The miasma of the Brown Lands is only a mile behind you, but the feeling is already fading.

You've been moving now for 24 hours, and the rolling plains of Rhovanion stretch before you, verdant and restful.

"Well this sure beats the Brown Lands" Tilaleria said. "Did you people find any clues or anything while you crossed. All we found was a barrow with some magical traps, but it wasn't the same time period as the Wive's crossing or anything, and " she laughed "it was a barrow. Not seeing the Ent Wives living with the undead"

"Other than that it was just endless unpleasantness" she looked again at the greenness and decided that this good. "How about if we go a few miles and break for a camp" She knew that humans needed sleep and that the journey had probably been grueling for a lot of them

"Signs of the Entwives have long since passed from the ken of mortals," Arithal responded to Tilaleria.

"We found a petrified tree, but it wasn't an Entwife. And we saw the bones of a giant beast, but we did not investigate them."

As he talked, a smile turned up the corners of his mouth, for Otorno was acting most strange... gamboling about in the grass, rolling around on his back. He was clearly happy to be free of the Brown Lands.

Elmohtar is glad to be out of the Broan Lands. He lets Tilaleria recount their adventures to the others, and looks for a place to camp. Once they are well away from the Brown Lands, he points a likely spot to his master.

"Lets camp here."

"Excellent suggestion!" Radagast exclaimed at Tilaleria's words.

"Anira, can you set up your cottage again? A night's rest would not only do us good, but should shake off whatever remaining traces of the miasma there might be."

"I must confess... I am used to traveling alone, going where the winds send me. If any of you have a suggestion on what we should do next or where we should go from here, it would be appreciated."

"I was just planning on heading due east. The amulet does not give precise directions... the distance is too great and our maps and knowledge of the Distant East too limited for triangulation to work... yet."

"Do you think we should head for the Red Mountains? Might the Sea of Rhun have been part of the path the Entwives took?"

"We must also be on the watch for the Dark Riders. I do not know how many of them there may be now, but they were allied with the Dark Lord."

When Elmohtar spotted a suitable campsite, Radagast said:

"Well done, Elmohtar! This open land is not my normal habitat. Any place looks as good as the next to me!"

"Saxon, do you wish to keep your wagon set up outside the cottage?"

If we travel a day north or south and the reading is still east then we know it doesn't matter where we go as long as it is east. If we zig zag slightly towards it then at some point the amulet will stop saying east and at that point it is probably worth worrying about the destination as we will be able to compare the reading at dawn and dusk" Tilaleria suggested

"Until we get that difference my suggestion would be to pick the route that offers the least chance of encountering foes or distractions. Since the Ent-wives are a long way away, I thiñk the chance of learning something that we couldn't learn when we are closer to them is almost negligible, especially given the huge amount of time since they have paseed"

"Given we have the amulet I'm not sure we need worry about the route the Ent-wives took, unless an impassible barrier appears in front of us. In which case of course we can probably just fly over it"

"Perhaps you could tell us what you know of the Red mountains and the Sea of Thun" she suggested "I like hearing of places I haven't been to, and anyway we can speculàte"

As an impromptu halt is called, Jak quietly stretched his legs as he listened to the discussion, eventually breaking in himself.

"Speaking of the amulet, I would very much like to hear the story of how you came into the possession of it told. Perhaps later, over supper?"

Like Otorno, Melda had sprung to life again once they were out of the Brownlands.  She’d leaped off Anira and glided a ways then gamboled about in the grass.  The flurry of activity was short-lived, the squirrel quickly wearing herself out so she climbed back up Anira’s leg and disappeared into a loose pocket somewhere under her robes.

"This does look like a good spot," she agreed and was glad to cast the spell which conjured the cottage.  The forced march through the Brownlands had taken its toll on everyone and knowing Saxon liked to cook, she turned to him with an inquisitive gaze.  "Would you like some help preparing a meal?  I’m sure we’re all famished and two sets of hands are quicker than one."

Saxon nodded, "Yea, Ill park it right next to the cottage and keep watch with the red guard and I. I kind of require my wagon as I am going to try and spend a few hours tonight to invent a flare of some kind. If we have one person with each group if we split up again, someone can set off their flare to call for help."

He smiled at Anira when she offered to help cook. "I would adore some help. Tonight is oyster mushrooms cooked in a white wine and sweet onions. Rumbled dried Salmon over the top. A good meaty dish to fill hungry bellies."

A bit later, when every is done eating or nearly so, Radagast tells Jak about the amulet and everyone about the Red Mountains and the Sea of Rhun.


"The Ents in northern Mirkwood were in danger. I could sense it, but not the cause. Several of the Keepers were with me, so we hurried to the Ents aid."

"By the time we got there, they were nearly dead, dying from some sort of disease. When we tried to get close enough to cure or aid them, a... creature rose up out of the contaminated ground. It was called a Plaguire... a type of living spell."

"If too much power is channeled into a spell, especially if the caster is even a tad off kilter, the spell... sort of backfires... turns into ball of spell energy that takes on a semblance of life."

"Someone figured out a way to control the Plaguire and sent it after the Ents. The misfired spell, of course, was 'Plague'. The Plaguire had this amulet. The amulet had a sliver of Entwives in it, allowing the Plaguire to use to find the Ents."

"The Ents themselves, and the rest of us, have long thought the Entwives dead or destroyed, but these slivers were less than two years old!"

"So that is why we now seek the Entwives. After all these years, we have proof that they may still be alive!"


"As for the Orocarni--the Red Mountains, little is known of them. It is thought that the Lost Dwarven Clans once lived there, and may still be there. They are volcanic and rich in minerals and metals that the volcanoes spew up onto the surface, thus making them easy to mine."

"These materials have been used to forge weapons and armor that the Dark Men of Rhun wielded in the Last War. Should we encounter any of them on our journey, expect them to be well armed and armored."

Tavaro seemed greatly angered at the story. Still in his massive form, his voice boomed. "To work that sort of magic, one needs to be of great power. Did you learn who sent the Plaguire after the ents!?"

Borun had no idea what "rumbled dried salmon" was, but it sounded delicious and the thought of a hot meal made Borun's stomach rumble in agreement.

"I can help keep watch, Master Saxon. I also know a spell that can create a magical light up to 200 feet away. I could position it up in the air so that others could see it. Although the light is faint, it should be visible at night."

OOC: Dancing lights

"So that sounds to me like 'avoid the Dark Men of Rhun" Tilaleria commented. "The Lost Dwarves... well perhaps they are as friendly as those we know. Which is to say 'treat them with respect and they are good people'." she pondered on what else had been said. It was a parcel of news... no doubt about that ... but she wasn't entirely sure how she could contribute. She was very interested in the answer to Tavaro's question though.

It would be trite of her to compliment Radagast on his work. He was the Istari here after all. Still she was impressed: dealing with the Plaguire sounded hard work. "Are the Ent's recovered from the Plaguire?" she asked. She rarely interacted with them. In fact she found it hard to remember the last time she'd taken a message from her mistress to Treebeard... perhaps it was time to remedy that: she could go see him herself anyway. See what the old tree was up to.

"The Living Spell had... well, I wouldn't quite call it a personality," Radagast answered the others.

"It is not the first such creature to walk the land, which is why it had the name Plaguire, though I have no idea who gave it to it. Given the nature of the spell, it was probably sent by the Necromancer. Yes, I know, the Necromancer was destroyed. But there have been rumors of a new one who has taken up residence in the Mirkwood. The other Keepers were dealing with that."

"As long as the Plaguire... 'lived', he was contaminating the soil around the Ents, transmitting plague through it. We could forestall further damage, but until after we destroyed the Plaguire, healing the Ents was impossible."

"Once destroyed, though, the Ents were healed quickly."

"We also left a few Keepers with Ents in case some other attack on them was made."

"The best thing we can do for the Ents, of course, is re-unite them with the Entwives."

"The only good thing about that story" Tilaleria said thinking hard about it "Is the fact that 'once the Plaguire was destroyed the Ent's got better'. That's a strong indication that the creature is dead. There isn't much other good news...." she bit her lip thinking about what it would be mean if the Necromancer had returned. There were few pictures of the future she could pain that were pleasant. Even worse... "I am still convinced" she continued "that the changes we saw in the Blight were... the bound creatures... the Dragon/Hydra... they reeked of some new power in the world. A new tool of the servant" she tried to get her thoughts clear

"The Plaguire indicates that the Necromancer has returned. The Blight indicates that there is a new servant of the enemy. It seems to me that fighting one of them will be hard, and two even worse. One thing we do know about the Enemy though is that 'Evil Feeds Upon Itself'" she pronounced the capitals "We should be thinking about this as we move against the Enemy's servants."

"In my mind I was thinking that the people that had sent the amulet to you were servants of the new power. And now I am not so sure."

"Dragon?" Elmohtar asks. "You faced a dragon?"

Tavaro, still in his grand form, rumbled dismissively. "It was nothing like one of the great fire drakes, but rather one of its lesser land-bound kin. It was spreading foulness, fire and destruction across the Great Greenwood." But the giant creature seemed to be missing information. "This Necromancer, you say he was here before? Long have I slept, and always have I cared little for the affairs of men and elves."

"You were not the only one that missed it," Radagast replied to Tavaro. "The darkness that began seeping into the Great Greenwood almost 2,000 years ago was the first appearance of the Necromancer when he began building the fortress of Dol Guldur. We did not know that then. It took 50 years before the Wise realized it."

"At first, we thought it was a Nazgul, but then we thought it must be the Witch-King. There were other things happening and we always meant to get back to Dol Guldur. We could not believe that all the bad things that were happening were connected. It was too... preposterous." They also seemed to be unrelated."

"Eventually, we did go to Dol Guldur, and we drove the Necromancer out. The damage had been done, however, and the Mirkwood, as it was now called, would never be the same again."

"None of us could quite put a finger on it, never quite expunge it from the whole forest. It was slippery, elusive. We'd cleanse one area only for it to appear somewhere else. It was seldom dangerous, never outright evil... just perpetually gloomy. It was as if the sun refused to shine on it any more."

"I've spent most of my time and effort keeping it from getting any worse, but it was slowly doing so anyway. I finally had to summon the Keepers."

"Ahhh... The ring-wraiths. I have heard of them, some time ago, before I went to sleep. Ahhh. Servants of the servant of evil. Even now his dark deeds live on, long past the time where he was cast out of this world, and the servant slain." The giant form turned to look at the Great Eagle that accompanied him. "Landroval has told me of his fall. And not soon enough it had come. Still, it surprises me to hear that its servants live on until this day."

"I met an Ice Dragon before I joined the others. At first I thought it was an Ice Drake" she grimaced at the memory "I was nearly over confident and thought I could deal with it. But a dead messenger is of no value to anyone, so I fled it. It was as well that I avoided it, as I quickly realised it was more than I first thought. Perhaps I would of prevailed, perhaps not. The Ice Drake had been 'chained' where it was. Chained by the temperature around it. Perhaps it was kept there to guard something, or as a pet, or for purposes even more vile"

"The dragon/hydra that Tavaro dismisses was a second creature. It was perhaps more disturbing. It had many heads, each breathing a different attack. It reeked of manipulation and sorcery. That magic is not the magic of death, not the magic of the Necromancer. It smelled different, tasted differently" she shrugged "I have not met the Ring Wraiths although my mistress has taught me much lore about them. I do think that either dragon was created by such as they"

She nodded to Radagast's tale, remembering countless trips during that cleansing.

Realizing the need to vacate, Borjnen quickly jumps down from the wagon landing with a loud thud. The trip through the Brown Lands did little for him. At least the disconnect from the land was offset well enough riding through rather than walking. On the bright side, with all the free time his axe was now the sharpest it has been in many weeks.
Turning to Saxon, "Thanks fer the ride, I think from 'ere on out i'll walk."

Ancient memories came to Tavaro unbidden, and he spoke in a grim, resonant tone. "Created? No, no... the making of such a creature is beyond such lesser beings. It was the first Dark Lord who made these creatures when he walked these shores, along with many other foul things, long, long before the ring-wraiths were made by the second Dark Lord. The great drakes were his battering rams for his armies, his greatest concentrated force of power. Terrible they were, powerful in body and mind, and they could only be slain at great cost. Great too was the destruction they wrought in those days, and many an age did I spend repairing their damage. For sadly the drakes bred and multiplied, but thankfully their greater kin are a rare sight in this age. The creature we had slain was but a lesser kin of the great drakes of old. I do not believe it could even speak. Perhaps one day they will even be extinct. The world will sigh in relief at their passing.."

"I have realized that something was stirring in Mirkwood, things there have recently turned far worse than they have ever been in my time." Elmohtar says. "But dragons? Master, is it not foolish to seek the entwives in a time such as this? Or do you believe that finding them can somehow help against this growing evil?"

The giant form of Tavaro interceded before radagast could reply. "It would be foolish not to. Their kind has been around for countless seasons. If we were moved to indecision because of their presence, we would never act.

"A lot of what you said about the dragons depends on how you view things, Tavaro" Tilaleria said. "It is pretty clear that that hybrid was not a natural thing. And I think it was a recent thing. It is a thing that I have not heard of in the ancient tales."

"Did the 'creator' form the beast out of air and rock and water? Like you I doubt that, although it is the path of foolish to assume that we know everything and to assume that nothing will every change. It is still the case that that the creator of that thing made a new life that had not been seen before. Personally I find that disturbing"

"I do share your views a little on the Ent wives." she nodded to Tavaro to indicate that agreement "They have been missing for millenia, and this is the first serious clue we have found in that time. It is possible to say that this action is hasty, but there are those that say any action is hasty and would do nothing: constantly considering options while the Enemy acts unopposed"

"Ignoring the matter of the rights and wrongs of rescuing the Entwives right now, I feel that if the Enemy acts here, then we need to know how. Without that intelligence how can the Wise make sensible decisions? Another Plaguire would be bad. It can from somewhere. Let us find out what we can about that"

"There was another hybrid creature in Dol Guldur," Sky speaks up. She'd been listening to all that was said, but the unnerving Brown Lands had dampened her spirit far more than she'd realized. She still preferred the forest to the open plains, but her natural exuberance was slowly returning.

"The Keepers I was with tried to deal with it, but it was vast and monstrous, possibly a cross between a hydra and a kraken. In the dark, we could not fully see it. We may have hurt it, but we could not flush it from its lair, and had to flee to rethink our plan."

"That was when we received the call to aid the Ents. The other Keepers were going to return to Dol Guldur in greater numbers and resources."

Saxon peeked over when they started talking about making dragons. "It really isn't that hard to make something like that. As long as you have the needed materials you can fuse the bits and then revive the body once it is all done."

"The corruption happens from the animating force. If you try to force it with darkmagic, or restart the natural body functions."

"The more important thing is that the animator had enough energy to bring it up, control it, overcharge the spell to forge the living spell, and then had enough magic left over to control the living spell."

"He isn't even in our area of power, likely in a whole other zone. That being said, its no small task to toss that much power around and still keep it hidden. If he or she didn't blow every last ounce of power they had, they are in recovery now."

"Being able to use that much magic is great, but there is still a limit to what someone can do. To that point we have set back any advantage they had when we killed it and the other monsters. it wont be a rapid recovery. Now is time time to marshal some of our own forces in response."

"Well we are those forces that have been marshaled. And we are responding" Tilaleria observed "We are going to rescue the Ent wives. At the least we are going to prevent the vile magic that used them to create the Plaguire" she didn't like to think about that. There was the "obvious way" it could of been done, but she wasn't chasing that. It just made her more keen to get to the Ent Wives, and less likely to waste time on red herrings on the journey

"When we return Sky, all things being equal, we will track down that creature and destroy it. And I think we should explore the Ice Dragon I found as well. As I say I think it was guarding something... I would like to know what"

Borun listened attentively to the talk of dragons and corrupting magic before adding his own opinion.

"We are on the trail of the entwives. That tiny flower is surely a sign that we are on the right track, and we have travelled so far already. We have also declared out intention to find them to the male ents. Once the entwives are safe, I would be happy to help deal with the other threats."

"I suggest we get some rest before continuing," Radagast says, "though I realize that the relief from the Brown Lands has left us a bit excited."

"Rest until noon, and then we continue on."

He follows his own advice, heads to the cabin that Anira has set up again, enters, selects a bed in the corner and lays down. He's soon asleep.

Elmohtar follows his master's example, though he is used to sleeping outdoors, and so sets up his bedroll and tarp nearby.

Tilaleria nodded to Radagast and wandered away from the camp. She would feel better exploring the green around them. After the aerial flight here: thrilling or not, she felt the need to get the dirt beneath her feet, and sense the life. She knew humans needed to sleep, so didn't pressurise them, but the talk around the fire hadn't lessened her desired to get to where the amulet was taking them

While the others who need it rest, Tilaleria scouts the area around them. It is typical plains with gradual rolling hills here and there. Vegetation is just grass and a few wildflowers. About half a mile from the cottage, she comes across a 'path'. She cannot tell if this is a regular path or not because it was made by a large number of horses... several dozen at least. They hoof-prints are shod, and the reasonably orderly way that they passed indicates that they had riders. They clearly weren't wild horses.

They came from the north and rode south about six days ago. There hasn't been enough rain to wash away the tracks, nor enough time for the grass to regrow.


Otherwise, the time passes uneventfully, and noonday hour arrives all too soon. Radagast awakes precisely on time, alert and ready to go.

He expects Saxon will provide another nourishing meal before they set off.

Tavaro had changed into a grand oak tree overnight, as the others would surmise in the morning as they awoke to the sight of the verdant giant in their midst that had not been there the night before. The fact that the mighty Landroval had nested himself in its crown was another indicator to the fact.

As morning came and Radagast got ready, it uprooted itself and took a new form, one more suited to the plains ahead but one no mortal eyes had ever seen. It was a hoofed creature like a horse or stag, but only a single antler grew from its forehead. Its fur was green as moss, but vast and long red manes draped from its every limb, including its tail. Lithe and fast it seemed and this was not a trait the mighty spirit had chosen idly, for he bounded off immediately. Restless it had become, tired of the company of men and elves and their trappings and yearning for the wind and revelry of motion. From afar the group could spy the spirit now and then, for his ranging returned the mighty creature to the group every now and then and on occasion the prince of eagles could be seen overhead as well, doing the same..



http://cs616526.vk.me/v616526850/1bfd/trhDGQOP9Y0.jpg

Elmohtar stares at the strange unicorn, but says nothing. he has grown accustomed to wonders when traveling with his master.

He folds his tarp and bedroll into their sack, and packs it all on the back of his giant bird. He puts on a long-rimmed hat against the noon sun, and is ready to continue the journey.

Anira decided some rest would be in order so had curled up in a bunk as well, having been silent through all the discussions.  She had been asked to help find the ent wives and that's what she intended to do, letting other tasks fall to those Radagast had already assigned.  Not that she wasn't curious about other things but too much curiosity wasn't always a good thing.

When everyone was up and ready, she dismissed the house and then watched as Tavaro turned into a wondrous creature.  Though he may have seen her and the others as small and perhaps petty, she respected and even admired the spirit.  Others took to wing, either their own or friends, but she settled in with Saxon and the others on the wagon.

Half the fun of an adventure was all the meals. It was like alchemy, a number of reagents added can have wondrous effects on people. Today he used up the last of his fruit into a odd salad. A sweetly tart mix with plenty of citrus and sugars to give everyone that much needed kick in the pants.

He set up a number of odd tubes on the counter of his expanded wagon. "A bit of alchemy, pull the cap off, tug the rope on the bottom, and it shoots up a light for others to see if things get really bad."

A quick nourishing meal before he retired was barely enough to sate his appetite so that when he woke around noon, he was ready to eat again. Fortunately, Saxon was as adept at preparing meals as he was at preparing potions.

"Excellent repast, Saxon!" he complemented the chef. "I've been meaning to ask you how praline is made. It seems like it is something an alchemist would have brewed in his lab, but I've always been afraid to ask what it is made of."


Once everyone has awoke and eaten and made what every preparations they need to continue the quest, Radagast is ready to leave.

"What a marvelous creature, Tavaro!" he says to the nature spirit. "Is it... natural? I don't recall ever hearing of such. Does it have a name?"

Once more, the group treks eastward. There would be several hundred miles of plain to cross. Other than the inhabitants, little was known about it.

Tilaleria had taken her repast with the others, then settled down to the journey east. This was new territory. A place that she'd not been to, and heard little of. "Have you been here before Radagast?" she asked as they traveled. She knew he'd known of the inhabitants, but the wise knew of many things.

Tavaro would not have halted for anyone, but it made an exception for Radagast. The creature replied in an eerily haunting sing-song, one clearly not produced by its mouth, but carried from elsewhere..

♪ In days of old, when this place was wylde ♫
♪ Great Yavanna once walked and smiled ♫
♪ Moss and tree, flower and beast ♫
♪ Were made in many forms, one like thysse ♫
♪ But the wylde needs no name ♫
♪ for it is not for men to tame ♫

"Oh, yes, I quite understand. My knowledge of the Wylde pales in comparison to yours," Radagast responds to Tavaro. He still wondered if Tavaro had conscious control over the form that he took, or if it was just a kind of resonance with the Wylde.

He then answered Tilaleria's question.

"No, I have not been in this part of Rhovanion before. There has been too much to tend to in the West--no time to go where I am not wanted. Nothing here for me to tend."

"There is also a... reluctance... I wouldn't go so far as to say a compulsion... to venture eastward. Perhaps there is some great ward on it. After all, we all came from the Far East... Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit, Man... we were all born or created in the East."

"It does seem odd, now that I think about it, that we don't go there, that there's no desire to explore our roots. Perhaps that is something that was built into us at our creation. We went forth and built a world. Maybe when the likes of Morgoth and Sauron can no longer exist we will be allowed to return."

"As for right now, I suspect that our quest, our fellowship... is over-riding whatever force or spirit steers us away."

Anira listened, as Radaghast had come to expect, with unfeigned interest.  Whether it was something more dryly historical or some of his fanciful tales, she obviously admired and respected him deeply.  "Well if that time comes and I'm still around, I would love to go investigating with you," she stated when he'd stopped speaking and no one else seemed to have something to say.

As the group continues on, it's around 5 in the afternoon, just as people are keeping an out for a suitable campsite, when some of you, Tavaro and Otorno particularly, feel a vibration through the ground. It's faint, but it's clearly the hoof beats of horses... lots of horses.

Lady Isile, who once again was scouting from the sky, was returning for camp anyway, but she reports a group of mounted riders coming up from the south. She estimates 100 horses at least.

"Well... Run, Hide or Greet" Tilaleria listed the obvious options, suspecting the others would be thinking the same. As an Elf she would normally just hide at a time like this "Perhaps one of you people that can fly can see what they are like. If they are orcs, we may choose to change our mind" she doubted it though, usually horses meant Men. "I would recommend myself that we move quickly... I doubt if they have horses that can keep up with us"

Under her breath she muttered the words of a spell, one of the few she knew, if it came to a fight it wouldn't hurt to be prepared

"I can fly for a short period of time but cannot change my form," Anira replied with a tinge of regret.  "I've had people not take it so well so perhaps our flying friends can give more detail of the riders," she said, looking to Lady Isile in particular.  "Were they flying any banners or anything unusual about them to give a clue who they might be?"

Tavaro was ranging in the meanwhile, but the tremors did not escape his attention. He breathed deep, and threw out his senses, passing through leaf and wind, to see what was transpiring all around..

Elmohtar, who had traveled on foot with the main group since they broke camp earlier that day, now changes form into a falcon.

"I shall see what that is about." He says before doing so. Then both birds - the falcon and the roc, fly in direction of the sound.

Horses, eh? Borun thought. The teachers at the Diamond Heart Academy had not trained him to fight an army of cavalry. Evasion would be the better option. Yet with so many travellers and a wagon, hiding was impossible. Nevertheless, Borun did his best to disperse the ashes of the campfire and looked around for suitable hiding places or cover.

Tilaleria can outrun the horde. Lady Isile, Tavaro and Elmohtar can fly away. Can Saxon's wagon outrun them? And will it hold everyone else: Anira, Arithal, Borjnen, Borun, Garan, Grimfast, Jak, Orndir, Radagast, Sky and Otorno (Arithal's bear)?


Tavaro tries to commune with nature, and encounters something he's never felt before: Nature in this part doesn't like him! It's kind of like Nature here doesn't speak the same language. It's not overwhelming by any means, but he has to fight it for every scrap of knowledge that should have come easily.

The horsemen are one of the Horse Clans of the Plains of Rhovanion, what most folk call Easterlings. This particular Horse Clan are Dark Riders. They are hard, tough, warriors. 'Nice' isn't even in their vocabulary. Neither is 'mercy'. At best, you could say they are nomadic raiders.

They were on a raid somewhere to the south and are 'returning'. If the group stays where they are, the clan will pass some 5 miles to the west. However, there's no guarantee that the group won't be spotted, particularly with all the flying creatures.

They seem to heading for a watering hole about 10 miles to the north.

Just as his spell is dying out, he is able to sense something else, perhaps the cause of this land's condition--the ground has the 'feel' (touch, stench, taint) of Sauron. It's very faint, but it is all around.


Elmohtar flies over to where the horsemen are. They aren't riding fast, but the fact that there are so many of them affects the ground.

He can see that they are all rather dark-skinned, dark-haired, wearing black armor, only some of which is metal, the rest being leather. They have small round helms with horns and strips of fur around the edge. He does not spot any lances or spears, but various swords, axes, maces and clubs are visible. Many of them also carry crossbows.

The horses are at least semi-warhorses. They are not as large as typical warhorses, but they are all wearing black leather barding and seem to be trained to fight.

The only unusual feature is that the person at front, presumably leading them, is not wearing a helm at the moment, and has flowing white hair.

This message was deleted by the player at 08:33, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

She'd rather have been out scouting herself, but the lands were strange... in ways that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She recognized Tavaro's effort to commune with Nature; she'd done it a few times herself. When it looked like the nature spirit (what else could he be, changing into all those wondrous forms?) was done, she tentatively approached him.

"What did you discover, Tavaro?" she asked. She was as much interested in the details as his wisdom.

"They are men" the spirit replied, not veiling his resentment that he reserves for those who do not attempt to live in harmony with nature. His eyes, the deep orbs of stars, take on a deeper darkness as he speaks. "Men. Men on horses, who bear the same taint as this land does, for I smell upon it the lingering scent of Mordor. They come from the south, and are headed north, to a place where clean water flows. They will pass to the west, but only an hour or so as you walk. You may wish to fly or hide, for their scouts may find you. And as the ground already trembles at their approach, you know their number is beyond you."

"Perhaps they are beyond me," Sky replies with a grim smile as if to say 'don't be so sure', "but they are not beyond all of us."

"However, they have done nothing to us... yet. We need no assistance from them and we are not a diplomatic mission, so I see no need to cross paths or swords with them."

"Saxon, if you take your wagon over there to that gully, the rise should hide you from their sight. None of the rest of us stand up so high, so we should be safe. My concern is for you, Tavaro. I do not think you are in any danger from these riders, but in your current form, they will surely hunt if they spot you."

"Oh! But there's an idea! Would you be adverse to leading them away to the north, so that we can continue on once they pass? You can then turn into mist and rejoin us."

While she agreed with about men and nature, she'd had it explained to her that Morgoth and Sauron did not think that way. To them, those who were connected to nature were the ones in the way. She understood the concept, but she could not resolve it with her own belief.

Elmohtar flies back to the group, and describes what he saw. He pays special detail to the white-haired man.

"Have any of you heard of such a man?"

"Many times have I heard of a man with white hair" Tilaleria commented "Especially in a leadership role. Is there anything other than the indication of his age that makes him stand out? Perhaps the lack of helm is that he doesn't want to get hot and sweaty. I myself, like many of us, don't have a helm"

"He's just showing off," Arithal suggests, "not wearing a helm. On the other hand, if he's an albino, his leadership role is probably compensation for not getting much respect in his youth."

"If he's from the East, none of us are likely to heard of him."

"I say we avoid battle. Although I haven't gotten the impression that this is supposed to be a stealth mission, I don't think it will help us to make waves. Let's go to ground and let the column pass."

"I agree, lets avoid battle. I'll keep an eye on the riders, and you can keep an eye on me, to know where they are." Elmohtar says.

He changes back into a bird, and flies to check on the riders' progression and direction.

"I've seen thousands of men with white hair. In fact most that live a long time get it, or end up with no hair. And I've seen perhaps two albinos" Tilaleria observed. "Was his skin very pink? You could probably of seen that as he had no helm. Mind you if he was an albino he would have to hide from the sun, unless he has magic to ward the rays and keep them from burning him"

She looked around

"One question is 'can we out run them'." she chuckled as she looked as Saxon remembering the chat they had had about this before. "Let's see if your wagon is faster than a troop of Nomads in the short term. We cannot avoid leaving tracks, unless some of you have suitable magics. Mind you mortal horses are restricted to some tens of miles in a day, and I think we can move far further than even the most gifted such horse, so if we can stay in front of them for some hours, they will have to stop unless they want to kill their mounts"

"We probably can outrun them, but they would pursue us," Radagast replies. "It would then become a question of endurance. And we would then have an enemy at our back."

"I think our best option is to hide. Let them pass. The alternative is to engage."

"Can any of you adjust the wind? Change the direction towards us so that their horses won't be able to pick up our scent."

In reply to Radagast the Brown (msg # 59):

"Not I," Borun shook his head sadly. Weather manipulation was rarely required in the dwarven caverns. "However, I am able to create a simple illusion, perhaps something like a boulder formation that might hide us."

OOC: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/...pells/s/silent-image

Tilaleria shrugged in response to Radagast. It was hard for her to see how they weren't going to be spotted: they left many tracks, and the tracks of the wagon were unmistakable. A group that large would have outriders. Perhaps magic would solve some of the problems: she didn't do much magic and certainly nothing on the scale that would be needed to solve this problem. Since it seemed they had stopped she leapt easily into the branches of a nearby tree. Up there she cast one of the small charms she knew, one that would help her if, or when, they got into a fight
This message was last edited by the player at 10:58, Thu 05 Nov 2015.

True, the group may have left tracks, but they haven't left any that the column of mounted men are likely to cross on their current course.

Also the flyers can report that there aren't any outriders. These aren't invaders in some foreign territory--this is their homeland. They don't seem to be concerned about anyone attacking them.

However, since this is their territory, any sudden boulders and such are likely to attract their attention. Rolling grassy hills, on the other hand, all tend to look alike as there aren't any significant landmarks to go by.

Laying low until the column passes is the best course of action... other than attacking them. The men in the column may not be nice people, but they haven't done anything that the group knows to warrant attacking them.

Borun is able to cast his Silent Image spell to make the group appear like just a continuation of the rolling grassland.

It takes about an hour for the column to pass far enough for the group to continue on.

"And they were overconfident and incompetent" Tilaleria said, releived at the end. "I wonder if that is because  have no serious enemies around here? I've never seen a body of troops that big that didn't have scouts out before..." She bit lip thinking "This is both good and bad. It's good that it we want to ambush them, we can easily. And it's good they didn't seee us. It's bad because their confidence is probably backed by the fact that they probably dominate this area, so much they don't need to worry. Still we should celebrate good fortune when it occurs. Nice spell Borun"

She turned and looked at the others

"We were very lucky then. Is there anything we can do to mean that we can carry on being lucky. We are leaving huge tracks at the moment. Do we care about that sort of thing?" She looked at Radagast who had earlier said that he didn't want to be followed "if so do we want to start leaving fewer tracks?"

"Yes, we've been careless... at least a bit," Radagast concurs with Tilaleria. "However, a few of us have the means to eradicate those tracks, perhaps even leave a false trail."

"From now on, we leave no tracks. Can any of you help with that? I'm more adept at dealing with animals."

Tilaleria nodded at Radagast "Could we not get regular groups of animals to trample across our trail? It would be 'notable' but we will need 'something' to mask the very obvious tracks of the wagon." she thought for a while, but decided that her small skills in magic were of little help, and that most of the others were better at woodscraft than herself, so left it in their capable hands.

Anira was quiet and thoughtful, absently stroking the sleeping squirrel on her shoulder.  There were many spells she could access but none that she knew would be helpful in regards to the wagon tracks.  "I have nothing to help I'm afraid," she finally replied apologetically.  "I would just suggest, if others have not the ability to hide the tracks, that we make haste.  They went a different direction and if we are lucky, they will not come this direction anytime soon."

"Ah, yes... a herd of stampeding squirrels would definitely hide our tracks," Radagast responds to Tilaleria humorously. "Out here, though, prairie dogs might be more likely."

"Seriously, without knowing what animals live on the plains here, any such action would be as much a red flag as our own tracks."

"Elmohtar and Tavaro might be able to hide our tracks, otherwise, Anira is probably correct. The column of riders isn't likely to return this way anytime soon. Besides, I don't know how far they might pursue us. How far does their domain extend?"

"Ride on. Lady Isile and Elmohtar can take turns keeping an eye on the column until we our well out of their probable range."


With that, Radagast climbs back up in Saxon's wagon. He climbs in the back this time, where he finds a fishing pole. He sits on the back and appears to start fishing out the back.

Elmohtar does as his master bids. He will certainly warn the others if the riders change direction, but he is also curious about these people and their goals.

If possible, he will try to eavesdrop on conversations, if there are any.

It's hard for Elmohtar to eavesdrop on the column of soldiers as they are prone to trying to shoot him out of the sky.

However, over the course of the next several hours, he manages to overhear a few snippets.

"Who knew the Brundings would have so much treasure!"
"Too bad their weapons were of such poor quality."
"Made them easy to kill."
"Yeah. Don't know that was such a good idea."
"Know whatcha mean. Leave 'em alive to gather more treasure for the next time we raid them!"
"Ha! Truth! Now there's nothing there."


"So where do you think Relonril will lead us next?"
"Dunno. He's feeling his way. Don't think he's strong enough to challenge Rohan."
"They are a myth! But the Westerlings have lots of treasure."
"Maybe. There could be a reason the Dark Lord never sought the treasure of those mountains."
"What? Dwarves? They just scurry off into their damned tunnels like rats!"


"Think he'll attack the giants?"
"Nah. No point. Wood giants ain't got much treasure. Now mountain giants! That's whole 'nother story!"
"I heard wood giants are peaceful. Not much challenge either."
"Well, yeah, until you get them riled. We could battle them and probably win, but it'd be hard to add them to our ranks."
"Truth there! We'd starve to death tryin' to feed them!"
"And then they'd eat us if they got hungry enough!"

============================================================================

The next two days pass uneventfully as the fellowship travels across the rolling grassy Plains of Rhovanion. There is little to no sign of other people having passed this way in a long time. An occasional small campsite is passed, but they are all months old.

At the end of the second day, you spot a forest ahead. It's still several hours travel away; you won't be able to reach it before sundown.

"How is the indicator for the Ent Wives doing" Tilaleria asked. Going through the forest was likely to slow them down a lot. She looked at the people that could fly "Any sign of an easy way round" she asked, then took a careful look at Saxon's wagon. She really couldn't see how they were going to get a wagon through a forest... maybe they could carry it or something... but that looked unlikely. Still Radagast's sledge looked an unlikely vehicle for going through a forest, and that didn't seem to have any problems. Perhaps Radagast had magics that would help...

"I think we'll have to worry about trying to get around tomorrow since I doubt we can even make it anywhere near the treeline before nightfall," Anira stated, shielding her eyes as she looked at the distance they still had to cover.  "We could press on until dark or even past dark if you wish then I can make the shelter for us again," she offered.

Elmohtar shares with the others the things he has learned from eavesdropping on the raiders. Perhaps his master, or one of his companions, would recognize the name of the raisers' leader, Relonril.

"Perhaps we should look for these tree giants? Their name suggest they might know something about the ent-wives, and in any case, if we can befriend them, they might help us with other information about this strange land."

"Need a way to find them and make friendly contact with them" Tilaleria observed mostly agreeing. Mind you she'd not had much luck inteacting with the Giant folk: in her experience they tended to side with the powers of Morgoth. Still Tree-ents were a good counter example, although they too needed to be approached with caution and respect.

"I have no way of easing the wagon's passage through a forest," Borun said, "but we could go up towards it anyway. When we are close, I could scout ahead into the forest and look for any potential danger."

"Relonril is it? Ha. Probably not his birth name," Radagast said. "It is Elven for 'Platinum Bandit'. I wonder if it was a name given to him, or one that he chose himself. Perhaps some day I shall find out."

"No matter. Even from here, the forest looks... strange. I know not how large it is, but I would hate to have to go around it just the same."

"A friendly giant--that is even more unusual. Perhaps you are right, Elmohtar. These giants may be able to give us information... if nothing else, about what to avoid!"

"Your magic house is eminently useful, Anira! With it, we do not need to worry about making camp. So let us spend another hour or so approaching the forest. Perhaps more details will present themselves to us."

"Yes, Borun, scouting might find us the giants we seek... if they don't swat us like insects."

"Alas, Tilaleria, the only friendly way to approach a giant that I ever heard of was to just jump in its mouth. Keeps them from getting annoyed with you."

He directs Saxon to continue on.

Radagast was being 'wise' again Tilaleria realised. That mostly mean she didn't know what she was saying. "Are you saying that that it is unlikely that we'll could make friendly contact" she asked as they continued onwards, although she still didn't really know what they were going to do with the wagon. Perhaps abandon it at the edge. She had to admit it had come a lot further than she had expected, perhaps one of the other mighty magic using people would have a plan for dealing with it "I have to say I am unhappy with the idea of mind raping by magic" she observed. She'd seen people get casual with the use of controlling and manipulative magics, and in her view that line of magic could lead to the Path of Morgoth faster than anything else "Still perhaps someone has a good idea how we might talk with them. Perhaps capture one. Perhaps do the 'I am tougher than you route'. I've found that often strength talks when working with Morgoth's less intellectual minions in a way that reason and compassion doesn't"

"Aye, Tilaleria, I do not like mind-probing other sentient beings, and I only do it--reluctantly--if the need is dire," Radagast replies to the Elven messenger.

"I was not suggesting that. Perhaps just a friendly gesture would suffice. I confess, I have never heard of these forest giants before."

"How say you, Tavaro? Are you familiar with large folk that live in the woods?"

"Oh I was more referring to those spells that dominate, control, or somehow make the target think you are their 'friend'" Tilaleria said. "I was once under the influence of such a spell, and I have to admit it is not an experience I wish to repeat. I too have not heard of forest giants other than Ents. I think it will be interesting to see if the Hand of Morgoth is upon them. Certainly it seems to upon the rest of this land. The stench of corruption is everywhere"

The forest continues to look stranger as you approach it. About an hour before sunset, you can now see that the trees are all growing in neat rows and columns. They appear to be 30 feet tall or so. Oddly, there is no forest detritus on the ground. No leaves, branches, logs, etc. The trunks are far enough apart that Saxon won't have any problem getting his wagon between the rows.

There don't appear to be branches, either, certainly now with leaves on them. The trees are comprised of large leaves.

It is Radagast that finally figures out what you are all seeing, though possible Saxon and Elmohtar do, too--tobacco plants! Giant tobacco plants!

"Well I know a dwarf, and not a few men, that would like the sight of this" Tilaleria commented. "I have to wonder if it smokes as well as the normal stuff" she examined the forest, and quirked a smile at Saxon "And that's just good news as well"

20:15, Today: Tilaleria rolled 28 using 1d20+18 with rolls of 10.  KNow Nature.

Tilaleria is finally able to put two and two together. Rhovanion is known for its fine wine and its... tobacco. What gets exported is the finished product, not the raw broadleaf, which these certainly are.

And the forest giants are probably voadkyn--wood giants, that cultivate the giant tobacco plants.

"Ahhh, wood giants! Now it makes sense," Arithal commented. "Still think we should try to find them and ask directions?"


The Entwives were still far, far away, as he understood it. It didn't seem likely that the Voadkyn would have any accurate information about where the Entwives were. Even if they did, it'd be suspect.

"Well I see a few futures" Tilaleria observed "They will either attack us on sight or not, then will know something about the Ent Wifes that passed through here thousands of years ago, or they won't"

"I am not a betting girl, but if I was, the change of them not attacking us on sight, and actually knowing something isn't something I would wager any significant sum of money of"

"I guess it boils down to 'do we mind possibly having to kill a lot of Wood Giants'. I personally bear them no ill will at the moment. If any of us feel they are sufficiently versed in Wood Giant lore to try the task of peacefully approaching them, I'd be happy to try. If not, I don't particularly want to leave the ground littered with their corpses as we head on"

"I am no diplomat," Borun commented, "but it may be worth asking them anyway, even with only a small chance of gaining useful information. If they attack us on sight, then they deserve what's coming to them."

"I wouldn't mind challenging a wood giant to a game of cards," Jak chimes in. "But I try to avoid combat of any kind if I can."

"I'm with the Messenger. I say push on. We're collecting valuable information on what lies in this area, though I must confess I don't see much use in that information."

"About the only thing the Voadkyn might tell us is what dangers might lie here in there tobacco forest and perhaps beyond."

"What say you, Old Man?" He directs the last at Radagast.

Anira had been quiet since Tilaleria had brought up mind rape, the insinuation that they would so blithely do something like that not setting well with her.  She could and would do something similar if necessary but she also wasn't going to argue with the woman though so instead had focused on other things.  She did nod in agreement with Borun and Jak, more than willing to continue and deal with problems as they continued on the trail.

"I admit that Jak's reasons for contacting the Voadkyn are valid, but only if they have those answers," Radagast responds. "While it seems odd that time should be a factor after all this time, I feel it best that we push on."

"We may have a lot of ground to cover. No one remembers what the Far East held, or even how far away it is, or what may have happened to it in the intervening years."

"We do know that the Entwives are there. Once we find and return them, perhaps then we can explore this area further."

"We move on."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Wed 09 Dec 2015.

 Sky listened to her friend and said. "I agree. We should move in and if need be come back to explore this region better. If there are no objections I'll have Nightbreeze scout ahead for us?"

not sure what time of the day it is or if we need to rest?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:52, Wed 09 Dec 2015.

"I share your views on that Sky" Tilaleria commented "I feel the enemy is moving, we know at a least one Ent Wife has been hideously experimented on, and have no reason to believe that more are not being tormented and twisted. This gives me a sense of urgency."

"It's all very well saying, for example 'don't  hasty', but delay and inaction could mean the end of the Ent Wives, as they are turned into terrible weapons. It is this sense of urgency that is making me want to avoid delays en route. I quite like the idea of exploring these areas. I suspect given a few decades of careful study, it should be quite possible, and very rewarding to talk to the Voadkyn. We know they trade for tobacco, that implies that it is possible to interact with them peacefully."

She nodded to suggestion of aerial scouts. The more the better
This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Wed 09 Dec 2015.

Once again, the Fellowship is in an odd position. It's the end of the day, and while there doesn't seem to be any impending threat traveling through the giant tobacco forest, setting up Anira's cottage would be obvious out here.

It would be quite dark going through the forest. The huge broad leaves of the tobacco would block out all the starlight and moonlight.

"Do we care if the cottage is obvious?" Tilalerial commented "It is pitch black in here at night, and while I can call upon my training to operate in the dark, I am unable to sense anything beyond a stones throw away. My understanding is that even the creatures of Morgoth are similarly restricted"

"MInd you we should probably have a picket line, or rather given our numbers a few guards. I don't need to sleep in the way some of you do, so I am happy to take part in one. A second person woud be good, as would any animals you can ask to keep guard for us"

"Unless a 'patrol' stumbles across us or our tracks, we should be fine." She paused "did any of you good at tracking spot signs of a patrol?"

"I think that it would be sensible to rest here for the night," Borun replied. "I am happy to take part in the nighttime watch."

Sky had her companion take the lead. Now just near the cottage she yearned him back. Sky mumbled a phrase and cast. detect magic Sky then took her pack off and said, "I shall take first watch if that's ok with you all?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:42, Wed 16 Dec 2015.

Anira conjures up her magical cottage again, just outside of the strange tobacco forest.

So, yes, the cottage detects as magical to Sky.

Watches are posted, but the night passes uneventfully. In retrospect, it did seem unlikely that the Voadkyn would be 'tending' the plants at night. The only real concern was the wildlife. Who knew what kinds of creatures might be attracted to these giant plants.

The next day dawns mostly bright and clear, but there are dark, ominous clouds on the southern horizon.

Traveling through the tobacco forest is fairly easy going. The distance between the stalks is more than enough room for Saxon's wagon.

Scouts to the rows left and right can easily provide warning, but it isn't necessary. It takes just over an hour to get to the other side of the forest.

There were sounds heard in the forest, probably Voadkyn tending the plants, but it was far enough away that it wasn't a threat nor was it worth side-tracking.


Once out of the shade of the towering tobacco plants, more rolling plain greets the eye, but there's a slight difference. There are more rocky outcroppings here than on the other side and the hills are a bit higher.

The biggest problem with the journey is that it's long; it's already starting to wear on some of the group.

Creatures can be seen in the distance, perhaps a pack of wolves.

"Well I'm glad to be out of there" Tilaleria commented. There was always just the edgyness of 'did they have to worry about an ambush.

"So... " she shaded her eyes and looked hard. "Wolves. Or Wargs." Tilaleria wasn't the least perceptive of her kin, and hoped to be able to see if there were riders or things like that

"If they are just natural creatures and they decide to fight us, we should control it. I know normal wolves only hunt things the size of a rabbit, but if there are wargs among them all bets are off. We could set them a target, and let that target fall back a little from the others, like a solitary wounded member of a pack. When they close in the others can join in the fight. I'd be happy to be that target. I am smaller than most of you, and they will probably assume that I am the easiest killed."

"I assume if 'the target' was to lure them together you nature magicians have means of restraining them."

Tilaleria paused in thoughts

"They are pack animals. If you were to either control or replace the alpha, would the rest follow you?"

Then continued with

"Mind you if they have riders, it's all moot. We'd have to deal with the riders, and that's a totally different situation"


OOC Perception 48

Sky used her wild empathy and nature sense tword the pack of animals, As she stood at the beasts, she suddenly could feel the pack,their hearts beating, the air flowwing through each members lungs.

Tilaleria does not see any riders on the distant creatures, and they appear to be just wolves, although the pack is rather large.



Sky is able to sense the pack's 'emotions'. The first thing she realizes is that there are three separate packs--meaning three alpha males. Yet they aren't fighting each other.

It's because they are fleeing. There is something they all are afraid of that is pursuing them.

"They are just wolves. Three packs to be accurate. They are scared and fleeing something? Give me a minute." Sky said word in Elvish and began to levitate into the air to get a better view. Once Sky had gotten high enough to make out the surrounding area, she pulled her bow out and notched three arrows. Using her empathy with Nightbreeze, Sky felt a protection sense and had her friend run to the packs and lead them back tword the group.

Sky waited to see what purcuced the three packs before doing anything. Even though Sky despised anything that hurt nature and its animals, unless it was for self preservation. "0nce the packs get close to us form a circle so we will have every direction covered."

Sky was now in her element, a farm with huge plants. Sky waited till she was able to see and the packs were being chased by.

" If we must fight then so be it. If anyone can cast a greese spell? If so then wait till their pack leaders are about to fall behind a bit. Cast the sell in a circle around the evil enemy or whatever it is? After the greese is down I'll use a fire arrow to ignite it. That should give us a nice containment until we either kill or question they might just be hungry, tired, and being squeezed of the three packs hunting ground. so any objections? These plants should be helpful and then we will make a more stealful way tword the cottage." .

"It's personally to me now. I am ready to fight off this threat," Sky told the others.


Sky rolled + 35 perception, plz bear w/ me I hate typing & am using a phone. I wish there was a microphone for this game instead of just texting. And to top it all I lost over a third of my books.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Thu 17 Dec 2015.

Leviteing now for a bit the others found see the bottom of her boots sole tapping up and down. <red>"it could be an ambush?" Sky came.bak to earth and want happy she was ready to get this done.

Sky hoped on her own wolf and scouted ahead. <red>"I'll find out.".<red>
This message was last edited by the player at 07:23, Thu 17 Dec 2015.

"If they are fleeing in terror will they pause to hunt?" Tilaleria asked. "Perhaps if we just move sideways out of their path, they will move past us. We should of course prepare" in fact she prepared right then casting a charm that protected her from fangs and claws a little "I think though that preparing a few hundred yards away from their line of flight should help"

"Do you think you can see what is chasing them, or what they are worried about Sky?" she asked "And are the other animals fleeing, or is it just this wolf pack?"


OOC Shield spell

The wolf packs are fleeing northward, pursued by something from the south. They are about 2 miles away from you.

Nothing is immediately visible of the their pursuers.

The words of the two women wash over him as a breeze, but like a breeze, they carry the scent of their concern. It is not their welfare that concerns him, any more than all creatures of the world concern him, but the tone arouses his senses. Something does concern them.

"Mordor... yet different... a blend of old and new... new blasphemies that taint the land, corrupt the living, invoke the dead," he mutters.

Once again in his hybrid deer form, he turns his head to the southeast, his sight penetrating the distance like the sting of a bee penetrates the skin.

"Orc-but-not-orc. More than Orc, less than Orc. Vile and foul, their very touch is anathema to the living. Their mere presence corrupts the air, carried on the winds for all to sense."

There were clearly times when Tavaro seemed to exist on another plane, or perhaps it was that his own senses were perceiving other times and places. As if coming out of a reverie, he shakes his hand and turns his gaze back to the others in his company.

"You call them gorgun. And perhaps that is how they started, but they have been corrupted beyond all that is natural."

"Black be their skin, red be their eyes, with extra limbs and extra size. Should they but touch a wolf, the wolf will be transformed into a warg--the only beast that could be a suitable companion for their kind."

"The wolves are too close to nature, so easily fall prey to nature's corruption."

"Four and twenty gorgun will soon turn this way, for even as I sense their  corruption, they will surely sense our purity, which is as anathema to them as they are to us."

"This be not a battle we can avoid, nor should we."

"Ah, there it is! The source of the corruption, the architect of their vile construction!"

Tavaro transforms into a giant eagle and takes wing into darkening sky.

Borun frowned at Tavaro's disconcerting words. Mutated orcs with multiple limbs and warg companions would be formidable foes. On top of that, twenty-four of them heavily outnumbered our modest group.

Borun had been considering an illusion spell, but Tavaro implied that the orcs' senses would penetrate such minor magic.

Borun steeled himself for combat. If he was to die here alongside these brave, honourable friends, so be it. He would make the orcs pay heavily.

"Well then Orc blood is on the soup menu today. I've been itching to slay some nasty orcs. I'm sure they know we're here and we know they are there so neither has a surprise advantage. Let's prepare now and kill them once they attack." . Said Skyy.
Oh course Skyy wasn't about to eat blood soup it was a saying. She readied her bow and leaned it against her hip. "I have a couple buffs I can give out but my spells are more suited for pain."

Skyy closed her eyes,said a word or two,then snapped her fingers. She then focused on the three packs of wolves. Sending out the feeling of safety if they came to the group and helped fight the orcs. Skyy took off a black mask and replaced it with one that was white with blue stars. She gave Nightbreeze a loving rub on his neck, then grabbed her bow and notched an arrow.


Ooc cast bless + 1att for group& cast bark skin on Borun lasts 5 min/ +3AC
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Mon 21 Dec 2015.

Skyy heard the worry in Borgun's voice. "No need to fear my friend I have plenty of spells suited for this type of terrain. We will make mincemeat out of these ugly things. So let's set up for a fight, let them come to us and use some of their energy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:37, Mon 21 Dec 2015.

Borun's heavy heart was buoyed by Skyy's confidence. He looked up at the elf and nodded. "Thank you, Skyy. Let us prepare for the battle."

Borun flexed his limbs in a kata.

"Can any of you nature types make the plants grow enough to allow us some structure. It would be ideal if they could only approach us from one direction, and then we can place those that are robust in melee combat in the way, while the other fire missile weapons and spells. It's a simple plan, but I think it would make a big difference. Some sort of Wall of Thorns, or even Plant Growth..."

"We are not as outnumbered as you think," Arithal says as he glances around at everyone. "Counting Otorno and Nightbreeze, there are 18 of us... well, perhaps only 17. I don't think we can count on Tavaro to be of any help, if he returns. He seemed to think that there was some controlling force behind these gorgun. If there is, it may be a match for the Maiar."

"I'm sure some of us can create a barrier, but, alas, that spell is not in my repertoire. I have other things that can handle these creatures, though."

"I have many of the spells you speak of. But we need to wait till they get in range then I can snare and entangle them making easy targets," said Sky. She looked back to the wooded tobacco fields and said, "Let's move back closer to the fields." Sky then cast warp wood making a small shelter with slits to shoot arrows out of.

"Once they attack I'll be able to snare and entangle them using the plants. It shouldn't be a hard fight then."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

Elmohtar, who has been lost in thought for the last day or so, is awakened to danger at hand. Perhaps, he too, senses the coming evil.

He directs his great bird to fly alongside Tavaro, and bring news when the enemy nears.

"With so many plants around I will be able to teleport to essentially any point within this, well, forest, I guess. And take three of you with me. So we can flank them, once they are here. But for now, I can raise a wall to protect us."

He casts Plant Growth to make a kind of fort or wall to best defend them against the oncoming attack.

"My proposal Sky" Tilalera commented "was to prepare the battlefield so that they cannot circle around us. For example some thick undergrowth here and here" she pointed "would mean that they could come at us from only one side, giving us a huge defensive advantage, and allowing those of you who want to stay out of the physical fighting to do so"

"I imagine that her entangling strategy will work extremely well, but if we can funnel the attackers, concentrating their forces by restricting where they can come at us from, then I suspect the spells will work end better"

She nodded to Elmohtar "Please" she said. "The wall is good. You flank, and I will be part of the living wall and bait that you will flank them against. We need something to draw them in after all"

"I think we should be at a disadvantage if we were to stay within the 'forest' of the tobacco plants," Radagast finally speaks up as preparations are made for the expected onslaught of gorguns.

"We will not be able to see them all, nor will we be able to guard each other's back."

"We do not want the wolves to join us, Sky, as the very touch of the gorguns will turn them into wargs to fight against us. We would then be forced to kill them. Alas, there is no way I know of to remove the touch of darkness from them once they have changed. I bear wolves no ill will; they are but another nature's creatures. Respect them, and they will respect you. But they will still eat you if you give them a chance."

"Interesting use of the 'warp wood' spell, Sky. I doubt if the sages would classify these giant tobacco plants as trees, in spite of their size, but it appears magic only takes the size into account."

"Do not remain within your little fort too long, though, or you may find yourself trapped."

"As long as we remain here until the gorguns get closer, then these walls of thorns will channel them to us. Keep in mind that they will only work for a little while; it is quite likely that the gorguns can leap over them to get to us."

When he finishes speaking, he casts his own 'Wall of Thorns' spell on the other side from where Elmohtar had cast his, thus creating a funnel that would--hopefully--channel the gorguns into what was general called a 'kill zone'. While killing was anathema to him, the dark touch of Morgoth could only be dealt with by killing.

Arithal casts Longstrider on himself, but then waits until the gorguns at least come within sight, and it looks like they are heading for the group.

He then casts Barkskin on himself and on Otorno.


"I've got a few spells that might work against these creatures," he offers. "I figured I'd start off with a nice sleet storm as they get closer, and then I can call down lightning on them."

"After that, Otorno and I will go into melee with whatever is left of them."

Tilaleria moved to the front of the cone. She was going to be bait. "When they see me, I will flee along the funnel a short way" she commented. She was almost as ready as she could be "When they get about a minute away could you let us know" she asked the flying scouts

From above there was a loud screech from the eagle that was flying overhead.

Anira had also voiced her wishes to not involve the wolves.  Like Radagast and a few others, she respected the wolves and did not wish for any of them to be injured or transformed into something hideous.  They were all preparing for battle and she cast a spell upon herself as the tiny squirrel disappeared somewhere in her cloak.  "I can cast an ice storm and lightning as well," she said, giving Arithal a nod and readying her bow.  "I can also bring some fire into the mix though I would rather not ignite the tobacco forest."

---

Casting Mage Armor so AC now 26.

There are still a few rounds before the gorguns reach the group, so there is time to prepare.

This is the current scene:


           Walls of thorns
           \             /
            \           /
             \         /
              \       /
               \     /
                \___/ Sky's fort
O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O
          Giant tobacco plants
O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O

O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O   O




Anyone going to cast range spells will have two chances to do so. The first is when the gorguns reach the opening of the funnel. The second will be when the gorguns get about 2/3 way through the funnel because they'll be starting to get in each other's way by then.

After that, it'll be down to melee.

Tilaleria positioned herself near the others. Close to the base of the funnel, as she didn't want to be in the way of any of her companions area of effect spells. As she heard the eagle overhead screech she had cast another defensive spell and used a wand. Her main ones though she was going to wait until the Gorgun's got close.

And finally they did. The moment they came into sight, she cast a haste spell, following it quickly as she walked forwards to get the attention of the Gorgun's with a spell that made her hands sparkle with a mixture of ice and lightning.

OOC Initiative 21
Please note I have cast haste on most people, the round before you all start spell casting. You decide if you have it or not. It will be active for 9 rounds from when you start spell casting
This message was last edited by the player at 10:13, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

"Well, then, Anira," he says to his compatriot, "shall we stagger our attacks? Lightning and ice one round, then repeat the next round?"

As he said it, though, he couldn't help wondering if this area had ever experienced winter. In the warmth of the land, the sleet and cold wouldn't last long enough to damage anything. It might kill a few of the tobacco plants, but he wasn't expecting them to be in the area of effect.

17:22, Today: Arithal Kodiak rolled 4 using 1d20+3 ((1)) for initiative for he and Otorno. Yikes! The battle may be over by the time he gets to act!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

Saxon pulled his wagon to be sure that it would be on the opposing side of a torn wall from any initial charge from grogons. Given that he stood on top of the wagon. "Yea... if I start throwing bombs around, it will catch the forest on fire as well. Cant even use my ash form without causing issues. I'll save the bombs for when they get clear but for now I will empower my bodyguard."

The red robed thing climbed out of the wagon as Saxon started pouring black smoke from his hand over it.

14:56, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Isile rolled 29 iniaitive

From above she watched and waited for the right moment to blast the foul creatures that pray upon the good land.

Borun nodded at Tilaria. "I have a spell that may hold the gorguns in the funnel. Once you have run through, I shall delay them. May I cast a spell on you that may help to protect you?"

If Tilaria consents, Borun casts Magic Circle Against Evil on her.

Then Borun took up a position hiding behind one of the tobacco plants next to the funnel.

Stealth: 22
Initiative: 13
Ready to cast Black Tentacles after the gorguns enter the funnel

 

As there seem to be no takers on the "teleport and attack from behind" idea - indeed, there was probably enough spell casters among them to make melee an unnecessary risk - Elmohatr assumed once again the form of a falcon and flies up, casting Shield of Faith to protect himself just in case.

Tiloleria flawed an apologetic smie at Elmohtar. She was the bait, the one in front, so she had to stay in front l"that's very kind of you" she said to Borun. "Ah a most potent magic" she commented as the spell was being cast. "Wards against the powers of Morgoth are certainly a good thing". She took the opportunity to win cloth around her hands as she waited

One eyebrow arched as Saxon brought out his "bodyguard" but she simply nodded and turned back to Arithal.  "I'll do the ice first while you do lightning and then we switch," she agreed.  "Be careful," she said with obvious concern to the others, particularly Tilaleria who would be presenting herself as bait.

---

20:44, Today: Anira rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Initiative.
Just let me know when I need to make rolls for spells and I can edit them into here or a new post.

Apologies for the delay. I seem to have painted myself into a corner without realizing it. I suddenly had no idea what was going to happen or how it would happen. The paint has finally dried!


The gorguns are fairly swift, having a speed of 40, but it still takes them half an hour to reach the end of the funnel. The ends of the funnel are tapered off, being nearly non-existent at the ends, so the gorguns are already into the funnel before they realize there are side walls.

On the other hands, they probably can't figure out what their purpose is anyway.

While they travel in a sort of pack, they don't show any kind of pack mentality or tactics. Three of them, however, are clearly in the lead, with the middle one probably being a leader of sorts.

No one really needed to roll initiative; the Fellowship automatically has it--you know they are coming and watch them approach. Initiative in this case is only about which of you goes first.

Initiative Order is then:

29 Lady Isile
24   Orndir
23   Borjnen
21 Tilaleria
21 Anira
21 Radagast
18   Grimfast
17   Garan
16   Saxon
13 Borun
11 Sky
 7   Jak
 6   Elmohtar
 4 Arithal & Otorno

 1 Gorguns

I generated an initiative for anyone that I didn't see an initiative roll from.
If you want to try and better my roll, go for it before your turn comes up.

Not sure what Elmohtar and Saxon are planning on doing.
Those that are indented have to wait until the gorguns get within melee range, as they don't have any ranged combat abilities.

Grimfast and Orndir are support personnel, too; both have cure spells.

So, Lady Isile... you're up! The first of the gorguns enter the mouth of the funnel, which is 120 feet away from the 'fort'.

Waiting till they are in deep enough so they will not be able to turn around she would send a bolt of lightening down the path of them so that most of them feel her blast.

Casting Lightening Bolt.

13:36, Today: Lady Isile rolled 40 using 10d6 with rolls of 6,3,5,4,5,1,3,6,2,5.  Lightening Bolt.
DC 23 Reflex

As soon as the gorguns entered the funnel, Anira called upon the ancient power to help her bring down some frozen mess that might impede the abominations at least a little.

---

Casting Ice Storm - "Great magical hailstones pound down upon casting this spell, dealing 3d6 points of bludgeoning damage and 2d6 points of cold damage to every creature in the area. This damage only occurs once, when the spell is cast. For the remaining duration of the spell, heavy snow and sleet rains down in the area. Creatures inside this area take a -4 penalty on Perception skill checks and the entire area is treated as difficult terrain. At the end of the duration, the snow and hail disappear, leaving no after-effects (other than the damage dealt)."

13:43, Today: Anira rolled 11 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,5.  Ice Storm - Cold Damage.
13:43, Today: Anira rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,2,2.  Ice Storm - Bludgeoning Damage. (sucky rolls!)

Borun waited in hiding patiently for the gorguns to enter the funnel. Then he summoned forth grasping tentacles from the ground to hold the gorguns in place.

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG.../blackTentacles.html


Black tentacles grapple combat manoeuvre roll: 23
 

Apologies for the delay. It's been a rough week. Most of the time I've been too tired to post.


Lady Isile is the first to strike... from above. It's a lot easier to determine those in a line from her aerial viewpoint than it is from the ground. Still, because the gorguns are kind of all spread out at first, the most she can hit with her Lightning Bolt is 7 of them.

They are charging forward in 8 jagged rows, though the front row only has a single gorgun in it. Unfortunately, he can't be target in the line without reducing the number she can hit at once. But then he doesn't look any bigger or nastier than any of the others.


Anira then casts her Ice Storm over the gorguns. The spell does not have a very large radius, but she manages to catch 6 of them in its effects. The spell is weak, and it doesn't look like the hail has any effect on them, but the cold does.


Borun casts Black Tentacles at the front of the group of charging gorguns, and his spell stops them in their tracks as the tentacles grab them. He managed to ensnare 5 of them, and the front three are about 60 feet away from Sky's fort.

The CMD of the gorguns is only 22. However, they cannot break free of the tentacles, but may be able to escape the grapple at the end of the round.


Next up is Radagast and Arithal.

Jak and Sky may be the only ones with range attacks at this point.

He was pretty sure that a single bolt of lightning would not slay one of the gorguns, perhaps not even two or three, but he was hoping it would discourage them from continuing the attack.

On the other hand, if they merely drove the creatures away, they'd attack someone else.

The black tentacles had ensnared several of them, making them easy targets, as Radagast called up a lightning storm.

05:23, Today: Radagast the Brown rolled 20 using 5d6 ((6,5,3,2,4)).

He targets one of the grappled one other than the front three.

There was a short moment Saxon wished he had designed summon bombs, but that was a point for another time. At current the red robed figure stood guard over him as he started going down his list of benefits.

He pulled out a number of vials, mixed them, and sprayed an aerosol over himself. He needed time and freedom to do healings and buff spells.

invisibility
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Sat 30 Jan 2016.

Borun smiled as the charging gorguns became tangled in the waving tentacles. He moved forwards to the edge of the tentacles, ready to strike the first gorgun to break through.

Borun checked to see if any of his companions had moved forwards alongside him. If so, he casts Blur on the ally. Otherwise, if he stands alone, he casts Blur on himself.


http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/blur

Black tentacles damage from first round: 10

Black tentacles grapple check round 2: 24
Black tentacles grapple damage round 2: 7

Arithal decides to hold off until the others have made their attacks because his own attack wasn't that powerful. He wanted to find a soft spot.

He casts Call Lightning, and a bolt of lightning strikes down out of the sky and attacks one of the gorguns in the second rank. He doesn't need a target to be immobilized to hit it.

21:50, Today: Arithal Kodiak rolled 13 using 3d6 ((6,6,1)).

He's got 59 more of them to go. Unfortunately he can only do one per round. He hoped he lived that long!

As expected, the gorguns aren't very smart. 6 more of them push forward into the black tentacles.

Both Radagast and Arithal are calling down lightning bolts. They can do a lot of them, but they aren't potent enough to take out a gorgun with one stroke... not even two or three.

This will soften up the creatures, but it's still going to get down to melee to finish them off.

Tilaleria could hardly be more prepared. She'd had ages to cast preparatory spells. As she moved towards the first Gorgun she could see that posed the biggest immediate threat, she drew in her training to fill her fists with energies that would harm the creatures of Morgoth.

OOC
I don't have a clear view of where the Gorgun's are. If there are any not trapped I'll go for that one. If they are all 'sorted out' I'll go for the one's near Sky.

Because I have to move I only get one attack. I have a move of 60' this round.

Aargh... took longer to catch-up than I thought it would!



All the gorguns are within the funnel of thorns.

Round 1 saw Borun's Black Tentacles spell snare 5 of them.

Round 2 saw another 6 gorguns rush forward into the tentacles.

At the end of round 2, two of the trapped front gorguns were able to break free and move forward. The nature of the attacks so far haven't enabled the gorguns to locate the source of the attacks, but their senses still detect 'prey' ahead of them.


Those of you still in the thorn fort, or otherwise waiting for the gorguns to get close enough, can now attack with range weapons, or move to engage the first two in melee.


Tilaleria has been waiting in the 'kill box' for them to reach her. The first one does and she has no problem hitting it. It is not intimidated by her, but it is staggered.

00:43, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 16 using 1d20+11 ((5)).

He, of course, attacks back!

00:49, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 34,33,36,36 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19 ((15,14,17,17)).

All four of his clawed arms miss... or at least miss doing any damage.



Arithal drops another Lightning Strike down on one of them.

The one thing that Jak had learned over the years was patience. He kept an eye out on the perimeter while he waited for the gorguns to get close enough. As it was, he almost missed his chance as Tilaleria took the battle to one of those that had broken free of the black tentacles. He'd have to remember to thank whoever had cast that spell!

He'd also been waiting for the more powerful spellcasters to 'soften up' the creatures.

He leaped the fort wall and dashed within 30 feet of the one  that Tilaleria wasn't bashing on.

Then he flung his deadly card at it, using Arcane Strike to channel True Strike through it.

06:08, Today: Jak rolled 57,38,12 using 1d20+39,1d20+19,1d4+9 ((18,19,3)).

I sure hope that's a hit... and a critical...

Only 12 points for a hit but 24 if it's a critical.

Before the beast can advance to attack, Jak nimbly dances back to the fort and over the wall, courtesy of his magic boots.

Having already cast Blur on Tilaleria, Borun stepped into the path of the second gorgun and channelled power through his fists.

Swift action: arcane strike
Full-round action: flurry of blows

First attack including Stunning Fist attempt: 36
Stunning Fist Fort save DC 22
Damage: 21

If the gorgun is stunned by the first attack, then Borun continues with the second attack (against lower AC). If the gorgun is not stunned on the first attack, then Borun will attempt Stunning Fist again on the second attack.

Second attack: 26
Stunning Fist Fort save DC (if relevant): 22
Damage: 15

If neither of the first two attacks achieved stun, Borun will not attempt Stunning Fist again.

Third attack: 27
Damage: 13

Fourth attack: 22
Damage: 17

If the gorgun was stunned by either of the first two attacks, Borun gains two more attacks with Medusa's Wrath.

First Medusa's Wrath attack: 25
Damage: 15

Second Medusa's Wrath attack: natural 1

Although she and Nightbreeze were anxious to get into battle, as an Arcane Archer, she was also quite good with ranged attacks.

She had some of the abilities of the others, but had chosen to let them attack first. She had no justification for feeling this way, but she felt she was the last line of defense.

Well, not by herself... as she glanced at the others that were waiting. Even with Orndir and Garan and Grimfast and Arithal and the Dwarves, they could be overrun by the gorguns in such massive numbers. No, this plan was the smart and safe way to go. Cut down their numbers before they ever got into melee.

She was wearing the Mask of the Archmage at the moment, and deciding to help whittle down the numbers from behind her makeshift fort. She cast Scorching Ray at the next one still trapped in the tentacles.

19:54, Today: Sky Sheer'enn rolled 26,8 using 1d20+15,4d6+2 ((11,1,2,2,1)).

"Well, that could have gone better," she commented to those beside her. "Just barely hit the brute, and didn't do so well at that!"

She still had two more rays to use; hopefully they'd work better.

The two lead gorguns are getting hit quite a lot, but neither of them has gone down yet. The one on the left (the 'leader') was not shaken, but it is staggered.

The second one was not stunned by Borun's flurry of blows, but the damage has taken its toll on the creature. Since he wasn't stunned (just barely), Borun never got the Medusa's Wrath attacks, so no fumble.

The creature strikes back with its four arms.


20:22, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 36,10,32,15 using 1d20+19,1d8+9,1d20+19,1d8+9 ((17,1,13,6)).

20:23, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 33,16,22,10 using 1d20+19,1d8+9,1d20+19,1d8+9 ((14,7,3,1))

The gorgun manages to hit Borun twice, for 10 points of damage with the first hit, and 16 points with the second.


Sky's scorching ray just barely strikes an entangled gorgun and does almost minimal damage.


At the end of the round, three of the gorguns trapped by the tentacles break free, though no more enter that area. They are momentarily unsure of how to proceed (they aren't fast thinkers).

Arithal drops another lightning bolt on one of them.


As far as the gorguns are concerned, it's just mass confusion. Anyone with spells or ranged attacks can attack pretty much at will. There are enough characters to keep watch to make sure none of them 'break away from the herd'.

Tilaleria gave silent thanks to her trainers, and to the good luck that had allowed them to prepare for this. Without that preparation she suspected that the flurry of blows from the vile creature would of been pretty devastating. As it was, it was only by the skin of her teeth, and her mistress's training that she'd survived it

Still she had survived it, and she didn't want to mess around with this thing. There were plenty more and just the fact they had survived the magical onslaught indicated how tough they were!

Her fists and feet moved. The essence of her fighting style was to deny the opponent the opportunity to attack, while creating opportunities to strike at full power with deflection or parrying. As the Gorgun's attacked her, she put this into practice every movement an attack, every piece of footwork a kick, every parry an attack as deadly as a sword blow.

Once again, Tilaleria has no problem hitting the gorgun. In fact, her first two blows kill it just as two of the others that escaped the black tentacles charge forward.

She gets an attack of opportunity on each of them as they enter one of her threatened squares, and then she attacks the first one with her 3rd flurry attack, and kills it.

She now uses her 4th flurry attack against the other one, which turns out to be a critical, doing maximum damage of 48 points, and killing that one.


Arithal drops another lighting bolt on one at the end of the round.


Two more gorguns break free of the tentacles and surge forward.


At the end of the round, Tilaleria is standing amid three dead gorguns. Borun is engaged with two more, and another two are moving forward.


Sky shoots another Scorching Ray at the same gorgun at the beginning of the next round, who happens to be one that just got loose.

19:45, Today: Azurak the Blue, on behalf of Sky Sheer'enn, rolled 26,21 using 1d20+15,4d6+2 ((11,6,6,3,4)).

Borun was dismayed to see the gorgun resist his attempt to disable it. Worse still, Borun himself suffered two blows from the creature. At least Borun's False Life spell soaked up the worst of the injuries, but now the spell was depleted.

He was encouraged by Tilaleria's more successful attack on the monsters. Borun was prepared to continue his offensive and hopefully buy more time for his companions.

Same as last turn

Swift action: arcane strike
Full-round action: flurry of blows

First attack with Stunning Fist attempt: 24
Stunning Fist Fort save DC 22
First attack damage: 12

Again, if the gorgun was stunned by the first attack, Borun will continue making normal attacks (against the lower AC). If not stunned, Borun shall attempt Stunning Fist again.

Second attack roll: 23
Stunning Fist (if relevant) DC 22
Second attack damage: 16

If both of the first two Stunning Fist attempts failed, Borun will not try that again.

Third attack roll: 22
Third attack damage: 19

Fourth attack roll: 27
Fourth attack damage: 15

If the gorgun was stunned by either of the first two attacks, he gains two more attacks with Medusa's Wrath.

First Medusa's Wrath attack: 32
Damage: 12

Second Medusa's Wrath attack: 35
Damage: 17

Current hp: 134 of 140

Everyone was throwing lightning, and fire, and physical harm... So not wanting to be left out Saxon took a few chemicals and mixed quickly.

With a shake and a toss he placed one of his makeshift grenades in the largest mass of gorgons presented.Today: Saxon the Dead Smith rolled 14 using 5d6 with rolls of 1,5,2,2,4.

Breathing a sigh of relief that they had fallen so quickly: mostly thanks to the horrific magical damage they had endured on the way in, Tiloleria moved to intercept the two that had just got free, attacking one as she got close to it, and preparing to deal with the onslaught of both. She could see Borun was dealing with his two, that the others were putting the hurt into the ones trapped, so these two were probably her's

Arithal drops another lightning bolt from the sky... for only 8 points. He's going to start targeting the ones at the back, in an effort to whittle down the numbers as well as drive the rest forward into the kill zone.


20:03, Today: Arithal Kodiak rolled 4,15,10,9,14,9,14 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6 ((1,2,1;6,5,4;2,5,3;3,3,3;6,2,6;2,2,5;6,4,4)).


Since he's got 7 more of those to drop, I just rolled for all 7 of them... apply one per round as needed.

Seeing more of the gorguns breaking loose from the black tentacles and thus moving into melee range, Elmohtar realizes it's time for him to contribute some more.

He casts another spell--Summon Monster V, calling forth a Dire Lion that springs to attack those just escaping from the tentacles.

His talents hardly lie in the realm of tactics and generalship, so it isn't his place to direct the efforts of the others. In any case, his direction doesn't seem to be needed. The others are working effectively as a unit if not quite a team.

He also doesn't have any spells that would harm others; that would go against his very nature as a Keeper. Not that there aren't creatures that shouldn't be destroyed, but they usually manage to do that themselves.

Still, Radagast keeps watch over the battle. He spots Lady Isile flying over head in bird form, knowing she is doing the same.

He knows Grimfast and Orndir are more like him... healers, not harmers. If any of the gorguns make it to the fort, though, that philosophy will be sorely tested.

The kill box was getting a bit too crowded for him to repeat his previous tactic, plus his True Strike spell was used up. Instead, he decided to target the two gorguns that were converging on Tilaleria.

With the flick of a wrist, both of his hands spat out a lethal Harrow card.


23:17, Today: Jak rolled 29,32,10,12 using 1d20+19,1d20+17,1d4+9,1d4+9 ((10,15,1,3)).


First card to the gorgun on the left, second to the one on the right.

That went better than he expected.

Ack! Jury Duty. Messed me up for the whole week!


The battle rages on!

As long as Borun and Tilaleria are out in the 'kill box' dealing with the gorguns that break loose, there's not really sufficient room for the others to engage in melee, so, for the moment, they remain in the 'fort'. Not that there are many of them.

Borun only manages to hit one of the gorguns on him with his 4th attack. He can tell it's on its last legs, so to speak, but the other one that moved up is still strong.

Fortunately, Elmohtar's Dire Lion leaps on the second one. Since the gorgun moved this round, it doesn't get its full attacks.

The same is true for the two on Tilaleria.

17:49, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 31,29,20,37,20 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19 ((12,10,1,18,1)). Save vs. Tilaleria, atk on Borun, atk on lion, atk on Tilaleria, atk on Tilaleria.

Tilaleria's attack hits, but the gorgun isn't staggered; it's really hard to do (they'd have to roll a 1).

Borun is hit again. So is not. The gorgun that Tilaleria hit just barely manages to hit her back!

18:05, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 17,11 using 1d8+9,1d8+9 ((8,2)). Damage.

Borun takes 17 points of damage, Tilaleria takes 11 points of damage.

Tilaleria's AoO against the second one that missed her just barely hits (because it 'fumbled').

The black tentacles will only last two more rounds.

Arithal's lightning strikes continue to hit random targets, as do Radagast's lightning strikes.

There are only 3 gorguns still trapped in the black tentacles, leaving 13 still on the other side of them. One of them decides to try the thorn bushes that are fencing them in. After taking a bit of damage from them, and not having a weapon to chop them away, he finally decides to jump over them.

Several of the other gorguns follow his example. 4 jump over the left side, 4 jump over the right side (though one doesn't quite make it and lands in the thorns before tumbling out the other side. The remaining 5, not as agile perhaps, decide to take on the black tentacles. No doubt they think their comrades up front are having all the fun!

Borun winced as the gorgun's axe bit into his flesh. Still, it would take a lot more than one axe wound to fell a graduate of the Diamond Heart Academy.

Similar to before, but I won't attempt Stunning Fist again. Their Fort saves seem to be too high.

Swift action: arcane strike
Full-round action: flurry of blows

First attack: 25
First attack damage: 17

Second attack: 30
Second attack damage: 17

Third attack: 21

Fourth attack: 28
Fourth attack damage: 16

Actually, I did know that Borun had cast Blur on Tilaleria, but just forgot to check for it. Going with the 'high is good, low is bad' rule, rolling 81-100 would mean she was missed.

07:57, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 99 using 1d100 ((99)).

Guess the gorgun's attack missed her after all... or perhaps it was just a glancing blow that did no damage.

Tilaleria's eyes opened wide with worry as the one of the Gorgun's fists came straight for her despite her every effort. There was a little breath of relief as Borun's magical protection saved her. It was time to end this fight, Tilaleria decided and she called on the lessons of her mistress to cause the light of Eärendil to shine as she moved even closer to the Gorgun, moving her body in line with it's movements making it look almost as though they were dancing together.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Sat 12 Mar 2016.

The Half-Orc hated waiting, but he wasn't really impatient. He fully understood the reason for the strategy and the tactics of the battle. He wasn't at all sure he could have fared as well as the Messenger in that sort of battle, but letting the forefront of the gorguns break against the wall of warriors meant that Garan and the others behind the fort would have to take the battle to those behind.

He wasn't sure if he was the first one to spot the gorguns that jumped the thorns, but he was mildly surprised at the effort and ability. It was the opportunity, though, that he was looking for.

He ran out from around the side of the fort and charged the gorguns on the left, activating his rage as he ran. Just before reaching the first one, though, he breathed his green dragon breath on it. Then he used his Boots of Springing and Striding to leap the last 30 feet to come down on top of it.

20:31, Today: Garan rolled 34 using 10d6 ((1,6,2,1,4,1,6,2,5,6)). Dragon breath

Breath was first move. Leaping attack was second move. Moving only allows one attack, so he's doing a berserk claw strike with Vampiric Touch!

20:47, Today: Garan rolled 28,36,6 using 1d20+22,3d6+23,1d6 ((6,6,6,1,6)). Claw attack, damage,+1d6 acid.

20:50, Today: Garan rolled 19 using 5d6 ((2,6,4,4,3)). Vampiric Touch.

More so than even Radagast, the Beorning was a creature of the land. The gorguns were an affront to nature. Even an Orc had its place in the Scheme of Things, much like vermin. The Orcs of the Dark Lord had been corrupted and twisted away from that... into something foul and vile... the antithesis of green and growing things, an enemy of Nature.

Unlike the Half-Orc, Grimfast was not keen to rush into battle. He did so when it was necessary, but it wasn't in his nature. When the gorguns came over and around the thorns, though, he was only slightly behind Garan to charge out from behind the fort. He went to the right, though, wild-shaping into his bear form as he ran.

Also unlike the Half-Orc, he not only had no way to take the battle to them so quickly, he was more prudent, and decided to wait for them to come to him.

He judged their speed again... about 40 feet (per round), and stopped at that range, stood up on his hind legs and roared out a challenge to them. It was as much a disguise for his spell-casting. He cast Greater Thunderstomp.

21:32, Today: Grimfast rolled 26 using 1d20+15 ((11)). CMB vs. trip!

Like the other warriors, Sky had been biding her time. The range was a bit longer regardless of how accurate she was, but she didn't want to waste arrows. Normal arrows, not a problem. Magical arrows, not so much.

Admittedly, she added her magic to the arrows, but that was limited, too.

Now that some of the gorguns had broken confinement, and were drawing closer, she had to laugh a bit at their foolishness. No doubt they thought the fort held 'victims' or loot. It was literally a blind, though, and instead of victims, it held death.

She would have liked to have joined in on the melee end of battle, but as long as the Istari and Arithal were dropping lightning bolts on the back of the beasts, someone needed to stay and defend them, just in case a gorgun broke through the wall of slaughter that was Tilaleria and Borun.

"Hey, Jak! I can provide fire support for the melee on the left here. Can you do the same on the right flank?" she called out to the Cardcaster.

Matching actions to her words, she let off a pair of arrows at the gorguns flanking Garan.

21:57, Today: Sky Sheer'enn rolled 35,38,16,14,21 using 1d20+23,1d20+23,1d10+10,1d10+10,4d6+2 ((12,15,6,4,6,4,6,3)). 1st arrow, 2nd arrow, damage, damage, and Scorching Ray with 1st arrow.

"I had the same thought in mind!" Jak called back to Sky. "You just said it first!"

"Yell if you are in danger of being overrun! I'll do the same here!"


With Radagast and Elmohtar still in the fort, he really didn't have any concerns about the fort being overrun, but he really wasn't sure what they could do. He couldn't even imagine Radagast being killed by the likes of these gorguns.


Fortunately, these beasts didn't have any ranged weapons, so he leaped up onto the top of the fort and flung a pair of energy-charged cards at the gorguns Grimfast was challenging.

21:36, Today: Jak rolled 36,38,10,13,12,17 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d4+9,1d4+9,4d6,4d6 ((17,19,1,4,3,4,1,4,6,1,4,6)). card attack, card attack, card damage, card damage, frigid touch damage, frigid touch damage.

Assuming Grimfast was more or less in the middle, he tosses one card to the left, one card to the right, imbuing them with his Frigid Touch spell. Since these are ammunition, he can imbue both at the same time. But, of course, the cards are chewed up in the process. Fortunately, he has several decks in his pockets.

Borun attacks with a flurry of blows again, but only hits with his 2nd and 4th strikes. Three of the gorguns in the black tentacles broke out, and one moved to engage Borun, who hadn't yet disposed of his other foe.


Tilaleria attacks with a flurry of blows, too. She hits with 4 of them, only her 3rd one missing. Two of these gorguns on her were the ones in the black tentacles that broke loose. Three of her attacks kill one of them, and she's able to land her 5th blow on the other one.


Garan attacks a gorgun that jumped the thorns and is trying to circle around on the left flank. His green dragon breath attack combined with his vampiric berserking rage claw strike reduces the creature to 1hp left!


Grimfast moved out on the right flank to deal with those gorguns that were attempting a flanking maneuver. However, as soon as he was in range, he cast Greater Thunderstomp, and knocked all 4 of them off their feet.


Sky's 1st arrow carrying with it her scorching ray delivers devastating damage to the outside gorgun flanking Garan, and her 2nd arrow finishes it off.


Jak's pair of card attacks both hit the gorgun on the inside of where Grimfast had tripped them. That would make the outer gorgun take a few seconds longer to reach the fort... if he made it that far.


At the end of the round...

There are 3 remaining gorguns outside the thorn barrier on the left flank.
There are 3 remaining gorguns outside the thorn barrier on the right flank, but are prone from being tripped by Grimfast's spell.
There are 2 gorguns on Borun, one of which is on his last legs.
There is only 1 gorgun left on Tilaleria.
There are 5 gorguns stuck in the black tentacles.

Just a reminder, anyone trapped in the black tentacles takes damage each round.

Those gorguns still standing now get their attack.

Gorgun #24 on Garan gets all 4 attacks because he didn't move--Garan did all the moving.

16:27, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 27,34,33,30 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19 ((8,15,14,11)).

Because he's only got 1hp left, he's too weak to get all his attack bonuses, but only one of them miss.

16:32, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 10,12,13 using 1d8+9,1d8+9,1d8+9 ((1,3,4)).

Garan takes 35 points of damage from the creature's fairly feeble attacks.

Gorgun #15 is also able to attack Garan.

16:37, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 36,37,32,36 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19 ((17,18,13,17)).

This one is more or less fresh, having only been hit by a lightning strike once. He manages to hit Garan with all 4 attacks.

16:40, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 12,10,16,10 using 1d8+9,1d8+9,1d8+9,1d8+9 ((3,1,7,1)). That's gonna hurt!

Garan's down to 112hp.


Grimfast doesn't get attacked because the gorguns on  his side are all prone.


Borun has two gorguns on him, but one moved this round so only gets one attack. The other one is weak, though.

16:53, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 38,25,21,23 using 1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19,1d20+19 ((19,6,2,4)). About right.

Borun gets hit only once.

16:56, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 12 using 1d8+9 ((3)). Again, about right.

Borun takes 12 points of damage.

16:58, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 26,16 using 1d20+19,1d8+9 ((7,7)).

That's a miss.

And the gorgun on Tilaleria, having moved this round, only gets 1 attack.

17:00, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 27,17 using 1d20+19,1d8+9 ((8,8)).

And that's a miss, giving her an attack of opportunity on him. She easily hits him.

As sometimes happened in a fight, Tilaleria had plenty of time to reflect. Her opponent was very dangerous. Very dangerous indeed. But brutish, and she had trained for centuries to deal with things like this, and that gave her the luxury of being able to take in the battle field

So ... nothing catastrophically had happened, but it wasn't going well. She'd rather hoped that the wizards would crush these creatures under their spells and alchemical concoctions but that hadn't happened. She could see over a dozen left without taking any effort at all. The tentacles were doing a marvelous job, but they were only going to hold the Gorgun's for a few more seconds...a minute at the most. So she and the others had to deal with the active ones.

"You break right, I'll get the ones to the left" she shouted to Borun and followed her words with actions. At the moment she was only keeping one dealt with. She suspected the blood rage of the one she'd hit a couple of times, would keep it focused just on her as she leapt away, leaping over the wall of thorns as though it wasn't there, casting a minor spell as she did, before landing in front of the three on the left

OOC
Move action: Move to the three Gorgun's at the left
Standard action: Cast Frostbite

Borun nodded at Tilaleria's recommendation. He focused his blows on the gorguns to the right.

Swift action: arcane strike
Full-round action: flurry of blows

First attack: natural 20!
Critical confirmation: 31
Normal damage: 19
Extra critical damage (if the attack was a successful critical): 15

Second attack: 22

Third attack: 21

Fourth attack: 28
Fourth attack damage: 14

Current hp: 105 of 134

The advantage of the funnel of thorns was that it kept too many of the gorgons coming through at once. The disadvantage is that it meant there wasn't room for everyone to attack the gorguns either.


Now that the gorguns had jumped the fence, there was lots of room and a lot of targets.

Grimfast had been the second to leap out from behind the makeshift fort, and had done an impressive job of knocking all four of the gorguns down before they could attack. It would take them time to recover, and for Grimfast to react, so Borjnen dashed over that way to lend a hand.

Getting to a target meant he could only get in one attack with his axe. He was much better at bull rushing his enemy.

00:21, Today: Borjnen Boulderol rolled 31,19 using 1d20+19,1d10+9 ((12,10)). Attack and damage.


"Hey-O, Grimfast! Well, that went better than I expected. They are much easier to hit when they are on the ground. That's why I like to bulrush them first! You took all the fun out of this one, though!"

Not being one of the battle sorts, he'd kept himself in reserve. If the plan had gone another way, he could have summoned an assortment of creatures to fight for him. He could see that the tide of battle had finally turned in the Keepers' favor, and saw that as his cue to finally take action... to make sure the tide didn't swing back the other way.

He cast his summoning spell and brought forth a celestial dire lion... and sent it right down the center as Tilaleria jumped the hedge of thorns to the left, leaving Borun to deal with three gorguns... and the ones breaking out of the black tentacles.

The battle rages on for another dozen rounds or so, but by now the outcome was already assured. Although the gorguns were rather durable, they weren't particularly adept at combat. Ferociousness futilely tried to make up for skill.


The spell-casters had softened up most of them to the point where they were easily defeated in melee. Still, when the last one fell, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


Apologies once again for the delay. In this case, I was just procrastinating while I tried to figure out what to do about this game.

There seems to be only 2 or 3 people still posting, so I was debating on whether to continue this game.

As for the combat, I really had no idea how it would go at the beginning. I'd been half expecting the spell-casters to eliminate half of the gorguns right off the bat, but that didn't happen, so it turned into actual combat. It was close to impossible for the gorguns to hit anyone, so it was mostly just a case of attrition.

At this point, the end was obvious, so I felt it'd be pointless to continue the battle (even if a few players were enjoying it).

So, the question now is: do we continue? Are there enough players left to make it worthwhile to go on?

In the aftermath of the battle with the gorguns, everyone decides it's best to rest instead of moving out. It also takes a little while to restore the area to its pristine condition.

Aerial scouting does not detect any other threats. Although those that can fly can see a long distance when they are airborne, it doesn't give them a good perspective, or a lot of detail. Mountains can be seen in the distance, but it is uncertain how far away they are.

The night spent in the shelter of the giant tobacco plants passes uneventfully.

The next morning, the fellowship heads out early. The Ent-wives device still indicates that they lie farther to the east.

That day, and the next day and the day after that, passes uneventfully. It's almost like a walk in the park... if the park was a hundred miles across!

Finally, on the third day, hills can be spotted ahead, marking the end of the Plains of Rhovanion. It will take another day to reach the hills, though. By then, you will have passed beyond the ken of mortal men. Truly no one from the West has ventured this far east. Knowledge of the hills in nearly non-existent. Only a name is known: the Dorwinion Drift.

"It is a long time since I've been able to say 'I've never been this far from home before'" Tiloleria observed rather happily. She loved to travel and she loved to stay at home. Which ever she was doing at any one point in time was the one she preferred. "It is good as well that the taint we felt heavy on the land is not so noticeable here.

"It has an interesting name this place. Do any of you have any clue as to why it is called such?"


Do I have any idea?
23:58, Today: Tilaleria rolled 32 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 15.  Knowledge geography.

As the last gorgun fell, Borun heaved a sigh of relief. They were tough - tougher than he expected. However the tactical advantage of the choke point allowed the smaller group of companions to defeat the monsters.

Borun looked around at his friends, ready to administer healing to the injured. Fortunately no-one was seriously injured - indeed Borun himself seemed to have suffered the most. After a brief rest, the group headed forth.

Despite the pleasant countryside, Borun remained suspicious. It was only a matter of time before Mordor's taint arrived here. No doubt orcs, gorguns and worse were waiting in ambush just around the next hillock.

"Dorwinion Drift, huh?" Borun shrugged at Tilaleria's question. "The names of Men have little relevance in our halls."

Information about the East is sparser and sparser the farther you go, but there have been rumors of the Drift... according to some rumors, it's called the Drift because the hills... drift. They move. Slowly, but not in a straight line. Across the 200 miles or so, new hills slowly form to the north and drift south until they disappear.

Then there's the tale of the Dark Towers--two of them. This is an even more nebulous rumor, but probably more made-up than factual. Since the hills drift and disappear, any towers on them would vanish, too, wouldn't they? So to get around that 'contradiction', the towers also move, which is why they are also known as the Towers That Walk.

It also said that Men of Darkness live in them, but that may only be an association based on words.

As near as anyone can tell, these 'tales' come from Wainriders of Rhun, who may, in turn, have gotten them from trading with the Men of Darkness.

"You're saying the hills themselves move around?" Borun narrowed his eyes suspiciously and frowned. Then he suddenly burst out laughing, almost doubling over. "Hoho, that's a good one! You almost had me for a minute." The companions have not seen Borun so animated since the journey began. "Those superstitious humans love their tall tales." Borun coughed self-consciously and sobered up. "Present company excepted of course."

"Most folk don't believe that trees can move around and talk, and yet there are Ents," Radagast comments as he pulls his pipe from out of his beard and begins puffing on it. "As dark as Sauron and Mordor can get, none of that particularly surprises us, though perhaps we've just become used to that degree of evil."

"Just because we've never heard of it before doesn't mean that hills can't move. What we take as hills might merely be creatures of the earth."

"What intrigues me are these towers. If the earth moves, it might be a natural phenomenon. Towers that move, however, speak of sorcery."

"In either case, they might have knowledge about the Ent-wives. The hills may have long memories, and the occupants of the towers might have a history."

"The alternative, of course, is to go around the hills. I am not inclined to extend our journey any more than necessary."

Tilaleria listened to the exchange with interest. "I think it's obvious that we should take the quickest and safest route" she commented. "We know that dark forces are messing with the Ent Wives and I would feel bad if we delay enough to mean that another one dies. Either possibility sounds dangerous. Walking towers or moving hills are both quite scary and both have the possibility of being ultimately deadly"

"It is a hard call to say which is the most scary. Given who we are though, I think I prefer the risk of the towers. Borun and I are quite resiliant to magic, and you are one of the Wise.We have a better chance of avoiding the towers than the hills that we walk on I think"

"By a hard call though, I mean that I do not feel strongly about which is the best... or perhaps I should say worst. If either of you have a preference, I'd go with it"

"Then it's into the Drift," Radagast replies.

"Lady Isile can keep aerial watch for these Towers, especially if they are walking."

"I do not intend to detour very far to reach or pursue these towers, though. We must stay focused on our goal."

"Avoiding them is absolutely the best" Tilaleria agreed. She'd expressed that sentiment and was glad to see Radagast had the same view "Is there anything you can suggest to decrease the chance of them spotting us. For example do we go as fast as we can, or should we try and sneak do you think?" From her body language it was obvious she preferred the idea of speed, but was open to the other's views

Borun listened sceptically to Radagast's explanation. Borun was not entirely convinced, but he was prepared to give the benefit of the doubt to the Istari.

Borun pondered Tilaleria's question. "I am agreeable to both options, although I would prefer to make haste. If we are forced to fight our enemies along the way, so be it."

They'd already learned that Saxon's wagon could move fast enough to keep up with most of them. The only one that couldn't was Arithal's bear. Getting it into Saxon's wagon was a bit difficult, but managed. It didn't slow down the wagon, though.


Heading into the Drift, moving rapidly, the group traveled through the day without encountering anything.

There was an odd feeling about the Drift, but nothing out of the ordinary. None of the hills appeared to move, but they could be moving very slowly. As dusk began to fall, Radagast called a halt.

"We'll take a rest for a moment," he told everyone.

"We don't know how wide this Drift is, but we've encountered nothing that was threatening. I don't sense any evil in the area, so I think we should continue to travel through the night... unless any of you need a rest."

Tilaleria looked at the others. Thr question about rest was clearly aimed at them. As an Elf she didn't need rest the way some races did.

"It would be good to be through the Drift" she agreed

"Aye, let's carry on," Borun agreed. "I can see in the dark and I am happy to lead."

Borun shouldered his backpack and prepared to continue the trek.

 Flying overhead she kept a watchful eye for any movement of mountains or any towers with her dark visions she can see a little further than normal eyes.

Lady Isile is able to fly high enough to get a sense of the distance involved. The hills stretch for 130 or so miles, so it will take three days travel to cross them, probably less by traveling at night.

Even from Lady Isile's aerial viewpoint, though, she can't see any movement in the hills.

Travel is about 4 miles an hour. That's a somewhat fast pace but not pushing yourselves too hard. Day travel covered only about 40 miles because of breaks, but night travel will drop to 3 miles an hour and cover only 30 miles.

If Lady Isile wants to continue flying at night, she can, but without vision enhancements, she's not going to be able to see much in the darkness.

Somewhere around 2AM, however, she spots lights in the distance, but it takes nearly an hour of watching them before she can determine that the lights are coming from two towers... and the towers are moving. She can't make out much detail in the darkness, though.

Lady Isile finally returns and lands to report what she saw.

She didn't have a very good sense of how fast the towers were moving, but it wasn't very fast.

"Hmm" Tilaleria commented "If they aren't moving fast you can probably steer us around them. They might pick up our trail at dawn of course, but that should give us time to have a good head start"

"If they do turn and move towards us, could you let us know Sky? We'll probably move from avoidance to going to talk with them. I suggest I go do that openly as I have had probably had more practice approaching strangers than many of you. Could I also suggest that those of you that are sneaky act as backup."

"Moving towers." Borun frowned. "Almost as weird as walking trees," he muttered under his breath.

Borun listened to Tilaleria's suggestion. "'Sneaky', huh? Are you talking about me?" Borun scowled. "We prefer to say 'covert'." Nevertheless, Borun assented to Tilaleria's plan.

"Covert is good" Tilaleria laughed "Myself... I can be very sneaky. As well as being very covert." she punched Borun gently on the shoulder as gesture of affection "Maybe that's too much talking to humans coming out in me"

"You are right they are weird. Still we'll see how it works out" it was obvious she was hiding her nervousness about her plan. Being bait in a negotation was always a dangerous role. She did have training for that role, and some magical defenses, but would they be enough?

"I must say, I am torn between wanting to know more about these walking towers and drifting hills," Radagast offers, "and continuing our quest."

"While they might have valuable information, the question is will they share it willingly? And if they are not friendly?"

"We have no idea how much farther we have to travel, and therefore no idea what else may delay us."

"So, I agree, too, with Tilaleria. Let's avoid the towers."

When there are no other opinions, he directs Saxon to steer his wagon a bit to the south.

Upon entering the Drift, it's actually hard to tell where the Drift actually begins, though Radagast can point out that the grass between the two areas is different, though only slightly so.

The Drift is grass-covered rolling hills, no trees though a few scrub bushes and some rocky outcroppings here and there.

It's about an hour later that you realize that you aren't making as much progress as you should. You quickly figure out that the ground seems to be moving beneath your feet and wheels. However, it's a slow movement. You can increase your speed to compensate for it.

You finally exit the Drift by morning. That is, the Drift ends... at a scarp. Tales tell of it, calling it the Bastion Scarp because it was almost impossible to scale it.

A bit to the north, however, you can see a series of switchback stairs that have been cut into the face. With the sheer rocky cliff face around 200 feet high, that would mean around 250 steps to the top.

There are a number of bird nests on the scarp, where a bird has managed to find a small ledge.

"Well that was just odd" Tilaleria said "I'm glad we went through it. I shall write it in my diaries... gosh .. what a thought. We will be writing things down that no one else will have experienced. It won't be a 'me too' journal. It will be a 'here is the only source...'" she looked a little stunned at the realisation and was quiet for a little while as she thought about it

"Well that will be fun to get up" she observed. "Imagine getting a wagon up there" she paused "Or a sledge..." she suspected that others would have magic to make it possible though.

"Perhaps you aerial scouts could check out that there are no ambushers up there. Borun why don't you and I sn...er ... 'covert' our way over there and covert our way up the steps?"

Borun frowned at Tilaleria's "joke", although an observant viewer might notice the corner of his mouth briefly twitch into a smile.

"Yes, I can scout out the steps with you. Let me go first."

Tilaleria gestured for Borun to go first. As was probably not too much of a surprise she, as an elf, was actually quite good at sneaking along quietly. Something helped by the lack of weapons and armour. Within a short distance she became just another shadow drifting through the bushes



21:35, Today: Tilaleria rolled 39 using 1d20+23 with rolls of 16.  Coverting

Only Elmohtar and Lady Isile have a companion or familiar that can fly, although a few others can shape-change into a flying form while others can summon flying creatures that will scout for them.

Other than that, Lady Isile has been your 'eyes in the sky'.

Seeing the obvious potential threat, she sends her hummingbird aloft, while Elmohtar sends his roc aloft. In Elmohtar's case, the roc has been aloft the whole time; it's a bit like a shark in that has to keep flying.


As Borun and Tilaleria reach the stairs, it becomes obvious to Borun that the stairs were carved by Dwarves. There are quite intricate and elaborate carvings all along the sides and bannister. Even the risers are so carved.

The carvings and runes tell of a great battle fought here several centuries ago, called the Time of the Reckoning. Although Sauron isn't mentioned by name, the impression is that some evil very much like him was responsible.

Many things happened because of that battle: the scarp was raised, and the land on the top was shattered and broken, beyond which the Searing Desert was created. Cities fell. A few that didn't fall were forever altered.

About every twenty steps there is a column that supports the bannister. It is on these columns that runes of warning are carved. The runes are warnings of things to come: the stone trolls, the Fire Beasts of the Pits, Naethrul the Cursed City of the Dead, the Black Rifts, the Great Trolls of Forstani, the Mad Orcs of Belegost, the hummerhorns, the Shining Spires of Sharandor, the Mechanar, the Rovotic, the Vaharadar, and the Avari.

The runes hint that there is a safe way through each of these features, but it doesn't say what they are.

The risers on the steps have images, dates and deeds of Dwarves that died or survived in the battle. Maybe one in 25 seems to have survived.


You've reached about the midpoint when the flyers report a swarm of other flying creatures approaching. They appeared to have come out of caves in the cliff face... or perhaps the nests. None of the nests are close enough to the stairs that you can get a good view of them, but they do seem to be a bit on the large side.

Borun's grim demeanour changed into a smile at the sight of the dwarven sculpture. He eagerly pointed out the images of dwarven warriors, slain orcs, and a couple of dwarven kings, one of whom wielded a holy warhammer. Borun has not been this animated for weeks.

However his mood changed with the repeated warnings of traps and dire consequences. He reluctantly explained the first few, but became increasingly disquieted and eventually stopped volunteering the information. He continued on silently, and spoke again only after the flying scouts reported their findings.

"Perhaps I should go ahead first to assess the threat. Even if they see me, which is unlikely, I should be be able to return quickly and safely."

"I think it unlikely they have found us" Tilaleria breathed. "Why don't we two scouts go forwards together, leaving the others behind. I'm not particularly worried about a few birds, and I'm no slouch on my feet either. We'll see how the traps work out, I'm keeping my eyes open for them"


17:49, Today: Tilaleria rolled 45 using 1d20+29 with rolls of 16.  Perception.

Borun nodded at Tilaleria.

"May I pre-emptively cast a protective spell on you?" he asked her.

If Tilaleria agrees, Borun casts Magic Circle Against Evil on her.

With a final glance at his companions, Borun turned and crept forwards.

OOC: Stealth roll 37
Perception roll 29

"That's very kind of you" Tilaleria said. She didn't normally let other people cast spells on her, but she'd come to know and trust Borun. "I have no similar spells, I'm afraid. I'm limited somewhat to simple and direct magics." she gestured ahead "Let us ... covert ... our way over there. Perhaps something has disturbed the birds. It may well be our companions, but if not it is probably interesting" with that she began to move in that direction as sneakily as before

Anira remained at the bottom of the stairs with the others, shifting from one foot to the other and back again with a concerned expression.  If there were traps it was possible she could prevent them from triggering them but she also felt that two could likely get through with less likelihood of being spotted than three or even more.  For now she would wait though was ready to ascend quickly if needed.  With the idle time, she turned to the others.  "How is everyone faring?" she asked, her attention a little more on Radagast.  He wasn't a youngling anymore and she wanted to make sure 'grandfather' stayed well.

"We are all well, thank you for asking," Radagast replied to Anira. "I am well."

Why does everyone thing I'm some old man? he thought, only mildly annoyed. While they waited, he pulled his pipe out from his beard. It always seemed to be lit, of course. Equally of course, it was always lit. Hidden under his scruffy shaggy beard was a pouch with peculiar dampening properties, given to him by Eloryn.

As he puffed on it thoughtfully, he continued his conversation with Anira.

"Sling a hammock in Saxon's wagon and the travel is not so bad. We were just contemplating how to get his wagon up the scarp. I do not think Elmohtar's roc is large enough to carry it."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:27, Sun 10 July 2016.

Saxon tilted his head side to side as he was leaned back looking up at the sky, "Could just enchant a few very strong summons with a spider climb spell. I have two magic items that enable me to carry a lot more, should work on a summon as well."

"The hard part is we would have to wait until the coast is clear, as anything I summon would have to make a mad dash up the wall. I can do a few strong summons for ehhhh, ten minutes at most?" He signed a bit, "Days like to day make me wish I was a wizard. Just cast three floating disk spells under the wagon and let it float up with me."

The eerie keening cry of the flying creatures reaches the group just before the foul stench of decay. The cry sends involuntary shivers running up everyone's spine, including Radagast!

The beasts are the size of condors or large eagles; the swarm now numbers in the dozens.

These are fell-beasts known as hell-hawks. It's been known that the Dark Lord bred Elder creatures into winged beasts to dominate the skies. The stench is not because they are decaying, it is simply an odor they emit, much like the stench plant.

As the birds flew past them, clearly ignoring the two on the path, Tilaleria cast a spell. It was clear they were going to have to chase after the birds and she wanted to be able to do that quickly. Spell cast she began to move down the stairs at a pace that would normally be reckless, if it wasn't for the magics that allowed her to do it safely

"If you can cast fly, that would be good" she called to Borun. It wasn't just the getting there by flying, it was the 'what if they pick us up and drop us' and the 'how do we get to them'.


Borun you and I are hasted
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:17, Tue 12 July 2016.

The screetch and stench assaulted Anira's senses and she instinctively snapped up her mage shield then drew the flaming rapier which ignited in flames.  Turning to face the oncoming swarm, she lifted her arm and pointed her finger uttering the word "Fánaperyar."  A bolt of lightning streaked from the tip of her finger straight at the oncoming hellhawks, hoping to possibly deter them or at least wound as many as possible to make things easier for them.

---

17:20, Today: Anira rolled 28 using 10d6 with rolls of 1,1,3,2,4,4,3,4,5,1.  Lightning Bolt.  >.<  Couldn't even get half of the possible damage and Reflex saves means only 14 points of damage.

AC: 26
HP: 110/110

Borun cast a spell of magical flight upon Tilaleria, then hustled down the steps towards the group.

Standard action: Casting Fly on Tilaleria
Move action: 50 feet down the steps

Saxon quirked an eyebrow at the fluttering mass of monsters. "Well... That is going to be a bit of an isssue if I had ever seen one... Best get ready."

He took out a number of bottles and a few reagents of questionable potency if not odd origin. His range of effect was limited to as far as he could throw even with a bomb thrower. So he prepared one of his light bombs to test a theory.

Anira's lightning bolt cuts through the hell hawks, managing to strike all but three of them.

The bolt mostly delivers shock to them, but two of them were hit square on and leathery hides exploded from the surge, sending those two careening aside, colliding with some of the others. Unfortunately, it didn't kill those two (or any of the others), and they swoop down to attack.


Borun and Tilaleria are on the stairs, about halfway up, on one of the landings where the stairs switch back to the other direction. They can hide behind the solid balustrade if they want, or they can make noise or something to get the attention of the hell hawks. Or, of course, you can go back down the stairs.


The others at the bottom still, awaiting the all-clear signal from Borun, are mostly ground fighters. There's almost no way for them to attack the hell hawks until the hell hawks attack them first.

Muttering a spell as she moved, Tilaleria used Borun's fly spell to head towards the crowd of birds. Her plan was simple. To attact the attention of the birds so they went for her instead of the others, and move them downwards to within striking range of the others. Hopefully they would focus on her leaving the spell casters to do their spell casting and deal with the the threat

As the hell hawks approached the eyes, Isile had a few rounds to get ready. She landed up top, beast-shaped into a lammasu, then cast Stoneskin on herself. She wasn't normally a combatant type, but she felt this was one of those exceptions, since most of her friends couldn't fly. The battle would have to be taken to the hell hawks... in the sky.

Then she launched herself off the cliff top in a power dive at the flock of beasts. She was sure they were magical, but so was she!

When she was close enough that she could catch as many of them as possible, she cast her own lightning bolt at them.

17:17, Today: Lady Isile rolled 44 using 10d6 ((6,5,6,5,3,3,5,3,3,5)). Lightning Bolt.

Lady Isile thanks you, Anira! If your roll hadn't been so poor, mine might not have been so good! :-)

Although it wasn't his strength, Elmohtar was one of the few that could take to the air if needed. Clearly he wasn't as adept yet as Lady Isile, for he could not take the form that she could--the powerful lion-bodied lammasu.

He had other options, though.

Round 1: Summon Nature's Ally V--manticore.

Round 2: Summon Nature's Ally IV--griffon.

Round 3: Call Lightning Storm.

His thinking was that the griffon and the manticore might provide protection for his allies. If this was a replay of the last battle, then the lightning would not kill the beasts.

He had his summoned creatures wait in reserve, only attacking the hell hawks if they got too close.

He'll also use his Lore to see if he knows anything about these hell hawks; they are nearly legendary.

19:30, Today: Elmohtar 18,19,17,21 using 5d6,5d6,5d6,5d6 ((6,6,1,4,1,4,3,4,3,5,2,1,6,3,5,3,6,5,2,5)).

And thank you Lady Isile, for getting the only good roll! Pfft.

That's four lightning bolts, but only one per round. He'll target whichever one appears to be the weakest/most damaged in the hopes of eliminating it.

With a few others bringing some fight to the air, Anira decided not to cast something that would injure their allies so once the hellhawks were in range, she let loose a burst of flames from her hands hoping to singe at least a handful of the creatures.

---

11:59, Today: Anira rolled 13 using 5d4 with rolls of 2,4,1,3,3.  Burning Hands.  Reflex halves damage.

AC: 26
HP: 110/110

As far as Tilaleria knows, these hell hawks are some sort of descendant of prehistoric flying lizards (pteranodon). She believes they were transformed through dark magic, and some were further altered to become ring-wraith steeds.

They aren't creatures of the dark any more, though, as they are clearly flying in sunlight without any ill affects. If they have a weakness, it's their bloodlust and aggressiveness... sensing an intruder, food, or blood, they take on a single-minded purpose.

Her ploy to fly directly at them kind of has the desired effect, in that those that see her swerve to aim at her and Borun. However, Anira's lighting bolt had disrupted their pseudo-organized flying formation, and those that got scattered a bit don't spot Tilaleria and continue on at the others.

20:56, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 24,33,33 using 1d20+20,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((4,17,17)). Hell hawk #1

20:57, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 28,33,26 using 1d20+20,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((8,17,10)). Hell hawk #2

20:57, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 40,25,29 using 1d20+20,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((20,9,13)). Hell hawk #3

As three of them swoop at Tilaleria, she discovers their unusual attack method--impale the target with their long pointed beak and then claw! Since only the 3rd one manages to hit Tilaleria (for 20 points of damage). It's the equivalent of lance charge!

Both claws miss, even though they have a bonus because she's temporarily impaled. It's still trying to grab her, though. She realizes its tactic is to drive a target to the ground and then stab and claw it to death. However, it only weighs about 80 pounds, so it's not enough to knock Tilaleria out of the sky.


...to be continued...

While Borun had basic physical and magical ranged attacks, he was far better in melee. Thus he spent another round casting a flight spell on himself, then moved into melee alongside Tilaleria.

Standard action: Casting Fly on himself
Move action: Fly 60 feet to the hell hawks

Lady Isile, in the form of a lammasu, is the first to dive into the flock of hell hawks. She has just enough time to cast Bull's Strength on herself. It wasn't much, but every little bit helped.

It might seem foolish for her to get up close with a monster, but her amulet and stoneskin should easily see her through the battle.... she hoped.


06:08, Today: Lady Isile rolled 29,28,27,24 using 1d20+20,1d20+20,1d20+15,1d20+15 ((9,8,12,9)). Claw, claw, wing, wing. Rake if both front claws hit.

06:21, Today: Lady Isile rolled 28,27 using 1d20+20,1d20+20 ((8,7)). Rake: claw, claw.

06:23, Today: Lady Isile rolled 50,8 using 4d8+32,1d6+5 ((7,4,4,3,3)).

Mostly horrible rolls, but I think she may have hit with 4 claws and one wing. She pushed it as much as she could... using a power dive/charge. If she can't hit with that, she's probably not going to be any good in melee.

Elmohtar's lightning bolt, even though he cast it last, strikes first, hitting one of the hell hawks. He can't really tell if it's one that Lady Isile zapped first, though. In any case, it doesn't go down.


Elmohtar's manticore attacks as the lead hell hawk continues to target the group.

06:37, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 12,14,17 using 1d20+10,1d20+10,1d20+12 ((2,4,5)). Awful. Bite, both claws and spikes all miss.

Elmohtar's griffon also attacks as the hell hawks get close.

06:41, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 17,13,17 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+7 ((9,5,10)). More horrible rolls! Bite, claw, claw all miss.


A hell hawk attacks the manticore.

06:44, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 40,27,30 using 1d20+20,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((20,11,14)). Beak, claw, claw... all hit!

06:49, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 11,9,11 using 1d12+4,1d12+4,1d12+4 ((7,5,7)). Does 42 points of damage to the manticore, but it's not down yet.


Another hell hawk attacks the griffon.

06:47, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 40,31,31 using 1d20+20,1d20+16,1d20+16 ((20,15,15)). Beak, claw, claw... all hit!

06:52, Today: Azurak the Blue rolled 9,10,13 using 1d12+4,1d12+4,1d12+4 ((5,6,9)).  Does 41 points of damage to the griffon, but it's not down yet either.


Anira's Burning Hands hits one of the hell hawks, but it's not nearly enough to take it down.


Lady Isile, however, hits a hell hawk in her power dive, and she winds up doing the exact same thing to the hell hawk that it tries to do... drive a foe to the ground. The hell hawk doesn't have nearly the wing strength it needs to even support the lammasu, let alone resist the full power dive. It slams into the ground with the lammasu on top of it and take another 20 points of damage.

Unfortunately, it still has some kick left.

OOC: Apologies (again) if you're waiting for me. Crappy week and crappy weekend.


Unless I missed someone, that was the end of that round. Except for the one hell hawk on the ground, the rest flyby and have to circle back around. Technically, they don't have to, but that's just the way they do things.

PM

Saxon was massively limited when it comes to foes at range. More so when he had not had a chance to really get to understand any other monster that came about. So... this was an opportunity to really check and see if some of his unique bombs would work.

After all, he wanted to be sure that he would not hurt his peers when he started lobbing bombs all over the place.

So he tossed a little blue vial at the creature that was driven down. There was a burst of white light that burned at corruption, but would it burn the being?

17:59, Today: Saxon the Dead Smith rolled 16 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 5.
17:58, Today: Saxon the Dead Smith rolled 17 using 5d6 with rolls of 4,6,1,3,3.

16 to hit
22 pnts of damage to undead or similar creatures.
DC 20 reflex for half
Splash damage 10 pnts.

In no particular order...


Another of Elmohtar's lightning bolts strike one of the other hell hawks.


Only one of the three hell hawks struck Tilaleria, and she is able to make attacks of opportunity on the two that missed. It's not a lot of damage, but she did injure them.


Elmohtar's summoned griffin flies after the hell hawks, and manages to hit one of them twice, and critical with one. It significantly wounds the hell hawk, but doesn't kill it.

Elmohtar's summoned manticore also flies after the hell hawks, and manages to hit one of them, but it's not enough to kill it.


Saxon's bomb affects the hell hawk on the ground, sufficiently so that Lady Isile/lammasu is able to finish it off.


You don't see a flying Dwarf every day, but Borun is able to launch himself at the tail end of the flock. He can't quite land on the creature's back, but does manage to land two of his flurry of blows.


At the end of the round, there is only one hell hawk dead, but all but three of them have been injured. The remaining 23 are swinging around to attack again. There's a free round for anyone else to do something before they return.

It was a serious number of bad guys. Lots and lots. Tilaleria moved herself so that she was in the way of any attack on the people on the ground. Obviously it was going to be hard to protect them all, and worse she knew that she'd been lucky not to be hit so far. She was though going to be able to take the time to start putting the hurt in on these creatures. Her whole body exploded with shards of ice dripping off her, and her hands grew particularly cold. These creatures might take her down, but it wasn't going to be easy for them

Borun steadied himself in the air behind the flock and performed a series of rolls and blows at the hell hawks' wing joints.

Swift action: arcane strike
Full-round action: flurry of blows

Borun shall attempt to stun the hawk using Stunning Fist on the first attack.

First attack with Stunning Fist attempt: 37
Stunning Fist Fort save DC 22
First attack damage: 20

If the first attack successfully stunned the hawk, then it loses its Dex bonus to AC and takes an additional -2 penalty to AC.

If the stun attempt was unsuccessful, Borun will attempt Stunning Fist again with the second attack.

Second attack roll: 36
Stunning Fist save DC (if applicable): 22
Second attack damage: 17

If both of the Stunning Fist attempts were unsuccessful, Borun will not attempt Stunning Fist again.

Third attack roll: 20
Third attack damage: 16

Fourth attack roll: 32
Fourth attack damage: 18

If the hawk was stunned by either of Borun's first two attacks, Borun gains two Medusa's Wrath attacks.

First Medusa's Wrath attack roll: 22
Damage: 19

Second Medusa's Wrath attack roll: Natural 20!
Confirm critical roll: Natural 1 - lol
Damage: 18

There were so many hell hawks and so far they weren't thinning the numbers significantly.  It was worrisome to say the least.  Rather than fling another bolt that most would avoid, Anira cast something they had used every night that kept them secure.  A cottage sprang up and she ran to the door.  "EVERYONE INSIDE!!  FIRE WON'T HURT IT AND WE CAN WAIT THEM OUT!!"

---

"The dwelling does, however, provide considerable security otherwise—it is as strong as a normal stone building, regardless of its material composition. The dwelling resists flames and fire as if it were stone. It is impervious to normal missiles (but not the sort cast by siege engines or giants)."

Lady Isile was able to do enough damage to one that she'd hit with her lightning bolt that she is able to finish it off.

Saxon's alchemical bomb wouldn't have normally hit, but the hell hawks had their flight path disrupted, and he is able to hit one of the ones that Lady Isile had damaged with a lightning bolt.

Elmohtar is able to drop another one of his lightning bolts on the same creature, and finishes it off.


Tilaleria is pretty much able to fly among them and let them attack (and miss) so that she can make attacks of opportunity on them.

Her first attack misses, and it takes her next four attacks to finish off another hell hawk, leaving two attacks to damage another one.


Borun's flurry of blows is almost as successful, as his first two attacks both hit and stun the next beast, and the reduced AC lets his 3rd and 4th attacks hit. He is also able to hit with both his Medusa's Wrath attacks.

It was one of the one's 'softened up' by Lady Isile's lightning bolt, so Borun's damage is able to finish it off.


At the end of that round, three more hell hawks lay dead on the ground. That's a total of 4 down and 20 to go.

Tilaleria found little joy in the death of Morgoth's creations, but this seemed necessary. The creatures so far seemed to have no fear of pain and defeat and were keeping on coming. As was often the case in the battles between Light and Dark, the good guys were better but the bad guys were endless...

She decided to nearly follow Anira's advice, moving down to just above the entrance to the magical safe house. She would enter when every one else had done so, and in the meantime would keep on giving back to these Hell Hawks what they were trying to do to her: no more and no less.

As her fists and feet flew at the Hell Hawks that came near here, she muttered a word of power, and pressed her finger to her bracelet, refreshing her mind .. allowing her to call forth more power to fight this battle

The amount of information that he got from that initial detonation was not very conductive to a final verdict if the light bombs would do any real damage to the hell hawks. Sure, he hit it, but he was not really able to see any clear sign that he harmed it.

So with a rub of his chin and a lean forward he gave only a slightly closer inspection of the creature. Wounded or not he should be able to glean signs of physical damage from his undead blomb.

Noticing Anira's instruction and group's retreat into the magical refuge, Borun also made his way over there. Doing his best to evade the talons and beaks of the hell hawks, he ducked and rolled his way in mid-air to the hut's entrance.

OOC: Frak! It's taken me so long to get back to this I forgot half of it!


The hell hawks can barely hit Tilaleria, but she has no trouble hitting them. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of damage to kill one of the beasts. She hits with all but one of her attacks, but can't really apply all of them to just one creature. So none of them drop this round.


Elmohtar makes it to the door of Anira's cottage, and waits for everyone else to get inside as he continues to drop a lightning bolt onto the creatures. He's only got a few left, and they don't do much damage. By themselves, they'd never take out a hell hawk, but they work well to soften one up for Borun or Tilaleria.


Saxon is able to tell that his undead bomb did have some effect on the creatures. As creatures twisted by the dark, the light did hurt them because of its intensity, since clearly normal daylight wasn't bothering them. As near as he can tell, the bomb delivered only half the damage it would have done an actual undead creature.


Borun makes it to the entrance of the cottage without getting hit. As aggressive as the creatures are, they aren't stupid enough to fly into a wall, which is what the cottage represents. Everyone else (except Elmohtar and Tilaleria) is inside by the time Borun gets there. As he flies through the door, Elmohtar continues to drop lightning bolts, and watches Tilaleria's back as she finally makes her way to the door.

As soon as Tilaleria is inside, Anira slams the door closed.

Even thought the hell hawks lair in caves, the small door of the cottage was too small for them to consider. They aren't prone to landing to attack from the ground.

Once inside with the door closed, the hell hawks virtually cease to exist. Whatever they are doing on the outside, it has no effect on the cottage.

"Clever! .. Good idea this place"  Tilaleria said her breath coming fast. She'd been working hard. Really hard. There was few activities as hard as combat, and 'not being hit' by that many opponents took it out of her.

"You can shoot out of this right?" she looked a little annoyed at herself "Now I regret not having brought a bow. I traveled light, and it's rare indeed that I need such a thing."

She paused in thought

"it is clear that we need to defeat this foe. We cannot be trapped here. Perhaps those of us that are skilled in not dying against such unpleasant foes could venture back out to act as a lightning rod for them, and the rest of you can blast them. If you do ... for example ... fireballs, I am quite skills in deflecting such magics from myself, so unless I look battered don't be afraid to launch them at me."

"I'll not go out until we are confident it's the right thing to do"

Once everyone was inside the cottage and the door was closed, the attacking hell hawks had virtually vanished.

Radagast made his way over to one of the comfy chairs, sat in it, pulled out his pipe and began puffing on it.

"I am a creature of nature, much like my friends," he says, even as one of his friends climbs up on top of his head--a bushy-tailed gray squirrel.

"There are some that have referred to me as a 'druid', but while I espouse similar principles, that is not my calling, if I even have such a thing. I suppose the main difference is that a druid strives for balance, but I have no interest in seeing evil thrive."

"These hell hawks are not evil, but they have been touched be evil. Yet they are living creatures, and I do not wish to see them destroyed. Certainly, I cannot contribute to their demise. They are carnivores... predators... and presumably that is why they attacked. Or perhaps they were also defending their territory."

"I admit that they caught us by surprise. Our focus was on reaching the Ent-wives before they truly did die."

"I think it is clear by now that the Ent-wives very existence is being masked by the dark forces of Mordor... in some manner that is beyond my ken."

"I have been pondering this as we traveled. Much time has passed. Sauron's activities... even his minions...  have affected the land in ways we can barely imagine. This scarp, for instance, may not have been here when the Ent-wives came this way, which means the very shape of the land has probably been altered."

"Will the Ent-wives be able to return this way?"

"As for the hell hawks, it seems as if only Tilaleria and Borun are suited for a prolonged battle with them. As I observed the battle, you two were well-defensed against the hell hawks such that it took a lucky effort for one of them to hurt you. At the same time, though, they were able to take a lot of punishment."

"If they were intelligent, or being controlled by some intelligence, this cottage would not survive long against their onslaught. They are only animals; they will not throw themselves against the walls of a building."

"So, now we must decide what to do. They will most likely give up their hunt by nightfall and return to their nests. I am thinking that we may be able to seal them in their nest-caves with a bit of spider webs."

"While the rest of you were learning magic, we were learning not be hit" Tilaleria observed. She suspected with the 'right' spells the others would have been that effective, it was just that they hadn't a chance to prepare

"The world would be a better place without them" Tilaleria continued "And they may choose to hassle us after we have passed. I would also comment on the fact that they have no fear. They have lost numbers, but still attack like crazed things. I think the safest option is not to run away from them letting them attack us when we aren't ready, but for us to attack them. It looks like you can target spells on them while still inside this shelter. That means that Borun and I can draw them in, and you can all blast. That would play to all of our strengths. It is a simple plan and I think likely to work. With this fly spell upon me I don't particular fear their most potent attack: the pick up and drop. Since it will not last forever, we should engage them within a minute or two"

"They do seem to be unthinking animals," Borun agreed with Radagast. "Perhaps we can indeed bypass them without further combat."

Borun considered the problem for a moment. "While I don't have a spider-web spell like you suggest, I can create simple illusions, both visual and sound. How about an illusion of a prey animal, perhaps a lamb? The little lost lamb bleats and draws the attention of the hell hawks while we sneak around."

"I will only attack the hell hawks if they attack me," Arithal says. "Nor will I attempt to provoke them into doing so. They have as much right to live as you or I."

"They are not evil creatures; they were only altered by evil--merely the first step on the way to produce the Ring-Wraiths."

"Perhaps, though, Borun is on the right track. While they might attack potential food, what might cause them to flee? What do they fear?"

"No they don't" Tilaleria disagreed with Arithal "We are not creatures of Morgoth and we don't attack, rend and kill people passing through our territory in a mindless and violent fashion. The same argument could apply to orcs: do they have the same right to live as you and I? If you think the answer to the question about orcs is yes, then I think we'll just have to accept we differ on that. If you think the answer to the orcs is no, then exactly the same answer should apply to the Hell Hawks"

"I don't like the idea of leaving them to attack us when we aren't expecting it. They move faster than us. They can fly. We are all 'set up' for the fight now, and we won't be if they attack us on the move"

"We've had a while to talk about it and I think we haven't come up with a good idea that doesn't just allow them to attack us at will when they choose, harrying us as we travel. So unless there are any strongly dissenting views I'm going out that door, and will attract their attention. I'd appreciate your company Borun: they are scary and it only takes a mistake for it to go wrong"

"I will attract them together. So you can blast and tentacle and so on. If any of you have spells that will help me resist the magics you will use that would be great, if not I will have to rely on my training"

OOC We've been about three weeks saying 'yes or no' with no real ideas, so I'm just moving this on. If anyone objects say so, or otherwise this weekend I'll move out the shelter

"There is the difference between the orcs and the hell hawks ... intelligence," Anira injected.  "So you can't really compare them to each other.  I agree they are creatures and normally I would say to leave them be but they have been warped by evil and pose a threat to any and everyone in this area.  There are valid points on both sides but these abominations will attack over and over so we will be forced to kill them," she said, trying to appeal to both sides of the argument.

"That said, I will need to rest and commune to get spells that are less about healing and supporting and more offensive.  I recall some spells that might be helpful and will look through some notes I have taken over the years."  She looked at Tillaleria and shrugged her shoulders.  "That will require time and patience but it is the best I can offer as my focus was on not only magic but fighting as well," she stated with a half-smile.  Her type of fighting was quite different from the exotic elven woman's.

"As Anira has just said, there is a difference," Radagast says. "The real difference, though, is whether Orcs have souls. I feel it is safe to say that the hell hawks do not."

"As you are all aware, I respect Life... in all its forms. So I do not normally take a life if I can help it, which I usually can. Whether Orcs have a soul or not, it does not bother me to slay an Orc, so I wonder if that means that they aren't truly Life."

"The hell hawks have been touched and twisted by evil, but they are not evil. They are merely animals. They are no different than a wolf or bear--you invade their territory, they will defend it. We invaded the hell hawks territory, and they merely defended it."

"As Arithal said, if we can find something that they fear--if they fear anything at all--then perhaps we can use that to keep them from attacking us as we pass through their territory."

"I don't really care" Tilaleria said, her voice reasonable despite the words "Matters of 'are they evil or animalistic' are for those people in ivory towers that don't have to live in the world. Let us suppose that we had been a group of women and children heading this way. Perhaps fleeing from something with intelligence...  What would have happened to that group of women and children? That is not an idle question: I want you to think about it. To think about the sheer violence, aggression and horror that they wanted to visit upon us, and were only foiled because of our magical power and strength of arms"

"The Hell Hawks are creatures of Morgoth that is clear. Their hatred for all things is not natural it is imbued in them by the Evil One. The world will be a better place if they are not in it. That ignores the fact that if we leave them alone they may well ambush us. It is far better to use their unreasoning behavior against themselves. The spells cast on me will wear out in a few minutes, so we have a short time to discuss this, and despite my 'I don't care', it is a valuable discussion. My 'I don't care' is because I care not about their nature being evil or animalistic: the end result is the same. In both cases I want them all gone. "

"I assure you I was not raised in an ivory tower but nature itself, not quite like Radagast but I and the others do understand the world a lot more than you are giving us credit for, Tillaleria," Anira stated just as reasonably.  "I agree that it would be horrid if women and children were coming through here but given this isn't normal territory, I doubt seriously that would happen."

She had tried to remain quiet times before when the arrogant elf tried to enforce her will on the entire group but she couldn't any longer, not when she was actually being unreasonable.  "I was offering my assistance but it will take time as most of my spells aren't what you need.  The spells that you have on you now can be recast yet you are insistent that we do what you want right now.  We are a team and there's a phrase of 'there is no I in team' ... and your need to kill things now could get us all killed."

"There is an I in team. Lot's in fact, one per person. And it is important to balance the I with the team with the goals of the venture. Otherwise the venture will fail. You should know that. "

"You are talking quite aggressively, and accusing me of having a 'need to kill'. I think you heard the words I said but didn't really think about them. You should be aware that I almost always try and avoid fights. I have avoided every possible conflict I could on the way over here."

"I don't however think this is a fight we can avoid. I'm not worried for myself particularly. I have been trained by the Lady Galadriel and feel fairly confident that I will not be killed by the creatures, although things can go wrong in any fight. I am concerned for you and the others. You have invested your time into learning magics, while I and Borun have spent that time learning how to survive this sort of conflict. I have not heard a credible way of avoiding these things, despite waiting for some significant time, so I want to deal with them in a way that plays to our strengths and minimizes theirs. I want a way of dealing with them that doesn't end up with one of you dead. If you want to hear those words as some sort of blood lust you are welcome to do so, but you would be mistaken"

"They are creatures of Morgoth and the world will be better for them going. I will not sing a song of joy at their passing, but I will sleep more soundly knowing the world is safer place. "

"Now if your magics are exhausted we can always do this in the morning. Perhaps someone will come up with a better plan, before them. But this 'I' in team, isn't really keen on any plan that is based on hoping they don't attack us"

"You are the one who is hearing but not thinking or paying attention, too busy going on and on about how great you are," Anira retorted.  "I told you I would assist but needed time to seek the power of different spells because what I had prepared for today wouldn't be of much help, not that my magics were exhausted.  Either way, I was saying some time needed to be allowed but you kept pressing that we do this now because the spells you have on you were about to expire.  Also, since this is a team, the majority should rule and if there are more votes against you then we will not be setting upon the hell hawks ... unless you do it by yourself and are no longer part of the team."

Borun was disconcerted by the bickering. He stepped forwards between the two ladies and coughed politely.

"We are indeed a team and we are trying to help each other, right?" Borun looked at both of them. "We all bring useful talents to the group, be it magical or mundane, else Master Radagast would not have invited us. I am sure we are past the point of judging each other's skills." Borun chuckled awkwardly.

Borun looked at Anira. "I am unsure what this "majority rule" concept is. All groups, however large or small, require a leader who makes the important decisions. While individuals might occasionally give advice, the leader has the ultimate power."

"We acknowledge Master Radagast as our leader." Borun looked carefully at Tilaleria. "As well as being our leader, he is an Istari with unsurpassed understanding of nature, as well as vast experience of dealing with evil."

"I don't lead so much as I encourage," Radagast replies, apparently a bit uncomfortable at the role Borun was thrusting him into.

"We are all wise in our ways, which is why we won't always agree."

"Tilaleria merely wishes not to waste time, opportunity and the magic that has been expended. Such things should not be taken for granted."

"Anira doesn't so much disagree, only pointing out that she is temporarily ill-equipped to continue the battle at this time."

"You all have valid points. Had we the time to investigate the hell hawks, perhaps we could make a better-informed decision. Alas, we do not."

"Tilaleria and Borun... are you prepared to continue the battle right now... on your own? For that is the gist of this discussion, is it not?"

"It is not that we don't wish to aid you, but as Anira has pointed out, we are not equipped to do so at this time. That does not mean we will not help you if you do continue, but it does not seem as if we would be able to slay all the hell hawks at this time."

"What, then, do you wish to do? Remember, you always have this cottage to retreat into."

"No it's not" Tilaleria responded to Radagast "I've already indicated that I'm quite happy to wait, so I don't really know what the discussion is about anymore. I thought it was that old chestnut of 'evil against animalistic' but apparently not."

"I'll just wait for the rest of you to decide what to do since no one wants to do anything specific, and Anira wants to treat me a some sort of Pariah. I've offered one solution and no one has come up with a credible alternative so when dawn arrives and we are rested if nothing else happens I suggest we do that. Alternatively we can just walk out without a plan and hope that nothing bad happens"

"I do not want to treat you like a pariah but I also do not appreciate the way you talk down to the rest of us, acting as if you are the only one with a valid option," Anira corrected.  "Other options were given but they were not anything you wanted to hear.  Since it seems Radagast is willing to try to take on the hell hawks in the morning, I will try to ensure I have more offensive spells ready," she stated and retreated to one of the cots with a book.  The tiny flying squirrel decided to get some exercise, bounding over cot and companion.

"I fear the problem is my fault," Radagast tried to soothe over the nearly-feuding women.

"I, too, accepted the hell hawks at face value, that they were creatures of an evil nature. That is probably because I knew of their origin."

"In truth, they are no different than a lion or bear. Yes, they are a flock, whereas most predators tend to be solitary, and that also influenced me."

"We are moving through strange territories, and what we are used to is likely to be very different here."

"I will attempt to come to terms with these creatures so that we don't have to fight them. Is that acceptable to you, Tilaleria?"

Whether anyone sleeps or not, sometime near morning, Radagast slips out the door. By the time everyone else is ready to exit the cottage, Radagast is waiting outside.

Tilaleria had already said that she was going to leave what happens to other people, so she waits to see what was going to happen. She still didn't know that issue Anira had with her, as the words used seemed to bear little resemblance to what Tilaleria had said or proposed doing, but perhaps it was just a 'personality conflict'. She moved to one side of the secure shelter and pulled out the crude map she was making of where they were and began to work on it

In the morning, Borun greeted his companions amiably.

"I suppose that it's time to go deal with the hell hawks," he casually commented like this was just part of his breakfast schedule.

"We do not need to deal with the hell hawks," Radagast tells the others. "I have come to an agreement with them. We are no longer prey to them, nor are we intruders."

"I hope that is satisfactory to all of you."

"We can now climb the stairs without worry."

Tilaleria nodded, and moved to head back up the stairs again. She didn't understand the Hell Hawks. She'd never heard of anything natural even remotely like them: no natural animal other than some insects would attack as madly as they had, but perhaps it was a measure of Radagast's power that he could deal with even things as tainted as the Hawks

"Shall we just do what we did last time?" she asked "Two scouts going ahead and checking"

Borun raised his eyebrows at Radagast's declaration. The Istari's power over nature was indeed astounding.

Borun peered suspiciously at the hell hawks in the distance. "Of course I am happy to scout ahead."

Continuing up the stairs, there is more of the runic carvings and the recording of those that died. It isn't until you just about reach the top that you notice a difference in the words. A dozen steps from the top, there is no longer a record of someone who died, but rather a series of phrases carved into the riser of each step.

The first four are:

Where the cold wind blows and the bright stars shine,
Where darkness abides and the fat rats dine
Let Naethrul’s path revealed with summer wine
Count the wings for flying nine


The next seven are different, which is why you are able to differentiate between the two groups:


Two down, three up, five around,
Never breaking ground
The night gate found
By the leaping hound
A tail is wound
The way unbound
By Forstan’s sound

"Well isn't this interesting" Tilaleria commented "Clearly a riddle or a warning of some sort. Probably both"

"Perhaps we should pause and consider its meaning. Perhaps we can trigger some ideas by discussion"

"It seems to me that this is a rutter for a way into Naethrul, the city of the dead. The first two lines feel like a description of the destination, the third a statement of how to get there, although 'summer wine' is, at might be expected, a puzzle" she gave a half laugh "I am reminded of a human song I heard a century ago, but it had that haunting quality and stuck in my head. A girl rode with a man and tempted him to drink her summer wine. When he woke, she was gone, as were his valuables"

"Another puzzle is the 'count the wings'. The most obvious meaning of the 'nine', when we discuss Morgoth and his works, is the nine rings made for mortal men. As far as I know they don't have wings though. Perhaps this details mounts for them, or aerial scouts. Neither is attractive. Perhaps this has something to do with the Hell Hawks: they are large enough to make a mount for a wraith"

"The second verse seems more obvious. A set of movements to make. Perhaps two steps down, three up, and then either turn around five times, or see some other meaning at that point. The 'night gate found' comment would imply that this little ritual should be undertaken in the dark."

"The 'leaping hound' would mark the start of that movements perhaps. It might well be that its tail would indicate the direction to turn around in, or perhaps indicate a side set of steps or something: only to be taken after the two down, three up"

"The final line is worrying. I have no great desire to fight one of the great trolls of Forstani, and few others would make that sound."

Tilaleria shrugged "Mostly hypotheses and guess work. Perhaps they will trigger ideas in the rest of you. I do suggest though that we look for signs of a leaping hound, or a great troll in this signs"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Sat 03 Dec 2016.

"A riddle, huh?" Borun frowned. "Who or what is this "Naethrul"? City of the dead, you say? Most flying creatures have two wings each, so I suppose "flying nine" should have eighteen wings."

Moving on to the second poem, Borun simply shrugged in confusion.

"I don't know much about this 'Naethrul'" Tilaleria said thoughtfully. She moved down some steps and gestured at some runes carved on the column supporting the bannister "See these runes here. There are talking a Naethrul the curse city of the dead" she pointed back down to the previous column "And those about the Great Trolls of Forstani"

While she was moving she as looking for 'clues' any thing that might match the poem: things indicating her guess work was correct or flawed

"Naethrul and Forstani... these are unfamiliar places to me," Radagast comments. "We thought that these lands had been destroyed. Nothing was coming out of the East to make us think differently."

"These runes said there was a way to get past these places safely. It didn't say to go around them. I'm guessing that when we reach the cities, these riddles will make more sense."

"Can someone write them down?"

"Sure" Tilaleria said and began to do just that. She had a good memory but Radagast was correct. "I thought it was instructions 'here', but I suspect you are right"

She gave a half laugh

"You know when we get back and a hundred years from now, or in the next age even, these may be the only records from this place and time. People reading them will think we have far more lore than we do. It's worth wondering if the heroes of legend were as puzzled by the things they meet as we are"

"I've never heard of these 'great trolls'," Elmohtar offers. "I suppose they could be the same as the Olog-hai, but it seems like something else is meant."

"The runes spoke of a city of them. Doesn't sound like Olog-hai, especially if we can get through them... or the city... without having to fight our way through them. The runes almost make it sound like we can reason with them. Like maybe there's a password to get them to leave us alone... or maybe even help us."

"Anybody else get that impression, or am I reading too much into it?"

Tilaleria mused aloud for a while, obviously thinking about what Elmohtar was saying. She was hoping that this would spark off some ideas. "I'm not a great expert on Runes, but my reading of them is subtly different. I am reading about 'the Cursed City' and 'The Great Trolls of Forstani', but I don't know how the two are linked other than these words 'by Forstan's sounds'. Even this is awkward because is Forstan in this context a troll? There is so much context needed to read these runes that we don't have"

"All that said your interpretation is interesting. I like the idea of the password certainly. I've fought a Cave Troll and it wasn't my idea of a good time. I lost friends. People I have known for many lives of men.  And a Great Troll could easily be as bad or worse. I would rather not loose more."

Borun frowned silently at this talk of "great trolls". Although Borun himself had not fought against trolls, those few dwarves who returned from such fights were often maimed, both physically and mentally.

Anira was quiet as they read the runes and others began to discuss what they might mean.  It was clear she was trying to drudge up something from the depths of her mind, brow furrowed as she continued to stare at the puzzle.

---

14:38, Today: Anira rolled 20 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 10.  Knowledge History.

OOC: Ack! The New Year is fast approaching!


Both Anira and Lady Isile have a bit of knowledge about these two places, and the possible... perhaps even probable inhabitants.

The information carved into the steps by the Dwarves would seem to support this information, but the information is old, so there's no telling what conditions still exist in the Broken Lands.

Reaching the top of the stairs, the vast expanse of the Broken Lands stretch out before you. Although Lady Isile had aerially scouted the area already, it looks far more imposing up close.

There is no area of level ground that you see for as far as you can see. Huge slabs of rock are tilted upward at precarious angles, interspersed with smaller angular boulders scattered everywhere. At various spots across the rugged landscape are pinnacles and spires of stone. The pinnacles (small mesas) look like they are the remnants of hills or even mountains, whereas the spires look like daggers of rock thrust upward from the ground.

When she was in her true form she made sure to speak to the group about what knowledge she was able to gather about things.

"Almost nothing is known about the East any more... that is, nothing since Sauron took over the area and corrupted most of it.

But some information did swish into my ears.

Naethrul is supposed to be the name of the necromancer than founded the city. Supposedly, he wasn't a 'bad' person; he thought he could use necromancy to heal and cure people. Somewhere along the way, though, he took the wrong path.

Even so, the undead that he created to populate his city are the people he couldn't save. Some remnant of their previous life continues to linger in them. That's why you can talk to them, negotiate with them, trade with them.

As for the the old city of Forstani was taken over by the Great Trolls. Most of the original citizens fled. No one knows, however, what keeps the Great Trolls there. The Great Trolls are larger, more intelligent trolls, prone to obesity, and somewhat masters of magic.

When the land was broken, only the two walled cities remained standing, but no one knows why. Actually, until now, no one was even sure that they had survived.

"Well I guess we keep following the trail" Tilaleria said after listening to what the others had to say. It was thought provoking but she didn't really know where to take the information "We've made notes. Maybe it will help later" she looked at Radagast "which way?"

"I believe we should stick to the--as you called it--trail," Radagast replied. "We don't know what lies to either side of this so-called path. If we had months, even years, where we could explore these lands, that would be different."

"Without that kind of knowledge, though, we have no way of knowing which would be the quickest, easiest or least dangerous path. The Dwarves conveniently left us clues to get past what we would have considered serious dangers, so that's the way I think we should go."

"The broken terrain will slow us down some. My concern is for Saxon's wagon. There is no way it is going to be pulled over all those rocks."

"Do any of you have a solution to that problem?"

Tilaleria gave a helpless shrug "A wagon is not a suitable form of transport for the type of mission we are on. Even horses may be awkward, but on the whole their advantages outway their disadvantages. I believe when I mentioned this problem  originally the suggested solution was 'summoning something big to carry it'. Failing that we must simply take what we can from the wagon and distribute it among ourselves. Perhaps hiding the wagon as this is the most likely route we will return along"

She looked at the wagon "I do not possess the power to transform it, yet.  I would suggest placing it in a safe place for later.  I can always teleport you back here.

"There may be other options," Elmohtar suggested.

"The first thing that came to my mind was some sort of creature that could traverse this rocky terrain. I was thinking a spider. If we could somehow enlarge a spider to the point where we could fasten the wagon to its back, that would solve the problem."

"Another option, perhaps, is making the wagon fly... or just float. That way, we could just tow it behind us."

"And lastly, that I thought of, what about shrinking it down to a size that would make it easy to carry?"

"All of them good if you have the magic to do them" Tilaleria observed "Unfortunately I am not a powerful worker of such magics so can't contribute much to the discussion other than observing we are going to be faster, more maneuverable, stealthier and generally better off without the wagon."

Even a loner such as himself realized that there was a bond of fellowship that kept them together. The Council of Druids met only once a year to discuss matters of import to the world, mostly the animal and plant world, but sometimes to the People World. Seldom did they concern themselves with the land. Earthquakes and volcanoes happened regardless of what Druids did.

"I have considered summoning a creature to transport the wagon," Ordnir contributed, breaking his long silence.

"Unfortunately, they do not last long enough to traverse the whole distance."

"Perhaps my eidolon could take the shape of a giant spider and so carry the wagon. While I doubt we will be all that inconspicuous clambering over these rocks, carrying the wagon or even floating the wagon would make us stand out."

"What about making some sort of road? I considered summoning an earth elemental to do it, but, again, wouldn't last long enough. How about a wall of ice or wall of stone cast over top of the rocks?"

Anira considered things, mulling the wagon over and over in her mind.

"If we could make it smaller, we could fit it inside the cottage I'm able to conjure.  I've left things in there before and they were there the next time it was called.  I know it wouldn't be available until it's called for rest but it would at least be safe," she offered.

"If no one can shrink it, I recall a spell that allows things to squeeze through smaller openings," she added as an after thought.  She knew the wagon was important to Saxon so was hoping they could work something out for him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Fri 06 Jan 2017.

"You can do that?" Radagast said to Anira.

"I never really looked at your spell very clearly. When we were inside, it seemed like any other version of the spell that I've seen or heard of... well, with a few exceptions."

"Red Mikal insisted that the outside of his shelters were always painted red! Something about 'friendly fire'. I suppose if you were friends with a fire elemental, however unlikely that would be, you could consider that friendly fire. Don't know what that had to do with painting his shelters red."

"Though, to be honest, I never did understand how he managed that."

"Thallistranda always made her shelter's out of flowers! Always colorful, and flowers were always in the area somewhere. Very strange, though--flower walls as tough as stone."

"So, one problem solved! Wagon in the shelter. The next problem is Otorno... and some of us. We are going to have trouble climbing over all these rocks. Do any of you have a solution... at least for yourself?"

She smiled "I have no problem getting over them.  I may be able to assist a few but surely not all.

OOC: How many are here now?  I can Teleport but if more than 5 well some may need another way

Anira felt color rush to her cheeks but looked rather pleased when Radagast spoke of her spell, nodding in the affirmative.  "I've had some time to work on it and I might even be able to make it more like a barn so the doors will be big enough to roll the wagon inside," she replied with fair certainty.  He had been one to teach her about magic and given his reaction, she felt like she had truly accomplished something.  There were many times she felt she inadequate having split her focus on magic as well as the sword work and other more mundane things.

As they considered how to travel across the more dangerous terrain, she chewed on her bottom lip as she considered what her patron granted her.  "I can teleport myself and three others.  Perhaps the two of us combined can get us all across?" she informed, hoping they would be enough.  "The distance with the one spell would be up to about a thousand miles," she estimated.