TRAVEL GROUP:
As the three of them travel to where they heard the whistle, Sam stops for a moment. They can hear the whistle again and continue moving along until they come across a clear and a small river. Moving towards them is Haile, freezing. The rogue stops right before the clearing, motioning for the others to stop.

Haile can make out three figures approaching but hard to tell who they are.

CHURCH:
The bear whines a bit and cuddles up next to the fighter. Its head is pressed against her hip and the cub watches the woman.

She squinted as if it would help her somehow see better but much to her dismay, the figures remained blurry shadows in the distance. She let out another whistle, that hope beginning to bloom deep in her chest as she trudged on. "Be careful!!" she yelled, trying to be heard.

Dreamljocht wass flabbergasted when he sees Halie at the other side of the stream. He had followed Sam in his quest for Halie, against his own intuition and it had cost them one companion. But man, what was he glad their search was not in vain!
He yelled over the clearing and the stream: "Halie is it you? Real? Are you hurt?"
At the same time he seems to hear her call to be carefull. At once his joy is shoved out of the way and his caution steps in again: he looks around for danger.

19:30, Today: Dreamljocht rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  Perception.

Gordo sees a person on the other side, and immediately readies himself. When he hears Dream speak, believing she is Halie, he relaxes a bit, only to go at the ready again when he hears her warning. Not sure if she's referring to natural dangers (e.g. the river) or there's someone about, he's careful in general, but starts immediately looking for a way across while keeping an eye out for the danger. He would need somewhere on the river bank to secure a rope to, then he can tie the other end to himself and swim across, like last time.


23:20, Today: Gordo Vet rolled 20 using 1d20+14.  Perception.

TRAVEL GROUP:
Sam bites his lip but doesn't say a word from his hiding spot. They don't see any signs of Sam or anyone else. Just a small open plain. Dream and Gordo wait, looking at Haile "Get behind cover! Now!" Sam retorts, hiding from well somewhere unsure if they were seen just as three arrows fly through the air. Two of them hit something. And where the enemy was is finally seen. Yet dissapears shorly afterwards!

19:53, Today: Sam Cascious rolled 32 using 1d20+13.  Perception.

19:52, Today: Sam Cascious rolled 28 using 1d20+21.  Hiding!

Sam takes 14 damage!

Initiative!

CHURCH:-WIll have the wizard join up soon!
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:08, Tue 05 Sept 2023.

Getting Halie will have to wait. Gordo tries to duck the arrows, and then immediately sprints to where he saw the enemy, as he shouts "They're over there!".


Running as fast as I can towards the source, will attack if I reach them.
09:36, Today: Gordo Vet rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.
09:35, Today: Gordo Vet rolled 26 using 1d20+14.  Perception.

As soon as the attackers reveal themselves, even if is just a moment, Dreamljocht casts Bless, giving Gordo and Sam a boost too. When Gordo starts running, Dreamljocht follows, his scimitar ready to strike whatever comes in reach.

Dreamljocht rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Perception.
Dreamljocht rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Initiative.
Bless: Each ally within a 50-ft. burst, centered on the caster, gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Sun 10 Sept 2023.

“Just be careful!” Halie yelled, that fear clearly heard in her voice. “She is crazy!!” She had no weapon nor gear and there was a real fear that she was going to die this night but at least she was going to die on her own terms and not her crazy sister. Once again she let out that loud shrill whistle to call Peto to her.

---

22:55, Today: Halie Delmenn rolled 18 using 1d20+10.  Perception.
22:55, Today: Halie Delmenn rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Initiative.

Nulgaz considered her options and pulled her cloak tighter as a small gesture against the cold. Noting the disrepair of the statues she drew her falchion in case of sudden threat. Careful awareness of her surroundings in case this was an ambush. She approached the church directly, no circuitous path, no stealth, figuring anyone could have seen her coming there seemed no point. The possibility of fire could have meant several things. Here was hoping it was travelers and not bandits. She tried to push open the door and peer inside. She planned to greet whatever was inside, only its reaction would determine if the follow up would consist of magic or conversation.

Tyrael heard the crunching of snow under foot and hung her head.  "...bloody undead...back again..."  she muttered before slowly rising to her feet.  She picked up her sword and shield, and slung them loosely over her shoulder.  "Go away!  Trying to catch up on sleep here.  Go bother someone else!"

whatever it was outside tried to open the door.  It stuck Tyri as odd that the mindless undead would try to open the door normally as if it were not barred from the inside.  Then again, it might be something else.

Or someone else.

Tyrael quickly walked to one of the windows near the door and peered out.  "Dream?  Is that you?" she asked.

”Hello? Is anyone in there,” Nulgaz asked. She knocked on the door and turned her head close to hear a response. There was the sound of quick movement. She shifted towards the window and held her falchion in an unthreatening position.

”Dream? I have been called a lot of things but a dream has never been one of them!” Her fangs were exposed as she gave a toothy grin. She tried to look unimposing as a two hundred pound Half-Orc with a large two handed weapon possibly could. She hoped the tidy clothes and lack of armor would help or at least not scream “bandit”.

It wasn't Dream.  It didn't look like an undead beastie either.  Actually she looked far too clean.  "Wait a minute.  or five."

Tyrael went back to the wagon and grabbed a length of rope.  she headed for the second floor and tossed the rope out from one of the windows.  "The doors been secured against...well everything out there.  Best you climb up."

”The cold isn’t the worst thing out here? I almost have to put on my winter clothes,” she called back. She took a better look around to make sure nothing was about to sneak up on her. The falchion went back in its holder. Nulgaz breathed on her hands and rubbed them together.

The rope came down in front of her. She look at it, then the wall, and back to it. She grimace and said to herself, ”Climbing, sure, that’s a thing. Okay, you have this.” With furrowed brow she spoke the words and made the gestures. It was easy enough and at least she didn’t need to find a spider. This incident alone was enough to make all that study worth it. She finished her spell and proceeded to scuttle up the side of the church towards the window. It didn’t hurt to have the rope near just in case something went wrong.

As she claimed she asked, ”What exactly are we dealing with? Ice trolls? Frost giants? Really mean ferrets? What I mean is, can it climb?”

Tyrael watched the Half-Orc scale the side of the church with a raised eye brow.  She gave a non-committal 'humph' and began to coil up her rope.  "You mean you didn't see the horde of undead that were banging on the walls not too long ago?"  she asked.  "So...magic tosser, eh?  Who are you and what are you doing out this way?"

Nulgaz pulled herself up and dusted off her travelling clothes. ”I appreciate the gesture,” she said nodding at the rope. ”But I think i would have fell without the spell,” she continued. From the higher vantage she took a glance at the grounds below. ”I think your horde is having a quiet moment, but also I was concentrating on getting out of the cold. I should have worn my warmer clothes.”

”I am Nulgaz. I am nothing so fancy to be called a spell tosser. I just know a few spells useful for exploration. I suspect we are out here for the same reason. Your turn, what are you doing out here? This isn’t exactly a well appointed cathedral.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

"The same reason, hmmm?"  A slight smile played on Tyraels lips as she leaned in closer to Nulgaz, seemingly oblivious to the concept of personal space.  She eyed the Half-Orc up and down.  "Name's Tyrael.  I'm waiting for some friends of mine who went wandering off into the woods chasing down another friend.  Long story."

She motioned for Nulgaz to follow her downstairs.  "I've got a fire going downstairs so we can talk some more while you warm up.  Mid the mess.  This place is more of  a barn than a church at the moment."  Tyrael led Nulgaz down the stairs and into the main room of the church, which was currently stealing some horses, a sleeping bear cub, and a wagon.  Tyrael took a seat near the fire and motioned for Nulgaz to sit as well.

"So, if you're out here for the same reason, I guess you've lost some travelling companions as well?"

Nulgaz sat down next to the fire leaving room from the other person. She gave a side look at the menagerie and inched further away. She shook her head in response to the question. ”To be honest, I thought you were out here exploring, looking for something. I have no traveling companions except for my ring.” She idly turned the exquisitely made ring of woven metal on her finger.

She reached into her pack and pulled a ration of dried fruits, nuts, and hard cheese. She offered some before eating some herself. ”Do you know where you saw them last or have a way to track them? I am willing to help in whatever way I can. It doesn’t sound safe for you to be alone out there.”

Tyrael hesitated for a moment and then took the offered rations.  "It has been surprisingly dangerous out there.  Which is why I am in here, behind barricaded door and windows."  She said.  "The last thing that we had agreed on was that I'd wait here and watch the wagon until they got back.  It's been only a day but I suspect that they will be back soon."

she paused to eat some of the offered ration.  "What were you exploring for?  Looking for anything in particular or just wandering?"

TRAVEL GROUP:
The arrow flies across the area and slams into Dream hitting him violently in the chest! Another arrow flies out hiting Sam! THe last bonces off the tortles shell. Well thats not good-not good at all! The assasin become visible making sure she's out of reach.

The rogue hits the ground and definatly doesn't look good. He leans against the tree and draws out hos kukris. Blood litterally covers his body and he has arrows coming out in several spots. Sam grits his teeth.

Group is up!
Unknown (24)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gordo (21)
-64/64

Dream (18)
-55/55

Sam (11)
-48/04

Haile (09)
-56/56

The ease of understanding spread across Nulgaz’s face. ”I see you are watching and waiting. I was thinking of offering more assistance to our cold situation but it would making watching for them harder.” She looked around at the structure around them. ”This place seems solid enough for protection of lacking in warmth and amenities.”

She popped the last piece of fruit into her mouth and gnawed at it. She steepled her fingers and looked off. ”Most of the time I wander but I try to find rumors or chase legends. There was supposed to be a fort out here somewhere.” She gestured widely with one arm. Her brow furrowed as she asked, ”Do you mind if I at least stay around until your companions arrive?” She held up her hand with the ring and turned it with her thumb as a nervous tic. ”I wouldn’t feel terribly comfortable knowing you were alone. Honestly, it is foolish to be on one’s own out here. I wouldn’t if it wasn’t for her,” she continued and gestured with her head towards the ring.

Tyrael leaned back, assuming a more comfortable posture though her weapons were still within easy reach. "This place has kept me safe from creatures roaming around out there.  Most recently it was a horde of undead.  I'm really surprised that you managed to get here without running into them."

She watched Nulgaz fiddle with that ring on her finger.  It seemed that there was something more to it than a nervous twitch.  "It wouldn't be the first time that I've been on my own.  I much prefer to work with with people but sometimes it's unavoidable.  Can't say that I've ever had a person that I've just met express such concern for my well being...welll...not without having closed down a pub first.  I don't have a problem with you staying, conversation has really suffered with just a bear and horses around."

Tyrael pointed at Nulgazs finger.  "What's with the ring?"

Nulgaz continued to play with the ring. ”Are you familiar with familiars? Some wizards summon a magical companion to help them with their magic. Others invest that magic into something, a weapon, a necklace, or even a ring. It might just seem like a ring but I have invested some of myself in it.” She looked around again and stared off into the distant part of the room. ”It is very common to enchant them but the necessary enchantments are beyond me. Still, even unenchanted, this ring has been my constant companion. Not exactly a conversationalist considering it is just a ring but better than having no one.”

"Wait.  So you have invested some of yourself into the ring but the necessary enchantments to do so are beyond you?"  Tyrael looked confused for a moment.  She then shook her head, as though clearing her mind of cluttered understanding, before speaking again.  "Being the dumb sword slinger that I am, you have lost me, but I don't pretend to understand much about magic or enchantments so don't feel bad about that.  Not unless it's on a sword or armor."

"You know, I've worked with Half-Orcs before, but none of them were interested in magic.  Most were more interested in the direct application of violence through axe or blade, or fist in some cases.  How did you come into your profession?  If you don't mind my asking.  I've spent the day talking to horses so hearing another voice that wasn't one that I was making up is nice."

Nulgaz laughed, nearly startling herself. ”If you started hearing voices from them I would be more concerned.”

She patted her falchion. ”As for the ring, think of it this way. Someone could make a sword and practice day and night and put themselves into it heart and soul. By the end of that it is something special and it can be very useful. But that same person might not know advanced techniques. My ring is a focus for my magic but it is also something I could put on even greater enchantments. It is those I haven’t mastered yet.”

She reclined and shifted herself into a more comfortable position. ”I bet most of those Half-Orcs were strong. I feel lucky to be able to carry my pack and my weapon. My father wanted me to have a career. It also helped I was a bright child. I did my best to make it through lessons despite the distractions of other students. Unfortunately for my father I didn’t settle down to the simple career he had in mind. I wanted to see things, find things, and learn what I could.”

Nulgaz rotated to face Tyrael. ”What about yourself? As a Half-Elf I assume you had an interesting upbringing as well. You said you use a sword?”

Dreamljocht channels positive energy to heal himself and any companions close enough to profit. He feals the healing energy streaming through his own body. Dreamljocht tries to close in on the assassin as well.

Dreamljocht rolled 16 using 3d6. Channel positive energy.
Channeling energy causes a burst that affects all creatures of one type (either undead or living) in a 30-foot radius centered on the cleric.