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[Dwarmin]

Shella grunted in Eisens direction. "I was actually joking about bluffing our way past. Expected we'd just get in weapons range before hitting them. You honestly surprised me, there. Brain over brawn, yeah?"

[Caellath]

Shella grunted in Eisens direction. "I was actually joking about bluffing our way past. Expected we'd just get in weapons range before hitting them. You honestly surprised me, there. Brain over brawn, yeah?"

"Just wanted to avoid starting another fight so soon. The sounds would end up drawing more of their people our way, and we'd have to fight our way to the camp." Eisen answered with a smile.

[Ochita]

"This is very true." Gurrath nods, and looks back at his very eager companion, straining in the ropes to be able to be useful. Chuckling to himself, he decided that the best thing to do is to just act normally, but to also keep an ear out for anything.

Ride as normal, but keep an ear out for anything.

[IronyOwl]

"This is strange, though. These bandits seem more like a militant village than a band of forceful thieves."

Continue on. Examine main encampment if we reach it.

[Digital Hellhound]

'I'm glad we were spared more pointless bloodshed,' Ecidona said, smiling.

Keep calm and carry on.

[Skyrunner]

Spoiler: Aes (click to show/hide)

Name: Aes Nain
Gender: F
Age: 18
Class: Spellweaver
Race: Quarter-fairy human

Element: Water

Skills:
1: Silver Tongue — +1 to persuasion and bluffing
2: Fey — Higher control over elemental magic, lower critical health

Physical Description (include any clothing, if possible): She looks a couple years younger than her age, due to the trace of fairy blood in her. She has hair that reminds one of birch bark. It is different from the silver of old age, though; more of a whiteness that isn't normally found in humans. Her eyes are deep indigo and sometimes catch the light in a glint that may be sinister. They are on the large side. She wears a robe that looks like it had been through many ages, but wasn't tattered**. The robe can be taken off by loosening the drawstring and slipping the entire thing over one's head. She has an identical, armored version of it.

Biography: Aes Nain was born from a pairing between a fairy-human half-breed and a "pure" human. However, the fey blood in her is pretty diluted, and she shows little of the physical characteristics often seen in them. Her uncommon hair and eye color is another of the vestiges of fey left in her. She spent most of her life in the village she was born, a small and secluded place where several mixes of races and pure-breeds of the fey kind lived peacefully, making profit out of the creation of small magic trinkets.

Despite their nature as tricksters, the fey acted out of mischievousness rather than any real urge to do evil, and even if pranks and small lies were common around the community, no harm was done ultimately.

On the other side, Aes was different. Something strange was noticed since she was only a child — what should be the classic mischievousness of her kind seemed to have been replaced in her with a talent for talking and deceiving - but it was ignored at first. Of course, she herself doesn't know that it was wrong. It was an idle playtime, the same thing as the other children playing with dolls, except her dolls were bigger, moved a lot more, and weren't as compliant as the ones of others.

As she grew, her ways started to call more attention — her games grew larger — as Aes played little games of power whenever she could, turning people against one another, be it child or adult, and stepping out of conflict; creating fights and avoiding being found out as the seed of discord in a good amount of times she tried the same trick.

As the village head knew, she had been born with the Ecid's mark. Knowing well how much trouble she brought to the peaceful community and how the Bastion was the place where marked people lived, it was a perfect excuse to ship her off to live secluded and away from her people, in a place where she hopefully would never cause trouble again.

Inventory:

Weapon: A quarterstaff weighted on each end. It is a pale yellow-green, and the weights are ribbed cylinders that are mostly flush with the rest of the staff.
Armor: A thick robe. It is a neutral grey with highlights of a deep blue running down it. With a twine, gold gilded string along the waistline and a deep hood. She has an identical robe that isn't armored.
Trinket: A necklace with each element mark hung on it. The Dark element is ever so slightly larger than the others, perhaps discernible if one takes in in his hand and measures each symbol with a ruler. A present passed down through the generations from her grandmother.
Each element symbol is the size of a US dime.

[Reudh]

Waitlist I guess >_<
Be gentle, it's my first RTD.

Spoiler: Kheir (click to show/hide)

Name: Kheir
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Class: Briarean Geomancer

Race: Briarean Elder

Element: Earth, perhaps a bit toward Dark. He is sneaky, but a sturdy minded person. A nasty character to cross, but a good friend.


Skills: Toughened Skin (+1 melee defense rolls)
2: Graceful Movement (suggested, +1 to magic casting rolls)
3: ?


Physical Description: Kheir's Ecid Mark is on his scalp. Kheir is bald, of a build which a human would consider 'fit' but not muscular. Age has not stooped this Briarean. He has a small scar across one of his arms, from an encounter with a bull when Kheir was coming of age. Kheir's facial hair is jet black, his eyebrows dark (both the colour and the sternness of his gaze) and his nose broad. He is approximately seven foot tall, a height which humans consider extraordinary, but Kheir is short for his race. His skin is tanned.

Biography:
Kheir's tribe threw him out, after he lost the right to rule to a much younger Briarean Elder called Hekaton. Since then, he has wandered the lands, simply doing jobs where he can to survive. Generally speaking, humans tolerate Briareans, because they're great workers by virtue of their four arms. Kheir still wanders, husbanding his power until such time as he may overthrow Hekaton and regain his lordship. He cares not for his mark, knowing it as merely a birthmark on his scalp. He believes the Bastion may help him if he helps them.

Inventory:
1. A gnarled staff. It doesn't really need to be used for Geomancy, but it's nice for clubbing fools around the head.
2. A tired but high quality toga with a cloak attached.
3. An old ruby ring. Kheir was given this by his then beloved. She gone now.

[Tiruin]

Sorry for holding the turn up for quite some time. Having RL issues and wording problems, but its going on smoothly.

In the meantime, I've fixed up the waitlist - any criticism regarding it would be great for me! 

Also, welcome to the RTD board Reudh!

[Tiruin]

Previous: In which we practice orcish diplomacy. | Current: In which we're halfway through the chapter. | Next: In which the mystery begins.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Action: Scout ahead as the group moves, reporting any hostilities or dangers I find. Stay hidden and don't engage anything I find. [5]

Ride as normal, but keep an ear out for anything. [5]

Continue on. Examine main encampment if we reach it. [3]

Keep calm and carry on. [2]

Onwards to the main camp. [6]

Spoiler: Standing Modifiers (click to show/hide)

Night
Spot Chances [-1 to those without a current light source ; +1 to others wielding a light source ; -1 to Ranged Accuracy Defense]

-Turn 10: Knowledge is Power-

Crickets, horses, swallows of the night...The many sounds of the forest blended into a soothing tone as the group moved onwards in near-silence, commenting on their recent luck in hushed voices, uninterrupted by their guides as the atmosphere took on a solemn mood.

Deeper and deeper did the party travel, with the songs of the night fading slowly away into a sepulchral air - nothing could be heard but the soft plodding of hooves and boots on leaf-covered soil. What used to be an open sky was now a thick cobweb of branches and leaves, tiny gaps in the forest heights were the only passages of the lunar light. Occasionally, glimpses of humanoid silhouettes would appear in the distance, only to disappear when being directly looked upon - a trick of the light.

Shella's voice broke the silence, stating her wishes to scout on ahead just to ensure that they were in the right direction. Her gestures were met by somber nods from the guides; as if they, too, were unsure of their own skill at navigation. Not one of them offered to march along with the older woman when they realized the situation.

With no objections raised, the Orc raised the signal, and rode off into the darkness, highlighted only by a faint bluish glow from above.

~~~

"Come one, don't tell me you didn't hear that?"
"Nothing else but the whistling wind...no."
"Doesn't frighten me, if that's your idea of a joke, sire."
"Ok, alright...look up and see what I meant."
"We know what you meant, all we hear is our breathing, the soft mud underneath our boots, the occasional swish of your waterskins and our breathing. Oh, and not to mention those glitterflies and firewings. Crazy buggers lighting up this place, mightily bad if annoyed their branches..."
"They're kind of beautiful close-up, actually."

The column drew to a halt for a second before continuing in lieu of the uninformed guides flanking them.

"Why the cut-chat?"
"We're...appreciating the scenery."
"You had the last hour to appreciate it."
"N-not until now. Look up."
"That was my point- _{Looking up...*sigh*}"

Up above in the cimmerian tops, spires of luminescent tubes lined the trees. Deep-azure in hue and emitting a ghostly light, it was as if these vines were giving off their own bio-luminescence, if it were not for the creatures that flitted around the area. Tiny specks of orange and gold, floating and hovering like dandelion seeds, crossed the gaps between the vines like a network of disorganized ants. Looking downwards, insects resembling fireflies moved amongst thin branches in pairs of twos and threes, nearly invisible in the sky blue glow.

Shella's voice comes back to you as a faint whisper, your surroundings providing the perfect cover as the night breeze picks up despite the thickness of the forest. For those who gaze into their amulets, they see a different sight.

On the crest of a wooded hill and overlooking a clearing in the forest, you recognize the mane of Shella's horse, and beyond that a camp. The camp in question was constructed from the common holdings, cloth, wood and ironbark supports, seemingly fortified by the large rock outcroppings barring a charge into open terrain. Campfires and strange glowing staves dotted the area, with the latter forming a loose perimeter around the scene - one of them near Shella - and quite familiar to the lights at the perch earlier. You could see only a few people, about a hand-count standing watch over the entrances. One was heading in the northern direction while the other came about southwest from the area, only a few yards from where the Orc Huntress was. Your view is partly obscured by the cloak Shella wears.

"No dangers from the tree-dwellers; insects or glowing plants. No other patrols roaming about but the occasional nightwatchmen. The bandits use the terrain as their primary defense - while it seems like open terrain, they've got rudimentary traps hidden in the crevices and bottlenecks. Not too dangerous, but they'd alert anyone nearby judging by their worksmanship. Fortunately, the stone is more to our advantage. I've rounded the area and they're not too vigilant in watching what goes on behind the larger rocks. We could easily climb over the things and leap into the camp with them unawares, making use of the dynamic pathways that snake through the area. Our horses would have to stay behind, given the situation - I see no sign of other horses around. I'm betting they keep their treasure in the middle, as usually assumed. Heavy guard and constant watch proves me right. Can't make out any distinguishable features, unfortunately. Didn't count the guards-assumed their presence. It was dark."

One of the bowmen speaks, casually interrupting your ciphered dialogue.

"We're near the entrance now, sirs and miss'. Tell the elders we're heading back to the westwatch and get the mages to Strom. I'm not sure we can hold out here any longer..."

((You may take this time to dismiss your guides, or attempt to regroup with Shella.))

Spoiler: Captives (click to show/hide)

Bandit Axeman 3: 16/18 - Disarmed
Bandit Spearman 5: 12/16 - Disarmed; Knocked Out
Bandit Swordsman "Dweonir": 14/20 - Disarmed
Bandit Swordsman "Gerrick": 15/15 - Disarmed

> Loot is being carried by Eisen...

Bandit Spearman 1: 0/18 - Dead ; Looted
Bandit Bowman 2: 0/18 - Dead ; Looted
Bandit 4: 0/16 - Dead ; Looted

> By the road.

Spoiler: Loot Gathered (click to show/hide)

1x Iron Spear - Having no discernible sign of ownership, this mundane weapon is plainly described as a stick with a pointy, leaf-shaped tip. A rudimentary tool used both in peace and war, it is nonetheless useful in most events and even in battle, where a trained soldier can utilize its simple concept to its full advantage.

1x Iron Stiletto - Knives, Small Blades, Daggers. Whatever carries the fancy of the common tongue, this sharp blade has been honed and edged to be able to easily cut through armor, ending in a needle-like point. This 'dagger' is specialized in forms of thrusting and stabbing, other than cutting or slashing.

2x Iron Broadsword - Featuring a basket-hilt, this sword has a heavier blade and a crossguard for the wielder's protection. It is commonly used by the militant factions of the land, as compared to the civilian rapier.

Spoiler: NPCs//Ranges (click to show/hide)

Syra: 10/10     
Rhea: 5/5 - Unarmed     

> Everyone is in Melee Range of each other. Shella is somewhere ahead of your position.

Spoiler: Sal'savira; IronyOwl (click to show/hide)

Gender: Female
Age: 19
Class: Seeker
Race: Malkaven

Health: 29/30

Skills:
Perserverance
Agile

Physical Description:
- Appearance: Sal'sivira looks fairly normal for a Malkaven- a crow-woman with large, blank white eyes that reflect light, a long, serrated beak, great wings coming off her back, oversized, taloned hands, and even more oversized, larger-taloned feet.

- Clothing: She wears a ragged-looking but well-made black tunic with a belt and thin leather strap running diagonally around it for hanging things from. She also carries a large, wide-brimmed hat and pair of tinted goggles, both for when it's too sunny out.

Inventory:

Black Spear/ This spear is a standard Malkaven weapon- ragged and ancient looking, but sturdy and well-kept nonetheless.

Silverscale Armor/ This shiny silver armor appears to be composed of a series of pointy oval or rounded diamond scales or plates, and is indeed made from the hide of a Silverscale, a type of fish larger than a horse. Its scales are protective and very durable, which causes the Malkaven to overlook their preference for ragged black and use it fairly routinely.

Bandit Cloak and Armor/ A mix-up of hardened leather patches along with several small belts for tightening, you wear the outer clothing of the common brigand. It covers most of your face except for the eyes and ears, the body and arms and thighs excluding the hands and legs. Any distinguishable marks or tattoos are easily hidden by these loose garments. Sadly, they afford little protection against the tools of war, made more for mobility and survival and even then fare as well as commoner clothing.

Vae's Knucklebones/ Made from the literal knuckles of the first two fingers of the right hand of a novice elven necromancer, these four strangely shaped "dice" have the power to tell the future and discern the secrets of the dead. The results are usually cryptic and of limited accuracy and power, owing to both Sal'sivira's lack of divination skill and Vae's lack of power, but can sometimes be useful nonetheless.

Elemental Amulet/ A communication device widely used by the more unconventional militant forces of the land, this amulet is naught but a simple trinket attached to a chain with an opalescent gemstone in it's middle. It transmits whichever sound or sight the wearer holds to others who wear the same, similarly to a vivid vision in the mind's eye of the scene in question. It is highly attuned to the magical forces.

Potion of Skill/ A concoction of unknown origins, this bottle contains a liquid that shines like the day, however non-luminescent and tasting like honey. It is said to amplify the imbiber's kinesthetic senses, giving him or her the ability to make pinpoint strikes with any weapon chosen. Sadly, it's concentrated form is volatile, thus leading to the product you see now - a small drought contained within a flask.

Spoiler: Shella Gavuatu; Dwarmin (click to show/hide)

Gender: Female
Age: 23
Class: Hunter
Race: Orc

Health: 20/20

Skills:
Deadeye
Vindication

Physical Description:
- Appearance: Shella is a 5.3 Orc female with a well muscled build, a tight stomach and an impressive body. She possesses tough and smooth dark green skin, and long, coal black fine hair that descends almost to her waist in a swaying sheaf. Her eyes are a calming shade of the ocean, deep blue-large and emotive-topped by a pair of arcing black eyebrows. She has two short tusks jutting from her mouth on side, each adorned with a stylized ring of obsidian-her teeth resemble fangs, though not large enough to be threatening normally. Her legs and hips are well toned and strong, giving her a very animalistic look. The mark of ecid is on her left wrist.

- Clothing: Shella is wearing a full body undersuit of light, non reflective black chainmail and thick leather mixed and matched, leaving little to the imagination-heavy, ironshod leather boots adorn her feet, combined with chainmail studded into leather pants, and mismatched plate pieces over both her knees. Half leather and chain protect her chest and arms, and and while her left hand is Ecid marked, she's wearing a fingerless green cloth glove on her right hand. She's wearing two bracers made of some sort of spiked chitine material. Around her waist is a heavy belt with at least 6 large storage slots and many smaller compartments She's wearing a heavy body length cloak and fancy three cornered hat of the same color as her skin.

Inventory:

Gavuatan Orcish Slurbow/ A crossbow like weapon Shella favors, with a distinctive wooden hood over the top of the stock. There is a gap between this shroud and the stock that allows the string to travel unimpeded, firing either traditional bolts for common enemies, or rounded lead shot against foes like the undead. She can reload it with a single hand, using her thumb to cock it back, but requires both to fire accurately.

Clan Armor/ Handcrafted from pieces she has taken over the years from worthy enemies, Shellas armor is sturdy and light-giving her full range of movement and protecting her from errant blows. she feels more comfortable in the armor, than out.

Bandit Cloak and Armor/ A mix-up of hardened leather patches along with several small belts for tightening, you wear the outer clothing of the common brigand. It covers most of your face except for the eyes and ears, the body and arms and thighs excluding the hands and legs. Any distinguishable marks or tattoos are easily hidden by these loose garments. Sadly, they afford little protection against the tools of war, made more for mobility and survival and even then fare as well as commoner clothing.

Obsidian Oath Rings/ An Orcish Tusk-mark that denotes one who has taken a vow of revenge-she's wearing two, which indicates two separate vows. They cannot be removed by any Earthly force until these tasks are completed, or is rendered invalid by fate-being magically bonded, as long as the target of these Vows remain alive, they will remain bonded. As such, Shella knows her sister-and the traitor-both still live.

Elemental Amulet/ A communication device widely used by the more unconventional militant forces of the land, this amulet is naught but a simple trinket attached to a chain with an opalescent gemstone in it's middle. It transmits whichever sound or sight the wearer holds to others who wear the same, similarly to a vivid vision in the mind's eye of the scene in question. It is highly attuned to the magical forces.

Potion of Skill/ A concoction of unknown origins, this bottle contains a liquid that shines like the day, however non-luminescent and tasting like honey. It is said to amplify the imbiber's kinesthetic senses, giving him or her the ability to make pinpoint strikes with any weapon chosen. Sadly, it's concentrated form is volatile, thus leading to the product you see now - a small drought contained within a flask.

Iron Hand Axe/ A small, light axe designed for use in one hand for general intermediate chopping. For simpler uses than its larger brethren, this axe can be thrown or used as a quick weapon in enclosed places.

Spoiler: Eisen Narthale; Caellath (click to show/hide)

Gender: Male
Age: 16
Class: Attunement Knight
Race: Foxfolk

Health: 30/30

Skills:
Perseverance
Riding Aptitude

Physical Description:
- Appearance: Eisen has eyes of a very bright blue and a beige-colored hair, his hair usually messy, with the occasional uncut locks falling around and framing a young, curious face. Any fur on his person also follows the same beige color pattern. His Ecid's mark is located at the back of his head, under the line of hair growth.

- Clothing: He wears a green cloth coat with a very large hood usually seen in different positions, to hide his face more or less depending on the occasion. The cloth itself is fairly resilient and reinforced against weather, the coat sporting what seems like downy or white fur near the collar area, a golden trim and long sleeves, allowing the wearer to completely hide his hands whenever desired - his forearms and most of his hands hidden by a fingerless leather protection. His pants are also colored green, with part of their length tucked into sturdy and carefully tied brown leather boots which sport metal reinforcements and a discreet pin attachment for stability and maintaing a grip at surfaces in cases of emergency. His long-sleeved shirt is green as well and is mostly covered by the chestpiece of a well-crafted brown leather armor with hidden steel reinforcements which fits perfectly over the body of the owner.


Inventory:
Yonsun-Nobi/ A Composite longbow standing taller than Eisen; it is an elegant and well-made piece of ranged weaponry, made with the utmost care by Eisen himself under the guidance of his parents; it ended up as part of his experiments on sounds to call upon animals.

Hardened Leather-and-Steel Armor/ Made from good-quality leather and with a backing of sheets of steel, the armor has a few pieces protecting key parts of his body, although some parts are simply hidden under a layer of clothing.

Bandit Cloak and Armor/ A mix-up of hardened leather patches along with several small belts for tightening, you wear the outer clothing of the common brigand. It covers most of your face except for the eyes and ears, the body and arms and thighs excluding the hands and legs. Any distinguishable marks or tattoos are easily hidden by these loose garments. Sadly, they afford little protection against the tools of war, made more for mobility and survival and even then fare as well as commoner clothing.

Flute/ Made from polished stone, steel and the finest wood Eisen could find in the woods, his flute is a faithful companion, always available for him to play and subject to his experiments on sounds capable of attracting the animals that reminded him so much of home.

Elemental Amulet/ A communication device widely used by the more unconventional militant forces of the land, this amulet is naught but a simple trinket attached to a chain with an opalescent gemstone in it's middle. It transmits whichever sound or sight the wearer holds to others who wear the same, similarly to a vivid vision in the mind's eye of the scene in question. It is highly attuned to the magical forces.

Potion of Skill/ A concoction of unknown origins, this bottle contains a liquid that shines like the day, however non-luminescent and tasting like honey. It is said to amplify the imbiber's kinesthetic senses, giving him or her the ability to make pinpoint strikes with any weapon chosen. Sadly, it's concentrated form is volatile, thus leading to the product you see now - a small drought contained within a flask.

Iron Spear/ Having no discernible sign of ownership, this mundane weapon is plainly described as a long, sturdy stick with a pointy, leaf-shaped tip. A rudimentary tool used both in peace and war, it is nonetheless useful in most events and even in battle, where a trained soldier can utilize its simple concept to its full advantage.

Spoiler: Ecidona sel-Mhrabann; DigitalHellhound (click to show/hide)

Gender: Female
Age: 26
Class: Silent Sister
Race: Wildfolk

Health: 20/20

Skills:
Nimble
Mental Composure

Physical Description:
- Appearance: Ecidona stands at around 150cm, with a slender, small build. Her skin is a dark brown with bark-like colourings and patterns, adorned with a variety of white markings and tattoos on her face and arms. Two curved horns arise from a wild mass of dark hair and tiny fangs peek out from her teeth - relatively few signs of her race on their standards. Her features are sharp and aquiline. Her Mark of Ecid is on her right palm.

- Clothing: Ecidona wears simple and sturdy clothes of leather and thick cloth, adorned with countless little baubles, cheap trinkets and amulets and symbols she thinks are protective or help focus her power, but possess little practical use. Many of them have been crafted by her personally and she carries a heavy carving knife to craft bone or wood with.


Inventory:
 
Heavy Knife

Sturdy Clothes

Bandit Cloak and Armor/ A mix-up of hardened leather patches along with several small belts for tightening, you wear the outer clothing of the common brigand. It covers most of your face except for the eyes and ears, the body and arms and thighs excluding the hands and legs. Any distinguishable marks or tattoos are easily hidden by these loose garments. Sadly, they afford little protection against the tools of war, made more for mobility and survival and even then fare as well as commoner clothing.

Amulets & Baubles/ A bunch of amulets and baubles in different shapes and forms, mostly sentimental collections of Ecidona's stay within the Bastion.

Elemental Amulet/ A communication device widely used by the more unconventional militant forces of the land, this amulet is naught but a simple trinket attached to a chain with an opalescent gemstone in it's middle. It transmits whichever sound or sight the wearer holds to others who wear the same, similarly to a vivid vision in the mind's eye of the scene in question. It is highly attuned to the magical forces.

Potion of Skill/ A concoction of unknown origins, this bottle contains a liquid that shines like the day, however non-luminescent and tasting like honey. It is said to amplify the imbiber's kinesthetic senses, giving him or her the ability to make pinpoint strikes with any weapon chosen. Sadly, it's concentrated form is volatile, thus leading to the product you see now - a small drought contained within a flask.

Spoiler: Gurrath Halsen; Ochita (click to show/hide)

Gender: Male
Age: 26
Class: Flowing spearman
Race: Human

Health: 20/20

Skills:
Quick Senses
Precision Striking


Physical Description: Gurren is 5'11", possessing a body frame that shows that he's been doing labor for some time, along with several scars, from previous encounters with various foes. He has greenish-brown eyes, along with unkempt messy dark brown hair. When he's in a town, socilising, he likes to wear slightly loose robes with an aquatic style to them, with shades of blue and dark green, along with a hood, in a style similar to a monks robe. When he's in armor or in the wilderness, he prefers to wear a set of tan leather clothing, mostly because its practical in the wilderness. His mark is on the back of his neck.

Inventory:

Twisting spear/ This weapon was the first weapon that Gurrath was given, that was made for him. It only appears to be twisting alongside the metal shaft, but that's only a trick of the craftsmanship. Its covered with small nicks and slight scratches, yet it is maintained well.

Chainmail/ This armor is what Gurrath uses in battle, as his style of fighting does require some agility.

Bandit Cloak and Armor/ A mix-up of hardened leather patches along with several small belts for tightening, you wear the outer clothing of the common brigand. It covers most of your face except for the eyes and ears, the body and arms and thighs excluding the hands and legs. Any distinguishable marks or tattoos are easily hidden by these loose garments. Sadly, they afford little protection against the tools of war, made more for mobility and survival and even then fare as well as commoner clothing.

Old book/ Given to him by an older mercenary in his old group. It details some basic spear techniques, along with a couple of minor cantrips of the water element. Gurrath keeps it because it helped with the turning point of his life.

Elemental Amulet/ A communication device widely used by the more unconventional militant forces of the land, this amulet is naught but a simple trinket attached to a chain with an opalescent gemstone in it's middle. It transmits whichever sound or sight the wearer holds to others who wear the same, similarly to a vivid vision in the mind's eye of the scene in question. It is highly attuned to the magical forces.

Potion of Skill/ A concoction of unknown origins, this bottle contains a liquid that shines like the day, however non-luminescent and tasting like honey. It is said to amplify the imbiber's kinesthetic senses, giving him or her the ability to make pinpoint strikes with any weapon chosen. Sadly, it's concentrated form is volatile, thus leading to the product you see now - a small drought contained within a flask.

Yew Bow & Quiver/ Yew is known to be a desirable wood for bows, especially for longbows - the tension generated by the pull of the archer is bound to have a recurring effect on the weapon which propels the arrow, that its sturdiness is compromised over time. This bow is unblemished by weather or time, yet it looks like it has seen use in the past years, judging by the nearly invisible notches carved near the handle.

Spoiler: GM Notes - Prodded (click to show/hide)

> By now I'm sure you may have noticed the change in Health status for any other enemies/creatures you encounter. As like in RL, you may judge a being's health by observation, and not specific measurements. You can see your own health, for comparison, but I'd like to point this out ahead of time - general feelings on health.

Is this alright with you?

> Skyrunner = {1}
> adwarf = {5}
> Spinal_Taper = {6}
> Toaster = {5}
> Harry Baldman = {6}
> ExKirby = {4}
> mesor = {3}

> Nothing else interesting to mention.

[Caellath]

"We should regroup with Shella. I am not fond of the idea of leaving our horses behind, but the encampment is not the best area to walk around mounted."

Eisen nods towards the direction of the camp. "We'll try to avoid combat at first. We should try to recover our mission's objective and slip out of here without much more fuss."

[Dwarmin]

Objectives...Shella was sure what the bandits had stolen was important. But what was any trinket compared to finding clues to her sisters whereabouts?

Shella was sure her own target would be sheltered somewhere within. How to find him?

She only knew a bit-he was a High Elven Trader, knowing for dealing with anyone and dealing in anything that would bring him profit. Dressed well, worn a silken patch on his left eye (though he wasn't blind or visually impaired at all, a fact which explained plenty about him), walked with a slight limp on his right leg (which wasn't faked-he had run into some trouble years back with debt collectors). He was fairly a poor swordsman, but was known to employ a pair of Northern Barbarian Blade-sisters who had some skills, at some point in the past. They might have moved on by now.

She had gathered enough information to know he had more or less joined the revolution against his will, after he had been accused of running goods for them. He had been, but he had also been running trade routes for the Kingdom-forced between a quick execution and a uneasy alliance, he had chosen the latter, sheltering within the camp yonder, under the bandits protection in exchange for moving goods back and forth on the black market. He would be sleeping in a fancy tent (Elvish style), maybe not as big as the bandit leader, but well ornamented as befitting his position.

He was the one who had bought Tagga last she could figure from the rumors-ostensibly to polish his saddles. Now she needed to find him, and found out who he had sold her to in turn. And kill him, maybe. She had done that to many who had a hand in it.

A harder question was how to do it without bothering his newfound (and shortlived) allies own quest...she regretted not having more time to know any of them, but at least it made all of this easier...

She could live with many things, but letting others die for her was not one of them. Shella spoke to Eisen through the amulet, and Eisen only she hoped-though it was likely they had someone listening in.

"Eisen? Eisen, are you there?"

Action: Stay put and wait for the party to regroup. Try to spot the tent the Trader might be residing in.

[Caellath]

"Eisen? Eisen, are you there?"

"Yes, I am, miss. Anything in particular?" he aks with a smirk as he silently orders his mount to move.

The orcish woman was an interesting character, but she always seemed in a hurry...As if her companions were nothing but obstacles in her way or tools for her trade and she needed to do or find something with urgency - something higher than their objective, he supposed.

Maybe she was in a search for enlightenment...Although he doubted that a bit.

Regroup with Shella.

[Dwarmin]

Shella grunted.

"I suppose you should know, we'll be parting ways soon enough.

I've been playing all of you the whole time-I knew what I really wanted was here the whole time, and what was going to happen. I needed help to get close to the camp, and you've given me that. See-there's a High Elven trader in the camp, someone who can lead me one step closer to my sister. I'll help you all get the artifact...but after that I'm on my own. Maybe the rest of you have the luxury of saving the World, and I wish you luck in that endeavor, but I only really care about the one small part of the World that I love. She's waiting for me. You understand.

What I mean to say is, I hope you don't take it personally. I'll try not to endanger your mission, but I thought you should be prepared in case something goes wrong. Can you keep this to yourself? What the others know won't hurt them, and some discussions can be saved for easier times."

[Ochita]

Gurrath took a last look at the vines, before deciding that a regroup was in order. If anything, he felt somewhat.. pressured in this forest, as if the life around him was trying to drown out his thoughts. Still, the azure glow from the branches was indeed a sight. Maybe he would have to take up painting or poetry to have a more permanent copy of this in his head.

Hurrying towards Shella and Einsen, he caught the last of a word, and shrugged. Whatever they were talking about was most likely private, so it didn't concern him.

Regroup with Shella.

[Caellath]

"What I mean to say is, I hope you don't take it personally. I'll try not to endanger your mission, but I thought you should be prepared in case something goes wrong. Can you keep this to yourself? What the others know won't hurt them, and some discussions can be saved for easier times."

"We all have objectives in our life, or are seeking one. If you already found yours and have the means to fulfill it, then you are a happy person."

Eisen smiled and tapped his flute, as if considering playing it...But such act would most likely attract unwanted attention. Better leave music and mirth for after the mission was completed.

"I can't judge you. You will assist us as we have assisted you, and good luck in your endeavors."