In response to the decree of Kakares, Lysandros nodded, with a solemn expression. “ Very good, Sir.” He made a slight bow, then departed the tent, in search of Bardis.

 It took some doing, but Lysandros found Bardis over where the horses where picketed, but instead of Bardis taking care of the mounts, he looked to be trying to take care of one of the camp followers. A shapely Burnette, that cooked for the guards. And by the looks of things, his companion’s verbal sweet nothings where having the desired effects, by the look and giggle he got from the woman.

 The Exiled noble walked over the  to Bardis, and slapped him on the shoulder with a grin. “ Well, Comrade, you indeed are going to ride something, but not what you have in mind. His  nibs wants the two of us to scout for another trail. We are to leave at once” Lysandros said.

He turned to get his saddle from the wagon, then turned to looked over his shoulder. “ Time to mount up and ride, Bardis…… The horse, that is.” GRINS
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:39, Fri 12 May 2017.

Lysandros' interruption of Bardas and the target of his seduction is met by a small shriek of alarm from the woman (who did not see Lysandros' approach) and an annoyed grunt from Bardas who gives the woman a light kiss before turning to Lysandros. "My friend, at some point I shall give have to give you a proper lesson on etiquette and social graces." he states.

---

After taking about 15 minutes to organize a small band of men to take to the road to begin clearing out the attack site, the two mercenaries mount up on their horses and take to the road looking for potential alternative paths to go around the site.

As they travel north, Lysandros spots a promising detour which both he and Bardas wager is large enough for the wagons to pass through, although they would pass slowly. They start to travel down the passageway. As they go, Bardas points out to Lysandros a changing in the scenery. Now down about a mile from where they entered the trees were now becoming more evenly spaced suggesting not a natural growth but that they had been planted by others. Indeed, the path which had previously appeared to have been grown over now starts to appear to be more well traveled.

Bardas turns to his companion. "It could be that we have entered inadvertently into a sacred forest. I don't think we are in danger but we should be careful nonetheless." he suggests.

 The two horsemen  rode along a trail, that entered a woods. Lysandros's comrade pointed out the fact,that they might have entered a sacred wood. The young noble took note of the orderliness of the trees. " Aye, Barsis, you have the right of the matter, I am thinking. Even  if we entered in ignorance, we have trespassed,and must attempt to make this right."

 Lysandros reigned up his horse,and dismounted before one of the trees. He went to kneel  before said tree,and after drawing forth his dagger, he raised his arms towards the heavens, and prayed " Demeter,goddess of the earth,and Artemis,goddess of wildlife, we have trespassed into your sacred place out of ignorance, and beg your forgiveness. We only seek a safe way for our party to pass without the ills of the world to befall them. I have no proper sacrifice to offer up,, but I pray ,you both shall find favor, with what I can offer in tribute to both your greatness."

 The exiled noble took the dagger and sliced it across his palm,to cause blood to well in the cup of his hand. Lysandros then allowed his blood To drip upon the ground at the base of the tree. He kept his hand extended for a time to allow a small pool to form in the soil, before he wrapped his hand.

Bardas has watched Lysandros with a wry smile on his face. After his companion has finished his ceremony he comments. "My friend, what if these lands were not sacred to Demeter or Artemis?" he laughs. "But no matter. I just hope they don't take a liking to your blood! Shall we continue forward?"

OOC: minus 1 HP for cutting your hand. Unless there is some particular action, roll, test, etc you want to make then I'll push things forward with you continuing to explore the trail.

Feel free to push forward with the plot. If nothing else, the sacrifice made for a decent scene.

Taking a minute for the bandage to stem the flow of blood, and taking care that it should not startle the horses, Lysandros remounts and the two continue down the trail into the forest.

After a few more miles their progress is stopped as a feminine but loud voice booms out "HOLD THERE!"

Startled, Lysandros and Bardas pull up the reigns on their horses and look around to see who had spoken. Coming out from the wood then came a beautiful young woman dressed the robes of a priestess. She carries her bow ready, though it is not currently pointed at either man. "Hail travelers!" she states in greeting. "You enter into dangerous woods. I could hear your approach miles away. Explain your presence here." she demands.

 The brace of horseman had continued through the woods when suddenly, a Woman armed with a bow appeared and asked their purpose.

  Lysandros and Bardis, both, where girded for war., wearing  breast plate, greaves and helmet. Spear and sword each carried, not to mention the brace of javelins that Ly had in a saddle scabbard. Such might make a  mockery , of what  the Noble now said to the Priestess.

“Hail, and well met, Priestess. My companion and I seek a safe passage to reach our destination. We scout for a small caravan, the normal path was blocked by another caravan that had been wiped out by brigands.  We only want to pass through, and harbor no ill intent, to you or this place.”

 These words where offered up with respect, to the Lady.


13:54, Today: Lysandros of Thena rolled 4 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 3.  Oratory roll.

 Ouch!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Wed 24 May 2017.

Although Lysandros had intended his words to carry some persuasive effect, he stumbles a bit on his pronouncement and they lose perhaps the full intended effect. Fortunately, the priestess did not seem overly hostile to them so it was not a critical error on the Nobleman's part.

She did seem annoyed though. "Clearly you want to pass through, but you do so at risk to your lives and for that caravan if you lead them this way. For these woods have been infested with the enemies of my Goddess, and they have defiled her most holy temple with their presence." she adds as explanation.

"Unless you be great warriors or holy men yourselves, you should leave this place." she warns.

  Lysandros swung down off the horse, and removed his helmet, so he might speak with more ease.  Her words had started a small flame in his heart and mind, perhaps there was something here he might do to prove himself, worthy.

“ Priestess, if I may be so bold as to ask, to which god do you pray? And please tell us more of the nature of this enemy, you bespoke of.” He asked in the most respectful way.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Thu 25 May 2017.

"I am a servant of the lady Artemis." she states. "But the lady's holy temple deep in these woods has long been fouled by the prescence of beastmen who killed the temple inhabitants and have taken it as their home.." she adds. "They prey on travelers, killing and abducting whomever they can. Already they have driven off inhabitants of a local village."

She shakes her head. "I am on a most holy quest to purge these beastmen from the lady's temple. That is why I bid you halt and give you his warning. This is no safe path for your party."

 The words of the Priestess convinced Lysandros more and more, this was perhaps a test. The Gods in days of yore, chose champions, or recognized mortals, that did great deeds. If he were to gain a reputation and attract divine notice, he had to start somewhere.

  “Priestess, it is more than likely, the massacre upon the road was caused by these beast men. While we are not great heroes, we might be able to offer assistance. I am skilled at arms and tactics, as is my companion. “Offered the young Noble.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Thu 25 May 2017.

Bardas looks aghast at his companion's sudden offer but does not offer a protest. Instead he just looks shocked. Based on Lysandros experience he notes his is probably because a fee of some kind had not been arranged.

The Priestess looks the two over and nods. "I cannot turn down the offer of assistance. Our purge of the Goddess' temple will be a great good to this world and an honor to her power. But, I cannot go further unless I know your names." She states.

 Lysandros saw the expression on Brandis’s face, and made a mental note to speak with him in private, latter. In the meantime, there where introductions to be made. “ I am Lysandros, and my companion is called Bardis. Pray tell, how many of these beast men might there be?”

She nods at their introduction and adds her own in return. "I am Keira." says the young priestess.

In response to Lysandros next question she then appears a bit sheepish. "I, uhm... I don't really know how many there are. I just know that they have to be dealt with, whether it is one or one hundred!"

 The woman’s reaction to his question, and her answer, did not exactly instill  hope. But he would seek more information. “ Tell me, you say a village was driven off. Are there any more like you, Priests I mean? And where do these villagers now dwell? If these beast men are being that much of a threat, we might be able to muster some numbers to deal with these things.”

"I know not where the displaced villagers now dwell." she states. "They have likely scattered to new homes and started new villages by now. "  She continues "Their home doesn't matter. The continued insult to Artemis does matter. The beastmen must be dealt with now. I will not tarry in my holy mission." She says her voice full of zeal. Keira gestures to a small dirt road behind her. "I will not shun your company or aid if you choose to help me, but seek not to delay me. I only stopped to warn you of the danger ahead in these woods." With that she turns and starts to move away down the dirt path.

Bardas, still on his horse, looks skeptical. "Our horses won't do well in the forest, Lysandros. I'll take yours and mine back to camp. I will not just let them stand here unattended."

Lysandros did not like the sound of what the woman said, at all. Hers where the words of a fanatic, and fanatics where unreasonable, at the best of times. When Bardis said he would take the horses back to camp, Ly was taken somewhat aback by that. But then, he recalled the  others expression when the offer of help was given.

  With a slow nod, the Noble released his reins into the keeping of Bardis. "If I do not see you again, I wish you safe travels, Bardis. The Priest we both serve, gave me only until the end of this day to find another path, or he would use the obvious one. Fare you well."

With that being said, Lysandros slung his shield over his back shouldered the water skin, and with spear and javelins in hands, he followed the Priest into the woods.

Bardas nodded and saluted his comrade in arms before taking the reigns of his horse and departing.

With no other course to go other than to hurry up to catch up with the priestess, Lysandros follows the dirt path and finds that she had been waiting for him. "Very well. Your company is welcomed." she states, and leading the way, the two enter deeper into the woods.

As they traveled together over the course of the next hour, Keira said little by way of conversation, warning Lysandros that they should be careful not to make too much noise to give away their presence. Indeed, as they traveled deeper and deeper into the woods and off any and all trails, Lysandros had to wonder what exactly Keira was following.

However, their seemingly aimless wandering did bear fruit of a sort. The two carefully entered into a clearing and the work of the beastmen was in full display. Trees here had been cut down and stakes made out of them planted into the earth. Impaled on these stakes were the severed heads of what appeared to be deer, wrapped with garlands made of their entrails. A variety of body parts, human and otherwise were also scattered about this orgy of horror.

"The remains are Acteons." Keira explains. "They are humanoids, men and women who dwell in these forests but who have the heads of stags." she continues. "Clearly a warning sign." She then gestures past the carnage to deeper in the forest. "I would say maybe about another 15 minutes or so and we'll make it to the temple. We should be careful."

 The would be, hero, followed the Priestess deeper into the woodland, and began to wonder what lay in store for him. When they came upon the clearing with the so-called “Warning” Lysandros felt he might regret having lunch. He took a moment to regain his composure, then spoke. “By the gods, those that did that, are indeed cursed with darkness.”

 Lysandros checked his weapons for the tenth time, since he had followed her this day. “ Tell me, Priestess, what sort of creatures are these beast men? And do you know why they have despoiled your temple?”
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:40, Thu 01 June 2017.

"Not my temple, Lysandros." Keira responds. "It is a sanctuary of the lady Artemis. There is no reason that I know why they despoiled my Goddesses' temple, only that is it in their nature to do so."

She explains. "There are many beastly creatures in our world, products of union of man and animal, or supernatural occurrence - some offense given to a God. Acteons like we have seen are noble in spirit, but there are others who are foul and sick of soul. Rat creatures, Goat headed monsters, and foul perversions of other noble creatures such as Satyrs and Centaurs."

 The young nobleman had a frown, which deepened, as he heard the Priestess speak on. When she had finished, he did not say anything at first, but then did speak his thoughts.

” With all respect, you seem to know little about the enemy we are to encounter. The odds are we are going to be outnumbered, so guile and stealth are going to have to used. I wish to scout the area out before we decide upon a course of action. Do you know the layout of the temple?”

 Lysandros was beginning to think his companion was either more than she appeared, or less then she thought she was.

"Yes... I know the layout of the temple." Keira states, her tone now flat as she paused her movements and turned to look at Lysandros. It was evident by the expression on her face she was inpatient and now holding in anger. "Tell me, you do expect to have a precise headcount of who and what we are up against? Would I no longer be a trustworthy ally if I should tell you that we faced five monsters when it fact it was eight that we found? Do you perhaps think that I have interviewed all of the former inhabitants and conducted a complete investigation before heading on my mission?" She clutches her fists.

She then states, her tone now calming somewhat. "The Lady Artemis bid me in a holy vision to purge her temple of the evil that now inhabits it. Do you think I asked a Goddess to tell me why I must do this? No. She commands and I follow the call."

She shakes her head in disbelief. "You pledge your willingness to help me, but I find your spirit lacking and heart suspicious." she gestures first to the path before her and then the way they had just come. "Go then. Scout this area if that will alleviate your concerns. Take a headcount and find out who and what we face so you may plan our attack. Or if you so distrust me and what I tell you the you can go back to your caravan. I do not want to risk my life and depend on somebody who does not trust me or trust the Gods."

 Lysandros stood there with a slightly annoyed expression upon his face, as the Priestess berated him; He waited until she had run out of wind before he responded. “Priestess, while I might not be a Hero of old, I do know something about tactics, and taught by someone that was well versed in the subject.”

 The nobleman used a calming tone of voice, even if he was at the moment, frustrated.” What is your plan, Lady, to just march into the temple, and ask those creatures to vacate the premises? If they are the same creatures that slaughted that caravan upon the road, then they have archers?  I assume you know how to use that bow, but you are but one, they are many. We need a plan or all you are going to do, is end up dead.”

 Lysandros removed his helmet, and secured anything that might rattle on his person. “You know this place, your counsel on how to best scout the area, would be of great value. Once we take the measure of the place, we can then make an informed decision on how to precede.”

Attempt Oratory skill

18:46, Today: Lysandros of Thena rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Roll to convince Priestess to listen to Ly.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Thu 08 June 2017.

"Enough. I tire of your insults." Keira states. "The plan was to first actually reach the temple while we still have daylight. Why else do you think we moved with such haste? I was going to tell you once I could see it for certain but there is an alternative entrance known only to the chosen of Artemis."

"From there it is a matter of the hunt. Once inside we take down their leader. If they are few then we stick it out and fight, if many, then lure them out into the forest. But of course I'm just a foolish girl with a bow that she can't use that will march in and wind up dead, aren't I?" She states, a mocking smile on her face now.

"But as you claim to be so well versed in tactics surely you don't need my advice." She turns and starts to head down the path back towards the temple.

OOC: unfortunately, she has taken strong dislike to your character based on what has happened so far since they have met so no matter how persuasive you might be she isn't going to listen. She is hearing insults and so isn't influenced by the manner of how he speaks or lectures.

 The Noble just watched her back, as she headed down the pathway, a look of total disbelief upon his face. “The gods deliver me from women.” Said as he followed her.

[7 blank lines suppressed]

 Ok, but Lysandrs was not actually insulting her. He was just speaking common sense, to his way of thinking. But it is what it is. Moving on with the plot.