Planetouched Peril

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"So tell me something Rallon. You say that you were intent on only hitting the convoy for their riches, but then without notice, attacked. Since your new leader, what has changed? Any new rituals, rules, mannerisms, codes? I would like to know everything about this new leader, and where he came from. Enough people have died today, and I do not want to see anymore tomorrow. Only balance."

She waits for his answers, and does not reply, only thinking and waiting. Taking first watch, since she is still up, she continues making sure things are secure around the area, and goes to check on the Father and make sure he is well. When she returns, she throws some dried fruit to Rallon, with his hands tied, yet in front, so he is able to eat. His legs are secured to a post, so as not to be able to run.

Taking a rest, she sleeps near Rallon, with her dog next to her. After all, if he tries to get away, then another set of ears to hear him would be welcome.

In the morning, she wakes and checks on Rallon, offering him water. Checking on Shilo and Earth Hammer, she then stretches, and tends to her wound from the previous day. Satisfied that it will heal nicely, leaving another scar, she turns to Rallon. "So you have had a full night to gather your thoughts and now you must decide your own fate. The laws here are strict, and your life forfeit, unless someone vouches for your actions in the future. All I can say is that whatever information you can offer, would help in that decision."

She waits for his answer, as the others gather around.

"Ah, well... there was a new ritual thing, you know, the kind were you swear fealty? That's not unusual, but the ritual was a bit odd. He was a mage, I think, and he had some kind of creatures he summoned to help with the ritual. They never touched us or anything, just kinda watched over it.

"After that, I know that the scouts said they could see a lot more clearly and farther... But sometimes they wouldn't remember what they had seen. And then yesterday, we went to do some raiding and ended up trying to kill... we didn't mean to do that!" Rallon wailed pitifully.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

"Ah, well... there was a new ritual thing, you know, the kind were you swear fealty? That's not unusual, but the ritual was a bit odd. He was a mage, I think, and he had some kind of creatures he summoned to help with the ritual. They never touched us or anything, just kinda watched over it.

"After that, I know that the scouts said they could see a lot more clearly and farther... But sometimes they wouldn't remember what they had seen. And then yesterday, we went to do some raiding and ended up trying to kill... we didn't mean to do that!" Rallon wailed pitifully.

Turning to Jabin, Ashlie asks, "You ever heard of any sort of rituals? If he described the creatures, would that help?" Turning to Rallon for confirmation of the creatures description. "Looks like this new leader or mage has some other control on the bandits. This will continue unless stopped at its source. But we have a job firsthand to take care of. The safety of the Pilgrims is first. Perhaps the local authorites should take care of this? Jabin, please continue with any more questions in this matter. I need to go talk to the father."

Ashlie heads over to where Father Parab is, and bows slightly. "I hope you are doing well, after yesterdays events. From the captured bandit, it appears that magic is involved. Their new leader is some sort of mage, and might have influenced the bandits to unwantingly act against their intentions. I fear that he is a victim as well. This mage only will become worse, if not stopped quickly. But our first duty is to protect you and your followers. The local authorities might be able to cope with this new threat, but I would ask your opinion. If this new leader or mage, whatever he is, is actually a threat to you and this convoy, then as our duty, it might be advisable to seek him out and deal with him now, instead of always peering over our shoulders for the next week or so. This would also give you the time to rest and make sure everyone is healed up and ready to go. But again, as our employer, it is your say."

No diplomacy check, as she is just asking his opinion in this matter.

 

[Ghostknight]

*Listening in Heliad frowns.

"Maybe we need to see to this mage first. If he is in league with powerful evil creatures, then perhaps he will continue to strike at the pilgrims unless stopped."

*He sighs and looks towards the sun

"I see myself as a healer rather than a warrior, yet maybe the best defense, and the best way to keep the most people healthy, is to take the fight to source of the evil, rather than just fighting its hands."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Turning to Jabin, Ashlie asks, "You ever heard of any sort of rituals? If he described the creatures, would that help?" Turning to Rallon for confirmation of the creatures description. "Looks like this new leader or mage has some other control on the bandits. This will continue unless stopped at its source. But we have a job firsthand to take care of. The safety of the Pilgrims is first. Perhaps the local authorites should take care of this? Jabin, please continue with any more questions in this matter. I need to go talk to the father."

*Rallon describes the creatures as strange thin birds with black feathers as big as an eagle.*

"It sounds like a ritual of control of some sort, but apparently they can be snapped out of it. And we left a great deal of the bandits dead. Their mage, regardless of what creatures he summoned, just lost a lot of power. I think the locals could probably deal with him if they were warned," Jabin gives his opinion cautiously.

Ashlie heads over to where Father Parab is, and bows slightly. "I hope you are doing well, after yesterdays events. From the captured bandit, it appears that magic is involved. Their new leader is some sort of mage, and might have influenced the bandits to unwantingly act against their intentions. I fear that he is a victim as well. This mage only will become worse, if not stopped quickly. But our first duty is to protect you and your followers. The local authorities might be able to cope with this new threat, but I would ask your opinion. If this new leader or mage, whatever he is, is actually a threat to you and this convoy, then as our duty, it might be advisable to seek him out and deal with him now, instead of always peering over our shoulders for the next week or so. This would also give you the time to rest and make sure everyone is healed up and ready to go. But again, as our employer, it is your say."

No diplomacy check, as she is just asking his opinion in this matter.

"I am doing well Ashlie, and I thank you for your concern. As for that bandit, even if he was acting against his intentions this time, I doubt greatly that he would have felt much guilt about taking all we had and more if he was not controlled. I would not send you away to deal with this leader, as I'm afraid this could be a clever ploy to separate us from our protectors. Please, let us simply try to flee his sphere of influence, and warn the local guards as much as we may," Father Parab says quietly.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Ashlie bows slightly to Father Parab's request and takes her leave. Walking back to the others she coughs delicately, trying not to be too loud, but still needing to clear whatever is in her throat....

Well, I guess I should have expected that. Better let the locals deal with this and be on our way soon.

As she nears the rest, she walks over to Heliad, since he is the local here. "I am Ashlie. It appears that the Father here would like to let the local authorities take care fo this matter. I assume you would know who to contact and let them know what has happened. As for the rest of us, we will check our belongings and be on our way. Can you tell me of the stores that are in this town? Where can I get a warm breakfast?"

She calls to her faithful dog, and pats him on the neck as he licks her hand.

 

[Ghostknight]

"There is only a small inn in town. I am sure they can give you some breakfast. In the meantime I will let the local constabulary, such as it is, know what is happening."

*He smiles.

"I hope for an uneventful trip, but if necessary I will be rady to shine Pelor's holy light upon any miscreants that may wish to disrupt this holy journey."

*With that he turns and goes in search of the local authorities, to let them know that it is not just bandits, but a mage, that is disrupting the area.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Ashlie will head to the local Inn, and see about getting a warm meal.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Those that wish can go to the local Inn, a small building, sturdily built, called the Dancing Dog. The inn does indeed sport a hound, but the old grizzled beast seems to be far past his dancing days, and instead just lounges beside the fireplace, eating at scraps the patrons place in his bowl. The innkeeper apparently has heard of the party's bravery against the bandits, and his face is set in careful neutrality, instead of the scowl that Heliad had warned against. A bowl of barley and beef stew, bread and ale can be had for a few coppers, and eaten at one of the long tables.*

*The pilgrims stay in their fields, praying together, some of the younger ones' faces are marked by faint tears as they impact of what could have happened hits as darkness falls.*

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Ordering her food quietly, Ashlie goes to sit at an empty table, near the corner if available and with some shadow.

This sure has been an eventful quest already. They knew what they were getting into when they signed up. As did I. They are now on their second journey, towards the return to from whence they came. Back to the earth.

She quietly eats her meal, and pays the few copper pieces to the maid. She will sit and watch the occupants, listening for anything of note or just to spend the time.

Returning to the camp, she will take first watch if needed. (Not sure what time of day it is)

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*After a meal, the party can set up watches. But despite the activities of the day, the night it quiet. In the early dawn, the wagons are packed and Heliad readies himself to leave the village and join the party. The travels from the village are quiet, and Father Parab seems glad to have the extra protectors in the light of the vicious bandit attack.*

*Traveling the next four days, sometimes you sleep in the village greens of small villages by the name of Applebriar and Hogsford, and sometimes you sleep under open stars. The terrain growns slightly more hilly as you push slightly to the southwest, and the weather the smallest bit warmer. There seems to be no retaliation as of yet from the bandit chieftain, which is all to the better by the pilgrims' way of thinking. You can tell that the attack frightened some of the younger members.*

*Along the way, Jabin is able to acquire some rare herbs from the village herbwives, and completes a complicated magical ritual one night that binds him and his purple-furred "blink bunny" as master and familiar.*

*On the fourth day, the wagon trail stops at the slightly larger town of Hillsburrow, and is met by a messanger. The messanger seems to be a druid to Fianna's eyes; dressed in a finely-tanned bear hide and carrying a silver sickle. Conversing with Father Parab, eventually both come and speak to the group.*

"I have found there is a small shrine to Dolora Of the Hills, one of Eldon-Asha's progeny, not too far from here. I wish some of my people to go there and make their offerings, and I need to ask some of you to go with them. Since I have found myself with a surifet of guardians, we both can afford this. Mother Iray will take half of the pilgrims and go do Dolora's shrine with some of you, and the rest will proceed to Eldon Asha's shrine as planned," he explains. Eventually it's decided that Zaphira, Jabin, and Azure will go with Iray, while Heliad, Fianna, Kani, and Ashlie will remain with Parab.*

*After good-byes are made, Mother Iray's party separates from the main party and winds their way into the hill. After they are out of sight, the mysterious druid comes to talk to the guardians separately.*

"I go by the name of Old Oak, younglings," he says with a smile. Old Oak proves to be an old human man that looks as tough as an old boot. With leather skin, iron-gray hair and beard, and muscles and stature to yet put some young men to shame, he presents the quintessential picture of one of the Elder druids. Mistletoe and holly crown his hair, seemingly rooted into it, and he wears a heavy leather glove on one hand. "I had a warning to give to you. There is an evil wind blowing, one that comes from the southwest. Someone does not wish you to reach Eldon-Asha. I do not know who, but I may know why. Eldon-Asha is one of the strongest of the small gods, said to be one of Grumbar's own children."

*Fianna and Heliad would recognize that Grumbar is the god of elemental earth, as well as solidity, changelessness, and oaths.*

"The pilgrimage that Father Parab is making would bring substantial power to Eldon-Asha, enough to help counter the too-swift changes being made in society and nature, things wrought by the Powers of Air. They seek change without support or grounding to back it up, and Father Parab hopes that he will be able to sway the mood of the people back with Eldon-Asha's help," Old Oak explains.