IC IX: Turning the Tide

[Admiral]

The air is cool and fresh in the Woodhelm forests as the party rides through. For Kurt, Mithril, and Natalia, it has been a matter of weeks since they traveled through these forests from the port city of Cardonne. For Rhenner, it has been a much longer time, and not all the memories are pleasant.

The party is glad to be back on their horses. With Avaralynn's help it was simple to retrieve the horses from Deldon, though the priestess warned them that they would not always be able to rely on her for such favors. She told them she would be in solitude for some time as she delved into Boccob's Book of abjuration, and that the process would take all her attention and magical ability. With luck, once the party finds the Book of divination, she will be ready to put both of them to use.

For now, however, the party had elected to rejoin the Hulburg party to assist in their crucial mission. The Hooded Half-Orc has been in Eldgar for a week with a minimal party, and the Hulburg party has been tracking him through the Woodhelm forests. Asdyr suspects that the Hooded One's operations could be essential to the Voice's plans, and Lucius's message suggested that with help, they may be able to foil his plans for good. So they have arranged on a meeting place, on a road between two small elven villages, where the parties will reunite.

Still, at the forefront of everyone's mind is not the upcoming meeting, but the events of the last two hours, especially Shiny's departure and the information Natalia had found. In the midst of Asdyr's concern (and fury) over the security risk that Shiny posed to the operation, they had had no time to reflect or discuss it, instead opting to depart for their mission as quickly as possible. But now that they are back on the trail, the fastastical gnome's absence is deeply felt.



Welcome. Everyone earns 500 Bonus XP for reaching this new chapter of the story.

You don't have to roleplay "Natalia tells everyone about the letter," which I'm handwaving over, but you can jump right into discussion like "I can't believe..." or whatever else you want along those lines. (No reason you have to talk about Shiny at all of course!)

The tongues spell on Natalia that Shiny cast is still in effect but not far from its end. Coffee can choose when it runs out.

[CoffeeIncluded]

The air is cool and fresh, but it does nothing to alleviate the lead bar weighing down Natalia. Deldon is doing fine, and she's grateful to avaralynn and didn't realize how much she missed riding, or traveling through the forests under clear blue sky and broad-leafed trees, but she still feels lost and adrift. One hand drags Rust's reins closer to her blade, but the other leads Tinkerbell alone, almost obsessively petting the warpony's mane.

Her worries about Mithril and herself seem so small, almost trivial in the face of this horrifying revelation, only compounded by Shiny's sudden absence. According to rhenner, he just suddenly vanished, slipping into the city crowds and out of sight.

Silence, and then with a hoarse croak she tries again. "Mith...Kurt, what...Rhenner, have you ever heard anything..." But she falls silent again. Even with his spell (his last spell, and just like Miriam's last spell she can feel its help running out), she can't find the words.

[Athedia]

It felt odd riding Honey again, but Mithril was glad the dwarves had not eaten him. She felt strangely at peace with herself for the first time in a long while. Even with the looming threat of the Prisoner, even with the path Boccob had sent her on, she felt better. "We all have secrets Natalia. Sometimes you can't share them. Sometimes you want to pretend they aren't real." She couldn't offer much comfort to her, but Shiny had to have reasons. He had been helpful to them, and if Kurt had taught her anything,no, if Mithril had taught herself anything, it was that people change.

[CWater]

Rhenner rides his new horse a bit awkwardly. He was never too fond of riding as a way to get from one place to another, but preferred to walk on his own too feet, or ride a wagon if it was necessary. And this place... it awakes many feelings in him, and Rhenner is not quite sure he likes that. He's not sure if he had ever been on this particular road before, the memories of this forest are distant, but he knows the look of these trees, the smells and collection of sounds. Surprising really, since if his life in the Church active service was already like another life, then these memories belonged to one even older than that. To a time he hadn't even thought about in ages, or so it felt. Curious that he would come here now, this new journey directed him to the strangest places, from across the world right back next to his childhood forest.

It's not like he had purposefully avoided this area either, but for a reason or another, he had never gotten around to come here again. Not even when he perhaps should have. The conversation of his companions, pulls his attention back to the present, and he half-elf shakes his head slightly. What reason was it to ponder about that, it's not like he was here to visit home now either.

"Sorry, did you say something?", he asks, "Afraid I dozed off there for a moment."

[CoffeeIncluded]

What had shiny said to her? That if you tell yourself that you're a hero enough times, you'll start to believe it? Had he been letting on more about himself than he realized? She knows about old shames, bubbling up like sludge that you want to carve out with a hot knife, but this..,

Rage bubbles in her too, turned inward as well as outward, but why?

Something cuts into her palms and Natalia looks down at clenched fists to see it's her fingernails.

"I know that!" she suddenly shouts without entirely knowing why. And then the words come out like a torrent. "He hinted that himself! But I trusted him, we trusted him, I told him I trusted him, and he abandoned us! We need him, and he left us! And if this is true, that, that he..." she clenches her fists tighter and her voice quavers as well. "There's got to be a reason! And he's got to come back to explain! We trusted him, I trust...trusted him, and you!" It comes out before she can stop herself, two of the three things on her mind bursting out in a tangle. "I trusted you, and now it's like I don't even matter. Like my opinion isn't important at all, and why? Why are you passing over me like this? And why did Shiny, I don't even know where to start with Shiny! I don't even know what to feel about Shiny right now except how much this hurts, and how much I don't want this to be happening! I don't want any of this to be happening and I don't know what to do! What can we do?!"

She hears what Rhenner asks, but only in a distant, detached sort of way.

[Athedia]

What had shiny said to her? That if you tell yourself that you're a hero enough times, you'll start to believe it? Had he been letting on more about himself than he realized? She knows about old shames, bubbling up like sludge that you want to carve out with a hot knife, but this..,

Rage bubbles in her too, turned inward as well as outward, but why?

Something cuts into her palms and Natalia looks down at clenched fists to see it's her fingernails.

"I know that!" she suddenly shouts without entirely knowing why. And then the words come out like a torrent. "He hinted that himself! But I trusted him, we trusted him, I told him I trusted him, and he abandoned us! We need him, and he left us! And if this is true, that, that he..." she clenches her fists tighter and her voice quavers as well. "There's got to be a reason! And he's got to come back to explain! We trusted him, I trust...trusted him, and you!" It comes out before she can stop herself, two of the three things on her mind bursting out in a tangle. "I trusted you, and now it's like I don't even matter. Like my opinion isn't important at all, and why? Why are you passing over me like this? And why did Shiny, I don't even know where to start with Shiny! I don't even know what to feel about Shiny right now except how much this hurts, and how much I don't want this to be happening! I don't want any of this to be happening and I don't know what to do! What can we do?!"

She hears what Rhenner asks, but only in a distant, detached sort of way.

Mithril looked at Natalia, exasperated. "And I wanted a short adventure before going back to help with the shop. But we can't get what we want Natalia. This world is a screwed up place and we have a chance to do something bigger with it. We only have two options, die or fight." And those aren't mutually exclusive either. She dropped back to ride at the end of the train of horses, taking deep breathes to calm herself.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril looked at Natalia, exasperated. "And I wanted a short adventure before going back to help with the shop. But we can't get what we want Natalia. This world is a screwed up place and we have a chance to do something bigger with it. We only have two options, die or fight." And those aren't mutually exclusive either. She dropped back to ride at the end of the train of horses, taking deep breathes to calm herself.

"I know that!" It bursts out of her again, but when she sees Mithril and everyone she stops and slumps over. Deep breaths, in an out, choke back the tears. "I know that. And of course I'm going to fight! But I'm still upset. And afraid. About everything, and there are other words but I can't...get them out...right now. About Shiny, and about me, and about you. About what happened." She looks down at her hands, thick and calloused even under gloves.

"I want to recognize us when this is all over. Come out of this better, not broken. But...of course I'm going to fight. Going to fix." Natalia pauses again. "I...not sure...where I was going with this."

[Cavelcade]

Kurt is silent in thought over what was revealed from that letter, a truly chilling revelation about the one he'd suspected least in the party. He's not even sure what he's feeling about it, masked by two warring voices in the back of his head arguing over whether such a thing is even possible or not - the consequences of it being true are too much for him right now, much too large. "What if it meant killing one of us? Or Shiny." An uncharacteristically dour prediction from the stalwart dwarf, before he retreats back into himself.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Kurt is silent in thought over what was revealed from that letter, a truly chilling revelation about the one he'd suspected least in the party. He's not even sure what he's feeling about it, masked by two warring voices in the back of his head arguing over whether such a thing is even possible or not - the consequences of it being true are too much for him right now, much too large. "What if it meant killing one of us? Or Shiny." An uncharacteristically dour prediction from the stalwart dwarf, before he retreats back into himself.

"No!" No, that can't happen. Not to Shiny, not to Mithril despite what she said, not any of them. "There, there has to...reason...Or...Rhenner, what you know?..." She looks up with barely-restrained helplessness and fear despite struggling regardless before retreating back into herself as well.

[CWater]

"No!" No, that can't happen. Not to Shiny, not to Mithril despite what she said, not any of them. "There, there has to...reason...Or...Rhenner, what you know?..." She looks up with barely-restrained helplessness and despite struggling regardless before retreating back into herself as well.

Rhenner shakes his head. "I know no more than you do, he said nothing else than to pass on his goodbyes. I'm sorry, I had no idea he was going to run."

Or that he might have had reason to. Rhenner doesn't know what to think of the letter and its claims. It was outrageous and sounded inconceivable; he'd always thought the Immortals were all completely insane, unable to act like normal people. Though admittedly, Shiny had not always seemed to be entirely sane either.. The uncertainty of what to think is written clearly on the cleric's face.

[Athedia]

Kurt is silent in thought over what was revealed from that letter, a truly chilling revelation about the one he'd suspected least in the party. He's not even sure what he's feeling about it, masked by two warring voices in the back of his head arguing over whether such a thing is even possible or not - the consequences of it being true are too much for him right now, much too large. "What if it meant killing one of us? Or Shiny." An uncharacteristically dour prediction from the stalwart dwarf, before he retreats back into himself.

"If it must be done, then it must be done. You were willing to carry out that duty before, but I may be the only one able to oppose Shiny if it comes to that."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Rhenner shakes his head. "I know no more than you do, he said nothing else than to pass on his goodbyes. I'm sorry, I had no idea he was going to run."

Or that he might have had reason to. Rhenner doesn't know what to think of the letter and its claims. It was outrageous and sounded inconceivable; he'd always thought the Immortals were all completely insane, unable to act like normal people. Though admittedly, Shiny had not always seemed to be entirely sane either.. The uncertainty of what to think is written clearly on the cleric's face.

"..." With a grimace and a clenched fist, Natalia can't do anything but squeeze her eyes shut and look away.


"If it must be done, then it must be done. You were willing to carry out that duty before, but I may be the only one able to oppose Shiny if it comes to that."

"No!" she spits out. "You...you cant, it won't..." Natalia frantically shakes her head, plays her spindly fingers in the air like she's picking through for the words. "You say must be done, but...won't be done. Can't...think that, like that, can't think worst always. Won't happen. There reason. Shiny said...always wished he hero, told himself hero. So...there reason." She grips the reins of Tinkerbell tighter. "And...when we see again, can't...can't see him thinking no saving. Need...try, talk, find reasons first."

As Natalia speaks, it slowly dawns on her that his spell is gone, the magic has finally run its course. She bites her lip and almost suppresses a choked hiccuping noise.

[Athedia]

"..." With a grimace and a clenched fist, Natalia can't do anything but squeeze her eyes shut and look away.



"No!" she spits out. "You...you cant, it won't..." Natalia frantically shakes her head, plays her spindly fingers in the air like she's picking through for the words. "You say must be done, but...won't be done. Can't...think that, like that, can't think worst always. Won't happen. There reason. Shiny said...always wished he hero, told himself hero. So...there reason." She grips the reins of Tinkerbell tighter. "And...when we see again, can't...can't see him thinking no saving. Need...try, talk, find reasons first."

As Natalia speaks, it slowly dawns on her that his spell is gone, the magic has finally run its course. She bites her lip and almost suppresses a choked hiccuping noise.

"I said, if. Sometimes you can't save people from themselves. Sometimes the heroic thing is to realize that you are a danger."

Do we get fresh spells btw?

[CoffeeIncluded]

"I said, if. Sometimes you can't save people from themselves. Sometimes the heroic thing is to realize that you are a danger."

Do we get fresh spells btw?

Natalia relaxes, but only somewhat. "Maybe, but not first choice. Won't stop trying. Won't give up...on him, or...you."

do we? And do we have a chance to get stuff?

[CoffeeIncluded]

They ride in silence for some time, Natalia and presumably everyone else left to stew in their thoughts. They aren't pleasant. What shiny did and may have done, what Mithril did, what she did...she can't deny it anymore. Mithril has changed. She doesn't know where the old Mithril's gone or whether she can even be found again. Much less Natalia herself. Kurt's the only constant left (maybe Rhenner, but she only known him a few days though in some ways it feels like years). Kurt, steady, true, the best of them. She rides up to the dwarf and asks, "Kurt, can...we talk?"

[Admiral]

Just as Natalia is about to speak to Kurt, a low rumble fills the air, something distant and unfamiliar.


Not to interrupt :smallsmile:

Spot and Listen checks everyone.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Adrenaline spikes through Natalia's mind, and she whips around in the direction of the rumbling, her blades out before she can really think about it.

spot: take 10 for 29 (wow).
Listen: [roll0]

Maneuvers: cloak of deception
Distracting sparks
Wolf fang strike
Sudden leap if I can Sudden leap off the horse the same as off the ground and island of blades if I can't.

EDIT: actually, does my horse count as an ally for flanking with island of blades?

Stance: I only have assassins stance so that one. :smalltongue:

[Cavelcade]

Kurt turns to face her, not registering the low rumble as he looks at her from furrowed brows, chewing over his own thoughts in his usual stolid fashion, most of his attention seems to still be on that.

"What is it, Natalia?" He doesn't react to her drawing her blades, easy in his saddle still.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Kurt turns to face her, not registering the low rumble as he looks at her from furrowed brows, chewing over his own thoughts in his usual stolid fashion, most of his attention seems to still be on that.

"What is it, Natalia?" He doesn't react to her drawing her blades, easy in his saddle still.

Natalia doesn't stay anything, instead staring intently in the direction of the rumbling. Her stance hardens slightly along with her gaze, and she seems ready to react at a moment's notice--aggressively if necessary, given the way she holds her blades.

[Admiral]

Natalia is the first to realize the source of the rumbling comes from the air around them, which seems to be pulsating with the beat of distant wings. As she scans the skies behind them she sees it- a great reptilian beast sweeping along a long arc above the trees. She can see its eyes have already locked on to the party, and that it has started its descent.


http://www.aidedd.org/dnd_monstres/images/dragonRed.jpg

Back to combat with a bang!

Due to good Spot and Listen checks, you get one pre-init round of actions, then we'll roll for initiative. Everyone recognizes that it is a red dragon and knows that it breathes fire (basically what a non-D+D player could figure out!), and anyone trained in it can make a Knowledge (Arcana) check.

Due to its a Frightful Presence everyone make a Will save, or you'll be shaken (-2 to most rolls) for [roll0] rounds (I'll let you know if it passes the DC, I'm keeping meta info close to the vest for the moment, pending Knowledge checks).

Dragon is currently 700 feet away. You are on a 25 foot wide dirt road with moderately dense trees on each side. Tomorrow will post the map but it's simple.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt follows Natalia's gaze to find the source of the sudden thrumming in his eardrums, his mouth convulsively tightening as he looks around quickly for cover. Unfortunately, the only cover nearby seems to be flammable...but that might still be better than none at all. He quickly turns his horse around and grabs up his bow, leading them towards the side of the woods.

[roll0] Will save.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia freezes in place, staring up at the...the...the dragon. The ringing in her ears drowns out the roaring of the beast, and anyone looking at her can see her mouth puled back in a grimace and her eyes wide open in terror.

"RUN!!!!!" she screams, racing for the woods and taking cover behind any outcroppings of rocks.

Well then. This should be good!

Will save: [roll0]

Natalia also casts Cat's Grace on herself with the Arcanist Gloves

[Athedia]

Mithril stared in awe at the dragon, only snapping out of it at the sound of Natalia's voice. She pulled at Honey's reigns, trying to get the horse into the trees where the dragon would not see it.

Ride Check: [roll0]

[CWater]

Rhenner also looks up alerted by the shout and for a moment he is stunned, having difficulty in believing in his own eyes. What in the... A dragon in Woodhelm! And a fire breathing one...

Without a second thought, he grabs the fireball necklace and stuffs it in his bag of holding. Then he directs his horse after the others to find cover in the forest.

Ride if needed: [roll0]

[CoffeeIncluded]

"WOODS! NOW! Spells together, then scatter!" Natalia screams as she races into the woods on her horse, then dives off and takes cover in the trees.

Natalia hides in the woods, then hops off her horse. Should she make a hide check now?

Also, are we still in our pre-initative actions?

[CWater]

Directing a nervous animal is tricky, Rhenner notices, especially when it has been so long he hardly remembers how to properly sit in a saddle. When they get to the forest the half-elf quickly slides, half falls, down to the ground; lucky for him the landing is good. "Best you run now", he says, presumably to the horse, "There's a big scary dragon, shoo!"

The cleric retrieves a holy script from his pocket. "...and whether the journey takes you towards or away from the place you started from, it does not matter, as your true home is the road...", he recites from it, activating a spell.

Casting Recitation then. It's a buff spell, but I'm not sure I remember the specifics correctly, so I'll check once I get home.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt pauses, seeing the trouble the horses have with the deep foliage and makes a snap judgement, leaping from his horse and pulling it in under the dense treecover, then giving it a quick push in the opposite direction - no need to get a horse involved where it can do no good. Only then does he notice the tremor in his own hand, pausing to look at it curiously as the feeling of nervousness suffuses his body. "So this is what seeing a dragon is like..."

[CoffeeIncluded]

As Natalia completes her spell and brings her hand back down, she uses it to push herself off Rust and roll to the ground. She springs to her feet, slapping the horse's flank to send It deeper into the woods where it won't be eaten. Kurt's comment, audible over Rhenner's chant, makes her turn around. Her whole body is shaking too. "Should be scared!" she shouts, frantic even as she reaches for her potions. "Long as journey...not end in dragon belly!"

[Athedia]

Mithril barely managed to get off of Honey without falling on her face. Like the others she sent the horse deeper into the woods, hoping the dragon would not follow them.

With the time left she will cast Fly (Mass) on everyone within range and then Haste

[Admiral]

As the party jumps off their horses and sends them into the forest, the dragon starts its descent.


Initiative:

Natalia: [roll0]
Rhenner: [roll1]
Mithril: [roll2]
Kurt: [roll3]
Enemy: [roll4]

Everyone but Kurt goes, then the dragon.

I think everyone got off their horse and sent them away? I am unclear on how deep everyone went into the forest; for simplicity please place yourself at some point within 20 feet of the road. It is up to you whether you want to spread out or not, but if you do you might miss Haste/Fly :smallsmile:

[Athedia]

Mithril looked around to make sure the others were within range as she began the short chant to allow them to fly. She felt it take effect as she became noticeably lighter on her feet. "You all can fly now. I have one more spell but after that we should all scatter. Be careful, this dragon can see without sight, it has the ability to sense our location if we get to close."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia lets out a low horrified moan as the dragon kicks into descent towards them. Even though Mithril's spell lets her kick into the air, it's still not fast enough. "Even me? Nothing sees me, not xorns, not spiders. Maybe...not dragons either? Can you...make invisible?"

She searches through her bag as she speaks, eventually coming up with a bark skin potion that she quaffs in less than two seconds. Natalia then offers her haversack to her friends--anyone looking in can see several protection from evil potions lying at the top.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Wherever the road takes you, do not face it with fear," Rhenner says as he lays his hand on Natalia's shoulder. As he casts the spell Natalia feels the churning tides of fear quell and calm--still there, under the surface, but under control.

"Although in this case fear might be the wiser response," Rhenner mutters after his spell. "Kurt! Stay close; I've got something for you too."

CWater is sick (get better, CWater!) and gave me permission to go for Rhenner--he cast Remove Fear on Natalia. If CWater's still sick and still gives me permission then his next two rounds will probably be bull's strength on Kurt and then Mass Lesser Vigor with the +4 to reflex saves healing kicker (or the reverse if the dragon is closer) on as many people as possible (I thought about doing Mass Lesser Vigor first but then I saw the healing kicker thing, which is great against dragons). Is this okay? CWater, is this okay?

[Admiral]

The dragon sweeps towards the party, descending as it does.


Flying "run" action; it is now 200 feet away and 100 feet above you.

Party's turn. Next move will be faster :smallwink:

[Cavelcade]

Kurt breathes heavily, eyes fixed on the dragon speeding towards them, his hands shifting back and forth on his bow as it comes in close, drawing and quickly shooting as it does - then drawing his blade and licking his lips. "Ready to charge..."


[roll0] Attack
[roll1] Crit

[roll2] Attack
[roll3] Crit
[roll4] Crit

[Admiral]

Kurt fires a skillful shot, but the arrow slows as it arcs upward before bouncing off the dragon's thick hide.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"It coming," Natalia groans as she moves back and chugs a potion to ward her against evil. The pack is still open for anyone else who wants it. The fear is still there, but now she's riding it instead of letting it control her. "Thanks, Rhenner!"

Natalia drinks a protection from evil potion. I'll decide her movement once I can see her character sheet--I'm getting on the bus so it'll be a few minutes. However, she's not moving more than 20 feet away from anyone so she in range in case Of area spells and for mass fly. Zhell probably be floating in the air a bit too.

EDIT: Natalia flies backwards to Q15 and also floats about 5 feet in the air, still under cover of the trees and rocks, and still within range of Rhenner and Mithril, should they decide to cast any area of effect spells. She also draws her blades if she hasn't done so already.

[CWater]

The third spell Rhenner casts today is directed at Kurt. The effect is quite straightforward, it gives strength to the muscles, and allows one to hit harder and with more precision.

Casting Bull's Strength on Kurt.

[Athedia]

Mithril focused and cast one last spell to give everyone extra speed in this fight before copying Natalia and backed away from the group and into the air.

HASTIFIED!!

[Admiral]

The dragon swoops towards the party, closing nearly all the distance. As he approaches, he opens his mouth and unleashes a terrifying cone of fire that washes over Mithril, Kurt and Rhenner.


So far, a win for Natalia's Darkstalker since she's still in the trees and he hasn't spotted her.

Breath Weapon for Kurt, Mithril, Rhenner: [roll0] damage, Reflex DC 24 for half.

Dragon's position is on map and you can attack after.

ETA: (Someone may want to heal Mithril though if she fails her save :smalleek:)

If Mithril misses the save and falls unconscious, Rhenner can catch her midair with a Reflex DC 20. Otherwise she'll end up on the ground.

[Athedia]

The dragon swoops towards the party, closing nearly all the distance. As he approaches, he opens his mouth and unleashes a terrifying cone of fire that washes over Mithril, Kurt and Rhenner.


So far, a win for Natalia's Darkstalker since she's still in the trees and he hasn't spotted her.

Breath Weapon for Kurt, Mithril, Rhenner: [roll0] damage, Reflex DC 24 for half.

Dragon's position is on map and you can attack after.

ETA: (Someone may want to heal Mithril though if she fails her save :smalleek:)

If Mithril misses the save and falls unconscious, Rhenner can catch her midair with a Reflex DC 20. Otherwise she'll end up on the ground.

Mithril tried to fly out of the brunt of the dragons fire but froze in panic. The last thing she was aware of before thankfully passing out, was the boiling sounds of her own skin

[Cavelcade]

Kurt goes to one knee as the air is sucked from his lungs and his skin blisters, the dragon's breath overwhelming his strength for a moment before he pushes himself back up to see the effects, Mithril slumping towards the scorched earth, smoking as she falls, only to be caught by the cleric before crashing down.

Standing, his magical now intact he goes over to stand protectively over her, glancing at Rhennar as he takes another shot.

"Medic, this wizard needs help now!"


I can't remember how haste works and I'm on my phone, I realise I probably should have had two attacks at full bonus last round but that is only for full round actions?

Wrt to move Rhennar's initiative to after mine.

1d20+13
1d20+13

1d8+6
1d8+6
1d8+6

[CWater]

When the fire engulfs them Rhenner would probably throw a sarcastic comment, if he wasn't currently going through the somewhat unpleasant sensation of being burned alive. Some minor speculative part of him, that just doesn't know how to shut up whatever the situation, does wonder whether the fact that it is dragonfire makes any difference to the experience, but the rest of him is too busy hurting as the heat makes its way through the layers of skin. Oddly, the pain is dull from where the damage is heaviest.

The blaze lasts only for seconds, even if it felt longer, and by some curious miracle Rhenner finds himself to still be alive, though a bit dizzy in the head. But he can hear Kurt shout and sees the falling figure. "Mithril!" He floats towards her by reflex, faster than he would even have thought (must be the spell) and catches the badly burnt wizard before she hits the ground.

"That's it!! We'll get out of here now!! Get close to me!" He flies back towards Kurt, motioning Natalia to join them.

Yup, casting Teleport the moment everyone are in his reach.

[CoffeeIncluded]

When the dragon opens its mouth Natalia hurls herself behind the nearest rock and takes cover. But as the flames shoot from its gaping maw and roll behind her and make the stone uncomfortably warm, Natalia realizes that she's not only not engulfed--she isn't touched. The dragon doesn't notice her, she realizes. Of course, she stops thinking about this very quickly when she hears the screams of her friends, and smells their flesh char. The dragon didn't notice her, but it noticed them.

The flames abate, and Natalia looks up just in time to see Rhenner and Kurt writhing in agony, and Mithril--a charred shape that by process of elimination can only be Mithril--careening out of the sky.

"MITHRIL!!!" Natalia screams, shooting towards them as fast as she can, her face ashen and then green as she sees her friends and oh Gond is so much worse up close. Kurt is blisters, his skin bubbling and scorched and Rhenner...his is waxen, dripping like a molten candle. It's wrong, so wrong to see her friends like that and oh Gond Mithril she's scorched charred black she can't even recognize her face at first look.

Natalia lets out a low horrible cry she can't fit a potion in there. With sobbing apologies she takes out a blessed bandage and tries to place it on Mithril but there's so much and her friends are so hurt he's like melted wax. "Can..fix her? fix Kurt, fix self?!" she begs as she holds them all, or tries to as much as she can without making their own skin peel like wet leaves. when Rhenner says it's time to leave all Natalia can do is hold on, and hope Rhenner can still cast.

Natalia flies down as fast as she can for us to teleport out, and puts a blessed bandage on Mithril to stabilize her. Greetings from my new phone!

Was this ok to post? I hope I didn't take too many liberties.

[Admiral]

At the exact moment that both Natalia and Kurt grab a hold of him, Rhenner closes his eyes and casts his spell, and not a moment too soon. The dragon lunges, and the party vanishes at the very instant that the beast's claws close close around them. Before they know it, the dragon is gone, and they are left floating in the air with their wounds.

The party's burns, especially Mithril's, are so severe that they demand immediate attention. But those who look around notice that their new surroundings have been replaced with an odd one. Though the grass clearing below is suggestive of the forest, they are surrounded by a sturdy fence of wood and rock, about 30 feet tall and a few hundred yards in diameter, with the inside lined by a number of simple buildings and constructions. Rhenner finds the sight odd, as in the intense pressure of the moment he cannot even remember where he meant to teleport to.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt breathes heavily, his eyes focused on the spot the dragon's open maw had been filling his vision completely, his white knuckle grip on the hilt not relaxing as they float in midair, for once glad to have avoided a fight.

Suddenly the full pain of his wounds demands his immediate attention, crashing over his curiosity about the strange location, a strangled cry pushing past his blistered lips as he goes to one knee in midair.

[CWater]

The new surroundings don't even register to Rhenner, as he is more concerned over the charred almost-corpse in his arms. As soon as the teleportation spell is safely finished, he begins chanting a healing spells. First one to grant all of them fast regeneration, then a few fast affecting spells to boost the recovery. "Regeneration, should lessen, or even altogether prevent scarring", he mutters to no one in particular.

Mass Lesser Vigor, all recover 26 HP in 20 rounds (2 minutes). (This also affects Natalia, though it has no visible effect on her.)
Then converts Calm Emotions, Remove Paralysis and Lesser Restoration to healing
Mithril: [roll0]
himself: [roll1]
and Kurt: [roll2]

The curative healing feels warm, though it also invokes some momentary pain, as the most badly burnt areas heal enough to regain the ability to hurt, and it's just then that the cleric realizes how bad the damage was on himself as well.

[CoffeeIncluded]

As the dragon swoops down Natalia, upright and unburnt, stands before the dragon--terrified, horrified of her friends' injuries, but still putting herself between them and the beast, one hand guarding and the other gripping a sword pointed at it.

Once they land Natalia dimly notices their surroundings--a town? A fort? Is that forest beneath them?--and a part of her is focused on them for danger like always, nearly all of her is screaming at her friends' states, their horrid burns, Kurt's strangled cries, Rhenner's hiss of pain, Mithril's....everything.

could Natalia use Mithril's belt of healing?

She's dumbstruck, a horrified look in her eyes, too distraught to even form words beyond a croak, or a pleading, "Can you? ...heal all?" to Rhenner's muttered comment. But otherwise she's practically an automaton, and unless something dangerous registers to Natalia she frantically races around Rhenner, pressing skins of cold water in his hands and pouring it on the burns, offering potions, and trying not to think about how her friends look like so much charred meat that rapidly heals (at least to a certain extent) under Rhenner's skilled hands. Though it still makes her weak with relief.

[Athedia]

Mithril woke up to the cool feel of her skin rebuilding itself. The process was slow but still working. As she looked around at her panicking friends she tried to piece together everything that had happened. The teleport, riding horses, dragon, Honey? No she had sent the horse fleeing. Hopefully the dragon left her alone. The dragon. Yes.

She looked around her, avoiding the sight of her own badly charred body. "Where ARE we?"

[CWater]

Mithril woke up to the cool feel of her skin rebuilding itself. The process was slow but still working. As she looked around at her panicking friends she tried to piece together everything that had happened. The teleport, riding horses, dragon, Honey? No she had sent the horse fleeing. Hopefully the dragon left her alone. The dragon. Yes.

She looked around her, avoiding the sight of her own badly charred body. "Where ARE we?"

"You should keep still and not exert yourself in for the next couple of minutes at least", Rhenner says sternly, finding his voice, "You suffered severe third and second degree burns, and while the immediate healing has taken care of the worst, the regeneration is slower and disrupting it could result in longterm ailments or scarring." When he notices that Mithril will stay afloat on her own, he lets go of her and begins examining the regrowth of her skin. He only diverts his attention from this to perform a similar check up on Kurt. "The damage on you is not as bad, even though you were closer to the dragon. Dwarves are tough, it is quite amazing."



She's dumbstruck, a horrified look in her eyes, too distraught to even form words beyond a croak, or a pleading, "Can you? ...heal all?" to Rhenner's muttered comment. But otherwise she's practically an automaton, and unless something dangerous registers to Natalia she frantically races around Rhenner, pressing skins of cold water in his hands and pouring it on the burns, offering potions, and trying not to think about how her friends look like so much charred meat that rapidly heals (at least to a certain extent) under Rhenner's skilled hands. Though it still makes her weak with relief.

"Stay calm, if you want to help", the medic says throwing a quick glance in the fretting girl's direction, "You weren't hit at all? That's good. Now, press this to the wounds", he gives her type of bandage from his bag. "Don't bind it though, I'll need to see how well the spell heals, it should be done in a couple of minutes."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril woke up to the cool feel of her skin rebuilding itself. The process was slow but still working. As she looked around at her panicking friends she tried to piece together everything that had happened. The teleport, riding horses, dragon, Honey? No she had sent the horse fleeing. Hopefully the dragon left her alone. The dragon. Yes.

She looked around her, avoiding the sight of her own badly charred body. "Where ARE we?"

Natalia begins to cut away Mithril's clothes, but stops when she can't pull them away from her body. She reaches down to her belt to heal her, but stops when she sees the metal edges melted and fused to her flesh. So when Rhenner's spell makes the black char crumble away, and scorched skin becomes a still-damages but much better-looking pink, and Mithril wakes up, and Kurt's blisters subside and Rhenner's burns heal, Natalia lets out a choked sob in relief.


"You should keep still and not exert yourself in for the next couple of minutes at least", Rhenner says sternly, finding his voice, "You suffered severe third and second degree burns, and while the immediate healing has taken care of the worst, the regeneration is slower and disrupting it could result in longterm ailments or scarring." When he notices that Mithril will stay afloat on her own, he lets go of her and begins examining the regrowth of her skin. He only diverts his attention from this to perform a similar check up on Kurt. "The damage on you is not as bad, even though you were closer to the dragon. Dwarves are tough, it is quite amazing."



"Stay calm, if you want to help", the medic says throwing a quick glance in the fretting girl's direction, "You weren't hit at all? That's good. Now, press this to the wounds", he gives her type of bandage from his bag. "Don't bind it though, I'll need to see how well the spell heals, it should be done in a couple of minutes."

The rogue swallows roughly at Rhenner's diagnosis, but nods and gets to work. Seeing her friends heal helps the panic subside, and she's even able to croak out, "Where we?" But she wraps loose bandages around her friends' burns, using all the water in her waterskin if Rhenner says they need to be damp, and if Mithril so much as twitches a finger until she's healed Natalia prevents her.

"Kurt tough, tough and strong," she says, even though the look she gives Kurt demonstrates all her worry and empathy and feeling. "But Rhenner, what...you?"

Sorry I haven't posted. I only just got back to the hotel and GitP is glitching for some reasoon. POsting then sleeping. Goodnight!

[CWater]

The rogue swallows roughly at Rhenner's diagnosis, but nods and gets to work. Seeing her friends heal helps the panic subside, and she's even able to croak out, "Where we?" But she wraps loose bandages around her friends' burns, using all the water in her waterskin if Rhenner says they need to be damp, and if Mithril so much as twitches a finger until she's healed Natalia prevents her.

"Kurt tough, tough and strong," she says, even though the look she gives Kurt demonstrates all her worry and empathy and feeling. "But Rhenner, what...you?"

Sorry I haven't posted. I only just got back to the hotel and GitP is glitching for some reasoon. POsting then sleeping. Goodnight!

"I wasn't burnt quite as bad as Mithril", Rhenner replies. Still not somethign I'd like to relive.

The half-elf looks slightly confused when he finally glances around to see their new surroundings. "I... don't really know. Where we are. I didn't think much about it, I had to cast so fast. Just to get us somewhere safe, and familiar so there wouldn't be risk of mishaps. ...But I don't think I recognise this place. Hmm. Maybe the spell didn't work quite as it should have? I've heard that can happen, and it was only the second time I cast it after all." He frowns.

[Athedia]

The half-elf looks slightly confused when he finally glances around to see their new surroundings. [COLOR="#4169E1"]"I... don't really know. Where we are. I didn't think much about it, I had to cast so fast. Just to get us somewhere safe, and familiar so there wouldn't be risk of mishaps. ...But I don't think I recognise this place. Hmm. Maybe the spell didn't work quite as it should have? I've heard that can happen, and it was only the second time I cast it after all." He frowns.

As the wounds healed Mithril let herself float toward the ground, touching her belt to heal her burns some more. "I promise I haven't angered another group of Astral plane inhabitants. But the flying will end soon. It has protections but the ground will be safer. And we might not be safe yet."

[roll0]

[CoffeeIncluded]

"I wasn't burnt quite as bad as Mithril", Rhenner replies. Still not somethign I'd like to relive.

Natalia's brows furrow, stuck between relief and concern. "True, but still hurt. If...fight again, let...me. Little red between back, but otherwise I fine."



The half-elf looks slightly confused when he finally glances around to see their new surroundings. "I... don't really know. Where we are. I didn't think much about it, I had to cast so fast. Just to get us somewhere safe, and familiar so there wouldn't be risk of mishaps. ...But I don't think I recognise this place. Hmm. Maybe the spell didn't work quite as it should have? I've heard that can happen, and it was only the second time I cast it after all." He frowns.

"Wait, this not Woodhelm?" She thought Rhenner had teleported them to his old home. She didn't even know that you could get teleported somewhere else----did someone or something shunt them off again?


As the wounds healed Mithril let herself float toward the ground, touching her belt to heal her burns some more. "I promise I haven't angered another group of Astral plane inhabitants. But the flying will end soon. It has protections but the ground will be safer. And we might not be safe yet."

[roll0]

"No blastpowder bombs in bag space from me either. But if fight, behind me."

[CWater]

As the wounds healed Mithril let herself float toward the ground, touching her belt to heal her burns some more. "I promise I haven't angered another group of Astral plane inhabitants. But the flying will end soon. It has protections but the ground will be safer. And we might not be safe yet."

[roll0]

"But if we land, the wall will surround us from all sides. And as you said, we have no knowledge of how safe this place is."



"Wait, this not Woodhelm?" She thought Rhenner had teleported them to his old home. She didn't even know that you could get teleported somewhere else----did someone or something shunt them off again?


"We could well still be in Woodhelm", Rhenner says, eyeing the ground below, "It is a large forest, I haven't been everywhere." He looks up. "I wonder what that wall is for? I can't say I like it's presence, or what it suggests." Speaking of danger... "Once we find a secure place, we should send a message that there is a red dragon flying around in Woodhelm. It could be a danger to the local towns." It felt somehow bizarre to state the fact outloud. "Assuming we can make it sound believable in the first place... I've never even heard of a red dragon to be seen in Woodhelm." The memory of the ¨formidable creature sent a chill down his spine.

[Athedia]

"But if we land, the wall will surround us from all sides. And as you said, we have no knowledge of how safe this place is."

"We can land now and on our own terms. Or we can fall out of the sky at any second." Mithril looked around. "That being said, the walls are already around us."



"We could well still be in Woodhelm", Rhenner says, eyeing the ground below, "It is a large forest, I haven't been everywhere." He looks up. "I wonder what that wall is for? I can't say I like it's presence, or what it suggests." Speaking of danger... "Once we find a secure place, we should send a message that there is a red dragon flying around in Woodhelm. It could be a danger to the local towns." It felt somehow bizarre to state the fact outloud. "Assuming we can make it sound believable in the first place... I've never even heard of a red dragon to be seen in Woodhelm." The memory of the ¨formidable creature sent a chill down his spine.

"If the dragon is local, this might be a defense against it." Mithril avoided looking at the rest of the group, not wanting to see their charred skin. As it was her normal clothing was more scorch than covering, making her wish she had prepared her patching spell.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt breathes softly as he starts drifting down, not waiting for the others to decide on what they want to do, the unnerving sight of all that ground stretching out beneath him is all the convincing he needs with that dragon flying around somewhere.

[CWater]

"We can land now and on our own terms. Or we can fall out of the sky at any second." Mithril looked around. "That being said, the walls are already around us."

Rhenner looks surprised. "I thought it would last for some time? You weren't unconsciuous for long, just twenty thirty seconds at most. But the spell is yours, you know best how it works."



"If the dragon is local, this might be a defense against it." Mithril avoided looking at the rest of the group, not wanting to see their charred skin. As it was her normal clothing was more scorch than covering, making her wish she had prepared her patching spell.

"Against a flying fire breathing dragon?", his expression is sceptical.

[Athedia]

Rhenner looks surprised. "I thought it would last for some time? You weren't unconsciuous for long, just twenty thirty seconds at most. But the spell is yours, you know best how it works."



"Against a flying fire breathing dragon?", his expression is sceptical.

"That little time?" Mithril looked up startled. "I... you were fast."

[CWater]

"That little time?" Mithril looked up startled. "I... you were fast."

"We escaped right after that breath of fire, I was lucky enough to stop your fall. Though I warn that catching falling wizards is not exactly my forte, so it better not become a habit", Rhenner manages a smirk.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"But if we land, the wall will surround us from all sides. And as you said, we have no knowledge of how safe this place is."


"Why walled?" Natalia takes a glance--have the walls been in place for a while or do they look new?



"We could well still be in Woodhelm", Rhenner says, eyeing the ground below, "It is a large forest, I haven't been everywhere." He looks up. "I wonder what that wall is for? I can't say I like it's presence, or what it suggests." Speaking of danger... "Once we find a secure place, we should send a message that there is a red dragon flying around in Woodhelm. It could be a danger to the local towns." It felt somehow bizarre to state the fact outloud. "Assuming we can make it sound believable in the first place... I've never even heard of a red dragon to be seen in Woodhelm." The memory of the ¨formidable creature sent a chill down his spine.

A disquieting thought runs down Natalia's own neck. "you think...dragon leaving woodhelm? That we...second to burn, not first

"We can land now and on our own terms. Or we can fall out of the sky at any second." Mithril looked around. "That being said, the walls are already around us."




"If the dragon is local, this might be a defense against it." Mithril avoided looking at the rest of the group, not wanting to see their charred skin. As it was her normal clothing was more scorch than covering, making her wish she had prepared her patching spell.

for a moment Natalia thinks to quickly shimmy out of her clothes and give them to mithril, but quickly decides against it. So instead she rummages through her bag and comes up with a spare set of clothing that she gives to the wizard.

In response to the musings over the walls Natalia adds, "Don't think...if guard against flame and flight, then all stone, and...a dome."


"That little time?" Mithril looked up startled. "I... you were fast."


"We escaped right after that breath of fire, I was lucky enough to stop your fall. Though I warn that catching falling wizards is not exactly my forte, so it better not become a habit", Rhenner manages a smirk.

Natalia smiles back, but it still quavers a bit. "We fast. And Rhenner...looks like tongue still sharp."

Even if the rest of her friends make their way to ground, Natalia hovers in the air, where she could more easily see anything beyond the walls.

[Admiral]

About half a minute after they've arrived in this unfamiliar location, the party slowly starts to drift towards the ground.

A crashing sound comes from the perimeter of the wall. By the time they turn towards it, all they can see is a shape disappearing into one of the buildings, along with a crate toppling over as if just dropped. A few pieces of what look like fruit fall out of it. Now that they've had the chance to study the buildings a moment longer, they seem to resemble the interior of a fort. Four stone towers surround them, along with a raised fenced walkway on the inside of the wall.

"Hands up!" comes a sudden cry from their left. Along the walkway the party now sees the shapes of three bolts pointed at them, what looks like crossbows resting on the inner wall. They can barely see the figures holding the crossbows, whose eyes peer suspiciously over the arrowheads. "Get down on the ground!"

[CoffeeIncluded]

A fort. They landed in a fort and it looks like the people guarding it are twitchy as hell. The crossbows make her heart jump and she fights the sudden urge to fly into a defensive frenzy. Instead, Natalia puts her hands up in the air and spends all that energy practically leaping to the ground, twitching when the fruit comes to rest against her leg. Ah, an apple. She also cranes her neck up to see if she can identify the guards.

"No harm meant!" Natalia shouts. If they look like elves, she repeats it in elven.

Would Natalia be able to see who the guards are, or at least their species? Would she need to roll anything?

[Athedia]

Mithril glared at the eyes and the bolts behind them. "And another reason why landing would be a good idea. I have already been roasted, I would prefer not being ventilated as well." She let herself start drifting slowly to the ground again. Inside she was shaking, terrified at the prospect of nearly dying for a second time in less than an hour.

[Admiral]

"Who are you?!" comes the barked voice from behind the center crossbow on the fence. "How'd you get-"

Suddenly there's a pause. "Rhenner? Rhenner Calami?" A head pokes up from behind the crossbow, showing a set of elven ears and eyes. "<Elven>Is that you?</Elven>"

[CWater]

Rhenner is taken aback when he hears his name spoken. "Uh, yes?" he replies. Had he been to this place after all?

Does he know the speaker?

[Admiral]

The guard pokes up a bit farther to peer at the party, followed by some whispers among the guards. The elf's head disappears, followed by footsteps as it sounds like he races down the tower towards the courtyard. "Keep those hands up!" comes the shout of one of the less familiar guards, but it sounds somewhat half-hearted now.

As Rhenner looks around, he is hit by a sudden wave of recognition. One of the constructions along the outside of the wall he recognizes- it has been poorly maintained, with almost no paint left to speak off, but it is unmistakably the once-red schoolhouse where he'd learned to read write Elven and Common several decades earlier. Glancing around to get his bearings, he recognizes the mayor's office still lies a few dozen yards from it. In a flash of recollection he realizes that in the panic of escaping the dragon he had settled subconsciously on a familiar, but nearby, destination; he is at the center of his Woodhelm hometown.

While many of the buildings have apparently sprouted or withered away in the decades since he's last been here, there is one change that overpowers all others: the surrounding wall. He remembers well how he used to race from the schoolhouse into the woods, sometimes to find his mother at their cabin, sometimes to disappear in an unauthorized adventure in Woodhelm. Not all his memories of his youth are fond ones- far from it- but the wall is a novel, and ugly, invasion of the space.

The door at the base of the tower opens, and someone steps out- with the clearer view, the party can see he is a middle-aged half-elf, wearing a set of mithral armor. On his right hand is the insignia of the Firm. He looks the party, still healing from their burns, up and down, his face unreadable. He finally settles on Rhenner, and raises an eyebrow.

"Sleep too close to your campfire?" he asks, his lightly mocking expression and cynical tone a near facsimile of Rhenner's. "Ouch, and I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Can't be too bright, because based on how often you've written I can only assume you're here by accident."


Rhenner recognizes the man as Alder, his older brother, who taught the young cleric everything he knows about sarcasm. He hasn't seen him in 10 years.

The basics had been organized with CWater by PM, if you're wondering.

[CWater]

"No... it... was a dragon", Rhenner replies weakly, too dumbstruck by everything to counter his brother's sarcasm. Out of all the things to say, "What... what happened here?", is all he can manage, sounding very smart indeed.

[Athedia]

Mithril looked at Rhenner in shock. "You know these people?" Paranoia flew into her mind and she shot a few feet further from Rhenner. "They aren't with HIM, are they?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril looked at Rhenner in shock. "You know these people?" Paranoia flew into her mind and she shot a few feet further from Rhenner. "They aren't with HIM, are they?"

Natalia stares in shock at the half-elf's approach and easy banter with Rhenner, and only Mithril's panic snaps her mind back into focus. "No, look!" She reaches out for her arm and points at the two men. "Same face, same voice. They family!"

[CWater]

Mithril looked at Rhenner in shock. "You know these people?" Paranoia flew into her mind and she shot a few feet further from Rhenner. "They aren't with HIM, are they?"

Rhenner looks at the wizard, perplexed. "With whom? The... No! Where'd you get that idea?"


Natalia stares in shock at the half-elf's approach and easy banter with Rhenner, and only Mithril's panic snaps her mind back into focus. "No, look!" She reaches out for her arm and points at the two men. "Same face, same voice. They family!"

"Yes, that's right. This is my brother", Rhenner says rubbing his forehead and and avoids looking at Alder in the eyes.

[Athedia]

Rhenner looks at the wizard, perplexed. "With whom? The... No! Where'd you get that idea?"

"Yes, that's right. This is my brother", Rhenner says rubbing his forehead and and avoids looking at Alder in the eyes.

Mithril floated down closer to Rhenner, crossing her arms. "I have known you for so little time and one of my longest allies just disappeared. With you. These last months have been long and trust is dangerous." Realizing that the arrows were still pointed at her she raised her hands above her head again. "You have a brother?"

[CWater]

Mithril floated down closer to Rhenner, crossing her arms. "I have known you for so little time and one of my longest allies just disappeared. With you. These last months have been long and trust is dangerous." Realizing that the arrows were still pointed at her she raised her hands above her head again. "You have a brother?"

"...Several actually. Alder here is the eldest." He doesn't respond to Mithril's other comments, just sighs barely visibly.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril floated down closer to Rhenner, crossing her arms. "I have known you for so little time and one of my longest allies just disappeared. With you. These last months have been long and trust is dangerous." Realizing that the arrows were still pointed at her she raised her hands above her head again. "You have a brother?"

The mention of Shiny makes Natalia visibly wilt. She hangs her head and stares at the dirt, and even her arms go a bit more limp.


"...Several actually. Alder here is the eldest." He doesn't respond to Mithril's other comments, just sighs barely visibly.

"Several?" Did Rhenner even ever mention one sibling? A slightly disquieting thought comes into her head. Their reunion seemed civil enough, if sarcastic and annoyed at the lack of contact, but it would be just their luck..."Alder," that's his name, right? "I...Natalia. You...Rhenner still see brothers, right?" Dammit, she wanted to ask if they were still on good terms with each other, but so much for that (and what a first impression too).

[Cavelcade]

Kurt plants his feet on solid ground with a heavy sigh of contentment, sheathing his blade with a loud snap, hooking his thumbs over his belt, running a critical eye over the assembled archers before turning to watch the exchange between siblings, his own face somewhat unreadable behind the beard and flecks of smoke still rising from his clothes. After a moment, he turns away from that as well, turning his back on the whole scene and sitting down cross-legged, looking upwards.

[Admiral]

Mithril floated down closer to Rhenner, crossing her arms. "I have known you for so little time and one of my longest allies just disappeared. With you. These last months have been long and trust is dangerous." Realizing that the arrows were still pointed at her she raised her hands above her head again. "You have a brother?"

"I wouldn't be too worried about Rhenner," Alder says, removing his bolt from his crossbow and unwinding it, before slinging it over his back. "At his worst he's only a threat to your sense of smell."

At seeing Alder relax, the other two guards stand up on the wall, both of them elves. One of them looks familiar to Rhenner, though he can't place where immediately. From a few doors and windows along the edge of the fort peek several middle-aged elves- now that the party doesn't appear to be a danger they seem willing to show themselves, though they still appear on edge. On the hands that the party can glimpse appear the insignia of the Firm.

Alder strides towards the party. "Lot's changed since you've been back here, Rhenner," he states. "Wall went up three months ago, just in time for when the orcs started to come calling. Not that you're polite enough to knock," he adds sardonically.

Alder scratches his chin. "She's going to want to talk to you," he muses.

[CWater]

"I wouldn't be too worried about Rhenner," Alder says, removing his bolt from his crossbow and unwinding it, before slinging it over his back. "At his worst he's only a threat to your sense of smell."

At seeing Alder relax, the other two guards stand up on the wall, both of them elves. One of them looks familiar to Rhenner, though he can't place where immediately. From a few doors and windows along the edge of the fort peek several middle-aged elves- now that the party doesn't appear to be a danger they seem willing to show themselves, though they still appear on edge. On the hands that the party can glimpse appear the insignia of the Firm.

Alder strides towards the party. "Lot's changed since you've been back here, Rhenner," he states. "Wall went up three months ago, just in time for when the orcs started to come calling. Not that you're polite enough to knock," he adds sardonically.

"They're... here as well?", Rhenner is shocked, "I didn't think... That the fighting had come this far. I hadn't heard anything about it." Why hadn't he though. Had he even really listened to the news of how these troubles were spredding? He'd been so obsessed by his own search for so long, and until two weeks ago he had been in stuck Deldon, and then in the Underdark after that.



Alder scratches his chin. "She's going to want to talk to you," he muses.

Rhenner finally lifts up his gaze to look at his brother. "...Who?"

[Admiral]

"They're... here as well?", Rhenner is shocked, "I didn't think... That the fighting had come this far. I hadn't heard anything about it." Why hadn't he though. Had he even really listened to the news of how these troubles were spredding? He'd been so obsessed by his own search for so long, and until two weeks ago he had been in stuck Deldon, and then in the Underdark after that.


"Oh really?" Alder asks, his face hard. "I'm surprised that it's never come up in our letters. Perhaps if there'd been away, it would have."



Rhenner finally lifts up his gaze to look at his brother. "...Who?"

"The Mayor," he replies, his mouth expressing a slight smirk as he gestures towards one of the buildings, beckoning the party to follow him. "Elynwena. Or as we know her... Mom."


The news that she's mayor is new to Rhenner.

[CWater]

"Oh really?" Alder asks, his face hard. "I'm surprised that it's never come up in our letters. Perhaps if there'd been away, it would have."

"I... it's...", the rest of the words are incomprehensible mumble and the younger half-elf looks soon very guilty.



"The Mayor," he replies, his mouth expressing a slight smirk as he gestures towards one of the buildings, beckoning the party to follow him. "Elynwena. Or as we know her... Mom."


The news that she's mayor is new to Rhenner.


Rhenner almost chokes on the air he breathes. "What?!", he croaks, "Since when?!" He has yet to take a step towards the building.

[Admiral]

Rhenner almost chokes on the air he breathes. "What?!", he croaks, "Since when?!" He has yet to take a step to follow.

"Since Mayor Ellsworth was murdered in an orc raid," Alder replies, his tone as conversational as if he were describing the recent weather, "and since the Deputy Mayor ran off scared the following morning. We were... short on volunteers for the position."

[CWater]

"Since Mayor Ellsworth was murdered in an orc raid," Alder replies, his tone as conversational as if he were describing the recent weather, "and since the Deputy Mayor ran off scared the following morning. We were... short on volunteers for the position."

Rhenner rubs his forehead again. "And mother did- No, on second thought, I don't even want to ask. I'm sure she keeps everything in good order around here."

"But, you said Ellsworth was killed?", he looks up, his expression serious and showing more honest concern than he even realizes, "How bad has it been? How many have... you lost?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Once Alder lowers his crossbow Natalia relaxes and lets her hands fall to her sides. It's visible, as though a stiff rod was suddenly removed from her body. Now she has the chance to look around--really look, not just the twitchy sizing up of a scenario before a fight. She's never seen so many elves or half-elves in one place, and greets the ones she meets with a smile and a half-wave.

Natalia follows, not saying much after her initial outburst. Or at least, she makes to follow but stops when nobody else moves yet. She stays close to Rhenner, listening carefully to what his brother has to say. Guilt flashes through her at Alder's sarcastic comment on Rhenner's lack of correspondence--she really should contact her brother. The news about Rhenner's mother becoming mayor doesn't startle Natalia the way it does him, though she does look at the two half-elves with curiosity. Rather, it's the news about the orcs that makes her choke on her own saliva and splutter, "What? When?!" The mayor was killed by orcs, the wall's been up for three months, when did the Horde get here? Was it when Hoodsie teleported here--how long ago was that again? The horrors of the Underdark and the lack of the sun and moon and stars as guides threw off her whole sense of time and she's only now starting to follow daylight again.

No, really, how long has it been since Hoodsie teleported here again?

Also, whoo-hoo! I have missed this pace! I'll hang back until later after this because it's Rhenner's thing, but I'm loving this.

[Admiral]

Rhenner rubs his forehead again. "And mother did- No, on second thought, I don't even want to ask. I'm sure she keeps everything in good order around here."

"But, you said Ellsworth was killed?", he looks up, his expression serious and showing more honest concern than he even realizes, "How bad has it been? How many have... you lost?"

"Some to the raids," Alder answers, his face softening slightly when he sees Rhenner's reaction. "More fled in fear, but so it goes. Mom gathered our family from around Woodhelm when the raids started." He gestures towards the guards standing on the wall, and Rhenner suddenly recognizes one as Kelso; one of his mother's many adopted stepchildren. "The orcs have been making their movements into Woodhelm for the last few months. In the last week, they were joined by fire giants, if you'd believe that- attacks all along the edges of Woodhelm. Never seen anything like it"

His eyes narrow. "And when you said your burns came from a dragon... I'm starting to worry that you weren't kidding.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Some to the raids," Alder answers, his face softening slightly when he sees Rhenner's reaction. "More fled in fear, but so it goes. Mom gathered our family from around Woodhelm when the raids started." He gestures towards the guards standing on the wall, and Rhenner suddenly recognizes one as Kelso; one of his mother's many adopted stepchildren. "The orcs have been making their movements into Woodhelm for the last few months. In the last week, they were joined by fire giants, if you'd believe that- attacks all along the edges of Woodhelm. Never seen anything like it"

His eyes narrow. "And when you said your burns came from a dragon... I'm starting to worry that you weren't kidding.

"Not a joke!" Natalia cries out in horror, unable to keep it in any longer. "Larger than four horses, left ours in woods when fled! Only I unburnt! And fire giants?!" She can believe that, perhaps because she's seen regular giants sided with the orcs before (she steps away from that memory, unwilling to examine it too closely), perhaps because she's never been here and so doesn't have the memory of home shattered--if it here her home, her rivers, her mills under siege she might think differently.

"And...no help?" Not from the Firm, or anyone? What about the Hulburg jerks--was this what they were talking about?

If not I can edit or delete it.

[Athedia]

"Some to the raids," Alder answers, his face softening slightly when he sees Rhenner's reaction. "More fled in fear, but so it goes. Mom gathered our family from around Woodhelm when the raids started." He gestures towards the guards standing on the wall, and Rhenner suddenly recognizes one as Kelso; one of his mother's many adopted stepchildren. "The orcs have been making their movements into Woodhelm for the last few months. In the last week, they were joined by fire giants, if you'd believe that- attacks all along the edges of Woodhelm. Never seen anything like it"

His eyes narrow. "And when you said your burns came from a dragon... I'm starting to worry that you weren't kidding.

Mithril's eye twitched as he called the dragon a joke. "A joke. What sick freak would joke about being burnt alive by a dragon. And the attacks are everywhere, your brother was helping protect Deldon when we broke through with food. The army that's coming. This tiny wall will not stop it."

[CWater]

"I'm afraid they speak the truth", Rhenner comments, "Except that Mithril is being kind, I was more like stuck in Deldon involuntarily rather than helping to protect it, but I was cut off from the rest of the world for some months nonetheless."

He lets out a resigned sigh. "Right. In all this confusion, I seem to have forgotten all about politeness and such niceties as introductions. I'm sure someone is already ashamed of me, so best get it over with." He gestures towards the more or less burnt party. "Alder, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt. Who they are and what are they about they may tell you themselves. And this is Alder, the eldest of all my many siblings. Based on how things currently are, I assume you're going to meet more of them. Don't worry, if my memory doesn't completely fail me, not everyone have quite as bad sense of humour as he does." His last sentence searches for his usual snarky tone, though it is left a little dry.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt hurriedly stands again when he hears his own name mentioned, raising his hand in greeting to Rhennar's brother. He quickly catches up, searching his pack as he does for a moment and drawing out a small rag, one of many used to keep his blade clean and tidying himself up, rubbing the ash off his hands and face, offering one to each of the other victims. "If we're going to be meeting your mother we should probably be clean..."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril's eye twitched as he called the dragon a joke. "A joke. What sick freak would joke about being burnt alive by a dragon. And the attacks are everywhere, your brother was helping protect Deldon when we broke through with food. The army that's coming. This tiny wall will not stop it."

Natalia places a hand on Mithril's shoulder--or at least, she places it over her shoulder, afraid to agitate any burns that may remain underneath. Her lashing out...makes sense. "Mithril right, horde everyone, enough to pile over walls. And if dragons now..." She trails off, looking to the three of them in turn, locking eyes with Rhenner. There's a resigned determination there. If a dragon is coming to this village, if this forest is under siege by fire Giants, then they can't just leave them. Especially since this is Rhenner's home, and Rhenner's family.


"I'm afraid they speak the truth", Rhenner comments, "Except that Mithril is being kind, I was more like stuck in Deldon involuntarily rather than helping to protect it, but I was cut off from the rest of the world for some months nonetheless."

He lets out a resigned sigh. "Right. In all this confusion, I seem to have forgotten all about politeness and such niceties as introductions. I'm sure someone is already ashamed of me, so best get it over with." He gestures towards the more or less burnt party. "Alder, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt. Who they are and what are they about they may tell you themselves. And this is Alder, the eldest of all my many siblings. Based on how things currently are, I assume you're going to meet more of them. Don't worry, if my memory doesn't completely fail me, not everyone have quite as bad sense of humour as he does." His last sentence searches for his usual snarky tone, though it is left a little dry.

"how many siblings?" Natalia asks, even as she responds to Rhenner's introduction with a wave to the crowd and a smile.


Kurt hurriedly stands again when he hears his own name mentioned, raising his hand in greeting to Rhennar's brother. He quickly catches up, searching his pack as he does for a moment and drawing out a small rag, one of many used to keep his blade clean and tidying himself up, rubbing the ash off his hands and face, offering one to each of the other victims. "If we're going to be meeting your mother we should probably be clean..."

"Hah, true." Natalia may be the only one Unburnt, but dirt is ground into her clothes from where she dove to the ground. Still, her friends need it more and so she wipes what earth she can off her pants and waits until they're done.

[Admiral]

"I'm afraid they speak the truth", Rhenner comments, "Except that Mithril is being kind, I was more like stuck in Deldon involuntarily rather than helping to protect it, but I was cut off from the rest of the world for some months nonetheless."

He lets out a resigned sigh. "Right. In all this confusion, I seem to have forgotten all about politeness and such niceties as introductions. I'm sure someone is already ashamed of me, so best get it over with." He gestures towards the more or less burnt party. "Alder, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt. Who they are and what are they about they may tell you themselves. And this is Alder, the eldest of all my many siblings. Based on how things currently are, I assume you're going to meet more of them. Don't worry, if my memory doesn't completely fail me, not everyone have quite as bad sense of humour as he does." His last sentence searches for his usual snarky tone, though it is left a little dry.

Alder nods at each of the party members in greeting; though he shares Rhenner's sarcasm, he also appears to share his sense of manners.


Mithril's eye twitched as he called the dragon a joke. "A joke. What sick freak would joke about being burnt alive by a dragon. And the attacks are everywhere, your brother was helping protect Deldon when we broke through with food. The army that's coming. This tiny wall will not stop it."

"The wall's done well against the Horde parties that have attempted to raid us..." the half-elf muses. "Not quite as well against the fire giants, though we've managed. Against a dragon it would do nothing." His careless tone masks the dismay that very briefly flits across his face.

"Come, you should speak to the mayor." He gestures and starts walking towards the town hall. "She'll want to hear about this dragon... not to mention what her son has been up to all these years."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Alder nods at each of the party members in greeting; though he shares Rhenner's sarcasm, he also appears to share his sense of manners.



"The wall's done well against the Horde parties that have attempted to raid us..." the half-elf muses. "Not quite as well against the fire giants, though we've managed. Against a dragon it would do nothing." His careless tone masks the dismay that very briefly flits across his face.

"Come, you should speak to the mayor." He gestures and starts walking towards the town hall. "She'll want to hear about this dragon... not to mention what her son has been up to all these years."

Natalia follows Alder, looking around the whole while. She eventually speaks to ask questions, but she's a bit quieter at the moment. Especially considering how bad they're having it. "How much Horde fought? How...many giants?" Hoodsie teleported here...have they seen them? "Are we...first visitors?"

How long ago did Hoodsie teleport here?

[Athedia]

Natalia follows Alder, looking around the whole while. She eventually speaks to ask questions, but she's a bit quieter at the moment. Especially considering how bad they're having it. "How much Horde fought? How...many giants?" Hoodsie teleported here...have they seen them? "Are we...first visitors?"

How long ago did Hoodsie teleport here?

Mithril nodded at Alder and started following him, but quickly grabbed Natalia's arm and pulled her back. She whispered to her, trying to keep her voice low so that they were not heard. "Be careful. We are protected but Rhenner's mother? He goes after those in power, and she got a lot of it very fast."

[CWater]

"how many siblings?" Natalia asks, even as she responds to Rhenner's introduction with a wave to the crowd and a smile.
"...Define sibling", Rhenner replies with a short smile, "Although even by the strictest calculation, more than I could count with one hand."


Alder nods at each of the party members in greeting; though he shares Rhenner's sarcasm, he also appears to share his sense of manners.

"The wall's done well against the Horde parties that have attempted to raid us..." the half-elf muses. "Not quite as well against the fire giants, though we've managed. Against a dragon it would do nothing." His careless tone masks the dismay that very briefly flits across his face.

"Come, you should speak to the mayor." He gestures and starts walking towards the town hall. "She'll want to hear about this dragon... not to mention what her son has been up to all these years."

You make it sound as if I'd never written. Rhenner thinks, though he doesn't dare to say it out loud. On their way towards the house, he tries to assemble his thoughts. It's true that he hadn't sent any word of himself in almost three years, not to mention that he hadn't actually been back here in... how long was it already? In any case, he felt totally unprepared for this suddenly reunion and a growing part in the back of his head was starting to wonder if he could just turn around and run away. He did still have Dimension Door... If the news about the horde and dragons hadn't been so serious, he might actually have done just that.

Some of Rhenner's discomfort is showing on his face, while he tries wipe the worst of the ash off himself and fixes the partially burned tunic with a quick Mending.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril nodded at Alder and started following him, but quickly grabbed Natalia's arm and pulled her back. She whispered to her, trying to keep her voice low so that they were not heard. "Be careful. We are protected but Rhenner's mother? He goes after those in power, and she got a lot of it very fast."

Some part of Natalia wonders if mithril is being too paranoid, but the rest of her pauses. She might be right, and...oh. "We shielded but she not. If voice learns our link...though her, then...Mithril, I think we need help...woodhelm."


"...Define sibling", Rhenner replies with a short smile, "Although even by the strictest calculation, more than I could count with one hand."



You make it sound as if I'd never written. Rhenner thinks, though he doesn't dare to say it out loud. On their way towards the house, he tries to assemble his thoughts. It's true that he hadn't sent any word of himself in almost three years, not to mention that he hadn't actually been back here in... how long was it already? In any case, he felt totally unprepared for this suddenly reunion and a growing part in the back of his head was starting to wonder if he could just turn around and run away. He did still have Dimension Door... If the news about the horde and dragons hadn't been so serious, he might actually have done just that.

Some of Rhenner's discomfort is showing on his face, while he tries wipe the worst of the ash off himself and fixes the partially burned tunic with a quick Mending.

That many siblings? Maybe it's because his mother is an elf, and so she has more children because she loves so much longer. But then again is it that strange? Many of the adults in her village had multiple children, even if not all of them survived. It was her household that was the abberation, that stopped at two.

It's probably because of her, Natalia realizes as she looks over at Rhenner's and his attempts to wipe himself off. It sounds like he hasn't been around in a while, and even though it's not her place a part of Natalia is curious as to why.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia turns to her friends and asks, "If flame giants, flame dragon here, then...horde stronger in days, or here important. Can't leave?"

[Admiral]

The party is led into a wide tower at the edge of the fortress. It's not the building Rhenner recognizes as the city hall, but then, he supposed, much has changed since his childhood.

On the second floor of this military construction, the party enters a small, but well-ventilated room, overcome by the presence of a large queen bed in the center of one of the walls. In it lies a tall elf, slender except for her inflated stomach- she is very clearly pregnant, and not far from birth. Her face is clearly beautiful, though distinguished by wrinkles- the signs of an elf a bit past a century. She glances down at the party with a small smile that is immediately both welcoming and judgmental; an expression Rhenner is quite familiar with.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise," she says. It is part of her rare genius that it is impossible to tell whether she is sincere. Her many children had divided into three camps: one that followed her into pure sincerity, another that had descended into dark cynicism, and a third that had split the difference into a sort of sarcasm. Rhenner and Alder were of the third camp, and yet at no point had she offered a hint towards where her preference lay.

"To what do I owe this honor?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

The party is led into a wide tower at the edge of the fortress. It's not the building Rhenner recognizes as the city hall, but then, he supposed, much has changed since his childhood.

On the second floor of this military construction, the party enters a small, but well-ventilated room, overcome by the presence of a large queen bed in the center of one of the walls. In it lies a tall elf, slender except for her inflated stomach- she is very clearly pregnant, and not far from birth. Her face is clearly beautiful, though distinguished by wrinkles- the signs of an elf a bit past a century. She glances down at the party with a small smile that is immediately both welcoming and judgmental; an expression Rhenner is quite familiar with.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise," she says. It is part of her rare genius that it is impossible to tell whether she is sincere. Her many children had divided into three camps: one that followed her into pure sincerity, another that had descended into dark cynicism, and a third that had split the difference into a sort of sarcasm. Rhenner and Alder were of the third camp, and yet at no point had she offered a hint towards where her preference lay.

"To what do I owe this honor?"

Natalia eventually falls silent as they're led through the village-turned-fort. Occasionally she looks back at her healing friends, and her heart lifts at the sight of her friends' horrific burns slowly healing. She looks around at the construction--Rhenner seemed stunned and it seems like the walls just recently went up. How sturdy are they? But regardless of whether or not she gets an answer to this question, it's also chased from her mind by the sight of the pregnant elf in the bed--presumably Rhenner's mother.

She looks to be about her mother's age, or at least in a similar stage of life, but it's the elf's contradictory expression that gives Natalia pause. The rogue really isn't sure what to do, or say. She doesn't seem as outwardly threatening or taciturn as the mayor of Deldon, but he had hidden depths. And who knows what she's like. Hopefully Rhenner's presence will help.

And, in the back of her mind, a part of Natalia tries very hard not to wonder at her pregnancy.

So, wary of saying the wrong thing, Natalia licks her lips, points to herself, and says, "I'm...Natalia." She points to Rhenner. "Rhenner's honor."

Hallelujah! I hope we can keep this up!

Oh, I think she'd be at least 200 years old to be middle aged and have wrinkles--elves start play at over 100 years old at minimum. And just how many children has she had?

Oh, just out of curiosity to see if Natalia can tell anything about this construction, knowledge (Architecture and engineering): [roll0]

[CWater]

Rhenner blinks when he first enters the room to see his mother, and throws a questioning look in Alder's direction, a hint of his usual sarcastic smile returned to his face. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised...", he mutters under his breath.

His expression changes little when he steps closer to greet the new mayor, though a trace of dread seems to have joined in. "Hello, Mother. I'm glad to see you are well", he says, in as neutral a tone as he can possibly manage.

[Admiral]

Rhenner blinks when he first enters the room to see his mother, and throws a questioning look in Alder's direction, a hint of his usual sarcastic smile returned to his face. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised...", he mutters under his breath.

His expression changes little when he steps closer to greet the new mayor, though a trace of dread seems to have joined in. "Hello, Mother. I'm glad to see you are well", he says, in as neutral a tone as he can possibly manage.

"I've never been better," Elynwena replies. "Or perhaps what I mean is that I've always been better. The Common tongue always did puzzle me."

"As you can see, your fourteenth younger sibling is on the way," she adds with a coy smile. "The cleric in Erawood thinks it will be a boy, which is useful. One must always keep an eye on your inventory of sons- they have the habit of disappearing, like treats from a jar." If there is malice in her tone, it is deeply concealed.

"But where are my manners?" she asks, as though it weren't a rhetorical question and she expected someone to fetch her manners out from underneath the bed. "I am Elynwena Calami, mayor of the village of Elahona. And where, dear Rhenner, might your own manners be?" She gestures towards the rest of the party.


Meta note: it's not a mistake that her name is Calami, ask Rhenner :smallsmile:

[CWater]

"Floating around the eastern forests at this time of year", Rhenner replies. He has been listening to his mother's greeting with a sort of resigned expression, though it wasn't as bad as it could have been. At least she hadn't pretended that she'd forgotten who he was, he had thought that very likely. "But I'll make do. Mother, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt, they have come from very far away. Please excuse our shabby appearance, we barely escaped from being burned alive. By a dragon."

In another language he says, "Congratulations on increasing the family once again, Mother, but I have to ask", he looks hesitant, "I'm sure you meant it is the fourteenth child of yours, not fourteenth younger sibling counting from me..."

[Athedia]

"Floating around the eastern forests at this time of year", Rhenner replies. He has been listening to his mother's greeting with a sort of resigned expression, though it wasn't as bad as it could have been. At least she hadn't pretended that she'd forgotten who he was, he had thought that very likely. "But I'll make do. Mother, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt, they have come from very far away. Please excuse our shabby appearance, we barely escaped from being burned alive. By a dragon."

In another language he says, "Congratulations on increasing the family once again, Mother, but I have to ask", he looks hesitant, "I'm sure you meant it is the fourteenth child of yours, not fourteenth younger sibling counting from me..."

Mithril wasn't really paying attention as Rhenner spoke. Instead she was trying to size up his mother, see whether she could be trusted. She snapped out of her skepticism as Rhenner switched to elven. Had his mother really said younger? Mithril had plenty of younger siblings, but that was the curse of being oldest. From what she knew of Rhenner there were siblings on both sides in terms of age. She couldn't keep the shock off her face.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt nods politely when introduced, masking his shock at the mention of 14 children, wondering about the logistics of it straight away as if they were all born at once - feeding time for 14 little Kurts could have devoured the output of an entire kingdom each day, easily. When his ears detect his own name being mentioned he gives a polite nod of his head to acknowledge it, not even noticing the switch into elven as he tries to figure out the mammoth task required to keep them in board. "Couldn't be done..." he mutters quietly to himself.

[CoffeeIncluded]

The tension between Rhenner and his mother doesn't escape Natalia, but she doesn't acknowledge it at the moment--it doesn't seem like a good time. Besides, there's something more immediately shocking. Natalia mentally stumbles over Mrs. Calami's mention of fourteen children but manages to right herself in time to acknowledge Rhenner's introduction of her with a smile and a nod. But it's Rhenner's followup question in Elven that--figuratively at least--knocks Natalia on her back. Fourteen younger? There's more children? How? Why? Natalia looks over at Mithril and Kurt in turn and some part of her is slightly satisfied at the validation from seeing her shock mirrored on their faces.

Her family was unusually small--just her and her brother and her parents, and Natalia had heard enough quiet sobbing conversations in her parents' bedroom to know that it was her fault, even if she never meant a single thing--but fourteen? Physically yes maybe that could happen as disgusting as it is for Natalia to think about but what about after? How could you raise so many children? And why would you raise so many children?

All this is internal, and all that is visible is the look of hastily-concealed shock on Natalia's face.

[CWater]

A small smirk creeps to Rhenner's face when he sees the other's shocked expressions. "I think you broke my companions, Mother. Or at least their ability to speak."

[Admiral]

"Floating around the eastern forests at this time of year", Rhenner replies. He has been listening to his mother's greeting with a sort of resigned expression, though it wasn't as bad as it could have been. At least she hadn't pretended that she'd forgotten who he was, he had thought that very likely. "But I'll make do. Mother, meet Mithril, Natalia and Kurt, they have come from very far away. Please excuse our shabby appearance, we barely escaped from being burned alive. By a dragon."


The elf's eyes widen slightly and she begins scratching her chin thoughtfully as Rhenner mentions the dragon.



In another language he says, "Congratulations on increasing the family once again, Mother, but I have to ask", he looks hesitant, "I'm sure you meant it is the fourteenth child of yours, not fourteenth younger sibling counting from me..."

"Ah, has it really been so long since you've been back here?" Elynwena asks, with surprise that could easily be either feigned or genuine. She makes no acknowledgment of Rhenner's attempt to steer the conversation to Elven- perhaps out of consideration towards his friends, perhaps to intentionally embarrass her son in front of them. "Why yes... I suppose you haven't met Cardiff, Senton, and Sool: half elves, 15, 20, and 31. When the Crusaders took the village of Rondon, your father and I adopted them from the refugees. And your youngest sister arrived last winter." Rhenner figures she likely means his stepfather and stepsister (his own father had died years earlier), but in his whole life Rhenner had never once heard her use that prefix.

She sighs slowly. "Just where are you coming from... that you ran into that kind of dragon?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

The elf's eyes widen slightly and she begins scratching her chin thoughtfully as Rhenner mentions the dragon.



"Ah, has it really been so long since you've been back here?" Elynwena asks, with surprise that could easily be either feigned or genuine. She makes no acknowledgment of Rhenner's attempt to steer the conversation to Elven- perhaps out of consideration towards his friends, perhaps to intentionally embarrass her son in front of them. "Why yes... I suppose you haven't met Cardiff, Senton, and Sool: half elves, 15, 20, and 31. When the Crusaders took the village of Rondon, your father and I adopted them from the refugees. And your youngest sister arrived last winter." Rhenner figures she likely means his stepfather and stepsister (his own father had died years earlier), but in his whole life Rhenner had never once heard her use that prefix.

Although Natalia is still in utter disbelief over the sheer number of children Rhenner's mother has (another girl? Just last winter?), her whole countenance softens at the mention of the refugees. It's like a hot punch just below the dip of her chest, the sudden reminder of the Crusaders and all the evil they've done too. And Rhenner's mother has done so much more to help, just by saving those three, than she's ever done.

In fact, they've probably made that worse.

"Where Rondon?" Natalia asks in a more subdued voice. "what happened? How...they doing?"


She sighs slowly. "Just where are you coming from... that you ran into that kind of dragon?"

Natalia shakes her head in utter confusion. "It...flew to us. It..." she trails off into silence as those horrible few moments run through her mind again. But this time there's another realization. She didn't dodge the dragons fire. It didn't see her.

[CWater]

The elf's eyes widen slightly and she begins scratching her chin thoughtfully as Rhenner mentions the dragon.

"Ah, has it really been so long since you've been back here?" Elynwena asks, with surprise that could easily be either feigned or genuine. She makes no acknowledgment of Rhenner's attempt to steer the conversation to Elven- perhaps out of consideration towards his friends, perhaps to intentionally embarrass her son in front of them. "Why yes... I suppose you haven't met Cardiff, Senton, and Sool: half elves, 15, 20, and 31. When the Crusaders took the village of Rondon, your father and I adopted them from the refugees. And your youngest sister arrived last winter." Rhenner figures she likely means his stepfather and stepsister (his own father had died years earlier), but in his whole life Rhenner had never once heard her use that prefix.

"And by father you mean...?", Rhenner leaves the sentence open and rubs his forehead, "I see a lot has happened in the last few years. But...", he has to stop to count, "No, that still makes only ten younger ones. Unless you count the elves as younger, which I suppose they could be in some sense, though not in years. Wait, it doesn't make sense that-" He stops his mumbling and looks up at his mother. "You're just messing with me on purpose, aren't you?" His tone is mildly accusing and he looks suddenly much younger with his sulky expression.



She sighs slowly. "Just where are you coming from... that you ran into that kind of dragon?"

"Right, the dragon", Rhenner forces his voice back into more serious, the memory of the dragonfire is perhaps not surprisingly quite helpful with that. "I'm afraid it was here in Woodhelm." [insert more detailed description of the place and its relative location to this town]

[Athedia]

"Ah, has it really been so long since you've been back here?" Elynwena asks, with surprise that could easily be either feigned or genuine. She makes no acknowledgment of Rhenner's attempt to steer the conversation to Elven- perhaps out of consideration towards his friends, perhaps to intentionally embarrass her son in front of them. "Why yes... I suppose you haven't met Cardiff, Senton, and Sool: half elves, 15, 20, and 31. When the Crusaders took the village of Rondon, your father and I adopted them from the refugees. And your youngest sister arrived last winter." Rhenner figures she likely means his stepfather and stepsister (his own father had died years earlier), but in his whole life Rhenner had never once heard her use that prefix.

Mithril muttered under her breath. "And I thought my family was large." Finally regaining control of her expression she nodded, slightly surprised at how young Rhenner seemed now he was faced with his mother.


She sighs slowly. "Just where are you coming from... that you ran into that kind of dragon?"

"Speaking of the dragon, our horses are still in those woods. I don't know where 'here' is but if they are seen, I would at least like mine returned."

[Cavelcade]

The sound of grinding teeth comes from Kurt when the Crusader's are mentioned, his eyes staring straight ahead not quite meeting the gaze of anyone else. Thankfully, Mithril brings matters back to a more practical and immediate nature, freeing him of the need to keep thinking about it. "Aye, Mithril speaks for me too. I hadn't planned on abandoning the creature out there but things took a turn..."

[CoffeeIncluded]

"My horse gone too, rescued Rust once...would like twice," Natalia says. She describes the area where they encountered the dragon as best she can in her tangled speech.

[Admiral]

"And by father you mean...?", Rhenner leaves the sentence open and rubs his forehead, "I see a lot has happened in the last few years. But...", he has to stop to count, "No, that still makes only ten younger ones. Unless you count the elves as younger, which I suppose they could be in some sense, though not in years. Wait, it doesn't make sense that-" He stops his mumbling and looks up at his mother. "You're just messing with me on purpose, aren't you?" His tone is mildly accusing and he looks suddenly much younger with his sulky expression.


Elynwena raises her eyebrows. "You count ten? Have you really been away that many years, that you haven't heard about- no, that couldn't be. You must have just misremembered." She moves on immediately, and Rhenner still cannot tell if she is merely mocking him.



"Right, the dragon", Rhenner forces his voice back into more serious, the memory of the dragonfire is perhaps not surprisingly quite helpful with that. "I'm afraid it was here in Woodhelm." [insert more detailed description of the place and its relative location to this town]



"Speaking of the dragon, our horses are still in those woods. I don't know where 'here' is but if they are seen, I would at least like mine returned."

"That's nearly twenty miles away..." she replies thoughtfully. "Far enough your horses will be difficult to retrieve. But still not nearly far enough from the dragon for my comfort." Her expression is more resigned and disappointed then distressed. "This wall has been the only thing standing between us and the orc and giant raiding parties. A red dragon would bring it down without trouble."

She continues thinking. Rhenner had never known his mother to panic; she was a problem-solver by nature. When Rhenner's father got sick in his old age, she'd hired an experienced cleric from the Church to care for him full time; when the fees grew too high, she'd raised a small fortune in favors and blackmail from her Firm contacts to pay for it. And yet when he passed on she'd buried him without a single tear, and a year later was remarried.

"Your sister Anjar's husband has already arranged for a shipment of military supplies, which should be arriving tomorrow," she states casually. Rhenner knows that Anjar's husband is a broker for the Syndicate, meaning the supplies are undoubtedly stolen goods. As a member of the Firm Elynwena would face nearly a decade in prison, were she caught making such a purchase. "Among them are some potions and weapons we'd intended to use against the fire giants. They'll be of some use against a dragon, I suppose." She seems distinctly unsatisfied with her chances.

Anyone is welcome to Sense Motive.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Elynwena raises her eyebrows. "You count ten? Have you really been away that many years, that you haven't heard about- no, that couldn't be. You must have just misremembered." She moves on immediately, and Rhenner still cannot tell if she is merely mocking him.

Neither can Natalia, which is why she just stares in bemusement. Still, she places her weight against Rhenner, her presence a reminder to the half-elf that she's there. It may not be her place, but she'll still support him.



"That's nearly twenty miles away..." she replies thoughtfully. "Far enough your horses will be difficult to retrieve. But still not nearly far enough from the dragon for my comfort." Her expression is more resigned and disappointed then distressed. "This wall has been the only thing standing between us and the orc and giant raiding parties. A red dragon would bring it down without trouble."

Twenty miles...that's far, and yet not nearly far enough. How far can a dragon fly in a day? Probably faster than a horse can run, and a dragon wouldn't have to worry about the trees. And yet still too far for a horse to run and for them to find, unless... Mithril, can you scry...Honey, Rust, rest?"



She continues thinking. Rhenner had never known his mother to panic; she was a problem-solver by nature. When Rhenner's father got sick in his old age, she'd hired an experienced cleric from the Church to care for him full time; when the fees grew too high, she'd raised a small fortune in favors and blackmail from her Firm contacts to pay for it. And yet when he passed on she'd buried him without a single tear, and a year later was remarried.

"Your sister Anjar's husband has already arranged for a shipment of military supplies, which should be arriving tomorrow," she states casually. Rhenner knows that Anjar's husband is a broker for the Syndicate, meaning the supplies are undoubtedly stolen goods. As a member of the Firm Elynwena would face nearly a decade in prison, were she caught making such a purchase. "Among them are some potions and weapons we'd intended to use against the fire giants. They'll be of some use against a dragon, I suppose." She seems distinctly unsatisfied with her chances.

Natalia doesn't now anything about Anjar, but tomorrow? If the dragon shows up, they might be able to help. And she seems to know so many people...then again, she's several hundred years old at least. "What...potions, weapons? Because...saw dragon's flame, claws." She pauses, the pieces of the preparation falling into her mind like with portions of a trap, and she's off. "Would need flame protection, stoneskin..." what was it Shiny used, not the invisibility spell, from what Mithril said she's the outlier for escaping the dragon's notice, and...ah, that was it! "Displacement, shielding from evil...Mithril, what else you know of dragons?"

If the dragon is so close, then they can't leave Rhenner's family and village. At least, it just...she looks at Elynwena.

Anyone is welcome to Sense Motive.

[roll0]

Woo-hoo! I wasn't too annoying, was I?

I start vet school tomorrow!

[Athedia]

"That's nearly twenty miles away..." she replies thoughtfully. "Far enough your horses will be difficult to retrieve. But still not nearly far enough from the dragon for my comfort." Her expression is more resigned and disappointed then distressed. "This wall has been the only thing standing between us and the orc and giant raiding parties. A red dragon would bring it down without trouble."

She continues thinking. Rhenner had never known his mother to panic; she was a problem-solver by nature. When Rhenner's father got sick in his old age, she'd hired an experienced cleric from the Church to care for him full time; when the fees grew too high, she'd raised a small fortune in favors and blackmail from her Firm contacts to pay for it. And yet when he passed on she'd buried him without a single tear, and a year later was remarried.

"Your sister Anjar's husband has already arranged for a shipment of military supplies, which should be arriving tomorrow," she states casually. Rhenner knows that Anjar's husband is a broker for the Syndicate, meaning the supplies are undoubtedly stolen goods. As a member of the Firm Elynwena would face nearly a decade in prison, were she caught making such a purchase. "Among them are some potions and weapons we'd intended to use against the fire giants. They'll be of some use against a dragon, I suppose." She seems distinctly unsatisfied with her chances.

Anyone is welcome to Sense Motive.

Mithril nodded. "That is fair, I was unsure of the distance traveled." Mithril was impressed, this woman seemed to have connections everywhere, even if Rhenner seemed more on edge than usual. At Natalia's question Mithril shook her head. "Not til tomorrow unfortunately."

Sense Motive: [roll0]

[CWater]

Elynwena raises her eyebrows. "You count ten? Have you really been away that many years, that you haven't heard about- no, that couldn't be. You must have just misremembered." She moves on immediately, and Rhenner still cannot tell if she is merely mocking him.

Rhenner sighs mentally, and doesn't try to ask more questions of the subject. When mother was like this, it was better to leave it be. Especially since it was impossible to get that friendly smile to admit she was being difficult on purpose. Somethings never changed, did they?

He rubbed his forehead again. It's not like she was exactly wrong with what she was implying either.



"That's nearly twenty miles away..." she replies thoughtfully. "Far enough your horses will be difficult to retrieve. But still not nearly far enough from the dragon for my comfort." Her expression is more resigned and disappointed then distressed. "This wall has been the only thing standing between us and the orc and giant raiding parties. A red dragon would bring it down without trouble."




Twenty miles...that's far, and yet not nearly far enough. How far can a dragon fly in a day? Probably faster than a horse can run, and a dragon wouldn't have to worry about the trees. And yet still too far for a horse to run and for them to find, unless... Mithril, can you scry...Honey, Rust, rest?"



Mithril nodded. "That is fair, I was unsure of the distance traveled." Mithril was impressed, this woman seemed to have connections everywhere, even if Rhenner seemed more on edge than usual. At Natalia's question Mithril shook her head. "Not til tomorrow unfortunately."


Rhenner lifts his gaze from the floorboards he's been studying. "Not to say it wouldn't be good to have them back. But shouldn't we also think about locating the dragon? Assuming the attack was not specifically against us, then whether the dragon is in league with the hoard or not, it had no issue in attacking travellers on the road, unprovoked. What if it chooses a settlement as its next target? This one, or some other?"



She continues thinking. Rhenner had never known his mother to panic; she was a problem-solver by nature. When Rhenner's father got sick in his old age, she'd hired an experienced cleric from the Church to care for him full time; when the fees grew too high, she'd raised a small fortune in favors and blackmail from her Firm contacts to pay for it. And yet when he passed on she'd buried him without a single tear, and a year later was remarried.

"Your sister Anjar's husband has already arranged for a shipment of military supplies, which should be arriving tomorrow," she states casually. Rhenner knows that Anjar's husband is a broker for the Syndicate, meaning the supplies are undoubtedly stolen goods. As a member of the Firm Elynwena would face nearly a decade in prison, were she caught making such a purchase. "Among them are some potions and weapons we'd intended to use against the fire giants. They'll be of some use against a dragon, I suppose." She seems distinctly unsatisfied with her chances.

"Good to hear that you've found him an useful addition to the family", Rhenner replies dryly. He doesn't voice the dangers involved that come to his mind. Mother was certainly well aware of the risks, and being warned by a long absent son would only give her another reason to throw thorny comments at him. Neither does he then inquire after Anjar, even if he would have liked to, as that would probably also get him more snide remarks.



Natalia doesn't now anything about Anjar, but tomorrow? If the dragon shows up, they might be able to help. And she seems to know so many people...then again, she's several hundred years old at least. "What...potions, weapons? Because...saw dragon's flame, claws." She pauses, the pieces of the preparation falling into her mind like with portions of a trap, and she's off. "Would need flame protection, stoneskin..." what was it Shiny used, not the invisibility spell, from what Mithril said she's the outlier for escaping the dragon's notice, and...ah, that was it! "Displacement, shielding from evil...Mithril, what else you know of dragons?"

If the dragon is so close, then they can't leave Rhenner's family and village. At least, it just...she looks at Elynwena.


"I can cast spells to grant temporary immunity to fire", Rhenner points out, then turns back to Elynwena, "Mother, what of these fire giants? And orcs? Do you know if they've set camp nearby, or are they more moving raiders?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril nodded. "That is fair, I was unsure of the distance traveled." Mithril was impressed, this woman seemed to have connections everywhere, even if Rhenner seemed more on edge than usual. At Natalia's question Mithril shook her head. "Not til tomorrow unfortunately."

"Oh. Can...check tomorrow?" If the horses are even alive tomorrow.

Sense Motive: [roll0][/QUOTE]




Rhenner lifts his gaze from the floorboards he's been studying. "Not to say it wouldn't be good to have them back. But shouldn't we also think about locating the dragon? Assuming the attack was not specifically against us, then whether the dragon is in league with the hoard or not, it had no issue in attacking travellers on the road, unprovoked. What if it chooses a settlement as its next target? This one, or some other?"

That's what she's worried about too. "Rhenner, said no fire dragons here...right? If fire giants attack, maybe...fire dragon come from same place. And...this only settlement? Why burn here?" Unless...this can't be because of Rhenner, can it?! No...no, that can't be it, Natalia thinks rapidly as she fights the rising paranoia--Mithril's rubbed off on her in this way too, it seems. The horde has been attacking longer than Rhenner has been traveling with them, and he wasn't involved before, was he?



"I can cast spells to grant temporary immunity to fire", Rhenner points out, then turns back to Elynwena, "Mother, what of these fire giants? And orcs? Do you know if they've set camp nearby, or are they more moving raiders?"

"I can stoneskin if a scroll. Mithril, can you...displacement? Invisible?" She's not sure quite why she says it, but somehow Natalia knows it to be true.

She still doesn't say anything about his family despite her increasing curiosity. It's not her place.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt looks up curiously, bumped from his own thoughts by the discussion of tactics. "Can ya tell us more about the forces outside the wall? Fire giants and orcs, but how many and where?" Finally, something to sink his teeth into and really get involved with.

[Admiral]

Kurt looks up curiously, bumped from his own thoughts by the discussion of tactics. "Can ya tell us more about the forces outside the wall? Fire giants and orcs, but how many and where?" Finally, something to sink his teeth into and really get involved with.

"The orcs have been making raids into this for the last six months," Rhenner's mother replies. "Four months ago a raid killed Ellsworth," she adds, referring to the elven mayor who'd preceded her, "and that's when I made the decision to build the wall. Alder, Lander and Neeson led the construction- it wasn't easy or cheap, but it was just in time." The party had already met Rhenner's older brother Alder. Lander is one of Rhenner's older elven stepbrothers, and Neeson is his half-elven husband.

"The raids grew in force two months ago. Used to be eight to ten orcs at a time; now it was a dozen, fifteen, twenty: sometimes a chieftain among them. Once a week at least. Usually we were able to hold them off with arrows and repair the damage to the wall afterwards- they weren't after us specifically, just rampaging through the forest, so when we put up resistance they usually left. They burned down the cottages, though." Elynwena was referring to the small houses in the woods not far from the village center, where they had grown up. "Three weeks ago the attacks from the fire giants started- one breached the wall once, but the guards brought him down. He killed your older brother Martine, though," she adds informatively. "I took in his three children afterwards, of course."


Rhenner is welcome to share the non-dialogue exposition himself, the others don't know it yet. Martine is his second oldest brother, not counting step-siblings.




Already unsure what to think of Elynwena, and not as intimidated as Rhenner, Natalia is a bit more perceptive of the Elven woman. Though she doesn't think Elynwena bears any guilt in the attacks, Natalia feels like she might know more than she's letting on about what the orcs, giants and dragon are after.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"The orcs have been making raids into this for the last six months," Rhenner's mother replies. "Four months ago a raid killed Ellsworth," she adds, referring to the elven mayor who'd preceded her, "and that's when I made the decision to build the wall. Alder, Lander and Neeson led the construction- it wasn't easy or cheap, but it was just in time." The party had already met Rhenner's older brother Alder. Lander is one of Rhenner's older elven stepbrothers, and Neeson is his half-elven husband.

"The raids grew in force two months ago. Used to be eight to ten orcs at a time; now it was a dozen, fifteen, twenty: sometimes a chieftain among them. Once a week at least. Usually we were able to hold them off with arrows and repair the damage to the wall afterwards- they weren't after us specifically, just rampaging through the forest, so when we put up resistance they usually left. They burned down the cottages, though." Elynwena was referring to the small houses in the woods not far from the village center, where they had grown up. "Three weeks ago the attacks from the fire giants started- one breached the wall once, but the guards brought him down. He killed your older brother Martine, though," she adds informatively. "I took in his three children afterwards, of course."

every word increases the horror. It's been getting worse and worse, at the same time that the horde has been escalating everywhere else too. Rampaging and destruction, just like everywhere else but every time Woodhelm put up a fight they came back with more, and stronger, all the way up to Giants. Why?

Her train of thought is temporarily interrupted by the casual way Elynwena tells Rhenner her bother was killed by fire Giants. Natalia gasps, a soft inhalation of breath, and puts her arm tighter around Rhenner.

"I...so sorry," she says to them both, but especially Rhenner who has just learned.


Already unsure what to think of Elynwena, and not as intimidated as Rhenner, Natalia is a bit more perceptive of the Elven woman. Though she doesn't think Elynwena bears any guilt in the attacks, Natalia feels like she might know more than she's letting on about what the orcs, giants and dragon are after.
[/QUOTE]
But still, the horde is coming back stronger every time, and this time they might have brought a dragon along. This can't be random destruction. There's something--or someone--else that they're after. Her eyebrows narrow slightly, possibly in determination.

"We'll help," Natalia says with sudden force and conviction. She turns back to each of her friends in turn, as if daring them to object. But she also signals Rhenner's mother with a quick sideways glance, and when her gaze levels upon Mithril she also flicks her eyes upwards. It's not an eye roll but, if Mithril can understand, a silent request to gaze upon her mind.

[CWater]

Got some unpleasant fever atm, (38 C /100 F), so if this post turns out groggy, I'll blame that.


"The orcs have been making raids into this for the last six months," Rhenner's mother replies. "Four months ago a raid killed Ellsworth," she adds, referring to the elven mayor who'd preceded her, "and that's when I made the decision to build the wall. Alder, Lander and Neeson led the construction- it wasn't easy or cheap, but it was just in time." The party had already met Rhenner's older brother Alder. Lander is one of Rhenner's older elven stepbrothers, and Neeson is his half-elven husband.

"Older brother", Rhenner explains briefly after her mother mentions the names, to help with the already nigh impossible task of keeping track of their family tree, "and his husband."



"The raids grew in force two months ago. Used to be eight to ten orcs at a time; now it was a dozen, fifteen, twenty: sometimes a chieftain among them. Once a week at least. Usually we were able to hold them off with arrows and repair the damage to the wall afterwards- they weren't after us specifically, just rampaging through the forest, so when we put up resistance they usually left. They burned down the cottages, though." Elynwena was referring to the small houses in the woods not far from the village center, where they had grown up. "Three weeks ago the attacks from the fire giants started- one breached the wall once, but the guards brought him down. He killed your older brother Martine, though," she adds informatively. "I took in his three children afterwards, of course."


Rhenner just stares back at his mother with a blank expression. "Martine...". He seems to have trouble comprehending the information. When Alder had not told him of any losses within the family outside, he had begun to hope, no believe, that there were none. He shifts his gaze to study the wall for a time, until the other words register. "You took in... What of his wife?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Got some unpleasant fever atm, (38 C /100 F), so if this post turns out groggy, I'll blame that.


"Older brother", Rhenner explains briefly after her mother mentions the names, to help with the already nigh impossible task of keeping track of their family tree, "and his husband."

Older brother, and his husband. It takes Natalia far longer than it should for this to connect in her mind, but when it does she trips over it. The surprise temporarily interrupting her horror at Elynwena's take is clear, and almost unconsciously she raises a hand to her chest. He and his husband. It's hard to put that into words. But it's like...she matters. Or would. To them, to someone. In this way.



Rhenner just stares back at his mother with a blank expression. "Martine...". He seems to have trouble comprehending the information. When Alder had not told him of any losses within the family outside, he had begun to hope, no believe, that there were none. He shifts his gaze to study the wall for a time, until the other words register. "You took in... What of his wife?"

Natalia leans against Rhenner, there for him, but it still doesn't feel like enough. What else should she do? What else could she do?

I guess both these posts for Natalia happen together. And that sucks--get better, cwater!

[Cavelcade]

Kurt nods solemnly at that, glancing at Rhennar to see how he's taking it but saying nothing when the half-elf chooses to stare at nothing, a troubled frown passing over his face briefly. "Do you know where the orcs come from? Is it always the same side they assault?" Chewing his beard a bit as he frowns at the ground as if searching for answers there. "Do you know where they go, if they're just passing you by?"

[Admiral]

Rhenner just stares back at his mother with a blank expression. "Martine...". He seems to have trouble comprehending the information. When Alder had not told him of any losses within the family outside, he had begun to hope, no believe, that there were none. He shifts his gaze to study the wall for a time, until the other words register. "You took in... What of his wife?"

"She's a bit too old to adopt, don't you think?" Elynwena replies, opaquely.


Kurt nods solemnly at that, glancing at Rhennar to see how he's taking it but saying nothing when the half-elf chooses to stare at nothing, a troubled frown passing over his face briefly. "Do you know where the orcs come from? Is it always the same side they assault?" Chewing his beard a bit as he frowns at the ground as if searching for answers there. "Do you know where they go, if they're just passing you by?"

Alder, who has been standing silently to the side, interrupts at this point. "The orcs don't settle in Woodhelm for more than a few nights at a time," he informs them. "This territory has traditionally belonged to human and Elven settlements. The orcs prefer to make their camps in the deserts and plains, their own territory; until the last year it was unheard of for orc barbarians to enter the forest, much less fire giants, who prefer the mountains that lie south of those plains. We're about thirty to forty miles from the border between Woodhelm and the plains- there are a few large Horde encampments out there."

"When the orcs do attack, they change their sides, and find a part of the wall to attempt to breach. We've strengthened it enough over time that it can stand up to a dozen barbarians for enough time to drive them off, or to one or two fire giants. They pick whatever part seems easiest to attack. But they're free to maneuver in how they approach and retreat. The woods are thick enough to provide them some cover once they're more than a hundred yards away, but not thick enough to constrain their movements."

"If they truly wanted to lay siege to us; with, say, a hundred barbarians- we would have no way to stop them. But I suppose we're not worth the effort, they prefer to pick off what they can from us and the other villages. We have four rangers out in the forest: they hunt to supplement our food supplies, and can sometimes give us early warning. It used to be six..." he adds unhappily. "The raids are the biggest threat to the supply caravans, but the Firm has been increasing the armed guard on each in response. Increases the price, of course."


Note that you don't have to stay and fight with them. As usual, just keeping the sandbox full of sand :smallwink:

[CoffeeIncluded]

"She's a bit too old to adopt, don't you think?" Elynwena replies, opaquely.

Wait, what? "Rhenner, what mean? She wife, so...her kids too, right?" Come to think of it,,2$6 did he take his mom's last name? Though that can wait.




Alder, who has been standing silently to the side, interrupts at this point. "The orcs don't settle in Woodhelm for more than a few nights at a time," he informs them. "This territory has traditionally belonged to human and Elven settlements. The orcs prefer to make their camps in the deserts and plains, their own territory; until the last year it was unheard of for orc barbarians to enter the forest, much less fire giants, who prefer the mountains that lie south of those plains. We're about thirty to forty miles from the border between Woodhelm and the plains- there are a few large Horde encampments out there."

"And just started fighting here...year ag? Nothing else then?" two months ago...when did Hoodsie teleport here? And where were they three weeks ago? The damned underdark screwed up her sense of time and she still hasn't quite recalibrated herself. Maybe their interference is why they stepped up their attacks. Deleon was still holding out though.



"When the orcs do attack, they change their sides, and find a part of the wall to attempt to breach. We've strengthened it enough over time that it can stand up to a dozen barbarians for enough time to drive them off, or to one or two fire giants. They pick whatever part seems easiest to attack. But they're free to maneuver in how they approach and retreat. The woods are thick enough to provide them some cover once they're more than a hundred yards away, but not thick enough to constrain their movements."

"If they truly wanted to lay siege to us; with, say, a hundred barbarians- we would have no way to stop them. But I suppose we're not worth the effort, they prefer to pick off what they can from us and the other villages. We have four rangers out in the forest: they hunt to supplement our food supplies, and can sometimes give us early warning. It used to be six..." he adds unhappily. "The raids are the biggest threat to the supply caravans, but the Firm has been increasing the armed guard on each in response. Increases the price, of course."


Note that you don't have to stay and fight with them. As usual, just keeping the sandbox full of sand :smallwink:


"or dragon." Natalia adds darkly. "fire dragons fly where...fire Giants walk, right? Maybe...tired of Orc failure, want sure." And they want something. Natalia's more and more convinced that the Giants sent after them were sent after them, specifically.

first, what are the answers to the questions Natalia asked? Second, Natalia is going to be adamant that they help. She'll also try to talk to Elynwena alone after this is done.

[CWater]

"She's a bit too old to adopt, don't you think?" Elynwena replies, opaquely.

Always, always that innocent smile. Rhenner had almost forgot how frustrating mother could be if she wanted, it made one want to scream. He suspected that was the whole point. There were those who believed Elynwena was a truly sincere and gentle person, he knew. Rhenner considered it total nonsense; that would have required her to be a simpleton, and nothing could be farther from the truth, his mother was one of the most clever people he had ever met, even after all the world he had seen, he still held that opinion.


Natalia leans against Rhenner, there for him, but it still doesn't feel like enough. What else should she do? What else could she do?

Rhenner doesn't acknowledge Natalia's attempt at consoling him, though he doesn't push or step away from her either. It is unclear whether he has even noticed her or not, his eyes fixed on the opposite wall. Somewhere in the middle of his Alder's explanantion, his gaze slowly moves to him.



Alder, who has been standing silently to the side, interrupts at this point. "The orcs don't settle in Woodhelm for more than a few nights at a time," he informs them. "This territory has traditionally belonged to human and Elven settlements. The orcs prefer to make their camps in the deserts and plains, their own territory; until the last year it was unheard of for orc barbarians to enter the forest, much less fire giants, who prefer the mountains that lie south of those plains. We're about thirty to forty miles from the border between Woodhelm and the plains- there are a few large Horde encampments out there."

"When the orcs do attack, they change their sides, and find a part of the wall to attempt to breach. We've strengthened it enough over time that it can stand up to a dozen barbarians for enough time to drive them off, or to one or two fire giants. They pick whatever part seems easiest to attack. But they're free to maneuver in how they approach and retreat. The woods are thick enough to provide them some cover once they're more than a hundred yards away, but not thick enough to constrain their movements."

"If they truly wanted to lay siege to us; with, say, a hundred barbarians- we would have no way to stop them. But I suppose we're not worth the effort, they prefer to pick off what they can from us and the other villages. We have four rangers out in the forest: they hunt to supplement our food supplies, and can sometimes give us early warning. It used to be six..." he adds unhappily. "The raids are the biggest threat to the supply caravans, but the Firm has been increasing the armed guard on each in response. Increases the price, of course."


Note that you don't have to stay and fight with them. As usual, just keeping the sandbox full of sand :smallwink:


Rhenner looks at his brother silently for a moment. "If you had the means, is there anything you can think of that could end or at least lessen the attacks. Are they after something in the forest? Or do they have an encampment close by that makes it easy for them to send raiders?"

[Athedia]

Mithril looked at the others in astonishment and annoyance. "We are already supposed to be in two places at once. And you want to do this as well? The more we delay, the further behind we get."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril looked at the others in astonishment and annoyance. "We are already supposed to be in two places at once. And you want to do this as well? The more we delay, the further behind we get."

Natalia shakes her head. "No, have to help." She holds up her fingers, starting from the more pragmatic like Mithril--this Mithril--probably would. The thought isn't... "Can't travel without horses, can't...get horses in forest when dragon above. And...need rest day to even find horses. Dragon could fly...here by night." She extends another finger. "This Rhenner's family, home. Can't just leave. Not his, not yours, Kurt's, mine." Finally, she extends a third finger, pausing on it for a second. And another. Finally she whispers to Rhenner, leaning all the way up against his ear so no sound can escape, "What your mom like? Really like, when you dig something hidden, buried?"

[Athedia]

Natalia shakes her head. "No, have to help." She holds up her fingers, starting from the more pragmatic like Mithril--this Mithril--probably would. The thought isn't... "Can't travel without horses, can't...get horses in forest when dragon above. And...need rest day to even find horses. Dragon could fly...here by night." She extends another finger. "This Rhenner's family, home. Can't just leave. Not his, not yours, Kurt's, mine." Finally, she extends a third finger, pausing on it for a second. And another. Finally she whispers to Rhenner, leaning all the way up against his ear so no sound can escape, "What your mom like? Really like, when you dig something hidden, buried?"

"So we wait until we get the horses. And if Rhenner's family is smart, they would run. We already left our homes, do you even know if anyone is still alive? I know I haven't contacted my family since I left the city months ago."

I meant haven't not have. Changes the entire sentence there.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"So we wait until we get the horses. And if Rhenner's family is smart, they would run. We already left our homes, do you even know if anyone is still alive? I know I have contacted my family since I left the city months ago."

Natalia recoils. "Don't...say that." And yet yes, there's the guilt too, she should have contacted her brother at least by now...She pushes it aside for the moment though until Rhenner can cast that spell again. Instead she leaps onto something else. "if waiting, then do something while waiting. And...you always say run. What if can't? What if nowhere to run to, or...reason to stay?" That last hesitation isn't Nutspeak, not entirely. She's facing Mithril and Rhenner and Kurt as she says that last part, so they can see the extra intent in her gaze that Elynwena can't.

[CWater]

The damn cough is keeping me awaaaake...
Will still blame any resulting grogginess on the illness and sleep deprivation.
Rhenner looks away from the debate. Some part of him argues that he should say something, but he can't find the words. He doesn't feel like he has a right to them either. A crack is torn to the numbness that overtook him and his fist clenches. A subconscious proactive gesture that seeks to calm his mind.


Finally she whispers to Rhenner, leaning all the way up against his ear so no sound can escape, "What your mom like? Really like, when you dig something hidden, buried?"

Rhenner doesn't reply, just shakes his head barely visibly.


"So we wait until we get the horses. And if Rhenner's family is smart, they would run. We already left our homes, do you even know if anyone is still alive? I know I have contacted my family since I left the city months ago."

Pack up their things and run... He senses a throbbing bundle forming in his chest. Like an invisible hand was squeezing his insides.

[Admiral]

"So we wait until we get the horses. And if Rhenner's family is smart, they would run. We already left our homes, do you even know if anyone is still alive? I know I haven't contacted my family since I left the city months ago."


"A lot of us wanted to run," Elynwena interjects brightly. She has the tone of a stranger in a tavern, interrupting a conversation to add dubiously helpful advice. "We held a vote, four months ago. I voted in favor- even had a plan worked out to settle in the woods north of Providencia, where Neeson's sister lives. Have you met her?" she asks, turning to Alder instead of Rhenner. "Very capable. And such good aim with a bow."

She sighs. "But some of the town insisted on staying. And eight threatened to stay behind even if we fled. Two of your brothers and one of your sisters among them," she adds to Rhenner. "I thought about leaving them behind. But I've found I'm much happier when my children are alive rather than dead." She adds this in a patient voice, as if she were explaining a quaint tribal custom.

"So we started work on the wall. Some of the townspeople disagreed, and they ran off. Those who were polite enough to tell me first, I arranged safe passage to the Brearshaw Territory. Others just disappeared in the middle of the night. Do you remember the Sullivans? Oh, you were too young. Anyway..." She scratches her chin.

"Oh, Martine's wife, too. She fled the morning after he died." She sighs slowly. "Quite a shame, I liked her. And her cousin was third in line to be the Archbishop of Cardonne. Perhaps she'll write?" She looks thoughtful. "I was surprised she didn't take her children with her, or even tell them where she was going. I certainly would have, with my own children. But," she declares in a sing-songy voice, "it takes all kinds to make a world!" Elynwena had taken over for a semester as the town schoolteacher, when the previous one had fallen ill. She was not invited to return in the spring.

"Where were we? Hmmm... no, running isn't part of our plans. You can run if you like, though. We'll see you in another..." she counts on her fingers. "Seven years?"

[CWater]

Perhaps ironically enough, Elynwena's interruption disrupts the unpleasant train of thought in Rhenner's mind and the pressure in his chest eases. Instead it is like there is a sharp nail made of guilt that is being thrust in, and his mother is holding the hammer, not even looking while she deals the blows.

"You are optimistic in your estimation, Mother", he sighs, sounding most defeated. Now, just please don't state aloud how long I've really been gone. He couldn't remember the exact number of years right away, but he knew it was far more than seven.

"So what is your plan then?", he asks again, presumably from his mother, though he doesn't dare to look at her.

[Cavelcade]

"So we wait until we get the horses. And if Rhenner's family is smart, they would run. We already left our homes, do you even know if anyone is still alive? I know I haven't contacted my family since I left the city months ago."

I meant haven't not have. Changes the entire sentence there.

Kurt shakes his head. "There's no goin' back for me. I don't want it to be like that for anyone else." The matter was settled in his mind as soon as he heard about it. Deal with what's in front of you, after all.

He turns to Elynwena again, curious about some of the things she said. "Are you sure they left, and weren't taken? Leaving children behind is...hrm. Well, fine, I guess you know what you're talking about. But what about the other villages, why have you stayed so scattered? Walls are good, people are better."

[Admiral]

Perhaps ironically enough, Elynwena's interruption disrupts the unpleasant train of thought in Rhenner's mind and the pressure in his chest eases. Instead it is like there is a sharp nail made of guilt that is being thrust in, and his mother is holding the hammer, not even looking while she deals the blows.

"You are optimistic in your estimation, Mother", he sighs, sounding most defeated. Now, just please don't state aloud how long I've really been gone. He couldn't remember the exact number of years right away, but he knew it was far more than seven.

"So what is your plan then?", he asks again, presumably from his mother, though he doesn't dare to look at her.

"Oh, we'll get by somehow," she says, waving her hand dismissively. "We always have. Everyone always does, in fact, up until the day they die."

"We don't know that the dragon is coming here soon, or ever," Alder notes. "There are many other towns and villages in the region, and it could return to its home..."




He turns to Elynwena again, curious about some of the things she said. "Are you sure they left, and weren't taken? Leaving children behind is...hrm.

Elynwena points at him in a congratulatory fashion. "I'm sure that's it," she replies. "She must have been kidnapped. And the kidnappers, thoughtful as they are, packed her five sets of clothes and her books. I like you already, Kurt, thinking the best of people like that." As always, her tone shows no obvious signs of sarcasm.


"But what about the other villages, why have you stayed so scattered? Walls are good, people are better."

She sighs thoughtfully. "A few settlers have joined from other towns... especially those cities that faced the worst raids... but trust runs low in these woods. And when you bring people together, you gain some strength- but you're also a bigger target. The more villages are out there, the more likely the raiders will attack someone else." She shrugs at the harsh reality.

Then she raises a finger. "But you can always trust family. That's why we adopt them, when we can. Your children, you can always trust to be there when times are difficult." She glances up at Rhenner as though she's forgotten he was there. "Ah, pardon me! Almost always," she adds, as if she were correcting an innocent mistake.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"A lot of us wanted to run," Elynwena interjects brightly. She has the tone of a stranger in a tavern, interrupting a conversation to add dubiously helpful advice. "We held a vote, four months ago. I voted in favor- even had a plan worked out to settle in the woods north of Providencia, where Neeson's sister lives. Have you met her?" she asks, turning to Alder instead of Rhenner. "Very capable. And such good aim with a bow."

She sighs. "But some of the town insisted on staying. And eight threatened to stay behind even if we fled. Two of your brothers and one of your sisters among them," she adds to Rhenner. "I thought about leaving them behind. But I've found I'm much happier when my children are alive rather than dead." She adds this in a patient voice, as if she were explaining a quaint tribal custom.

"So we started work on the wall. Some of the townspeople disagreed, and they ran off. Those who were polite enough to tell me first, I arranged safe passage to the Brearshaw Territory. Others just disappeared in the middle of the night. Do you remember the Sullivans? Oh, you were too young. Anyway..." She scratches her chin.

"Oh, Martine's wife, too. She fled the morning after he died." She sighs slowly. "Quite a shame, I liked her. And her cousin was third in line to be the Archbishop of Cardonne. Perhaps she'll write?" She looks thoughtful. "I was surprised she didn't take her children with her, or even tell them where she was going. I certainly would have, with my own children. But," she declares in a sing-songy voice, "it takes all kinds to make a world!" Elynwena had taken over for a semester as the town schoolteacher, when the previous one had fallen ill. She was not invited to return in the spring.

"Where were we? Hmmm... no, running isn't part of our plans. You can run if you like, though. We'll see you in another..." she counts on her fingers. "Seven years?"

It dawns on Natalia that Elynwena's words are like pudding with caltrops mixed in. They may seem smooth and sweet but the bitterness and pain aren't far away, and in fact are pretty visible if you know where to look. Okay, so Natalia knows nothing about Rhenner's past, but did his mom need to rub in his disappearing every sentence? How could he do that? Anger swells within her.


Kurt shakes his head. "There's no goin' back for me. I don't want it to be like that for anyone else." The matter was settled in his mind as soon as he heard about it. Deal with what's in front of you, after all.

He turns to Elynwena again, curious about some of the things she said. "Are you sure they left, and weren't taken? Leaving children behind is...hrm. Well, fine, I guess you know what you're talking about. But what about the other villages, why have you stayed so scattered? Walls are good, people are better."


Perhaps ironically enough, Elynwena's interruption disrupts the unpleasant train of thought in Rhenner's mind and the pressure in his chest eases. Instead it is like there is a sharp nail made of guilt that is being thrust in, and his mother is holding the hammer, not even looking while she deals the blows.

"You are optimistic in your estimation, Mother", he sighs, sounding most defeated. Now, just please don't state aloud how long I've really been gone. He couldn't remember the exact number of years right away, but he knew it was far more than seven.

"So what is your plan then?", he asks again, presumably from his mother, though he doesn't dare to look at her.


"Oh, we'll get by somehow," she says, waving her hand dismissively. "We always have. Everyone always does, in fact, up until the day they die."

"We don't know that the dragon is coming here soon, or ever," Alder notes. "There are many other towns and villages in the region, and it could return to its home..."

"But keep fighting back here," Natalia muses. "Are...other towns hurt like this, so much, so...often?" Hang on. She turns to her friends again. "Hu--allies. You think they fight dragon too? If allied with orcs? Even if they...them, still more allies make better odds. Remember giant fight?" Ezra had made short work of the giants on the other wall--at least, she assumed the fireballs and lightning bolts were her work. Not to mention that if this town did hide something important....


Elynwena points at him in a congratulatory fashion. "I'm sure that's it," she replies. "She must have been kidnapped. And the kidnappers, thoughtful as they are, packed her five sets of clothes and her books. I like you already, Kurt, thinking the best of people like that." As always, her tone shows no obvious signs of sarcasm.



She sighs thoughtfully. "A few settlers have joined from other towns... especially those cities that faced the worst raids... but trust runs low in these woods. And when you bring people together, you gain some strength- but you're also a bigger target. The more villages are out there, the more likely the raiders will attack someone else." She shrugs at the harsh reality.

Then she raises a finger. "But you can always trust family. That's why we adopt them, when we can. Your children, you can always trust to be there when times are difficult." She glances up at Rhenner as though she's forgotten he was there. "Ah, pardon me! Almost always," she adds, as if she were correcting an innocent mistake.

That's it. Maybe it's what she noticed before, maybe it's the indignation she feels on Rhenner's behalf, maybe it's her own guilt, probably it's all three, but Natalia clenches her fists and snaps out, Elynwena, just...say what mean!"

[Athedia]

Mithril couldn't help but smile at Natalia's comment. "You have a point Natalia. It is rather unhelpful to have this humble facade. Either she wants our help and is using Rhenner's guilt and the rest of your general urge to help everyone that crosses our path, or she is simply having a game at our expense." She turned toward Elynwena and nodded. "I must be unused to the ways of elves. In human culture once you come of age you are independent. Family is important, but not to the extent your personal kingdom represents. And with the number of children you appear to have, I doubt one is sorely missed. He serves his god, as I serve mine. This calling is higher than family or even life." She knew she was not being overly diplomatic, but something about the way she was belittling Rhenner rubbed Mithril the wrong way. She may not be on good terms with the cleric since the expedition to the Underdark but she knew his dedication and courage.

[CWater]

She sighs thoughtfully. "A few settlers have joined from other towns... especially those cities that faced the worst raids... but trust runs low in these woods. And when you bring people together, you gain some strength- but you're also a bigger target. The more villages are out there, the more likely the raiders will attack someone else." She shrugs at the harsh reality.

Then she raises a finger. "But you can always trust family. That's why we adopt them, when we can. Your children, you can always trust to be there when times are difficult." She glances up at Rhenner as though she's forgotten he was there. "Ah, pardon me! Almost always," she adds, as if she were correcting an innocent mistake.

Another merciless nail, hammered right next to the other one. That, was almost obviously mean, Rhenner thinks, She must really be furious with me.



That's it. Maybe it's what she noticed before, maybe it's the indignation she feels on Rhenner's behalf, maybe it's her own guilt, probably it's all three, but Natalia clenches her fists and snaps out, Elynwena, just...say what mean!" One hand flies to her mouth the moment the words come out.


Mithril couldn't help but smile at Natalia's comment. "You have a point Natalia. It is rather unhelpful to have this humble facade. Either she wants our help and is using Rhenner's guilt and the rest of your general urge to help everyone that crosses our path, or she is simply having a game at our expense." She turned toward Elynwena and nodded. "I must be unused to the ways of elves. In human culture once you come of age you are independent. Family is important, but not to the extent your personal kingdom represents. And with the number of children you appear to have, I doubt one is sorely missed. He serves his god, as I serve mine. This calling is higher than family or even life." She knew she was not being overly diplomatic, but something about the way she was belittling Rhenner rubbed Mithril the wrong way. She may not be on good terms with the cleric since the expedition to the Underdark but she knew his dedication and courage.

Rhenner looks at the two in astonishment. Were they... defending him? They didn't have anything to do with this matter. Nor did they know anything about the reasons of his absence. Maybe, that's not the point, thought a part of him that hadn't surfaced in a long time. "..." He meant to say something but was at a loss for words again.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Another merciless nail, hammered right next to the other one. That, was almost obviously mean, Rhenner thinks, She must really be furious with me.

Rhenner looks at the two in astonishment. Were they... defending him? They didn't have anything to do with this matter. Nor did they know anything about the reasons of his absence. Maybe, that's not the point, thought a part of him that hadn't surfaced in a long time. "..." He meant to say something but was at a loss for words again.

This isn't right, he doesn't deserve this. And besides, maybe he had to leave too. If this is what his mom is like...meanness hidden beneath smoothness is as bad as resentment simmering beneath attempts to care.

Natalia's hand on Rhenner tightens, and her other hand clenches into a fist so hard the nails leave marks.


Mithril couldn't help but smile at Natalia's comment. "You have a point Natalia. It is rather unhelpful to have this humble facade. Either she wants our help and is using Rhenner's guilt and the rest of your general urge to help everyone that crosses our path, or she is simply having a game at our expense." She turned toward Elynwena and nodded. "I must be unused to the ways of elves. In human culture once you come of age you are independent. Family is important, but not to the extent your personal kingdom represents. And with the number of children you appear to have, I doubt one is sorely missed. He serves his god, as I serve mine. This calling is higher than family or even life." She knew she was not being overly diplomatic, but something about the way she was belittling Rhenner rubbed Mithril the wrong way. She may not be on good terms with the cleric since the expedition to the Underdark but she knew his dedication and courage.

Natalia nods, her eyes hardening. "And sometimes, need leave," she mutters to herself. The simmering anger boils over, drowning the sense of caution shouting at her to be circumspect and cautions. "Enough. Mithril right too. Don't know why left, but...not right to treat this way! Even if black sheep, no reason to shear!" She turns slightly, now addressing everyone, her own anger keeping her going. "And know you need help, so just say why, instead...of guilt trip, twisting smoothness! horde comes back, and back, stronger each time. Mithril, Kurt, Sh...Remember Linwood? Fought horde once, beat once, and done! But here, back, they chase, they...need something! We...can't help unless know why horde attacks here, which...you know, Elynwena."

[CWater]

This isn't right, he doesn't deserve this. And besides, maybe he had to leave too. If this is what his mom is like...meanness hidden beneath smoothness is as bad as resentment simmering beneath attempts to care.

Natalia's hand on Rhenner tightens, and her other hand clenches into a fist so hard the nails leave marks.



Natalia nods, her eyes hardening. "And sometimes, need leave," she mutters to herself. The simmering anger boils over, drowning the sense of caution shouting at her to be circumspect and cautions. "Enough. Mithril right too. Don't know why left, but...not right to treat this way! Even if black sheep, no reason to shear!" She turns slightly, now addressing everyone, her own anger keeping her going. "And know you need help, so just say why, instead...of guilt trip, twisting smoothness! horde comes back, and back, stronger each time. Mithril, Kurt, Sh...Remember Linwood? Fought horde once, beat once, and done! But here, back, they chase, they...need something! We...can't help unless know why horde attacks here, which...you know, Elynwena."

"Natalia...", Rhenner places a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to placate her and says in a low voice, "Thank you. Please, try to keep your calm. Though trust me I know how difficult it can sometimes be." He smiles a little and subtly nods towards his mother.

The disorder in his mind is like a loud marketplace, where many matters scream for attention, waving plaques made of memories to support their claim. To regain some composure, he scoops from among them one to focus on, one that he can actually deal with right now. "I... appreciate what you've said for me", Rhenner says to Natalia and Mithril, "I truly wish I deserved it. However", he coughs to clear his throat and turns to face his mother and brother, "while I did have a reason to leave, a calling you could call it, which I don't regret, I..." His voice is playing tricks with him today, and it is an effort to drag it back. "I have no true reason to why I never returned, until now. I wish I could even say this was intentional, but to tell the truth, I had to teleport so fast I had no time to think where I was moving us." He rubs his forehead and seeks to gather his thoughts before looking up again. "All I can say, is that it was never my intention to leave for good, even if I can now only give you excuses for why I never visited, not even at times... when I really should have. Some of those excuses are better, others less so. Ultimately, they mean nothing." He lets out a deep sigh. "You deserve an apology, and I hope you can believe me when I say I... am sorry."

"The past couple of years, during which I didn't even write", Natalia can feel how Rhenner's hold on his shoulder tightens, "Please believe that was not for idle reasons. Whether they were good ones, I have not the wisdom to say. But I suspect they don't excuse me for not even sending a single word of myself. That was inconsiderate, and I apologise for that as well." After that, he finally quiets. Unsure, if he should say something more, or if he already had spoken too much.

Sigh, I spent waay too long on this. Sometimes when Rhenner opens his mouth, he doesn't know how to stop talking.. I hope it's not too bad here. -_-'

[Admiral]

"Natalia...", Rhenner places a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to placate her and says in a low voice, "Thank you. Please, try to keep your calm. Though trust me I know how difficult it can sometimes be." He smiles a little and subtly nods towards his mother.

The disorder in his mind is like a loud marketplace, where many matters scream for attention, waving plaques made of memories to support their claim. To regain some composure, he scoops from among them one to focus on, one that he can actually deal with right now. "I... appreciate what you've said for me", Rhenner says to Natalia and Mithril, "I truly wish I deserved it. However", he coughs to clear his throat and turns to face his mother and brother, "while I did have a reason to leave, a calling you could call it, which I don't regret, I..." His voice is playing tricks with him today, and it is an effort to drag it back. "I have no true reason to why I never returned, until now. I wish I could even say this was intentional, but to tell the truth, I had to teleport so fast I had no time to think where I was moving us." He rubs his forehead and seeks to gather his thoughts before looking up again. "All I can say, is that it was never my intention to leave for good, even if I can now only give you excuses for why I never visited, not even at times... when I really should have. Some of those excuses are better, others less so. Ultimately, they mean nothing." He lets out a deep sigh. "You deserve an apology, and I hope you can believe me when I say I... am sorry."

"The past couple of years, during which I didn't even write", Natalia can feel how Rhenner's hold on his shoulder tightens, "Please believe that was not for idle reasons. Whether they were good ones, I have not the wisdom to say. But I suspect they don't excuse me for not even sending a single word of myself. That was inconsiderate, and I apologise for that as well." After that, he finally quiets. Unsure, if he should say something more, or if he already had spoken too much.


Elynwena tilts her head to the side. "Thank you, Rhenner," she replies. "That couldn't have been easy." She taps her cheek thoughtfully. "Indeed, I know that for a fact... whatever natural gifts your father and I gave you, straightforwardness was probably not among them."

She frowns as she continues to think. "This... calling you and your friends speak of... what exactly was it?"

Anyone can answer.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia looks at Rhenner's hand on her shoulder and replies with a short nod. She probably shouldn't have lost her cool like that, though he still needed defending in her mind. No matter what he thinks.

Rhenner's grip on her shoulder tightens with every word he says, and Natalia doesn't need to look at his face to know how hard this must be for him, the guilt that he must feel. She reaches up and pats his wrist as he speaks, and only when he falls silent and his mother seemingly accepts his apology does she allow herself to react.

She's not quite sure who Elynwena is referring to in her question though, so she keeps silent for the time being.

[CWater]

Elynwena tilts her head to the side. "Thank you, Rhenner," she replies. "That couldn't have been easy." She taps her cheek thoughtfully. "Indeed, I know that for a fact... whatever natural gifts your father and I gave you, straightforwardness was probably not among them."

You are telling me?! It takes a lot of self-control from Rhenner not to blurt that outloud. But, was she a little less angry now? Or was that just wishful thinking on his part? Unsure of what to make of it, or how to feel, he tries to put his mind on other things. He lets go of Natalia's shoulder, realizing how tight he was gripping it.



She frowns as she continues to think. "This... calling you and your friends speak of... what exactly was it?"


Rhenner crosses his arms, looking mildly embarrased. "That... perhaps it is wrong to speak of a single strong calling, except something has always kept me on the road. Back when I left, it was merely the desire to see the world. I could try to claim that I had a greater a wish to serve Fharlanghn, or to help people I would meet as a healer, but I doubt I truly had the devotion when I was young", Rhenner touches his holy symbol, "Later though, I thought I had found a purpose, a cause to dedicate my life to. I believed so for years", a bitter smile raises to his lips, "Well, turned out I'd been wrong. But I found a new purpose then, less pleasant, but more important in the long run. I think. And just some days ago, my calling has taken a new form again." He looks uncertain for a passing moment, not sure how much he can say. "To help in seeking an end to this war", he finally settles on.

I suspect that last sentence is grammatically wrong somehow, how to put it better?

[Cavelcade]

Kurt tenses a bit as Rhennar reaches the crux of the issue of just what this "calling" they've all experienced is - he looks closely at Mithril as well, watching her reaction with his hands resting gently by his side, thumbs hooked over his belt behind his back. He quickly mutters a soft word of dwarven half under his breath, shutting his his eyes for a moment before turning back to matters at hand, focusing again on the idea of what's happening here and how to deal with it.

"If you have the strength to resist evil, it's important to use it. If you can gain that strength by bringing in more people...hm. Well, maybe things aren't as bad as they seem but a bit of distrust is better than a slow whittling or a sudden storm. If you're determined to stay here, you'll need more strength. And our task can't spare your son, or us, for long." He says it as if each item on this list is a clear axiom of the world they live in, as straightforward as asserting the sky to be blue or iron to be hard.

[Admiral]

Elynwena's gaze stays on Rhenner as he speaks, then to Kurt, then flicks back to Natalia and finally Mithril.

"You do seem to have places to be," she states politely. "Two places, if I heard Mithril correctly. So very, very busy."

"'Seeking an end to this war.' What might you be up to?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Elynwena's gaze stays on Rhenner as he speaks, then to Kurt, then flicks back to Natalia and finally Mithril.

"You do seem to have places to be," she states politely. "Two places, if I heard Mithril correctly. So very, very busy."

"'Seeking an end to this war.' What might you be up to?"

Natalia's gaze flocks back and forth between her friends. How much is safe to tell? Especially since she's not protected.

"Horde...guided by master, seeks more than smashing, flames. Looking to stop, and looking for...master." she looks up, now her gaze pleading. Elynwena, horde here to do...more than burn. Please, for true help, think...we need know why."

[Athedia]

Elynwena's gaze stays on Rhenner as he speaks, then to Kurt, then flicks back to Natalia and finally Mithril.

"You do seem to have places to be," she states politely. "Two places, if I heard Mithril correctly. So very, very busy."

"'Seeking an end to this war.' What might you be up to?"


Natalia's gaze flocks back and forth between her friends. How much is safe to tell? Especially since she's not protected.

"Horde...guided by master, seeks more than smashing, flames. Looking to stop, and looking for...master." she looks up, now her gaze pleading. Elynwena, horde here to do...more than burn. Please, for true help, think...we need know why."

Mithril's mouth was twisted in thought as both Rhenner and Kurt spoke. She wasn't comfortable with this much information being shared with someone not trusted by Hulberg, even if it was the mother of one of her companions. As Natalia spoke, Mithril's brow creased further. "Natalia. That's enough. Elynwena, you are nosy and our purpose is veiled for a reason. You know more than might be safe for anyone at the moment. I suggest you use this time to be nice to your son, because where we go? We may not come back."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril's mouth was twisted in thought as both Rhenner and Kurt spoke. She wasn't comfortable with this much information being shared with someone not trusted by Hulberg, even if it was the mother of one of her companions. As Natalia spoke, Mithril's brow creased further. "Natalia. That's enough. Elynwena, you are nosy and our purpose is veiled for a reason. You know more than might be safe for anyone at the moment. I suggest you use this time to be nice to your son, because where we go? We may not come back."

a shadow falls over Natalia's face, but she does shut up. "Sorry," she whispers. Hard enough, choosing words. Harder to choose twice. But...she know why horde attacks here, again and again. Think...we need know why too, if dragons. And here." here, of course, being the reason they teleported back in the first place. And possibly why hoodsie teleported here weeks ago.

[Cavelcade]

After a moment where his expression reveals surprise, he nods slowly. "Mithril is right. Talking about this endangers more than just us..." He sighs at his own words, shaking his head at himself. "Forget I said anything, if you can. Maybe we shouldn't even be here at all. But if the giants are here..."

[Admiral]

Elynwena watches the party as they close ranks, glancing over each of them in turn. She may simply be puzzled by their distrust, or she may be looking for weaknesses.


Mithril's mouth was twisted in thought as both Rhenner and Kurt spoke. She wasn't comfortable with this much information being shared with someone not trusted by Hulberg, even if it was the mother of one of her companions. As Natalia spoke, Mithril's brow creased further. "Natalia. That's enough. Elynwena, you are nosy and our purpose is veiled for a reason. You know more than might be safe for anyone at the moment. I suggest you use this time to be nice to your son, because where we go? We may not come back."

"You're quite right, Mithril," she replies pleasantly. "I don't know how long I have either, in this most dangerous of times. Perhaps, I could ask for a moment alone with my son?" Her eyes go back to Rhenner.

[CWater]

Elynwena watches the party as they close ranks, glancing over each of them in turn. She may simply be puzzled by their distrust, or she may be looking for weaknesses.



"You're quite right, Mithril," she replies pleasantly. "I don't know how long I have either, in this most dangerous of times. Perhaps, I could ask for a moment alone with my son?" Her eyes go back to Rhenner.

"...I can't tell you anything that hasn't already been said, Mother", Rhenner says, looking mildly apologetic, but also more stern than during the whole conversation up to now, "This is not a matter I can share with others, not even family. But please understand it is not because of spite, or a wish to keep things from you. This knowledge holds dangers, and I don't want you involved in it. You have enough troubles of your own as is."

"If it's something else you want to talk about however, I'm more than happy to do so", he adds, not sure of what sort of answer he is hoping for.

[Admiral]

"...I can't tell you anything that hasn't already been said, Mother", Rhenner says, looking mildly apologetic, but also more stern than during the whole conversation up to now, "This is not a matter I can share with others, not even family. But please understand it is not because of spite, or a wish to keep things from you. This knowledge holds dangers, and I don't want you involved in it. You have enough troubles of your own as is."

"If it's something else you want to talk about however, I'm more than happy to do so", he adds, not sure of what sort of answer he is hoping for.

"Always suspicious," Elynwena sighs. "Do you wonder why people don't trust you, if you don't trust them?" She gives the appearance of asking for her own curiosity.

"Call it... making up for lost time. If you were sincere in what you said, that is."

[CWater]

"Always suspicious," Elynwena sighs. "Do you wonder why people don't trust you, if you don't trust them?" She gives the appearance of asking for her own curiosity.

"Call it... making up for lost time. If you were sincere in what you said, that is."

"I was."Wordswords...

[Admiral]

"Then if you don't mind..." She smiles at Natalia, Mithril, Kurt and Alder and inclines her head.

[Athedia]

Mithril went toward the door waiting for Alder to show her where to go.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natali nods and makes her way to the door. She's quiet for the moment, her mind turned inward.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt leaves with a troubled expression on his face, though not at being asked to leave. Something else said in there is making his forehead crease like that.

[Admiral]

The rest of the party departs, Alder shutting the door behind them. If the elder son has any resentment about his mother's request, he doesn't show it. Rhenner finds himself alone in the room with his mother, who looks him up and down across her inflated stomach.

"I used to think you had trouble trusting people," she observes drily. "After- well, after what happened when you were twelve..." she trails off diplomatically. "You didn't trust me, and you didn't trust your father. Your brothers-" she scoffs a bit. It seems a bit of her mask has been dropped now that the two of them are alone- a rare but not unprecedented occurrence. (Though part of him has always wondered whether this, too, was a calculated move to gain his trust).

"But you grew older, and you seemed to have no trouble placing your trust in the Church. And so much the better for you." She smiles slightly, seeming genuinely proud. "But now you say... what was it... it 'turned out you'd been wrong.'"

"So what is it about those three you travel with, that makes you trust them? Are they really so deserving of it? So much more so than I am?"

[CWater]

"I have found that trust is best placed... partially", Rhenner replies, the cynic in charge of the voice controls again, "One can trust people deeply in one matter, and not much at all in another. Complete trust I put to no one, not even my god, which I suppose makes me a lousy priest, though He does not seem to mind." The cleric taps his holy symbol contemplatively. "It... has been long since I last saw you, or anyone I might call family, though I do realize this is only my own fault." He looks away.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Once they're outside, Natalia looks at her friends. Now that it's done, what just happened seems slightly surreal.

"So...now what? Didn't think Rhenner..." she trails off, not really sure how to put her thoughts into words. So until she can, Natalia lowers her voice so alder can't hear. "Horde fights here for reason. Think she knows why. Might...be...like our search."

[Admiral]

"I have found that trust is best placed... partially", Rhenner replies, the cynic in charge of the voice controls again, "One can trust people deeply in one matter, and not much at all in another. Complete trust I put to no one, not even my god, which I suppose makes me a lousy priest, though He does not seem to mind." The cleric taps his holy symbol contemplatively. "It... has been long since I last saw you, or anyone I might call family, though I do realize this is only my own fault." He looks away.

"Partial trust..." the elven matriarch muses. "Well said. Partial trust is so much harder than complete trust. But so very necessary, for a family to survive..."

"Have you ever thought of having children yourself?" she asks Rhenner suddenly, looking up.

[CWater]

"Partial trust..." the elven matriarch muses. "Well said. Partial trust is so much harder than complete trust. But so very necessary, for a family to survive..."

"Have you ever thought of having children yourself?" she asks Rhenner suddenly, looking up.

Rhenner raises an eyebrow at the question. "I haven't really to be honest", he replies, "Though I suppose my wandering way of life would be ill suited for raising children."

[Admiral]

Rhenner raises an eyebrow at the question. "I haven't really to be honest", he replies, "Though I suppose my wandering way of life would be ill suited for raising children."

"Perhaps..." she replies. "It's unfortunate, you'd likely find it a learning experience. I'm sure you've had many exciting adventures in your travels, especially with that charming god you follow, but you'd be surprised the challenges that raising a family can present." She scratches her head. "For instance, imagine you were deciding whether to trust one of your children with something, as well as trusting his choice in comrades. But your child has not, historically, given you much reason to trust him. How would you handle it, with all your wisdom?" She gives every appearance of speaking entirely in hypotheticals.

[CWater]

"Perhaps..." she replies. "It's unfortunate, you'd likely find it a learning experience. I'm sure you've had many exciting adventures in your travels, especially with that charming god you follow, but you'd be surprised the challenges that raising a family can present." She scratches her head. "For instance, imagine you were deciding whether to trust one of your children with something, as well as trusting his choice in comrades. But your child has not, historically, given you much reason to trust him. How would you handle it, with all your wisdom?" She gives every appearance of speaking entirely in hypotheticals.

Rhenner smiles wryly. Fine, lets play this game then.

"I would say that depends on what he needs to be trusted with now, in comparison to those things he has not been up to before. Partial trust can also be employed when dealing with family, it can even be necessary. There was something said in this room earlier, that family could always be trusted. Whether this was as an honest opinion, or the phrase happened to be convenient for some other reason, I can't say." He looks out of the window. "Anyway, after travelling the continent and meeting many people and heard their tales and whatnot, I dare to claim this is no absolute truth, but a pleasant saying those who are either fortunate or foolish like to say. For there are many for whom it would be very stupid to think so. However," he turns back to Elynwena, "I have also come to believe that for even greater a number, it is not a lie. It would seem, that most often people care deeply for those they have grown up with, to whom they apply this word 'family' to, and would go to great lengths to keep them safe. The half-elf shrugs. "What one's own family is like can't unfortunately be known for sure in advance, before there comes a time when it is tested. Still... I think not believing in them can cause damage already in itself." He looks slightly sorry again.

[Athedia]

Once they're outside, Natalia looks at her friends. Now that it's done, what just happened seems slightly surreal.

"So...now what? Didn't think Rhenner..." she trails off, not really sure how to put her thoughts into words. So until she can, Natalia lowers her voice so alder can't hear. "Horde fights here for reason. Think she knows why. Might...be...like our search."

Mithril didn't bother to lower her voice. "Oh, she knows something. But she isn't stupid, trusting strangers is a dangerous hobby. I doubt she fully trusts her own children, given that at least one of them disappeared for years."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril didn't bother to lower her voice. "Oh, she knows something. But she isn't stupid, trusting strangers is a dangerous hobby. I doubt she fully trusts her own children, given that at least one of them disappeared for years."

Natalia nods. She keeps her voice down though. "Speaking of children..." She can't hold it in anymore. Natalia points back at the door, spreads her hands as if indicating every elf in this room, this town. "Why?"

[Admiral]

Rhenner smiles wryly. Fine, lets play this game then.

"I would say that depends on what he needs to be trusted with now, in comparison to those things he has not been up to before. Partial trust can also be employed when dealing with family, it can even be necessary. There was something said in this room earlier, that family could always be trusted. Whether this was as an honest opinion, or the phrase happened to be convenient for some other reason, I can't say."

"I believe what was said," she replies with a wry smile to match, "was 'almost always.'"


He looks out of the window. "Anyway, after travelling the continent and meeting many people and heard their tales and whatnot, I dare to claim this is no absolute truth, but a pleasant saying those who are either fortunate or foolish like to say. For there are many for whom it would be very stupid to think so. However," he turns back to Elynwena, "I have also come to believe that for even greater a number, it is not a lie. It would seem, that most often people care deeply for those they have grown up with, to whom they apply this word 'family' to, and would go to great lengths to keep them safe. The half-elf shrugs. "What one's own family is like can't unfortunately be known for sure in advance, before there comes a time when it is tested. Still... I think not believing in them can cause damage already in itself." He looks slightly sorry again.

Elynwena nods very slowly. "Great lengths, indeed... quite wise, Rhenner. That god you follow has done well for you."

She scratches her cheek before smiling. "How helpful it must be, to have an all seeing god on your side. The great frustration of this war is that we don't even know what we're fighting about!" she laughs. "If only I had been a cleric. I were wondering what the next step would be, someone would just tell me. Here-" she continues, waving her hand to suggest concocting a hypothetical. "Perhaps last week, I'd see an angel- no, a bit fanciful. Perhaps six days ago I'd hear... a whisper, in my ear, telling me how to stop the raids. It could just me, 'If you want the orcs and giants to stop attacking, just ask the Provost at the Institute of Llenovia, for she knows what they are after.'" She shrugs. "Something like that. Wouldn't that be helpful?"

She looks at him as if expecting him to answer before breaking into another laugh. "Ah, but I would probably just think I was going mad. So perhaps I'd check with the mayors of Tenvull and Orden, and they'd heard the same exact thing. How useful that would be." She waves her hand. "But I'm just having a little fun, Rhenner. I know your god doesn't whisper in your ear." She smiles pleasantly. "So then where could such a voice ever come from?"

Llenovia is an elven city in the center of Woodhelm, about twenty five miles from here- the third largest in Woodhelm, after Cardonne and another port city. Tenvull and Orden are nearby villages.


Natalia nods. She keeps her voice down though. "Speaking of children..." She can't hold it in anymore. Natalia points back at the door, spreads her hands as if indicating every elf in this room, this town. "Why?"

"And who might you all be?" comes a voice from the stairs. Another person has appeared on the landing, a tall and muscular elf, wearing a brown set of robes- appearing perhaps a few years older than Rhenner. The insignia of the Firm marks his hand.

"Ah," says Alder, nodding his head in greeting and turning to the party. "This is Lander, my stepbrother. Lander, these are friends of Rhenner- you may remember him, if your memory reaches very far. These are Kurt, Mithril, and Natalia- Natalia was just bemoaning the fact that my siblings and I exist."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia sticks out a hand in greeting, but it lowers at his second comment. Not that she wasn't expecting something like it, but still. "Hey!" she says, hurt. "Wasn't bemoaning."

[Admiral]

Natalia sticks out a hand in greeting, but it lowers at his second comment. Not that she wasn't expecting something like it, but still. "Hey!" she says, hurt. "Wasn't bemoaning."

"Ah, pardon me," Alder replies slyly. "You were merely surprised. Isn't it funny how no one is surprised by their own existence? They are only surprised, and often concerned, when life happens to others."

Lander rolls his eyes good-naturedly at Alder's comments. "Don't mind him," he adds. "I myself don't owe my existence to Elynwena, if that's what you mean. Though I do owe my home to her."

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Ah, pardon me," Alder replies slyly. "You were merely surprised. Isn't it funny how no one is surprised by their own existence? They are only surprised, and often concerned, when life happens to others."

Natalia opens her mouth to respond, but after a moment closes it again. It can be hard enough responding to Rhenner sometimes as it is.


Lander rolls his eyes good-naturedly at Alder's comments. "Don't mind him," he adds. "I myself don't owe my existence to Elynwena, if that's what you mean. Though I do owe my home to her."

"Figured, if Rhenner's master in...blade tongue. Guess wondering why gather children for Elynwena, because my family opposite. Just...me, my brother." and what was that about rhenners brother? she wants to explain but can't and can't without seeming rude, so instead Natalia rubs the back of her neck. And then there's the other thing, but that might be even ruder. So.

"You a Mage?" she asks, awkwardly, pointing at his robes. But he has the mark of the Firm, not the Institute. Another pause. "You built wall?"

[CWater]

"I believe what was said," she replies with a wry smile to match, "was 'almost always.'"



Elynwena nods very slowly. "Great lengths, indeed... quite wise, Rhenner. That god you follow has done well for you."

She scratches her cheek before smiling. "How helpful it must be, to have an all seeing god on your side. The great frustration of this war is that we don't even know what we're fighting about!" she laughs. "If only I had been a cleric. I were wondering what the next step would be, someone would just tell me. Here-" she continues, waving her hand to suggest concocting a hypothetical. "Perhaps last week, I'd see an angel- no, a bit fanciful. Perhaps six days ago I'd hear... a whisper, in my ear, telling me how to stop the raids. It could just me, 'If you want the orcs and giants to stop attacking, just ask the Provost at the Institute of Llenovia, for she knows what they are after.'" She shrugs. "Something like that. Wouldn't that be helpful?"

She looks at him as if expecting him to answer before breaking into another laugh. "Ah, but I would probably just think I was going mad. So perhaps I'd check with the mayors of Tenvull and Orden, and they'd heard the same exact thing. How useful that would be." She waves her hand. "But I'm just having a little fun, Rhenner. I know your god doesn't whisper in your ear." She smiles pleasantly. "So then where could such a voice ever come from?"

Llenovia is an elven city in the center of Woodhelm, about twenty five miles from here- the third largest in Woodhelm, after Cardonne and another port city. Tenvull and Orden are nearby villages.

The shock is painfully obvious on Rhenner's face and he struggles to reply. "...Where... indeed." His mouth feels dry. "And the problem with such voices... would be that one can never know what... they are truly after..." His voice trails away and he takes a few steps to the side, to be able to lean slightly on the wall. He finds it difficult to look at his mother and his gaze wanders randomly. He has an odd sensation, as if he was not really present in the room anymore.


"Ah, pardon me," Alder replies slyly. "You were merely surprised. Isn't it funny how no one is surprised by their own existence? They are only surprised, and often concerned, when life happens to others."

Lander rolls his eyes good-naturedly at Alder's comments. "Don't mind him," he adds. "I myself don't owe my existence to Elynwena, if that's what you mean. Though I do owe my home to her."

Oh! Lander was adopted? I had thought he was one of the half-sibling.

...Can we draw a chart of the family? I think it would useful for me.:smalltongue:

[Admiral]

The shock is painfully obvious on Rhenner's face and he struggles to reply. "...Where... indeed." His mouth feels dry. "And the problem with such voices... would be that one can never know what... they are truly after..." His voice trails away and he takes a few steps to the side, to be able to lean slightly on the wall. He finds it difficult to look at his mother and his gaze wanders randomly. He has an odd sensation, as if he was not really present in the room anymore.


"So again..." his mother finishes, "it all comes down to trust." She seems casual enough, but Rhenner can tell her eyes were focused intently on his reaction, which did not go unnoticed.

"What would you do, if you heard such a thing? Give it what it wants, if it is in your power? Be it a god or a demon, that may be the wisest choice." She shrugs. "Would you tell anyone, trust that they may have the power to use such knowledge better than you could?"



Oh! Lander was adopted? I had thought he was one of the half-sibling.

...Can we draw a chart of the family? I think it would useful for me.:smalltongue:



Sorry to lead to confusion! As said in the first post he was mentioned in, Lander is an elven stepbrother, not a half-brother- an (already born) son of the elf Elynwena married.

I know, too many siblings!! I'll try to get a chart up!

[Admiral]

"Figured, if Rhenner's master in...blade tongue. Guess wondering why gather children for Elynwena, because my family opposite. Just...me, my brother." and what was that about rhenners brother? she wants to explain but can't and can't without seeming rude, so instead Natalia rubs the back of her neck. And then there's the other thing, but that might be even ruder. So.


"Most people can be expected to mourn a lost sibling," Alder observes drily. "Why don't we equally mourn those who never existed? If you truly love your children, isn't it logical to want more?" Natalioa still can't tell if he's sincere or making fun of her. "And the whole world's just full of children," Alder stretches out his arms, "if you know where to look."



"You a Mage?" she asks, awkwardly, pointing at his robes. But he has the mark of the Firm, not the Institute. Another pause. "You built wall?"

"That's right," Lander replies, stretching as he stands. "I was a stonemason in Cardonne, for twenty years. Neeson- that's my husband- was the real brains of this operation, though; he's an architect. And Alder can always be counted on to sit back, drink berrywine, and tell us we're doing it wrong."


Sorry, didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I imagine robes as something you'd see in a fantasy setting, not just on mages. But I'm not very knowledgeable about fashion.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Most people can be expected to mourn a lost sibling," Alder observes drily. "Why don't we equally mourn those who never existed? If you truly love your children, isn't it logical to want more?" Natalioa still can't tell if he's sincere or making fun of her. "And the whole world's just full of children," Alder stretches out his arms, "if you know where to look."

That one comment hurt, a little barb in Natalia's chest that Alder probably didn't even know he put there. "And if can't care for children there?" she asks, a little sharper than she should.



"That's right," Lander replies, stretching as he stands. "I was a stonemason in Cardonne, for twenty years. Neeson- that's my husband- was the real brains of this operation, though; he's an architect. And Alder can always be counted on to sit back, drink berrywine, and tell us we're doing it wrong."


Sorry, didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I imagine robes as something you'd see in a fantasy setting, not just on mages. But I'm not very knowledgeable about fashion.


She saw part of the palisade when they teleported, and she wants to take a closer look, maybe help. She needs to work on something, set her mind to a problem she knows and knows how to solve. Natalia opens her mouth, starts to say, "Can I..." and then keeps it open. Rhenner said it, and he never commented, but to have Lander himself say it too...

"You said husband," she says, carefully. "so you his husband too? And means same thing as humans?"

oh, thanks for explaining!

I hope this post was ok. I have to go back to class and I have my first quiz in an hour I'm not ready.

[CWater]

"So again..." his mother finishes, "it all comes down to trust." She seems casual enough, but Rhenner can tell her eyes were focused intently on his reaction, which did not go unnoticed.

"What would you do, if you heard such a thing? Give it what it wants, if it is in your power? Be it a god or a demon, that may be the wisest choice." She shrugs. "Would you tell anyone, trust that they may have the power to use such knowledge better than you could?"

"I... it's..." The words kept running away from him. "I... would not", he finally manages, "not do as it says. But I'm not good at taking orders... from anyone these days. Even if it is to their benefit, in short term anyway, it does sound like the one hearing voices is being used. And they wouldn't even know for what purpose or how. It seems...", it takes a moment to herd the scattered thoughts together again, "I seems to me, that it's doubtful such helpful advice would be given just like that, without any gain to the whisperer. And what that might be, is not shared."

"Maybe... I would tell someone", he replies and starts to rub his forehead with both hands, "Or, not... I don't know, it depends... There is the risk, of sounding mad." He's starting to sound less coherent himself.




Sorry to lead to confusion! As said in the first post he was mentioned in, Lander is an elven stepbrother, not a half-brother- an (already born) son of the elf Elynwena married.

I know, too many siblings!! I'll try to get a chart up!


Oh, so is he a younger brother then?

And yeah, they are truly numerous! Didn't realize this issue when I first thought of the family, though you certainly helped!:smallwink:

[Admiral]

"I... it's..." The words kept running away from him. "I... would not", he finally manages, "not do as it says. But I'm not good at taking orders... from anyone these days. Even if it is to their benefit, in short term anyway, it does sound like the one hearing voices is being used. And they wouldn't even know for what purpose or how. It seems...", it takes a moment to herd the scattered thoughts together again, "I seems to me, that it's doubtful such helpful advice would be given just like that, without any gain to the whisperer. And what that might be, is not shared."

"Maybe... I would tell someone", he replies and starts to rub his forehead with both hands, "Or, not... I don't know, it depends... There is the risk, of sounding mad." He's starting to sound less coherent himself.


She raises her hands in a shrug. "If you were afraid of sounding mad," she notes, "there are always ways to speak of it, without speaking of it. And only to those you think there is a chance of it being helpful."

She taps her chin. "Now what was it you said you were up to in Woodhelm?"


That one comment hurt, a little barb in Natalia's chest that Alder probably didn't even know he put there. "And if can't care for children there?" she asks, a little sharper than she should.


"Well, you start building walls, and don't stop until you can," Alder replies, seeming unconcerned. "Is this something you're an expert in, now?" he adds slyly. "Childcare?"



She saw part of the palisade when they teleported, and she wants to take a closer look, maybe help. She needs to work on something, set her mind to a problem she knows and knows how to solve. Natalia opens her mouth, starts to say, "Can I..." and then keeps it open. Rhenner said it, and he never commented, but to have Lander himself say it too...

"You said husband," she says, carefully. "so you his husband too? And means same thing as humans?"


"Sure, unless humans started using it differently when I wasn't looking," Lander replies.

He gestures over his shoulder. "If you're interested, you can come take a look at the wall."

[Athedia]

"Well, you start building walls, and don't stop until you can," Alder replies, seeming unconcerned. "Is this something you're an expert in, now?" he adds slyly. "Childcare?"
He gestures over his shoulder. "If you're interested, you can come take a look at the wall."

Mithril could help but laugh at the idea of giving Natalia small children. "No, that would be me. Natalia would be more likely to hide, especially once the screaming started. Of course my advantage is that they get rather distracted by simple spells." She smiled at Natalia and squeezed her shoulder. "Go explore the wall. Alder, are their any shrines to the gods nearby?"

[Admiral]

Mithril could help but laugh at the idea of giving Natalia small children. "No, that would be me. Natalia would be more likely to hide, especially once the screaming started. Of course my advantage is that they get rather distracted by simple spells." She smiled at Natalia and squeezed her shoulder. "Go explore the wall. Alder, are their any shrines to the gods nearby?"

"Just the one temple," he replies. "Our chaplain Ilda runs it, she's... what's the word... non-denominational." He seems unfamiliar with the practice. "I could show you your way there."

[Athedia]

"I would appreciate that, a moment to pray would be good after the day I have had."

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Well, you start building walls, and don't stop until you can," Alder replies, seeming unconcerned. "Is this something you're an expert in, now?" he adds slyly. "Childcare?"


Mithril could help but laugh at the idea of giving Natalia small children. "No, that would be me. Natalia would be more likely to hide, especially once the screaming started. Of course my advantage is that they get rather distracted by simple spells."

Natalia's not entirely sure what alder means (is he referring to Lander? Unless he knows something she doesn't then she meant unable to care for, not unable to have, and the difference was lost in her Nutspeak) and so she just looks at him until Mithril's comment and shared mental image makes her giggle as well. "No, I just...make rolling playpen, push to you. Older children better, can hold tools."



"Sure, unless humans started using it differently when I wasn't looking," Lander replies.

He gestures over his shoulder. "If you're interested, you can come take a look at the wall."

A moment of surprise, a pause between heartbeats, and now Natalia can't stop smiling. She didn't think she'd react like this...

Because it's not just...husband means they're married, that someone married them, and that nobody has a problem with it. Which means that she and they...this part of them (it's not all of them, but she can't not like girls almost like she can't not tinker, build, feel comfort at metal gears clicking between her fingers and seeing the course of lightning) matters, that it exists.

and now she can explore this wall too, maybe even get to practice her skills again. Natalia wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "I am, want to look. Thank you."


She smiled at Natalia and squeezed her shoulder. "Go explore the wall. Alder, are their any shrines to the gods nearby?"

Natalia looks back at mithril and grins. "thank you. Hope you...find shrine." She follows alder to the wall.

[CWater]

She raises her hands in a shrug. "If you were afraid of sounding mad," she notes, "there are always ways to speak of it, without speaking of it. And only to those you think there is a chance of it being helpful."

She taps her chin. "Now what was it you said you were up to in Woodhelm?"


"To be honest, I am not sure myself. We were to meet some people, but the dragon interfered. Please don't ask me details about them, I can't really speak about it. But I don't yet know what we are to do next, I need to discuss it with the others.

[Admiral]

"I would appreciate that, a moment to pray would be good after the day I have had."

Alder nods and leads Mithril outside, where he points out a small stone temple a few hundred yards away. As she walks towards it, she passes some of the other villagers- some elven, some human, and many mixed- who regard her with mild curiosity.

Mithril enters the temple to find it consists mostly of a single room, empty of any worshippers, with several rows of pews, of a size and layout not dissimilar to the chapel she'd found in Deldon. Instead of stone statues, however, the room is lined with about thirty oil paintings, each depicting one of the gods. The paintings in the collection are of vastly different styles. A depiction of Ehlonna in the woods is soft and impressionistic, while one of Thor is harsh and brazen, and several are so abstract she cannot understand what god they may represent.

At the end of the pews Mithril sees an entrance to a small room that appears to be a studio. Peering inside, she sees an elven woman seated at a stool, turned away from the door, just starting work on a new canvas. The woman wears a brown robe studded with spots of paint, and on her hand Mithril spots the insignia of the Church.

The elf glances over her shoulder and jumps, good naturedly, at Mithril's appearance. "Oh, good afternoon." She raises her eyebrows. Mithril guesses she is likely older than Rhenner's mother, perhaps two centuries. "I haven't seen any new faces here in a while."


Will post about Natalia and Rhenner later, sorry!

Also, Kurt is welcome to join the temple or join Natalia to talk about the city defenses, I could imagine him being interested in either.

[Athedia]

Alder nods and leads Mithril outside, where he points out a small stone temple a few hundred yards away. As she walks towards it, she passes some of the other villagers- some elven, some human, and many mixed- who regard her with mild curiosity.

Mithril enters the temple to find it consists mostly of a single room, empty of any worshippers, with several rows of pews, of a size and layout not dissimilar to the chapel she'd found in Deldon. Instead of stone statues, however, the room is lined with about thirty oil paintings, each depicting one of the gods. The paintings in the collection are of vastly different styles. A depiction of Ehlonna in the woods is soft and impressionistic, while one of Thor is harsh and brazen, and several are so abstract she cannot understand what god they may represent.

At the end of the pews Mithril sees an entrance to a small room that appears to be a studio. Peering inside, she sees an elven woman seated at a stool, turned away from the door, just starting work on a new canvas. The woman wears a brown robe studded with spots of paint, and on her hand Mithril spots the insignia of the Church.

The elf glances over her shoulder and jumps, good naturedly, at Mithril's appearance. "Oh, good afternoon." She raises her eyebrows. Mithril guesses she is likely older than Rhenner's mother, perhaps two centuries. "I haven't seen any new faces here in a while."


Will post about Natalia and Rhenner later, sorry!

Also, Kurt is welcome to join the temple or join Natalia to talk about the city defenses, I could imagine him being interested in either.


Mithril peered at the canvas. "I have seen many. Though these paintings are new, I am unused to all the gods so close together. It does seem to be a habit on this continent though." Realizing she hadn't introduced herself she bowed. "I am Mithril, follower of Boccob. Your art is very interesting. I was hoping to use your temple to pray for a spell, at least while my companions are busy. There are so many questions Boccob leaves me and rough travel is never suited for contemplation."

[Admiral]

and now she can explore this wall too, maybe even get to practice her skills again. Natalia wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "I am, want to look. Thank you."

Natalia looks back at mithril and grins. "thank you. Hope you...find shrine." She follows alder to the wall.

Lander walks with Natalia towards the edge of the town. "You should know," he starts, "good stone is hard to come by in Woodhelm. When we need it, we have to carve it from a shallow quarry eight miles away and haul it here, and we had to build the wall in a hurry. So we used stone for the guard towers and for the foundation, but the wall itself is made of wood- of which there is plenty available"

Natalia can see that there are eight stone guard towers around the perimeter of the camp, lined by the 30 foot high wall. Rocks make up the bottom few feet of the wall, with two layers of thick, flat lumber sprouting from it, separated, it appears, by a thin wooden chassis meant to reinforce it.. The walls are buttressed from the inside by additional planks every few yards to keep them from being pushed in. The work is clearly rushed and inelegant- the buttresses are not even sanded- but as Natalia studies the structure she can tell it was crafted with an expert eye for engineering, with the positions well chosen against outside forces. Along the top of the wall are the battlements, with corridors for guards to patrol- these too are ugly but functional.

Lander points to a spot along the wall that looks newer. "That's where the fire giant broke through," he says sadly. "Didn't take too long to break through both layers, even with us filling him with arrows from above."


"To be honest, I am not sure myself. We were to meet some people, but the dragon interfered. Please don't ask me details about them, I can't really speak about it. But I don't yet know what we are to do next, I need to discuss it with the others.

"I understand the need for secrecy," Elynwena replies in a forgiving tone. "It's not as if I have shared any secrets with you."

As Rhenner turns to leave, she leans up and grabs his hand. "You are always welcome here, son. I hope you know that." Her eyes are as sincere as he's seen them.

Once Rhenner leaves, it will be easy to find either Natalia mid-conversation with Lander or Mithril in the chapel.

[Admiral]

Mithril peered at the canvas. "I have seen many. Though these paintings are new, I am unused to all the gods so close together. It does seem to be a habit on this continent though." Realizing she hadn't introduced herself she bowed. "I am Mithril, follower of Boccob. Your art is very interesting. I was hoping to use your temple to pray for a spell, at least while my companions are busy. There are so many questions Boccob leaves me and rough travel is never suited for contemplation."

"I am Ilda," the elf replies, bowing. "So you follow the Archmage?" She points to a canvas along the left side of the chapel. "What do you think?"

When Mithril first entered she had looked for a painting of Boccob and failed to find one; none resembled the old man with a cane that fit the god's normal depiction. But Mithril takes a closer look at the painting Ilda points out, one that originally appeared to be a simple map of the Eldgar continent seen from above. When she stares long enough at the painting, she sees a pattern emerge, as though from an optical illusion, and realizes the Eye of Boccob is subtly superimposed upon the painting, as though integrated with the terrain.

"Other gods are suited to more literal representations," Ilda continues. "Take St. Cuthbert- some say he was a mortal once, and his proper representation is that of a hero, taking action within our material plane." Indeed, Mithril sees a painting of St. Cuthbert, clad in plate mail, swinging a mace in battle. "But I always felt that Boccob was found nowhere, and everywhere, as though he holds our own world together."

She taps her forehead as if to put an end to her own self-promotion. "Of course you may pray here, Mithril. But if you don't mind me asking, are you a cleric yourself, to pray for a spell from your deity?" Her eyes linger for a fraction of a second on Mithril's guildmark.

[Athedia]

"I am Ilda," the elf replies, bowing. "So you follow the Archmage?" She points to a canvas along the left side of the chapel. "What do you think?"

When Mithril first entered she had looked for a painting of Boccob and failed to find one; none resembled the old man with a cane that fit the god's normal depiction. But Mithril takes a closer look at the painting Ilda points out, one that originally appeared to be a simple map of the Eldgar continent seen from above. When she stares long enough at the painting, she sees a pattern emerge, as though from an optical illusion, and realizes the Eye of Boccob is subtly superimposed upon the painting, as though integrated with the terrain.

"Other gods are suited to more literal representations," Ilda continues. "Take St. Cuthbert- some say he was a mortal once, and his proper representation is that of a hero, taking action within our material plane." Indeed, Mithril sees a painting of St. Cuthbert, clad in plate mail, swinging a mace in battle. "But I always felt that Boccob was found nowhere, and everywhere, as though he holds our own world together."

She taps her forehead as if to put an end to her own self-promotion. "Of course you may pray here, Mithril. But if you don't mind me asking, are you a cleric yourself, to pray for a spell from your deity?" Her eyes linger for a fraction of a second on Mithril's guildmark.

Mithril smiled, turning her hand so the mark of the Institute was clearly visible. "Not quite. With Boccob to practice magic is as much a prayer as words. He blurs the lines between the distinct forms of magic. And I believe I am more useful to him as a wizard, not a cleric." She examined the map, mind flashing back to the rough scratched our map that marked the web in the underdark and the scratched out section over Woodhelm. "The image... reminds me of another. But this is happier, more celebratory. Though I do agree that Boccob is everywhere and nowhere. They call him the Uncaring, but maybe there is just to much to care about."

She glanced at the picture of St. Cuthbert, lip slightly curling in anger. "He is no true hero. St. Cuthbert led a dear friend into trap after trap until she finally died still trying to do his will. She believed until the end and suffering was her reward."

[Admiral]

Mithril smiled, turning her hand so the mark of the Institute was clearly visible. "Not quite. With Boccob to practice magic is as much a prayer as words. He blurs the lines between the distinct forms of magic. And I believe I am more useful to him as a wizard, not a cleric." She examined the map, mind flashing back to the rough scratched our map that marked the web in the underdark and the scratched out section over Woodhelm. "The image... reminds me of another. But this is happier, more celebratory. Though I do agree that Boccob is everywhere and nowhere. They call him the Uncaring, but maybe there is just to much to care about."

She glanced at the picture of St. Cuthbert, lip slightly curling in anger. "He is no true hero. St. Cuthbert led a dear friend into trap after trap until she finally died still trying to do his will. She believed until the end and suffering was her reward."

Ilda watches Mithril's angry expression quietly, and seems to hesitate before offering her reply. "This dear friend... would she say the same thing, if she were here?"

[Athedia]

Ilda watches Mithril's angry expression quietly, and seems to hesitate before offering her reply. "This dear friend... would she say the same thing, if she were here?"

Mithril's tone was bitter, but tinged with regret. "She would still have believed."

She sat down pulling out Whiskers. "Boccob has intervened in my life before to guide me or help. It always has a price, but he is there. But when she needed help the most she was given a cleric who abused his power and discarded her. He had done it more than once. St. Cuthbert never punished him for his evils."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Lander walks with Natalia towards the edge of the town. "You should know," he starts, "good stone is hard to come by in Woodhelm. When we need it, we have to carve it from a shallow quarry eight miles away and haul it here, and we had to build the wall in a hurry. So we used stone for the guard towers and for the foundation, but the wall itself is made of wood- of which there is plenty available"

Natalia can see that there are eight stone guard towers around the perimeter of the camp, lined by the 30 foot high wall. Rocks make up the bottom few feet of the wall, with two layers of thick, flat lumber sprouting from it, separated, it appears, by a thin wooden chassis meant to reinforce it.. The walls are buttressed from the inside by additional planks every few yards to keep them from being pushed in. The work is clearly rushed and inelegant- the buttresses are not even sanded- but as Natalia studies the structure she can tell it was crafted with an expert eye for engineering, with the positions well chosen against outside forces. Along the top of the wall are the battlements, with corridors for guards to patrol- these too are ugly but functional.

Lander points to a spot along the wall that looks newer. "That's where the fire giant broke through," he says sadly. "Didn't take too long to break through both layers, even with us filling him with arrows from above."

Natalia nods, and as she investigates the wall it's clear that he did what he could with the stone he had. The wall is extremely well done, and it's clear on her face, the admiring look she gives him. She runs her hand along the wood, even pressing against it, and can't feel any brittle orange, or springy green where green shouldn't be. The stone is cool, and tough, and thick, and feels flat and gray. Its only weaknesses that she can think of right away are the materials, and...active defenses.

"Lander, did giants break or burn wood?can you...wrap wood in iron, or get stone, steel from firm? Or help from institute? I joined for engineers." She pauses, pacing around the wall. "you want traps?"

[Admiral]

Natalia nods, and as she investigates the wall it's clear that he did what he could with the stone he had. The wall is extremely well done, and it's clear on her face, the admiring look she gives him. She runs her hand along the wood, even pressing against it, and can't feel any brittle orange, or springy green where green shouldn't be. The stone is cool, and tough, and thick, and feels flat and gray. Its only weaknesses that she can think of right away are the materials, and...active defenses.

"Lander, did giants break or burn wood?"

"Both, really. He had a flaming sword- a rather fearsome one. We sold it once we'd captured it," he adds sheepishly, "it wasn't as though any of us could pick it up."



can you...wrap wood in iron, or get stone, steel from firm?

He shakes his head. "Getting that much stone out here would cost a fortune- much less could we acquire any metal, in that quantity."


"Or help from institute? I joined for engineers." She pauses, pacing around the wall. "you want traps?"

"Traps?" he asks. "What kind do you mean?"


Note that as I've pointed out before, automated crossbow traps and the like are very ineffective in a siege defense. You'd much rather have the crossbow wielded by a guard, so it can be aimed and reloaded.

That doesn't mean no traps are possible. For example, you could contribute some of your firepowder and lay explosive traps in the woods around the village, although it would take a good amount of powder to be likely to trip people up (there isn't a single route in). You could also build them grenades, though of course that's dangerous for the walls.

Of course I'm open to other trap ideas from anyone OOC.

[Admiral]

Mithril's tone was bitter, but tinged with regret. "She would still have believed."

She sat down pulling out Whiskers. "Boccob has intervened in my life before to guide me or help. It always has a price, but he is there. But when she needed help the most she was given a cleric who abused his power and discarded her. He had done it more than once. St. Cuthbert never punished him for his evils."

Ilda sighs sadly. "I don't owe my allegiance to any one god... but if it matters, that does not sound like a cleric of St. Cuthbert to me." She turns to Mithril. "How did you lose your friend?"

[Athedia]

Ilda sighs sadly. "I don't owe my allegiance to any one god... but if it matters, that does not sound like a cleric of St. Cuthbert to me." She turns to Mithril. "How did you lose your friend?"

"She...I...." Mithril looked down, stroking Whiskers. "I didn't see. We were breaking through the siege at Deldon and I had gone ahead. Once we got to the gates it was chaos, the dwarves rushing out to help get the supplies in while we defended the caravan. The Horde killed her. I don't know how or why she didn't flee. I just remember when they gave her body to the lava with the others who had fallen during the fight."

[Admiral]

"She...I...." Mithril looked down, stroking Whiskers. "I didn't see. We were breaking through the siege at Deldon and I had gone ahead. Once we got to the gates it was chaos, the dwarves rushing out to help get the supplies in while we defended the caravan. The Horde killed her. I don't know how or why she didn't flee. I just remember when they gave her body to the lava with the others who had fallen during the fight."

"She does not sound foolish, or gullible, to me." Ilda replies solemnly. "She sounds brave."

She steps back. "My apologies for intruding, Mithril. Of course I should leave you to your prayers."

[CWater]

"I understand the need for secrecy," Elynwena replies in a forgiving tone. "It's not as if I have shared any secrets with you."

As Rhenner turns to leave, she leans up and grabs his hand. "You are always welcome here, son. I hope you know that." Her eyes are as sincere as he's seen them.

Once Rhenner leaves, it will be easy to find either Natalia mid-conversation with Lander or Mithril in the chapel.

He was not prepared for that. "I...", Rhenner stares back at Elynwena, then slowly puts a trembling hand over hers, "...thank you, Mother." The words are almost lost on the way, but he manages to usher them out. He stays there a moment longer, before turning away and making another attempt to the door.

Rhenner steps out of the room, closing the door behind him. For a some time he just stands there, leaning his back to the door for a bit of support. He realizes that his vision is blurry and quickly clears it. There was some important information, crucial even, maybe.. He needed to...

But there is so much noise in his head. So many matters, some logical and emotional, still trying to make themselves heard, all at the same time. So many... The troubled cleric rubs his forehead. He needed some place... some peace... to think... to...

He starts to make his way outside, and does eventually find the right door that gets him there. He has a vague idea of a temple that he sort of remembers and heads toward it, or so he thinks. Due to the state of his mind and the radical changes to the town he ends up walking the wrong way more than once before managing to locate the right building. Natalia and Lander (and anyone else who happens to be around) might notice the confused half-elf wander about, seeming more than a little out of this world.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Both, really. He had a flaming sword- a rather fearsome one. We sold it once we'd captured it," he adds sheepishly, "it wasn't as though any of us could pick it up."



He shakes his head. "Getting that much stone out here would cost a fortune- much less could we acquire any metal, in that quantity."

Natalia grimaces as she looks at the wood again. It's strong, and well crafted, but fire giants are stronger.




"Traps?" he asks. "What kind do you mean?"


Note that as I've pointed out before, automated crossbow traps and the like are very ineffective in a siege defense. You'd much rather have the crossbow wielded by a guard, so it can be aimed and reloaded.

That doesn't mean no traps are possible. For example, you could contribute some of your firepowder and lay explosive traps in the woods around the village, although it would take a good amount of powder to be likely to trip people up (there isn't a single route in). You could also build them grenades, though of course that's dangerous for the walls.

Of course I'm open to other trap ideas from anyone OOC.


"Well," she starts, but then falls silent and looks around at the wall again. This time she closes her eyes as she feels and grasps the wood and stone. "Maybe trap woods, funnel to strongest walls..." But once they're there? Small pits and crossbows won't work here, not when there are so many attacking, and so much to defend. Flamepowder bombs might work, but she doesn't have enough of it to last and there's no way to get more. Burning oil...no, not against fire giants, not if they're anything like fire dragons. Unless...

"Flame to frost," Natalia mutters to herself. She opens her eyes and turns to Lander. "Any mages here? Who...cast ice, water magic?" She doesn't notice Rhenner at that moment.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt wanders on his own, silent for a time as he examines the village, watching the people as they go about their lives, surrounded by a wooden barricade. Most of his youth was spent underground, so being enclosed in this way is barely different, but these people were raised with the forest as their playground - what must it be like for them to have to stay within the walls. That could explain why some might flee.

He finds himself too troubled by these thoughts, he finally seeks the refuge of the chapel, coming in right as Mithril finishes venting her frustrations to the beleaguered cleric, pausing on the doorstep before steeling his resolve and stepping over the threshold, going over to her side. "I didn't realise you had so much...anger about her." His own voice is tight as well, although with what emotion it's hard to identify.

[Athedia]

Kurt wanders on his own, silent for a time as he examines the village, watching the people as they go about their lives, surrounded by a wooden barricade. Most of his youth was spent underground, so being enclosed in this way is barely different, but these people were raised with the forest as their playground - what must it be like for them to have to stay within the walls. That could explain why some might flee.

He finds himself too troubled by these thoughts, he finally seeks the refuge of the chapel, coming in right as Mithril finishes venting her frustrations to the beleaguered cleric, pausing on the doorstep before steeling his resolve and stepping over the threshold, going over to her side. "I didn't realise you had so much...anger about her." His own voice is tight as well, although with what emotion it's hard to identify.

Mithril looked away from Kurt, tension evident in her face. "She was gone. Then you were. Everytime someone supported me or pulled me back they disappeared. Why do I get divine help and she didn't? She would have done good, I am just an agent of destruction."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia looks up, poking her head between two slats of thick lumber. Movement catches the corner of her eye and she whips around to see Rhenner aimlessly wandering about.

"Rhenner!" she shouts, waving him down. Why is he wandering about like that? He looks...dazed, almost. Like when you hit an animal in the head with a hammer just before the slaughter.

because Rhenner needs a break and I really like where Mithril and Kurt's conversation is going. Speaking of which, Mithril expects Natalia to vanish next, doesn't she?

[Cavelcade]

Kurt looks down at his clenched fists with tight lips before he forcibly ejects the air from his lungs, easing the tension from his muscles as he does. He looks over at her. "Down in the dark...I could have used your help down there. Destruction was just what I needed. I wish I knew a better way of doing it than that..." He looks over at Mithril, breathing softly. "Do you think Miriam did?"

[CWater]

Natalia looks up, poking her head between two slats of thick lumber. Movement catches the corner of her eye and she whips around to see Rhenner aimlessly wandering about.

"Rhenner!" she shouts, waving him down. Why is he wandering about like that? He looks...dazed, almost. Like when you hit an animal in the head with a hammer just before the slaughter.

because Rhenner needs a break and I really like where Mithril and Kurt's conversation is going. Speaking of which, Mithril expects Natalia to vanish next, doesn't she?

Rhenner stops at the temple door and looks up in their general direction. He stands in place for a moment before starting to walk towards them. "Studying the wall", he says, it is more of a statement than a question. His gaze wanders up the wall and to Natalia and back to the wall again, without really focusing on either of them. It stops at Lander though, and is joined by a thoughtful frown. Rhenner studies the elf for a moment, then lets out a resigning sigh, "I'm almost certain that I should know who you are, and it would probably be better to politely pretend that I do. And yet I'm going to honestly but rudely admit that I don't. I apologise for that and ask if you could first kindly tell me that and then promise not to tell Alder about this. Or mother."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Rhenner stops at the temple door and looks up in their general direction. He stands in place for a moment before starting to walk towards them. "Studying the wall", he says, it is more of a statement than a question. His gaze wanders up the wall and to Natalia and back to the wall again, without really focusing on either of them.

Natalia nods, running a hand along the wood and stone again. "It good, but...wood burns. If had ice magic, then could make magic traps, fire to frost. Or water magic, quench flames."


It stops at Lander though, and is joined by a thoughtful frown. Rhenner studies the elf for a moment, then lets out a resigning sigh, "I'm almost certain that I should know who you are, and it would probably be better to politely pretend that I do. And yet I'm going to honestly but rudely admit that I don't. I apologise for that and ask if you could first kindly tell me that and then promise not to tell Alder about this. Or mother."

Now Natalia turns to look at Rhenner. The glazed look on his face is even more obvious up close. Her brows furrow in concern. "This Lander. Remember? You...said me his name." She leans in and whispers to Rhenner, "You...okay?"

[Admiral]

Rhenner stops at the temple door and looks up in their general direction. He stands in place for a moment before starting to walk towards them. "Studying the wall", he says, it is more of a statement than a question. His gaze wanders up the wall and to Natalia and back to the wall again, without really focusing on either of them. It stops at Lander though, and is joined by a thoughtful frown. Rhenner studies the elf for a moment, then lets out a resigning sigh, "I'm almost certain that I should know who you are, and it would probably be better to politely pretend that I do. And yet I'm going to honestly but rudely admit that I don't. I apologise for that and ask if you could first kindly tell me that and then promise not to tell Alder about this. Or mother."

Lander sighs. "Ah, Alder had said you were back... it was some time ago that we met. You missed my wedding," he adds, not appearing to take it personally, "but Kraiyah did say she had written you about it. It's Lander." He reaches out his hand in greeting. "One of Girard's sons."


Important note to CWater: I now realized I've added a stepfather to Rhenner that wasn't in our original PM communications. I think it fits with the setting so I hope it's all right.

I'm naming Rhenner's (elvish) stepfather Girard; he married Elynwena not long after Rhenner's father died, 7 years ago. Rhenner has met them, but not since Girard married his mother.

If anything is inconsistent about Rhenner's enormous family tree, write it off to the party's memory :smallsmile:

[Athedia]

Kurt looks down at his clenched fists with tight lips before he forcibly ejects the air from his lungs, easing the tension from his muscles as he does. He looks over at her. "Down in the dark...I could have used your help down there. Destruction was just what I needed. I wish I knew a better way of doing it than that..." He looks over at Mithril, breathing softly. "Do you think Miriam did?"

Mithril looked up at him, her face paling. "I never did really ask.... What happened after you cut the rope?" She left his second question unanswered, and the tension hanging.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Lander sighs. "Ah, Alder had said you were back... it was some time ago that we met. You missed my wedding," he adds, not appearing to take it personally, "but Kraiyah did say she had written you about it. It's Lander." He reaches out his hand in greeting. "One of Girard's sons."


Important note to CWater: I now realized I've added a stepfather to Rhenner that wasn't in our original PM communications. I think it fits with the setting so I hope it's all right.

I'm naming Rhenner's (elvish) stepfather Girard; he married Elynwena not long after Rhenner's father died, 7 years ago. Rhenner has met them, but not since Girard married his mother.

If anything is inconsistent about Rhenner's enormous family tree, write it off to the party's memory :smallsmile:


Lander, Kraiyah, Girard, dozens of siblings and step siblings and adopted siblings...Natalia raises a hand and asks with some sheepishness, "Is there...family tree drawn?"

for all of our sakes? :smalltongue:

Also, lander was born before his father married rhenners mother, right?

[CWater]

Natalia nods, running a hand along the wood and stone again. "It good, but...wood burns. If had ice magic, then could make magic traps, fire to frost. Or water magic, quench flames."

"Right, of course", Rhenner replies in a distant voice.



Now Natalia turns to look at Rhenner. The glazed look on his face is even more obvious up close. Her brows furrow in concern. "This Lander. Remember? You...said me his name." She leans in and whispers to Rhenner, "You...okay?"


Lander sighs. "Ah, Alder had said you were back... it was some time ago that we met. You missed my wedding," he adds, not appearing to take it personally, "but Kraiyah did say she had written you about it. It's Lander." He reaches out his hand in greeting. "One of Girard's sons."


Important note to CWater: I now realized I've added a stepfather to Rhenner that wasn't in our original PM communications. I think it fits with the setting so I hope it's all right.

I'm naming Rhenner's (elvish) stepfather Girard; he married Elynwena not long after Rhenner's father died, 7 years ago. Rhenner has met them, but not since Girard married his mother.

If anything is inconsistent about Rhenner's enormous family tree, write it off to the party's memory :smallsmile:


"Alright, you're Lander. Sorry it's been...", he stops and rubbs his forehead, "a while. Sorry about the wedding too, afraid your's wasn't the only one I missed. Not that that would better my case exactly. Since you mention Kraiyah writing me- she's not here too, is she? -I assume that I didn't write back home then. I think I would have...", he tries to remember, but can't fish out this piece of information from the sea of memories, and in the end just shrugs, "Perhaps, I didn't. Do you mind if I ask when it was?" He finds it increasingly hard to focus on the conversation.


Lander, Kraiyah, Girard, dozens of siblings and step siblings and adopted siblings...Natalia raises a hand and asks with some sheepishness, "Is there...family tree drawn?"

for all of our sakes? :smalltongue:

Also, lander was born before his father married rhenners mother, right?

"I'm not sure anyone was ever mad enough to try." Rhenner shakes his head, then presses a thumb to his forehead and squints his eyes as if he had a major headache. "Sorry. I don't think I'm really up for chatting. I need to find some... peace of mind."

[Cavelcade]

After a moment's tense silence, Kurt sighs and rubs the back of his head, recalling the moment he made the choice to cut the line. "It was dark and dirty. I didn't know what to expect really, but I knew you could survive without me but the others needed help. Now they've taken over for me, fighting to stop the slavers." There's a fierce pride in his voice when he thinks of what he managed with them.

[Athedia]

After a moment's tense silence, Kurt sighs and rubs the back of his head, recalling the moment he made the choice to cut the line. "It was dark and dirty. I didn't know what to expect really, but I knew you could survive without me but the others needed help. Now they've taken over for me, fighting to stop the slavers." There's a fierce pride in his voice when he thinks of what he managed with them.

"So they lived." Mithril looked up at the map of Eldgar, at all the places they had been. "Hilton will make a good leader, you taught him well. Or maybe he wanted to learn." But she knew that Kurt was wrong, they wouldn't have survived. The only reason that they did was due to Stefan fleeing and finding them.

"I am glad. Did you want to pray as well?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia looks back and forth between the two stepbrothers. Rhenners never been like this, and it's worrying her. Soon it's too much, and she puts his hand on the cleric's shoulder, looking back to Lander and asking, "Sorry, but...want to hear more, but after?"

Then she walks with Rhenner over to the edge of the wall and turns towards him. She's clearly concerned. "Rhenner, what...wrong? Happened?"

[Cavelcade]

"Hilton needed a chance. A real one..." He looks around the temple curiously, the somewhat abstract quality to them confusing at first inspection.

"I wonder does Kord answer prayers? I came to find out if doing it here will help. At least it's away from the crowd of family."

[Admiral]

As Natalia and Rhenner talk near the wall, and Kurt and Mithril ponder their prayers, the air is split by the sharp sound of a ringing bell.

"Raid!" comes the far cry of a guard. "Giants, to the north!"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia's head snaps around at the alarm call. "Sorry, Rhenner!" She's off and running before the echoes are even able to fade, sprinting towards the north, or what she assumes is the north based on where everyone else is running, with a blade in one hand and a potion in the other.

my test went well, I think.

Admiral, how long has it been since we teleported here? Would the low level clerics and Druids be able to cast buffs on us or give us potions?

[CWater]

Natalia looks back and forth between the two stepbrothers. Rhenners never been like this, and it's worrying her. Soon it's too much, and she puts his hand on the cleric's shoulder, looking back to Lander and asking, "Sorry, but...want to hear more, but after?"

Then she walks with Rhenner over to the edge of the wall and turns towards him. She's clearly concerned. "Rhenner, what...wrong? Happened?"

"What happened? What hasn't happened? The world is coming up with new ways to be mad as a daily habit it seems", Rhenner sighs and shakes his head, "Sometimes I wish I was back in my life three years ago, the world used to make sense then. Although, the reality would still be what it is, and eventually it would show somehow and then I wish I understood more what was happening." The look in his eyes is distant and he's not sure himself that what he says makes much sense. "Look", he continues rubbing his forehead, trying to focus, "it's-" He is cut off by the raised alarm.


As Natalia and Rhenner talk near the wall, and Kurt and Mithril ponder their prayers, the air is split by the sharp sound of a ringing bell.

"Raid!" comes the far cry of a guard. "Giants, to the north!"


Natalia's head snaps around at the alarm call. "Sorry, Rhenner!" She's off and running before the echoes are even able to fade, sprinting towards the north, or what she assumes is the north based on where everyone else is running, with a blade in one hand and a potion in the other.

my test went well, I think.

Admiral, how long has it been since we teleported here? Would the low level clerics and Druids be able to cast buffs on us or give us potions?

For a couple of seconds Rhenner is frozen in place, while the new information makes its way to be processed. But once it's registered, it gets granted highest priority and all other matters are promptly swept aside and told to shut up until further notice. Rhenner runs after Natalia. "Where are Mithril and Kurt?!"

[Admiral]

As the party runs out into the field, they see civilians darting into shelters, just as men and women with swords and bows emerge. Many seem resigned, as though this were a regular, and unsurprising, occurrence. The party is on the far southern side of the city, but they can see archers line up along the terrace to the north.

"I'll grab my bow," Lander shouts at the party as he steps back towards one of the guard towers. "-and we can meet at the wall. Don't worry- we've been through this-"

Suddenly one of the walls nearest them, the one on the southernmost side of the city, shudders as if struck. Moments later it shutters again, and a small burst of flame seems to break through, in a small chunk ten feet above the ground. Looking through the hole, the party can see a whirlwind of fire- but unlike the fire from the dragon or from a spell, this fire seems to have a stable form- that of a hulking beast. It has punched through the wall as if it were made of paper, and the edges of the hole are already alight.

Time to roll initiative. Map upcoming. Natalia and Rhenner can see this happen, Mithril and Kurt are just a little bit farther but can reach it momentarily and can hear Rhenner and Natalia.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"What happened? What hasn't happened? The world is coming up with new ways to be mad as a daily habit it seems", Rhenner sighs and shakes his head, "Sometimes I wish I was back in my life three years ago, the world used to make sense then. Although, the reality would still be what it is, and eventually it would show somehow and then I wish I understood more what was happening." The look in his eyes is distant and he's not sure himself that what he says makes much sense. "Look", he continues rubbing his forehead, trying to focus, "it's-" He is cut off by the raised alarm.
]

Everything Rhenner said is...something Natalia's been thinking about herself, actually. She wouldn't go back as far as three years, but to back to the start of the adventure, where everything was as solid as stone, not brittle orange or shifting yellow...back when things were simple, and there wasn't need to be so paranoid.

"No, Rhenner, think I get. Want go back, where, when..."


As the party runs out into the field, they see civilians darting into shelters, just as men and women with swords and bows emerge. Many seem resigned, as though this were a regular, and unsurprising, occurrence. The party is on the far southern side of the city, but they can see archers line up along the terrace to the north.

"I'll grab my bow," Lander shouts at the party as he steps back towards one of the guard towers. "-and we can meet at the wall. Don't worry- we've been through this-"

Suddenly one of the walls nearest them, the one on the southernmost side of the city, shudders as if struck. Moments later it shutters again, and a small burst of flame seems to break through, in a small chunk ten feet above the ground. Looking through the hole, the party can see a whirlwind of fire- but unlike the fire from the dragon or from a spell, this fire seems to have a stable form- that of a hulking beast. It has punched through the wall as if it were made of paper, and the edges of the hole are already alight.

Time to roll initiative. Map upcoming. Natalia and Rhenner can see this happen, Mithril and Kurt are just a little bit farther but can reach it momentarily and can hear Rhenner and Natalia.

The swirling heat slaps Natalia in the face even at this distance, and she stares at the hulking mass of flame that's tearing through solid wood like wet tissue. Fire is alive in a way, and so is lightning, but not like this. It's like the little lightning elemental that she learned to pull from her core and send out for a moment, but this is so much bigger and nastier...

was it thrown from somewhere, or magically thrown here? "living flame!" Natalia screams as she casts the cats grace spell on herself, through the gloves. "think they have caster!" she screams as she looks for the Flames' source and heads towards it, not quite as fast once she feels the heat rolling off the beast.

natalia casts cats grace through the arcanist gloves (4 minute duration) and then moves towards the fire. I'm sorry, but may she please look around?

[Cavelcade]

Kurt hears the alarm bells ringing and stands slowly, shaking off the last cobwebs of uncertainty before grabbing his bow from where he'd left it beside the door, stringing it in a swift movement as he races towards where the flow of people is strongest, his brow furrowed lightly at the bridge of his nose as he spots the enemy - more fire, this time moving on its own. He speeds up, racing to get into range before it breaks through completely.


Knowledge Arcana: [roll0]

Maneuvers rolls:
[roll1] - Stone Bones
[roll2] - Overwhelming Mountain Strike
[roll3] - Leading the Attack

He's in Iron Guard's Glare btw.

[Admiral]

Kurt recognizes the creature as a fire elemental, an incarnation of fire given shape. He knows it would be vulnerable to cold magic.


BTW I had to change Kurt's color on the map to make him visible against the background!

Mithril's turn. Once she can see the elemental she can Knowledge (Arcana) as well.

[Athedia]

Found it!!!
Spell List:
0 (4):
Detect Magic
Read Magic
Prestidigitation
Mage Hand
1(5):
Mage Armor
Vampiric Touch
Magic Missile
Magic Missile
Burning Hands
2(5):
See Invisibility
Web
Cloud of Knives
Acid Arrow
Acid Arrow
3(4):
Tongues
Haste
Dispel Magic
Haste
4(4):
Black Tentacles
Dimension Door
Dimension Door
Black Tentacles
5(2):
Wall of Limbs
Fly, Mass

Mithril followed Kurt out of the church at the sound and stared up at the large creature. Her first reaction (now habit after many battles) was to touch her shoulder, summoning forth the force field armor.

Mage Armor

Knowledge Arcana: [roll0]

[Admiral]

Mithril recognizes the creature as a fire elemental, and knows it is vulnerable to cold magic while immune to fire magic, as well as to the kinds of sleep and paralysis spells Shiny tended to favor. She also knows physical weapons are partially ineffective against it.

The party can hear a few shouts at the top of the nearest stone tower, the sounds of guards preparing. But then a burst of fire engulfs the tower, and the shouts turn to screams. It looked like the fire had been cast from somewhere beyond the walls. Lander gasps as he sees this, and races towards the door at the base of the tower to aid the guards at the top.

The fire elemental continues to tear through the thick wooden wall, growing the gap until it is ten feet tall and wide, enough for the beast to step through- and for anyone to follow. The edges of the hole continue to burn slowly.


Lander's position has been updated on the map.

You can't see anyone through the hole yet, just vague glimpse of the outside of the wall.

[CoffeeIncluded]

The screams make Rhenner stop and very nearly run to help. Only the immediate logic of the situation doesn't make him rush into the burning watchtower.

"There's a caster beyond the wall," Rhenner gasps as he sprints towards the elemental methodically burning through the wall. He curses the armor slowing him down; at this rate the thing will burn down the entire town! He takes out a scroll--there's a prayer on it, an incantation and exhortation for the target to follow the teachings of Fharlaghn and wander--somewhere else. But all he shouts is, "GO AWAY!"


Rhenner will run forward and cast Dismissal off the scroll. DC spell’s save DC - creature’s HD + your caster level--I assume the caster level of whomever wrote the scroll, so it's 18-Fire elemental's HD+9?

Also, IF THIS WASN'T OK, PLEASE TELL ME SO I CAN DELETE IT!

[Admiral]

Of course it is OK!

Good luck:

Will save [roll0]

And the cleric gets the battle off to a solid start!


Rhenner puts all the might of his faith into the spell, and the fire elemental shrivels into oblivion.

The edges of the hole continue to burn. Through it the party can see only grass and a distant treeline.



You can't see much from your angle so you'll need to approach, enemies could still be out there (and not necessarily invisible). Combat continues, party's turn.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Forest and fire--the screams shake at Natalia's core and send he back to the shrapnel ship, and the slaughter. The crackle of flames and the pop as Rhenner's spell takes hold and forces the hulking beast of flame to vanish...somewhere drags her back to the now. Forest and fire. They're going to burn down not only the village, but also the whole forest if she and he friends don't stop them!

Flames crackle along the barricade, and burning chunks of wood collapse into charcoal and embers, but the fire still burns as Natalia races towards it. It's a curtain of flame, enough to make the most of her brain quail and shrink away even with knowledge of Rhenner's abjurations, but she runs, and leaps.

Somewhere, at some time, she heard a story, more of a rhyme. The hare jumps into the fire, but leaps through so fast that it isn't burned. Natalia's fast, but not that fast. She feels flames and warmth lick at her ankles and threaten to travel up her legs, but thanks to Rhenner's spell it's and warmth and nothing more. She lands on the other side, rolls forward, stumbles to her feet, and looks around into the forest.

Thanks, Admiral.

Natalia keeps running, full-round action, to S6. She then takes a good look and listen around. Is that okay?

Also, her ac is 27 instead of 29 right now and she's not flatfooted thanks to uncanny dodge

[Cavelcade]

Kurt rushes forward as far as the edge of the wall, then hesitates uncertainly, sword in hand as he looks out to try and spot an enemy anywhere, trying to see where the attack is coming from. "Natalia, do you see anyone?"

[Admiral]

As Natalia hops through the burning hole in the door, she is surprised by a pair of arrows flying at her from the woods. The two orcs have warpaint on their faces- similar, though still distinct, from the Horde soldiers they'd encountered around Soshima and Deldon, and each wears chain armor.


Readied actions!

O2:
Attack: [roll0] Critical: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus [roll3] fire Critical: [roll4]

O3:
Attack: [roll5] Critical: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7] plus [roll8] fire Critical: [roll9]

Looks like one hit for 15 damage.

Could you delete your post? I was delayed posting about the orcs, but it doesn't do anything to post about them before my IC update; as you saw there were readied actions. You could repost after


Aside from the pair of archers who had fired at her, she spots another orc soldier in a breastplate taking cover behind a tree nearer the guard tower.

[CoffeeIncluded]

As Natalia hops through the burning hole in the door, she is surprised by a pair of arrows flying at her from the woods. The two orcs have warpaint on their faces- similar, though still distinct, from the Horde soldiers they'd encountered around Soshima and Deldon, and each wears chain armor.




Looks like one hit for 15 damage.

Could you delete your post? I was delayed posting about the orcs, but it doesn't do anything to post about them before my IC update; as you saw there were readied actions. You could repost after


Aside from the pair of archers who had fired at her, she spots another orc soldier in a breastplate taking cover behind a tree nearer the guard tower.


Kurt rushes forward as far as the edge of the wall, then hesitates uncertainly, sword in hand as he looks out to try and spot an enemy anywhere, trying to see where the attack is coming from. "Natalia, do you see anyone?"

Natalia sees the movement of arms and bows and arrows as she gets to her feet, and throws herself flat against a rock again. One arrow whizzes overhead, but the other one is too fast to dodge, and buries itself into her forearm, between the bones. She screams, cuts it off into a gasp as she reflexively snaps the shaft with her other hand. Panting, she gets to her feet, and easily spots the two orcs that shot at her, and a glint of metal that betrays the presence of the third.

"Yes," she gasps, quickly pointing at the three orcs she can see with her other arm. "But bet more I can't."

Oops, sorry about that. Is this any better? And haha, I'm not terribly surprised. Oh well!

Also, it's only 11 damage. Rhenner cast Protection From Fire on Natalia; she can absorb 114 more points of fire damage in the next 100 minutes or so.

[Athedia]

Mithril ran toward the wall, keeping away from the hole. Pressing herself against it she gasped out her question. "Did you see who summoned it? They are the most danger."

[Admiral]

One of the orc archers shouts back behind him, and new shapes appear in the forest. Barbarians emerge from their hiding spots deeper in the trees and rush forward; a full squadron of orc raiders, at least. Each brandishes an axe, sword or other weapon- it seems they were prepared to conquer the town once the wall was down.

The orc in the breastplate reaches his palm out towards Natalia. From his hand there springs an arrow of acid that launches at the rogue.


Warmage!

Acid arrow:

Ranged touch: [roll0]
If hits, this round [roll1] damage


The two archers again fire their bows at Natalia, this time each shooting a pair of flaming arrows.


O2:
Attack: [roll2] Critical: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5] fire Critical: [roll6]

Attack: [roll7] Critical: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9] plus [roll10] fire Critical: [roll11]

O3:
Attack: [roll12] Critical: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14] plus [roll15] fire Critical: [roll16]

Attack: [roll17] Critical: [roll18]
Damage: [roll19] plus [roll20] fire Critical: [roll21]

Party's turn! Map updated with all them new orcs.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia's eyes widen at her mistake--she may be stronger than before, but she's not that strong, and she can see nearly ten orcs bearing down on her. Her realization is soon confirmed as they fire another round of arrows at her. Natalia flips and ducks and dodges and is able to dodge most, but one of them punches through her thigh, trailing blood as it goes. She stumbles, and the orc in the breastplate sends a familiar arrow of sizzling acid in the same spot, burning her already bleeding flesh. She screams as she runs and half-hobbles back to the wall, draws her bow, and chugs another potion that wards her against evil. And considering their axes, that would be appropriate. "Keep them from wall!" she shouts. "Flood of blades through broken dam!"

Natalia runs as far back as possible, behind the wall if she can, using the anklet if necessary, and drinks another potion of Protection from Evil, sending her AC back into dodge-tank levels and also protecting her from mental manipulation and summoned creatures (now that I think about it, would Protection from Evil have protected us against the voice? It protects against direct attacks so I don't think so but is my suspicion right?). She can also absorb 108 HP more of fire damage.

EDIT:


Rhenner runs to the guard tower, and with his back against it glances past the corner at the burning hole in the wall. "How many did you see?!", he shouts to Natalia, then casts a minor spell to improve his aim. Not many combat spells that he prepared today.

Moves to H48 and casts Guidance on himself.

"Nine!" Natalia shouts as she grits her teeth and pulls out the stump of the arrow between her forearm. "Might be more!"

[CWater]

Rhenner runs to the guard tower, and with his back against it glances past the corner at the burning hole in the wall. "How many did you see?!", he shouts to Natalia, then casts a minor spell to improve his aim. Not many combat spells that he prepared today.

Moves to H48 and casts Guidance on himself.

[CoffeeIncluded]

They don't stop. They'll never stop. Mithril steps forward and thrusts out her arms in the direction of everyone, shouting in Draconic, "Run them down!" As she does she imbues everyone around her with a burst of speed and agility, from her allies to Lander to any other elves nearby or in the burning guardtower.

With new alacrity, Kurt dashes forward into the exposed field, where he can see orcs rushing towards him. He draws his sword into a defensive stance, takes a deep breath, and shouts, "Come on then if you think you're hard enough!"

Mithril runs forward (She moved forward last turn but that wasn't edited onto the map and casts haste on herself, Natalia, Kurt, Rhenner, Lander, and up to five other allies within a 50 foot radius. Kurt then runs forward, goes into Total Defense for an AC of 25 (and he's in the Iron Guard's Glare stance), and tries to bait the orcs into doing something stupid, hopefully drawing them out but not quite having all of them rush him at once? (would that be an intimidate check? Please remove it if that wouldn't be necessary, or change the roll to something more appropriate).

Intimidate? [roll0]

Was this okay? Admiral, Cavelcade, Athedia, do you want me to change anything? Do you have any recommendations?

[Admiral]

What orcs were scared? (There's a circumstance bonus because they're raging and Kurt is outnumbered, and note that I sometimes round things, so don't meta-read into the numbers much)

O4 [roll0]
O5 [roll1]
O6 [roll2]
O7 [roll3]
O8 [roll4]

[Admiral]

Two of the orcs rush forward, closing most of the distance, but a few others take a moment's pause at engaging the dwarf. One of them steps behind a tree and draws his bow instead.

The orc mage shouts angrily at his companions; from the sound of it he is probably urging them forward. Then he turns to the party and casts another spell: a small bright orb that flies directly between Natalia and Kurt before erupting into a sphere of fire.


Fireball, DC 18 Reflex save for half of: [roll0] for Kurt and Natalia. +1 to your Reflex saves from Haste, and of course evasion applies.

Luckily I checked the area of effect carefully and Rhenner and Mithril just barely avoid it!


The three archers with their bows ready fire at Kurt.


O2:
Attack: [roll1] Critical: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] plus [roll4] fire Critical: [roll5]

Attack: [roll6] Critical: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8] plus [roll]1d6[/roll fire Critical: [roll9]

O3:
Attack: [roll10] Critical: [roll11]
Damage: [roll12] plus [roll13] fire Critical: [roll14] [roll15]

Attack: [roll16] Critical: [roll17]
Damage: [roll18] plus [roll19] fire Critical: [roll20] [roll21]

O5: [roll22] Critical: [roll23]
Damage: [roll24] Critical: [roll25] [roll26]

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia's seen those beads before. Her eyes widen as it arcs towards them and she flings herself behind the fence. The world around her explodes in a roaring burst of splinters and flame. Burning timber falls around her, glowing embers dance around her head, but Natalia is untouched. When the fire dies down she looks back up through the haze of smoke and fire at the approaching orcs, glowing red pinpoints of ash still falling over her, and fires her bow, three arrows sent in rapid succession through the flames towards the orc closest to them.

Natalia fires three arrows at O4. I have a question: since the wooden wall in front of her is still on fire, and fire rises above the wood that burns, could she please fire her arrows at O4 through the flames so they become flaming arrows and might do extra damage? If so, I'll add in the fire damage after.

Reflex: [roll0]

Attack 1: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit damage: [roll4] [roll5]

Attack 2: [roll6]
Crit: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8]
Crit damage: [roll9] [roll10]

Attack 3: [roll11] 18, sorry
Crit: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]
Crit damage: [roll14] [roll15]

[CoffeeIncluded]

Kurt follows Natalia's lead and tries to throw himself behind the burning palisade as the fireball explodes with a whole-body sensation that's felt as much as heard. He's not quite as fast, and burning lumber falls on him and burns his neck and arms, but he's still able to dodge the worse of the flames and blast. When the ringing in his ears dies down he peeks around the corner and fires three more arrows at the closest orc, the one Natalia already shot. After that he steps back behind the burning palisade.

Please, please let me know if this is or isn't okay. Kurt fires at the closest orc (can he do the shooting through fire for fire damage thing?) three times, then 5 foot steps behind the wall for cover.

Reflex save: [roll0] Woo-hoo!

Attack 1: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit damage: [roll4] [roll5]

Attack 2: [roll6]
Crit: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8]
Crit damage: [roll9] [roll10]

Attack 3: [roll11]
Crit: [roll12] 25 actually (forgot to delete the 1, sorry) but I don't think it matters since bows only crit on a nat 20.
Damage: [roll13]
Crit damage: [roll14] [roll15]

[CWater]

"A traveller risks many injuries while on their journey. Dweller on the Horizon, grant us Your blessing to heal them faster", Rhenner recites from memory as he casts a spell to grant the party fast healing. He also adds a short-term extra effect to the healing on Kurt that might force an attacker to stay their hand.

Okay, so casting Mass Lesser Vigor (because keeping track of the HP totals wasn't enough of a hassle already:smalltongue:), so everyone heal 7 HP this round and 1 HP per round for the next 19. (I think I'll better start keeping count or something.)

Also, adding a Healing Kicker(1 round of Sanctuary*) to Kurt, DC 23. (Yes, that's right. It's 15+class level+Wis mod.)

*My understanding of the Sanctuary spell is such that an attacker doesn't know if their target is under the effects of the spell before they try to attack, unless of course they have detected it by using spellcraft, etc. This however, is not explicitly stated, so please let me know if we're using a different ruling.

Also, if it would be possible to delay this action so that Lander can step close enough to be included in the Vigor spell, that would be nice. :) Unless of course that would mean to delay it as far as the next round, then not. (The range limitation are the same as with Haste.)

[Athedia]

Spell List:
0 (4):
Detect Magic
Read Magic
Prestidigitation
Mage Hand
1(5):
Mage Armor
Vampiric Touch
Magic Missile
Magic Missile
Burning Hands
2(5):
See Invisibility
Web
Cloud of Knives
Acid Arrow
Acid Arrow
3(4):
Tongues
Haste
Dispel Magic
Haste
4(4):
Black Tentacles
Dimension Door
Dimension Door
Black Tentacles
5(2):
Wall of Limbs
Fly, Mass

Mithril moved behind Kurt to get an eye on the field. She rolled up her sleeve, reaching her bare arm toward the gathering of orcs as she repeated a series of words. Chanting over and over, her eyes closed in concentration. As she spoke a rumbling grew and thousands of copies of her bared arm sprung from the earth, woven together into a reaching, crushing circle around the warmage and any orcs near him.

I was a little out of it for a bit sorry. But now we get to test out this spell, she is going to make the ring version of it. Radius of 25 feet. I want to try to position one of the walls next to the warmage (with him on the inside) enclosing as many of the others as possible.

[Admiral]

A wall of arms resembling Mithril's own erupts around the mage, also capturing the nearest orc barbarian to him. The arms grab at the two orcs.


Just managed to enclose both (next to them), no others.

O1 Strength: [roll0] If fail: [roll1] damage this turn
O2 Strength: [roll2] If fail: [roll3] damage this turn

If they fail, they're grabbed and stuck. Otherwise they're still inside and can try to run through.


Another of the orc archers tries to fire at Kurt.


O3 Will save against Sanctuary: [roll4]

If fails, loses action.

Starting with that, followup IC in a moment.

[Admiral]

Another of the orcs fires again at Kurt.


This is the one hiding behind the tree after Kurt shouted at folks.

O5: [roll0] Critical: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] Critical: [roll3] [roll4]

[roll5] Critical: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7] Critical: [roll8] [roll9]


One of the orcs yells out a single orcish word and charges in. The others are encouraged, and race in behind, nearly behind it. The leading orc charges forward and slashes his greataxe at Kurt.


Closing those distances. And this lead one is charging and raging.

O4 Attack:
[roll10] Critical: [roll11]
Damage: [roll12] Critical: [roll13] [roll14]

Not sure what Kurt's AC is.

O2 charged so -2 to AC. Of the orcs standing behind him, O7, O9 and O3 were running last turn, though being barbarians they are of course not flatfooted.

[Admiral]

Oops! I counted Sanctuary for the arrow guy but not this one. Let's see if he can do that attack at all:

Will save: [roll0]

Nope!


The lead orc rushes towards Kurt- but at the last moment holds off, his axe still in the air, as he seems to reconsider.

[CWater]

Rhenner takes a few steps to the right to get a better aim and after muttering a short prayer shoots a beam of light from his palm at one of the running orcs.

Move to M48.
Casting Searing Light at O8
Ranged touch attack: [roll0] (+1 from Guidance used here, included)
Damage: [roll1]

By my calculations the situation is the following (correct me if I'm wrong!):

Kurt: 85/118
Natalia: 61/73, 10/120 fire absorbed
Mithril: 47/47
Rhenner: 59/59

+1 from Vigor this round is included here.

[Athedia]

Last turn I had moved to N45 (behind Kurt). It wasn't changed on the map. I ditzed there.

Also marked where BT lands.



Mithril gestured again, the ground shaking in front of the wall this time. Dark tentacles burst forth to try to ensnare the attacking orcs.

[Admiral]

The approaching barbarians jump as the tentacles erupt from the earth, trying to escape its deadly clutches.


O3: Grapple: [roll0] Tentacles: [roll1]
O6: Grapple: [roll2] Tentacles: [roll3]
O8: Grapple: [roll4] Tentacles: [roll5]


One of the orcs is immediately captured.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril's familiar tentacles burst through the ground (and there's another unfamiliar spell just at the edge of her vision that holds the caster and another fast), snaring three of the orcs and holding one fast. Natalia's instantly there to react, turning her ankle and stepping forward, letting the anklet pull her across the burning palisade, where she immediately lets three arrows fly towards the grappled Orc. Movement makes her glance back, and there she sees mithril and rhenner, right behind Kurt, with a wide-open space perfect for the one rampaging Orc to slip through.

She closes her eyes and steps back with a gulp. Natalia tenses her muscles, gets ready to dodge and braces herself for a blow, or several. Memories of deldon flash through her head. This is going to suck.

natalia anklets forward, then fires her bow at O3 (it's just inside sneak attack range). She then 5-foot steps back to I think o43? Just to the right of the Orc in front of Kurt so that the Orc can't get inside, or to mithril or rhenner. And she gets ready for pain. Kurt is in iron guards glare though, so the Orc has -4 to attack against her.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Critical: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus sneak attack: [roll3]
Crit damage: [roll4] [roll5]

Attack 2: [roll6]
Critical: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8] plus sneak attack: [roll9]
Crit damage: [roll10] [roll11]

Attack 3: [roll12]
Critical: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14] plus sneak attack: [roll15]
Crit damage: [roll16] [roll17]

If the Orc is dead before Natalia is out of attacks she fires any remaining arrows at the Orc facing down Kurt--just remove the sneak attack damage.

EDIT: Hah! Crit!

[CoffeeIncluded]

Kurt breaths and and out, back in the flow of battle. Unlike the screaming orc who suddenly paused before him, Kurt seems calm and measured--and thorough. If there's any anger or fury, it's seen not in his face, but in the way he swings his blade in an overwhelming strike like an avalanche.

I hope this is okay. Kurt's going to draw Daybreaker and use Overwhelming Mountain Strike on the orc right in front of him who managed to get into melee (is he the one we've been peppering with arrows? Rhenner got a Searing Light in on him too). If it hits, it does an extra 2d6 points of damage AND the orc will need to make a DC 20 Fort save (14+strength modifier, which is 6) or lose his move action next round (no full attack!)

Anyway, here goes. The orc is raging and charging for a cumulative -4 to his AC, right? And Kurt's in Iron Guard Glare so if he attacks anyone but Kurt he takes a -4 penalty to attack. Power attack -3/+6

Attack: [roll0]
Crit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus holy damage: [roll3] plus Overwhelming Mountain Strike damage: [roll4]
Crit damage: [roll5]

[Admiral]

Natalia fires a quick series of arrows at the orc who is most severely held by the tentacles. With the last of them the enemy barbarian falls unconscious.

Kurt's blade slashes into the closest orc, wounding him.


O3 is down for the count. (I might have said he wasn't earlier, but was miscounting! Can't quite remember.)

O4 is hit but not yet bloodied.


Two other orcs slowly clamber out of the tentacles and move towards Natalia. The one in back fires an arrow through the widening gap in the wall as he approaches, while the other draws his blade.


O8:
[roll0] Critical: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] Critical: [roll3] [roll4]


Three of the other orcs advance, though the tentacles stop them from charging into battle as they move forward.


O5 had to run (not that it's a big thing with their uncanny dodge and all), the other two orcs just double moved.


The wall of limbs, each resembling Mithril's arms, flails as it holds the other pair of orcs. Suddenly a blast of lightning erupts through it.


The warmage (O1) is trying to escape by casting Lightning Bolt, and thus dealing 30 or more damage to a 5 foot section (see Wall of Limbs rule.)

Damage: [roll5]

More in next post.

[Admiral]

The warmage clambers out of Mithril's spell as the arms fall apart around him. The other tries to fight his way out.


[roll0]


He fails to escape the spell himself.

The orc in front of Kurt shouts raises his greataxe and takes a pair of terrible swings at the dwarf.


O4:

Attack: [roll1] Critical: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] Critical: [roll4] [roll5]

Attack: [roll6] Critical: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8] Critical: [roll9] [roll10]

Not impressive rolls, my barbarian friend.


The barbarian's rage seems to blind him as both the axes miss their target.

[CWater]

Rhenner lifts his holy symbol and concentrates on a new spell. It's one he has never cast before, but it's supposed to be one of the stronger ones.

Casting Dancing Web. It deals [roll0] non-lethal to all targets in 20 ft. range. Ref DC 19 for half. Also on a failed save those that are Evil become entangled (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#entangled) for 1d6 rounds, though not stuck in place, by lingering strands of pure goodness magic*.

If the center is placed three down and one to the right compared to the center of the tentacles, then I think it should hit orcs O4, O5, O6, O8 and O9, and not anyone from the party. It's an instantaneous effect and despite the name doesn't actually leave a web behind.

*Though considering that this spell is from BoED it's actually surprising it isn't the former.:smallamused:

[Admiral]

Save's for Rhenner's spell:

O4: [roll0]
O5: [roll1]
O6: [roll2]
O8: [roll3]
O9: [roll4]

Not everyone in a barbarian tribe is evil. In that environment it's not hard for a neutral orc to be pulled along. So about half are (2=evil, as I play dice with their souls)

O4: [roll5]
O5: [roll6]
O6: [roll7]
O8: [roll8]
O9: [roll9]

(Note that who is evil and who isn't remains meta info not known to the players, though you will know who is entangled. Nor is there anything particularly evil about killing a neutral barbarian in self-defense, all else equal, so don't get hung up on it :smallwink:)

All get full damage except O9, and O5 and O8 are entangled. O4 is bloodied.

Natalia + Kurt + Mithril's turn

[Athedia]

Mithril realized the approaching barbarians more than matched the power Kurt and Natalia had to defend the gate and raised her hand summoning another tentacled mass from the depths of the earth. She barely managed to process the man leaping overhead, another odd event in a crazy day.Black Tentacles, marked in blue outline on map.

[Admiral]

The orcs try to avoid the tentacles that Mithril calls forth from the earth.


O4: Grapple: Tentacles: [roll1]
O6: Grapple: [roll2] Tentacles: [roll]1d20+18)
O7: Grapple: [roll3] Tentacles: [roll4]
O8: Grapple: [roll5] Tentacles: [roll6]

[Admiral]

Oops!

O6: Grapple: [roll0] Tentacles: [roll1]


One of the orcs escapes the worst of the tentacles' clutches, but the others are ensnared.

[CoffeeIncluded]

A shape flies through the air out of the corner of Natalia's eye, and she whips around with her bow drawn and ready to fire. Only the realization that it's coming from their side and rocketing towards the warmage that clambered free of Mithril's disturbing wall of clenched fists holds her fire. Still, she spends more than a fraction of a second looking in disbelief.

Ooookaay...

A gleam of dancing threads of light entangling the orcs and piercing them, followed by the sound of cracking earth and their shouts as most are grappled, snaps Natalia back to the battle. In an instant she fires three arrows at the orc furthest in the back, both grappled by tentacles and struggling to break free of the thin strands of light.

Sorry about the wait, I just got home and my computer was being a jerk. It's working now though! O8 is currently grappled AND entangled. Sneak attack! If any arrows are left after either killing or knocking out O8 (that means she'll stop if he's KOed from her arrows and Rhenner's spell but not outright killed) she goes for O6.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Crit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus sneak attack: [roll3]
Crit damage: [roll4] [roll5]

Attack 2: [roll6]
Crit: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8] plus sneak attack: [roll9]
Crit damage: [roll10] [roll11]

Attack 3: [roll12]
Crit: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14] plus sneak attack: [roll15]
Crit damage: [roll16] [roll17]

[Cavelcade]

Kurt concentrates on the foe in front of him, bringing the might of his blade to bear on the enemy, smashing him repeatedly with the holy sword Daybringer. For the moment he keeps his wits about him, his back tensing for just a moment as he hears the ominous sound of rushing feet behind him, but not taking his eyes off the orc before him, instead trusting in Natalia to keep his back secure.


Power attack: -5/+10

Attack 1:
[roll0] Attack = 15
[roll1] Crit

[roll2] + [roll3] (if evil) Attack
[roll4] + [roll5] (if evil) Crit

Attack2:
[roll6] Attack = 21
[roll7] Crit

[roll8] + [roll9] (if evil) Attack
[roll10] + [roll11] (if evil) Crit

[Cavelcade]

And thanks to Mithril's prowess, he's able to turn to strike again, his hands a blur as he reverses his grip to bring Daybreaker back around.


Power attack: -5/+10 still:

Attack:
[roll0] Attack = 25 because I forgot haste adds + 1 again.
[roll1] Crit

[roll2] + [roll3] (if evil) Attack
[roll4] + [roll5] (if evil) Crit