Adryn can't put his finger on it, but there was definately something wrong with these dogs. They seemed perfectly natural, yet something unnatural stood out.

Whatever the case may be, Aethen and Genovia's concern brought him back to his senses. Instead of using his new bestial claws to tear into the strange dogs, he uses them to make a tactical withdraw up into the trees, knowing he wouldn't last very long on the ground.

Once he reaches the same elevation as his companions he says, "Sorry for that, something about those creatures just didn't sit right with me, but now is not the time to deal with them. We need to head back to town and see if Vertium can help interpret this vision of ours."

Unaware of the bleeding at his side he continues, "We should stick to the branches and vines until we are clear of these beasts. Genovia, you may want to hold on tight... this ought to be a fun ride.", as he begins to look for a way to swing out.

   Aethen nods and looks to his injured friend.  "Hold a moment, brother.  You would not wish to help them track us by leaving a trail."  Aethen closes with Adryn and heals his wound.

   "You said they seemed wrong to you, and you also sounded certain that they fed on magic.  How did you come to that conclusion?"  Aethen asks as they begin to move through the trees toward the distant city.

14:35, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 4 using 1d8+3. Cure Light Wounds on Adryn.

The dogs charge after Adryn as he heads for a tree but are not swift enough to catch him.  They yip at the base of the trees but do not climb up after.  The trip back to the city is relatively easy and uneventful in the tree tops.  The dogs give up the chase very quickly and do not come near the walls.  By the time the walls are in sight, it is safe enough to climb down and enter the city from the ground.

Your added wisdom gives you a bit of insight, Vertium would likely be the one targeted by those dogs and may not be the best one to deal with them, at least not close up.

Adryn places his hand where his wound once was, looks at Aethen and nods in appreciation. "Thank you, brother. With all that was happening, I hadn't even noticed they took a bite out of me".

The two of them soared through the tree branches and vines almost effortlessly as they put more and more distance between them and danger.

Once they were far enough away from the dog-like creatures, and with Genovia safely in tow, Adryn was able to let his guard down enough to answer Aethen's questions.

"I know those beasts seemed harmless enough at first glance. That is why I initially tried to reason with them, and let us pass. Unfortunately, once they got close enough... something just wasn't right about them. Something, unnatural that I can't quite identify", Adryn says as he reaches out for another vine.

"They had no interest in turning back, so I tried to charm one. I failed horribly", Adryn said bluntly. "It was at that point I found out they were after our magic... quite simply, because they told me. They wanted to steal our magic."

Adryn didn't say much else after that, until they reached the edge of the wilds,  and the city was within sight. Adryn lowers himself slowly to the ground, as to not lose his precious cargo, and places Genovia back on solid ground. "I hope you enjoyed 'flying' with us", he says with a smile.

Adryn starts walking toward the city gates, "We ought to find the others. I'm sure they'll be interested in what we have learned..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Tue 12 July 2011.

"Well it was definately a different way of travelling than i'm used to.  Thank you for the lift."

She follows along with them as they enter the city.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:27, Thu 14 July 2011.

   As they enter the city, Aethen suddenly stops and places a hand on Adryn's shoulder.

   "Adryn, I apologize for my reaction if I gave you offense.  I hope that you understand my reason for asking you to stay your hand.  While they were most likely drawn to that spot because of the magical communion with Addiyr, they posed little threat to us...."  Aethen pauses to ensure that he wasn't making things worse.  "What I mean to say is that we are the Tenders of the Path, and animals that are acting according to their nature should not incur our wrath."

   Aethen's eyes drop to Adryn's wound.  "I just wanted you to know why I did not stay on the ground and fight.  A brother does not abandon one of his own, and I would never from you."  Saying this allows Aethen to breathe deeper and stand a bit straighter.

"Thank you, but there really is no need to apologize. Your concerns were not without merit.", Adryn replies.

"Honestly, my initial reaction to them was curiosity. I've never seen creatures like that, and I'm afraid that curiosity blinded me to their hostility. It wasn't until I was backed against that tree when my 'fight or flight' response kicked in.", Adryn added.

"You are correct about one thing... one should expect creatures in the wild to behave according to their nature, but I can't shake the feeling that they were not behaving naturally.". Adryn shakes his head, trying to wrap his head around the situation.

"Any idea where we should look for the others?"

   "With Grondor, the local tavern...."  Aethen thinks for just a moment.  "Perhaps if we are here for an extended time, we could return there and root out the source of your unease."

"Yes, I would imagine that should be the first place we check. Plus, Vertium may also have some insight into the strange creatures", Adryn says as he begins walking towards the tavern.

She follows her groupmates towards the tavern, staying as nondescript as a human can in this environment.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Tue 12 July 2011.

GM:  Please be patient, I have to catch the other group up to you time-wise and some things need to happen before I can do that.  With summer time, some of them have indicated that they are only posting intermittently because of vacation or access problems.  We will continue in this separate thread for now.

When you arrive back in town, you begin to visually search for your friends at first, rather than ask after them, near the docks.  Likely Grondor and a couple of the others went to get a drink at one of the nearby inns, but a quick search turns up nothing.  Do you wish to ask after them or broaden your search pattern?

   "Hmmmm, I am at a disadvantage.  I have no sense for these....places."  He finishes with a slight scrunching of his nose.  "Perhaps they have moved to another side of town for business?"

Trying not to look completely lost, Adryn stops to collect his thoughts for a moment. "I think we are in the same boat, Aethen. (no pun intended) I am no adventurer, but if I were, I would probably look for room and board or information. If we can't find them after a couple more inns/taverns, I guess we need to start asking around."

Adryn begins to notice Genovia attracting alot of stares and sideways glances, and decides to stand a little closer to her for good measure.

"By the looks of things, a group of humans wouldn't go without notice."

All of the looks shocked her.  Looking over to the other two she lowered her voice.

"I'm not used to being looked at this much.  This normally means that they think i've done something."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Thu 14 July 2011.

The three of you continue through the area near the docks, searching inns and taverns without speaking up yet.  Genovia is subjected to glares, people (mostly Unbular) spitting on the ground at the sight of her, or mumbling imprecations under their breath.

   "I am at a loss. I have never seen hatred for humanity expressed with such openness."  Certainly it existed where they were from, but there was also acceptance as well.  This place seemed to have no tolerance for their kind.

   Aethen begins to wonder if they need to look into some kind of disguise, because of the prevalence of the displays.  He poses the idea to the others.

she nods to Aethen.

"Maybe we could get a hooded cloak from somewhere.  That would at least help to hide my appearance, but compared to everyone else i'm still pretty short.  I'll have to sell it that i'm something else."

GM note:  You are all speaking Unbular or Kradok out of habit or courtesy, but all of you speak Brachus, the Anthros native language.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:30, Thu 14 July 2011.

"Agreed, we need to do something to draw less attention to ourselves. We may be hard pressed to find anything that will conceal her appearance... or anyone that aid us in doing so. Unfortunately, I don't have anything in my possession that could help right now."

Adryn begins looking around for shops and merchants that might have something to help hide Genovia.

"Aethen, Genovia, perhaps we should use a language that is less familiar to the locals here."

Adryn thinks for a moment. "Genovia, how's your Brachus?"

He looks her direction, hoping she understood.

She looks towards Adryn.

"I do ok,  I don't muddle it too much.  I could use some practice though."

Adryn smiles, "Then this would be the perfect opportunity to get some more practice."

"Perhaps once we're in less hostile surroundings, you could help me with your language", Adryn says.

"Hyoo-mhun", he says, trying it on for size.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Sat 16 July 2011.

As the three of you consider possibilities for concealing Genovia and finding the others, a figure in expensive, yet simple robes appears before you. "You are here to speak with Torhavich.  Like the others."  It almost comes across as a statement rather than a question.  The voice is soft and hard to distinguish gender or kind, but it evokes feelings of trust. "Follow me.  I will take you to your friends."

GM: Roll will save.

00:34, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 26 using 1d20+8. Will save.
Will save is actually a 27 (28 if the +2 wisdom stacks)... forgot to add the meditation bonuses.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Sun 17 July 2011.

Will Save - 13

Aethen and Genovia are instantly enamored of this stranger.  They bring feelings of comfort, trust, and safety and his every word is honest.  Adryn, while still feeling as if this stranger means no real harm, recognizes a natural aura about them that is possibly magical in nature.  The aura is automatic and not something the stranger is intentionally doing, which is mild cause for worry since certain magical beasts have a similar effect with their pheromones when hunting, but being aware of it will allow Adryn to act should the need arise.  For now, it would be unwise to try to pull the other two out of it, especially if this one can lead you to the others and out of the eyes of all of the hostility.

The stranger leads the three through twists and turns to the edge of town near the wall and the mountains rising sheer in the north of town.  There is a beautiful mansion that appears to have been carved from the wall of the mountain and looks like it is growing out from it.  Everything is beautiful stone in varying colors with ornate wooden doors.  At the stranger's approach, the doors open and the three are led inside where the rest of the group is eating dinner.  Before they see you, the stranger turns and say, "I need to change out of these traveling clothes.  Please, sit and eat, I will join you momentarily."

GM:  Please post in the main thread from here out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:40, Sun 17 July 2011.