It was around midday when you got out of the tower which hold the name of Rhauntide tower. You had a rather interesting conversation with Teesha Than about the missing students and their guides. She had given you a map that marked the location she knew of that had healing herbs that they most likely went to see. Those who had requested it where given half of the money up front. She wished you safe travels and hoped to soon here from you again. The elven rangers that guarded Semberholm might have seen something. She advised you to go to them unless you want to search all day and night in the woods for many months.

Sowltore took the lead, going towards his horse. He opened the pack saddle and placed half of the money he had taken inside before closing the pack tightly. He mounted his warhorse. He gripped the saddle, taking a glance at each of his comrades. To him, none out of the three seemed to be a worthy opponent, and he quickly directed his eyes in front of him instead.

"Will find the rangers. Then we will find the weaklings who cannot find their way back, and tear apart anyone in our way." He spoke gruffly. His horse neighed, but he did not move. He allowed someone else to take the lead, as he was not familiar with the location of these rangers.

Edit/ Fixed typo..>.>
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Sat 15 Mar 2008.

"I don't like this," Dalsein mumbled, and shook his head.  "We Rangers of this woods know it better than anyone -  they will not have simply become lost, something is hindering them from returning.  I fear they are already dead," he finished, and shook his head slowly.  Letting out a loud whistle, Dalsein was soon joined by a wolf of the woods, hurrying over to it's master and friend.

"We set off for Semberholm, first," he stated calmly, and after casting a glance over at Storm, his friend, he began to walk, keeping no higher a pace than the slowest in the group could maintain.


OOC:  I've got a base speed of 50 feet, as well as the Endurance feat, so no mounts for me.  :p

Nodding her agreement with Dalsein, Storm exchanged a nervous and worried look with her friend before holding up her finger to indicate she needed a moment.  Hurrying off into the woods, in the same direction from which Dal's wolf had come, Storm was gone for just a moment before another wolf came from the same area.  This wolf, who had eyes that look just like the elven lass's who had just disappeared, went to Dalsein's other side and waited patiently to leave.

Khemed merely chuckled at Sowltore's gruffness.  While he wasn't as fast as the mounted man, or the ranger or his wolf, he set off at his best pace.  He'd follow the experts who knew how to follow the map.

As the group walked towards Semberholm the light started slowly, but surely to sink. The cold winter winds blew hard on you and the trees had a few weeks ago lost their leaves, except some who managed to survive the winter months.  It was seen a few deers while you walked the woods. All seemed quiet the first few days. On the fourth day the group started to reach their destination. Then the sounds of several  bird sounds started to go of around you. A hawk was heard several times. After moving maybe for a few minuets Suddenly a group of elves with their arrows drawn at the group. One man walked closer to the group. Carrying a powerful composite longbow in his hands and a arrow ready. He is of tall height for elven standard and have many wood elf futures. He speak in elven Who are you. What are you doing so close to the holy lake that rest at Semberholm? You where out numbered as they where eight. All of them carrying composite or normal longbows. They also carried longsword except for the closest one. The two elves in the party saw clearly that it was a elven court blade.

He moved further still, riding on his horse. Any honourable opponent would not feel the need to outnumber their foes. Who he assumed to be the leader was tall for an elf, as he himself was, yet he towered over him atop his mount. Growing up as a wild elf in a tribe, he did not know much or care much about the elven court. Still, he did not like the fact that they dared to threaten him with an arrow to his face.

"We want to know if you seen anyone looking around for herbs and," he said with a intimidative tone in elven, leaning forwards, "get your bow out of my face.

Before I cut you in half."

12:52, Today: Sowltore rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Intimidate.

Dalsein groaned inwardly at Sowltore.  He sounded more like a bandit or a raider than anything else, and to make such threats when they were outnumbered two-to-one was simply foolish.  Stepping in between Sowltore and the elf with the drawn bow, Dalsein spoke;

"I apologize for my companion's crude behavior, he does not speak for this group.  I am Dalsein Elladyr, Ranger of Cormanthor.  We come searching for a group of monks, who were accompanied by our fellow rangers.  They passed this way, but there have been no word from them in a tenday, and we fear for their safety.  We come to Semberholm hoping to find some clue as to where they went. . .  I did not expect such a poor welcome from fellow Or’Tel’Quessir, however.  What reason do you have to greet travellers with drawn weapons, friends?"

Quite upset at the way Sowltore spoke to her kinman, the druid in wolf form growled ferociously at him as if to demand he apologize and show some respect.  She preferred travel in this form, but would gladly shift back to her elven one if it proved necessary to stand with the other elves and Dalsein.

The other elves seem to be pulling their strings back and aiming at Sowltore. The man seemed a little spooked by the impressing stature of Sowltore on his mount, but with the back filled with seven archers he felt some what comforted by the idea. He walks up to Sowltore and says in a harsh tone. I'll aim my bow where ever I see fit. I'm one of the guardians of Semberholm and will not lower my guard even for a band dressed for war as you and your company. Two elves, two wolfs and a human. He takes a few breaths I know of the rangers you speak of. One of them is a friend of mine. Firnes. Yes the Black heart has much to carry now a days. Losing his family like that. He's a very good woodsman. Skilled in archery as many elves are. He knows this woods as well as a city dweller knows his street.  Alto why we chose to greet visitors like we did, well let's just say that we have heard strange tells about people coming to these lands. Rumor is that war is coming and might be right around the corner. We have seen many strange people moving around here. People we might expect to be of a lesser moral stature then most. Therefore we keep our guard up and show no difference between any race for evil runs in all races. Also we never know what to expect. Better to be prepared then dead.

"You still not answered our question, guard, even though your story of a war is most pleasing. What of the other rangers? Where do we find them," he gives a slightly crooked smile, "or if they are dead, to whom do we exact revenge upon?"

He was not phased by the fact that the other elves reading arrows towards him. He believed that the fact that they needed to outnumbered the group as a sign of cowardice and he did not feel that they would dare to let go of their string. Besides, he could see that the leader was spooked, despite the harsh voice he was putting up. He also noticed the wolf growling at him, but he ignored it despite its ferocity.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Thu 27 Mar 2008.

Khemed merely smiled, his hands clasped in front of him, trying to look harmless and glancing from face to face.

OOC: Assuming I'm reading right and all of this discussion is going on in Elven.  Khemed doesn't speak Elven.

Staying in wolf form for now, Storm was a little surprised the other elves didn't sense anything different about her, but perhaps none of them were druids or rangers.  Or perhaps none of them were paying that much attention to her and the other wolf.  The girl was still none-too-pleased with Sowltore, so her attentions stayed focused on him.  If he made any move to hurt any elf, she would be certain to come to their defense.  Storm was also not happy that Sowltare seemed to like the elf's talk of war.  War was a terrible thing, she knew.

The man seemed quite angry at Sowltore Take and spit up into the sky and follow the direction it falls at. I said I knew the man, but I did not say that I know where he is just this Minuit. He should be back by now. After learning those monks about healing plants. He looks at Khemed and speaks in common. I assume you are from the monastery. How long ago did Firnes drop of your young students.

Khemed bowed to the elf. "I come from a different monastery, but I still can answer your question.  The students were dropped off over a week ago, and no word has come from them yet.

Those who sent them fear for their safety and sent us to seek them.

Do you know where Firnes left them?"

Sowltore stopped pressing questions to the elf for a moment to them to allow them to answer Khemed's question, but kept a keen eye on their group.

The man shaked his head. I have no idea where they might have gone. They are as the wind. No way to know where it will come from. It may be in all directions in the sky. Firnes has many times lead the students of the monastary, but never has he then failed to return. I fear something has happend to as it has been for so long. He know the woods well as I have told you. If he has fallen then there is little hope left for the children. He looked at the others before saying to one of the others in elven </darkblue>Keran please alert the others that Firnes has gone missing with some human monks. Tell them to send messangers if they have seen them.</darkblue> One of the elves with a bow in hand starts to run at a great speed of into the woods. He is soon gone nder the shadows of the trees. Soon it is all quiet again. Then the elven commander stands there looking at you and then sky above. </darkblue>The day is coming to a close. It goes towards night. Maybe you would like to joine us at one of the camps that we have here. We got one not far from here, but I guess that would depend on who one speaks to.</darkblue> For sure he was right. The day was starting to darken, even though the sun was still up, it quickly darkens under the roof of trees.

Storm liked the idea of staying in an elven camp, but she didn't like the thought of taking Sowltore into one.  His earlier treatment of the elves in question still embarrassed her.  She left it to Dalsein to make the decision, however, trusting him to know elves and people better than she did.

"If nothing else, maybe we can return their bodies to their kin.  Any help that you can give us would be appreciated, as would the safety of your camp for the evening, if my companions are willing."

The man nods and looks at his soldiers. MOve over to the camp. Send a message that we might be bringing with us a few guests. in elven. One more of the rangers moves into the forest. The man says in common to you. Well if you want to come with us then follow. If not then walk around.

OCC:
Okey need a call. Do you take him up on the offer or what. Also consider this a bump.

Sowltore nodded. He was sure that he would be unwelcome, however it seemed that the majority of the group would take up the offer. It was a bit of a hard choice, but figured that he would cause more unease among the elves than they would to him.

"We will follow," Dalsein replied with a nod, and took up stride behind the other elves, feeling more kinship and belonging with them than the group he now travelled with - well, except for Storm, that was.

For now still in wolf form, Storm kept a watchful and somewhat distrustful eye on Sowlore but stayed close to Dalsein as they followed.

Khemed simply bowed his agreement to the others' statements and followed along silently, his lips moving in silent prayer or medititation.

The journey through the woods was very safe for the group as the camp was well looked after by rangers and druids. As you enter the cam you see that there has been grown a thick wall of trees in a almost complete circle. There are three platforms in the circle of trees that form the camp. Each can be reached by a rope ladder. There are a few hawks and wolf and other animals walking along. One owl sits on a branch above the entrance to the camp and keeps a good eye on you. As soon as the newcomers enter some look and some don't care much. The elf that lead you here turns and says Well you are free to move inside the camp. You may find that it's a nice place to get what few things you may need. This place is well guarded by many eyes. I would suggest that you keep inside the camp and not start wandering about at night. Someone might just mistaken you for someone else. He then walks over to a few other elves and start talking to them and several times points to you.

Khemed glanced at his new companions with a smile before settling down on a mossy spot.  He folded his hands into his lap, half-lidded his eyes, and settled into the meditative state that his masters had sometimes called 'waiting with awareness'.  As he followed the slow, steady pace of his breath, he allowed his eyes and ears to take in whatever might be going on around him.

22:17, Today: Khemed rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Spot check.
22:17, Today: Khemed rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Listen check.

Finding himself a comfortable place to sit down, Dalsein pulled his large sword from it's sheath, letting a finger trail across the cold steel.  The blade was not of elven make, it was designed for a much larger human, but Dalsein's strong hands had little trouble weilding it, and after making sure it was still in servicable condition, he sheathed it again.  The wolf he had found as a cub and raised in the woods near his home at the Elven Court had laid down next to him, resting yet fully aware of it's surroundings at the same time - and whenever someone appeared to approach it's friend and master, it regarded them carefully, meaning to protect Dalsein as he rested.

Storm padded over to Dalsein, staying in wolf form now so that she did not startle those in the camp, and laid down on the other side of his 'other' wolf as she thought of him.  She was very fond of the wolf, and they often played together when she was in wolf form, but more and more since meeting Dalsein, the elven druid stayed in the form she was born in unless they were around others.  Then her shyness overruled her desire to communicate with her dear friend.

A little while after you settle down at the camp two elfs carrying powerful composite longbows enter the camp. Each with a deer over their shoulder. There also hangs quite a selection of birds from heir waist. The amount of game should be enough for the camp. Surely this would be the hunting party of the small camp. A task often left for the more inexperienced rangers as it was a nice way to practice on their aim, stealth and tracking skills. With the added bonus that they had not to worries about the animal attacking them if they failed. They quickly hung up the birds and started to skin and cut the deers into more easy manageable pieces. When they where done the walked around handing out small bits of meet and bones for the wolfs and other meat eating animals at the camp. One walked over to Dalsein and gave each of the wolfs bones and a little meat. He then says to the group Food will be ready shortly. Just need to get the fire up now. he then leaves the group alone when he and his friend it appears by the way they act around each other start cooking the meet.

OCC:
Will leave this game like this for a few days so that you can interact with eachother. You'll be served with food after a half hour has passed. The three of you in human form at least(unless Storm changes back into human form)

After some time had passed, Storm placed her muzzle into Dalsein's hand to get his attention.  Her own eyes looked up at him, almost as if she were asking him what she should do.  Should she spend the night in wolf form or turn back into an elf?

Sowltore paced around the camp while waiting for the meat to cook, praticing strikes with his greatsword in the space around him. What else was there to do keep him busy in this time?

OCC:

There are a lot of people gathered around different fires as well as some training there skills with the blade. There are none practising with the bow, maybe because of the risk it would pose to others. With so many people it would be a good place for gathering information or learn more about the people you travel with.

Softly whispering for Storm to change, Dalsein smiled softly.  He much preferred being able to be with her when she was in her own form, and he couldn't think of anything else he'd rather do there that night.

Storm moved behind Dalsein and melded back into her given form, crawling back beside him with a soft smile.  "Did you need to speak with me?" she asked quietly.

Dalsein nodded slowly, and placed an arm around Storm, holding her close to him.  "I am concerned," he whispered after a bit, and sighed.  "The rangers of these woods would not simply get lost...  either something terrible has happened, that keeps them from returning, or the rangers weren't who they claimed to be.  In either case, I suspect we will need to be prepared for a fight before long...  make sure to stay close to me, Storm.  I will protect you."

Storm cuddled up against Dalsein just as she did when she was in wolf form, her legs splayed out to the side while her upper body fit nicely against him.  She looked up at him intently, carefully listening to everything he had to say.  Storm agreed with him, nodding slowly, and she was nervous about this entire situation.