Gothmoor IC (purple)

[Jeggred Von]

The wounds are healed, and the man stands up and takes the pat on his head with a slight smile. The skin was still bruised as the blood needed time to move about and circulate into his body. The man nodded to Etsia and went to confort the woman.

Hearing them all speak, the man picked up the remains of the armor and the body of his headless friend, stuffed it into the back of the wagon.

"My name is Bontue. James Bontue. I was wagonmaster of this wagon and the one behind us there, when the lizardmen attacked. Four adventurers that were with us, chased the main chunk of them into the forest, but a few stragglers stayed to raid and ravage us common folk." James rests a hand on the sobing woman's leg and then began to continue picking up the remainder of their non-looted items with a slight limp.

James looked to te beautiful Elystria and threw a nod to the back wagon.
"As soon as I move the other cargo from the back wagon into this one, I can give you two of the 4 horses. I won't be needing them both. I can have the Guild of the Coin come back and retrieve the lone wagon once inside." He tossed Elystria a set of horse saddlebags, that belonged to the dead headless man in the back of the wagon, then moved off to help the sobbing woman seat herself correctly.

The woman stifles her sobs long enough to look into Jessamyn's eyes with her own tear stained and reddened eyes.
"F-find my baby. Bring her to me. I will be in the North ward, every night at the Fountain du Bargenier' until dawn. If I am not there, ask for The House of Golden Laurels. anyone can direct you." THe woman squeezed Jessamyn's arm slightly and pleaded with her eyes, before the man shouted back he is finished with the transfer of cargo.

James lead two horses to Elystria and put the saddlebags on the back horse. He also attached a bedroll and a blanket as well as all 4 waterskins.

"Here, these should help in the heat." The man nodded to her and handed the reigns over to her.


Etsia looked around for a bit, noticing many hoof as well as footprints. She does find a couple sets of hoofprints that lead back into the ruins.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia wandered off toward the ruins, guessing the horses might have stopped to the company of the other horses there. Herd meant safety, after all. That, and she wanted to check on their own horses, as well.

[bluenihil]

Jessamyn

"Ma'am," the paladin said to the teary-eyed woman, bending her head slightly to keep her gaze, "go to my temple, the Temple of Torm in Gothmoor. Tell them what you have just told me. We will bring back your baby, but you need not pace until dawn on the dark streets. Pray for your child and for us, to what gods you may follow, and the Temple will direct your child back to you when we return. There is no price for this.

"But you should go. And so should we. Have faith, and the gods will be with us."

She bowed her head slightly to the distraught woman as she was taken away, then turned her attention to Elystria. Noting the horse and supplies, she almost managed a smile. "I hope your arcane mysteries will be of use. It seems we're headed into a dark place."

That said, she turned her attention back to the treeline, gauntleted hands still clenching regularly on the hilt of her drawn sword.

[daythief]

Elystria

As she took the reins for the horse, she smiled gratefully at James.

"Thank you... for this and for taking me on before, as well. I'll do whatever I can to help." She glanced at the other woman for a second before looking back to him. "And anyone else from the caravan we come across I'll send to you in Gothmoor. If we do."

Elystria bit her lip for a moment, then shrugged her thin shoulders, unable to think of anything else to say... she looked to the armored woman gratefully when she spoke.

"Oh... well, surely. Magic is always an aid in dark places. Even if only to make light." She waved a hand in what she hoped was a graceful and wizardly gesture.

[Tsol]

Fistar
Hearing the paladin console the bleating woman, one phrase stood out
"... There is no price for this." and with that statement Fistar rolled his eyes heavenwards almost with disgust and turned around to go after Etsia to look on to the horses in the ruins. Catching up to Etsia he started talking about the fight and about his near death, "That spear had my name on it.. " he continued talking until they came close to the ruins, "..Umm... I have.. some business to do in the bush, I'll catch up with you.. in a bit. " blushing furiously he head off to a nearby bush..

Upon reaching the bush, he watched the wild elf head towards where the horses were and then he snucked into the camp and hopefully out of the view of the wild elf. He silently went to the his pack taking out a flask of oil and his own waterskin and then went to the saddle bags that were left by Boone. He quickly replaced Boone's waterskin with his own then went thru the saddle bags and placed an oil flask in it and taking the other vial that was with in the pack and for extra measure took the rolled up scroll and ink vial.



((not sure what to roll with all this action except for Moving Silently))

[roll0]

[Jeggred Von]

Etsia heads off tward the ruined building, the building that was holding the saddlebag of Boone and some of their other equipment. She spots a few random horses that still carry tack and harness from the wagon on their backs. She can easily get three horses before reaching their own 5 horses.

3 horses. ((need two Wild Empathy checks per horse, one to approach, and one to grab the reigns without making the skittish horse jump ..or kick.
6 rolls total. 15 DC, -2 for your dope level of druidness, -1 for terrain is non combat. so roll over a 12. Add your bonus too.))

Fistar does whatever he did in the ruins and hear the horses nicker and whinney and soon hear the soft voice of the druid.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia was relieved as the parrot boy went about his business elsewhere... his chattering would not be helpful in catching the horses at all. They did not seem injured, but were no doubt very skittish after the attack, and she had no ability to speak with them today.

She paused to watch one, just standing there without doing anything for a while. Then she began moving toward a horse slowly, staying in its view to make sure it would not consider her an ambush hunter threat. She kept all her movements steady and slow, making soft neighing sounds occasionally, offering dried fruit on a palm of an extended hand.



Horse 1:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Horse 2:
[roll2]
[roll3]

Horse 3:
[roll4]
[roll5]

[Bunny~]

Etsia

The first horse she had approached had been still too dubious to trust strangers and had not let her come close. The other two had been much more docile, and easily soothed by petting and treats. She led the two back to the wagon, offering their reins to the man she had healed and then offered him a nod and headed back to get their own horses.

Elmshadow received a big hug and more fruit. She untied Ghost and the horse the drow used, wondering briefly where Fistar's horse had gone. The thought of Fistar reminded her of something else, and she led the three horses to where Boone's saddlebags were. Jessame'en would want them to be returned. Maybe the people traveling to Gothmoor could do that.

She paused as she saw Fistar fiddling with his saddlebags. A quick glance told her that Boone's saddlebags were still where they had left them. But still... she eyed him dubiously.

"Did you take anything that isn't yours?"


If Fistar isn't there anymore, I'll edit the post. Took some time to try to soothe three horses and bring two back, and then come to the ruins. But if he is...

Pre-emptive roll vs. whatever comes out of Fistar's mouth next and general 'something is up' check-up.

[roll0]

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He frowned slightly as he listened to the sniveling of the unhurt woman in the wagon. If her child had been so important, why hadn't she at least tried to defend it. He moved forward, the slight wound ignored, still watching outward for any sign of further immediate trouble.

The words of what was thought to be an intelligent woman stopped him dead in his tracks as he moved about.

"It was our mistake that caused its capture." She'd said.

What rubbish and utter idiocy that statement was. But it set the tone for what was to come next. The explanation of the other survivor made matters clear. That the guards they'd hired were stupid and by this time had probably gotten themselves captured or killed. Never run boldly into a cave that you know chitines are in, but those others had ignored the simple precept and left a more defensible area behind. Sure enough the rest of it came out, rather than mind their own business, they were going off on a rescue mission for a woman that wouldn't even raise a hand to defend her child.

He idly watched the other two elves wander off, the yammering one soon vacating the presence of the druid. A barely imperceptible shake of his head, it wasn't his concern. He'd a feeling that the other wasn't to be trusted any further than he could throw a horse. He was a loud, opportunistic, selfish braggart that would probably turn on them the first time things looked like he could make a better deal.

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

Distracted by the fork-tongued thank you and wishing to return to Kelzir's wound, she never heard the Paladin's statement.

...the loud-mouth has a boast for everything.

She moves toward Kelzir, lowers her voice, and switches back to the common Underdark speech that she'd grown up with as she pushes at his armor to examine the wound, "Small wound. I should still have been more careful. I can do a little to mend it, for now."

With that, she grasped onto her faith and devotion to the Moon Maiden and gently laid her palm against the gash in Kelzir's armor and side.


((Don't have to roll for Cure minor wounds, do I? If no, that's one hp back for the papercut-bard!))

[Jeggred Von]

((okay i'll ooc this bit in here evven though we have an OOC thread))

Etsia: ((holy poop woman! can you roll anything low?!?! geeze uber dicer over here guys.))

Zarraema((no need to roll you'll do at least 1point+2 for level, so he's full))


The Man accepts the horses and attacheed them to the back of the wagon. He nodded another 'thank you' and kicked the wagon into gear and the horses began to pull it.

You stand alone, surrounded by bloody dead bodes of lizardmen and the others have seemed to wander off. (Etsia and Fistar)

[Tsol]

Fistar

Fistar was fiddling with his pack, making sure things were in place, when he heard the question from the wild elf. The wood elf shrugged at Etsia, "The only stuff I have is my own, " he smiled at her, "...but your welcome to look in my pack if you don't believe me, " he grinned. He was pretty sure no one knew what was in his pack or Boone's pack to begin with. so didn't see any harm for to see what the pack contain. Still within his pocket, he still had one of the vials plus an ink vial.


((*chuckle for what good this will do.. rolling a bluff.. but as far as Fistar is conerned everything is his... /smirk, ohh yea.. I reading back.. no one had looked into Boone's pack, Jessamyn, just closed it up and didn't look in it.. So even Etsia wouldn't know what Fistar's stuff would be his or not his.))

[roll0]

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia shook her head. There was no point in looking in anyone's bags, since she didn't know what had been there in the first place. "Alright then. I'll bring the man's bags to Jessame-en." She nodded, brought the horses to the bags and attached them to Ghost's saddle, then nodded at Fistar again.

"There is still one, possibly two horses at loose." She commented offhandedly, then led the horses back to the group. She gave the reins of Ghost to Jessame-en with a smile and a nod toward Boone's saddlebags, then the reins of the horse the drow had used to Zarraema with another smile. Then she patted Elmshadow on the neck. "Stay here, I'll look for the other horses."

Without bothering to attach him anywhere and trusting the horse would stay with the others, she headed back to the horse who had been too dubious to be caught earlier.


If James somehow got the horses while Etsia was fetching their own, disregard the rolls. If he didn't, we have two horses extra. And it's not in Etsia's nature to leave horses behind any more than we would leave people behind, so back for the runaway horses she goes!

Horse 1:

[roll1]

Trying to find and catch the fourth run-away horse, the one that was not easily in view.
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]



Edit: Well, she found the tracks of the runaway fourth horse, but failed to catch either, so... roll-fest to determine how long it takes for her to catch them!

Horse 1:
[roll=Approach]1d20+5
1d20+5

Horse 4:
1d20+5
1d20+5

[Bunny~]

Etsia

It was not difficult to find the fourth runaway horse, but it took some time to soothe it and its earlier skittish companion. Eventually the little druid managed, though, and both horses followed her to the other adventurers, munching dried fruit in a content manner.

She went straight to Elmshadow to pet him, then looked at the tall woman seriously. "We have two extra horses now. Can't leave them here, they'd get hurt."


Alright, Etsia is ready to go now! ...did anyone loot the lizards, btw? <.<

Horse 1:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Horse 4:
[roll2]
[roll3]

[bluenihil]

Jessamyn

The paladin accepted the reins of Ghost from Etsia, giving the druid a slight nod. She had more or less forgotten Boone's saddlebags; with the reminder, the tense look on her face only firmed, and she gave a faint sigh.

Having seen the wagon and the survivors off, she finally managed to loosen her grip on the sword, wipe it down and slide it back into its sheath, though she did not tie it in tightly and kept her gaze on the jungle.

She nodded slightly, hearing Etsia's comment. "We were short one horse as it was, I think," she said quietly. "Make sure everyone is mounted. We can bring along the spare, I'm sure there is enough to graze on in there, and we might need it..."


Jess hasn't looted the corpses and doesn't plan to. Fistar can have at them. >.>

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia nodded and brought one of the horses to Kelzir, giving him the reins. "You should ride, too. Faster and better rested in battle." She nodded and patted him on the arm, then gave the reins of Elmshadow to Jessamyn. "Keep him here for a bit in case he wants to follow. I'll see if I can find the tracks." She glanced at the two extra horses and sighed. "...should probably tie their reins to follow us so they don't run off all silly-like again..."

She let the others decide which horse to attach to which mount and instead walked slowly through the battle field, trying to find the tracks of the lizardman who rushed into the jungle with the baby.


Survival rolls to find the tracks and then follow them.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

She smiled faintly as Kelzir's minor wound closed partially, leaving a thin, but closed wound. Once the spell completed, she cast it again, using her connection to the Moon Dancer to call upon the healing powers. She then replaced her sword and began to peer at the surroundings.

Searching for anyone or anything that might need her attention, most notably, the still-injured, she toed at some of the lizardman remains and generally wandered around the area.

Etsia's offer of a horse to Kelzir brought a thin, private smile to her face. He would finally be able to ride; perhaps the sun would not have such a wearying affect on either of them tomorrow.


((First, having Zarraema "Purify Food and Drink" with "Cure Minor Wounds"...

Then, searching the area for remaining injured...or, anything else that might catch a Drow Priestess' eye.

[roll0]
EDIT: ...yeah, she may as well have tripped over her own feet. <laughs> ))

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He bowed deeply, twice, once to his Mistress for her ministration. The second to the tiny elf that handed him reigns. It seemed that the chaos was over for now, but the paladin was going to be determined to go after the child.

"It is not my place to ride, but it will do Mistress well to have another to use, should she need it."

He glanced around, surveying the carnage, trying to determined if anything was worth salvaging. To leave anything behind that was useful would be foolish on their part.


Search - Anything useful (tool, weapon, rope .. etc) - [roll0]

[Tsol]

Fistar

The rogue picked up his pack and then grabbed the riegns of his horse, turning around he went to follow the other group. Stopping here and there he did a brief check on the bloody corpses littering the ground. He noticed that the wild elf was already studying the tracks with a determined look.
With a sigh, as he realized that they would be going after the baby instead of going to where the map led them, he said, "Well, lets get on with it, the sooner we find this baby, the sooner we can get back to looking for treasure, " then looking at Etsia, "I hope your good at tracking..."


((will spend a minute searching the corpses))

[roll0]

[Jeggred Von]

Etsia finds the final horses and then begins searching for the tracks. She found them easily enough, as most of the prints show the lizardmen were carrying heavy loads, which made their prints deeper. Following the basic direction of the prints is not going to be a problem, and you can actually track them from horseback, seeing as they were fleeing pretty fast, they weren't trying to cover their tracks. (broken branches, turned over logs, bent aside grass etc..)The trail heads westward into the jungle.

Zarraema finished healing Kelzir and then walked around the field of battle. She spotted that the druid had returned from somewhere with two more horses and she spotted that Kelzir did indeed take the horse offered to him.

Kelzir took the horse and began to search the field, looking for any items of value or use. One of the lizardman was carrying a small satchel, that Kelzir found when he moved the body. The bag was underneath the lizard. Inside is a strange stone, with a leather cord, almost like a necklace. A Small lantern with many many inscriptions on it (in drow), a set of two daggers, and a small rolled up cloak.


Fistar began to search through the corpses. He began noticing that they only wore a loincloth made from filthy leather (probably human skin) and just a pouch on their hip. After looting the pouches, you collect 23 silver and 34 copper. One of the lizardmen had a strange cube of polished black obsidian the size of your first thumb knuckle.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia nodded a little to herself, and then glanced up at the parrot boy at his comment, green eyes steady and calm. "I can track." There was no need to boast: insecurity of ones skills and position in the tribe was for the cubs. She could track. Whether it would be good enough or not remained to be seen -- and proved.

She made her way back to the others. She paused to pick up the stones she had used in the battle, wiped them clean on the grass and placed them back in the slingstone pouch.

She leaped enough to grab Elmshadow's saddle and pull herself up. She gave a nod to the tall woman. "The tracks are very clear. We can follow them on horseback for now."

[daythief]

Elystria

This was excellent... these were real adventurers, not just merchants. Her chance of ending up in some arcane ruins or finding magical tomes was definitely increasing. And certainly her magic would be of use... she decided after a brief glance around that they were at best familiar with healing and probably not much other real magic.

Elystria glanced over at the only stumbling block to her joining the group, which was grazing and completely ignoring the tugs she periodically gave to its reins. She tried another pull... glared at the horse, and then shifted her look to the saddle and stirrups, which she eyed dubiously. If only she had learned how to ride...

[bluenihil]

Jessamyn

The paladin swung into Ghost's saddle and looked around at her assembled -- and newly grown -- collection of companions. She inclined her head to the drow, addressing them.

"I apologize that we are turning aside from our intended destination for now. I only think that it will not run away in our absence, while the baby's situation may soon slip through our grasp. I can not let that happen, and I hope we are agreed.

"When we are all ready, Etsia should lead..."

Thinking about what might await them in the forest, Jessamyn leaned back in her saddle to undo the straps that held her shield against Ghost's side. She also loosed the warhammer from its place on her belt. Though she vastly preferred the greatsword, it would prove awkward should she have to swing it from horseback, and just as cumbersome should the trees thicken once they were within the jungle. The long blade could sit in its sheath for now.

[daythief]

Elystria

The young elf sighed. If only she knew a spell for this... why were horses so tall? She kept a grip on the reins and moved to stand next to the horse, working out the problem in her mind. When the armored woman swung herself up onto her horse she had put her foot so... Elystria copied as best she could... and hand on that knob thing and then...

If anyone had wondered what an elf looked like when being completely graceless, they had only to look at Elystria as she tried to seat herself with the horse shifting and the saddle sliding and her robes and staff hampering the entire effort. With an undignified grunt, she made it into the seat and bounced on the opposite stirrup for a moment to right the saddle before settling in. She tugged futilely at her robes that had bunched up around her knees and sighed before attempting to regain some sort of poise.

"Of course... and I am ready!" She fussed at her belongings with an irritated expression as something began to slide off from behind her. "Ahem. Lead on, warrioress!"

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He fingered the stone for a moment, debating any value it may have before placing it back in the pouch he'd taken it out of. The daggers he quietly strapped to either leg for convenient use, if needed. The small cloak he draped upon his shoulders, and secured to his armor to prevent it being grabbed and used to choke him. He carried the lantern to the lizard his thrown knife was sticking out of and tugged it free with a slight twist, ensuring the creature would never breathe again.

Finally ready, he waited for the others to be prepared and moved over to stand with the reigns of the other horse in his hand near the one his Mistress rode. He glanced down at the incision that had been made in his armor when he'd negligently stepped in front of his Mistress' sword. Humming quietly, he recalled a simple spell, pulling the armor tight together again he drew his fingers over it causing it to be repaired.


Mending: Minor repairs of an object.


After this he waited, he examined the lantern, peering at the inscriptions he recognized and trying to determine from whence it had come. A drowish lantern intrigued him, as not even the darkest cave was enough to blind one of them. He thought there be some other purpose to it, and he wanted to determine what it may be before presenting the stone necklace and lantern to his Mistress for her dispensation.

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

Finding no more than dead bodies, she wandered back to Kelzir's location with a faint smile.

When the Paladin spoke, she bowed her head slightly, "Do what you feel is necessary. Agree with your decision or not, we set out together and shall continue together. I do doubt that the trail will be short or absent of risk."

She lowered her voice, intending to address Kelzir as he inspected the Drow-marked lamp, "It's fortunate that you'll be riding now, as it seems we'll need to make haste."

With that, she swung her leg over the saddle with a little more grace than the arcanist...but not by much; it wasn't as if the Underdark was filled with equines, after all.

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He ceased his inspection at the approach of his Mistress, stowing the lamp for future examination later. With ease, he lifted himself onto the back of the horse that Estia had handed him with a bow before hand. Settling easily in the saddle, he waited for the paladin to begin moving. He did, however, extend his arm with a bow of his head, the pouch with the stone offered to the drow woman next to him.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia glanced behind her to make sure all the horses were accounted for only to notice that the two extras were more or less standing free and grazing still. She hopped down from the saddle and after a moment's consideration, attached one's reins to Elystria's saddle. "They know each other already, stay calmer together as a small herd." She patted both horses, then attached the last one to Kelzir's saddle. After patting them as well she managed to climb back on Elmshadow's saddle and nudge him forward toward the tracks, following them into the jungle.


Not really going anywhere before Fistar is following them, of course, but wanted to toss the post in before going to bed. Fistar can handle the looting and being-ready post at the same time as following-post or something. <.<

[Tsol]

Fistar

Fistar looked around and then hopped onto his horse and promptly fell off on the other side, he glared at the the horse with a mild accusatory stare. "Listen you dimwitted glue factory horse. Stop moving and stay still. " Again the rogue slowly this time mounted Jumper and settled into the saddle. "Lead on, I'll take up the rear for now.. unless you want me to check for any traps ahead, but I doubt that there will be many in our way at the moment. "


((well Fistar had already looted what he could a pittance if that.. so lets just move on.. I think tho Jeg is flying as of this post.. so we can just wander thru the forest. and get completely lost until he can post /smirk))

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

The Drow priestess stared at the bag for a moment before gently taking it. Using the common tongue of the Underdark, she held the pouch without opening it and lowered her voice, "What is this, Kelzir?"

She would never be afraid of anything her former slave handed her, but she was still cautious - knowing the bard as she had come to, she wondered if he would ever understand his own right to possession.

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He shook his head and shrugged slowly. "I do not know Mistress. It appears like it may be a necklace of some sort. Perhaps some indication of their spiritual guide. Or, it could just be a rock with a string through it."

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

She nodded and looped the bag's handle through her belt, ensuring that it was secure as she made to follow the Wild Elf, "Udos orn inbal ulu zud'dar ol maristo, vel'drav udos ph'naut chasing p'luin byrren. Xal p'los udossta ortelassa ulu Quar'valsharess."


"We will have to test it tonight, when we are not chasing after others. Perhaps before our prayer to the Goddess."

She smiled at Kelzir, attempting a soothing expression and maintaining the Under-Common dialect, "Usstan talinth ol zhah bekea whol udossa ulu zexen'uma xuil l'shinduago xellased whol nin. Ka a jala draeval dos satiir nindel gaer zhah natha sanrr udos zhal'la naut, Usstan orn'la iiyola dosst advice. Dos inbal zuch acraturaus ulu kyorl draeval p'los vel'bol Usstan zhahus izil, maunq'a Usstan zhahus sae'uth xuil dosst insight a l'draeval, xor naut."


"I think it's wise for us to stay with the surface dwellers for now. If at any time you feel that there is a reason we should not, I would treasure your advice. You have always managed to see past what I was able, whether I was pleased with your insight at the time, or not."

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He remained silent for a while, contemplating everything he'd seen and heard thus far. There were points that could be argued for both options at this point, leaving the surface dwellers to their own fate or remaining with them. But as it stood, there were a few things that weighed in favor of one over the other. He spoke quietly in the native language of their people.

"Jabbress, 'zil ol xal tlu bekea ulu sevir nind tar'annen yol nind ph'sei'lor ulu alu pursue natha dalhar noamuth a natha j'nesst nindel xunus naut tangis'y'teni natha rah ulu sslig'ne ol. Gaer ph'byr klezn nindel telanth udos zhal'la zexen'uma. L'd'nilok kluthak competant lu'ka naubol dkinoss onhasta ulu fol thry, Usstan tlun naut zhaunus d'l'tenets mih a l'Yah, Torm. L'zhas uss zhah mziln izil, lu'rena pholor natha juss'a d'ilta ehmtu kluthak bwael tar'annen 'zil al. dossta bran abbil Usstan xun naut z'reninth zhal'la tlu khalessev doeb d'sol ml'aen, jhal gaer zhah fol xukuth gaer, d'elezz Usstan er'griff z'reninth ol ulu tlu whol ukt ehmtu zai'th. Usstan shlubnaut telanth d'nindol sel eldalie faern, jhal il xunus fre'sla lu'malar 'zil al.

Udos ph''zil quin niki wun natha b'vecko thac'zil. Lu'rena udossta abbanen ph'naut d'udossta detholin, mzilst kluth ulu tal'skala vel'bol nind zhaun d'udossa lu'khluryar dal di'morad t'sek d'waess. Whol nin, Usstan z'reninth udos ph'alur tir xuil mina, taga pholor udossta ehmtu."


"Mistress, as it may be wise to leave their company since they are set to go pursue a child lost by a woman that did not even raise a hand to defend it. There are other things that say we should stay. The paladin seems competant and if nothing else dedicated to some cause, I am not sure of the tenets held by the God, Torm. The wild one is also able, and while on a quest of her own seems good company as well. Our loud friend I do not believe should be trusted out of eye sight, but there is some heart there, though I only believe it to be for his own sake. I cannot speak of this new elven wizard, but she did stand and fight as well.

We are as yet strangers in a strange land. And while our allies are not of our choosing, most seem to ignore what they know of us and judge from actions instead of skin. For now, I believe we are better off with them, than on our own."


With that having been said, his deep voice quieted to silence. He raised his eyes to follow the others as he shifted in the saddle. The second horse tied to it nickered slightly, resulting in a gentle petting.

"Only The Dark Mistress knows our where our path will lead."

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

She smiled softly at her former slave and leaned in her saddle to pat him on the knee. "Bel'la. Usstan qua'l"


"Thank you (informal). I agree."


With that, she fell in behind, beside or in front of Kelzir, depending on the terrain.

[Jeggred Von]

You all set off, heading into the woods after the lizardmen and the lost baby. The trail is retardedly easy to follow. The lizardmen were running so fast, they didn't have time to cover their tracks or properly skulk through the underbrush or vines. Large sections of underbrush were trampled and protruding branches were cracked off from the escaping reptiles. The soft soil of the jungle floor makes it easy to see where the lizardmen kicked up the dirt in their running. You follow this trail about 20 minutes into the hot sweltering afternoon, until you come accross what looks like a small scuffle.

A human male in rusty chainmail laid across the body of a lizardman, the human has three arrows protruding from his back and neck, shot from the front. When he fell down, they must have burst up and out through his back and neck. (shot from ahead) The man's shortswords lay not far from his lifeles hands. THe lizardman underneath him is missing an arm and a section of it's skull.

Two more lizardmen lay around the area, obviously cut down from a pursuer. Some with their own weapons still in hand. The trail leads onward past the scene into the jungle further. Ahead, in the distance, through the open canopy of the jungle mangroves and palms, you can see a massive line of mountains, surrounded by foothills, poking out from the jungle. Probably five weeks hard ride to the West by North West. The lizardmen run due west.

[Tsol]

Fistar

"Well you know, I don't think they came this way," the rogue chuckled and then with a more serious tone, "They can't be that far ahead. We should be aware of maybe an ambush." Fistar jumped off his horse and did a quick search of the bodies, ignoring the rusty weapons and seeing if any coin pouches are around.

[Tsol]

Fistar


Forgot to roll for a search

[roll0]

[Bunny~]

Etsia

The little druid did not dismount while she watched the scene, then the tracks leading further to west. "I hope that whoever shot the arrows isn't there waiting. Could be a hidden guard." The long elven ears twitched as she tried to catch a sound, watching their surroundings, looking for any sign of ambush or trap.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Jeggred Von]

Fistar
You search the bodies of the men and the lizardmen alike.
You find nothing on the lizardmen as usual.
on the one man, you find his belt pouch with 55 gold, and 13 silver. A small token shaped like a horse, and a iron key.
On the second man, you find 3 small rubies,and 23 gold. THe first man has twin short swords, and the second used to wield a cutlass and dagger.
Both have normal clothing and studded leather armor.
You look over the bodies and find that the arrows embedded into the men, the wounds surrounding the protruding arrows...have turned a sickly green(poison) and smells of almonds.

Etsia
You listen and try to discern if the archers are still around. after a few moments you decide nothing remains behind and hear nothing more than the beautiful sounds of the jungle.

[Tsol]

Fistar

Fistar frowned at noticing the poison on the arrows, "I recommend being careful they are using poison." he commented outloud. Taking belt pouch and other items he placed them into his saddlebag. At least this venture may have some profit after all he thought as he grin softly.


((add items to my player sheet, plus the gold.))

[bluenihil]

Jessamyn

The paladin pulled her shield from its place and slid her arm through the straps, then took the reins again. The warhammer stayed in its place, hanging from her belt, for the moment. She glanced across the group.

"I know two of you can heal...I hope you can deal with poisons as well. My kit does not allow much in the way of certainty for dealing with such things.

"If you have any way to protect yourselves, I'd advise preparing it. No doubt we'll be shot at during some point of this."

She nodded to Etsia then and pointed with her chin toward the continuing trail.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia nodded, and since she had not noticed any signs of ambush, she urged Elmshadow forward, following the tracks of the lizardmen to west.

[Jeggred Von]

With careful movement, The group makes it way down through the underbrush, urging their horses deeper into the hot jungle. The bugs and the annoying insects are beginning to get to you as the ground ahead begins to soften and you can hear the wet sounds of the horse's hooved feet being sucked into the muddy ground.

The sky opens up as the hovering clouds begin their unloading of buckets of rain. The noise of the forest is amplified as the rain hits the wide leafy bushes and canopy above. You make out the trail the lizardmen used and follow it for another 200 yards, until you come across what looks like a deer run.

A small worn path used by predator and prey alike, worn down to provide a small ammount of resistance-free movement, runs across your own trail. You notice the trail you're currently on does not continue past the deer run.

The tracks of the lizardmen are filling with rain water and you can see the head off to the left. The sounds of the jungle are alive, and you can hear all sorts of animals and creatures as the rain brings the soggy woods further to life.

[Bunny~]

Etsia

Etsia sighed. "Looks like they continued along the path to left... but with this rain, if they stepped out of it again, we will not be able to see it." She turned Elmshadow left, hoping to catch the lizardmen before they slipped past her tracking ability.


Trying her best to notice anything track-worthy in the surroundings while riding, broken branches, not-washed-away tracks leading away from the path, anything else 'off' or strange. Not sure which to roll, so rolling both! Use whatever is applicable.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Edonil]

KELZIR
(map)

He followed along, watching from near the middle of the group. The jungle elf was now in her element and leading them quickly for all the overgrowth. The advent of the trail was only slightly welcoming.

The rain slicked down his hair, plastering it against his head, the noise of it amplified as the air thickened. While it would keep them from hearing an approach from a distance, it would also mask their noise as well. It seemed that the reptiles were still moving hastily, apparently expecting some kind of reprisal. As they mulled over for a short time before turning left along the trail, he had a thought that perhaps they were supposed to be following the larger group of tracks. He realized that if he'd regrouped with counterparts and was the one being chased, that he would attempt to lure any pursuers off by making it seem like he'd joined with the larger group. So, before catching up, he rode a short way, looking for any sign that they were being led astray .... and into a trap.


SEARCH: Looking for tracks, upturned mud, the telltale dragging of a tail tip in the mud that might lead in another direction.
[roll0]

[daythief]

Elystria

Sitting awkwardly on her acquired horse and feeling the rain seep down inside her clothes, the young elf sighed heavily and pondered her spells. None useful for rain, particularly, that she had bothered reading this morning! Damn.

She looked around at the adventurers... she had to prove she was useful somehow so that they'd keep her on! Hopefully some sort of lizardman would pop out and she could fry them, although the last batch seemed remarkably resistant to arcane energies. She frowned furiously at that and hunkered down beneath the rain, trying to keep an eye on the jungle around them; she couldn't track to save her life, but she could still be useful!

[daythief]

spot [roll0]
search [roll1]

[Zarrae]

Zarraema:

She nodded to the Paladin's admonition, mentally reviewing all of the spells that the Dark Lady had blessed her with as they rode.

The rain served to cool off the heat of the day, but began to cause her armor to take on an uncomfortable soggy state. That, in addition to the small trail raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

"It could be that they knew more rescuers would follow and have prepared a trap or ambush on this tiny trail."

Moon Maiden, give me wisdom for this...

[Jeggred Von]

Carefully, the group makes it's way down the tiny trail, watching both sides and ahead for any sort of trap or sign of something amiss.

Nothing comes.

You wander down the trail, the rain soaking you to the bone and the steam coming off of the plants and even your own armor making the air thick with humidity, turning breathing into work. The rising mists of the cooled surounding scenery makes visibility a little hard to see more than 30 feet ahead. The low visibility gives those hairs on the backs of your necks even more reason to be up and at attention.

The trail wanders westward as you come to a small gorge. You stand atop the one side of the valley that spread out before you for hundred of acres.
Thousands of untamed and untouched jungle lies before you in a small steaming valley. The sides of the valley are steep, but still ridable. Down below in the valley, you can see the mist hugs the tree line and you spot a thicker mote of steam or smoke that stands out from the surrounding mist.

The trail leads off the edge and down into the valley below. It seems to zig-zag down the valley wall.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Gaming/junglevalley.jpg
The white line is the trail...steep but ridable. (think donkey path)

[Bunny~]

Etsia

The rain had not really troubled the little druid who was wearing very little for that very reason: the weather in the jungle was not kind to heavy layers of clothing. She squinted at the potential smoke and pointed at it. "Maybe they have a village of some sort down there."

She glanced at the others to see how they were faring, ready to continue down the path and into the valley.

[bluenihil]

Jessamyn

Rainwater dripped off the tip of the paladin's nose. She looked as grim as always, green eyes scanning what little could be seen of the route and terrain. A slight nod of acknowledgment was her only response.

[Tsol]

Fistar
Fistar hummed under his breath and thought that this was a waste of time, it was obvious that the lizardmen knew this part of the area quite well and used that knowledge to keep ahead of them. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head to keep the rain out as he watched the rest of the party travel carefully and somberly down the trail. He hoped that this adventure was worth the trouble, already he could feel the dampness seep into his boots, as he glanced at the sky hoping to see a break in the weather.

He looked at the newcomer, glancing at the way she rode her horse and almost grin with amusement, until his own horse, Jumper, stumbled briefly almost throwing him from the saddle. He growled under his breath at the horse, "Bet you did that on purpose, you mule.." Jumper nickered softly as if laughing at the rogue in the saddle and flicked it's ear around with a twitch.

[daythief]

Elystria

Elystria sat up somewhat, trying to stay away from the edge for (unfounded) fear of overbalancing her horse while at the same time trying to lean out for a better view.

"Do lizardmen even live in villages? Oh!!! They're probably being led by an evil wizard!" In her excitement she slipped somewhat in the saddle, but her silver eyes still lit up with avarice as she regained her seat. "I mean, why else would they be stealing babies? It's probably for a ritual or something or.. oh, maybe he's going to raise it as his apprentice!"

She glanced around at the group, reassessing their abilities.

"You've probably fought wizards before, of course..."

[Tsol]

Fistar

"Eh? Wizards? sure... I've fought many of them in my home town, finger wiggler's I call them," the rogue smiled. "Of course it was all in good fun, but I remember when I came across this little house in the woods..." Fistar continued chatting about how he had entered the house and thinking it was empty and then finding a wizard in one of the room sleeping. "... ohh and she wasn't too impressed with me being there, she started to do her little finger wiggling at me and I had to leave the bed quite quickly." A wishful look crossed his face.



((Just jump starting this again... ))