[Continued] - Valorei/Elves - 2 April, 1 VC

[OGRE MAGE]

+1

No hard feelings whatsoever! It's all part of the game.

If you think that was bad, go back and read what happened when Val went all rouge on us.

[Scott308]

Yeah, that one escalated far worse than this. For those unfamiliar with his background (he spoke of it in the thread for his first adventure), Dorvar is a dwarf from a large city who was in a quasi-military law enforcement group, so with his previous profession he is used to people that didn't treat him well. He doesn't really take offense that easily, although I can see how others would be irritated by Wendall's abrasive demeanor. He also realizes that you don't have to like the group of people you are working with. In fact you can flat out hate them as long as you are all working towards a common purpose and know that despite any personality conflicts, the only people you can rely on to stay alive when things go bad are each other, even if he would have a hard time articulating it. Because of this, when adventuring, he is willing to lay down his life in defense of others, and he saw that the others in the group Ogre Mage was referencing were willing to do the same for him. All in all, an interesting diversion. That is what makes this campaign so interesting- there is combat, but it really plays a small part as opposed to many games where there is usually not much going on other than killing monsters, taking their loot.

[Keehnelf]

April 4, 1 VC -1:50pm

The party, embroiled in its argument, failed to notice that it had covered nearly half a mile while they chattered away, with groups or individuals striking off eastward and everyone sort of drifting along after them, or storming off in turn in the same direction, with the end result that the group was reduced to a ragged line moving slowly and sporadically but nonetheless steadily eastward.

Once they regroup, the going is faster, and by lunch the darkness on the horizon has resolved itself into a distant forest, stretching to the foothills in the south and away out of sight to the north. They decide at least to continue to its edge before discussing changes in route. An hour or so later they approach close enough to see the nature of the forest. Thick, of old, tall trees with slender leaves soaring hugely upward. Dense undergrowth and an unusual sense of menace, despite its placid and healthy appearance. Val and Baxtaw feel this impression much more strongly than the others.

[Mister-Kent]

Olympia is amused by her party's banter, but ready to intervene if she feels it's gone too far. Approaching the lush locale, she looks to the elves. "Hmm..What do you think?"

2 days rations deducted

[Enoch]

"It doesn't look like a friendly sort of wood, does it?" The halfling kicks at the dirt, looking sidelong at the trees. "Not the sort of place you'd like to take a stroll, I mean. It's almost like the trees themselves don't want us coming in, if you take my meaning."

He suddenly looks embarrassed and looks away. "Not that I think the trees have any real feelings on the matter, of course. But it looks rather uninviting, nonetheless."

[Marullus]

"I would take that as a sign that we might be in the right neighborhood," Nihilius opines.

[Dram]

Baxtaw- I think the woods may have a mind of it own. It may be best if we keeps our wits about us.

[Scott308]

Trees. Not exactly where I prefer to travel, says Dorvar. Dwarves are not really a woodsy people, but it seems we have no choice. He looks at the foreboding forest ahead of them, muttering, I've got a bad feeling about this.

[AleBelly]

"Looks like a great place to sneak about" says Varas unconvincingly. He pats Mustard's neck in an attempt to reassure her.

[MonkeyWrench]

Sorry guys, I don't usually post on the weekends, never by a computer and all that... Met a Corrections Officer on Saturday though, that was fun.

Val had stayed uncharacteristically quiet throughout the exchange, mostly just walking next to Olympia as the group bickered and walked, he says in a low tone towards Olympia, "I am glad to see that I am not the only one to have a rocky start with this group, I wonder if that is how this group weeds out people? Hehe." He says it low enough that really only those right by him would have heard.

Upon Wendalls closing argument though the Elf gives the young man a smile and a nod, later slinging his arm around Wendalls shoulders, giving the human a wink of his own, "You know Wendall, I agree fully with you that our start was not the best. We both made grave mistakes that could have very easily slide into the death of either of us. You are young, and others will always speak to you with that in mind, do not let it get to you. I for one, am glad to know that even though you are young, and sometimes both rude and impulsive, you have a wisdom in you that would take other races centuries to have. I am glad I met you Wendall the Mage."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once the group arrives at the forest Valorei glances towards Baxtaw, with the others chiming in Val makes a note public for everyone to hear, "What you feel... is raw natural power. Something to both be feared and revered... The world has it's own magic, magic of words and deeds. This forest has rules, rules that most likely involve travelers such as us, that we know nothing about." he gives everyone a hard look, "I do not care who you believe yourselves to be, or how powerful or careful you think you are. If you do not respect the power here and move without utmost caution, you will die; I do not want anyone to die here, yes?"

He turns back towards the forest, he cracks his neck and rolls his shoulders, the possible menace of the forest getting the better of him, "Let us continue until we are not far from the forest, then make camp. We can use it as a possible staging point." He looks around for any place that could be more easily defensible or easily hidden.

[Marullus]

Nihilius comments to Val,"It is only an hour after lunch... Could we not explore a bit further into the woods? If you wish, and we find no better respite, we can return here for camp. If the boughs are too imposing, perhaps only a smaller group could venture while some of use tend the horse and make shelter."

[Keehnelf]

The group doesn't see anything nearby that would serve as shelter, apart from the dense foliage of the forest a stone's throw away.

[AleBelly]

"I agree with Nihilius. I prefer a short excursion into the woods. If nothing else, it will assure us that nothing lies in wait to attack us at nightfall" says Varas.

[Dram]

Baxtaw - I agree also we should have a look around to make sure there is nothing lying in waait for while we camp.

[OGRE MAGE]

Can we see the forest line all the way to the mountains to the south?

[Keehnelf]

Yes, it's more or less steady north to south here, and stretches all the way to the foothills.

[Mister-Kent]

"I agree--a brief exploration of the surrounding woods," Olympia says. "At least enough to ensure our camp may be more secure. Though of course, such things are never truly guaranteed..."

[Marullus]

Nihilius looks about them on the flat plain. "Nothing recommends this place for camp save a fear of pressing onward into the foreboding wood. We have half a day before us... I suggest we press deeper into the wood to find what lies there and therein a defensible place to rest as well."

[MonkeyWrench]

Val finishes scanning the woods, likewise not finding anything that can serve as a main camp area, "Well, the lack of varied elevation is unsettling but in the absence of such a place I too believe it would be best to search around first, perhaps a better location will yield itself to us. Let us enter the forest." Valorei then begins to lead the party towards the forests edge.

[Keehnelf]

April 4, 1 VC - 2:10pm

As the party approaches the wood, the earlier vague presentiments sharpen and intensify. To Val and Baxtaw's eyes, as civilized or once-civilized elves, the forest bears the unmistakable marks of elven cultivation. The tall, slender-trunked dark silver trees with orange almond-shaped leaves could have no other source. Elven groves require significant ongoing care and tending once they are established, or the delicate balance of ecosystem established by the forester, and it seems clear to the elves that this wood has been allowed to run unchecked for quite some time.

In such a place, it is impossible to predict what one might find. Historically, it is shamefully accepted wisdom that nightmare vines, owlbears and will o' the wisps at least are the results of abandoned groves. Modern elves, fewer in number, have established strong principles against the kind of wholesale manipulation that is likely to result in such problems in order soften the impact once they pass entirely from the world.

Long story short: this wood may be a death trap, or simply ancient, wild and beautiful. Or some combination thereof.

With Mustard in tow, breaking a path through the dense undergrowth will be slow going. What will your formation look like?