• NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.

Le Carinval

[From left to right: Mr. Gaspa, Mr. Bottes, Mr Val Jeneo an ancient elf quietly napping in his chair. He is the heritage minister, and the towns leading expert on history. Mostly on account of he was there. Mr. Blackstone, a short stout human, with calloused hands, and a square chiseled jaw line. He is also the smithies guild head for this area. Mrs. Hulbert, a medium sized elf, many years behind her. She pears over her glasses with a look of quiet wisdom and understanding. She is the councilor responsible for education, and runs the local wizarding guild, responsible for all three of its members. Mr. Jean Lavell, Mr. Ranoemark, A skinny greasy human, with an almost detached look in face. he is head of the bankers association. Mr. Tomas, a average sized human, general representative. Mr. Guy Du Pon, A tall elf, who would normally tower over Akashia, but is sitting. he used to be an ambassador to the human empire from one of the elf nations, and retired here. Mr. Bartlebe, a retired human general, Mrs Bartlebe his wife, and lastly Mr. Smith]

The mayor slowly sits. Looking down at the badge, and his hands, he quietly speaks, “Just that he claims to stock it with his fallen enemies. And promises to use it to inflict a fate worse then death apon any who would oppose him.”

“Almost everyone in the village is skilled enough to feed themselves from the forest. But we have no trained soldiers, and no one would stand long in a fight against any professional army.”

“None that have been able to tell the tale…If they come back, they serve only as a quiet warning to others. Sheriff Gomery was last person to go against the Baron. He sends messages through those things of his. The walking dead. He is cruel and likes to use the bodies of people who were close to the message recipient. He collects the money by sending a walking corpse to the edge of town with a bucket.”

“I can’t think of any that would admit to being such a monster's family. But there is a sage somewhere out side of town, that may have more information.”

To which Mrs. Hulbert pipes up, “That witch is nothing but a charlaton. She can offer us nothing but lies and superstition. Sage indeed! Fraud and loon is more like it!”
 

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The undead, I have heard tale of them from the elder monks but thought they were just trying to scare us children. They said that often times the hero of the stories would end up bashing the heads in with random weapons, or sometimes destroying them with great bursts of light. I speak up unsure “Mrs. Hulbert, it has been my experience that charlatans often know most about that which no one wants to know anything about. Its my feel that no good person should want to know about the living dead, this person, be they sage or whore, may be of great use. As for her lies and superstition, all I know are the superstitions of my Elder Monks, so with all do respect she may be of more use than you know. Do these undead things have flesh still on them or do they appear to be pure bone?”
 

“I’m sorry I was unaware it was our intention to seduce the Baron with lies and fictitious theory. If that is the case, then I’m sure the leading expert on whoring would be able to help you.” She smugly replies, before burying her nose in paper work.

Lavelle adds: “the walking…things…are mostly flesh, although some of the woodsmen have reported being attacked by walking bones. Please say you’ll help us?”

“Why are we sending innocent kids off to their deaths?” Mr. Tomas asks sharply. “We could employ either of the kingdoms to send help again. Certainly it is better then sacrificing these two.”
 

Rhiannon looks up sharply at Mr. Tomas, listening attentively for the reply. She also considers the options. A trip to the sage/harlot seems inevitable. A deception in negotiations or ambush of some kind seems the best avenue of attack, assuming she can gather more intelligence on the army and the baron. A political play would take too long, and she's not ready to risk a frontal attack yet. Not without having Akashia train the villagers for at least a short while. An assassination of the baron may work, but only if he doesn't have many supporters -- though a man who resorts to mindless abominations to enforce his will probably isn't very popular at court.

Everyone has a weakness, she muses silently, already wondering how they will come into play in the chess game ahead.

With a start, she realizes she's begun to chew on her thumbnail, and abruptly stops.
 

Rhiannon was chewing on her thumb that usually meant she was thinking. In the old days it meant that something fabulous would follow. That was long ago though, and now she needed to be talking. Mr. Tomas needs to know that we are capable. We probably aren’t as old as him put together. As for Mrs. Hulbert, well I think I’ll leave that one alone. Glancing down at Rhiannon and back at Mr. Tomas pray I sound confident: “I assure you Mr. Tomas while I am lacking in age I am not lacking in skill. Employ both of the kingdoms by all means; their help would be appreciated if they come. However if they do come, Rhiannon and myself are still a far better choice to assist you. As an army against these would simply give the barren more bodies; like giving an archer arrows” I wonder to myself if he feels any better, and hope that Rhiannon will speak; if at only to get me out of this room.
 

Rhiannon nods tersely at Akashia's words. Once again the other woman has made an excellent point. "Ladies and gentlemen, unless there is any more information you can give us, I believe we must respectfully take our leave of you for this evening." She pulls her fur cloak tighter about herself in preparation for the cold outdoors.
 

Mr Tomas nodds, "We shall see, we shall see."

Mr Lavell looks up, "The kingdoms are to busy agrueing over to whom this town belongs to send anything useful. We are on our own. You have our thanks, and Gods speed."
 


The night air is cold and still. It is by all accounts a nice night. Wandering through town, you see that the glowing from most of the houses has stopped. There residents have long ago gone to sleep and are no longer tending their fires. Looking back, you see that your footprints are the only ones in the snow.

Eventually the town gives way to a clearing, and then the forest. The trees loom darkly before you, in an almost foreboding way. Each of you has traveled the forest before, but this time there is a sense of uneasiness, as you truly are stepping into the unknown. Moving through the trees in the darkness, you realize that neither one of you thought to bring a torch, or other from of light. The moonlight casts a pale glow, but the shadows are still very deep indeed.

You hear a growling noise from behind you. Turning, you see a grey wolf eyeing you hungrily. Its body is poised, like a crossbow ready to fire. Just as you turn it launches into the air. It flies toward Rhiannon. Then there is a loud Ak-thwak! as the wolf falls back down to the earth. It collided with a low-hanging tree branch, which kept Rhiannon temporally off its dinner menu. It picks itself up, shakes it head, and looks confused at the tree -- then back to you two.

(OOC: Iniative order:
Akashia
Rhiannon
Wolf.
The wolf is in melee with Rhiannon, and behind her is Akashia)
 


Into the Woods

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