Adryn could have strolled through the wilds for hours without even noticing the passage of time. The comfort granted by his surroundings made it easy for the venture to the clearing to seem like mere moments.

He quickly found a nice soft spot to rest, and sat down. This was the first moment he really had any peace to sit and meditate since his capture months ago. As he entered his meditations, he began to reminisce over the events that brought him here... the Saelibi, the loss of a companion, the attack of the Saelithist, and being held captive by an army of kobolds. He never would have dreamed his training would end up taking him so far from home, but yet here he was, in the wilds of Xamador on a quest that had just barely begun.

After a while, Adryn let his thoughts drift off... let his mind empty, and just sat and listened as the conversation within the Xamador wilds unfolded.

   Hot caves, kobold imprisonment, and the hectic crossing over a massive body of water had served to make this moment one of the most beautiful that Aethen had experienced in quite some time.  The sights and smells of the old forest were intoxicating, calling forth memories of the home tree and its neighbors.

   Looking up, the canopy above was not too high to scale.  Flexing his fingers, Aethen grasps the massive trunk and, awkwardly at first, begins to scale the forest giant. While it had been a while since his last ascent, the skill quickly returns and he makes speedy progress upward.

   Coming close to the top, Aethen finds a large branch and sits with his back against the main trunk.  The height allowed rays of light to play over his fur and a light breeze ruffled the leaves above.  He closed his eyes and drank it in.

   "Addiyr, I thank you for this moment."  Aethen whispers the prayer under his breath, swaying with the high boughs.  "Please continue to tend our Paths, be our guide, and protect us from those who would do harm."

   Aethen enjoys several minutes before he continues.  "Addiyr, one of your own used her final breath in this world to tell me of the Evangiel and my need to heed their message.  Please help me understand their Path, and how mine can aid theirs."  He begins to say more, but checks himself and contemplates as the tree sways.

Watches as Aethen scales the tree then strolls off a short distance to sit down against a different tree herself.

Peace.  A calm like that of the happiest day, when one truly stops all of the work, clears their mind of all concerns, and truly takes the time to soak in the pleasure of growing things.  A contentment felt after spending a day planting in the field and knowing that hard labor will bear great fruit.  Few moments come like this, each to be cherished without concern for its duration.

Then a breeze picks up through the calm of the forest, whispering of calm at first, but taking on distinction as it does not abate.

This blessing of knowledge and wisdom I bestow today on all here who cherish the growing things of the world and the freedom life brings.  The Evangiel speak truth, as you have seen already when Aethen acquired his staff.  You will go to the birth place of magic, a place where the arcane does not work.  There you will find the means to shape magic to the whim of those who wield it.  That power must be handled with great care as it is one of the keys to the means to destroy the world.  Have a care for those who seek knowledge without wisdom to guide it, who seek knowledge for knowledge's sake.  They represent the ultimate chaos, ungoverned by selflessness or even selfishness.

There also you will find the first guardian of life, a being whose death will bring rebirth and a power that must be awakened for the survival of life in the world.  Harness her power wisely and she will lead you to greater wisdom still.

Last, there you will find the first riddle to preserve the humans.  Go in peace my friends.  Save the world.

GM: Each of you receives a +2 to Wisdom for the day, +1 to saves.  If you have spell slots that need to be replenished (or filled because of the WIS bonus) do so now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:44, Thu 07 July 2011.

Adryn's eyes snap open as the whispers of the wind pass through his mind, leaving their message behind. If there was ever a doubt about his mission, those doubts were clearly laid to rest now.

Immediately he looks to the trees, searching for Aethen, hoping he had received the same message he just did. Finally, he spotted him perched among the branches high above the ground, but he was still deep in meditation.

Adryn took a moment to decipher the message from the wind, and his first thought turned to the birth place of magic. Where in the world could that place be?? Surely someone would know. His eyes turn towards the city...

Vertium...

Genovia is surprised to hear the voice in the wind, or maybe the voice was the wind.  In any case there is little doubt the voice is Addiyr's and she is honored to be included.  Never one for true meditation, she sees Adryn rouse from his and smiles at him, sharing in that one look her participation in the message and her grattitude to Adryn's god.

Then she also looks to Aethen to wait for him to finish his meditations.

   Aethen could feel the contented smile creep into his face as the wind delivered its message.  It was the first time he had truly communed with his deity, and he wanted to remember each moment.  The message itself was one of struggle, pain, and death, so the journey to come would likely wear this pleasant memory thin, which encouraged him to commit it to memory even more.

   He opens his eyes and surveys the old forest from his height.  Pity there was not more time, these trees certainly had any number of stories to tell.  Standing, he stretched and looked below to see two sets of eyes staring up.  The smile was still there as he began to climb down.

   As he dropped to the ground, he walked toward the two quietly.  He knew it was time to leave, but cast his eyes upward to take in the scene one more time.  The city was in the distance, and Aethen started for it.  The smile was still there.

Looking at the light shining into the clearing, more time has passed than the three first realized.  Three, perhaps four, hours have passed since beginning the meditation, and even for the human who did not technically enter it, she has little notion of the 'missing' time.  However, like her two Anthros companions, she feels well rested like after a good night sleep.

Not even three steps into the trees headed back toward the city, the forest goes suddenly quiet.

GM: Listen, Spot checks and initiative rolls please.  The two former will adjust the latter.

Slightly taken aback with the apparent lapse of time. Adryn takes a moment to orient himself...

20:34, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 12 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
20:34, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 26 using 1d20+11. Spot check.
20:33, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 14 using 1d20+11. Listen check.

[Private to Adryn Longmane:
GM:  additional +2 to initiative for spot roll.
You see:

Several dog-like forms in the shadows of the trees, crouched low as if waiting to ambush the group.  They have four powerful hind legs and two wiry front legs with an extra joint.  The forelegs also might be webbed and have opposable thumbs.  On the top of their heads (like a German shepherd) they have two sets of pointed ears, now laid flat.  Their eyes are difficult to see, but the bone structure is thick making them well protected but kind of piggish.  Long snouts end in a wide nose with four nostrils.  Two are positioned for rooting through the ground or sniffing ground-based tracks, two are high on the nose for sampling the air and possibly used during swimming.  Two-inch fangs curve from their closed mouths near the front of the snout and indicate at least an omnivorous diet.  Their faces, bodies, legs, and tail are all covered with a marble-patterned brown/charcoal-grey fur that blends perfectly with the forest floor (and probably other environs like caves).  It was nearly divine intervention that allowed you to even spot them {and an insane spot check bonus}.  Their tails whip around in a manner that suggests they are prehensile, though strength is hard to determine at this time.  They end in some kind of strange elongated lump whose use cannot be determined at this time.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:25, Fri 08 July 2011.

After the previous experience the sudden silence of the forest makes Genovia look around.


23:11, Today: Genovia Swiftfoot rolled 9 using 1d20+8. spot.
23:10, Today: Genovia Swiftfoot rolled 22 using 1d20+2. listen.
23:10, Today: Genovia Swiftfoot rolled 6 using 1d20+4. init.

[Private to Genovia Swiftfoot:
GM:  additional +1 to initiative for listen roll.
You hear something shuffling in the loam and dead leaves about a hundred feet from your position, alerting you to possible ambush.  At least you will not be surprised.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:27, Fri 08 July 2011.

   The lapse of time did not strike Aethen until he saw how the light struck the ground, the rays coming from a different angle.  The sudden quiet disturbs him, but after such a peaceful respite he is slow to react.

23:30, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
23:30, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Spot.
23:29, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Listen.

[Private to Aethen Ironroot:
GM:  additional +2 to initiative for spot roll.
You see:

Several dog-like forms in the shadows of the trees, crouched low as if waiting to ambush the group.  They have four powerful hind legs and two wiry front legs with an extra joint.  The forelegs also might be webbed and have opposable thumbs.  On the top of their heads (like a German shepherd) they have two sets of pointed ears, now laid flat.  Their eyes are difficult to see, but the bone structure is thick making them well protected but kind of piggish.  Long snouts end in a wide nose with four nostrils.  Two are positioned for rooting through the ground or sniffing ground-based tracks, two are high on the nose for sampling the air and possibly used during swimming.  Two-inch fangs curve from their closed mouths near the front of the snout and indicate at least an omnivorous diet.  Their faces, bodies, legs, and tail are all covered with a marble-patterned brown/charcoal-grey fur that blends perfectly with the forest floor (and probably other environs like caves).  It was nearly divine intervention that allowed you to even spot them {and an insane spot check bonus}.  Their tails whip around in a manner that suggests they are prehensile, though strength is hard to determine at this time.  They end in some kind of strange elongated lump whose use cannot be determined at this time.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:25, Fri 08 July 2011.

The ambush is potentially frightening due more to the unknown nature of the creatures than for the reality of what the three foreigners see.  Five sleek forms moving to fast to see clearly dart out of the underbrush at the group.

Order of Events

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Adryn Longmane [AL]    14    17/--     24/24 <-----Here

?Dog?1                 12    15/ 1     24/24
?Dog?2                 12    15/ 1     24/24
?Dog?3                 12    15/ 1     24/24
?Dog?4                 12    15/ 1     24/24
?Dog?5                 12    15/ 1     24/24

Aethen Ironroot [AI]    7    13/--     22/22
Genovia [GV]            7    18/--     18/18

Casting 'Speak with Animals'.

Positioning himself between the strange dog-like creatures and his companions, Adryn presents himself in a non-threatening manner and speaks directly to the animals...

"Stop, we mean you no harm. We only seek passage back to the city."

07:03, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 12 using 1d20+10. Handle animal check.
Nice, with a roll like that, I'll probably enrage them more!

The dogs race toward the group ignoring Adryn, dividing into three distinct groups as they move.  Two for Adryn, two for Aethen, and one for Genovia.  One by one they charge only to dart past on either side.  As they pass by they each attempt to swipe at the party with their tails.  One hits Adryn and Aethen each and Genovia's manages solid contact as well.  As each tail hits, it sparks a deep, blue, almost too intense to comprehend, but the touch is feather light!  The tail is nothing more than a dense collection of soft filaments that drag across the body as if trying to latch on and draw something out of you.  Yet there is no actual effect seen or felt by any of you.

The attack does nothing.

Order of Events

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Adryn Longmane [AL]    14    17/--     24/24

?Dog?1                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?2                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?3                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Aethen
?Dog?4                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Aethen
?Dog?5                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Genovia

Aethen Ironroot [AI]    7    13/--     22/22 <-----Here
Genovia [GV]            7    18/--     18/18

   There was no pain, thus Aethen was confused as to if he was under attack.  However, a moment of reflection reinforced the fact that this was a fight, because the forest never lied.  And right now the forest was as silent as a grave.

   Not sure what could be done against an unknown enemy, Aethen surveys the area.  The aggressors were dogs that had a pack mentality, at first glance, but they were performing some kind of attack that was unknown to him.  Therefore, no telling what other surprises they might have.

   Up.  It wasn't a Grondor solution, but Aethen was not aware of many climbing dogs.  He spoke no words, but looked to Adryn and simply pointed upward.  Turning to Genovia, he quickly moves to the nearest trunk and prepares to help her up.

Move action to tree.  Held move action to aid Genovia's climb.

nods at Aethen and runs to the tree and then up, concentrating on her boots to give her traction.

[Private to GM: If there is time during the run up the tree she will draw her bow and knock an arrow as well preparing for the next round.]

Frustrated by his failed attempt to reason with the animals, he decides to take another approach. Casting defensively, he utters a few words under his breath.

Looking directly at one of his two assailants, he says (via Speak with Animals) "Defend us", as he gestures to his friends.

He then starts to slowly maneuvers himself towards base of the tree his companions climbed up.

Casting Charm Animal on one of the dog things attacking Adryn: Will Save, DC 17.

Aethen and Genovia make it safely into the trees, both able to climb at a speed equivalent to being on the ground.  Genovia gets an arrow knocked and Aethen is free to act as well.

[Private to Adryn Longmane:
"Defend you?" one of the dogs says in its own bestial language.  "We don't wish to.  We will steal your magic instead!"

GM:  Made its will save.]

As Adryn speaks to the animals in a primal pattern, one of the dogs yips and growls in return for a moment, then lunges at Adryn.  The other four follow suit on its heels.

Order of Events

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Adryn Longmane [AL]    14    17/--     24/24

Aethen Ironroot [AI] HELD    13/--     22/22  In a tree <------Here
Genovia [GV]         HELD    18/--     18/18  In a tree

?Dog?1                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?2                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?3                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?4                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?5                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn

   Seeing his brother's plight, Aethen quickly runs through his options.  The most effective would be magic, but his position on the tree made that....dubious.  However, it would yield the best results were it to work.

   He was still on the main trunk, not having reached one of the large branches that were well above the forest floor.  Digging his clawed feet into the bark of the tree, Aethen settles his weight on his legs while he leans against the trunk for balance.  The pose reminded him of meditations in his training, when he was required to sit on his legs, only this time there was no floor.

   Concentrating, Aethen grasps the thread in his memory and spins the power into a call for aid.  Aiming it to where the edge comes just to Adryn's feet, he launches the spell.

02:44, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 17 using 1d20+9. Concentration.
Cast Entangle where the circle's edge is right up to Adryn's position.

She keeps her bow drawn and calms her breathing, trying to take in the movement of the creatures as they begin their attack.

Once the creatures begin their attack she lets an arrow fly at the one that is closest to Adryn that he isn't concentrated on.

[Private to GM: attack 13 if hit a whopping 2 damage]

A moment before the creatures arrive at Adryn's position, vines spring up from the ground ensnaring two of them.  The others nimbly dart through or around the vines and avoid the spell.  Genovia releases an arrow, but it misses the already wildly dodging pack leader who scores another hit with his tail against Adryn's waist.  Again, nothing happens.

This time however, the two remaining dogs snap at the young Anthros with teeth.  One misses pathetically, but the other chomps down ripping fur and flesh from Adryn's side {6 dmg}.

Order of Events

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Adryn Longmane [AL]    14    17/--     18/24            <-----Here

Aethen Ironroot [AI]   13    13/--     22/22  In a tree
Genovia [GV]           13    18/--     18/18  In a tree

?Dog?1                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?2                 12    15/ 1     24/24  entangled
?Dog?3                 12    15/ 1     24/24  entangled
?Dog?4                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?5                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn

The strange creatures response gave a little insight into it's nature... enough so, that the others could adjust their tactics.

Adryn announces, "These beasts appear to feed on magic, so they will likely be quite resistant to magical attacks. We either do this the old fashioned way, or we run."

With that said, Adryn's Anthros claws erupt from his hands but take on a larger, more beastly aspect than most of his kind. He crouches down to nearly all fours and takes a defensive stance until his next opportunity to strike.

Casting Claws of the Bear.
Fighting defensively: +2 AC -4 Atk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:01, Mon 11 July 2011.

   Aethen had to control his emotions before speaking.

   "Adryn! Dwell on your actions!  Did we come here for purposes of harm?  Are these creatures evil?  We have come into their territory and now they react naturally.  Do not perform rash actions, as the others do,"  Aethen tuns to Genovia, "No offense."

   As he is speaking, Aethen is concentrating on exuding the soothing pheromones that would calm the creatures, as long as they were not attacked by Adryn

Genovia has another arrow knocked and is continuing to concentrate on the battle as it unfolds.  She tries to draw a bead on one of the creatures that is attacking Adryn and will let an arrow fly if it continues to try and attack him.

During the wait she speaks to Aethen. "None taken, but the best I can do to help is try and cause confusion among them, I don't have either of your abilities."

[Private to GM: If the creatures attack after Aethen's pheremone squirt then she will let lose another arrow. atck = 12, another miss]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Thu 14 July 2011.

The two animals entangled by the vine struggle weakly but do nothing to extricate themselves from the spell.  The three remaining dogs encircle Adryn, nipping at him, but only one manages a minor bite {1 dmg}.

[Private to Adryn Longmane:
GM: Aethen's sentiments are worthy, but up close, there is something wrong about these dogs, something unnatural.  Whatever it is, their jaws are strong enough to make short work of you, especially if your friends can't or won't help you.  It is death to stay down here by yourself.  If those two entangled dogs get free, its all over for you.]

Order of Events

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Adryn Longmane [AL]    14    17/--     17/24            <-----Here

Aethen Ironroot [AI]   13    13/--     22/22  In a tree
Genovia [GV]           13    18/--     18/18  In a tree

?Dog?1                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?2                 12    15/ 1     24/24  entangled
?Dog?3                 12    15/ 1     24/24  entangled
?Dog?4                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn
?Dog?5                 12    15/ 1     24/24  On Adryn