The Laws of Chaos, Chapter 1 - A Journey Begins

[Eshkigal]

Xuan nods at that.
"Da, homeland! But he just saying that this is not case, so there is issue in theory. Is happening to random animals in town. But what are you knowing about how getting here? Xuan fell into sinkhole in homeland, end up in cage with big cat. And how people looking from above grove? They calling help from casters, that imply lack. Though...hm. How tall is wall, and how are you feeling about heights, little green ally?"
Xuan pauses to think of a question.
"Needing coin to find homeland, so being blunt: how much is pay?"

[MesiDoomstalker]

Since I was a welp, my home resided in the canopy of Bristlewood Forest. Niether tree nor height scare I.

[Eshkigal]

"Excellent, then we find tall, thinner tree to bring, and having you look above wall to ensuring area not full of wolves and such beyond wall when going in. Sounding agreeable to you?"

[MesiDoomstalker]

Cocking one eyebrow, Xugb simply nodded.

[BluesEclipse]

"We haven't seen any creatures guarding the grove, no. It's just the trees," Mayor Bandel answers Avor first, "woven together into a solid dome. We've had people scale the trees to try and access it from above - but the trees themselves seem to repel people trying to scale them... the druid's magic has given them enough semblance of thought to be able to try and ward off intruders." He then turns to Xuan and says, "As to how it is that they've gotten here... unless someone has been replacing the pets and local fauna, these creatures were born around here and have only been transformed recently."

At the question of pay, he nods and says, "I completely understand the need for recompense - I wouldn't ask you to do this for free. I can offer a total of 1000 gold for this - you'd have to divide it between yourselves, of course."

[Esprit15]

"That ought to be fine, just fine. If there will be nothing else, a small map of the local area would be most helpful, so that we don't get lost. Do any of you know of anything we might need? I suppose an idea of where to start would be nice too, now that I think of it."

[Arcran]

Avor nods, still somewhat perplexed. How were they supposed to work their way in? He could try to force his way in, but Avor felt that would be met with some resistance.

"There's no point in standing around. I intend to inspect the grove with my own eyes; those that wish can follow," Avor states, beginning to head towards the door, although he walks slow enough that the others can easily catch up. He felt a giant, sealed off glade would be rather hard to miss.

[MesiDoomstalker]

I encountered one of the Unfinished earlier. It seemed to be particularly unnerved by my presence. I will be trying to locate another and see if the reaction is the same. Some assistance would be welcome. The Goblin followed the human out, though was clearly not wishing to follow him beyond the door.

[Eshkigal]

Xuan shakes his head a bit at that.
"Not thing put on already around creatures. Mayor, having deal!"
He gets up, and as he moves to head out pats the girls on the shoulder.
"Both likin magic, da? At least one should investigate beasties with Xugb, Xuan will help impatient one try and figure way through."
With that, he heads out after Avor, putting the hood back up. When he meets up, he nods to Avor.
"Comrade. Green one is investigating the beasts to start. Other two split between groups when decided."

[Esprit15]

"I can go with you two," Scarlet says. "I'm curious about this wall." She stretches, thin, silvery wings making themselves visible from underneath her hair, briefly before following.

[Regalus]

"It would appear that you and I will be tasked with finding another sample of these creatures," she said as she eyed the smaller warrior, trying to keep her reservations to herself, "Though I confess, while my proficiency do include mystic arts; we would do well to determine how best to find one another out there, lest one of us come across trouble or something of import and have no way to find aid in time,"

"In all honesty given the unknown nature of the threat presented to us between this contamination and the local kobolds it may be best we travel as one group. We may not cover as much ground, but given the apperant diversity between us all we would atleast be assured to have some means of facing any obstacles we may come across," Nadia suggested, not wanting to accidentally stumble across a murder of fiendish dire crows on her lonesome or some other all too troublesome beast without proper reinforcements.

[Eshkigal]

As the mostly quiet Nadia speaks up, Xuan smiles and nods, waving to them to bring them over.
"Then come, come! We venture into the wilds, so we see them in their truthful state! Plenty to learn along the way."

[BluesEclipse]

The mayor nods at Scarlet's request, and picks up a rolled parchment from a desk in the corner. "This is a map of the general area - it does have the grove marked on it, along with the location of the caverns that the Kilik dwell in. I hope you can resolve this..."

The mayor leads you back out of the building, before returning to his own work.

Spoiler: Map

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1 - Crafter's Row
2 - Town Square
3 - Mayor's House
4 - Thornwood Cemetery
5 - Mage's Mausoleum
6 - Satharathina's Grove
7 - Kilik Warrens

Spoiler: OOC

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So... who's going where and doing what?

[Eshkigal]

After finding out where to go, Xuan heads towards the Glade with whoever else is going, possibly sharing some carnival stories if anyone cared to listen. Starting with a tale of drunken brawling, a tall tale concerning a lost elephant to guards, and the virtues of both comic appearance for distraction and intimidation in a brawl.

[Esprit15]

Scarlet follows the monk to the druid's grove, curious about the wall of trees.

[MesiDoomstalker]

The little goblin followed dutifully behind the 2 Humans.

[Regalus]

Nadia followed suite, asking for everyone's names as proper introductions were exchanged; before exchanging a few of her own tales from traveling much of the land with her teach, and since becoming a journeywoman as well.

[Arcran]

Avor makes his way towards the druid's clearing, ignoring any who choose to travel with him.

[BluesEclipse]

Your group makes its way through the streets of Thornwood Village, Xuan's tales of his life in the circus and Nadia's stories of her own travels filling the time it takes you to pass through the northern gates of the town and begin making your way through the forest proper. As you begin moving through the forest, the sun's light dims to scattered rays making their way through the canopies above. Fallen twigs occasionally crack beneath your feet as you move westwards, making your way towards the general area of the druid's grove.

Spoiler

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I require Spot and Listen checks, peoples.

[BluesEclipse]

You continue your travels, the forest growing denser as you move westward. Though you've not yet seen any signs of the druid's grove, things at least have been relatively quiet. A long-fallen tree sits on the ground, one end of it resting against another tree that is growing up from the ground, but nothing else in the area seems notable as a landmark.

Spoiler: Xuan

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As you draw even with the fallen log, you notice a flicker of movement to your right - a trio of silvery creatures moving towards you, wings spread as they glide silently in your direction.

Spoiler: Everyone

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Please place yourselves in the lighter green area of this map so that I can identify where you are. For reference - the darker green are trees, extending upwards. These will provide Concealment. The brown objects are a stump (the small one) and a fallen tree(the large one), that will provide Cover.

[Eshkigal]

"-and that is why there are rumors of ghost owlbear in Northlands still."
Compared to the shifting forms of Limbo, reading the landscape here was painfully easy at times due to how damn static the world was. However, that no one else saw the silver beasts was somewhat alarming in its own right, even as his hands drift towards his throwing axes, wanting to save the annulats in case they dove behind cover. As they approach, he mutters loud enough for the group to hopefully hear, but not give them away.
"Three silver bird from North, move with intent. Be wary."

(1d20+1)[16] INITIATIVE

(HP: 15; AC 17; Fort 5; Ref 1; Will 0; TAB 5. Delay action until these birds get closer)

[MesiDoomstalker]

Xugb's eyes dilate slightly, as he reaches for his warhammer. He nods silently as he readies himself.

[Esprit15]

Scarlet grabs for her axe, looking for the threat.

Spoiler

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HP: 10
AC: 13
TAB: 1
Weapon: 1d8+1, x3/20
Initiative: (1d20)[8]

[Regalus]

Nadia swears, getting into position behind her more well armored companions and readied her sling; all in preparation of a possible conflict, should their guests not be friendly envoys.

Spoiler

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Spoiler: Ignore

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Move Action: Syllable of ENthropy (Reversed); DC 14 each
*Nadia: (1d20+16)[32]. on a success gain (1d4+1)[3] Temp HP
*Scarlet: (1d20+16)[18]. on a success gain (1d4+1)[3] Temp HP

HP:7; AC: 16; Initiative: (1d20+2)[9]

[Eshkigal]

As the birds finally make it into combat range, Xuan moves forward, pulling an annulat and throwing it at the leader, the blade's design tricking the eyes into making it seem a lot slower than it is.
(1d20+4)[13] (Neraph Throw on B1)
(1d6+4)[8]

[BluesEclipse]

The annulat whirls through the air, slicing just past the leading bird's side. The three birds, in unison, glide towards Xuan, the leader's feet glowing with a silvery aura as it swipes at the Neraph with small claws, but fails to do any noticeable damage before it passes, the silver aura fading. The two other birds following it follow suit, clawing futilely at the Limbo native as they glide past, lacking the silvery glow their leader took.

As the others look around, alerted by Xuan's actions, two more sets of birds fly from the southeast and southwest, darting low over the group and clawing at those beneath them.

Spoiler: Damage and other notes

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B1 attacks Xuan, and misses.
B2 attacks Xuan, and misses.
B3 attacks Xuan, and misses.
B4 attacks Xugb, and hits for 1 damage.
B5 does not attack.
B6 attacks Scarlet, and misses.
B7 attacks Avor, and hits for 1 damage.
B8 attacks Nadia, and misses.
B9 does not attack.

Surprise round is now over - roll initiative if you haven't already, and NOW everyone can post actions.

Current Init is as follows:

Xuan - 16
B1, B2, B3, B7, B8, B9 - 11
B4, B5, B6 - 5

Also - anyone who has Knowledge(Nature) may roll it. Xugb and Scarlet may roll Knowledge(Religion) or Knowledge(Planes) as well, if they have it.

[Eshkigal]

With a snarl as claws scrape across his hide, finding no purchase on his hardened skin, he reaches back for his scythe and pulls it out in a large slash, trying to hit the third bird as he bellows a noise that sounds like what burning toast smells like.
(1d20+5)[10]
(2d4+4)[9]