Club in hand Edgar followed Fyodor but not before he stopped next  to Lukas " are you ok my friend I would not see you hurt because of a tree root after all you have been through. Walk behind me my eyes will be your eyes in the dark"

Jocelin stood rigidly upright with her straight arms extended slanting towards the ground at her sides, fingers spread, her wide eyes crackling with light. "Friends!" she called, her voice both distant and ringing in the ears. "I would speak with you 'ere the trail of earth you follow! Light aethyrial guides the path untrammeled to those with Sight. Come, palaver, and account not the time spent in council!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Wed 26 May 2021.

Picking himself up off the ground he bristled at the Northman's quip (despite the absolutely sound advice it contained) and smiled at Edgar's kindness of offering a hand through the undergrowth.  Despite that he didn't feel particularly keen on a ramble through the dark without a torch of some kind.

It was then that he heard the tones of the wizard cry for them (at least that's what he thought it was).

"Hang on a moment Edgar, I'd better see what it is that she wants...." he muttered (a little grateful to get out of the gloom).

Leaving the edges of the woodland he headed back to where Jocelyn and Luciana were, close to the children.

"Hello Jocelyn, did you just call about something?" he asked, keen to mask his lack of understanding of her High-Altdorf lexicon.

edgar sighed but decided to wait for lukas to return "let me know what our young mage is trying to tell ous in her flowery words when you return"

Pieter closed his eyes slowly, hoping it was only a meandering woman they were after with the chit chat happening. He said nothing, but kept his eyes peeled as best he could in the half light

Harkrin scratched his beard with the chisel. "Are we looking for the old woman or not?" he asked, confused by Jocelyn's distraction. With a shrug, he began carving some runes into the nearest tree.

Jocelin had not noted Lukas' approach, and remained looking past him, past the world, for a moment. The light faded from Jocelin's eyes and her arms relaxed and lay at her sides. She turned blinking to Lukas.

"Oh, yes. Lukas, yes. Sorry," she shook her head and spoke to herself to clear her mind. "... Many merry maids march miles more most midday mornings manifesting moral manners mostly memorized..." A deep breath and exhale.

"Sorry! Ha. Yes. I, ah, I think I should go with you because..." she paused, considering her words, "... because I think Granny would appreciate me being there, and... and I think she might not want to be found otherwise. Or maybe it's she would not be found. Squirrels and birds are hard to track, you know. Ever so much harder than people."

Her bright smile returned, and she looked at Luciana, walking to her and extending her hands to grasp hers. "I didn't know! We must have a talk later, it's so exciting!" In a low voice she asked, "[Language unknown: Aihemi ted und? Se ica ngss he oulpr heiceviefi?]"

Before the woman could answer, she brightly said, "No matter! Upon our return. Promise!" She squeezed Luciana's hands touching each cheek to hers and kissing, then released her and skipped over to Lukas, taking the elbow of his right arm in hers and looking up to him. "Ok, let's go!"

Lukas wanted to ask Jocelin if she was quite alright.  She looked a little confused or confounded for just a moment but then quickly seemed to adjust to her normal outgoing self.  Good manners combined with shy reticence prevented himself from any blunder as to her mental disposition.

"Um...good I think," Lukas replied, not quite understanding the riddles Jocelin spoke in although he found the most unusual feeling of a warm smile form on his lips when he observed the interplay between the two women.  In those days after the battle in 'The Filthy Pig' Lukas had determined that Jocelin was the strangest, most enigmatic and unusual woman he had ever met.  That crown had now been usurped by Luciana (at least temporarily) as Lukas had guessed she was both exotic, mysterious and dangerous, but also possessed of a deep kindness.  His smile was one of joy that Luciana had clearly made the same impression on Jocelin as she had on him.  He wondered if everyone who lived beyond Untergard was this exciting...

He stumbled a little when Jocelin linked his arm and they began to walk into woods where the rest were gathered.  He assumed that's how everyone walked in Altdorf but it nevertheless felt a little strange to him.

"How well did you get to know Granny back in Untergard?" he asked the lady from the big city.  "She'll be at home in the woods, night or day.  She may not take kindly to being bothered."

Lukas felt Granny Moescher had a heart of gold but she needed her own space too, "Unless you know something else?"

His question was a suggestion rather than an inquisition.

As they reached the edge of the wood and the voices of the others Lukas quietly, yet helpfully reminded Jocelin of his constraints.  "Watch your step.  Can't see in the dark as well as the others..."

"Point us the direction, girl, and let me, Edgar and the big guy lead the way." Harkrin suggested. "You better stay a few steps behind with the light you may need."

"Also" he added, finishing his carving. "I'd suggest you stay more quiet in the woods than you were in the camp. Drawing any unwanted attention would not help us in our quest."

Luciana looks at Jocelin oddly but appears to appreciate the kisses to her cheeks. "We will talk more later?" she suggests to the already departing wizardess.

The group of Fyodor, Edgar, Klinka, Lukas, Pieter and Jocelin sets off following the trail through the forest. The leaves are slick with rain water which reflects the silver of Mannslieb, at times making it seem as if someone had dropped a few hand mirrors along the trail. Furry moths whirr by and in the distance you can hear larger animals moving. The forest is vividly alive but none of you get any great sense of visceral wrongness you might have felt in the presence of Chaos. Lukas especially is vividly reminded of his night of his shelter in Taal's shrine while Harkrin feels uncomfortable surrounded by so many trees - how can anyone breath out here?

After ten minutes you find her, and she is not alone.

You are relieved to see Granny in a forest clearing, with some freshly dug herbs in her hand. She is staring in surprise at five cloaked Elves with drawn bows.



The Elf you assume is the leader, a tall and androgynous blonde with his or her face covered by a scarlet cloak steps forward and in a voice that seems both melodic and menacing says, "Explain yourself, witch, or my arrow flies true."

---

OOC: Remember most of you will not have met or even seen Elves before, even if you will all have heard stories. There is an eerie not-quite human beauty and hypnotic grace them, especially when they move. Harkrin hasn't met any Elves either but is less than impressed being a Dwarf. Jocelin, from cosmopolitan Altdorf has seen and even spoken to Elves before so they are not quite so uncanny but even she can see these strange forest warriors are unlike the merchants and magicians she had encountered back in the city.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:45, Tue 01 June 2021.

It was often the mark of a fool when one wandered into the forest without knowing the way back out again.  Indeed, Lukas knew his tiny patch of the Drakwald well enough and rarely needed to skirt beyond what and where he knew.  Whilst others would know him as an experienced woodsman it would be fairer to say he was an experienced woodsman within the known radius of his hut.  And yet, Lukas felt generally safe as they followed the trail of Granny Moescher.  Most of his companions could see well in the dark, all were armed and indeed Jocelin possessed powerful magicks.

It wasn't the presence of steel that made him feel safe particularly, it was more that the forest was quite happy living and breathing and existing without their intrusion.  He could smell the heady damp scent of moss and leaf, a welcome distraction from the stink of man, or worse the polluted pungent stench of beastmen.

It didn't take long for them to reach the glade and see Granny threatened by what could only be described as physical tree spirits.  He'd heard of the tree dwellers before - he had heard all the rumours - they were invisible, they could fly, they could shrink to the size of a handspan but now he came face to face with them he could finally tell others - he had met an Elf.

The only problem was that they were armed, arrogant and aggressive.  Despite the beauty of their leader Lukas felt the same disdain from them that the Imperials had clearly exuded.  Arrogance and a certainty in their own strength.

Lukas searched for words and realised he was agog, he could not voice his thoughts in the presence of such an alluring figures.

Except, that he wasn't in a dream where he explored the darkness of the forest, he was ten minutes away from the people of Untergard and Granny was being threatened.

"She's not a witch!" he blurted out (and instantly regretted).  "She's a healer and she's helping people!" he cried without really considering that the difference between witch and healer in rural parts was really one of perception...

Edgar stepped into the clearing with his hands out to his side when lukas shouted.

He raised his hands in a sign of platitude.

"we mean no harm we have just come looking for our elderly friend.... As my companion said...." he gave Lukas a stern look before continuing "... Granny here is a healer no witch craft involved. She tends our people for their ills and she wondered off from camp to find supplies. "

Having delivered messages to elven folk in the past, though not Wood elves it had to be said the little halfling made sure he showed all the respect he could muster

" please accept our humble apologies for our trespass it was not intended and if we had known the forest was protected my elven folk we would has sort permission before hand."

He waved his hand behind him "we are camped on the edge of the forest, a rag tag collection of human refugees heading away from the danger of a beastman horde to seek protection from our Lord in his city. We only wish to pass and wish you no ill will"

The Kislivite had heard about elves as a mystical race living in the woods on a far away island, but had never really given them much thought. He had fought orcs, goblins and things from the Chaos wastes and the occasional dwarf but never an elf.

Maybe this was a chance he thought to himself. The small group was outnumbered and out armed so he hoped they werent aggressive.

He let the others do the talking while he kept his rifle in his hand, ready in case they would have to fight them.

Trailing the others, those with better eyes for the gloom, Pieter's eyes narrowed and he took a sharp intake of breath as he made out the shadowy fey-like creatures. Like many of the downtrodden border-folk, he had only heard of these ethereal kin, perhaps glimsped the shadow of their passing if they were taunting woodsmen in the Drakenwald. But these, these hunters were very clearly making themselves known

His eyes narrowed and he let out his breath, wondering what they wanted. His weight shifted, aware of his unwashed state and raggedy clothes, but his hands he kept away from his bow and blade

Wonderful, elves.

Harkrin kept a careful eye on them while he moved to the side, hand on his axe, to ensure he had a clear line for a charge at them. Much like Fyodor, he left the talking to the others. Why would anyone want to talk to elves anyway?

Jocelin stopped short and pursed her lips at the newcomers.

~~ Elders, ~~ she thought with suspicion.

She had met elves in Altdorf; she had even attended elven magical demonstrations of Ghyran at the Academy. They were wise and subtle in the craft, but every time she encountered them the ... inhumanity of the creatures whispered a warning in her mind. Their motives were their own and inscrutable, even those who had acculturated themselves to Altdorf life.

But these were no scholars or merchants... of these kinds she had heard: unscrupulous capricious and pitiless alien minds, born more of root and wood than mother and father. Jocelin clenched her teeth and held her tongue, but looked around at the forest surrounding them. How many times had she heard the stories of the forest itself coming alive at their beck? How many times had innocents been drawn in by their other-worldliness to their doom, while these fey demons capered covered in their victim's blood?

~~ Stories ~~ she told herself, ~~ those are stories for children and I am no child. ~~

But to issue such a challenge here in Imperial lands? As if citizens trespassed wherever tress grew?

"Faithful citizens of the Imperial Monarch Karl Franz, long may he reign, need explain nothing within his demesne, but to his own deputies. You have no authority here, Elder; do you intend to align yourselves with the Chaos-spawned despoilers with whom we contend, or do you do so accidentally?"

If Lukas thought his outburst was a little ill-advised and tempestuous (for him at least) he was positively aghast at the wizard's words.  He looked at her profile, then looked at the elves and then back at her profile barely hearing what it was she was saying!

He didn't have the social niceties to express what was on his mind but nevertheless he doubted that these mysterious creatures of the trees recognised the Emperor, let alone recognised the authority of his citizens to roam where they liked (which again was a 'perception' rather than the reality from what he could gather).

He was about to say was, 'what my friend really means is...' but that felt presumptuous to say the least and truthfully he did not know what Jocelin meant sometimes.

"It's true there is a great evil on the rampage, a beastherd wiping out all they see and destroying our lands.  We are fleeing.  We certainly mean you no ill will..."

He doubted the haughty creatures would take the notice of him...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Sun 06 June 2021.

Edgar took a deep breath " as I have said  we mean no harm in your territory and apologize for any trespass. Please allow us to gather granny up and we will be on our way. these humans need to get to safety before they are overtaken by the beastmen. There are women, children, the old in the group. they are not fighters and cannot harm you in anyway. The men here with me are simply the protectors of the group mainly trappers, blacksmiths and anyone fit enough to swing a blade. again they are not fighters born."

"as for me I am merely a messenger of the guild of messengers caught up in this situation and just wanting to head back home to my family."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Tue 08 June 2021.

Granny seems to find her voice in the confusion. "I was just gathering redwort for the children," she says holding up a fistful of freshly picked weeds. "Good for the little dearies with sorry tummies."

The elves mutter something among themselves in a strange, lilting language none of you recognise. They keep firm grips on their bows, and at least one is now pointing a nocked arrow at Jocelin.

---

OOC: I'm going to need Charm tests from Lukas and Edgar.

Also can I get Conmmon Knowledge (Empire) tests from everyone?

00:06, Today: Pieter Marik rolled 73 -- 3 degrees of failure using the Warhammer Test system with a target number of 36.  Common Knowledge (Empire).

Fyodors grip on the rifle loosened as the elves pointed a weapon at the wind witch. A good marksman kept calm in the face of danger. Made it easier to aim.

OOC: No common knowledge empire. :(

"See... it's clear she meant you no harm, she just wants to help the children as we flee from the chaotics.  No harm has been done..." pleaded Lukas, although as soon as he said his last sentence he thought the elves may view things differently.  Perhaps it would be better if he stayed quiet.  Especially since the arrow pointed at Jocelin seemed awfully close to being pointed at him...

(OOC: Even before I rolled I thought 'best not bother' :)

07:56, Today: Lukas Kohl rolled 59 -- 1 degree of failure using the Warhammer Test system with a target number of 44.  Common Knowledge (Empire) (int44).

07:55, Today: Lukas Kohl rolled 85 -- 7 degrees of failure using the Warhammer Test system with a target number of 12.  Charm Test (Fel 24 / 2).)

11:12, Today: Edgar Stoutfoot rolled 27 using 1d100.  Knowledge empire target 45.

11:12, Today: Edgar Stoutfoot rolled 56 using 1d100.  Charm roll target 44

Jocelin saw the elf switch targets to her. She pursed her lips tight with her hands akimbo and tapped her foot in irritation.

---

OOC:
15:48, Today: Jocelin Herzog rolled 46 using 1d100.  CK: Empire, target 41.

edgar gave the elves a side long glance for a moment before speaking again " I see you have travelled far on whatever quest your queen has sent you on as the forest of Laurelorn is far from here in Nordland. I once delivered a message from my lord to your Queen, I have to admit it is the first and last time I ever failed to deliver the message directly but then the humble likes of me are not meant to lay eyes on your gracious royalty." he added with a slight bow

"Like you we are passing through these parts and just wish to be on our way. We will not hinder you if you allow us to be on our way with granny and her herbs here"