[LPF] Ties that Bind

[Qik]

The group travels for the remainder of the day, and eats their cold, campfire-less dinner mostly in silence. At this point, there seems so little to say, so each resolves to keep to themselves, Eanos ever watchful, Audra preoccupied with dealing with her seething emotions, Fulgrim steady and silent, and Drevezh'Korol and Elenka walking quietly together.

The second day brings more of the same, and as dusk begins to settle, the group must decide whether to approach in the dark or wait until first light.

[sblock=OOC]First off: IronWolf, my most heartfelt wishes to you and your family. I hope things improve on that front. Thanks for continuing to check in on something as small as a game in light of such serious concerns.

And thanks for the support, folks: I'll stop bringing it up. And it is nice that we all seem to at least be getting bogged down at the same time (the "same time" part, that is, not the bogging).

Don't mean to belabor your approach, but assuming you're going to make your move at night (full night; the sun will completely set by the time you reach, although it's a full moon (got a good random role there, folks), so that should help on the visibility front), I'll need instructions on how you plan to proceed. For now, you're still in the woods, although you're about an hour from the marked site and uncertain of what conditions will be like there.[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=ooc]I'm going to do a bit of historical fluff for Audra here, just to sort of really set her state of mind. Anyone wants to comment on it in the current go for it, RP is fun. She's not going to be much for conversation, I think Drev senses that.[/sblock]

Audra walks along in the dark in silence. Her hands clenching now and then into fists. As the first night descends, she gets restless as the party sets up it's fireless camp and she steps away a few paces, though still within sight of the camp, and sets about doing something Elenka would remember from their time onboard ship. Although her motions as she goes through exercises are decidedly different than the balance and grace she worked on, perhaps as much to drive the sailors into a froth as for her own good, she still does look graceful. Her motions are short, sharp and precise. While others are finishing their cold meals she works kicks, punches and who knows what else. Finally, after about half an hour of this, her hair matted to her back, neck and shoulders from the sweat and her chest heaving from the exertion, she drops to a crouch. Without a sound she springs upwards and brings her hands up over her head. With one smooth swing, both hands drop in exact time, slamming into the ground simultaneously, Audra landing in almost that same crouch. She holds this again before doing a sweep as if going for a leg.

The second evening as the crew approach their destination, her restlessness is evident in the set of her shoulders. Even her pace is uneven. Her body is one big tense muscle, as if it was all her mind and will could do to keep her body from running forward and engaging the enemy. As the pace slows her manner is still reserved. She has spoken maybe a dozen words since leaving the cabin, most of those spoken out of politeness.

"This is it. Should I go see if they are still in the camp? Or would someone else like to go, to ensure that our presence isn't immaturely given away?"

 

[jkason]

Eanos Setirav, human inquisitor

"Not sure I want anyone wandering off on their own," the inquisitor says. "If we're going to scout, Let me come with you. Just a second, though..."

He pulls off the glove on one hand, springing his wrist sheathe to access his dagger. A quick, practiced movement pricks his finger with the tip of the blade, where a small drop wells up as the servant of secrets returns the dagger to its sheathe.

Eanos reaches into his pouch then, where he retrieves a tiny pinch of brownish power, which he mixes with the blood drop between his bare thumb and forefinger. As he draws a dark stripe down the length of his nose, Eanos whispers, "Share the hound's secrets with me, Lady."

The taciturn tracker pulls his glove back on, then, sniffing deeply of the air a moment before nodding, satisfied.

"Hopefully we'll smell 'em coming now," he offers by way of explanation.

[sblock=ooc]Level up isn't approved yet, but Eanos added Bloodhound to his spells known as part of it. Figured this was a decent time to give it a whirl. Gains Scent, +8 perception on scent-based checks, +4 on Survival to track by scent.[/sblock]

[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav

4th level stats below:
Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 29 Current: 25
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: Bloodhound (5 hours)

In Hand:Composite Longbow +1

Arrows: 31/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 27/50 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 (-1 cast)[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

[sblock=OOC]So we have Audra and Eanos going to scout. I'm assuming everyone will at least pull closer with them (again, you're ~an hour's travel from the marked encampment), but will need to know if everyone will be closing in together, or whether Audra and Eanos will do a bit of scouting first.[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

Elenka eyes Audra and Eanos as they prepare to scout ahead. One delicate brow is arched in an expression that can only be interpreted as 'Oh, really?' Drevezh'korol clears his throat with a sound that easily resembles the sound of a tree limb breaking and he starts guiltily and sidles back towards the tree line.

"I think scouting out the situation is a good idea but I'm afraid that the quickly falling darkness may, ah... make things difficult if you can't see well." She hesitates but reaches into her pack and withdraws a small silver figurine in the shape of a raven and hands it to Eanos.

"If you get into trouble send this back to me. If it comes, we'll know things haven't gone as planned. The three of us will follow along but some ways back. Drevezh'korol is quiet in the woods and can see in the dark but I, alas, am not and cannot."

__
• • • 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: 3/5 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]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=ooc]Where did we pause for this conversation, Qik? I'm considering her options and want to know if she's got lotsa trees to deal with between herself and their objective and such.[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

[sblock=OOC]You're still in the woods, about an hour's journey from the encampment. Still lots of trees, and you certainly haven't seen any signs of that abating, although there's no way yet to tell how things might look closer to the camp.

Right now it sounds as though Eanos and Audra will go ahead to scout once you get closer to the camp, with the others hanging back. I'll assume Fulgrim won't be scouting, since stealth isn't really his forte.[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Eanos Setirav, human inquisitor

Elenka eyes Audra and Eanos as they prepare to scout ahead. One delicate brow is arched in an expression that can only be interpreted as 'Oh, really?' Drevezh'korol clears his throat with a sound that easily resembles the sound of a tree limb breaking and he starts guiltily and sidles back towards the tree line.

"I think scouting out the situation is a good idea but I'm afraid that the quickly falling darkness may, ah... make things difficult if you can't see well."

"'Swhat the spelled up nose is for," Eanos offers. "Hoping they need a fire same as us, but if they don't..." he taps the side of his crimson-marked nose and smiles as his way of finishing the thought.

She hesitates but reaches into her pack and withdraws a small silver figurine in the shape of a raven and hands it to Eanos.

The self-exiled preacher nods, tucking the figurine into one of the smaller sections of his enchanted quiver.

"Thanks much. Let's hope to get this back to you unused," he says. "'Tween Drev and Fulgrim, you outta see any trouble coming. Hopefully without us in tow."
[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav

4th level stats below:
Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 29 Current: 25
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: Bloodhound (Scent, perception, & survival bonuses, 5 hours)

In Hand:Composite Longbow +1

Arrows: 31/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 27/50 remaining (second wand full)
Silver Figurine (from Elenka): Unused

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 (-1 cast)[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

Audra starts to look around while Elenka pulls out the trinket and hands it to Eanos. She takes a few steps and starts looking up the trees at the waning sky. She reaches out and touches the beefy trunk of one tree with a good set of branches and she smiles a little, which she hasn't done for days.

[sblock=Qik]Like to try one of Audra's new tricks if I can. I would like to see if Audra can go most of the way up in this tree and look in the direction that the enemy camp is supposed to be and see if she sees any signs of a campfire or something in that direction. Might not be able to see anything, but with the night coming on it might be just dark enough and just light enough. And she gets a +5 from her level to her jump, and she can pop a Ki Point for more bonus if needed. Not to the very top of the tree, ,but find a nice tall one that gets her over the lower trees so she can see what she can see. Not sure how you want to do that. She could use the same trick coming down, too.[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

Elenka squints and peers long at Eanos' nose before nodding and letting a smile creep across her face.

"Nice trick! Good; my fears are unfounded then. Be safe..." She looks up as Audra shimmies up the tree. "Well, as soon as Audra comes down and joins you."

__
• • • 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: 3/5 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]

 

[Qik]

Audra shimmies up the tree with ease. Balancing from her impromptu perch, looking comfortable but secretly feeling the awkwardness of her improvised handholds, she strains to catch sight of any signs of encampment in the encroaching dimness of night. Finally, after a few minutes, she shakes her head in frustration and makes her way down, having seen nothing.

Eanos and Audra bid a temporary fairwell to their companions, and begin to make their way through the woods. As they draw closer, they become increasingly focused on keeping quiet and concealed.

A mile or two out, Eanos begins to smell smoke, thanks to his magically-enhanced scent. As they draw nearer, Audra catches scent of it as well. By this time, Eanos's nostrils are almost overwhelmed with information: he can tell that a variety of materials are burning, beyond simply wood and even including what he would guess to be flesh (although of what, he cannot say).

The pair also begins to hear faint sounds of shouting, although at this distance, they can't discern anything intelligible.

[sblock=OOC]You're probably a half mile or so out from where the camp should be. You've come ~2.5 miles in about 50 minutes walking; I figure it'd take at least half that time moving at full speed to get back to Fulgrim, Elenka, and Drev or for them to come to you. You can't see anything presently through the forest.

If you do encroach, please make stealth and perception checks.[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Eanos Setirav, human inquisitor

Eanos places a restraining hand on Audra's shoulder.

"Not a campfire. Or not just one," he whispers, tense. "Think something's on fire up ahead. It'll take to long backtracking to the others if I'm right. Think we have to trust they'll catch up."

The wandering preacher's grip tightens slightly as he adds, "Before we move, you promise me that if it comes time to run, you run, yes? Things'll get real messy for both of us if I have to go herding errant redheads." The last has a slightly playful tone, but the subtext is sincere enough: Eanos worries Audra's emotions might get the better of her, and he's hoping for assurances the young woman can maintain the focus she's been trained for.

[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav

Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 35 Current: 35
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: Bloodhound (Scent, perception, & survival bonuses, 5 hours)

In Hand:Composite Longbow +1

Arrows: 31/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 27/50 remaining (second wand full)
Silver Figurine (from Elenka): Unused

Judgement: 2/2 Remaining Determination: 2/2 remaining
Silver Tongued Haggler: 6/6 remaining
Bane: 5/5 rounds remaining
Spells: Orisons (DC 13): Brand, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Guidance, Light
1st (5/5 remaining)(DC 14): Deadeye's Lore, Divine Favor, Lend Judgement, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, Wrath
2nd (2/3 remaining)(DC 15): Silence, Weapon of Awe, Bloodhound[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=ooc]Just for the record, though tis moot now, Audra wasn't going to 'shimmy' up the tree. I was going to have her go up the tree upon hearing back an answer to a question I sent to Q, but I didn't get an answer back. Though she shimmied the thing anyway, I had not intended her to do so yet. Now that I feel better...[/sblock]

Audra seems on edge, but her will stays strong and she restrains herself, moving carefully and cautiously. When she picks up the smell she automatically thinks the worst, but soon decides that perhaps those they seek found dinner. This causes her right eyebrow to quirk, not only at her own hunger, as she hasn't eaten as ravenously as she normally does, but at the thought of possibly catching their prey unawares.

"Burning flesh. You think maybe they hunted something for dinner? This is the woods."

She speaks quietly, returning Eanos' whisper with her own, though the tension is still easily heard. As his grasp tightens on her shoulder she starts, though without saying anything. She raises her arm slowly and lowers her hand top Eanos' on her shoulder. Despite the fact her hands are (might should be registered) weapons, her touch is still the soft touch of a woman. Her hand lingers only a moment before she returns it to her knee.

"I hope it doesn't come to that. If we can find a spot to wait for the others that would probably be best. If that is their dinner cooking, they won't be moving along for a while I wouldn't think. We should try to get a little closer, maybe close enough to hear them, see what their mood is, then draw back, maybe to this place, and wait for the others."

She looks at the traveling preacher, her eyes almost as bright with green flame as the presumed cookfire must be with the juices of whatever they have caught.

"I'll get my chances. Besides, it can't be a real redhead stampede without Elenka."

The humor seems a bit forced, but the quirk of the corner of her lip isn't, a sign of what little humor she might have left.

 

[Qik]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry Artur; I saw no reason not to press on with having Audra go up the tree, and didn't really see a question that needed to be addressed. All you said was that you wanted her to go up the tree and see if she could have a look for the enemy camp, which seemed straightforward enough that I did so.

Although, I didn't use a jump check, but a climb one. I rolled it myself, and she passed with flying colors, so I went ahead and played it out.

Proper post pending on the agreement that you two will be going ahead to have a look. When you do post again, please include the stealth and perception rolls I asked for; they make my life a lot easier.[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry Artur; I saw no reason not to press on with having Audra go up the tree, and didn't really see a question that needed to be addressed. All you said was that you wanted her to go up the tree and see if she could have a look for the enemy camp, which seemed straightforward enough that I did so.

Although, I didn't use a jump check, but a climb one. I rolled it myself, and she passed with flying colors, so I went ahead and played it out.

Proper post pending on the agreement that you two will be going ahead to have a look. When you do post again, please include the stealth and perception rolls I asked for; they make my life a lot easier.[/sblock]

[sblock=Qik]No worries mate. It all works. I was just hoping for the effect of her jumping to a branch or two along the way. You know, the over the top thing. Once we move, I'll remember the rolls.

Goodness knows you have had enough complications of late, so no problem. [/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

Audra takes a deep breath, nods to her companion and begins moving forward, trying her best to move quietly, at least glad she isn't wearing loud, metal armor.

 

[jkason]

Eanos Setirav, human inquisitor

[sblock=ooc]Sorry for continuing delays... [/sblock]

Eanos nods as Audra confirms her control, and returns his own tense smile as she attempts to maintain her humor. He crouches down and follows as she moves, his practiced step finding soft places and avoiding rustling even as his senses--magically enhanced and natural--come sharply alert with the clear and present threat.

[sblock=ooc]Hope the notation on Perception makes sense. Essentially, he got a 25 normally, but has a 33 for any scent-related checks.

Perception (add +8 for any scent-related details); Stealth (1d20+12=25, 1d20+15=28)[/sblock]

[sblock=mini stats]Eanos Setirav

Initiative: +6
AC: 17 (19 w/ SoF)
HP: 35 Current: 35
CMB: +4 CMD: 17 Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +8

Conditions: Bloodhound (Scent, perception, & survival bonuses, 5 hours)

In Hand:Composite Longbow +1

Arrows: 31/33
Blunt Arrows: 20/20
Cold Iron Arrows: 19/19
Silver Blunt Arrows: 16/16
CLW Wand charges: 27/50 remaining (second wand full)
Silver Figurine (from Elenka): Unused

Judgement: 2/2 Remaining Determination: 2/2 remaining
Silver Tongued Haggler: 6/6 remaining
Bane: 5/5 rounds remaining
Spells: Orisons (DC 13): Brand, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Guidance, Light
1st (5/5 remaining)(DC 14): Deadeye's Lore, Divine Favor, Lend Judgement, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, Wrath
2nd (2/3 remaining)(DC 15): Silence, Weapon of Awe, Bloodhound[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=ooc]With it being Thanksgiving week here in the US and the start of the Mad Rush Holiday Season, I think we'll probably be running at a relaxed pace. Everyone will get blindsided by real life. We'll just go along as we can. [/sblock]

 

[Qik]

As the pair move stealthily through the woods, the smell of smoke thickens, and the volume of yells increase. Plumes of smoke begin to curl in the distance. Finally, they draw soundlessly towards the edge of a clearing, catching sight of firelight flicking through the trees. An excess of firelight: the source is well beyond a campfire.

Peaking through the trees, the pair catch sight of what appears to be a massacre: a small encampment up in flames, several still bodies lying here and there, and several more active bodies either running, or battling, mostly unsuccessfully, what appear to be two large columns of living flame, 10 feet tall or more. The living flames flicker in and out of more humanoid shapes and less anthropomorphic ones as flit about with lightning quickness, battering their victims with cruel glee.

[sblock=OOC]Feel free to make applicable knowledge rolls for more info. You're at the edge of the camp clearing; it does not appear as though you've been spotted. You see bodies, people fleeing or fighting (having sighted 4 or 5 still alive altogether), and several tents. You're roughly 40 feet from the encampment itself, where the proverbial crap is hitting the fan.

At this point, Audra and Eanos have yet to send the raven figurine back to signal the others.

I'll get a map up ASAP. If you get a chance to post in the meantime, feel free to roll initiative, suggest preliminary actions, etc. And don't worry about the pace! It's been confirmed that we're all busy for one reason or another, and that we're all fine with the slower pace. Makes my life easier: less guilt. It's a good group of folks; I'm not sweating the game's status.[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

Audra takes in the scene. Her eyes focus on the two fire things for a moment, then she looks at one of the nearer bodies from her crouching hiding spot, not moving. She looks once more at the fire things and her visible flesh starts to glisten with sweat. Her brow furrows and she begins looking about the visible parts of the campsite as best she can from her safe haven, trying to spot Alecks. She knows what he looks like, thanks to that curse-ed card in the pack on her back. She restrains herself with all her might.