At this point, Victoria was crying more from hitting her head on the way down to just being and feeling helpless. But as she lay there, she realized she wasn't dead. And she somewhat heard the voice, telling her that she wouldn't die if she didn't attack anyone. But that didn't matter to the fool that was trying to give his life for her to run away.

"P-put down your weapon, sir," she called out with a sob. "You don't need to die too. They... they... she said we won't if you don't... don't attack."

She lifted her head, rather surprised her head was patted. That was kind of an unusual way to treat a prisoner. So she looked up. And if Maybelle was observant, the complete look of surprise and shock on the young woman's face is clearly not contrived.

"Who... what... are you?" she asked, both afraid and confused.

Gar Sheathes his blade, but keeps his shield up. He says to the warrior "put away your weapon, human. We will take you and the woman prisoner, but treat you well. My people's sages say that your people and mine are distantly related. It isn't a popular theory. But I'd hate to kill a cousin if I didn't have to." Gar says with a grin.

Andrew look over to the mist.  His attempt to stop the humans fleeing had not really worked but they had got two humans anyway.  One he was sure was creature they tried to summon.
He looked over the group.  He reflected on the group.  They had done alright.
If they come across a more organized band of human it may have been a little different.
It was quite clear some of this group where not really ready when it come to fighting humans.  Something he have to talk to them about.

Also they really need a leader and spokes creature.  Someone to do the talking.
That was on list of things to sort out tonight.

He walks slowly up to the girl.
If I remember right this little girly was not here when I looked over the group.
He turns to human spearman.
Would I be right in saying she is what you summoned here?

Maybelle flashed Victoria a warm but slightly confused smile, absently tilting her head as she considered the words and confusion. 'Taur weren't the most commonly known race in the world, but she would have assumed anyone planning to enter the valley had learned of them.

"Names Maybelle, and I'm a 'Taur. But.... you don't know that do you? You're definitely a long way from home aint'cha? Either that or human-kind has completely forgotten we exist which miiight not be the worst of things. Now, y'want a hand up, or is the ground that comfy?"

Maybelle playfully held a hand out to Victoria, the one without her sparkly thing in it. Kneeling down she was obviously a bit confused herself at the girl who didn't recognize a 'Taur, something about this whole situation was just plain weird. She glanced up at Andrew, her warm smile looking a little strained at his words.

"Summoned? Hmm, that might explain it. But just how far away where ya summoned from Lass?"

The glittery thing that fell off Victoria's head is a sort of circlet, or tiara maybe?  Looks sort of like this.  It's a delicate looking thing.  She has no idea what sort of metal it's crafted from, nor what sorts of gems are used.  It's well made and of obvious craftman quality, so it might have some value, even if made of common metal and stone for it's decorative value.

Link

---

It might be of modest comfort to Victoria that Maybelle's teeth aren't the sharp and pointy flesh rending sort... like.. maybe Andrew may have, and Giants have a grand reputation for eating people.?

The last man steps back and away from Andrew, lowering the tip of his spear, but keeping the weapon handy.  He recognizes that unless Victoria gets up, they were hopelessly flanked and out powered so he does stand down a step, but it's obvious the wheels in his brain are working on options of escape.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Mon 21 Jan 2019.

Brigitte looks at the last soldier, smiles and tosses the rock she's holding a few times in a clear gesture of intimidation. "You start runnin', I start throwin'. Which do you think is faster? Drop the weapon, settle down and come have a chat."

She makes a point of making sure Maybelle is between her and Victoria. Girl looks like she's plenty scared of Brigitte. No point giving her more fright.

With the situation under control, Nisor dedicates himself to a more meaningful task: gathering ghost mushrooms. It was a largely mundane task, all things said, but it would pay more than the bodies of the humans or their common equipment. Besides he didn't much care what happened with the humans. Neither them living in captivity or dead fazed him much; there was no love lost between them.

10:05, Today: Nisor rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  KS: Nature

The tiny pixie drops down to the ground near the human.

Hello Human,

I am Abyss, As they apparently thought you were their savoir and you clearly are do not think of yourself as a savior.  Well that and the vomit on the ground was a good clue.

Why dont you start by telling us why you are here and where you are from before we decide what to do with you.

and while i fancy a mount apparently Maybelle has taken a shine to you. Of course if you want her than you got to feed her,  what do humans eat anyway?


Abyss smiles at the human.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Mon 21 Jan 2019.

What Victoria says and does is up to Victoria.

The spearman has seen first hand what happens to unarmed humans.  Really he's prepared to die, he's not prepared to make your life any easier to do it, nor is he willing to do it unarmed and helpless.  Really, there are things worse than death... He turns a glance at Victoria and wonders if he's doing her a service letting her live or if it'a greater mercy to die by his hand than... whatever they have planned for her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Mon 21 Jan 2019.

Victoria took the hand, still amazed by the horns, and carefully stood. She looked around a bit wildly, seeing all the weird creatures. By all above, where was she? And what was this about what humans eat and mounts and things?

But she looked first at the soldier. "Please, put the spear down. You don't need to die. And... I might need someone... like me."

She looked at all around her in fright and confusion and more than a little trepidation. "I... I am Princess Victoria Edenburg. I was traveling to find some elvish priests with my Fiancee when suddenly, I was here. I don't know why. I am no powerful anything, I am just... just me." She swallowed, still swaying on her feet. "I'm not here to kill anyone, and I don't know anything about being a mount or someone to feed me or anything. Where I come from, there are... there is no one like all of you."

She looked frightened to death... and was swaying with the lingering illness. She was very attractive, despite the mud, the bit of blood on her forehead and her hair in disarray.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:07, Mon 21 Jan 2019.

Andrew Turner sees an opening to calm things down.  Hopefully allow confusion of what his group was saying to be gone.  Speaking was not his strong point but he never one to run away from anything.
So the humans in your land have friendly relations with the elves near your land.
I am of elven blood but a rare situation with my parents means I look a little,
How shall we put it.  Wolf like.

He rubs his elven ears to make the point.

The spearman grits his teeth and thinks Victoria is mad, but takes a step back.  She seemed to be getting along well enough with them, which was concerning of itself... for any number of reasons.  He wasnt a deep thinker and as such it made his head hurt a little so he opted not to think about it at all.

"Right-O.  Since Y'all don't seem to need me and seem to be in such an obliging mood, i suppose I'll be taking me leave of your company.", The Spearman starts to slowly back up for the Obscuring Mist.  Nice and slow, his spear tip pointed down.  Really there was no reason not to try at this point.

Andrew turns very quickly to the spearman.
We still have few questions for you so don't go getting any idea about disappearing.
Once we have so answer we need then we can think about letting you go.
You really don't want so see who out of the two of us can run the fastest do you?

"And drop the spear or catch a rock," the giantess growled, still ready to let the makeshift weapon fly.

Nisor gathered the mushrooms, shaking his head in apathetic dismissal at the wasteful destruction of some of the mushrooms. This was the problem with humans he thought. They destroyed without even stopping to consider the damage that they might inflict.

All the same when he was done he placed them into his backpack and returned to the group, surprised to see that the humans were still alive and unbound.

"I've gathered some of the ghost mushrooms. We should do whatever we are going to do with the humans and be done with this."

"So I've reason to believe this woman might not be human. But it'd take some work not killing the gent, but he was trying to protect the girl and that's noble. If he was terribly helpful telling us who hired him and what he knows about the ritual they were attempting, we might be able to register him as her pet human. If she ends up banished he'd be a good guardian for her, and if she ends up welcomed she could release him outside of the territory when that's settled." Daubra looked sympathetically at the two new comers. The spearman seemed to understand his predicament, though she questioned the wisdom of trying to escape when he was so clearly captured. "I need to patch up some stonework, Nissor I'd like to talk with you." She beckoned for Nissor to follow as she headed for the mausoleums she intended to reassemble. She also looked around for adequate stone nearby to construct a crude mausoleum for the dead from the battle. It'd make the humans feel better and keep predators away until she could come back with a cart to claim the bodies.

Victoria listened to all of this, growing no more calm or unafraid. This was a nightmare. And it was not helped by the fact she felt sick and was really having trouble remembering anything at all.

"Look, please," she pleaded. "I don't know all this stuff about being human, or I mean an evil human. I mean, yeah, some of us don't get along with elves too much, but I met some and I was... I think I was traveling to them. And I never asked to be yanked here, and I never had intention of killing anyone... I've never killed anything or been cruel to anyone or anything in my life! I'm a Princess! And..."

She went pale. "Pet human? Like I am an animal? I am someplace where humans are kept... are kept..."

And that was it. This time, she dropped like a rock in a dead faint.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Tue 22 Jan 2019.

"Well.... oh for the love of Gaea."

Maybelle wasn't necessarily surprised by the woman fainting, more by Daubra's statement that she may not be human. She did wince at the impact, letting out a put upon sigh as she leaned down to check on Victoria. This must all be a lot for the human, and Maybelle certainly understood the horror of knowing your people are kept like property. It was a rule she loathed about the Valley, but understood where it had come from. Carefully she tried giving the woman a bit of a shake, speaking to the others softly.

"Should I carry her and we make camp elsewhere or would a little magic wake her up?"

Gar shakes his head. "I don't particularly like the idea of Pet humans. But I do need an assistant at my Forge. So, human, want to learn an honest trade? It will help you hold a job other than warrior when we can get you back to your people. I don't care if you're Gullup, human, or 'taur. You showed courage and honor. That's all I require, and to the icy depths with what anybody else thinks!" Gar offers to the spearman.

The Spearman looks up to the skies for a moment as if to find some strength before shaking his head and just droping his spear in resignation or disgust, really it's hard to tell, he does his shield handy, though obviously it wont do much good if you actually try to kill him, it seems to make him feel better.  He kneels to look Victoria over and comments "Passed out."

It was a mixed blessing, if it was to be a grisly end they were going to meet, at least she wont see it coming.

Fingers brush at the fine quality of the fabric, and regards the pretty face.  Much prettier than his sister now that he's gotten a good look, and not blood kin to boot.  Pity they were both monster chow he thought.

He glances up curious what happens next.

---

Party can figure out what they do as a summary here or in the OOC thread.

Andrew turns to Nisor.
Do you think you have collected enough of the mushrooms Nisor or should some of us get some more?
We really don't want get back and find we not got enough as result of this distraction.
Andrew waves his hand towards the two humans.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Wed 23 Jan 2019.

Nisor nods to Daubra.

"I'll help in anyway that I can."

He then turns his attention to Maybelle and the unconscious woman.

"It would be a waste of spell even if I did have something that could rouse the unconscious. Better to simply carry her; at least she will be less of a problem. Should give her companion there good reason to tow the line and listen to what we say."

Finally he looked to Andrew and gave a shrug.

"More couldn't hurt. I doubt I found all that there was to be found."

With that he moved off with Daubra.

Maybelle gathered up Victoria in her arms and stood, before letting off a little gasp of surprise. Humans may have been lighter then 'Taur but they certainly where heavier then expected. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment taking several steps before sighing and glancing to Brigitte.

"Hey Brig, I can carry her but she's surprisingly heavy. Think you can carry her? We'll make better time that way."

Admittedly, Maybelle could probably toss her back to one of the boys and handle Victoria that way but it would still be a bit of a strain. She didn't think it would be much of a strain to Brigitte though. And while she didn't mind dawdling, she didn't particularly want to stick around the corpses and in case the others came back with reinforcements.

"We should probably make for our campsite from last night, put some distance from here in case the others come back or their bodies attract wolves.... or other things."

Andrew nods at Nisor.
Well I leave the humans to you.  I go and see if I can find some more mushrooms.

OOC:
16:03, Today: Andrew Turner rolled 12 using 1d20+8.  Knowledge: Nature.
I think that is just a success?

This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Wed 23 Jan 2019.

"I dont know anything.  I'm just a hired spear.  So... if we're a bother to drag along, you can just leave use here, and i'll get her out of the Valley when she wakes.", the spearman comments casually with a bit of hopeful wistfulness mixed in.  He doesnt expect to be taken serious,but really at this point what was the harm in asking.

He does sling the shield over his shoulder to carry off his back and tests Victoria's weight.

She was lighter than he expected, not clad in armor, and with next to nothing being carried, really what the hell were those skin heads thinking bringing someone like this to a place like this.

"I got her.  If it makes you feel any better about it, I obviously wont be going anywhere fast with her over my shoulder."

He hefts Victoria over his shoulder and looks ready to go where ever you want to lead.  He's not at light encumbrance, but maybe that's not a terrible thing for someone you dont want to run away?

---

Andrew, not really a great roll, Nisor already made a better one, so he wont find anything.  Though Nisor, might have some suggestions on where to properly look.