Having apparently not detected a source of evil Hawkmoon moves to a place of relative space that would allow him use of his unlimbered sword, probably towards the coals of the fire.

"There is no Michael here. Who might you be?"  He says as he prepares the sword.

Someone had to end this, he figured.  His blade in ready and him in stance for it her continues.

"I am the Crusader named Hawkmoon by Mayaheine."

Ondrea waits for any reply from the voice as she still tries to get a bearing on where it is coming from.


-

My apologies...I saw neither of these two responses for some reason.

The voice again cries out, closer this time...

"He...hello?  Who...who's there?  I'm warning you, my brother is a very skilled wizard."

The voice continues to rise as it draws closer.  The sound appears to be emanating from the west as it moves slowly towards you.

"You better not be a bandit of some kind.  Why do you keep no fire?"

"Our fire was doused when strange voices came to us in mid-night as most of us slumbered.  We ill trust anything in this cursed place."

A glance in the direction he suspects Frederick to be.

"Sire Frederick, shed wholesome light upon our guest please."

Hawkmoon remains out of hopefully where the light will center, backing slightly from the campfire as he does not wish to be target of opportunity for arrows.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

A small rustle can be heard to the east.  It passes very quickly before falling silent once more.

"How do you think I feel out here alone?"

Frederick will take one of his light balls, turn his back to where the voice appears to be coming from, and twist it so that the top is merely laying on it.  Then he will turn and toss it in the direction of the voice, so that the top falls off as it travels or when it hits the ground.

In reply to Frederick (msg # 150):

Judging from where the voice was coming from, Boris carefully moved around to the right to try and cover Frederick. A bullet was loaded in his sling. If their attention was focused on the voice someone else could be sneaking up behind them as well. Someone else would need to worry about that for the moment as he was covering Frederick.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Sat 06 Apr 2019.

Hawkmoon tries to shield his eyes from the ball as it falls to shield his night vision, while trying to get a look at whoever.. or whatever.. is out there.

Ondrea stayed in place but slightly orientated her body towards the voice. Then she waited to see what would come from this.

-

How much light does something like that cast roughly?

As the lighted ball sails through the air and into the grass several yards away, a high pitched shout or yell briefly rips through the still night air.  There is some heavy rustling of brush and undergrowth...

"Now you're throwing fireballs at me?!  What kind of evil people are you?!"

The pitch of the voice had elevated but remained steady and calm.

The paladin does not seem amused, or at least his voice.

"Companions... focus on other than this trickster, this may be a diversion."

He focuses on the apparent source of the voice.

"You plainly heard me ask for wholesome light.  Do not play me to be a fool, milady.. or whatever you are.  That is a simple light spell and no fire, and the harder you avoid it the more convinced I become that this is a charade.  Step into the light and reveal yourself."

In reply to Albion Hawkmoon (msg # 156):

Stoney stays hidden as best he can.  Like usual, when you play hide and seek, he now has to use the bathroom, and is apparently breathing very heavily!  Trying not to focus on the pressure building, he remains still, and tries to focus on his breath.

In reply to Albion Hawkmoon (msg # 156):

Boris stopped moving up on the left and ducked into the shadows. He had also had the thought that the voice might be a diversion. But he was not intent on attacking with his sling until it was proved there was a threat.

"Yes...people say lots of things and then do the opposite.  I'm no fool.  Besides, I know nothing of magic.  Am I to guess what you are doing?"

There is a silent pause just long enough for your ears to retrain upon the unseen creatures of the night, belting out a chorus of odd sounds.

"Fine.  If I must be the first..."

From just outside of the light, a figure begins to emerge from the shadows and growth.  The form of a woman begins to appear and tepidly steps into the light.  Keeping herself a small distance from the orb itself, she stands roughly at human height, with features that appeared the same.  She is dressed plainly, no armor or arms to speak of save for a tree limb she holds in her right hand.

"Does this satisfy you?", she calls in a sarcastic tone.

As she steps into the light, from roughly across from her Hawkmoon does as well, showing himself.

"Sire Frederick, allow the camp light again please."

He bows slightly to the lady, though his eyes do not drop.

"Come to the fire, Milady.  We are not from this land and it has been curiously malicious, so caution has been our guide.  I am known as Hawkmoon, Crusader of Mayaheine.  Tell me of yourself as much as you wish, and I will see if we have any tea or food left over from dinner if you so wish to be welcomed to our humble camp."

Frederick allows the campfire to spring back to life, but stays in the air and invisible for the moment. He will have Dinen Dal find the cap for the light and put it back on the half globe. Then he will keep watch in the darkness around the camp for other movement.

Cautiously, the young woman begins walking forward.  With each step she hesitated, her head tilting slightly from side to side.

I am called Galia.  Something warm to drink would be nice, it sure has gotten cold out here."

Her pace quickens slightly but the head continued to rock, as if she was straining to hear something.

Hawkmoon's blade drops to his side, still in his hand but no longer appearing to be threatening.

He moves at an even pace to the fire and fetches the pot, pouring some of what is left into his own cup and holding it out with his left hand.

"Why does you head move so..  Lady Galia?  Do you hear something?"

Ondrea takes the opportunity to move around the edge of the camp to the back of the new arrival, there she stands and waits as questions are asked about the woman's demenier.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 164):

Boris liked this less and less. The swamp was evil and a abode of Satan. Evil things attacked them before, he sincerely doubted some innocent maiden was simply out and about on a nightly stroll. The presence of the light disturbed her somehow, and perhaps he sensed there were others there in the darkness behind her.

Reaching down he replaced the bullet in his sling with a stone. Then he whirled it around and launched it at the bushes and darkness behind the woman to the left. If there were companions of hers in there he wondered if he could flush them out or startle them. Either way he was halfway convinced they should drive this being away for their own safety.

01:48, Today: Boris Underhill rolled 11 using 1d20.  To-hit with sling stone.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 165):

Stoney still trying to stay still.   He silently waits to see how this all unfolds.

Reaching forward she takes the offered cup and takes a few deep sniffs.

"Thank you, it smells wonderful.

She takes a brief sip before locating a downed log and slowly settling onto it.

"I'm trying to find my brother.  He went out to play several hours ago and we haven't been able to find him.
I keep hoping if I stop and listen, maybe I could hear him."

"I see, and where might you be from Lady Galia that finds you in this swamp searching for your brother?"

His tone is now soft and gentle, as if he is buying her story... but his sword is still in his hand, loosely pointed to the ground.  His attention is not wavering from her, however.

She points eastward, indicating a direction more or less running to the right of the swamp.

"Our village lies a small distance away, resting upon the southern edge of the forest.  We're told not to come around this area but, well, boys being boys, he's not much for being told what to do."