CHAPTER 02
Mallard Pond, Astraena
Two hours prior to midnight one fortnight and two days after August's first full moon

The P.A.R.T.Y.'s journeys thus far have been a remarkably blend of sheer skill and dumb luck, ultimately landing them to a clearing nestled in the gently rolling woodland hills that compose the mid-southeastern part of the continent.

We find our heroes comparing notes back at camp, after a painful separation that lasted nearly 120 minutes.  Despite all that has happened, the night remains relatively young -- leaving plenty of time to discuss the early evening's adventures before setting watch and turning in for the night.

Notable features of the clearing include the pond itself, a pile of Blackarm weaponry, and a couple corpses from the conflict.

[Crossroads Moment]*

* In the future, this tag will be used to indicate times where the story will not move forward until everyone has posted something.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:32, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Zuriel smiles and raises his hand in greeting, clearly happy to be reunited with the party in the clearing, to say nothing of the ducks. Noticing the piles of weapons and a battered Maeve wrapped in her blanket, he raises an eyebrow. "Did you guys have company while we were gone?"

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

Maeve has no sooner bedded down for the night then the other half of their party at long last stumbles back into the clearing where they've made camp. There's a brief moment where the two groups simply stare at each other for a time.  She imagines that they rather look a sight.  Despite the fact that she feels better after Boreas' healing potion, she's still battered and bloody and Lyriel is sporting a colorful bruise on her cheek from the blueband's magic missile.  There will undoubtedly be questions in the very near future but right now she has one of her own.

Where the *hell* have you been?

Zuriel notices Lyriel's injuries and rushes over "You're hurt! Here, let me help"

The paladin closes his eyes, and he takes a deep breath as if centering himself, praying, or both. When his eyes open, they are suffused with holy light. His palms glow, and he gently traces the outline of Lyriel's injuries with the fingers. Healing energy washes over the bruised skin, clearing and revitalizing her wounds. Zuriel steps back, the glow fading, and smiles smugly. He is clearly pleased with himself. "My turn to heal."

He then turns to Maeve and repeats the process, healing the rest of her injuries before channeling the remaining energy into himself.

[private to Lyriel Vesper: Zuriel's ministrations to Maeve, while gentle, seem markedly more businesslike and impersonal.]

"So,", he asks, having finished his healing, "What happened here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Maeve snorts in amusement as Zuriel rushes past her to tend to Lyriel's bruise before returning to her to heal her rather more substantial injuries.  The Sultan's military cleric would have something to say about the paladin's questionable idea of triage.

As you correctly deduced, we had company she says, and gives a brief account of the fight that ensued--explaining how Maeve and Lyriel were injured fending off the blackbands, how Boreas took the brigands by surprise by shooting arrows from the trees, and concluding with Lyriel calling down the wrath of the Emerald Flame upon their attackers and them subsequently fleeing into the woods.

[Bluff 9]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Seems some of the displaced Blackarms - one Blueband too - stumbled upon us and felt like letting off some steam.  Hell of a fight.

[Bluff (Aid) 9]

"So let me get this straight," the paladin says, turning to Boreas. "You were attacked by a small platoon of bandits, which very nearly murdered Lyriel and Maeve, while you hid in the bushes shooting arrows? And then Lyriel called down fire and they fled? Is that the way of it?"

Yes, more or less.  What would you recommend?  I charge in and smite them mightily with my bow?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 8):

Lyriel touches her cheek then looks up at Zuriel, I didn't know you could heal. She blushes smiling, Thank you.

Then chiming in to the conversation she adds, No worries, Tassada showed her displeasure most heartily, while we were injured it wasn't that bad. And Boreas does have a point, it is kind of difficult to charge with a bow,she shoots him a slightly disappointed look, still, I think it would have been nice for you to distract them a bit.

I tried.  They displayed a bit more focus and fire in their bellies than I anticipated.

Also, glad to see you made it back alive, Keef.  You too, Giles.

And especially you, Chubbs.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Zuriel scoffs. "Hardly. But to hide behind the women seems unchivalrous, to say the least." He turns to Keef. "Hey Keef, do you remember all those tales of mighty heroes slaying dragons and righting wrongs from the bushes? How about the one where the brave Knight takes cover behind his lady love to avoid arrows meant for him?"

Keef shakes his head mutely. "Yeah, me neither," he replies, hint of a smile on his face. "Well, with any luck the bandits that got away will spread tales of the fearsome Boreas the Brave far and wide, such that any future bandits we encounter will tremble in your mighty and august presence. That is, provided they can see your fearsome visage from behind the nearest skirt."

Unable to control himself any longer, the paladin bursts into laughter, completely forgetting the party's incomplete and rather suspicious explanation as to the lack of prisoners.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:02, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

I'm glad you find your own jokes so amusing.  No, I'm afraid the bandits I dealt with won't be spreading any tales.  They're dead.

Changing his tone entirely, he turns to the wolf,

And who are you, my friend?  I am Boreas.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 12):

Shep takes a break from romping around the clearing and winding himself around Giles's legs to glance at Boreas.  He yips a few times, then trots off toward the fire to sniff at the discarded spit.

[Private to Boreas Highwind: "I'm Shep, faithful companion of Sir Giles Thistleworth.  Surely you've heard of our grand exploits? But I did not realize Alpha traveled with another beastmaster.  Do you have an animal compa-- ooh, meat!"]

[Private to Giles Thistleworth: Boreas seems to be able to verbally communicate with Shep, though the wolf does not seem agitated by it -- nor does your control of the beast feel threatened. Your empathetic link indicates mostly hunger on Shep's part, followed by excitement at the discovery of the meat-caked spit near the fire.]

Pleasure to meet you, Shep.  Enjoy the meal.

Boreas turns to Zuriel.

You look a bit the worse for wear, yourself.  What have you all been up to?

Finished with making jokes, Zuriel recounts the tale of the fight with the evil toad thing, with Giles and Keef filling in for the parts where Zuriel was unconscious.

Concluding his tale, he says "So I think it wise to check out the cave tomorrow, provided we are heading that direction still. Boreas, does your compass still indicate there is evil to the south of us? I get the feeling that there were more inhabitants of the cave lab than were present there tonight."

It still bears the same heading.  Even if you cleared out the evil denizens, the place may still be imbued with dark magic.  We should investigate, but carefully.

Zuriel nods. "Well, today was an interesting diversion, but I feel like we are no closer to finding the Godstone than when we set out this morning. Perhaps now would be a good time to ask the book? If so, how should I phrase it? Maybe something like 'Where is the Godstone in these woods located?'"

Zuriel sits down on the grass and opens his book of answers, quill poised as he waits for agreement from his fellows on what exactly to ask.

Boreas sits nearby, both to get a closer look at the book and to help Zuriel formulate the question.

Magical things love being tricky in these cases.  We should consider carefully.

He begins to discuss the book with Zuriel, motioning the others over.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 17):

Lyriel ponders Zuriel's question. That is a thought, but you know that whatever the book says it will be in rhyme, it may not necessarily be literal either...She looks away deep in thought, Perhaps you should ask for literal directions from where we are now? I'm not sure if that will be any better, but it could be worth a try.

Zuriel nods at Lyriel's insight. "Yes, that's another way to go about it. I hadn't thought of that. We could ask for cardinal directions from this point and hope Boreas and Giles can keep us on course until Boreas' compass picks up a magic source. We would know less about the actual circumstances of where and how it's being held, though we would have a more precise bead on its physical location. What do you all think? Precise location or more detail as to the nature of its guardianship?"

As to whether or not Boreas' actions were chivalrous or not, we're all here and in one piece now, so let's just let the matter rest. Maeve says after a few minutes of Zuriel's gentle mockery.

I have little knowledge of magical devices, but it seems to me that it would be better to ask for directions.  I feel that the book would necessarily be less cryptic than if you asked what enemies guard the Stone.

She idly reaches out to scratch Shep behind the ears.  The wolf gives a warning snarl, and she wisely decides to wait and make friends until after it has finished its meal.

[Handle animal 7]

Speaking of Boreas though, we've not mentioned the discoveries we've made regarding your. . .um. . . .eye magic.  You should tell them; maybe Zuriel has heard of such abilities before.