[LPF] Ties that Bind

Fulgrim rises while it is still dark, brushing the sleep from his eyes. He does his best to keep quiet, but moves on to the task at hand. He first reviews the equipment in his pack, adjusting it here and there in effort to get it packed just right. This involves repositioning some of the items in the pack and wrapping anything that might clank or rattle in the blanket to muffle any noise the pack might make when moving.

Finally, he picks up his axe from where it leans next to the head of the bed. He lets his finger run on one side of the blade, sighs and then lights a small candle to get a little more light. He shakes his head as as takes a stone from his pack and begins working it meticulously against the blade, smoothing out the slight notch he had found with his finger. Satisfied he stashes the stone back in his pack, then hoists it over his shoulder and secures his axe as he leaves the room and heads downstairs.

Finding the common room near empty, he takes a seat at a table near the bar and orders up a large breakfast of bacon, ham, flat cakes and a side of fruit which he follows with an ale and a glass of juice. He hurriedly eats so he is ready to depart when the others are also ready to set off.

Eanos Setirav

The overwhelming sense of safety Eanos felt, from the ley line or something else, made for an odd internal tension. He slept unprotected for the first time in a very long time, and while his training knocked at the back of his mind that This Is Not Safe, he'd been unable to resist. He woke easily, without the normal startling sensation. He padded, barefoot, to the window as dawn was rising. He opened the window, the light morning breeze cool on his bare chest, then knelt.

The human servant of the halfling goddess raised the silvered key that hung from his neck, held it flush against his forehead, and bowed his head to the floor. His prayers were whispers which matched the rustle of the wind. Or perhaps the wind itself whispered; it was hard to tell.

Shortly, however, the young man straightened back up. He kissed the key gently, one final murmured prayer, then stood and dressed before moving downstairs to join the others.

[sblock=ooc]With what we have, I think the next step is leaving town, unless others still wanted to explore further.[/sblock]

[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav
Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 29 Current: 29
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: None

In Hand:None

Arrows: 33/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 31/50 remaining (second wand full)

Judgement: 2/2 Remaining Determination: 2/2 remaining
Silver Tongued Haggler: 6/6 remaining
Spells: Orisons (DC 13): Brand, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Guidance, Light
1st (4/4 remaining)(DC 14): Divine Favor, Expeditious Retreat, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, Wrath
2nd (2/2 remaining)(DC 15): Silence, Weapon of Awe[/sblock]

Well-rested, prepped, and with a reinvigorated sense of direction, the group sets out southward from Coppertree, exchanging the cool forest shade for the heat of the Midland plains.

Travel goes well, if monotonous. Traveling away from the main road, the group is mostly on their own. They occasionally come upon farms, worked by lean, muscled, and friendly gnomes, always willing to offer a traveler some water or a bite to eat. The Tal Hallowans' trustworthiness in the face of their past hardships is a testament to their spirit, and their inherent optimism. Along the way, Drevezh'Korol teaches the others to observe the signs of the ley line: unusually-thick, extra-green grass, a predominance of wildlife, and an intermittent ancient oak tree, sustained to impossible age and size by the raw life force it grows upon. The signs are obvious enough once one knows what to look for.

Two weeks worth of travel brings the group to the Starwater River, which offers a welcome milestone for their advancement. As they continue southward, woods appear on the eastern horizon, then the southern one. The Neddle Woods draw near. Beyond that, Feywood. Populated by elves and gnomes, Feywood is the last bastion of civilization before the enigmatic Wild Wood.

By the time the group reaches the Neddle Wood, enthusiasm has waned, as weeks of travel with little to speak of are wont to do. Only companionship and hope keep frustration and doubt from taking hold.

[sblock=OOC]Sorry to fast forward through a few weeks like that, but I didn't have much planned.

Could I get perception rolls as you enter the wood, please?[/sblock]

Elenka is tired from the riding but Tal Hallow is a beautiful land and the people pleasant: she's almost beginning to like gnomes as much as she likes and respects dwarvenkind. As they arrive at the woods Elenka is preoccupied and fiddling with some bit of leather on her saddle and doesn't notice as Drevezh'korol straightens in his saddle and peers forward at the woods searching for sign of the ley line they have been following.

[sblock=OOC]Perception: Elenka (11); Drevezh'korol (22)
1d20+7=11, 1d20+5=22[/sblock]

__
• • • Elenka Danyllova • • •__• • Drevezh'Korol • •

[sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Elenka[/size] Human Summoner 5
Initiative: +2 Perception: +7

AC: 16 (12 touch; 14 flat-footed) [20 w/Shield]
HP: 37 Current: 37
CMB: +4 CMD: 16 Fort: +1 Ref: +3 Will: +6

In Hand:
Spells:
1st level: 4/5 remaining.
2nd level: 3/3 remaining.
Rod of Extend: 2/3 remaining (3rd lv. or lower)
Special: Summon Monster 3 6/6

[size=+1]Drevezh'Korol[/size] Eidolon
Initiative: +2 Perception: +5; Darkvision 60 ft.

AC: 20 (12 touch; 18 flat-footed) [24 w/Mage Armor]
HP: 38 Current: 38
CMB: +9 CMD: 20 Fort: +5 Ref: +3 Will: +4

In Hand: --
Conditions: [/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]No worries, Qik. Nice to travel that long without random encounter to muck you up on your trip. [/sblock]

Audra tries to relax and take in what is around her, studiously listening to Drev's instructions on finding the traces of the Ley Line. One night at camp she comments aloud that the Gnomes here are more enigmatic to her than their engineering pursuing brethren in Venza. Though she does have one entertaining tale to share of how one night, when she was attempting as best as a large person can to serve the Diamond Heart within the Gnome section of the city, a Gnome inventor came running in, excitedly looking to pray for inspiration for an idea he had. The Gnome had run with great inspiration out of the Temple that night and the next morning an explosion rocked that Gnome's house. Naturally there were a number that responded to the sound and the small fire that ensued, but Audra will never forget the Gnome's excitement over having "almost completed my dream" and his determination not to give up. Indeed, a few days later, she and all that were serving at the temple were treated to finely cubed potatoes, covered with a thick gravy as that Gnome completed his, as he called it, "auto veg chopper". The potatoes were great, but honestly, it's so much easier to just grab the knife and cut a potato...

Audra, by far, has the worst time keeping despair from clouding her mind, body and soul. There are times at night, as she attempts to sleep, she awakes with a start, though she doesn't awake calling out Alecks' name. This broken sleep pattern makes the Monk prone to the occasional nap when a rest stop is called, and she takes full advantage, keeping her strength up that way. She nearly cheers as they arrive at the river, the thought of a nice, cold bath being to her liking. The days carry on, and if not for her companions, Audra would be lost in the overwhelming feeling, like a blanked tossed over her. As they stop before the Neddle Wood, Audra takes the moment to eye her companions, especially the stoic Drev. She closes her eyes for a moment takes a deep breath, relaxes her shoulders and turns her gaze to the wood ahead...forward is where she must think. There, through those trees, Alecks had to have traveled.

Eanos Setirav, human inquisitor

Eanos quietly observed Drev's lessons, filing away this new information with everything else; every secret had its import, so he tried to never dismiss one.

"Least we'll be getting some shade again, yes?" he says with obvious relief as the party approaches the wood. The weeks of unfiltered sun had deepened his already-dark tan, the slight bleaching effect brightening both hair and beard.

Despite his glibness, the young man turned his sharp eyes to their surroundings as they approached. Trouble didn't tend to avoid him this long...

[sblock=ooc]Perception (1d20+11=20)[/sblock]
[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav
Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 29 Current: 29
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: None

In Hand:None

Arrows: 33/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 31/50 remaining (second wand full)

Judgement: 2/2 Remaining Determination: 2/2 remaining
Silver Tongued Haggler: 6/6 remaining
Spells: Orisons (DC 13): Brand, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Guidance, Light
1st (4/4 remaining)(DC 14): Divine Favor, Expeditious Retreat, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, Wrath
2nd (2/2 remaining)(DC 15): Silence, Weapon of Awe[/sblock]

From the stories she's heard, Audra knows that Neddle Wood was once bigger than it is now. Like Coppertree Wood, it was victim of Sas'Ner's ravages during his short-lived reign. Accounts vary as to the cause for his destruction of the wood: some say it was to deprive the land's fey of their natural home, others that it was much more wanton destruction. There are also rumors of his seeking access to some sort of magical source of power. From what she knows, each of these theories is equally valid.

The group enters the wood one by one, keeping watch. Audra spies a rough path weaving its way through the trees. The tree cover is thick enough to offer ample shade from the sun, but navigation on horseback is still relatively easy at this point in the wood.

[sblock=OOC]Waiting for Fulgrim to check in before I move forward. Also, just FYI, I'll be traveling until next Tuesday. Should get some internet access at some point, but it'll be intermittent, so don't mind me if I disappear for a bit. [/sblock]

Elenka hums counterpoint to the frequent birdsong as she rides along the trail in the woods. It is clear that the woods is where she is most comfortable.

"Shade will be welcome."

She grins and her skin, sun-pinkened despite the floppy straw hat she purchased from a gnomish farmer, bears proof of her statement of welcome.

Drevezh'korol closes his eyes as he rides; reins hang loose as he trusts his mount to follow the horse ahead of him. He almost seems to be communing with the wood.

__
• • • Elenka Danyllova • • •__• • Drevezh'Korol • •

[sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Elenka[/size] Human Summoner 5
Initiative: +2 Perception: +7

AC: 16 (12 touch; 14 flat-footed) [20 w/Shield]
HP: 37 Current: 37
CMB: +4 CMD: 16 Fort: +1 Ref: +3 Will: +6

In Hand:
Spells:
1st level: 4/5 remaining.
2nd level: 3/3 remaining.
Rod of Extend: 2/3 remaining (3rd lv. or lower)
Special: Summon Monster 3 6/6

[size=+1]Drevezh'Korol[/size] Eidolon
Initiative: +2 Perception: +5; Darkvision 60 ft.

AC: 20 (12 touch; 18 flat-footed) [24 w/Mage Armor]
HP: 38 Current: 38
CMB: +9 CMD: 20 Fort: +5 Ref: +3 Will: +4

In Hand: --
Conditions: [/sblock]

Audra rides into the wood, hanging at the back of the train as they go single file to follow the path. She finds it refreshing to listen go the sounds of nature around her. As the ride carries on, Elenka's counterpoint seems to blend in with the surroundings. For the first time since, perhaps before the group left Venza, Audra's shoulders relax and she leans forward a little, a more relaxed position that she has been in for some time. She finds herself absently stroking the mane of her mount and occasionally tapping rhythm on it's neck to Elekna's humming. This relaxed state has one bad side-effect. Audra's lack of rest becomes very clear as her facial muscles relax a little. Despite the smile on her lips, the bags beneath her eyes look like they might hold several days travel rations. She rides along quietly for a bit, and starts to talk.

It's a good thing Sas'Ner never made it this deep into the woods around here. This natural beauty is relaxing, and quite awe-inspiring.

She pauses with a slight giggle as a gust of wind blows by, sending some of her unrestrained red hair into her mouth.

I can see why Alecks would have chosen this path. He was always the sort that preferred peaceful quiet. It wasn't until I joined the Diamond Heart that I fully understood why.

Fulgrim shifts on his horse, trying to get comfortable as he wonders if walking wouldn't have been more comfortable at this point. Fulgrim gazes ahead at the path leading into the woods, his eyes scanning either side and the way ahead. "Dey say da fey roam dese woods." Fulgrim says quietly as the horse steps ahead. "Watch yer things, dey love to play some tricks on passers by."

Fulgrim keeps his head up and lets his hand brush the haft of his axe, making sure it is close at hand should the need arise.

[sblock=OOC]

Sorry for the delay once again! Wife made it home from the hospital last week, but now we have 4 trips back up for the next few weeks for continued treatment as an outpatient if all goes well.

Perception -- 1d20+8=10

[/sblock]