes outside to find a perch from which I can stand watch over the hovel.

*Yamhata plants himself in a corner, similar to Kowa

Dawn. Kowa returns.

*Kowa goes to wake Yamhata.

Elcias stretches from his loft.

Yamhata: "All went well then, I take it."

*Finn rubs his eyes and stretches, peering down over the loft to see if others are awake

*Kowa nods to Yamhata

Outside, the rains have mostly let up, just lightly sprinkling now.

"I trust everyone has slept well?" Elcias asks cheerfully.

*Finn gets dressed and heads down to wake Kalidas

*Kowa doesn't seem concerned much.

Finn: "Like a king!"
[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=The River and Brenin's Departure]Yamhata: "Sleep is sleep if you aren't afraid of your dreams. Does this place always experience such wondrous weather?"

"You came at a bad time, you could say. But when the rain hits, it certainly hits"

*Kalidas arrives upstairs

A cup from the table, disturbed by Kalidas' arrival from below, teeters off the
edge and swiftly flies across the room at the wall, hitting it lightly and dropping.

*Kalidas looks around anxiously hoping no one saw

Elcias gets set up and carefully maneuvers to procure some breakfast.

*Yamhata goes outside to fetch some rations and feed his horse

Cervus shoots you a curious look, Kalidas, but otherwise doesn't say anything.

*Kowa ponders the situation

Elcias begins to provide plates for some bread and cheese for breakfast, "It is all I have, I'm afraid."

After everyone has eaten their fill, Elcias begins to quickly outfit himself for the day ahead.

*Kowa prepares his pony

Kalidas: Kowa, Yamhata, do you mind if I take one of these shortbows and some arrows?

Yamhata: "All yours."

Elcias gets upon his horse and secures his sling and cudgel to his waist.

*Kowa nods

*Kalidas bows to them both

*Finn emerges from the basement

Kalidas: ah Finn, are you ready for the day?

Yamhata: "Elcias, what kind of territory are we heading into? Should we expect more
people hunting you down? A rational guess."

Elcias ponders for a moment. "Yes. Be prepared. I imagine they might be on to us."

Yamhata: "Are they chasing you because this Sylas fellow shouldn't actually be privy to
the knowledge at all?"

"You could say that, friend... I did not catch your name...'

Then, finally, Brenin speaks up "Friends, I am glad to have met you, but my
pilgrimage to Onieria takes me elsewhere. Perhaps our paths will cross again in the
future." He begins to saddle up Mr. Pig.

*Kowa does not care a bit for a lunatic wanna-be knight in shiny armor.

Finn: "Whaaaaaaaaat, we didn't even get to exchange stories!"

Brenin bows deeply and quickly.

Finn: "Are you sure you can't come along with us?"

"I'm afraid not. I have foreseen what must become of me in my dreams, and your
path to destiny takes you elsewhere. Farewell!" Mr. Pig and Brenin march off into the distance, away from you.

"Strange fellow..." Elcias says

Finn: "O... If its destiny... then so be it... nice to meet you friend, you will be missed"

Yamhata: "The pig would probably give our path away to pursuers, anyway. I feel as if
you could nearly see the stench in the air."

The Party sets off. The trail only allows two to ride abreast, and the party decides upon Elcias and Yamhata up front while Kowa scouts a hundred feet ahead, Cervus in the middle by himself, and Finn and Kalidas in the back.

Finn: "True, my experience with pigs is that they are not the stealthiest of creatures."

*Finn elects to bring up the rear

*Kowa shrugs slightly

*Kalidas sticks close to Finn

Yamhata: Kowa, if you want to be able to ride ahead and scout, you can take front

Yamhata: Doesn't really matter to me

Kowa: Agreed

Kowa: Exactly, simply scouting is good.

Light drops of rain drip down from the grey skies this morning. Plumes of mist
drift between trees, giving occasional cover and obscuring sight beyond 5 feet, but
passing just as quickly as they came.

A few hours pass by, and the weather seems to be making a turn for the better. The birds echo their symphonies from high up in the canopies, and small
woodland creatures dart between the branches and verdant floor. As time passes, the roar
of a nearby river draws close.

*Kowa is heading back to the group, halting them

*Kowa signs to Yamhata to come

*Yamhata moves up

Kowa: as they get closer, I whisper.

*Finn stays back

*Yamhata holds a hand up signalling to the rest of the group to hold up a moment

"What is it, friend?" Elcias asks Yamhata quietly.

*Finn stops and cocks his head inquisitively

Yamhata: "Elcias, do you know any alternate routes?"

"Off the trail? No, not really. I believe there's a bridge up ahead, if I'm not
mistaken. Why?"

*Kowa has his mask on, but a grin is perceptible.

Yamhata: "A bridge would be an absolutely perfect place for us to get ambushed."

Yamhata: "Or perhaps we can ambush them...?"

Kowa: It is broken

"Ambush who?! Are they waiting for us?"

Yamhata: "Brother?"

*Kowa simply stares at the elf for a moment, then speaks softly.

Kowa: I did not see anyone, but I overheard pursuers while you slept.

Kowa: They said something along the lines of; they'll try to find us on a "coast".

Kowa: The river, although only a river, could be what they were talking about.

Finn: hmm

Yamhata: "Finn, Kalidas, what kind of experience in combat do you have?"

Kowa: The bridge has been broken, probably nature's doing.

Yamhata: "Did you see a way to get around it?"

Finn: "Limited"

"Damn... how bad was the surge of the waters?"

*Finn smiles

Kowa: I did not really look into it, I could return, though.

Finn: "But I can manage"

Kalidas: I'm decent with a bow

Yamhata: "Check carefully, and see if you can spot anyone or anything suspicious. I
doubt if they are waiting that they are going to ride out looking for us."

Kalidas: but I'll be no good in close quarters

*Kowa shrugs silently.

*Finn procures a dagger from his sleeve quite stealthily and flips it in his hand

*Kowa then proceeds to thoroughly scout the "broken bridge area"

Yamhata: "Good, depending on the course of action, we might need someone firing a few
shots at medium distance."

Finn: I'm pretty poor in close quarters with these things, but I've got a decent arm on me
for chucking them

*Kowa returns to he group.

*Kowa heads towards Yamhata until he is side by side

Kowa: I have thoroughly searched the area, there is nothing.

"That's a relief!"

Yamhata: "All right, brother. Let us move then. Hopefully there is a good place to cross."

'˜'Perhaps our horses can help us in crossing the surge?"

*Kowa heads towards the bridge

Finn: "Got my heart racing for nothing!"

The path ahead may once have led to a sturdy bridge, but instead a raging river,
overflown with the rain of the storm, has overtaken the bridge, barely leaving the wooden
handholds above water as the river madly surges over it.

Yamhata: "Perhaps."

The river is about 60 feet across and the current is strong. The bridge *is* intact, but mostly overtaken by the river.
Finn: "I have rope if we want to tie ourselves together... or something."

Yamhata: No nearby rises in the land that might suggest better crossing or anything?

Yamhata: "Are you good with the rope?"

"I do not know of an alternate route... if we can cross we should do so quickly.
We have a limited time frame. I think rope would be wise" Elcias nods to Finn.

Kowa: I should go first.

The bridge is wide enough for one to cross at a time.

Yamhata: Let's tie up

Yamhata: I also have rope

Yamhata: We should tie the horses if at all possible

Kowa: I'm unsure if I want to tie up with people I don't know.

Finn: "Wont this be a horrible tragedy if a horse falls in the river and we all get pulled in,
attached to a flailing horse?"

Kowa takes some rope and affixes a grappling hook to the end of it and then deftly sling the rope to the other side and secure it onto a thick tree.

*Kowa attaches the ropes on a rock or something solid

*Kowa then enterprises to get across the river

Kalidas and Finn hear something approaching'¦

Finn: "Might be time to cross now, there are horses approaching from the rear"

Finn: "Cross or hide!"

Kalidas: I hear hoofbeats behind us!

Kalidas: and fast approaching!

Yamhata: "Kowa, get back here!'

Kowa continues to cross under duress. He is about 15 feet out.

*Kowa tries to reach for a firm grasp on the rope

Yamhata frantically searches for a place to set two spears to assail the incoming horsemen. He quickly finds a place and gets to work securing them as best he can.

Kowa, you continue crossing, slammed by the current, but otherwise getting there
safely.

Yamhata: I've got two spears to set

Finn: "If I'm not mistaken, these are A LOT of hoofbeats approaching!"

Yamhata: "GO!"

*Finn I bolt across

*Kalidas I follow

*Yamhata makes sure to leave the Shadow Mantis banner hanging on one of the spears

*Kowa scouts the immediate area, prepares for a smoother arrival for the "companions".

Kalidas begins to cross, slamming against the railing by the currents and cracking it, but otherwise making his way slowly and steadily. Kowa has reached the other side. Finn follows behind Kalidas and manages to resist the harsh current.

The riders are fast approaching!

Cervus and Elcias begin to cross. Cervus is caught off guard by the current and slams into the railing, but once again, the railing remains intact. Elcias is lucky and manages to ride swiftly through the current. Kalidas and Finn reach the other side now.

Yamhata, back on his horse, charges across, resisting the current, just before the red cloaks arrive on the other side.

*Yamhata shouts to Kowa in Shaelesian : "Cut that rope as soon as I get across"

*Kowa nods

The riders try and rush the bridge, heedless of the waters, but Yamhata's carefully placed spears hit them first! Three of the six riders foolishly ride right into the well-placed spears, vaulting them into the river. Two more manage to start crossing the bridge.

Kalidas attempts to pepper the pursuers with a few arrows from his shortbow, but unfortunately misses.

*Kowa grins at the sight of the impaled pursuers.

*Kowa cuts the rope

Two begin to cross, but as soon as they get halfway the bridge collapses thanks to
Kowa. The last one arrives just in time for Yamhata to give him a harrowing glance that chills his blood, sending him galloping back where he came from.

Yamhata: "Good luck."

The last rider goes pale, and immediately flees upon seeing Yamhata.

[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=Kettlemasters?]You've all just crossed the overflown river. The path continues onward, but Elcias stops to catch his breath.

* Cervus wrings out his fancy scarf

You're all soaked to the bone.

 Elcias, "Gods be good..."

<Yamhata> "We might need to locate an alternate route around that, should we come back this way"

"That was far too close..." Elcias wheezes.

The rain has stopped its drizzle now, and all that remains are the great clouds of mist and the sounds of wildlife.

Elcias, "You okay, Finn? I saw you took a little bit of a beating there"

<Finn> "It seems we are not well liked on this path boys... perhaps we should ride a more discrete path from now on?

Elcias, "There are other ways beyond the river. I shall try and bring us along the lesser known trails.'

<Yamhata> "Kowa, did you hear enough last night to suspect there may be more waiting for us?"

<Kowa> "It is likely there are more coming."

 Elcias, "Let's keep going. I'd rather not linger here much longer."

<Finn> "Good Elcias, traveling off the main road is probably best, but it may slow us down a bit... we should get moving as soon as possible. Reaching our goal on time should be our number one priority! I would hate to have to track this man down after his vacation expires."

<Yamhata> "We should move, yes. Let us perhaps find a new place to make camp."

<Finn> "Full speed ahead!"

Elcias leads the group down a series of paths that hug a large cliff overlooking a vast ravine.

Elcias, "Tread lightly here, now... One at a time."

Pebbles tumble down the ravine as the horses carefully step along the cliffs. Finn and Kalidas dismount, trusting their own feet more than their horses'.

<Yamhata> "Was there no other path, Elcias? This is a terrible place to be ambushed."

Yamhata glances over the edge and spies a river, possibly a hundred feet below. Finn, on the other hand, spies something in the distance'¦

<Finn> And more redcloaks! Look!

Finn points out a band of 20 redcloaks down in the trees.

<Yamhata> "Have they spotted us?"

They are far enough away to only be noticeable through the occasional glades.

<Finn> "Doesn't appear so, let's not cause any unnecessary disturbances though, lay low boys."

 Elcias, "Quick, let's get to some better cover!"

<Yamhata> "Take your time indeed; loose rocks may alert them."

Yamhata and Kowa's horses briefly lose their footing, sending chunks of debris clattering down the cliff side.

<Finn> "They don't appear to have noticed us... but then again, I have never had the best eyes."

<Yamhata> "I don't believe they did, either. Regardless, let us push on."

 Soon, the group is back traveling on a small trail.

Elcias, "These are the old hunting trails of the Nym'Dahl. They are sacred by my people... but such desperate times call for great measures..."

<Finn> "I hope this isn't a popular trail, we seem to have multiple scouting parties hunting us... well... you Elcias."

<Yamhata> "How sacred are they to the red cloaks?"

<Finn> "My dearest apologies."

<Cervus> Probably less than sacred, Yamhata.

Elcias, "I'm sure not very. Regardless, they shouldn't know of them"

The trail beyond is barely visible by your eyes. It is heavily overgrown. Finn and Kalidas are back on their horses.

 Elcias, "Wait..."

* Elcias trots ahead a bit

* Yamhata draws his sword

<Finn> "What is it friend? Don't wander astray."

Rounding the bend of the overgrown trail, you come across a small clearing. At its center is recently disturbed campsite.
A faint tendril of smoke curls out from the faded coals of the firepit, and just a few feet beyond that lay a well-worn tent.

* Finn flicks a dagger out from up his sleeve and peers around

* Elcias looks nonplussed

<Cervus> It appears the redcloaks have arrived before us?

Elcias, "These are not the tents of my people..."

* Cervus begins looking around

* Finn heads over to the tent to investigate the inside

Pots and pans litter the site, and fresh hoof prints are stamped into the ground, leading along off into the woods adjacent to your trail. A second pair of more faded tracks emerges from the woods to the west of your path, stopping outside the tent. Cervus, you notice the remains of something in the fire... Finn, inside the tent are four still warm lambskin bedrolls of medium size. A torn red cloak lies in one corner, stained with blood.

* Cervus moves towards the fire and regards the remains

<Yamhata> "Keep the horses at the edge of the clearing. If you move in the camp, tread carefully."

<Finn> "Who leaves behind perfectly good pots and pans?"

There appears to be some messages recently burned, albeit poorly. Some of it seems to be readable.

<Cervus> Someone tried to burn some messages.

* Elcias examines the tracks

* Cervus tries to read what's left

Only a little bit remains, but this is what you can decipher'¦

A pair of messages lie half-burnt in the fire pit. They appear to say 'No signs of fugitive to east, th'¦ (indecipherable) '¦atches patrol the shoreline to intercept'¦ (indecipherable) '¦ylas will be gone by then'¦ '¦nterlopers spotted outside hov'¦ (indecipherable) '¦ssisting him, possibly? Accompanied by minotaur, gnome upon boar with indi'¦ (indecipherable) '¦umans, masked man, 'lion-perso'¦ (indecipherable) '¦possible members of the Fence. Armed and dangerous'¦'

<Cervus> Elcias, what is the Fence?

Elcias pauses for a moment, then turns to you and says
"It's what I belong to... we deliver messages, you could say"

<Cervus> Hmmmm, the Redcloaks seem to be aware of us. We're all described in these documents, listed as armed and dangerous no less. Some kind of messenger guild? And they think we're part of this mess now too

<Yamhata> "They were accurate."

Elcias, "You must understand that it is imperative I deliver this
message..."

<Finn> "Yamhata can we have a quick word in private?"

Elcias, "The Fence seeks its guardians, but I had lost mine. I,
I'm sorry to have brought you all into this."

<Yamhata> "If you insist, Finn."

* Kowa looks displeased by this

<Yamhata> "Normally Kowa is privy to anything I hear."

Finn and Yamhata speak in private regarding Elcias.

<Cervus> So, you had a party of armed guards. Who have been killed, and now the redcloaks think we're the replacements.

Elcias, "...that is a likely assessment, yes."

* Elcias doesn't look you in the eye, Cervus

Elcias, "Hmm, paw prints over here... very faint."

<Cervus> What kind of paw prints?

Elcias, "My guess would be some kind of hound... nothing arcane, though. Oh... there's more of them..."

* Cervus grips his fouchard close

<Cervus> I see

* Cervus casts Mage Armor on himself

<Yamhata> "Dogs?"

<Cervus> Hmmmm, well maybe I can find out more about this camp

Cervus hears barking in the distance, getting closer.

* Cervus begins casts Detect Magic over the tent and fire, concentrating

Yamhata listens carefully, and determines they are coming from the west of your location.

<Yamhata> "We should move."

* Cervus detects the presence of magic beneath the fire pit.

<Finn> "Agreed"

<Cervus> Hold, there is something magical under the fire

* Cervus takes out his shovel and begins digging under the firepit

<Cervus> Some kind of evocation... give me a moment

"What are you doing?" Elcias hisses.

* Yamhata gives Elcias a glare

<Finn> "Evocation.... sounds like a trap..."

* Elcias shrinks into himself and takes a step back

<Cervus> There is something here

* Finn moves away from the fire

The dogs are closing... you can hear the voice of two men'¦

<Cervus> And I want it, it shall just be another moment.

<Cervus> Aha! Here it is

* Cervus begins uncovering it with his hands and tries to pull it out

* Yamhata gives Cervus a hand if there's anything to grasp

Cervus withdraws a small, red gemstone.

* Cervus holds out the red gemstone for all to see

Elcias gasps: "An elfheart!"

<Yamhata> "I hope that's going to help us against a pack of dogs and their masters."

<Finn> "10 copper says that puppy starts fires!"

<Cervus> The heart of an elf?

<Yamhata> "Time to draw steel, gentlemen."

* Yamhata prepares for combat

<Finn> "Prepare for battle! Draw your weapons, our foes foolishly approach!"

* Elcias seems distracted by the commotion

* Cervus snorts and grips his fouchard

* Finn gives a short but inspiring speech, bolstering everyones combat capabilities

<Cervus> Elf come over here, we've done enough to protect you.
No sense in that going to waste.

Two houndmasters wearing red cloaks and silver armor emerge from the underbrush. 'Holy Vulcan, it's them!' They exchange looks before releasing their 4 hounds upon you and crying 'FOR THE UNDERLORD!'

* Cervus pockets the elfheart

Finn darts behind a nearby tree, daggers drawn, and calls out to his allies, invigorating them for the battle at hand. He gives a quick look around the tree, spots a hound, and with a flick of his wrist, sends a dagger flying towards it'¦ but alas, the dagger goes wide and misses.

Yamhata glares at his foes, striking a powerful stance and slashing through the air in an attempt to intimidate them, though they seem distracted by the quickness of Finn's assault. He stands his ground and readies his sword.

Cervus steps past Yamhata, fouchard whirling over his head, and brings it down upon one of the hounds. With a sickening '˜crack,' he severs its spine. It gives a soft whimper and falls to the ground, dead.
 
<Finn> "Call off your dogs before they fall silent on our blades!"
Despite Finn's claim, they sick their hounds upon Cervus. One of them lunges at his throat, but he bats it away with the butt of his weapon while simultaneously kicking another back with his hoof. The third one manages to overtake him, sinking its fangs into his forearm, causing him to roar in pain from the grievous wound. The hound tears away flesh and fur, leaving his arm raw and bloody.

The kennelmasters draw crossbows and open fire. Yamhata and Cervus become the first targets. The bolt aimed at Cervus manages to veer past him while Yamhata gets clipped in his thigh by the other, taking minimal damage.
 
<Yamhata> "I'll carve your heart out for that."

Kowa silently draws a dagger and aims for the heart of the kennelmaster who fired at Cervus. Finn looks on with jealousy as the dagger sinks between the plates of his armor, causing him to cry out and stumble.

Kalidas gets behind one of the tents, notches an arrow in his shortbow, and springs out, firing at the kennelmasters. His arrow strikes true, and lands in the gut of his target, causing him to groan and fall over, dead.

<Finn> "More hounds approaching, with another master or two!"

<Finn> yells "Turn back while you can, your fates are not yet sealed!"

Finn spies at the remaining kennelmaster'¦ he is too far away for him to throw his dagger accurately, so he daringly bursts from his cover and leaps over a nearby shrub to get behind a closer tree. Then, in one fluid motion, he whips out a second dagger and catches his target under the arm.

Yamhata runs up and swings his blade at the kennelmaster Finn just hit, but his armor is too thick. The blade harmlessly slides across him. Luck does not seem to be on Yamhata's side right now'¦

Cervus, enraged by the wound from the hounds, molts his flesh and fur, melding them into blue-scaled draconic claws, dropping his fouchard. He then proceeds to violently ram his horns into one of the hounds, though it manages to move just in time to avoid taking the full force of the blow. Both his claws reign down upon another dog, tossing it into the air like a paper doll and rending it in two as it comes down.

The remaining two hounds leap onto Cervus, pulling him apart with their fangs. He roars in pain as he struggles to throw them off. He is left incredibly wounded and on the verge of death from the brutal assault.

Finn alerts the group that he hears more hounds incoming'¦
 
Elcias leaps in to flank with Cervus, drawing his shortsword and striking at one of the hounds. With surprising skill (or possibly luck), he cuts straight through to the heart, killing it. Even he seems surprised with himself.

The remaining kennelmaster haphazardly aims at Finn, but Finn manages to dart behind the tree just in time to avoid the crossbow bolt. Kowa hurls a shuriken at the kennelmaster as he's distracted by Finn, but narrowly misses.
 
Kalidas, noting Cervus' wounds, runs up behind him and delivers a life saving cure spell, weaving the elements together to mend his wounds.

<Finn> "Last chance to live!!!"
"...FOR THE UNDERLORD!" They cry.

Finn whips a final dagger at him, striking him in the neck and killing him.

<Finn> "Death smiles upon those who eagerly pursue it!"

Yamhata steps forward to see the oncoming foes and gives them a deathly stare.

Cervus attempts to slay the remaining hound, but the fatigue of battle has caused him to wane, and his claws strike only air. Luckily, he still manages to fend off the hounds attacks, long enough for Elcias to give it a nice cut along its side. Almost in unison, Kowa launches another shuriken at the hound, killing it.

Kalidas steps forward, just behind Yamhata, and unleashes a volley upon the incoming hounds. He takes one of them out of the fight, but 3 more pursue.

<Finn> "Come closer, my dagger cannot pierce your heart from so far away!"

Finn readies to throw a dagger once the hounds are close enough, opting to stay behind his tree for cover.

<Yamhata> "You would do wise to turn back."

Yamhata's glare sends the last two kennelmasters running, but they let their dogs go wild. Cervus launches a volley of force bolts from his palm, striking down another hound before it reaches him.

* Cervus backs up after casting his spell, the scales and claws receding from his arms

Elcias draws his own longbow and aims'¦ but misses the hounds. Kalidas notches another arrow, but the winds take it astray. Kowa leaps into the trees, ready to drop down on any foes who get beneath him. Finn whips another dagger at a hound, striking and killing it.

Yamhata's luck finally turns around: he strikes at an oncoming hound and carves it to pieces with a well-placed blow. Cervus launches another series of force bolts at the hound, taking it in the chest, but failing to subdue it. Elcias aims yet again'¦ only to miss. Finally, from the trees, Kowa places a shuriken into the hounds neck just as it leaps for Yamhata, its body falling limp before him.
[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=Elcias Speaks and The Meeting of the Elves]The rains have come yet again, sprinkling down from the canopy above you. Luckily, it is nothing next to the downpour you suffered back at Elcias' Hovel, and it cleans the blood off your armors.

Around you, whiptulips coil themselves, hoping to lash any wildlife seeking shelter from the weather. Oversized slugs, just shy the size of a housecat, emerge from beneath boulders and vibrant fungi gardens to feed on the forest floor, though otherwise seem unresponsive to your presence.

Leerfrogs lazily blink their massive eyes at you, their chests occasionally swelling to emit a loud croak while perched atop the sweeping branches above you. Smaller, scurrying creature dart between your feet; a handful of giant yellow slugs seem to be moving in towards the bodies that lie strewn before you.

At your feet, Cervus, are the severed remains of 4 hounds, corpses steaming in the rain. Beyond them lie the two unfortunate kennel masters, a knife in ones neck and another in the chest, the work of the dexterous Finn.

Further in the underbrush, Yamhata and Kalidas look upon another 4 dead hounds, prodded with all manner of arrows, daggers, and throwing stars. Kowa begins dutifully recovering his munitions. Cervus, you are weak from combat and blood is encrusted in your bluish fur as well as along your hands and elk-like horns.

Elcias cleans off his shortsword on a redcloaks body, and looks uneasily at Cervus, eyeing his wounds. 'Sorry I couldn't get them off you sooner'¦'

* Yamhata closes on Elcias

Elcias glances at you, Yamhata, then does a double take.

* Cervus removes the elfheart and goes to grab his fouchard

* Yamhata grabs Elcias by the neck and throws him at the nearest thick tree

Elcias slams against the tree and lets loose a cry of pain as his head hits the bark.

<Yamhata> "Perhaps it is time to elaborate again on what it is you're carrying."

<Kalidas> "yes perhaps you should, elf"

"It... it is..." he looks at Kalidas. Then he looks at Finn.

* Yamhata puts his sword in Elcias' face to block his view

Elcias pulls his head away as far as he can from the blade.

<Yamhata> "Don't make me say it again."

Elcias, "please, please, don't hurt me! Okay, okay, I'll speak!"

<Yamhata> "I'm waiting."

* Kalidas steps in the way of Yamhata

<Kalidas> "Be calm Yamhata."

Elcias, "The scroll is... contains the details of an event that occurred-" He stops as Kalidas steps in'¦

Elcias, "Please, yes, be calm"

<Yamhata> "Get out of the way, Kalidas. Unless, of course, you would like to be led further along at Elcias' whim without any idea why."

<Yamhata> "In case you aren't aware, they were at us with dogs just now. Dogs. They've killed someone, and we don't know why, but I have a feeling *he* does.'

<Kalidas> "He should answer, Yamhata, but I feel that we can trust him...and should."

Elcias, "...the scroll contains a memory crystal, which details the events that occurred in some private sanctum. A group of noblemen met before the illusory image of a dwarf named Balsaer.
He says he has some sort of artifact that can... open the skies. I honestly don't know what it all means, I swear. He met with them to see if he could turn them to his side... something about being underground and a great destruction. The whole of it ended with shrieks and crossbow bolts flying at each other.'

<Cervus> Civil war?

Elcias, "as far as I know, only one managed to stagger along long enough for the Fence to grab him... on his corpse was the memory crystal that detailed the event..."

<Yamhata> "Don't get your hopes up, Kalidas."

<Finn> Seems reasonable enough to me, can we continue along now? If we are to make our deadline, we must move whilst we debate this."

Elcias, "I need to deliver this message to Sylas Ward, who is vacationing off the Twilight Coast... he is a reputable member of the Sigillian Council and most trusted. He is one of our last hopes."

* Finn saddles up and starts riding, hoping others will follow

* Cervus mounts up and follows Finn

Elcias, "As far as I know, he has been orchestrated out of the council seat, with possible plans of assassination..."

* Yamhata uses his sword to point Elcias towards a horse

* Kalidas follows suit, but looks inquisitively at Finn

* Finn gathers his daggers

* Kowa also gathers his shuriken and daggers

Without another word, Elcias mounts up.

Elcias, "T-this wway..."

<Cervus> You seemed quite startled by the discovery of the elfheart, any particular reason why?

* Yamhata mounts up after seeing if there's anything else worth taking in the camp

<Finn> "On a lighter note, don't expect that kind of..." (Finn makes finger-quotes) "... skill, from me in combat again anytime soon.
Mark my words, that was a fluke. A most fortunate fluke, but a fluke nonetheless!"

Elcias, to Cervus, "they don't usually appear that often... it implies the slain was of pure spirit, in old Hijaean myth. R-red implies great passion, and fire... I t-think.'

<Cervus> Well I am glad that the fluke happened, truly saved my skin.

<Kalidas> As well as mine.

* Elcias removes what rations he has left and spreads them out amongst the group to eat

* Yamhata refuses them and eats his own

<Cervus> Hmmm, I see.

Elcias, 'Be careful who you show that two, Cervus; my people..., well, "other elves" may take you for the slayer.

* Cervus grins

<Cervus> They may. There seems to be a lot of mistaken identities going around, the redcloaks think we are part of this Fence. Care to elaborate on that some more?

Elcias, 'The Fence... we are a secretive organization, started ages ago by Aradrin Nailo, to ensure that the secrets of the crown were not held from the people that, as, befitting the times, so often were. In more desperate times, we act to preserve the truth.'

<Cervus> Hmmmm

Elcias, 'I know not the faces of my brethren, and we often deliver messages in complex ways, but we have been hunted. The information I hold is of more value than even I knew. This... Balsaer, whoever he is, clearly holds something powerful in his grasp.'

* Elcias continues riding

 Minutes turn to hours as the rains continue...

The water soaking through your clothes is an all too familiar feeling, one you don't regret missing. Vines, leaves, and all manner of plant life sticks to your faces and clothes as you pass through the woods; going to wipe them off seems only to leave mud or more flora strewn across your faces, and the lot of you look disheveled on a level once thought unachievable.

Kalidas, something big and wet plops down on your shoulder from above.

* Kalidas tries to brush it off hastily

A massive yellow slug, the size of a housecat, has landed from the branches on your shoulder.You peel it away with your clawed hand, its slime sticking into your fur.

Elcias, "Heh... Haevrim... pesky critters, but otherwise harmless."

<Yamhata> "How far are we from your destination?"

<Cervus> Ugh, that was vile.

<Kalidas> "How does it taste though?"

Elcias is startled by you, Yamhata, "Another two days will bring us to the coast."

Elcias, "...funny you should ask that, Kalidas... Have you been to Hijae before?"

Another loud plop! One lands just short of you, Cervus. Looking up, you can see them crawling through the trees, sluggishly.

* Cervus grimaces

Elcias rummages through his pack. "Hmm, there's not much food left, and the horse feed is nearly gone..."

<Cervus> Perhaps we can leave the trees shortly. I would rather not have one of those things fall on me.

<Yamhata> "Then let us take the quickest and quietest route."

Elcias leads on through the rain, the lot of you soaked to the bone now.

* Yamhata tosses Elcias some supplies

Elcias, 'T-thank you... Yamhata..."

Even more hours pass. The land turns into a series of forested hills, sending you in a tedious doldrum of ups and downs, ups and downs. Deadfall from the storm makes travel even more treacherous, and each dip of the hill seems to get muddier and muddier, threatening to suck up your horses' hooves with every step. They grunt and soldier on, nonetheless, though they grow quickly tired, and the weather is slowing them down fast. The rains show little signs of relenting.

Elcias begins strapping feed to their mouths as best he can as you travel.

 Elcias, "We need to cover as much ground as we can..."

* Yamhata also has plenty of feed

Giant mushroom cairns, some reaching almost 5 feet in height, dot your travels as curious but growingly frequent landmarks. What from afar seemed to be a red spot upon one such mushroom turns out, as you draw closer, to be the sprawling corpse of a dwarven redcloak, his body pinned to the top of the fungus with 4 long arrows.

* Kalidas picks one and casts purify food and drink on it

* Kalidas then eats it

<Cervus> Hmmmm, it seems the redcloaks are ultimately aware of our destination Elcias.

Kalidas, you scoop up a smaller mushroom in your hand and weave it with purifying elements. It tastes bitter and strange.

<Yamhata> "What makes you believe that Sylas has not been captured or killed by them, elf? Or am I misunderstanding the situation?"

* Kalidas looks at it slightly disgusted and throws it away

* Cervus casts Detect Magic on the mushroom, corpse and arrows

<Weave> "It's the only thing I know left to do, Yamhata... he could very well be dead. I... I'm just going off of hope, now."

* Kalidas grabs one of the arrows and examines it

Cervus, your examination reveals nothing unusual. The arrows seem mundane, and nothing on the body is magical.

<Cervus> Nothing magical it seems.

<Cervus> We had some potions we picked up earlier, may I see them? I have some skill at identifying these things.

* Finn examines the arrows

<Finn> 'Hmm, nothing.'

* Yamhata hands the potions to Cervus

Cervus, you waft the scent of the potions, take a tiny sip and spit it out to taste it, and can determine that these are, quite clearly, potions of the conjuration school. These are most certainly healing potions, possibly made, based on the taste, of ingredients from Eastagon.

 * Cervus returns the potions to Yamhata

<Cervus> These will cure wounds.

<Yamhata> "Keep one, in case you find yourself in another situation like earlier."

<Cervus> From Eastagon no less, it seems our pursuers are quite dedicated.

* Cervus nods and pockets one of the potions

Elcias, "Quite..."

Just as the evening starts to set in, there's a distant glow that catches your eyes. Then, it quickly becomes apparent that the glow is moving on its own'¦ towards you, slowly.

<Kalidas> "Should I cast a spell to help obscure us?"

Elcias, "That light could be one of many things... mostly bad."

<Cervus> Hmm

* Kalidas conjures forth a cloud of white mist to give everyone cover

<Yamhata> "Take your horses into the woods, stay low. Let them come by before we interact."

<Yamhata> "Good thinking, Kalidas."

* Cervus moves off under cover, looking to make sure he doesn't pass under any abominable slugs

<Kalidas> "Maybe one of you sneakier folk can stay outside the area of the mist and try to ascertain who or what it is."

* Kowa nods, and moves further ahead, silent and unseen.

* Kowa returns quickly, whispering what he has seen

Approaching is what appears to be an elven hunting party, seven total, armed with tall, hooked bows and sharp, curved swords at their wastes. Their hairs are laced with leaves and branches and they wear some sort of dark brown clay face paint that outlines their skull. Some wear armors of woven bark, others of leather. The leader holds a steady hand which directs a stone casting a sharp light through the trees beyond while directing his steed, a reptilian beast equipped with two frog-like hind legs and slick, silvery-green skin and a snake-like head, with his knees, a wooden shield at his side.

In the rear, a similarly mounted elf woman rides. The saddles of the two seem to wrap tightly around their waists as if to secure them. Between them, on foot, are 5 well-armed warriors, eyes alert and pointed ears listening. One of them wears a tattered red cloak across his back, another has a short beaked gray bird perched on his shoulder.

The elven troupe stops at the edge of the mist. The leader begins speaking loudly in Hijaean'¦

* Finn does his best to translate as quietly as he can

 <Finn> "He's apparently giving a command to his steed to sniff..."

* Kowa whispers back that the strange frog/snake mount seems to be flicking its tongue in and out of hits mouth into the air as it moves slowly into the fog

Kalidas, a slug begins crawling up your foot.

* Kalidas eats it

 The GM is momentarily flabbergasted.

Kalidas, you bite into the yellow, slimy creature. It squirms wildly and silently. It tastes absolutely disgusting: bitter, slimy, and extremely chewy. You reflexively gag and spit it out.

Yamhata, something was approaching you in the fog, but quickly turns to hear the gagging sound.

<Finn> (whispers): "Kalidas, are you okay?? They're coming this way!"

<Kalidas> "I'll distract them, stay quiet and hidden."

* Cervus twitches about nervously, keeping a wary eye out for slugs

"Come out from hiding!" a voice calls.

* Kalidas comes forward alone

<Kalidas> Greetings, elf-folk. I mean no harm

* Cervus casts detect magic

A sword, once pointed at you, is quickly lifted away. "Kassari!" they say, surprised.

Kalidas, your mouth is covered in slime.

<Kalidas> I'm surprised you know that friend.

Elf leader, "You are not cloak of red'¦'

* Kalidas wipes the slime from his mouth

<Kalidas> No, but I have seen some.

He says something in Hijaean, a question perhaps, but Kalidas does not know Hijaen.

Cervus, a slug is moving towards you...

* Cervus keeps casting while making sure the vile creature does not get too close

The elves look at each other. "Human-tongue it is."

 "You travel alone, Kassari?"

* Cervus keeps concentrating

<Kalidas> I am an escaped slave... I only know common and a little bit of my native tongue.

Cervus, the being closest to you (you cannot see them through the mists), seems to have a conjuration aura about him, albeit weak.

Elf leader, "Eye still there, too. Come, out of mist with you."

* Kalidas walks forward assuming they are talking to him

The elf on the frog-like/snake-like steed moves out of the mist, towards the edge.

* Cervus keeps concentrating

* Kalidas follows him

Elf leader, "You come from far, Kassari. Name is?'

<Kalidas> "They call me Kalidas."

 The elf in front dismounts and extends his arm as if to arm wrestle. "Dro'Baelath."

* Kalidas holds up his arm, mimicking his posture

The elf laughs and positions you to grip his opposing shoulder as he grips yours, then he nods and releases.

Dro'Baelath, "You travel alone?"

The elves around you exchange looks of surprise and speak quietly to each other.

<Kalidas> I laugh at my mistake "I do not. My friend Finn travels with me. Finn! Come here, all is safe."

Cervus, the slug is right next to you.

* Finn rises and emerges from the fog

<Finn> "Greetings, friends!"

 The elves narrow their eyes and surround Finn.

 "He not wearer of red cloak?" they ask you, Kalidas. "We find them, we hunt them. They come to our land unwanted."

<Kalidas> "No! He was my master's son, and the only person who treated me as a fellow creature. When he ran away I chose to join him"

* Finn nods

* Cervus moves out of the tress loudly

<Cervus> Vile creatures.

* Yamhata does the same

The elves quickly turn to face the noise, weapons drawn. When you emerge, Yamhata, your presence frightens some of the elves.

<Cervus> I cannot express how happy I will be to get away from these damnable slugs.

<Kalidas> And these are our other companions, Yamhata and Cervus.

Dro'Baelath, "Minotaur... masked man?"

* Kowa stays hidden, listening

<Cervus> Greetings.

* Cervus pulls out the elfheart

<Cervus> I believe this may be yours?

Dro'Baelath, "Hello, minotaur. You hunt dragons, yes?"

The elves look at the elfheart with fascination.

 "Where?" one asks

<Cervus> Ah... no. I am not in the business of.. hunting.. dragons.

 <Cervus> I found it buried under a redcloak campfire.

"Di'iasputah!" one of them spits

 "Dead of pure spirits!"

Dro'Baelath, "Why do you come to Hijae, land of my people, travelers? You hunt wearers of red cloaks?

<Yamhata> "Not exactly."

<Cervus> They are hunting us. To be blunt.

The lot of them speak in Hijaean for a moment. It sounds like arguing. Soon thereafter, the leader speaks again "Come, night soon. We have home."

* Cervus nods

<Cervus> Away from these slugs hopefully? I would hate to get that slime in my fur...

<Kalidas> That would be most welcome. Kowa, Elcias! Come out! These are our other friends.

Dro'Baelath, "Haha, minotaur man no like slugs? You have not tasted food yet!"

<Kalidas> The elf is being hunted by the red cloaks.

* Kowa stays back until Elcias moves out

The elves look around curiously "More...?"

 * Elcias slowly emerges from the fog and speaks a reluctant welcome in Hijaean

* Cervus frowns at the mention of eating slugs

 The elves look at Elcias with contempt, "Fine, if he is friend."

* Kowa emerges to stand about ten feet from Yamhata

Dro'Baelath, "Follow!"

They lead you off the path and into the woods. You are all led between trees and through underbrush for several minutes to a small rise in the land, upon which a large, bulbous tree stands, evidently hollowed out to form some sort of lodge. The size of the tree is rather massive, and looks from the outside as though it could accommodate a small crowd if necessary.

* Kalidas follows

* Kowa and Yamhata follow

Along the bark of the tree are Hijaean sigils. A faint trail of smoke curls from a series of intertwined branches that meet to form a rustic chimney. Curiously, the tree itself still seems alive and green with leaves.

The elves lead you inside through the polished oak doors. You are met with a gust of warm, dry air that smells of spices and venison and heady with wine. The room before you is circular, roughly 60 feet across, and equipped with a large fireplace at the end across from you that, despite it's high flame, doesn't threaten to light the wooden interior.

To the left of the fireplace is an archway leading to a staircase that winds around behind the walls to an upstairs.

A circular table grows out of the center of the room, as do 9 large chairs that surround it. It appears to be set with bowls and plates, and a slender woman with curling auburn hair working over a pot hanging in the fire greets you with a look of surprise.

'Do not worry Laura, these are our guests, honored slayers of the
Red Baron's kin,' Dro'Baelath says, gesturing to her with a quick hand sign, 'If you please'¦ more chairs. My thanks to the Khalili.'

The woman known as Laura, evidently a human, nods and moves upstairs. She curtsies as she passes you.

The elves close the door behind you, sealing in the warmth

They provide stabling for your steeds.

* Cervus relaxes visibly at the apparent lack of slugs

Soon, 5 more chairs seem to grow from the wooden floor around the table to accommodate you. Laura returns downstairs "Strange folks around these parts." She glances at the party, "Hope you're hungry. "

<Cervus> As long as it isn't slug!

The elves laugh. Laura raises her eyebrows at you.

 Dro'Baelath, "Sit! Sit! I have to speak. Who leads you all?"
 
* Cervus looks towards Finn or Kalidas

* Finn looks flabbergasted

* Finn looks at Yamhata

* Yamhata moves his hand in Elcias' direction

<Yamhata> "If you're looking for who is leading us across the land..." he says, grinning under his mask.

Dro'Baelath, "No, deserters do not lead."

<Yamhata> "Then I will be leader. Speak."

* Elcias shrinks into his seat

Dro'Baelath, "Ah, masked man. I am looking to kill. The Red Baron's men grow stronger with passing days. I seek him dead. I require more warriors than I have. You hunted by cloaks of red,
no? You join, yes?"

* Elcias looks desperately at you, Yamhata

<Yamhata> "What is in it for us?"

Dro'Baelath, "The Red Baron holds many riches he has brought. He bribes villages to stay there. Kill him, get riches."

<Yamhata> "What happens when those you wish dead are no more?"

Dro'Baelath, "When those I want dead become dead? Wearers of red cloaks fall. He is smart, see. He has..." Dro'Baelath stumbles with a word for a moment, "friends of other lands. Friends who give him things."

Elcias, "Please, Yamhata, Sylas Ward... we only have so much time..."

Dro'Baelath spits something in Hijaean at Elcias to quiet him.

<Yamhata> "I have no reason to aid the traitor as you call him any further. It is up to the rest of our group."

<Cervus> As much as I dislike the redcloaks, I have little interest in slaughtering them.

Dro'Baelath, "You think on this. Dinner is ready, see!"

[/ic]

[Weave]

[ic=Slugs and Secrets]Finn, Kalidas, Kowa, and Elcias take their seats around the wooden table.

Elcias looks particularly sullen and nervous, and the elves shoot him demeaning looks.

<Yamhata> "Dro'Baelath, I am curious - is your desire to fight the redcloaks too urgent to allow us to aid the traitor, as you call him, first?"

Dro'Baelath, "You rather help deserter than I?" He gives a short laugh.

<Yamhata> "No disrespect intended. I merely wish for the most profitable outcome for our group... and there is also a reward waiting for
us at his destination."

<Cervus> A reward you say?

<Yamhata> "Unless he lied. Tell me captain, do you know him to lie?"

* Yamhata shoots Elcias a look

Dro'Baelath, "He may have. He is city born, abandoner of his people. He is only welcome as he is friend of you."

* Cervus snorts at this last comment

<Cervus> One does not choose the place of ones birth.

Elcias, "Now hang on, I'm not "the only city raised elf" in existence, you know."

Dro'Baelath looks at Cervus for a moment then speaks "Ah, a maze dweller."

* Cervus meets the elf leaders gaze

Finn breaks the silence "Now we're not here to make enemies. Let's all play nice."

Dro'Baelath seems about to say something, then looks over as Laura begins presenting the food. "Ah, forgive, but food is ready. We shall
speak after Slirir."

<Kowa> "Indeed, there are more beneficial ends to this meeting that we should strive for."

<Cervus> This wouldn't happen to be... slug would it?

A small, leathery piece of charred meat is placed on each of your plates as Laura makes her rounds and pours a sweet smelling soup
into your bowls. The elves pick up the strip of meat with one hand, dip it in the thick soup, and dangle it above their open mouths,
dropping it and letting it slide down their throats.

 They exchange looks of enjoyment and eagerly await you all to do the same.

* Finn eyes his... food warily

* Kalidas, without hesitation, mimics the elves and swallows it down after dipping his charred piece in soup

An elf, "No, not slug, Slirir. Better slug."

<Yamhata> "It looks delicious."

<Cervus> As long as it isn't slug

* Cervus follows the elves example to eating the strange dish

Finn turns to you, Cervus, and mutters "It's slug tail."

Cervus, the meat slips down your throat. It's... not bad. Though, the thick soup it was dipped within certainly helps.

* Cervus tries not to choke

* Finn finally does the same, though not without some gagging which he tries his best to subdue.

<Cervus> muttering to Finn, I wasn't aware slug had such advanced anatomy

<Kalidas> "That was much better than the slug outside."

<Finn> "nor was I..."

Soon, the entrée arrives: diced rabbit, sautéed in spices and rice, wrapped within a massive, dried leaf. It smells heavenly. The elves,
quite hungry, begin eating. Laura and her supposed husband, Ceydin, a blond haired elf who claims to be one hundred and forty four
though looks as though he just turned twenty-five, joins you.

 "Masked man," a female elf with a small hawk-like bird on her shoulder named Nissa, asks, "What is your name?"

She seems to be talking to you, Yamhata.

* Yamhata and Kowa both answer almost at the same time

Laura makes her ways around the table, offering to refill any soup bowls or cups of wine.

Nissa blinks, "You look like trained warrior. Powerful. Where you learned the sword?"

* Finn and Kalidas eagerly consume their food

* Cervus eats warily, an eye out for anymore culinary surprises

Laura makes her way to you, Cervus, and seems to hesitate for a moment.

<Yamhata> "A homeland far, far away, in strict discipline and constant training."

* Finn stops chewing abruptly. He opens his mouth, full of food, and proceeds to pull out something small, round, and glistening. He looks
horrified.

 "Ah, the eye of rabbit is good, yes?" An elf asks Finn with a smirk.

* Kalidas takes it from Finn's hand and pops it into his mouth

* Finn looks nonplussed

Nissa, "I have seen those of your kind, Yamhata and Kowa" Nissa says as she feeds her bird a bit of hare.

* Yamhata stops eating

Nissa, "They have mask like yours, but also not like yours at same time."

* Finn without expression for a moment then pushes his food away

<Yamhata> "Nearby?"

<Cervus> I am quite full, thank you for the lovely meal.

Nissa thinks for a moment. "No, not close. They seem strong. You should join their hunt as a good warrior."

* Kowa makes an effort to spy any exits and items of note in the room while eating

 <Yamhata> "I might just do that. Where did you see them?"

"Done already?? For a big man you eat little." an elf says to you, Cervus

<Cervus> It is a maze dweller thing. We do not need to eat a large amount.

Another elf chimes in to answer Yamhata, "They were -" he is suddenly cut off by Dro'Baelath.

Dro'Baelath, "Hold. Are they important to you, Yamhata?" He raises a sharp eyebrow.

* Kowa keeps his eyes peeled, staying aware of his surroundings

<Yamhata> "They are not our allies. We do wish to know of their movements, however."

Dro'Baelath looks at you and chews his food slowly. "Maybe we more willing to speak if you help us. We lead you to them, even."

<Cervus> Hmmm

* Elcias sinks in his seat and quietly repeats to himself "don't say yes, don't say yes..."

* Finn observes the exchange with curiosity

<Cervus> Now you dangle rewards in front of us to entice? Why do you need us to join your quest so badly?

<Yamhata> "The sort of information you offer is useful, but there are other things I am more interested in." He looks to Cervus, with a
grin. "Do you happen to know of any abandoned fortifications, towers, keeps, anything of that sort in the area?"

* Cervus ponders for a moment

Dro'Baelath looks between the two of you. The grin on his face has vanished. "We not have many allies left. We need help."

He speaks to Finn in Hijaean.

 Finn, surprised, begins to translate.

'We urge that you help us. Our great leaders, the Triumvirate, look beyond the material realm now; elves are a waning force within the
realm. There are dark forces at work, but not all of us wish to abandon our world so quickly. Show us that there is still some hope
left.'

<Cervus> Ah, now the honesty begins.

* Yamhata stares at Elcias through his mask while the translation takes place

* Elcias has his face in his hands now.

 * Dro'Baelath stands up. "Let me show you something."

* Yamhata gets up

He looks to the rest of you, "Come, all should see."

* Cervus follows their lead

'Khalili, Isa'yi!' he yells, and the floor before you creaks and groans as it begins fluidly swirling, as if no longer made of wood, opening at the center and expanding to accommodate each of you to descend by stair into a dark, cool, wooden basement, marred by the stench of something truly foul, like rotting flesh.

He leads the way down the steps, withdraws a pale white stick, and cracks it against the wall, making its tip light up like a torch.

The basement is a small, 30 by 30 foot chamber with walls made up of entwined roots, dirt, and vines. Some of the roots stretch from the ceiling to the floor, acting as living columns. Just across from you is a strange creature, unlike anything you've ever seen, from which the foul stench emanates. It looks incapacitated and unconscious.

It's pale white body is safely bound by the vines along the walls, and its head, nearly bald save for a few clumps of wispy, brittle, black hair, hangs limp. It's limbs prove most disturbing; the seem to lack any type of joints, instead bending in all manner of directions across the wall, each limb emaciated and elongated.

Each of its limbs ends in a hand equipped with five wicked claws, and its face seems to have the remnants of a wispy beard. Its eyes are large, pupil-less and pale white, and its wide mouth is set with small, razor sharp fangs. Though naked, the creature lacks any sort of discernable genitalia.

Dro'Baelath, "See with eyes."

* Cervus begins to cast detect magic

<Yamhata> "What is this demon you keep in your cellar?"

Cervus, you do not detect any auras.

* Finn looks horrified

* Cervus casts detect poison on the creature

<Finn> "Wha... What is that *thing*?

Dro'Baelath, "I not know what is. Men in red unleash them from cages. They fight on their side. Wild. Hungry."

Cervus, you do detect a poison on it... specifically, the claws.

<Cervus> Its claws are poisonous, but I cannot determine what the poison will do. Nor do I know what it is.

Dro'Baelath, "Do you see what we face?? They are quick."

<Yamhata> "The question remains who we assist. How do you all feel about the elves' plight?", asking Finn, Kalidas, Cervus

Dro'Baelath, "Maze walker, you know *Hijaean word*?"

* Finn translates as "Alchemy"

<Cervus> I do

Dro'Baeleath draws a vial of black ichor from his person "You know what this is? You find out?"

* He hands the vial to you, Cervus

<Cervus> I will try

Dro'Baelath, "We know foe unnatural, blood is black and thick. May be made, though."

<Cervus> Hmmm

Cervus carefully examines the liquid within the vial, holding it to the light, wafting it, and swirling it.

* Finn and kalidas look at each other

<Cervus> Hmmm I am unsure what this is.

Dro'Baelath, "We have fought them. Poison, yes. Laura treats us. We could not understand, too."

* Dro'Baelath takes the vial back

<Cervus> Hmmm this does intrigue me.

<Finn> "I'd like to speak with Elcias, still. Make sure I hear his side of the story again."

* Cervus nods silently

* Dro'Baelath draws a large curved blade, yells some warcry, and plunges it through the chest of the creature. It hisses and writhes, but
soon falls limp.

Dro'Baelath, "I cannot take stench. Khalili! We are done!"

The vines draw in the creature, making it disappear into the walls.

 Dro'Baelath, "Come. Up stairs."

* Cervus follows the elf upstairs

<Cervus> So, this creature is one of the Red Barons minions?

Dro'Baelath, "As I see, yes. You help us, you share reward of his death, we tell of other masked men."

<Cervus> Have you encountered any other minotaur in the area?

Cervus, you realize that Laura is looking at you from across the room. When you meet her gaze, she looks away.

Dro'Baelath, "No. We see little mino-torr. You bless us first." he smiles

<Cervus> Hmmm, what is it? You have been staring at me for the entire meal Laura?

<Cervus> All for the best I can assure you.

<Yamhata> "You still did not answer my original question. Do you know of any nearby abandoned fortifications that might be... utilized?"

Ceydin, husband of Laura, speaks to her in Hijaean.

 Laura, "Sorry, no, it's just that... you're the first of your kind we've seen here..."

 Dro'Baelath, to Laura, "You never seen Kassari before, too. He not as pretty? Hah!"

Dro'Baelath, "Yamhata, you seek home? I will think on this. You should rest as well. All you. We have beds."

<Cervus> As you wish then. I for one am exhausted.

<Finn> "Agreed"

 * Kalidas yawns a lion yawn

 * Elcias, defeated, sulks along with you

* Dro'Baelath leads you all upstairs

The next two floors are a series of bedchambers, each small, but fitted with a padded hammock, candle, bedside table, and window. The
elves, Ceydin, and Laura reserve the next floor to themselves. Most rooms on the second floor are meant for one, but there is one that can
hold four and another that can hold two.

* Yamhata sets down in the four chamber one, as does Kowa

* Cervus grabs one of the hammocks in the four chamber room

<Finn> "Maybe we can all squeeze into one, like at Elcias' place?"

<Cervus> Hopefully these are stable enough not to fall to pieces on me in the middle of the night.

<Kalidas> "I will go where Finn goes, as always."

* Elcias doesn't say a word.

<Cervus> Perhaps it best if we do not split up.

* Finn moves up to Yamhata discreetly and whispers: "Do you want Elcias in here?"

* Yamhata whispers back "It may be easier for us to keep a tab on him if he is in our presence."

* Finn nods

<Cervus> So Elcias, do you have your own side of the story to tell in regards to this?

<Finn> "As uncomfortable as it may be, I elect that we should all stay in the same room."

* Kalidas gives Finn the last hammock and sleeps on the floor

<Yamhata> "We will take shifts sleeping. I believe we are safe here, so we can easily get sufficient rest doing so."

Elcias, "Yes, but I've told most of it already. I can't deliver this message alone - I need help. Someone known as Balsaer holds an artifact of
great power, according to this message, and I've been tasked with its delivery. If it falls into enemy hands, it's over... it's vague, I know, but
I beg that you'll assist me."

<Cervus> Have you ever seen a creature like the one the elves had?

 Elcias sighs, "Yes. They have hunted me as well, though I am quite nimble. 'Course, that's all I've been trained to do: avoid, dodge, escape.
I'm forced into enemy lines and cannot combat them."

<Yamhata> "Why are you necessary in the story at all? Perhaps we could take the message off of your hands."

Elcias looks away from you now, "...I'm not necessary. I have nowhere to go. I come from the Freelands, far away, but I thought if you
thought you needed me, maybe you would help me get back..."

<Yamhata> "You have a home, do you not?"

Elcias, "The hovel was technically not my own. It was a checkpoint for the Fence. My real home in in the Freelands."

<Cervus> So these things have hunted you, they indirectly work for Balsaer. So it seems does this Red Baron.

<Yamhata> "You could go home. You could be free of all of this."

<Cervus> Do you know anything else about them?

Elcias, "Nothing, really. They're fast, as he said, and flexible. They can climb up walls and everything. Other than that, no."

* Cervus nods

Elcias, to Yamhata, "How, though? I am hated here. Redcloaks hound me. Outside of Hijae is Uthalathal, the Dwarven Ruins; I will find no
one there. Perhaps by ship, yes, but that relies on us finding Sylas Ward off the coast, assuming he's still there... And then there's the
matter of getting onto the ship..."

* Finn thinks for a moment

<Finn> "...Perhaps, though I'm reluctant to say so, we should split in two? One to help the elves, the other to lead Elcias to the ship?"

<Yamhata> "Dangerous. The team heading to the ship would have to be fast and quiet."

Elcias, "I can be those things, but little more."

<Cervus> This would be very dangerous. We've already encountered several groups of redcloaks.

<Yamhata> "How many days now until your destination, Elcias?"

<Kalidas> "Splitting us up may also cause us further harm; we've seen their numbers. Without us all in one place, we'd all probably be
dead by now."

 Elcias, "Two, now. But we'd need to be fast. Whip our horses to their limits."

<Yamhata> "That gives roughly four days of separation, assuming the elves don't require us to move-"

 Someone knocks at the door.

* Finn goes silent

* Yamhata looks at the door

* Kowa opens the door, stepping back and away as he does

It's the woman known as Laura. She is dressed in a night gown and holds a candle in her hand.

Laura, 'Oh, sorry'¦ hello. I... Cervus, may I speak to you? ...Alone?"

* Cervus looks towards the group

<Cervus> I will return momentarily

<Weave> Finn and Kalidas exchange looks

* Cervus exits the room

* Laura closes the door.

 Laura, "That mark, on your head. Where did you get it?"

<Cervus> mark?

Laura takes you downstairs

Laura, "Between your horns, on the back of your head."

The two of you sit down at the table, the light gone but for her candle.

<Cervus> Ah, I was unaware of such a thing.

Laura, "Hang on..." She goes and fetches two mirrors from upstairs, returning to show you. "Here..." She holds them up so you can see. She
seems nervous...

* Cervus looks at the mark

Whatever the mark is, it is very faint... but there... between your horns.... You get a brief vision of a sharp needle, and screaming, and
things breaking, and shadows, and then nothing.

 Laura, "It's the numeral 33 in Old Gondish..."

* Cervus frowns

Laura, "Cervus, where did you come from?"

<Cervus> I...

Laura, "Do you remember anything?"

<Cervus> I am recently decanted. If you are familiar with minotaurs you would know that my memory is... hazy.

Laura, "...I'm a priestess of Ollam, god of hospitality and protection, or, I was, a few years ago. I worked under a priest named Gilfalas, do
you know his name?"

<Cervus> I do not.

Laura, "In Eastagon... I did not know what I was doing... they said I would be tending to the sick... They gave me the dead... Each of them,
with a numeral on the back of their heads..."

* Cervus' eyes grow wide

Laura holds her hands over her mouth. "I received 32... and 34..."

<Cervus> So... somehow I survived? Were they of my kind?

Laura, "Yes... all minotaur. I was told to keep quiet. They were looking for something. They found it, but they weren't immediately aware of
it..."

<Cervus> No, it appears I was saved by my decanting.

Laura, "I had heard someone... some*thing* escaped, but that's all."

<Cervus> Hmmm in Eastagon...

Laura, "House Lyrand, in Eastagon."

<Cervus> Thank you for telling me this news, if it somewhat unsettling.

Laura, "Cervus, listen to me. They're *looking* for you, do you understand?"

<Cervus> Not House Aislon?

Laura, "I don't know why... No, not House Aislon. But for all I know they were involved as well; it was kept under lock and key."

<Cervus> That is two Houses of Eastagon interested in folk out here.

Laura, "Cervus, I thought you should know. I'm no longer a priestess of theirs... I don't know what they do, but it doesn't seem good."

<Cervus> You have my thanks again. I will return to my comrades.. we have things to discuss. No, that is quite the number of dead
minotaur bodies...

* Cervus takes his leave and returns to the group

Laura, "If there's anything you need... find me. I'll be here. We can protect you."

* Cervus nods as he walks away, lost in thought

You head upstairs, Laura sits a moment longer, too shocked to move at the moment. Yamhata, Cervus returns.

<Yamhata> "Have you come to a decision on our predicament, minotaur?"

All eyes turn to you, Cervus.

 <Finn> "What was that all about?"

<Cervus> I have one question for Elcias first. The noblemen who met Balsear, what Houses did they belong to?

* Elcias nods, surprised.

 Elcias, "Uhh, gods, hang on.. most of them were hard to see... Ororr... Shaelyn... and Lyrand, I think.

<Cervus> Lyrand again.

Elcias, "They were attacked, though, killed." He pauses, "...again?"

<Cervus> Yes, it seems that House Lyrand of Eastagon has some interest in me. So this Balsaer, he'¦ killed the representative of House
Lyrand?

Elcias, "As I saw it, yes."

<Cervus> I must say this pleases me.

Elcias, "...Sylas Ward has an estate in Eastagon. If we do find him, it's likely our next destination..."

<Cervus> And for that I vote we stay with the elves. I am not going anywhere near Eastagon if it can be helped. Not at this point in time.

Elcias looks taken aback. "Well, I mean to say we wouldn't *all* have to go... we could just drop it off..."

<Cervus> What do the others have to say?

* Elcias wrings his hands nervously

<Yamhata> "Finn, Kalidas?"

<Finn> "We'd like to help Elcias... but, I too do not want to leave Hijae."

 <Kalidas> "Hmm..."

<Cervus> Stay with us. This Red Baron is obviously the man leading the hunt for you. Once he is killed, we can continue with your
message.

Elcias ponders, then speaks, "The message, regardless of Ward's presence or not, needs to be delivered to someone who we can trust, and
someone who can mobilize defenses against Balsaer."

<Yamhata> "This may be difficult to understand for a runner, Elcias, but now is the best opportunity to strike at them. If we continue, as
they expect us to, we will be hounded until we find your Sylas Ward, or until they trap us. Now, however, we are not expected to stop our
journey. We might have an opportunity to clear the way."

<Cervus> Well, we can talk to these elves. The Red Baron is obviously in this Balsaer's employ.

<Yamhata> "Assuming your Sylas is still alive, that is."

Elcias, "yes... I suppose you are right..."

There's a scream from upstairs. The sound of something shattering, and a loud hiss. Dro'Baelath shouts something in Hijaean.

* Yamhata draws his sword

<Yamhata> "Finn?"

* Finn goes wide eyed and translates

<Finn>"Abominations among us."

<Yamhata> DRAW STEEL, BOYS

[/ic]