Tests and Trials (Manzanita Judging)

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Fortunately for Luthiel, there are trees just about everywhere, and enough of them that he can even use more than one to assist him in his ascent. He takes a quick step off the path and clambers up a tree. Using two adjacent trees, the nimble elf manages to reach a limb a good 20' above the ground.

Down below, the wolf snarls and charges at the tree. It leaps to an extraordinary height, nearly ten feet into the air (or perhaps Luthiel is just scared out of his wits and can't judge height very well at this angle or state of mind) but the gaping jaw doesn't even come close to touching Luthiel. After a few more failed attempts, the wolf lets out a howl and dashes off into the woods.

OOC to Scout: I assumed he didn't, but if you want, there is time for Luthiel to shoot the wolf with his crossbow, he will have to draw it, load it, and fire, but it may change the course of events.

OOC to Enkhidu: Malen hears the wolf howl.

OOC to Everybody Else: You hear nothing.

 

[Enkhidu]

Malen, Dwarf Wiz1

Malen shouts over his shoulder, "The elf got himself in trouble from the sound of it!

[sblock]Malen takes a 5' step back and keeps his crossbow at the ready.[/sblock]

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

OOC: I assumed it would take all my movement to get 20' off the ground. If he could have gotten to that position and still taken a shot before hand, he would have done so. He's actually using a longbow, so he wouldn't have had to spend an action loading it. His first priority, though, was to get out of the wolf's reach. Let me know if he could have gotten that shot off, and also if he will be capable of using a longbow while in the tree.

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

OOC: Ah, minor communication breakdown on my part. The wolf spent a round or two snapping in futility at the base of the tree. Once in the tree's upper branches, Luthiel could easily stabilize himself with his legs alone and free his hands to draw and shoot a bow, be it a crossbow or a longbow. =P My assumption was (perhaps too big of an assumption to be made but regardless...) that once the wolf was no longer a threat, Luthiel would get help or get away rather than engage it. Whatever. I was trying to move things along, I guess. So does he shoot the wolf?

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

OOC: Hell yeah I wanna shoot it!
IC: Bracing himself against two branches, Luthiel draws out his longbow and fires at the wolf, but the arrow flies wide as a branch brushes against his bow. He prepares to fire again if the wolf sticks around.

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

It snaps at the tree and then darts quickly into the woods, realizing that its prey is not as easy a target as it previously assumed.

[End combat]

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

Luthiel waits a few minutes for any sign whatsoever of whether the wolf has left or not. Assuming that he does not see or hear anything that leads him to believe that he is still being stalked, he climbs down and takes off moving as fast as he can back to the clearing.
When he gets there (if he gets there), he admits to Malen that he has finally had about all the excitement he can stand for the day. "I've had it. I'm going to bed now. Maybe that'll keep me out of trouble for a while."

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Luthiel waits a bit and sees neither head nor tail of the ravenous wolf. Satisfied that he is safe, he leaves his spot in the trees. Making a mad dash for the camp, he arrives untouched by wolf teeth.

As the camp is set up in the first, main clearing, Luthiel gets an unnerving feeling that he is being watched but can't quite put his finger on what it is that's watching him. Malen also gets this unconfirmed feeling of suspicion. But nothing comes of it.

After about 15 minutes, everyone in the clearing jumps from fright, for out of the woods directly surrounding the clearing comes a massive chorus of howls. How many voices echo into the night, it's hard to tell, but there are at least eight, probably more. The ghostly noise goes on for only a moment and is quickly followed by a pattering of paws racing back into the forest. A short while later more howls can be heard in the distance, along with faint sounds of growling and barking.

The door to the tower opens a crack and the apprentice boy's terrified face is viewable for just a moment in the dark, evening light. After glancing about nervously, he quickly slams the door shut.

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

"Intersting, huh? Are they watching us? Just what the hell is going on here, anyway? I'm getting tired of this whole situation. I'm going to go have a talk with our 'employer' and see if I can't find out any more about these woods."

Luthiel gets up and walks over to the tower. He sneaks around it, looking for any windows that might let him overhear whatever is going on inside. If he has no other recourse, he'll walk up to the door and knock on it.

 

[Dungannon]

Devlin Magruder, human rogue 3

Devlin comes out of his tent upon hearing the wolves, crossbow in hand.

"Man, I'll be glad when the sun is up and I can see out there again..." he comments to nobody in particular.

When he notices Luthiel heading off to the tower, he decides to stay outside and watch what the young elf is up to.