(CSRHoD) Creamsteak's Red Hand of Doom [IC]

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 17 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 45/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

The new dog was strong. Young but strong. How well it would obey her commands and stay by her side was debatable. But it's youth and strength counted in its favor, and so she named it Mandla, which in the language of the spirits of the forest meant 'Strong'. He was going to be a handful, that was for sure, but as long as his spirit spoke to hers, and she remained in control of its youthful exuberance.

Together with the powerful husky, Avril and Pender had made their way back into the Witchwood in search of Jorr. And found something entirely unexpected. The whole scene that played before her eyes affected her on so many levels, that by the time she was leaving, a single glistening tear had rolled down her cheek. It reminded her why she did what she did - that even in the deepest, darkest places of the forests and the world, there was still beauty. She didn't want to leave this place - it felt so secure, so strong, so calm. But she knew she needed to. And, at Pender's comments, she indicated as much.

"Terrible words, Pender?" she asked, "In a way. But they carried the beauty of hope in them as well. If the spirits of the Forest are with us, the Mother is too. And no force in this land can subdue her. Or at least none that I am aware of. And that, to tell the truth, frightens me." She took a deep breath and knelt down to cuddle Mandla. The strong dog reacted strongly to her touch, almost bounding over her. She gave it a stern look, but did not reprimand the gesture. "Yes, let's return to the others." Without a further word, and deep in thought, Avril joined Pender on the journey back.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC: I'm a little confused as to the timing of events. I would assume that Avril would've searched for Jorr on the second day after calling Mandla, so by the time Drelin's Ferry evacuates, Avril and Pender are there to see them off? It makes sense to take a look while the trails would be visible. I'll post again once I get confirmation of this.

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Cure Minor Wounds (2), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Barkskin, Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance, Flaming Sphere
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[Creamsteak]

[sblock=OOC]Since I lacked a day to day profile when I was making the post, I pushed this off till last. So essentially this chapter "begins" in Drellin's Ferry, just after the above three events. I assume Avril and Pender arrive just a few minutes after the last of the townsfolk leave (not wanting to leave before they're off). So I'm somewhat waiting on Warren/Tyrla/Siobhan now before moving on to the re-group.[/sblock]

 

[pathfinderq1]

He looks to Siobhan and Tyrla. Have you any thoughts about where our next road runs? I fear we are greatly overmatched by the massed army, and that we are not likely to excel at hit and run tactics. The map mentions a Saarvith in the swamps to the north. Mayhap we can try to disrupt whatever the entity to whom that name belongs is attempting to accomplish?

Tyrla had marveled at the tiny wooden boat, both for its magic and its historical significance. I took her a moment to return her attention to Larian's words. "That seems like it might be a good idea. While that army would be more than we can handle, we have had some success going after smaller groups- even with powerful leaders. Perhaps concentrating on that kind of target will continue to be a fruitful tactic- we can weaken the enemy's resources, and perhaps find more useful information."

 

[pathfinderq1]

oops- double post!

double post- never mind

 

[Dalamar]

"Agreed, this Saarvith sounds like our best bet for a good target," the aasimar answers. "I just regret that we were unable to persuade the giant in the forest. Even a single giant on our side would make a great difference."

 

[Creamsteak]

[sblock=OOC]Avril and Pender can show up with the rest of the party at their leisure now. I would write everyone together already, but I'm curiously waiting for Warren's choice.[/sblock]

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren the halfling

Warren raises an eyebrow and thinks about it for a moment, wondering if the older halfling's trying to con him, and wonderig if he'd rather continue trekking across marshlands without a trace. Finally, he responds "Yeah, sure, Mr. Shadowbanks. Ya got a deal. But ya know, treasure is an awful good reason for this kinda life." he says with a grin, handing over the magic boots from Vraath Keep. "Hopefully I'll find some o' the gobbos' later, and maybe I'll want to invest some of it in a good tavern. Maybe. Or new boots...." he adds with another grin.

[sblock=ooc]I think I mentioned it on the weekend, but my computer access is sporadic this week. Maybe next week too, but I'm hoping I'll have the old computer hooked back up before then.[/sblock]

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 17 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 45/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

By the time Avril returned to Drelin's Ferry, the small river town had a rather different look to it. The place was quiet, save for the last remnants of the population that were making their way out towards the Dawn Way. There was a certain sadness to this, despite the fact that Avril had no firm attachment to this place or its people. If anything, she was doing this 'war' for the Witchwood and the creatures of the forest, and not those on the Dawn Way. Still, there was most likely some symbiosm there, which needed to be protected.

She hastened her step, calling for Mandla to her side the moment she spotted the dog's attention drifting away. She quickly found Tyrla, Siobhan and Larian, joining them as the last people left. Taking a look at Pender as if to share their mutual experience, she said, "We met an ally in the Witchwood, while searching for Jorr," she started, and then continued to explain what they'd learnt, sticking to the facts rather than the details of the situation.

"So we basically have two options." She paused. "Larian, can I see that map of ours again, please?" She took Koth's map in her hands and took a look at it. "We can head down to the Thornwaste, to find where Koth indicated Ghostlord. By every indication, the hobgoblins are attempting to recruit whatever it represents to their cause. We don't know where to look or what we're looking for, but it's a short distance away. If we can stop the army gaining additional allies, then we might buy the Dawn Way some time."

"Or," she continued, "We can take the path to the Blackfens. It's a longer journey, but by the indications on the map, Koth highlighted that he wasn't sure if the lizard folk would join their cause. And, they're involved in creating abominations of some sort." She looked at their allies. "The more we can prevent the size of this army growing, the better."

"The outcome of the visit to the Thornwaste is unclear, and I'd rather not hedge my bets on uncertainty at this point when time is short. We may just journey there and find nothing that we can do if the army was rejected. We know, however, that the Blackfens are currently being used to aid the army. If we can stop that, we can help. I say we head there, and put a stop to those abominations." She looked to see if her allies agreed with her assessment.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC: By the look of the numbers Creamsteak provided, and assuming a 30 ft. movement rate (24 miles per day), it's going to be quickest and safest to take the Rhesttrail. It's 160 miles, or about 7 days. The Rhestwash is too slow, and the straight path could be dangerous.

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Cure Minor Wounds (2), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Barkskin, Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance, Flaming Sphere
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[Creamsteak]

The Shadowbanks clan heads out, not more than a step behind Wiston's Wagon. Afterwards, Warren comes out of the now-completely-abandoned inn.

(That puts everyone together now.)

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren the halfling

Walking over to the group in his new boots, Warren overhears the last part and says "Well sure, let's go skin some lizards. And I mean literally. Maybe it'll demoralize some of the gobbos when they come back to recruit the lizardfolk. And....maybe make a nice disguise while heading for wherever we're goin' next." He smirks at the idea, though it's kind of disgusting.