With the decision made, Saris sees to the wounds of the rest of the party.  There is no pretense of bandages or herbs, just a soft touch, a glow, and the wound is healed.  Before the group sets off for Dunston, she asks Xar to watch the prisoners while she speaks to the Men a way off.  "Dwarves are resistant to magic and the gifts of the Ílëlindë Maiar will not long abide in them.  Xar would not accept what I have to offer anyway, so worry not for him.  Also, what I offer you is freely given, not forcefully taken, so it will affect neither you as them," she looks behind at the prisoners, "or me as I was."

She turns and approaches Klale first.  "You already posses great strength.  If it is your wish, I could grant you the strength beyond anything in Arda while you travel with me.  If not, ask what boon you would and if it involves the physical body, I most likely could grant it."

Without waiting for his response, she moves to Ano.  "You are already swift of foot.  If it is your wish, I could grant you speed beyond anything in Arda while you travel with me.  If not, ask what boon you would, and if it involves the physical body, I most likely could grant it."

Again she turns, this time to Phineas, on whom she lays gently a meaty dwarven hand.  "You saw much that such a young mind should not see, yet you still worked to set me free.  I can grant you the ability to endure or avoid any attack against the body you might encounter.  If not, ask what boon you would, and if it involves the physical body, I most likely could grant it."

"Toben," she looks to the robed man with a slight furrowing of her brows.  "My realm is the body, not the mind.  You are a scholar, though, and more suited to the gifts my brethren offer.  However, I do have a few things I could teach you in the discipline known as Biomancy.  While you travel with me, they would come easier to you, but once the knowledge of them has come to you, it would take much for you to forget.  It is all I can offer."

At the last she turns to Ourn.  "You came late to the hunt to save me, but your help was timely nonetheless.  I would grant you the same boon as Klale, except I would increase your agility rather than your strength.  If not, ask what boon you would, and if it involves the physical body, I most likely could grant it."

She steps back to address the group.  "For all those who travel with me and to whom I extend my blessing, even those who prefer to remain in the shadows for the time being, your wounds will heal faster and Iluvatar's Gift to Man will be stayed save for the most dire of need."

"I would accept any blessing, boon, or enchantment that you saw fit to honor me with, kind Saris. If you have chosen to bestow an increased agility to my body, then you have my humble gratitude".

Toben cocks his head to the side for a moment at the mention of dwarves, then redirects his thoughts else where. "Biomancy? Sounds very intriguing. I would be honored.", he says with a bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Mon 21 Dec 2015.

My Lady, I've learned that...well, strength and agility are like two legs. We walk best when they are equal. So, perhaps, if you and my savior Ourn agree, a portion of each will serve our cause, and our fighting side-by-side... better than being superlative in one.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Mon 21 Dec 2015.

Ano bows deeply in reply and looks back into the forest where they left the cannibals  "I find my self doing quite a bit of running as of late. I would be grateful for your blessing of swiftness"

Leaving Pauric behind, the group travels back toward the Caldera.  It is a simple trip, rapid and without incident.  However, two days out, things change.  There is a column of smoke in the distance.  The pace is increased, but it is not enough.  By the time the group arrives, it is far too late.

Trees are scorched, many burned to the ground.  Corpses lie everywhere.  Emaciated and frail, the people at the Caldera stood no chance against whatever did this.  There are a few healthy bodies among them, all males.  Faelorn identifies them as his men, though they don't have the grafting any more.  It looks like they fought to protect the people, a last redemption before death took them.

There are no dead attackers.  They were either cleared from the field or none died.  Whatever they were, their weapons were designed to cause maximum damage.  Serrated swords, wickedly spiked clubs, claws, teeth.  The monsters that came through here were large and savage.

The trees that line the Caldera remain untouched, but there is an unnaturalness to them now, a warping that makes them look more than sickly.  They look twisted, evil somehow.

A few survivors and a group of mercenaries local to the area are also present on the far side.  They agree to take Faelorn into custody to stand trial in a town similar to Dunstan further north.  Faelorn offers full cooperation and is marched off on foot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:30, Wed 09 Mar 2016.

Toben walks the field of battle, and takes note of the various signs left behind by the attackers. "This looks an awful lot like the work of creatures similar to what we saw back in the mountains. The weapons they used would have left wounds like this. Would you agree, Saris?"

He begins to scan the area for their point of origin and which direction they might have left.

Xar inspects a number of the bodies, especially those of Faelorn's fallen men.  He looks over at Saris and nods.

"The Valaraukar make their way out of the depths onto the surface.  This happened many hours ago, before the sun rose.  Most Valaraukar cannot abide the sunlight.  To some it is death, to others a curse.  We must hurry.  Sunset is only three hours away.  Dunstan is next."  She moves away from the tree-line with one last glance at the Caldera.  The look she gives it is odd, but vanishes soon.  Xar leads the way with Saris right behind.

Klale follows. Somehow he seems...massive.

Ano looks into the distance "How long will it take to get to Dunstable, can we warn the people in time? We could try and get them to leave before the enemy arrives.

Phineas trots along, content to listen to the others' discussions, keeping eyes wide for anything of interest (and, of course, looking for opportunities to make sure that any useful equipment that those fallen might have had continues to find use among the still-living).

Ourn's mind wanders to Mairen and her sick child, two of the inhabitants of Dunston he grew to know in his short time there.

" If memory serves me well, the trip from Dunston to here was a little over a 2 day forced march. I tailed two of Faelorns men here from there. They didn't stop for rest or food along the way. The people of Dunston are frail and weak with the Wasting Illness. I suspect its a consequence of this dark star you've spoken of. I highly doubt they'll be in any form to offer resistance. We must move with the greatest of haste if we are to prevent a massacre like we see here"

Ourn quietly and internally mourns for the loss of life in this place, and longs to be rid of the caldera and it's sights and smells as soon as possible.

He looks to Saris, and beckons the group to follow.

" The town is this way ".
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Tue 22 Dec 2015.

Toben listens to Ourns recount, and nobs thoughtfully. "If we've got a two day march, then perhaps there is time for us to gain some ground.These Valaraukar don't know we are on to them and might not be marching beyond a normal pace. If we push it, we may be able to get ahead of them and warn Dunston."

He looks to the rest of the group. "If everyone is up to it, I may be able to help us press through a forced march easier..." He glaces at Saris, "... with a little guidance."

Toben is able to find a way to enhance the groups travel speed and endurance.  It is enough to arrive by morning of the second day.  The village streets appear rather deserted, though no damage is evident.  Dunston is slightly larger than Towertown, and just as antiquated in its architecture.  It's an old town, tired and worn like humanity throughout the Fourth Age.

"The sunlight drives them to find caves or at least shade until the night.  I do not sense their twisted bodies within the town, nor is the smell of their sweat or blood in the air.  We have arrived in time."  Saris rubs her temples and squeezes her eyes closed.  She is quite obviously under great strain.

Toben breaths a sigh of relief. "First and foremost, we should warn the town. The more time they have to get to safety, the better. Second, but certainly no less important, we need to set up some sort of a defense. In lieu of a good defensible building, we could possibly lure them into a position of weakness and gain the element of surprise."

He looks to their new companion, "Ourn, you said you knew some of the people who live here? Who would be the best person to alert?"

Ourn looks to Toben

"A woman, who works the apothecary. Her name is Mairen. She seems to know a fair amount about this place. I cannot guarantee she is still here though. I gave her information on the lands beyond these in the hope she would flee. I will go to her residence and further assess our situation"

Ourn pauses for a moment.

" I just recalled that in my haste to follow Faelorn's men, I left on foot and abandoned my steed. Perhaps he is still alive and well. If he is, I shall instruct Mairen to ride through the town in that case, and assist us in an evacuation, and ultimately send her on her way ".

With that, Ourn excuses himself and makes for apothecary.

Ano accepts the thunderstone from Toben and makes his way towards the watchtower at the edge of town. "I will keep watch and alert you at the first sign of trouble".

Toben nods at Ano. "Perfect, the rest of us will set up our defense here at the Inn. Phin, you can find a shady spot and attack when you see an opportune weakness. I'm not sure what skills Ourn brings to the fight, but when he gets back from warning the towns people we can figure out where to put him. Klale, you may be best suited holding down the entrance to the Inn. Your job is to look large and menacing, and keep any attackers from entering." Toben smiles briefly. "I can help with the large part."

He glances up toward the roof of the Inn. "I'll take position on top of the Inn along with anyone proficient in ranged weaponry. I will try to slow their progress and rain fire down upon them as well."

"Once Ano gets back from the guard tower, I'll prepare ourselves with some enhancements and pray our defense hold."