"But they are less likely to strike with one of their kind approaching with another woman close to her as in my wife and I. Unless someone foolishly attacks them at least. We three would be the best choice considering the options we have and being my wife should help Aleta survive this but stay close to me and hold my hand.," Doria said as she considered her options.

Aleta looks at Doria "So do your kind have a language? I wonder how many of them are out there? I just hope they accept me" She takes Doria's hand "OK, lets go see them"

Arthanos nods as Eurenomes lists people and why they should go. His arguments and reasoning were sound. As Doria and Aleta both agree, Arthanos finds himself nodding again.

"Your arguments make sense and it seems like a good plan. Itylus can hopefully provide some cover fire if you need it, and myself, Lysandros, Mugarod, Myrine and Efmia will make a very powerful reinforcing group if needed." he says to them "Just remember it will take us a while to come to your aid...so if something goes wrong, head towards us, don't try and stand your ground."

"We are in my domain and theirs once wet, if they decide to kill us near the water or in it will be the worst place for mortals to go. They won't likely turn on me but I can't be sure of mortals with me. But you use force they will attack.," Doria said deciding to go.

Aleta looks at Doria  "So, can you help me swim? I can but I am not as good as your people" she wondered what she could wear swimming.

"I sugest we get a small boat but you know I can adapt you to the Ocean realm I did it after we wed so you could see a hint of my birthplace.," Doria replied.

Aleta grins at the thought of going underwater again.

Itylus stared at the small chain of islands in the middle of the river. "I don't think the three of them will be in much danger, specially with Doria there. I've met groups of Nymphs before, and though they can be fickles creatures, they aren't the type to kill without a strong reason. However," he looked at Arthanos. " I will still follow them from distance just in case. As they used to say in my village, Precaution is the best friend of old hunters."

After Doria mentioned the need for a boat, the hunter pointed towards the the Hyperborian settlement upstream the River and across the stone bridge: "We probably can get a boat on that village. It would also be a good place to gather more information about the region, the Nymphs and hopefully the Bow."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:47, Mon 16 Jan 2017.

"We need sacrifices for the patron deities of the River Nymphs and the River, I suggest beer and wine and pretty mirrors of bronze for the nymphs as human crafted goods. To make a proper approach and for a makeshift alter by the river. Just some stones placed will do.," Doria said thinking of how best to do this.

"OK, the beer and wine we can get in the tavern. Is there a place in town to some mirrors? Also, what about jewelry?" she says to Doria as she figures she knows what they like.

Eurenomes, Doria, and Aleta begin to walk down the steep slope towards the river Rhena and the small chain of islands where Doria's kin, the river nymphs or Naiads were reputed to congregate as a colony.

Waiting until they gain a fair, but not too far, distance, Itylus begins to follow them to provide additional cover. While his companions take more to the open, the hunter naturally looks for places to camouflage himself, darting to small trees, boulders, and other environments as he looks out for danger. If any of companions had turned to look back, they likely would not have seen him, save for knowing that he was following them.

From above, Arthanos, Lysandros, Dysis, Mugarod, Myrine and Efmia watch the party members progress. Although it would take them a few minutes to reach their companions if there was trouble, they would be a strong reinforcement.

---

Eventually, Eurenomes, Doria, and Aleta reach the banks of the river though they see nobody present and certainly no nymph comes forward out of the waters o greet them. To the east, Doria can see where the river mouth eventually feeds out into the sea, her own natural element.

The three look at each other for a moment, an unspoken word shared between them that simply something did not feel right. Aleta's eyes grow wide for a moment.



"Look out!" Aleta shouts. She moves to push both her Dorea and Eurenomes away, however doesn't quite have the strength or time to physically push both of them, and so rather nimbly ducks and rolls to avoid from a barrage of arrows launched their way which had come from the west.

Fortunately, both Dorea and Eurenomes were alert enough to move quickly at her shouted warning and jump away from their position and also avoid the arrows that land in their positions shortly thereafter.

As the three scramble off the ground towards the direction the arrows had come from, they see approaching now a group of men and women. No Northmen were these people, but pirates and slavers by the look of them. Eurenomes (and Ityus, from his position) scans them and figures this likely the case, as some carried large rope nets which they could use to snare their prisoners, and the others carried more blunt weapons - designed to beat a person senseless, as opposed to outright killing them.

 Itylus looks with alarm as he watches the arrows land. He was covered, and it didn't appear that their attackers had seen or noticed him yet.

From above, Arthanos, Dysis, and the others see the faint forms of their friends ducking and moving suddenly.

---

OOC:

Eurenomes, Doria, Aleta, and Itylus do not have an exact count of the enemies approaching at this moment, right now they can see at least 4 enemies, and these are ones with the nets and clubs. The ones who shot the arrows are unseen.

brief and undetailed view of the potential battlefield at the moment:

------------------------------------------
river rhena                               sea
------------------------------------------

#                    123



             4




                     5678
                      9!

# = position of enemies
1 = Eurenomes
2 = Doria
3 = Aleta
4 = Itylus
5 = Arthanos
6 = Dysis
7 = Lysandros
8 = Mugarod
9 = Myrine
! = Efimia

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:06, Thu 19 Jan 2017.

Doria says simply ,"Head for the river and go deep into the water and swim down, my magic will help us there."

She will go with them and try to get into the water she being a far stronger swimmer the water her element although the sea would be better. And maybe the nymphs will aid them under the circumstances or not her kind can be fickle.

Once in the water she will give each her Kiss passing to them her blessing to breath and speak in the water and she can heal them next if needed. = 4 Power Pts.

Aleta runs for the river and jumps in, trying to swim down.

Itylus cursed under his breath. Pirates! He hadn't expected at all to find their kin here in Hyperborea of all sites! However that would certainly explain the supposed Nymph's killing reported in the area. The hunter immediatly imitated the sound of a crow's cry - the signal he had agreed with the rest of the party for great danger.

He then looked towards the direction where the arrows had come from. Right now those archers were probably the main threat, if they weren't taken care of, fighting or running from the pirates in the river would be much more difficult. If they weren't many he probably could take care of them with a surprise attack, however if there were many archers... well, he would think of something.

Though it pained Itylus not going directly to the aid of his companions, he trusted they would be able fend off the pirates until the reinforcemtns arrived. So the hunter started moving as fast and silent as he could to the west. Trying to find the archers and at the same time figure out if there were more pirates down there the river besides the four that had appeared.

Something's wrong!  And somehow I doubt the nymphs have attacked without reason...probably a trap, all along! Why didn't we consider that-?

After the incident at the inn, Dysis was rather exasperated by this little turn of events.   She was altogether weary of greedy, crude, dirty, lustful cretins.  Some god or other seemed to find some perverse glee in populating the mortal world with them.

While she'd be rather sorry to send such into the domain of Persephone, and her husband, it was likely either that, or leave her allies to some degraded, bad end.  And she was not about to let that happen.

But she needed to be closer, to offer aid.    So she began making her way down toward where Doria and the others had gone, as swiftly as she could...

Eurenomes needed no special urging from Doria. Judging the nereid knew her way with water, even of the fresh variety, he ducked his head beneath the service and dived for depths.

Doria instructs her companions to head directly towards the river and finds that they do not hesitate to do as she instructs, and within the course of just about 30 seconds all three splash into the icy cold river. Doria, naturally a skilled swimmer, immediately submerges. Meanwhile, after taking a deep breath (as they had lost their breath upon hitting the icy cold waters) Eurenomes and Aleta ready themselves to dive as well.

Before they do, their attackers had launched another volley of arrows towards them. Several of the arrows hit the water, but one arrow does graze Eurenomes' right shoulder. Fortunately, the arrow did not bury itself in it, but it was enough to draw blood.

Seconds later Eurenomes and Aleta dive swimming blindly towards the depths of the river. If it wasn't for Doria, likely the two would have been lost and would have to reemerge to breathe once again. Fortunately, the nymph finds them and it here that Doria bestows her "kiss" upon Aleta and Eurenomes and blesses them both by apportioning a part of her own natural ability to them. Stable for the moment, apart from the trickle of blood now coming from Eurenomes shoulder, the three find themselves being pushed along the river's current out towards the sea.

Although Doria is familiar with the water, the river is not her element and so it doesn't "feel" as right to her as the sea does. She cannot detect the presence of another of her kin nearby. At least, not at the moment. For now, she helps Aleta and Eurenomes maintain their position and watches as the two now find themselves in the unusual position (for a mortal) of being able to breathe underwater and even find the words to speak without inhaling water and drowning. It was a form of melding and is quite a unique experience.

---

Itylus moves swiftly and gambles correctly on the fact that the enemy is focusing their attention on the other three, as opposed to looking further up the slope. His bow at ready, he stealthily moves further to the west and finds a very defensible spot where he has both tree and rock coverage. Pausing a moment to catch his breath, he slowly raises his head over the large boulder he rests behind and gazes upon the enemy position.

What he see is not exactly encouraging. He counts out to himself the following from what he can see. He cannot be 100% certain, but what he knows for certain is that he sees:

* Six men, who are archers
* Four men and women carrying large nets
* Four men and women carrying blunt wooden clubs
* One man and one woman carrying swords

From his guess, the swordsmen appear to be the leaders of this band of pirates and slavers. Although he cannot hear what they are saying from where he is, they do appear to be directing their band, which was now cautiously approaching his companion's positions, likely awaiting for them to rise again from the river to breathe. Indeed, the archers have arrows ready to shoot again the moment they do.

Itylus ducks his head quickly as some of the enemy turn and scan towards his direction and up further the slope. Fortunately he was not seen and no alarm (or arrow) flies towards his direction.

---

From above, Dysis moves towards her companions last known position and thus navigates the steep slope down towards the river as swiftly but as carefully, as she can. Eventually, she finds herself on even position with Itylus, though he is a good distance away from her to the west.

She'd have to make a decision here. If she went much further (or simply stood still for another minute or two) she would no doubt be spotted by the enemy shortly and they would no doubt turn their attention upon her. She could also attempt to find some cover and await for them to come even closer.

---

As Dysis had moved down, initially Efimia and Myrine had started to follow with both alarmed that their friend was putting herself in danger so readily. However, Arthanos calls them back.

There is a moment of confusion as Arthanos initially orders Lysandros to guard Efimia while the rest head down. However, Myrine points out that, as stipulated in their contract, she was to guard her sister and would not leave her side under any circumstances. Thus pressed (and not having time to go into an lengthy argument with hirelings he barely knew at this moment) Arthanos consents and thus the two women stay behind while the rest begin to head down the slope towards their companions. The two do not seem happy about this order though and Efimia protests that her magics can help.

Dysis had already a head start on them at this point, and so the three (Arthanos, Lysandros, and Mugarod) make their way down towards her. They too are still out of range of the enemy though if they continued forward (or waited another minute or two) they would be spotted shortly. They could also look for cover, but gathered such as they are, they would have to spread out in order to do so effectively.

Arthanos realizes as he checks his companions that only he and Mugarod had bows should they wish to provide ranged support. Lysandros only has a javelin which was for far shorter ranges and naturally once thrown, was gone without replacement. All three had weapons for direct combat.

OOC: Lysandros will be NPCed right now. If his player reviews this and wishes to rejoin and have him do something different in future rounds then that is fine with me.

Otherwise - just to make it clear, the enemy right now is approaching Eurenomes, Aleta, and Doria's last known spot before they fled into the river. They are as of yet unaware of any of the others. If no further action is taken they will see you during and certainly by the end of the next round. Obviously if you decide to approach and attack then they will be made aware of you and will respond in turn.

Doria/Eurenomes/Aleta are limited in what they can do. They can if they wish allow themselves to be pushed out further to the sea, or they can resist or try to swim upstream or even head further north towards one of the islands. It's up to you. Unless you emerge from the water though you will not be seen by the enemy. Please also note that you are as characters unaware of what your allies will be doing.

Finally, if/when we close into a "close combat" then I will post a more detailed map, otherwise an updated undetailed view of the map is below:

------------------------------------------
river rhena              123           sea
------------------------------------------

     #


     4                6


                    578



                      9!

# = position of enemies
1 = Eurenomes
2 = Doria
3 = Aleta
4 = Itylus
5 = Arthanos
6 = Dysis
7 = Lysandros
8 = Mugarod
9 = Myrine
! = Efimia

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:36, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Aleta looks at Doria for which way they could go. She is still not sure what to do.

Suicidal heroics were certainly not her way.   She was usually patient, and though striking first could sometimes decide a victory early on, there were other times it was better to await the enemy to come to you.

As well, they were not yet close enough for what she wished to do.    So, she took what cover she could find.   And focused her will.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Doria was more worried about her wife and friend than herself, so decides to head to one of the other islands where they can get cover and secure themselves from the currents, but stay under the water for now.

Hiding behind the boulder Itylus quickly processed what he had seen and considered his options. One thing was certain, there were too many archers for him to take care alone. In fact, in total there were too many enemies. This could turn in to a very dangerous situation if they weren't careful...

He decided it was best to meet up with the rest of the reinforcements and share the information he'd gathered. That way they would be able to form a battleplan to defeat the pirates.

Itylus was considering this when suddenly from the corner of the eye he detected movement. He rose his head and spotted Dysis popping up near where he had been a few moments ago, and then disappear again in to the trees. It was his cue. He rose carefully, and then silently made his way back to where he had spotted the elementalist.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Tue 31 Jan 2017.

Upon spotting Itylus, Dysis made a brief sign with her hand to him, just to acknowledge she was waiting, as well as aware of him...

Beneath the river currents of the River Rhena, Aleta and Eurenomes look towards Doria, who gestures to both of them to follow her north towards one of the smaller islands leading towards the sea. As they all swim underwater, Doria finds that she has to slow herself somewhat to wait for her human companions to catch up to her, but they are able to swim successfully away towards one of these islands.

As the three approach the shallower waters they find themselves being approached by five beings. As these creatures approach, they discover that that they have finally found the Naiads of the River Rhena! The five that approach them are of an unearthly beauty and though obviously similar to Doria, they appeared to be a little bit tranquil than the sometimes stormy Nereid.

One of the five, a Naiad with long golden hair that seems to almost envelop her entire body underwater speaks in Doria's own Gaian tongue to her: [Language unknown: Antessund, ecall ouie'hoha se hoetaces il ateichles inewilnde alore aiet sheousaverea. Ho estoev entthashe ave to eeout it oun ourthakor anyineera latugh-houredday.] As she speaks, the other four accompanying her take defensive positions, but appear non-aggressive at this time.

---

Back on land and at the river bank, Itylus moves quietly back to where Dysis and his other companions wait. As he moves, he feels drops of water splash on his face as it starts to rain.

Arthanos, Lysandros, and Mugarod wait and watch as their enemy approaches.

Meanwhile, just some feet before them Dysis had moved to some sparse cover and also watched as the pirates and slavers approached the last known position of her companions. During this time she felt the winds call out to her and she responded in turn. While her powers were limited in that she could only extend her mastery of air so far, but it was a force to be reckoned with indeed as her these slavers were soon to find out...

As the enemy closed distance, they spotted her as well as Arthanos, Lysandros, and Mugarod. A cry goes up among the enemy as they quickly shift lines, with the archers taking cover behind the nets carriers and clubmen. One of the men carrying a sword calls out to his companions. "Those ones there, take them now! Archers, fire!"

However, as the six archers ready their bows and as the others begin their approach, so did the power of Dysis' Talons. Indeed, coming now from her fingertips were small gusts of wind. No mere parlor trick was this, rather, as these gusts of wind came out they grew, doubling and then tripling in size into small whirlwinds coming down towards their targets under Dysis' direction. They would last for some time without further commands from her and would vex these enemies.

Indeed, nearly all of her targets were affected. The party can hear their cries go up as a result as the enemy either crouches down or tries to take hold of things to steady themselves, such as boulder, tree trunks and branches, or even small bushes. However, three were able to escape the whirlwinds. Two of the club carrying enemies break off from their respective group. One of them darting to the southwest about 30 feet, and the other doing similarly but to the southwest. They were still some distance away from the party but could soon close ranks.

One archer also escaped the whirlwinds now affecting his companions, and he choose to flee towards the river itself. Recognizing Dysis as the cause of this whirlwind, the archer takes one of his arrows and with a steady hand and fires it towards the elementalist. This arrow strikes true, and Dysis gasps with pain as the arrow pierces just above her left chest where it meets her shoulder. In some ways she was fortunate, as a slight movement by her could have resulted in the arrow burying itself in her neck instead!

---

OOC information

12:16, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Itylus, rolled 19 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 7.  Stealth (and with Hunting Bonus this time).


Dysis casted Talons of The Wind Danger Evasion target number for enemies if 17, which is mystic strength of the caster. Only Club 1, Club 3, Arch 6 successfully made their saving rolls. As indicted above and by the map below, the club carriers are simply moved out of the way but closer to the party, while the Archer moved towards the edge of the combat zone (right next to the river) and attacked Dysis.

Archer #6 successfully struck Dysis, getting past her effective defense value (This is so even if she was using a shield)

13:10, Today: Maze Master rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Archer #6 Attack Roll vs. Dysis.

Detailed map is now posted below. Please note that for purposes of this map, Doria, Eurenomes and Aleta are outside the range of combat and would have to spend one round in order to swim back into range.

Similarly, Efimia and Myrine are also out of range and would have to spend one round in order to come into range. In general, they can see what is happening and can hear you if you shout for them.

The enemies in red are currently affected by the Talons spell. The ones in purple made their saving rolls.




This message was last edited by the GM at 18:59, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

Speaking to the nymphs of the river after relaying to her companions ,"They wish to know our business before they will let us pass."

[Language unknown: Heunna, ofon ch ec naunse tic Teevas peto mi areklo haaiceos Vervorestnte to hoos erepreion en mawata eread ti lin manourdinatisan pl ul atniei ven wacant, pepoai ouman ieie p ad ntetraith andvorted ughoreain ceha outverver. Ha adred ers inentetra ribean wh P unaldi estbleund teurit antithart i ain dinna an ni larpl chetssno. T antdinore romus eiattiti.

Se artur omenfi masahier adoun ove u iloul sa ineen e atisandayman t nteonsure ou ant e ver ha enas pl ollati teti iculme but rea houromich ecttraart tr cholro t dinwheave, din adsito stin a istiur pole n ulsi li wheng se His dinatiati e aronolul oun ble ortoreand.

Ion Iv ine ma ncweur ne wi encurewas m ous ver for maneverut fo trurof estic averi pletck tin manenc'houman io wh eknti.]

ooc: edited by GM - put language group out of private so it shows up as "gibberish" for non-gaian speakers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:45, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

The golden haired river nymph looks at her sisters after Doria speaks and then turns back to her, replying in turn:

[Language unknown: Kor ur iv oer yin ented menol se onou atesantedill at itwese ad ughmenave no wasverant utreal er Ntekorred Enlena. Pre ioich uncete omesanntioul. We mi but antle ratro reevos th enaros om. Nionicllsa, pr allthoder venwherea to ing manencardson, witpa outtedoul...]

The golden hair nymph stops and gestures to one of the other nymphs and to Eurenomes who still bleeds. At the golden haired nymph's command, another one of the nymphs nimbly swims over to wily priest. Up close and near him now, she is even more beautiful to behold. This one has almost neon colored green hair flowing well down her back, and overall presents an alluring charm that is intoxicating and pleasing to any man who desires such forms. She is also one with the water, and so without clothing. This nymph gives the priest a shy smile, and tentatively reaches out towards his wound.

The golden hair nymph speaks, this time in the common tongue. "My sister's touch will heal your wound, mortal, with your permission."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Wed 01 Feb 2017.