[IC] The Crucible

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 3rd Level Paladin, Oath of Devotion Issy watches the two combatants with interest. It will be good to know what each of them can do. She turns to the halfling woman. "You don't happen to know what popcorn is out here, do you? I would love some of that while I watch the show."

[kladams707]

Shaena furiously rights the events as they unfold, a big grin on her face, excited to observe these two incredibly different styles of fighting square off one on one. As she scribbles, the noise begins to fade, as if her senses start to separate into another state of mind. No comments are heard by her as the fight continues on.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Moving as quick as the wind, Atas not only catches the stone that Gallan throws at him, but returns it back to him one swift motion.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Using Ki to make an attack with the rock as if with a monk weapon, since I reduced the damage to 0.

Rock Throw: (1d20+4)[10] for (1d4+2)[4]

Afterwards, he steps around on the rooftop, simply looking around to see if he can find an angle from which to hit the knight from. "Is it over, Gallan? I have the high ground!"

Spoiler: Action

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just gonna take a search action for now.

Investigation: (1d20)[13] (If perception, the roll is at +6)

[Armored Walrus]

In response, Gallan surges from behind the hut, swiftly throwing two rocks in Atas' direction. Atas casually turns his body sideways, and both projectiles whistle past him, thudding to the ground twenty yards away. Seeing his gambit fail, Gallan raises a hand in salute.

"A stalemate, then. You were wise not to close with me, but I feel it would have been some time before I managed to hit you with a rock. You're damned quick, elf."

He wipes a bead of sweat from his brow, but doesn't otherwise seem to have exerted himself much.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Atas returns the salute with pride, his heart invigorated by the knowledge that he has fought well today. It feels good to have the respect of a warrior such as Gallan.

Smiling brightly, he hops off the low roof, ready to head back inside and continue the earlier banquet. "That was an excellent battle, Sir Gallan. You combine strength and swiftness in a manner that I seek yet. Tonight, let us drink to your power, and to our efforts to reach the same heights!"

[Armored Walrus]

Gallan takes the compliments with little reaction, and lumbers back into the hall. Once the halflings refill his goblet once more, he relaxes back in his chair, long legs extended under the table. A fire has been kindled in the hall's oversized, river rock hearth during the brief sparring match, painting the interior of the hall in a warm flickering glow.

[Azktor]

Kyra

Kyra has been chugging food the whole time, was about to step out to challenge the over-confident man, but she was equaly happy to watch Atas. The whole challenge Kyra was cheering and drumming on the tabble for Atas "Ataas!! Ataaas!! Punch his throat! NO NO! Come on!! There you go!" she looks to Atas Proud after the fight "Nicely done!" raising a peace of meat as a trophy in his tribute.

[Armored Walrus]

Conversation lulls as the fire flickers desultorily in the hearth, and Gallan mutters something about turning in before falling asleep in his oversized chair.

The village goes quiet early, no lights coming on in any of the huts, but a pair of halflings keep a bonfire going in the center of the village, sitting with their backs to the flames and watching out into the night. Every so often, they change out the guard, any party member who happens to be awake hears a brief, whispered discussion as two more tired halflings trudge off to bed, and two others stoically take their place.

About an hour before midnight, one wakeful party member discerns the soft tread of halfling feet leaving the hamlet, about four hours later, the footsteps are repeated, and a new pair of guards is awoken.

Dawn arrives with a burst of birdsong from the nearby forest, and the party prepares to face a new day.

Spoiler: OOC

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Apply a short rest. What's your next step?

[Armored Walrus]

Breakfast is as terse as supper was; folks just seem eager to begin exploring, and have no specific plans to discuss excitedly over their smoked fish and eggs. The party gets underway soon after the sun rises, and heads into the forest, the morning sun in their eyes until the cool shade of ancient trees blocks it out.

Mohander stays ahead of the party, picking his way along game trails, and more or less just following the shape of the land beneath the trees, and you zigzag more or less eastward throughout the morning. Shortly before noon, you hear some commotion from up ahead, and Mohander hisses a quick warning and holds up a hand. Three figures stalk out of the foliage ahead of him. Wild looking, tall, gaunt and pale elves step into the sun, one on either side of the deer trail on which Mohander stands, and a third atop a head-high rock a few dozen yards further on. They have wild hair, dyed green, gold and red, wear unusual cloaks with leaves and bracken hanging from them at all angles making it difficult to see them even as they stand beside the path. The two nearest also bear wicker shields woven from bracken, and hand axes with granite heads. The third, atop the rock, wields a longbow, and has a deadly looking, obsidian tipped arrow nocked and pointed in your direction. This is the one that speaks.

"Paw gae falathren yr in naeth go Titania."

Spoiler: Elvish Speakers

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Since my plugin is broken on Roll20, realized none of you got a translation:

"You are intruding on the grove of Titania"

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Almost immediately upon spotting the strangers, Atas begins to make himself awfully small, his face having taken on a peculiar pale colour. "Just fantastic..." he thinks to himself. He has come all this distance from his home, yet he has only found more of his people. Hopefully, these ones will not realise who he is.

Aside from that, he tries to think. Is Titania a name that is familiar to him?

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Intelligence check, just in case.

(1d20)[2]

[kladams707]

Anyone understand that? Shaena asks calmly. I'm afraid my extensive reading hasn't allowed me to pick up the language being used here. She looks the various figures more curiously than fearfully, as if not at all aware of the danger they pose.

[Armored Walrus]

The elves shift slightly in response to Shaena's question, eyes darting suspiciously from party member to party member.

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 3rd Level Paladin, Oath of Devotion Issy finally steps forward, brushing back her long blond hair to show off her more elven attributes. She then holds her hands out from her body, palms forward to show they hold no weapon. She glances at the others for clues on how to approach the situation, then finally says: <Elven>Greetings, kin of my kin. We are explorers who come in peace. It is not our intention to intrude, but to learn. We would have much gratitude if you could escort us to your elders so we may learn of your ways. Spoiler: OOC Show I don't know anything about an elven translator....so that's what we get. A persuasion roll in case you want it: (d20+3)[15] And I'd also like a knowledge check to see if I've heard of Tatiana: (d20+1)[14] Add an additional 2 if the history skill applies.

[Derjuin]

Stepping up almost at the same time as Issy, Cass dips into a low, respectful bow, and waits for her compatriot to finish. "Mornedhel, ui baug ubed bwilwileth. Ui gae awarth mornedhel. Ui uial rhunen melethril golf uial draug ae paw pind," she says, her elvish coming back to her after a few years of not necessarily needing it. "Dan ae paw dagor anim ammen, ui dagor ol gwing yr iaeth go Titania."

Spoiler: OOC Translation

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1. Apologies, we mean no disrespect. We are merely wanderers. We will remove ourselves from this place if you wish,

2. But if you would have us, we would be happy to learn of Titania.

[Armored Walrus]

Mohander watches tensely from the side of the path as the party members all start talking at once. His hand rests lightly on his bow, but he makes no move to raise or draw it, a distant and troubled look on his face.

Luna, on the other hand, brightens up with excitement and pushes her way to the front of the group.

"Titania!?" she exclaims, "I know her!"

The two axe-wielding elves step back, alarmed at her enthusiastic approach, but she continues on in a language most of you can't understand, although it's vaguely Elvish. At her shift in language, the primitive elves' eyes widen, and they begin having an animated conversation with her.

Spoiler: Atas

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Luna has shifted to Sylvan, and is more or less being a Titania fangirl, telling these elves she knows her, and was sent here by her for some reason. They welcome her as a devotee of the Queen of the Seelie Court of the Fae, and start introducing themselves.

[Derjuin]

Cass cocks an eyebrow at Luna as she explodes into some kind of language that's kind of similar to elvish, but at the same time, makes absolutely no sense to the uninitiated half-elf's ears whatsoever. However, as the elves before them seem placated by her eruption into gibberish, she is happy to let them do their thing. "Right," she mumbles, shaking her head. "So... are we... going around, or in?"

[kladams707]

I'm curious as to where this is going, but I don't speak the language, so it would be up to those who do Shaena replied, slightly concerned but still fairly calm.

[Armored Walrus]

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry. I just got excited. These warriors protect a grove dedicated to Titania! I've never met any mortal fae worshipers before! I think we should go see it!"

[kladams707]

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry. I just got excited. These warriors protect a grove dedicated to Titania! I've never met any mortal fae worshipers before! I think we should go see it!"

Shaena's eyes darted between these strange elves surreptitiously. Are you sure they're not leading us into a trap? she whispered questioningly to Luna. I'll trust your judgment...for now

[Armored Walrus]

Luna looks a little taken aback. "I... didn't think of that." she says, but then brightens. "But they seem trustworthy to me!"

[Fishybugs]

Issy nods her head, expression thoughtful. "It certainly can't hurt to check it out....but it also would certainly be wise to be cautious." She warily follows along, eyes darting around.

[Derjuin]

Cass simply nods, keeping her eyes vigilant for signs of danger that might present themselves to the party. She doesn't quite trust the fae worshipers, though she's open to making friends with them. After all, they might know a thing or two about the Unicorn... possibly. Maybe.

[Armored Walrus]

Luna looks relieved at the party's acceptance of her chosen course of action, and follows the three wild elves deeper into the forest. After a few hundred feet, the trees thin, and bright sunlight bathes you as you enter a wide clearing. At the center of the open space, maybe a dozen yards across, stands a pine tree, tall, straight, and so wide around it might take three of you clasping hands to encircle its trunk. It stands on a tiny island within a lily pad covered pond, fed by a bubbling spring at the pine tree's feet. Standing stones, eight foot tall slabs of granite covered in etched runes and sigils, thrust up from the pool at the north, southeast, and southwest shores.

One of the leaf-clad elves turns to you with a welcoming gesture and says reverently, speaking the Common tongue for the first time, "Welcome to the Grove of Titania."

[Armored Walrus]

A silence, broken only by the bubbling of the spring and the soft chirping of song birds, descends over the grove as the party takes in their surroundings.

[Armored Walrus]

The harsh caw of a crow shatters the stillness.

[kladams707]

After a long, awkward pause, Shaena breaks the silence. I hope our gracious hosts can forgive us. We were at a loss for a moment, and quite honestly are not versed in the ways of your etiquette. I for one am humbly in awe of this grove.

[Armored Walrus]

The elf with the bow looks at Shaena flatly, then turns and addresses his reply to Luna, "Normally, we would not allow non-believers into the grove, and, in fact, planned to ambush your group, but you came upon us before we were ready. If you know Titania, as you say, then you are welcome. It strains the sanctity of the grove to have these others here, but with the forest under threat, we can't afford to turn away a potential ally."