Tests and Trials (Manzanita Judging)

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Gar cocks his head as Luthiel speaks. The wolf doesn't seem to comprehend what the elf is saying. Gar simply jerks his head to the east again, this time more vigorously. Then he lets out a sharp yip. A few wolfish faces turn his way, and one of them gets up and walks over to where Luthiel and Gar are "speaking". This wolf exchanges brief barks with Gar before also jerking its head to the east.

 

[scout989]

Devlin watches the interaction between the wolf and elf. When it appears they are done, he approaches Luthiel.

"Let me guess, you told them the old man was dead and now they want to know about the men on the far side of the forest."

"Well, I did tell them about the old man- not that I think that did any good. However, yes, I'm pretty sure they want us to head that way"- Luthiel points east- "and take care of the rest of this horrible business. Anything intersting happen aftert I left?"

 

[Enkhidu]

Malen, Dwarf Wiz1

"Not much. And we need to be getting back to the safe zone now, it's getting too dark for half of us to move about."

 

[scout989]

"Not much. And we need to be getting back to the safe zone now, it's getting too dark for half of us to move about."

"Hah, I don't wonder but that we could sleep here tonight and be safer than at that false wizard's tower- these wolves want us to do something for them, right? But, if it'll make you feel any better... all right. Let's go."

 

[Dungannon]

On the way back to the clearing, Devlin approaches Luthiel, "You seem bound and determined to follow the commands of that druid to the letter. Are you sure you're really prepared for what's to come? Have you ever had to kill a man in close combat?"

 

[scout989]

On the way back to the clearing, Devlin approaches Luthiel, "You seem bound and determined to follow the commands of that druid to the letter. Are you sure you're really prepared for what's to come? Have you ever had to kill a man in close combat?"

Luthiel walks quietly for a moment or two, unsure of what to say. <What the hell, I might as well tell the truth,> he thinks.
"I'm bound and determined to come out of this with my skin intact," he replies quietly. "This whole job has gotten me in deeper trouble than I've ever been in before. No, I've never killed a man- in any way. But I will if that's what it takes to make sure that I'm still alive a week from now."
He sighs, and continues, "I wish I hadn't ever agreed to come out here. I just can't figure out what's going on. So, I've decided to just go ahead and believe what the old man had to say. Right or wrong, it's something to believe in..."

 

[Dungannon]

"That's the right answer, kid. As long as you realize what's at stake and don't risk youself or us unnecessarily I think you'll do fine. Honestly I'm not even sure why we're still pursuing this. I mean its pretty obvious we're not gonna get paid anymore. But, it is an adventure, and sometimes those have their own rewards, they just don't become clear until the end. Keep your head on straight and follow the advice of those of us who've been through tough spots before and you should do ok. Trust me, I don't plan on doing anything unnecessarily dangerous if I don't have to." Devlin looks around at the rest of the party. "I just hope the rest of this motley crew feels the same way."

 

[scout989]

"Huh, I don't think you have much to worry about there." Luthiel's lip curls in a sneer when Devlin mentions the rest of the crew. "As long as that dwarf keeps his distance from me, I'll be happy to do my part- that ugly, rank, bearded shortass rubs me the wrong way."
<Aw, I've done it again... another mental image I won't lose in a hurry> he shudders.

 

[Dungannon]

ooc: assuming we make it back to the clearing and through the night with no encounters, can we assume it's the next morning and we're ready to head out?

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

When the group returns to the enchanted clearing, they see thatJasper has the boy wrapped up in a sleeping bag outside of the tower. Camp is set up, watch is set. The woods are strangely quiet this night. Not reminiscent at all of the group's first night in the forest, with ghostly howls and glowing eyes. Only the buzz of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl disturbs the watch. In the morning, a pleasant dew has covered the grassy meadow surrounding the tower and its roof.

No wolves are here as guides, but the general idea has been communicated: head east.

What to do with the boy is one problem. And the body of the old man is another, less pressing one.