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<blockquote data-quote="Guilberwood" data-source="post: 2719239" data-attributes="member: 15692"><p>Chapter III – Escape into the forbidden Forest</p><p></p><p></p><p> After escaping the chase from the city guards and entering the woods, the party needed rest, a lot of rest. Most of them hadn’t slept much in the last night anyway. Gisele was so tense she could not move an inch forward, now that the her blood had cooled down and fear overwhelmed her. </p><p></p><p> Sensing it would be useless to fight the fatigue, the party decided to rest exactly where they were. Sleeping in the forest was something they wanted to avoid, but there was no way to escape this, since it would take at least 4 or 5 days to cover the forest’s grounds until it was safe to return to the open space.</p><p></p><p> Hillfall was nestled in the base of a very large chain of mountains that grew to the north, so the forest, being in the north of the city itself, was already in the mountain reaches.</p><p> </p><p> As they unrolled their sleeping bags, Elliot started to think about what would be the best way to travel inside the forbidden forest, dodging most of the wood’s dangers. The most secure (that is, less dangerous) path would be to walk trough it’s borders heading west, never entering more than one or two miles into it’s depths. </p><p></p><p> During the night, they heard a thin voice nearby, talking in a strange language a few trees away. Lynn woke up and, curious as she was, went a little further to investigate, taking care not to be seen, even though it also prevented her from seeing the owners of that strabge voice herself. As a matter of fact,Lynn found out there was more than one voice actually, and they seemed to be talking, or arguing…hard to say. The language was sibilant and sneaky, and apparently no one could understand what was being said. Feeling a little (or a lot) afraid and not willing to risk their luck, they left the voice undisturbed and went back to sleep.</p><p> </p><p> It was only on waking up in the next day that the party could see the forest in it’s true self. Just by taking this first look at it Lua could see this was a very old forest. The trees were big, supported by enormous roots and covered with mold and some small plants. All kinds of animals and herbs grew around, and Elliot was sure many magical beasts made that forest their home. Lucky, there were no signs they were being followed by the city guards.</p><p></p><p> The day went on, as everybody tried not to trip at the roots of some big tree, while distracted by a red butterfly or any other exotic and beautiful thing of that sort. Shortly after lunch, the party had to stop the march: the path was blocked by the chunk of this huge tree, that had capriciously fallen right where the track was.</p><p></p><p> It took them only a few moments to realize that was not a coincidence of nature. That tree had been dropped for a reason, but it was already too late! Javelins were flying from the top of the trees and from behind the dropped log. A surprise attack from goblins had just started.</p><p></p><p> After the initial surprise was over, the party regained their feet and jumped into battle. Besides javelins, the goblins were also using nets to grapple their enemies. Luckily, no one got entangled, and, as a matter of fact, the nets backfired, since Elliot, Lua and Dante used the net’s rope to bring the goblins to the ground. Lynn was using her crossbow (and the strange noise that came along with it) to kill the goblins nestled in the trees. The others took care of the small creatures on the ground (those stupid enough not to run away) while still protecting Gisele. Some of those javelins had hit their marks though, and everybody was hurt.</p><p></p><p> After the ambush their joruney went uneventful. The next day, Elliot got up earlier than everyone else and decided to hunt something for breakfast. He found some habits that would make a lovely soup. Elliot felt somehow strange tough, as the forest was strangely quiet...nothing made a sound. This was even more strange since yesterday that same woods were exploding with wild life.</p><p></p><p> The smell from the soup waked the party up, and they all enjoyed a marvelous meal. However, during breakfast all the noise from the forest came back. Actually, it came back a lot louder than ever before. Instants latter, small animal started to appear near the party’s camping site. They were all running in the same direction, as if running away from something.</p><p></p><p> Together with the sound of the running animals came the sound of big and heavy feet stomping in the ground, which was probably what the animals were running away from.</p><p></p><p> Shortly after that the reason for all this mess was spotted: not one but two giant monsters, covered in feathers, with a owl head and a bear body were coming their way, rampaging and destroying everything on their path!</p><p></p><p> Elliot knew what those creatures were, and knew they were too much to handle. This time, and for the first time, brute force was not an option: they needed a plan. In a burst of courage, he ordered everyone else to climb on a tree, while he remained on the ground, thinking about what to do next.</p><p></p><p> The owlbears arrived at the camping site and went straight to the habit soup, which they drank from the cauldron in a single move. Hiding in the trees, Dante, Lua and Lynn were shooting arrows, bolts and darts at the beasts, attempting to take the attention away from Elliot. </p><p></p><p> The plan worked, and the Large monsters went to attack the shooters. One went to Lua, and the other went to the tree Lynn and Gisele were in. Elliot had no option but to attack this second owlbear “Lua can take care of himself”, he thought. He swung his sword, taking an extra care to use his blade to deflect the massive blows he knew would soon come. Luckily he scored a hit it, and the beast sounded a horror full roar.</p><p></p><p> Angry, the owlbear used all his strength (which was a lot!) to hit Elliot, and the blow was almost lethal. The beast hit with both claws, and they teared trough his breast, blood and flesh were all over his clothes. This wound would leave a scar Elliot still carries to this day.</p><p></p><p> Lua and Dante had no other choice other than to jump down and help his friend dying firend. They would not watch him die alone. The situation was critical: everyone knew they were no match for the beasts. Death would come soon for this young adventures.</p><p></p><p> But, instead of death, hope appeared on the horizon. Arrows coming out of nowhere hit the owlbears, as 2 centaurs and an elf arrived to assist the poor party. The elf was blond and slender, he wore a green cloak and wieled two thin blades, which seemed to be covered by some sort of vine. One of the centaurs was a female, dressed only with a leather armor protecting her torso, her horseback nude. The other was a male, completely nude. Both were beautiful and dangerous at the same time.</p><p></p><p> Inspired by this sudden change of fate, the party charged the owlbears with their full strength, and together with the newly arrived reinforcements they killed both creatures. </p><p></p><p> After taking care of the many wounds from the battle (without any magical healing to assist them), the party began to understand who were this exotic rescuers. Apparently, the centaurs, named Calion and Valdara were married. The elf’s name was Elasil, a qualinesti who lived in this woods with the centaurs, though the reason for that was not clear.</p><p></p><p> Elasil talked with the party, specially Elliot and Lua for quite a few time. He explained how dangerous this forest was, and that they should leave as quickly as possible. As a matter of fact, they should start moving right away, since they were in the middle of the goblin territory. </p><p></p><p> On the other hand, the centaurs remained quiet and apart. They were glad to help those strangers and kill savage owlbears, but they did not like the idea of strangers on their woods. Apparently, just like goblins, centaurs were a territorial race. </p><p></p><p> In a little more than an hour the party was ready to move again. They thanked the centaurs and told them goodbye. Elasil was too worried to allow the party to wander alone in the forest, and decided to join them until they were out and safe.</p><p></p><p> The centaurs went east and the party headed west, now in the company of Elasil. It would still take 3 days until they left the forbidden forest but it was much easier walking in the woods with the elf, as he seemed to know quite well that forest. During their journey, Dante and Lynn were always near Gisele, helping her trough the rough paths. A little further, Lua was always looking out for any possible treats, while Elliot and Elasil went ahead talking and tracking the best route to follow.</p><p></p><p> This elf turned out to be a very outgoing person, and he kept talking about the woods and it’s secrets, like the strange cloaked figures who used the forest to go to the mountains north, or the beautiful (yet dangerous) fey who lived deeper in the forest. Elliot paid a lot of attention to the elf, and he eventually learned how to make a special healing balm, made from tulip petals and milk - an old and secret elven recipe few remembered how to prepare.</p><p></p><p> The journey went uneventful for the a day and a half, when the party had to deal with yet another goblin ambush, although this time they were prepared for it, and with Elasil’s help those creatures were not much trouble. </p><p></p><p> Another day and a half latter and the party was finally at the borders of the forest, “and still alive” they thought. The party bade goodbye to Elasil and went ahead. From now on, they would be climbing down the hills until they were on the plains again, and them move south to the city of Gulfport. Before departing, Elasil invited Elliot to come back again latter, and learn more about the forest and it’s secrets.</p><p></p><p> As the party climbed down the mountain, leaving the dangers of the forbidden forest behind them, one thing still worried them, specially Elliot and Dante. Something so simple and yet so crucial, something that could rend all the effort they went trough useless….they were running against time! </p><p></p><p> When Gordon and his child went to Gulfport, it was decided they would only wait for seven days for Gisele and the party. If they did not arrive in a week, it meant that their plans went wrong, and he should run away with his child as far away as possible, leaving no tracks behind, since Ogrimar and his guards would come out after him seeking revenge.</p><p></p><p> Five days had already passed, and two more were needed to arrive in Gulfport. They were up agaisnt a very tight schedule. </p><p></p><p> “Two days, only two days” Elliot thought. “We’re not gonna make it….Oh well, too late to worry about it now anyway, we had to move on…no matter what, we have to move on….”</p><p></p><p> </p><p> Next: Chapter IV - Meet Ragash and the bloody hands of Gulfport</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Guilberwood, post: 2719239, member: 15692"] Chapter III – Escape into the forbidden Forest After escaping the chase from the city guards and entering the woods, the party needed rest, a lot of rest. Most of them hadn’t slept much in the last night anyway. Gisele was so tense she could not move an inch forward, now that the her blood had cooled down and fear overwhelmed her. Sensing it would be useless to fight the fatigue, the party decided to rest exactly where they were. Sleeping in the forest was something they wanted to avoid, but there was no way to escape this, since it would take at least 4 or 5 days to cover the forest’s grounds until it was safe to return to the open space. Hillfall was nestled in the base of a very large chain of mountains that grew to the north, so the forest, being in the north of the city itself, was already in the mountain reaches. As they unrolled their sleeping bags, Elliot started to think about what would be the best way to travel inside the forbidden forest, dodging most of the wood’s dangers. The most secure (that is, less dangerous) path would be to walk trough it’s borders heading west, never entering more than one or two miles into it’s depths. During the night, they heard a thin voice nearby, talking in a strange language a few trees away. Lynn woke up and, curious as she was, went a little further to investigate, taking care not to be seen, even though it also prevented her from seeing the owners of that strabge voice herself. As a matter of fact,Lynn found out there was more than one voice actually, and they seemed to be talking, or arguing…hard to say. The language was sibilant and sneaky, and apparently no one could understand what was being said. Feeling a little (or a lot) afraid and not willing to risk their luck, they left the voice undisturbed and went back to sleep. It was only on waking up in the next day that the party could see the forest in it’s true self. Just by taking this first look at it Lua could see this was a very old forest. The trees were big, supported by enormous roots and covered with mold and some small plants. All kinds of animals and herbs grew around, and Elliot was sure many magical beasts made that forest their home. Lucky, there were no signs they were being followed by the city guards. The day went on, as everybody tried not to trip at the roots of some big tree, while distracted by a red butterfly or any other exotic and beautiful thing of that sort. Shortly after lunch, the party had to stop the march: the path was blocked by the chunk of this huge tree, that had capriciously fallen right where the track was. It took them only a few moments to realize that was not a coincidence of nature. That tree had been dropped for a reason, but it was already too late! Javelins were flying from the top of the trees and from behind the dropped log. A surprise attack from goblins had just started. After the initial surprise was over, the party regained their feet and jumped into battle. Besides javelins, the goblins were also using nets to grapple their enemies. Luckily, no one got entangled, and, as a matter of fact, the nets backfired, since Elliot, Lua and Dante used the net’s rope to bring the goblins to the ground. Lynn was using her crossbow (and the strange noise that came along with it) to kill the goblins nestled in the trees. The others took care of the small creatures on the ground (those stupid enough not to run away) while still protecting Gisele. Some of those javelins had hit their marks though, and everybody was hurt. After the ambush their joruney went uneventful. The next day, Elliot got up earlier than everyone else and decided to hunt something for breakfast. He found some habits that would make a lovely soup. Elliot felt somehow strange tough, as the forest was strangely quiet...nothing made a sound. This was even more strange since yesterday that same woods were exploding with wild life. The smell from the soup waked the party up, and they all enjoyed a marvelous meal. However, during breakfast all the noise from the forest came back. Actually, it came back a lot louder than ever before. Instants latter, small animal started to appear near the party’s camping site. They were all running in the same direction, as if running away from something. Together with the sound of the running animals came the sound of big and heavy feet stomping in the ground, which was probably what the animals were running away from. Shortly after that the reason for all this mess was spotted: not one but two giant monsters, covered in feathers, with a owl head and a bear body were coming their way, rampaging and destroying everything on their path! Elliot knew what those creatures were, and knew they were too much to handle. This time, and for the first time, brute force was not an option: they needed a plan. In a burst of courage, he ordered everyone else to climb on a tree, while he remained on the ground, thinking about what to do next. The owlbears arrived at the camping site and went straight to the habit soup, which they drank from the cauldron in a single move. Hiding in the trees, Dante, Lua and Lynn were shooting arrows, bolts and darts at the beasts, attempting to take the attention away from Elliot. The plan worked, and the Large monsters went to attack the shooters. One went to Lua, and the other went to the tree Lynn and Gisele were in. Elliot had no option but to attack this second owlbear “Lua can take care of himself”, he thought. He swung his sword, taking an extra care to use his blade to deflect the massive blows he knew would soon come. Luckily he scored a hit it, and the beast sounded a horror full roar. Angry, the owlbear used all his strength (which was a lot!) to hit Elliot, and the blow was almost lethal. The beast hit with both claws, and they teared trough his breast, blood and flesh were all over his clothes. This wound would leave a scar Elliot still carries to this day. Lua and Dante had no other choice other than to jump down and help his friend dying firend. They would not watch him die alone. The situation was critical: everyone knew they were no match for the beasts. Death would come soon for this young adventures. But, instead of death, hope appeared on the horizon. Arrows coming out of nowhere hit the owlbears, as 2 centaurs and an elf arrived to assist the poor party. The elf was blond and slender, he wore a green cloak and wieled two thin blades, which seemed to be covered by some sort of vine. One of the centaurs was a female, dressed only with a leather armor protecting her torso, her horseback nude. The other was a male, completely nude. Both were beautiful and dangerous at the same time. Inspired by this sudden change of fate, the party charged the owlbears with their full strength, and together with the newly arrived reinforcements they killed both creatures. After taking care of the many wounds from the battle (without any magical healing to assist them), the party began to understand who were this exotic rescuers. Apparently, the centaurs, named Calion and Valdara were married. The elf’s name was Elasil, a qualinesti who lived in this woods with the centaurs, though the reason for that was not clear. Elasil talked with the party, specially Elliot and Lua for quite a few time. He explained how dangerous this forest was, and that they should leave as quickly as possible. As a matter of fact, they should start moving right away, since they were in the middle of the goblin territory. On the other hand, the centaurs remained quiet and apart. They were glad to help those strangers and kill savage owlbears, but they did not like the idea of strangers on their woods. Apparently, just like goblins, centaurs were a territorial race. In a little more than an hour the party was ready to move again. They thanked the centaurs and told them goodbye. Elasil was too worried to allow the party to wander alone in the forest, and decided to join them until they were out and safe. The centaurs went east and the party headed west, now in the company of Elasil. It would still take 3 days until they left the forbidden forest but it was much easier walking in the woods with the elf, as he seemed to know quite well that forest. During their journey, Dante and Lynn were always near Gisele, helping her trough the rough paths. A little further, Lua was always looking out for any possible treats, while Elliot and Elasil went ahead talking and tracking the best route to follow. This elf turned out to be a very outgoing person, and he kept talking about the woods and it’s secrets, like the strange cloaked figures who used the forest to go to the mountains north, or the beautiful (yet dangerous) fey who lived deeper in the forest. Elliot paid a lot of attention to the elf, and he eventually learned how to make a special healing balm, made from tulip petals and milk - an old and secret elven recipe few remembered how to prepare. The journey went uneventful for the a day and a half, when the party had to deal with yet another goblin ambush, although this time they were prepared for it, and with Elasil’s help those creatures were not much trouble. Another day and a half latter and the party was finally at the borders of the forest, “and still alive” they thought. The party bade goodbye to Elasil and went ahead. From now on, they would be climbing down the hills until they were on the plains again, and them move south to the city of Gulfport. Before departing, Elasil invited Elliot to come back again latter, and learn more about the forest and it’s secrets. As the party climbed down the mountain, leaving the dangers of the forbidden forest behind them, one thing still worried them, specially Elliot and Dante. Something so simple and yet so crucial, something that could rend all the effort they went trough useless….they were running against time! When Gordon and his child went to Gulfport, it was decided they would only wait for seven days for Gisele and the party. If they did not arrive in a week, it meant that their plans went wrong, and he should run away with his child as far away as possible, leaving no tracks behind, since Ogrimar and his guards would come out after him seeking revenge. Five days had already passed, and two more were needed to arrive in Gulfport. They were up agaisnt a very tight schedule. “Two days, only two days” Elliot thought. “We’re not gonna make it….Oh well, too late to worry about it now anyway, we had to move on…no matter what, we have to move on….” Next: Chapter IV - Meet Ragash and the bloody hands of Gulfport [/QUOTE]
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