Quest #32 "Visiting With The Neighbors"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen seems to nod at something he is hearing and then looks around with a bit of alarm. "The Halfling is correct. As is Mister Liam. The insects themselves here are acting strangely and in a manner consistent with our theory. Over half of them are moving in the same direction, about due north. And they are asking me to.... bond... with them. This is strange beyond words or experience." He looks around. "The Queen's children do not do this...."

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Turns and looks at the monk with his curiosity piqued. I knew there was something off about the insects here... My poor bees... Either way, what could be north of here? I know the temple is north, but there was nothing... congregating to that location. I remember some people talking about a green flash when they arrived... something inland. I wonder if that has anything to do with it...

[OGRE MAGE]

Stonegut Meet And Greet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Overcast, Warm, Humid

Noting that the jungles smallest creatures are acting somewhat strangely here, Jaxsen mentions his suspicions to the others. Liam wonders if the strangeness is affecting his bees back in town as well.

Despite the oddity, Daisy decides to press on all the same, since they are already over half way to their destination. After another hour or so traveling west along the wide path, something unexplained happens. First the group starts to hear rapid footfalls off in the distance, eventually spotting someone running towards them from up ahead along the trail. Just after they see this person off in the distance, they start to hear that same rumble of heavy footfalls they heard back on the loggers trail when they met the mounted dwarves.

The Princess can see that the figure rushing towards them appears to be a tattered young human, waving his arms over his head at them as he approaches from a distance. The man isnt shouting, but even from this distance, the elf can tell that he is greatly distressed.

Actions?

Dexter 23/23
Daisy 16/16 3/3 first 2/2 second
Jaxsen 19/19
Narramore 12/12 LOH
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 1/1 first
Liam 9/9
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She peers through the distance at the young human, putting two and two together with the rumbling of footfalls. "Ooh. Crap. This is going to derail things."

"We've got company. Maybe an escaped prisoner? Do we hide him, or turn him in?" She asks, knowing the answer.

[Urson]

Daisy
We hear his story- quickly- then decide. If we decide to take his side, we don't hide him. He's under the protection of the people of Beachtown.
Someone keep a watch behind us! The rest, let's see what this fella's problem is. We may get the chance to get involved in local politics sooner than we wanted.
Daisy puts Sophie in 'Ready' position, where she can pounce and attack instantly.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

I'll watch our backs. he says simply and steps out on the trail to turn and look the way they came, moving that direction about 20 yards so that he is able to still be in shouting distance and close enough to beat a retreat to his fellows if need be.

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

A heavy sigh trails into a growl as Narramore loosens his sword in the scabbard and glances to either side to quickly assess the terrain and find anything which might give them a tactical advantage if they're forced into battle. He steps toward the side of the trail to be clear of the poorly-trained lizards if they should appear again.

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Relieved to see the others taking his concerns seriously, Dexter squares off to the front, watching the man approach. He opens his hand and lets his sling drop into ready position. He fills his other hand with a bullet, but waits and listens to the others make the call.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen, seeing plenty of fire power facing the front, follows Liam towards the back, ready to assist him with any threats from the rear.

[OGRE MAGE]

Stonegut Meet And Greet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Overcast, Warm, Humid

The frightened young man continues running towards the group, now shouting out for their help in desperation. His pursuit suddenly rounds the distant bend in the trail, revealing themselves as a group of 6 mounted dwarves riding upon 4 giant lizards. They spur their mounts on brutally, gaining on the exhausted human quickly. They appear about to run the man down as he flees.

Judging the current range between them to be around 60 yards and closing rapidly, Dasiy isn't sure if the party will be able to help the poor guy before he is simply trampled by the massive jungle transports. The dwarves appear to notice the trespassers on their trail from a distance, the wicked smiles on their ruddy faces perking up even more at the new sight.

Actions!

Dexter 23/23
Daisy 16/16 3/3 first 2/2 second
Jaxsen 19/19
Narramore 12/12 LOH
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 1/1 first
Liam 9/9
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy dithers for a second, torn between further antagonizing the dwarves and saving the man's life. Only a second, then she starts sprinting for him, waving her arms and shouting Waitaminit! Hold on!

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She judges the distance and comes to the same conclusion as Daisy. When the Mayor sprints forward to head off the charge of four giant lizards, the Princess gasps. I guess that's why she's Mayor.

She quickly calls out to the others. "Daisy needs help! Come on!" She starts running forward, but at the very edge of the trail, ready to duck behind some trees. Those lizards are large.

Are the dwarves armored? What weapons do they have?

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter immediately sets off after Daisy. As he runs, he pulls his sling up and re-wraps it around his wrist, as it looks like any confrontation is likely to take place at melee range. But he doesn't draw a blade yet, willing to let Daisy see if she can negotiate them out of what looks like a very violent encounter.

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

The big man opens his mouth to speak, but swallows his words when Daisy bolts ahead. "Blast!" He growls and sets off after her. If the lizards don't check their pace and seem intent on running her down, he will attempt to place his armored form between her and the abused creatures, pushing her aside and praying to Heironeous that sheer force of will keeps him alive.

"Hold!" He shouts, raising one hand and gripping his sword hilt in the other.

[OGRE MAGE]

Are the dwarves armored? What weapons do they have?

They look a bit like mounted cavalry, dressed in heavy scale armor and armed with ax, dagger, and sword.

[OGRE MAGE]

Stonegut Meet And Greet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Overcast, Warm, Humid

As the four members of the party attempt to close the distance, the dwarves spur their huge mounts right at the fleeing human, but the large green beasts seem unwilling to simply trample the man for no reason. The first lizard veers off the path before he hits the target, nearly sending the pair of dwarves riding atop flying into the jungle. The second lizard does something similar, causing its rider to curse loudly and hit the beast numerous times with the pommel of his sword.

The third rider watches the initial failures, as do the pair behind him. One of them pulls their animal right up alongside the running man before hitting him with his ax and sending him flying off into the bush. Daisy can actually hear the final pair of dwarves laughing at this result, jeering at the first riders who failed while they all eventually approach the group.

Once they get closer, the party can see that these animals have also been badly mistreated as well, showing many wounds like the ones you have seen earlier. One of the dwarves calls out after they close the distance, leaving the battered human laying in the bush where he fell.

"And just who in the nine hells do you think you are? This path is the property of the Stoneguts! And we don't take too kindly ta strangers snoopin round!"

Actions?

Dexter 23/23
Daisy 16/16 3/3 first 2/2 second
Jaxsen 19/19
Narramore 12/12 LOH
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 1/1 first
Liam 9/9
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy scowls at the dwarves. Princess, would you talk to these fellas?
Daisy sprints to the fallen man and kneels, looking over his wounds. If he's concious, she'll talk to him.

Lie still, sugar. Ah'm a cleric and a healer- Ah'll do ever'thing Ah kin for you.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

The Princess steps into the middle of the road now that the lizards have stopped.

"Good Afternoon!" She says with a smile and nod.

"I am Princess Bonalure Summerstars of the Royal Court of Celene. I have a delegation from Beachtown and request an audience with your King."

"The previous patrol sent us along with their blessing, saying that 'the squad' allowed us through."

"Has Sergeant Faber told you of our coming? How are the gems I traded him for working out for him? I'm looking forward to more business, and to talking ale with Trebor."

She looks over the lizards and dwarves. "Impressive mounts. What would it take for me to procure one? Even Elves get tired of walking in the woods, you know."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter stands behind Daisy as she cares for the fallen man. His hand is near his sword, but not actually touching it. He keeps a very close eye on the closest Dwarves. He considers greeting them in Dwarvish, but isn't sure if the shape-changers gain the language skills of their hosts. He decides it is better to keep that ability to himself and see if he can perhaps glean some information down the road, as very few races speak Dwarf.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen cranes his neck intermittently to keep an eye on Daisy and the others, but does not leave his post watching the rear with Liam.