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

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 15 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 44/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

Avril reluctantly helped Mandla onto the owl, the brave dog only a little nervous about the prospect of flying, but Warren't nearness increased its comfort. She gave the horses a quick look over, or at least those that were left, and then led them a short distance away where she left them, hopefully in safety, but she doubted it. If she had the chance in the morning, she'd return for them. "You'll be fine," she said to the horses, stroking them. "Just don't go wandering too far."

With a look of concentration she transformed into an eagle once more, and joined the owls to the elves' home. She was surprised by the tranquility of the place, although there were signs of heightened awareness. Upon reaching stable ground, she transformed back into her human self, and said, "You hospitality is very welcome. Thank you." She waited with the others, and then entered the building to greet the Speaker of the Elves.

Larian's words were eloquent and well-spoken, and Avril nodded in agreement. "The fallen city of Rhest. That would be the same as the Ruins of Rhest? And this is in the Blackfens?" Avril nodded her head. "Then we will go there and put an end to this experimentation. Attempt to stop the creation of these vile infernal creatures. With your blessings, Speaker, we would appreciate being able to spend the night here, and appreciate any directions or help you can provide us for the Ruins."

She looked slightly awkward. "Lady, as my friend Larian has spoken, I am Avril, servant of the Spirits of Nature. Your people, for who's help were are very grateful, brought us here, but we have left our mounts in the marshes. It is presumtions to ask, I know, but if you could spare some of your people to fetch our mounts, I would be grateful. Much like it pains you to see the beauty of this place die, it pains me to leave defenseless animals in the swamps. My, our," she looked at her companions, "services are yours in stopping this menance from threatening your home and the Elsir Vale."

[SBLOCK=OOC]OOC:

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Barkskin
Call Lightning
Wild Shape (2 Used)
Flaming Sphere
Cure Moderate Wounds
Bear's Endurance
Cure Light Wounds
Wand of Lesser Vigor (2 Used)
Cure Minor Wounds (2)

Spells Prepared:

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

Level 0 (5): Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Enrage Animal, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Bull's Strength
Level 3 (3): Sleet Storm

XP: 325 (Blockade)
XP: 1350 (Razorfiends)

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[Creamsteak]

"Your stay here can be arranged, and I will have Killiar try to find your stray horses."

The elf captain that was with you on your way in promptly leaves the hut with a look of some disgust on his face.

"What can you tell me of the outside world? I hear little or no news from beyond the Blackfens. Our only neighbors are the various tribes of lizardfolk that populate this region. We came here many years ago to create a new home in new lands, and we have been prosperous. Only the recent threat of the harrowblades has given us much pause. I wish to know of both the creatures, the people, and the spirits. We have not heard much, even from the Keepers of Eth."

 

[Creamsteak]

(Nobody is brave enough to answer a poor old woman's questions?)

 

[Redclaw]

(Nobody is brave enough to answer a poor old woman's questions?)

I think it's more that we don't have a lot of information beyond the module, and I've already given what information I can.

 

[Creamsteak]

(Stuff from the module including your own personal exploits seems perfectly valid to me.)

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 15 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 44/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

"Lady, you have my thanks and my service for looking after our horses." Avril seemed relieved as she listened to the Speaker's question that followed. She concentrated for a moment to recall some details that she thought were relevant.

"There is much trouble in the outside world, Lady. Before heading for the Blackfens, Pender and myself had the chance to commune with some of the spirits of the Vale. There is a foulness afoot, and much is wrong. This all lead us here. Our journey has not been easy. Two of our number have been killed in a place called Vraath Keep, and one, a woodman named Jorr, has been kidnapped by a vile beast, I believe called Skarthos."

"Lady, Elsir Vale is in much trouble. It is only by chance, or even fate, that we six are here at the moment. For reasons of our own we travelled here, but joined forces when a sudden ambush along the roads of the Dawn Way to Drelin's Ferry turned out to be more than it seemed. We've since uncovered the nature of an army numbering in the thousands, and walking into the Vale with only distruction in its mind. Giants, goblinoids, manticores, dragons and foul beasts that are unnatural to this world and this place."

"The outside world knows little about what happens in the Vale. Only we six here are actively trying to stop this menance, even though we've attempted to find allies throughout the Witchwood. Thos refugess from Drelin's Ferry and further east head to Brindol to make a stand, and attempt to rally those forces that can be mustered. I'm not sure outside help will come. We, here, in Elsir Vale at this time, it would seem, are all that stand between this Vale and utter destruction."

She seemed saddened as she continued. "I'm sorry, Lady, to bring so much bad news. My friend Larian has said much of this already. The outside is dark. I do not wish to be a spirit of prophecy or doom, but there is every chance that your city will be subject to the same forces. Again, I'm sorry, my Lady. I did not wish to sour your halls with this unpleasantness. I am only a servant of Nature, and go where the Mother guides me."

[SBLOCK=OOC]OOC: Sorry. Haven't really been able to post over the weekend.

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Barkskin
Call Lightning
Wild Shape (2 Used)
Flaming Sphere
Cure Moderate Wounds
Bear's Endurance
Cure Light Wounds
Wand of Lesser Vigor (2 Used)
Cure Minor Wounds (2)

Spells Prepared:

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

Level 0 (5): Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Enrage Animal, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Bull's Strength
Level 3 (3): Sleet Storm

XP: 325 (Blockade)
XP: 1350 (Razorfiends)

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[Dalamar]

Siobhan stays quiet most of the time. Surrounded by the beauty and longevity of the elven abode, she finds herself somewhat out of her league and is happy to let Larian and Avril, who seem much more used to such situations, to do the talking.

 

[Creamsteak]

In response to Avril's words, the older matron seems sullen but still simple. She pulls a few beads from her belt and looks over everyone.

"You have wild hearts to challenge such creatures in this world. I've seen many would-be heroes come and go. If what you say is true, and such monsters serve this army, then I must beg of you to avoid such conflict. Fighting against such beasts is beyond the scope of the younger races. You should seek peace and find homes where these monsters cannot go. Dragons are not opponents for man nor elf."

"I have seen far too many lives claimed in the energy of youth. Young Lanikar was only the most recent lost. I understand that you have come this far already, but I invite you to stay a while here in this camp. You would be safe from the horde here."

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Pender, Male Human Fighter 6

Pender is moved by the lady's words. He screws up the courage to speak to her, and breaks his usual silence, "But that's just it ma'am--if we don't stop this invasion we may never have peace or homes again."

 

[Creamsteak]

"I have seen many wars, and what comes is innevitable. You should work to save what you can. You can win small victories, certainly, but eventually you will draw the power of your enemies against you, and do you really think you can stand against such things? You should pick your battles, travelers, but know that if you test yourself against the wrong foe you too will suffer a fate like young Lanikar. I am most certain that he met his fate thinking that he could not be defeated by the harrowblades while they walked on the ground. He underestimated his enemy, and he paid the full cost."