Hunt Or Be Hunted

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne will patrol the area around the village while they remain there. Is there anything she can learn from any tracks or marks they left behind?

[spanningtree]

Thena

Wakes a bit unsteady, head a bit askew, but readies herself for a new day by putting on her new, to her at least, armor. Thanking Abaessa and Theossia for letting her stay in the shrine she makes her way to the inn. When she sees Mave: That was noble thinking on your feet... I'm sure our paths will cross theirs again, where they don't have innocents to shield their deficiencies. She says with a smile.

Before sitting down and eating a meal plus plan the day ahead she will look at each in the group for any obvious healing needs backed up with the offer: Does anyone need a hand of healing?


OCC:
Spell load out: Cure Light Wounds x 3, Light/Darkness 20' Radius, Silence 15' Radius, Slow Poison
Note: new AC: 2/4/4

[Revenant]

Gathering at the inn, you make your plans for setting out over a hearty breakfast. As they eat, Nis indicates to De'Athyra her writing pantomime. The girl smiles up at Nis and shakes her head no, all the time talking in her foreign tongue, a stream of words that mean nothing to any gathered at the table. Mave explains to everyone the most direct route to reach Gull's Landing. They have roughly one day's ride to reach the road that leads to the town of Brisbane's Way. Its a small port town named after a former adventurer of long ago. Mave indicates that actually going to the town would only slow them in their journey, as it lies to the south on the coast of Amaran Sea and a more direct route to the Landing would involve just continuing on past that road. Mave estimates the ride to the Landing will take two days assuming they make no unexpected stops and keep steadily riding as far during the day as they can. She also tells Nis to instruct the huntsman to deliver the armor she has ordered to the Gallowhawk family estate which lies near the town's western gate.

Bryne who patrolled the outskirts of the town and studied the tracks the Ashcatchers took says its clear to her, the four continued southwest from here in direction of the city of Belay. She finds no trace of the bodies of the two prisoners, so she can only surmise the four continued their journey at a quickened pace.

Theossia offers her blesssings for a safe journey and Miklos takes the time to say goodbye to each of you, releasing the prisoners once more to the rangers' protection. He tells Torvik it was an honor having him and his recruits stay with him and that they are welcome to return if they pass through these parts again.

Abaessa indicates that she would like to accompany you, if you will have her. She explains there are several reasons she would like to do this. Firstly, she has sworn to the Moonmaiden that she will help to protect De'Athyra, and she says her father lives in the Landing, and it is high time she visited him. Additionally she is interested in revisiting the temple to her goddess in the city, where she was trained in her service.

With the extra horses you obtained at the brigand's camp, and the loss of the two prisoners, you have extra mounts so there is no longer the need to double-up on your rides.

When your breakfast is done, you gather at the town well and mount up ready to set out. A good portion of the townsfolk are there to see you off as they have not had this much excitement in a long time. Before they set out, Theossia stops Thena and says, "Sister, though we are of different faiths, I feel Chauntea would have me give you a parting gift." She presents her with a bundled sheaf of what appears to be wheat.

Theossia's Gift.jpg (48.87 KiB) Viewed 1153 times

"Should you find yourself in need," the priestess says, "Remove the ribbon and spread the blessings of the Great Mother on her bountiful breast. If your need is worthy she may answer your call."

And then you set off, riding to the east, a warm sun on your backs...

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne will take point and stay on high alert in case of an ambush.

[The Bindoner]

Wilwayaisawén


Wilwarin had nothing to buy, but she took the opportunity to repair her armour, properly sharpen her blades, and launder her clothes.

She would have preferred to set off immediately for Gull’s Landing, in pursuit of Zedamande, but was conscious that as part of this group she has collected enough enemies that travelling alone is unwise.

#219 Post by Darithe » Wed Sep 06, 2023 8:44 pm
Mave

Mave checks on the prisoners, then meets with Miklos, wanting to be sure he sends words to Gull's Landing, should the two Ashcatchers return. She will then ask everyone to meet at the inn for a meal to discuss when they are setting out. She agrees with Nis that they shouldn't wait, knowing their mere presence in town might possibly endanger the townsfolk. She would like to leave as soon as they can, but she will listen to all of the other's opinions too, should their thoughts differ

Wilwarin responded with: I see no reason to stay. My quarry is heading to Gull’s Landing, and so must I. It is apparent he is in league with those we are already working to frustrate, so I think your interest in his destination ought to approach mine. Anyway, the sooner we are on the way, the happier I will feel.

Despite her eagerness to be on the road, Wilwarin takes time, as the party prepares to leave, to offer her thanks to her hosts for the hospitality shown to her and her companions.

[spanningtree]

Thena

With great respect she accepts the bundle from Theossia and hugs her in return. Many thanks sister Theossia, your gesture is very appreciated.

Placing the bundle in her pack, she waits until everyone is ready and then mounts up for the passage to Gulls Landing. She'll travel near the prisoners, mace our, laying in her lap.


OCC: Inventory updated.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik doesn't buy anything other than whatever is needed to replenish his rations and water for his waterskin to make the travel. When he has time he will see about trying to get a message back to the Rangers of the Horn of everything that's happened since he left their base camp.

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave is both glad and apprehensive to be on their way. Glad to see her home and family again, but anxious at how her father might receive her. Still it seemed the Landing was the best bet for all their needs. Disposing of the prisoners, Wilwarin seeking her quarry, resolving the De'Athyra communication issues, and the next step before they went to the tourney and sought out the king. For a moment, she almost felt overwhelmed by all the responsibilities. After all, responsibility was what drove her from her home in the first place. She pushed those thoughts away and tried to concentrate on the path they rode.

[tristenc]

Nis will give the instructions to the hunters fow where the armor is to be sent, and bid farewell to Theossia and to Miklos. She will stick close to De'Athrya and Abaessa during the travels, letting Ducky ride along with the others as he prefers but keeping a close eye on tbe little scamp. At all times Seabhag will be near to hand, should trouble arise.

[Revenant]

The first day's ride is a pleasant one, the weather calm and the path relatively safe as you are mostly passing through farmlands under the protection of Lord Gallowhawk. Bryne takes the lead, scouting ahead a bit, and towards the end of the first day she returns with news that the ruins of an old farmhouse lies ahead. While the house itself burned down long ago, the barn next to the rubble is till intact and will provide a decent campsite for the night and a mostly complete roof over your heads.

Torvik and his recruits insist on investigating the structure before you break for camp. They find the remnants of several bales of hay within, so the horses will be well-fed this night. More troubling, they find someone else has used it as a shelter somewhat recently. Several blotches of dried blood dot one corner of the barn. And there are also several disgarded bandages and opened tins of rations mostly clean but some still containing bits of food, not yet rotted or scrounged up by vermin. It looks like whoever camped here did so a couple of days past. Bryne looks for tracks and estimates there were three of them. She also finds prints and scat from where they tied their mounts.

Torvik calls for double guards during the night, in case the previous tenants return. Ruskin and Vari both take positions in the upper loft of the barn watching the outside through the hayloft door while the rest of you start a campfire far enough away from the barn to prevent the risk of fire and start cooking an evening meal.

You spend a pleasant evening eating by the fire and discussing what you all intend to do once you reach the Landing while Kade keeps watch of the three prisoners. Mave gives a brief description of some of the better stores and inns in the city. She also speaks of several temples within the city, including one dedicated to Tempus. Abaessa talks of her childhood in the city and how she entered the temple there. Mave asks about her family, thinking she might know them, and Abaessa says her mother passed long ago but her father still lives in the city and works as an importer/exporter of fine goods. When Mave asks his name, Abaessa says, "His name is Aurens Dalavere."

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne will take her normal watch position. Setting up in the loft if she has a good enough view all around, otherwise on the ground.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik and his rangers will take normal watch as needed typically helping guard the remaining prisoners.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Listens to Mave intently sitting near the fire, nodding. She'll take a morning watch.

[tristenc]

During the day, Nis rides near Abaessa and De'Athrya; her bow always close to hand. Once the location for the night is selected, she will spend some time looking for and collecting local herbs and showing them to her young charge, teaching her the Sylvan names for everything.

As it comes time for bed she, De'Athrya and Abaessa (if she agrees) will stay in the hay loft. She will keep watch during the night where her infravision and bow can do the most good from the high vantage, and will take her 4hr trance when others with infravision are on watch.

[Darithe]

Mave

Listens to Abaessa's response about her father, and ponders the name for a moment, "I'm afraid it doesn't ring any bells. Likely my father or brothers know of him, but I wasn't really involved in the port's business. My father in fact, didn't believe I should seek any knowledge beyond looking for a suitable husband and furthering House Gallowhawk's prospects." She is silent a few moments before adding, "I was largely a disappointment to him in many ways."

[The Bindoner]

Wilwayaisawén


Wilwarin rides silently for most of the day, brooding on Zedamande.

When the party stop for the night she decides to distract herself by talking to Nis. She has become used to being among humans since leaving Morqua Nost, but misses the company of her own kind.

She takes watch while Nis meditates, then snatches some sleep for herself.

[Revenant]

The night passes very pleasantly, the abandoned barn making an excellent shelter/defensive point giving you time to chat and ponder your actions when you will reach the city. Wilwarin and Niserie discuss their heritage, Wilwarin talking of her homeland Magh Meall, a heavily forested island made up almost entirely of elves, in fact non-elves are only allowed at one port town, unless they have permission to travel further inland. Niserie tells of her homeland, Innisfree, also an island which lies to the northeast of Wilwarin's home. Unlike the elven centric upbringing of Wilwarin, Innisfree is a very integrated land, though somewhat primitive by comparision, with no large cities. Fey creatures live amongst both elven, gnome, halfling and human inhabitants. There is a large druid enclave as well as several sects of witches based on the island.

Torvik and his recruits get the three prisoners ready for travel and rest of you gather your things and set off again with Bryne riding slightly ahead keeping a watchful eye out. You ride for several hours and pause for a quick lunch on some farmland. The breeze is pleasant and you watch several farmers tilling their fields, until one seemingly catches sight of you. You watch as he mounts up and rides in your direction.

He stops a bit away from your group and calls out to you, "Are one of you named Wilwarin?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik always playing it cautious "Who's askin'? Sorry can't be too careful yah know. I ain't tryin' ta be rude just tryin; ta figure out why yer lookin' fer im."

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne remains silent, but keeps alert for anyone else sneaking up on them.

[tristenc]

The night before, Nis enjoys the conversation with her fellow elf and asserts that they should do so again soon.

===
back in the present, Nis watches the man approach curiously. She keeps an eye out for any others approaching and subtly flanks De'Athrya with Abaessa, but otherwise lets the others deal with the stranger