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Montego shakes his head at it all as he follows Muldgarr towards the wagons, staring at Obi with disgust in his eyes.

"Well? What will it be then? Pain and death, or common sense? Are you even listening to me?"

Cassius

"There's your wizard, by the way. Zapping things, like they do."

He turns to address the pair of scouts. "Stay right here. I don't want you to blend into the town and make whatever that is out there burn it down trying to find you. What do you think Montego?" He turns to see Montego's rear hurrying along the street to catch Muldgarr and Kranston.

"Oh."

Cassius mumbles something in elvish, then calls to Sai. "Whatever. You decide what to do with them. Send them on their way, shackle them, give them money, whatever." He shakes his head and trots after the others.

Sai

Readying his bow and moving off to follow the others. He turns and yells at the two Ass hats.

YOU TWO GET TO YOUR POSTS. NOW!! IF YOUR LUCKY YOU WILL LIVE THROUGH THIS!!

He then moves after the others. Bow at the ready. Searching for Emerald once they reach the wagons.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten


A large tree-like creature bursts from the forest line, eliciting another bolt of lightning from the mage atop the tower. Oddly enough, the bolt doesn't seem to hurt the creature, but instead, it roars with rage and thrashes forward, followed by other forest creatures.

Muldgarr and Kranston are already on their way back to the wagons, as Cassius and Montego hurry to catch up. "There's your wizard, by the way. Zapping things, like they do." This from Cassius and he trots along after Montego who is still arguing with Obi.
"Are you even listening to me?" the ranger growls.
Obi crosses his little arms across his little body and pouts.

Sai gives a stern command to the two men of Green Company before joining his companions. As they reach the wagons and horses, they see that the merchants three are already there, looking nervous and afraid.
"We have company!" Malin says, drawing his sword and pointing toward the road they came in on. Galloping down the road is a group of centaurs > half-man/half-horse > and they look like they are ready for a fight!


The centaurs ride up, bows and spears in hand...not expecting to meet a group of warriors waiting on them. The lead centaur holds up a hand and the group slows to a trot, still ready to fire if provoked.
(Tag Bluehorse!)

Montego again tries a peaceful resolution to this invasion, despite the pouting from Obi.

He shouts to anyone nearby. "These creatures aren't know to be wicked or evil, so lets try to compromise if we still can. Hold your attacks unless you need to defend yourselves!"

Remembering the strange whistle the sprite blew to call this attack initially, the ranger wonders if it can also be used to stop the advance. He tries to pry the thing away from Obi, using an old tactic that once worked very well on him when he was that size.........a good tickling.

Only using force if completely necessary, if the whistle can be gained, Montego will blow it towards the advancing forest dwellers.

"STOP THIS ATTACK NOW AND NOBODY WILL BE HURT! THERE IS NO NEED FOR VIOLENCE!!! STATE YOUR CONCERNS SO WE MAY ATTEMPT A PARLAY!!!"

Adelphocles

The lead centaur holds his fellow at bay pun most certainly intended! he is much brighter in color than the others, being of a more palomino coloring than the darker chestnuts and and even black toned horse men. He is also, even by their standards, huge. He carries a bow across his shoulders but it is the heavy barbed lance he holds at the ready before pointing it upward.

To those that speak Sylvan:


He moves forward, heavy unshod hoove not unlike those of the largest of warhorses send motes of dust as he nears. He slowly moves the lance to behind the banded shield in his left hand, still pointing upward before holding out his bignright hand.

In what sounds like a very old and formal form of common: Hail to thee, cousins of two legs.
I am called Adelphocles of Silvertree. To whom do I take parley with?

In Sylvan

Adelphocles, Son of the forest, brother of the wood and elves. I am Muldgarr Petri and these are my companions...words have proven to be more powerful than blood! I believe today this to be true as well. Muldgarr rubs the pendant hanging from a cord around his neck, which had been previously blessed by Sylvanus.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten > Parlay?

Obi squeals and twists as Montego tickles him mercilessly...and retrieves the tiny whistle. Despite Obi's protests, the ranger blows the whistle and hollers at the forces emerging from the trees as well as the men atop the tower and who are assembling in front of the low wall of the fort.
"Not fair! Not fair! You cheated me!" Obi screeches, grabbing Montego's arm and swinging himself up into a position to bite down on the ranger's wrist.
Montego yelps and lets go...and Obi tumbles to the ground, but just as quickly, the diminutive creature jumps to his feet and dusts himself off...as the centaurs ride up.

The lead centaur raises his lance and the other centaurs hold their position. In the language of woodland creatures, the centaur calls out for someone to treat with him, naming himself Adelphocles.
Muldgarr Petri responds in the same lilting language, his fingers caressing the pendant around his throat...perhaps for good luck.

While the Adelphocles and Muldgarr talk, two tiny figures slide off the back of one of the centaurs and come running up to Obi.


Obi squeals again, this time with delight and calls out: "Frannie! Drool! Oh, I'm so glad you're here. Now we can exact vengeance for Pudding! Vengeance I say!"

Kranston is calming his pony while the three merchants emerge from hiding to see what all the squealing is about. Seeing the centaurs, Emerl hurries over, her eyes wide with wonder. She sidles up beside of Sai and asks, "Why are they here? Are they with the forces attacking the fort?"

Sai

Sai watches in amazement. He has not seen a Centaur in a long time. Being a priest of Ehlonna and Elven he watches and listens as the two speak. When Emerald slides up next to him he responds with:

Well we got into some craziness in the fort. I healed a man missing an arm but he was one of the soldiers that killed that little things friend a few days ago. Now the little brat has called all his friends to extract some Iron price for the death of Pudding. I know it sounds crazy. But I think I should help Montego now. Stay Safe.

He moves toward the Centaur and Montego. Making sure his Holy Symbol of Ehlonna is visible.

Adelphocles

Nods and continues in Sylvan to Muldgarr, assuming they are the leader or representative. Well met. You should know, these were gathered in the name of exacting balance in the name of Pudding, an Owlbear slain while protecting her newly born cublettes. This force is gathered by yonder Treant Druid, who calls on us to honor the laws of such things. I need not tell you, he would like to see blood for blood, but in mine eyes, that only means more loss. Rather let me mediate and we may find another way that spares such a loss./dialog]

Montego only catches bits and pieces of the conversation in the Sylvan tongue, so he keeps his eye on the little creatures so they cant get into any more trouble.

"Now Obi, I think you better control your temper a bit. Do you want your nice friends here to think you've gone mad with bloodlust or something? I can see that this pair is far more level headed when it comes to such things. Frannie and Drool is it? Interesting name, that. Maybe you two little heroes can shed some more light on this for us? I am certain that you understand the concept of self defense, right?"

Cassius

Glad to see that people are talking first, Cassius leaves the diplomacy to others. He moves alongside Muldgarr, but slightly to the rear, standing guard. He watches the hands and feet of the centaurs, trying to anticipate any actions.

Muldgarr nods in agreement with Adelphocles...in Sylvan...Yes, his rings are many a year, he bestows great wisdom and wants matters settled as of old. But, I see you are like minded and hope he will listen to you.

Adelphocles

Moves so he faces the druid that rallied them together and speaks so that his voice is clear and carries well for all to hear.

Wise one! Indeed we agree there was a wrong done in the Forrest which you call us to right, but these people honorably call for talk.
They recognize you. They will hear your words. Speak now and let us find a way to resolve this without the shedding of more blood. Surly in your greatness you can find some way to make this right that avoids more wasted life. These people ask for a way to make amends, surely that is worth more than death.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten, Part 2

Obi, Frannie and Drool cover their ears to try and muffle all of the yelling, roaring, and ear-splitting cacophony that is going on around them. Frannie and Drool know the big two-legs is talking to them, at least it seems to be, but they can't hear it because of the roar of the forest creatures who are preparing to charge the fort.
Montego and even the centaur Adelphocles plead with the men from the fort and the great treant to parlay and not let this come to more bloodshed.
Their first attempt is drowned out by a great conflagration erupting in the middle of the field just a few yards shy of the forest. A creature of fire, summoned by the wizard at the top of the tower, shrieks as it burns, moving toward the encroaching creatures of the wood.


Suddenly, the sky overhead grows dark as thunderous clouds form seemingly out of nowhere...and a deluge of rain pours down on the elemental! It shrieks again as it sizzles and the grows weaker and weaker. As the rest of the onlookers wipes their faces and shake the rain out of the clothing, there comes another sound. It starts out low and then begins to grow!



Swarming out of the evening sky is a flying horde of insects! Frannie, Drool, and Obi jump and since there are creepy crawlies all along the ground as well...all moving toward the fort. The men atop the wall begin crying out and then soon they are yelling in pain as the cloud of biting and stinging insects descends upon them, particularly the top of the tower.

The ground suddenly shakes...THOOM....THOOM...and with somewhat of a surprise, you look to see a sight unlike any other:



Other tree-like creatures follow in the great tree's wake, as do numerous birds and fey creatures, all with eyes on you. The centaurs bow their heads in respect as the great treant approaches.
"Now..." its voice not unlike the creaking of tree limbs in the wind "...what in...tarnation...were you...yelling about...Adel?"

hedgeknight wrote: ↑Tue Oct 06, 2020 12:18 am
"Now..." its voice not unlike the creaking of tree limbs in the wind "...what in...tarnation...were you...yelling about,...Andel?"

Adelphocles

The centaurs bow very low, his forehead for a moment meer inches from the ground in a show of both respect and flexibility. He speaks clearly but evenly, taking his time to speak to the Treant. Great One, these people recognize you and respect you. They stand before you, asking parlay so they may hear and understand the concerns that brings you here in force today. Notice they raise no hand against you. I beseech thee, Great One... Let us have words and find a way to settle this matter that does not require the further loss of life. I ask you to see, they do not flee you but come to you asking for guidance. Surely, this alone shows they are willing to learn from their wrongs and right them and act accordingly in the future. They beg your forgiveness and wisdom in this matter. Shall we not benefit more in the ages to come if we can teach rather than destroy?

Sai

Sai approaches the proud Centaur and Mighty Treant.

Brother's of the Forest, Please Hold your Warriors. He turns to the Wizard in the tower and Yells: And you stop slinging spells, Asshole. Can't you see we are trying to end this peacefully.

I am Brother Sai, Priest and Follower of Ehlonna of the Forests. We are here before you because we have heard of the violence brought against your Pudding. I unknowingly healed the man responsible for the acts against it, her, the Owlbear, Pudding. If it pleases you we will bring you the men responsible for the death. Otherwise our battle here will only benefit the Evil Iuz. For it will weaken the forces here that hold back the tide of Orc and Goblin from spreading across the Goodly lands.

Montego cringes when Sai shouts profanities at the wizard in his tower, stepping to the side slightly as he awaits the fireball that is sure to come next.

The large ranger attempts to corral the three tiny fey creatures into his arms, not to hurt them, but to protect them from any unintended harm, still refusing to believe that this encounter can only end in more death and violence. He shouts out to anyone willing to listen.

"If it is revenge that drives you so, then take the man responsible and be gone. If retribution must be served, don't bring down an entire town and its inhabitants to achieve it"

"If the main concern is for the owl...... for Pudding's offspring, Then I myself will take the fledglings and care for them as their own mother would have. We are all friends of nature here. We would not want any harm to come to you or your kind, any more than we wish to fight against you over such things."

The human watches the wagons in their charge closely, making sure the merchants are well and their is no immediate danger to any of them.

Cassius

Fire elementals, polite centaurs, spell happy tower wizards, talking giant trees. Cassius is trying to take in all the madness that has escalated so rapidly.

He sighs deeply, trying to will himself to choose any path other than walking away. "So...peace then? What's plan B if nobody listens? Fight the wizard in the tower?"

He stands his ground near Muldgarr but doesn't seem in a hurry to draw arms.

Muldgarr Petri nods to the Treant. Great one, father of the forest, friend of the elves of Sylvan and to all the inhabitants of the wood! It is honor and respect that I give thee; We are here as are you, our faiths are entwined. Let us unravel their mysteries together. I will regard our meeting as hopeful, these issues can and should be settled in a positive way. He nods again to the treant and to Adelphocles.