Leaving the Hommlet trail the party headed due north into the thickets of the forest.  Ronalt the ranger in the lead and Yesil the barbarian plains woman bringing up the rear.

It was late in the day which being overcast made the lighting poor.  In earlier days they would have found the prospects daunting and every shadow a potential threat. Now?  There was little danger that such a large experienced party would be ambushed.  A large well knit party would be even more of a challenge but their differences now made party cohesion a thing of the past, or at least, not of the present.

After two hours Ronalt called a halt. "We should be close to the cave." He said quietly.  "Perhaps Yesil and myself will scout ahead while the rest remain here?  Stay alert, the 'good' folks of Nulb may be on the hunt."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:59, Thu 23 July 2009.

Iviana shakes her head bemusedly.  "I don't think I could find the path back; I'll be very impressed if anyone has been able to follow us," she says, more in praise of Ronalt and Yesil's efforts than arguing against the plan.  "But there are plenty of reasons to keep alert in an unknown forest."

She chooses a direction to keep her eyes on, and leans back against a tree.

Gwythe follows Ronalt quietly as they follow the trail and then turn off into the woods, ignoring the others and keeping his thoughts to himself.

As they stop he waits a few minutes after the scouts leave, and then steps away from the group and into the undergrowth, hacking his way through a plant that is across his path.

[Private to GM: Injecting a bit of realism: Gwythe is going to the toilet.]

Ronalt notes a few on the key features which he leaves his companions before starting the search through the nearby forest for signs of the druid and his cave.
Ronalt keeps a watch for trail sign which might give him a better understanding of the local wildlife as they move.

Arek simply nodded at the Rangers suggestion, too tired now to do much more than slump against a large rock (but not so tired as to use a more conveniant tree).

Loaded atlatl at the ready, Yesil stalked silently through the forest in support of Ronalt. Although as tired as the rest, anything that took her away from the two witches still infecting the group couldn't be a bad thing.

Kalador saw Gwythe move away from the group. Waiting a few moments, he followed Gwythe. He wondered where Gwythe was heading.

Tindoome crouched down once they had stopped and gave Mist a scratch between the ears; he liked that after a bit more of the same however the feline split of to go into the forest and do felinely things probably hunt

That left Tindoome with nothing to do and in a rather uncomfortable silence as she caught her self looking Yesil right in the face having been in her own taughts she surmised that she had probably been doing it for a while now

She coughed glanced around finding a dray spot ware the root of a three was poking out of the ground and sat down taking out her grimuar and began studying it. It wasn’t necessary the web of magic was fixed perfectly in her mind but it gave her something to do

Ronalt and Yesil departed.  Without the sure footedness of the ranger, the wood seemed if anything even more oppressive.  The light was fading and the night creatures began to some out.  Crickets, frogs and owls were among the sounds they heard. In the distance the sound of branch falling to the ground was no cause for alarm, or was it?

[Private to Ronalt de Gault; Yesil: I've created a new thread for you to post in.]

[Private to Gwythe; Kalador: Kalador move to follow Gwythe but after few steps into the undergrowth, the smell informs you of his intentions.]

[Private to Tindoome Uurraumo: The sleek cat is grateful for its freedom and quietly disappears into the gathering darkness.]

Kalador stepped back to allow Gwythe some privacy. At the sound of the branch falling, he placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword. Kalador knew that it could be nothing, then again, it could have been someone who was careless as they followed the party.

PM

[Private to Kalador: Gwythe relieves himself next to a tree and then looks around for a few seconds before stepping back towards the camp."Everything alright?" he asks of Kalador as he nears him.]

The background noise continued unabated but there was no further sound of branches or undergrowth being disturbed.

Kalador nodded and replied, "I think so. Heard something moving about in the undergrowth. Now that sound is gone. I suppose it was nothing."

Time passed slowly.... but with no further alarms. Twilight faded into night with no sound of the return of Ronalt and Yesil.

OOC: it has been about two hours

Gwythe sits with his back to a tree, moving himself slightly every few minutes to try and get comfortable. At the occasional noise in the forest he peers out into the darkness but didn't say much or rouse himself any further.

Iviana looks at Arek.  "Didn't they say something about it being close?" she asks, beginning to get concerned.

"Huh, wha!?" Arek started, fumbling about for his hammer.
"I'mawake, I'mawake. Just restin' ma' eyes."

Cedric took up a position against one of the trees that would afford him the best view of the parties surroundings and set his blade against the trunk within easy reach as he then began taking some rations from his pack.  Looking to the others he shrugged.

"A good time to rest and replenish ourselves, so long as we remember to stay alert."

Stepping into the clearing, "grab your gear, I have found Riker." Ronalt announced, looking about, "where are the others."

Gwythe grunts and levers himself up and forward from the tree trunk, wiping debris from clothes. He adjusts his sword a little, and pulls some stale looking food from a pocket, placing it carefully in his mouth while waiting for the group to move off.

Kalador had been leaning against a tree. While not really asleep, he had been nodding off. At Ronalt's return, he'd become quite alert and prepared to move off.

Without further comment, Cedric stashes his gear and rises, once more taking up both blade and shield as he looks to the ranger.

The group collected their belongings together and moved out. Lead by Ronalt they made good progress over a now familiar trail. After about twenty minutes he paused to indicate that the their destination was at hand.  The light of a camp fire could be seen in the distance.

Before they approach the fire, Ronalt warns those who did violence in the village, "No violence this time." before leading them towards the fire.



[Private to Ronalt de Gault: OOC: DM edit for intermediate posts :) before you reach the fire....

for future use..."These are my companions who seek shelter and guidance."]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Wed 05 Aug 2009.

Kalador followed Ronalt cautiously, not knowing who might be by the fire.

"Stop!" Yesil hissed from the cover of the bushes, catching her companions completely by suprise.
"Riker is not who they say they are!"

Cedric, upon hearing Yesil's warning, is instantly on his guard.  He stares out at the encampment and those there-in with suspicion.
[Private to DM: Detecting evil from those in the camp if they are within range to do so.]

Gwythe looks up at Yesil's warning, and eases his sword out of his belt, crouching low to the ground and peering at the fire.

Yesil's warning had stopped the party before they could see the clearing properly.  They could see the glow from the fire but without moving furtehr towards the fire nothing else.

Kalador had stopped at Yesil's warning. He knew then that the cautious approach was the best. Kalador eaased his sword from its sheath. If those around the campfire desired trouble, well they just found it.

Yesil relays the information she knows, in particular that at least one of the Rikers is what she calls an 'Ograwitch'.

OOC: I will archive the other thread so you can see what Yesil relates and because I'm lazy....

Gwythe at the fire, seeking to see the creature at this distance. "Has the creature killed Riker, or just made itself look like him?"

"Its witchery ask her!" said Yesil pointing to Tindo.

Cedric frowns before carefully making his way closer to the clearing where he will have a better vantage point.
[Private to DM: And hopefully to where he will be able to detect evil effectively.]

Iviana shakes her head a little.  "We can find that out later," she whispers, at Gwythe's question.  "But if it seeks to trick us as Yesil describes...then at least we will have no trouble getting close, to turn the trap against it."

As the party closed on the clearing through the trees they could see the fire and the old man sat at it.  He seemed lost in thought, staring at the dancing flames and glowing embers.

[Private to Cedric Halfdan: No evil detected though he is clearly in range.]

Tindoome raises an eyebrow and scratches at the lobe of an ear speaking before they move forward. “If its some trap I suggest we spread out as we take places, don’t huddle around the fire. Lean against a three or sit a distance away. Eat and drink nothing" With that she picks up pace wit the others, when they reach the fire she leans against a three a bit away from it and kneels down to toy with the leather straps of one boot looking distracted. Witch wasn’t far from the truth her feet ached

Gwythe peers at Tindoome as she makes her suggestion, but says nothing further, pausing far enough back into the woods that he can watch the clearing without coming into the fire. He slowly pulls his sword out of his belt and crouches down in the undergrowth, his weapon beside him.

"Well if it be a trap best I walk into it seeing he knows me. I will need a few volunteers to help with the ruse." Ronalt spoke finally a little perturbed he had unwittingly stumbled into the wrong camp.

Cedric looked over his shoulder towards Ronalt, "I will accompany you to the fire but I will not partake in any trickery. Besides, I sense no evil intent from this one."

And with that, the paladin strode to the edge of the campfire even as he called out to the old man, "Well met, friend.  Would you share your fire for a bit?"

Iviana's steps pause a little as she hesitates, startled a bit by Cedric's announcement that he senses no evil intent.  Then she continues forward, entering the camp and moving to walk around to the other side of the fire from Cedric, to stand just a bit back from `Riker'.  She looks at the disguised creature with curiosity.

"The others are coming. Probably picking berries and other forest bounty for dinner." Ronalt added.

Yesil shook her head at the stupidity of the others not to heed her warning.
Atlatl at the ready, she concealed herself in the bushes once more, ready to spring a suprise attach the moment the time was right.

Faint sounds of snoring could be heard by those near Arek. Once again he could be seen propped up against a tree taking advantage of the wait...

Kalador will advance towards the clearing. He decides to stand near a tree rather than by the fire.

Tindoome only advanced to the very edge of the clearing and then stopped with her back to a three leaning against it and taking deep breaths as if she was unused to the long walk, witch wasn’t entirely falls.

Ronalt, Cedric and Iviana carefully approach the old man spreading out as the do so. Ronalt addresses the old man who seems too preoccupied with the flames, or at least he makes no effort to look up or respond.

OOC: Note: character images are larger than scale so you can see what is going on. Let me know if you are unhappy with you positions.

Cedric studies the old man intently, then clears his throat and in a louder voice, "Old man, forgive our intrusion but we are road weary.  Will you allow my comrades the warmth of your fire?"

Gwythe glances over at Arek and back at the fire, and then back at Arek. After a few seconds he picks up a small stick and tosses it at the snoring dwarf.

Ronalt concerned he received no response moved around the fire and touched the old man on the shoulder, "are you all right?"

Kalador kept his hand upon the hilt of his sword. There was something wrong with this old man, he just knew it. The old one had still not responded to either Cedric or Ronalt. Kalador didn't like this one bit and kept his eyes and ears open for any possible trick on the part of the old one.

Ronalt gently touched the old man's shoulder and asked if he was alright. For a moment it looked like he would respond as his head nodded forward. Then it was clear the old man would speak no more as his head continued it's roll and fell from his neck to land on the ground with a sicking thud.

Even as the party reacted to the grisly scene a jeering laugh came from above them followed by a voice that hissed "I'll give ye until morning to be gone... then the hunts on...." this was followed by more laughter which began to fade as if whoever said the words was moving away.

Ronalt whirled his blade sliding from his scabbard as he searched towards the sound of the voice.

Kalador was surprised that the old man was dead. Death must have come suddenly or else the body would have toppled over when he was decapitated. He drew his sword as well and looked around for the source of the voice.

Cedric raises his brow in surprise even as he draws his sword and steps towards the headless corpse.  Upon hearing the jeering voice, he looks up towards where it comes seeking the source through both his senses and his faith!

OOC: Detect evil in the direction the voice came.

From the edge of the clearing Yesil cries out, "Ograwitch! You do not scare us that easily!". But her response is only met by fading laughter.

Almost unseen the body of the old man finally toppled off the log it was sitting on.

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: You cannot see the source of the sound.  You have a vague idea of direction which is above and fading to the north.

Something that was lost in the initial shock, registers.  The body was very cold to the touch almost frozen. Even now you can see blood that was absent before slowly began to sluggishly ooze from both the cadaver and the severed head.]

[Private to Cedric Halfdan: You detection reveals a strong malignant evil aura floating about ten feet above the ground and drifting off to the north broadly in agreement with where you think the noise is coming from.]

Ronalt looks over to the north and in the air, "I believe we will not get the night's reprieve."
Looking back at Ryker, "We should at least give the fellow a proper burial. Cunning indeed to use cold magic to keep the corpse from falling over and not bleeding."

Cedric points a mailed finger northward, "The evil is there!  It is in the air, it's evil worked, it now departs!"

[Private to DM: Is the evil moving too fast to catch by foot?]

Reinforced by Cedric's warning they all looked to the north but there was no obvious sign of the enemy. Finally its laughter faded into silence.

OOC: The time is now about 10 at night and a gibbous moon was beginning to rise to the east.

[Private to Cedric Halfdan: While every desire makes you want to chase the creature, you know that it would be both very difficult and foolhardy in the dark forest.]

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: Casting around you see no signs of a struggle, there is a faint hint of a trail heading north west.]

"Best we make camp here and tomorrow we can follow the trail to the Northwest I spied." Ronalt offered while putting some firewood onto the fire.

Gwythe stands up from behind the undergrowth and steps carefully into the clearing. "What in the hells was that?"

Gwythe's question hangs in the air. Perhaps to his surprise it is Yesil who answers, "When I was little we find a man like a butcher.  The old ones in the village make the ward against the evil eye and whisper crazy things.  'Ograwitch... ograssasine... Cazador de trofoes... ...Only the hottest times of the hottest years...'  Crazy things...This year is grows hot.  And we begin finding our men.  We find them sometimes without their skin, sometimes their heads. Sometimes...much, much worse.  Cazador de trofoes...means the demon who takes trophies.... He's playing games and will be back for his trophies."

Cedric turns towards Yesil as she tells her tale, then speaks darkly, his face set in a scowl, "Then let him come."

Kalador stepped away from the tree and nodded. He said, "Aye let him come. We will make him pay for what he has done." He will then find a spot under a tree to dig a grave for the old man. He said, "Does anyone have a means to dig a grave?"

In reply to Gwythe (msg #49):

The twig caught in the old dwarf's beared eliciting barely a snort of indignation and a halfhearted attempt to swat away the offence.

A little while later, roused by the ruckus in the campsite, Arek finally joined in the discussions.
"Lea' 'im ou' fer a while," he directed, pointing at the decaptiated remains of what was presumably once a very much alive and animated Druid.
"Clanggedin an' I 'ill 'ave a little chat wi' him lat'r."

Peering off into the gathering darkness, Arek scanned every direction before dropping his pack on the comfortinly solid ground.
"Mi' as well stay 'ere and ta' advantage o' 'is fire..."

The party settle about the fire with the corpse of the dead druid nearby.  There was sufficient dead wood around to keep the fire going to daylight.  Unfortunately the light and the heat from fire itself made night adaptation impossible and spoiled infravision. Those close to the fire could only see what the firelight illuminated.  The firelight is visible from a much further distance from making their location obvious to anyone approaching.

OOC: how are watches and such like going to be set up?

Tyops
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:38, Wed 09 Sept 2009.

Cedric did not look pleased to simply leave the corpse out in such a manner, but was willing to allow the dwarvern priest time to commune with his deity over the body.  However a grave, or at least a cairn, would still need to be ready to receive the unfortunate druid.  Looking to Kalador, He stated, "I will aid you in the preparation."

Ronalt organises watches so two are on at all times.
OOC: Any preferences speak up.

Cedric says to Ronalt, "I shall work on a grave with Kalador, thus it makes sense we share one watch."

Kalador smiled briefly at Cedric. He replied, "Aye that makes sense to me too." Looking at Cedric he said, "Thank you Cedric for your help. It just isn't right to leave this poor old man out for the vermin and such. Do you have any tools with which to dig the grave?"

Cedric nods and replies, "Aye, a man endures enough in life, he should have peace in death.  I have no spade or shovel, but perchance my shield will suffice if we dig in turns.  One watching whilst the other digs."

Gwythe looks about the campsite and the fire and then sets himself up off to the side for sleeping, away from the fire, propped up against a tree.

[Private to GM: Gwythe won't volunteer to take watch, but will do it if called upon or woken. He's not really the volunteering sort :)]

The party settle into their watch routine starting with Kalador and Cedric. The others try and rest and even after a busy and sometimes harrowing day the manage this, one by one falling a asleep.

[Private to Cedric Halfdan; Kalador: After about two hours the digging is complete and the two settle into a regular watch.  Not long later they hear the unmistakable sounds of someone or something approaching through the undergrowth.  Whoever it is is not trying to be quiet, or maybe they are but are very bad at it.]

Cedric looks towards the sound, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword even as he quietly hefts his shield.  Casting a quick glance to Kalador to be sure his comrade also hears the sound of approach, he rises to his feet.

Kalador nodded at Cedric. Gripping the hilt of his sword, he prepared mentally to face whatever was coming at them.

Beyond the firelight little could be seen. The approaching noises continue, suddenly a shout is heard "Hud yer fire! Otis fra Nulb 'ere ta see tha Druid!"

Cedric calls back out in reply, "Then enter, friend and share our fire."

The blacksmith enters the light of the fire and looks around, "For tha' lov a god wha' 'ave ye done now?" he cries as he sees the decapitated body of the the druid.

Ronalt responded immediately, "We didn't do this. Seems an ogrewitch did from what we have been able to learn so far."
"How is the town now we are gone?"

Arek snuffled and snored, completely oblivious to the new arrival and most likely uncaring.
Sleep was a commodity in short supply for the elderly, and one that should be exploited at every opportunity. Besides, he had to talk to the dead in the morning, a task that tended to mentally drain the priest who attempted it...

"Given yer past history Ronalt, ye'll naw be surprised ef ah dannae take that at face value.  Ma friend and ally lies there wi is heid cut off for gawd sake!" cried Otis loud enough to waken most of the resting party.

"Otis, believe what you wish. I know I didn't kill the one called Riker."
"Feel his body, it be cold. If I had even killed him four hours ago there would be at least some warmth in him." Ronalt replied to the grieving smith

Iviana jerks up into a crouch, hair wild, hand reaching automatically for her flail, at the loud voice.  She squints away a bit of sleepiness, and, seeing Otis, glances first to Cedric, trusting that the Paladin could see through any disguise the stalking creature might use.  Seeing that he doesn't look panicked, or, in fact, hostile, she relaxes, and settles back to see if she can safely go back to sleep.

Cedric nods to Otis, "Your suspicion is reasonable under the circumstances.  Tell us how we may assert our innocence regarding this act."

Gwythe wakes at the noises, his hand straying to his weapon as he takes in the scene. He doesn't move or say anything, but simply watches Otis and listens to the discussion.

The blacksmith's shoulders slumped as he took a seat on one of the logs near the fire. "Cedric aint et? Ah kent yer a good un as es Ronalt at heart. By god tho, ye make life tough fer aen aging blacksmith. Wha' will convince me? happen if ye tell me the fate o' Riker en word Ah kin understand.  En what tha' hell 'appened in Nulb?"

Iviana, somewhat sleep-fogged as the adrenalin ebbs, decides that her own most convincing argument as to innocence is probably to go back to sleep, thereby affirming to Otis that we're not, for example, planning to surround and kill him.  So she settles back down, lays her flail out beside herself again, and closes her eyes, her breath quickly smoothing out again.

Perhaps in thanks to her elven blood, she doesn't snore, though.

Instantly awake at the sound of the strangers voice, Yesil never the less remained prone and unmoving, tensed to spring into action despite her apparently still being asleep.
In part she was thinking tactically - lull the oponent into believing they were safe from harm. Mostly though it was respect for Arek's snores...
She'd learnt to use his reactions to guide her own. It seemed that although the ancient dwarf priest was often asleep on his feet, distracted by inconsequential things, or simply misunderstood (or misheard) conversations around him, he always seemed alert to true danger when and as it happened.
And so, for now at least, she remained motionless...

Taking a seat himself, Cedric lifted his water flask and offered it towards Otis even as he spoke.  "In Nulb, we acted too much in haste I fear.  One amongst us recognized a curr involved with a plot to take our lives and thus acted to strike down the dog.  The miscreants friends then joined in to make good their plans and my comrades acted to defend ourselves.  Judging the mood of the townsfolk to be one not disposed towards fair judgement, we elected to depart the village and trust that the gods, in their infinite wisdom, would mete out deserved punishment for any unlawful acts on our part."

"And thus we made our way into the wilds surrounding Nulb, eventually finding this campsite.  Unfortunately, we were not the first to come across it and it's owner.  An invisible and malign entity was already here and presumably had already murdered  your friend.  We chased it off but predict that it will return.  Thus we rest and wait.  My comrade and I have dug a grave for your friend, but a dwarvern priest who travels with us, feels it best to seek enlightenment from the gods that the murderer might be revealed.  At which time, we shall finish our burial with proper respect."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Thu 24 Sept 2009.

Otis straightened his shoulders and said in a powerful and remarkably unaccented voice, "Alright, let's see this one that knew Rentsch was plotting against you here now."

typos
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Sat 26 Sept 2009.

In answer, the paladin turns and points a finger in the direction of Gwythe.

Gwythe sneers at Cedric from where he is reclined across the fire and looks across to Otis. "I killed him. He was an assassin. I was instructed to bring the rest of the group to his hotel so that he could take care of them during the night." He moves his sword to the other side of his body, laying it back on the ground. "Believe what you will." he finishes, adjusting his body position.

Ronalt had hoped Gwythe would admit to Otis what had happened.
"We have only his word that this is all true." Ronalt added, "his story hasn't changed since the incident happened."

Cedric ignores the look directed upon him by Gwythe, content that he has answered the questions posed to him in honesty and willing to let Ronalt convey the rest of the story.

"So might judge and executioner, who instructed you and why did you follow there instructions so fully before deciding to kill Rensch?" Otis demanded.

Gwythe turns his sneer onto Otis. "I didn't follow anyone's instructions. There was a problem, so I dealt with it. Perhaps your village shouldn't harbour assassins." He spits to the side of his legs and looks away again.

"Yes perhaps, but who's the assassin here? Or more of interest why were you singled out to assist in these foul deeds? Answer me that one Gwythe and maybe I'll start to understand what is behind your actions." said the blacksmith.

Gwythe's lip turns up even further. "None of your business. I was brought here through no choice of my own, in the service of Arek." He pulls his sword across his lap defensively and looks around at the rest of the party. "The rest have chosen to be here. Perhaps that is why I was so approached."

"No choice! You had every choice to tell you friends here what they were walking into but you failed miserably and have ruined whatever chance they had of setting up in Nulb as a base of operations." said Otis.  "Well, if they want to hang about with a loser that is their business. It make life a lot more complicated as I do not trust you Gwythe and therefore must view this whole undertaking as being compromised."

Kalador chuckled at Otis calling Gwythe a loser. He couldn't agree more and wondered why the fool was still with the group.

"Lea' thar boy alone!" Arek growled from within his cloak.
"He bin beha'in' 'imsel e'er sin' I laid eye's on 'im."
"'is 'eart's in thar right place e'en if 'is head often isn't."
Grumpily he rolled over to show his face.
"Now, ya either fin' me a proper bed," he poked at the gathered leaves and grasses under him, "Or yer can let an ole dwarf git back ta sleep."
"Preferably both!"

Cedric now speaks to Otis, "Arek speaks wisdom, what is done, is done and now we must forget the foolishness of the past and focus upon our goal.  The agents of our enemy doubtless are now aware of our existence, therefore we must assume our coming will be known in advance.  Whether the entity responsible for the death of your comrade is allied with the enemy is unknown but if so, then our presence was to be discovered in any event.  I would then ask your advice friend Otis, is there anything you know regarding what we face that could aid us in our mission?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Fri 02 Oct 2009.

Ronalt continued to listen to the discussion, content to hear Otis explain as much as needed for them to continue.

Otis leant back  before answering, "Know? There is much I know and some of it you need to learn.....

OOC: new thread time!