20 Takaramont

19 Takaramont- 20 Takaramont- 21 Takaramont (Back to Logs)

### Major Events

The group gets back on the road but are soon confronted by Sir Barton again. He and Ry chat and he says he's looking for a dragonborn. They find a dummy in a grey cloak, then another, and the man Ry left tied to the tree has returned as a revenant, aching to kill her. They kill it and run off its friends then continue to Aston. Ry trades in the cart for another horse and 3 saddles. Grey elves confront the party in the woods and Seir seems to be able to talk to them. Ry wakes up in the middle of the night and goes to the Asten temple in Aston.

## Meta

### Monsters

Sir Barton, Jarrett the Revenant, archers

## Synopsis

The group gets back on the road but are soon confronted by Sir Barton again. He and Ry chat and he says he's looking for a dragonborn. They find a dummy in a grey cloak, then another, and the man Ry left tied to the tree has returned as a revenant, aching to kill her. They kill it and run off its friends then continue to Aston. Ry trades in the cart for another horse and 3 saddles. Grey elves confront the party in the woods and Seir seems to be able to talk to them. Ry wakes up in the middle of the night and goes to the Asten temple in Aston.

## Camp

[9:00 PM] DM: Morning comes.

[9:03 PM] DM: Alarys, Taji, and Yahya are already up and waiting near the cart.

[9:04 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle finishes packing up the bedrolls and the sleeping area then casts prestidigitation a few times on the ground to cover up their tracks.

[9:05 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over to the cart, horses in tow. She gets them all hooked up and ready to go and climbs onto the driver's seat.

[9:07 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia helps the others get everything into the cart and settled. "So.... off to Riverrun then?"

[9:08 PM] Urrak: "Aye, off t' Riverrun. I know I won't miss this fuckin' country," Urrak looks over the group. "We'll be travelin' slow, but at least we're travelin' back home."

[9:09 PM] DM: Gunnloda is coherent and can mostly walk, but has Seir help her into the back of the cart anyway... then starts nodding off.

[9:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "If Seirixori is willing, she can be a horse and carry someone... and someone can also ride with me... we'll move faster this way."

[9:10 PM] Urrak: "I've also got a spot up here, if yer feelin' cramped." Urrak pats the bench next to her

[9:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir shuffles her feet, about to get into the cart but stops to see if anyone takes the offer.

[9:12 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Mind if I hitch a ride with you, Ryleigh? Gives at least a little more room in the cart so Seirixori can be with Gunnloda."

[9:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh offers to help Gayle onto to Adventure.

[9:13 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle hops up behind Ryleigh.

[9:13 PM] Seirixori: To save space Seir shifts into a small black cat and curls up in Gunnloda's lap.

[9:14 PM] DM: It's still a tight fit, and the cart likely won't be at full speed, but you start moving.

[9:15 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Can we see any guards or anything out of the ordinary right now?))

[9:16 PM] DM: You head out to the road. Let's get a round of perception checks.

[9:16 PM] Urrak: ((11)), [9:16 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((10)), [9:16 PM] Seirixori: ((16)), [9:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((4))

[9:18 PM] DM: You don't see anything odd on the road that you didn't see before. You don't see any guards for the first couple hours as you travel back towards Aston and the Spine.

[9:18 PM] Brimeia: ((15))

[9:19 PM] DM: Is Seir spending her second shape to stay in cat form?

[9:19 PM] Seirixori: ((sure))

[9:21 PM] DM: Another round of perception checks as you reach late morning, please.

[9:21 PM] Urrak: ((17)), [9:21 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((10)), [9:21 PM] Seirixori: ((18))

[9:23 PM] DM: Gunnloda's given in to the sleep and fallen asleep.

[9:24 PM] Brimeia: ((9)), [9:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((4))

[9:24 PM] DM: The sound of pounding hooves gets your attention just moments before a man in red and gold rounds the bend behind you. His horse, a great white charger in glistening plate barding, skids to a stop before continuing at a trot. As he looks towards your cart while he approaches, you recognize him- the same man who had stopped the fight in Aston.

[9:25 PM] Urrak: "Ahhhh fuck," Urrak mumbles to herself

[9:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns Adventure around and trots towards the back of the cart.

[9:26 PM] DM: He looks over you... three black half-elves, a dwarf with a cat, an orc, a tiefling, an elf... and two humans on horseback. He looks up at Ryleigh as she approaches. "You again?"

[9:26 PM] Brimeia: "Great..." Brimeia pats the handle of her weapon as if to check if it's there but doesn't take it out.

[9:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Sir Barton," Ryleigh says, tilting her head and smiling. "Did you miss the beauty of the temple in Aston already?"

[9:30 PM] DM: He doesn't reply. "You've picked up quite a collection here."

[9:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We were on our way to Wandermere, when my group came upon a crossing where the forest was wildly overgrown. We decided to turn back instead. The Fytulk isn't something to be messed with." ((17 deception))

[9:34 PM] DM: He peers at her for a moment. "Indeed. Where are you from?"

[9:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Here," she replies.

[9:36 PM] Seirixori: Seir purrs and rubs against Gunnloda then walks across everyone and jumps up next to Urrak.

[9:36 PM] DM: He smiles broadly, white teeth glistening, but there's an edge in his eyes. "You look familiar. Manavik, maybe?"

[9:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's jaw tightens. "I trained at the temple in Manavik, but that isn't where you know me from."

[9:39 PM] DM: He folds his wrists over the pommel of his saddle, loosely holding the reins to his charger in one hand. "Enlighten me."

[9:41 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle makes the quietest "Blegh" sound behind Ryleigh that only she can hear.

[9:43 PM] Urrak: "This ain't gonna be good," Urrak mumbles. She reaches over to Seir and scratches behind her ears.

[9:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Once... there was a young girl in Falberk, she was punished for defying authority. You told her to be a good girl and submit to Tilman's laws. She replied 'Being good does not mean submitting to unjust laws or a corrupt ruler. The good do not kneel so neither will I.'" Ryleigh stares into his eyes and says, "I am that little girl."

[9:52 PM] DM: He raises his head, recognition clicking in his eyes. "Ah, the sister. Tell me... how did it feel to have your brother's blood hot on your hands?"

[9:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Motivating," she replies shortly.

[9:54 PM] Urrak: Urrak clenches her fists.

[9:55 PM] DM: "Seems so. And now look at you, marching under the same banner as I. Perhaps I should be proud of you."

[9:55 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia frowns and tenses.

[9:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir jumps down in front of the cart, slowly making her way behind the nearby foilage.

[9:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh visibly reddens, she takes a deep breath.

[9:58 PM] DM: He looks over the cart again. "Can't say your... taste has improved at all, though."

[9:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She hums in what could be considered an indifferent way, but can't seem to form words.

[10:00 PM] Urrak: Urrak is shaking, trying to keep herself from lashing out at Barton.

[10:01 PM] DM: "Are you collecting half-breeds?"

[10:02 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia's eyebrows draw down and her hand tightens around the handle of her weapon.

[10:02 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle growls quietly under her breath, trying to keep her cool.

[10:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Collecting... no," Ryleigh manages to say with a shrug. "I am expelling them from Ascus though."

[10:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes her way to the tree line, to keep out of sight.

[10:04 PM] DM: "Mmm... so tell me... have you seen any dragonborn down this road?"

[10:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I haven't," Ryleigh answers. "Did another unwanted escape their punishment?"

[10:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((22 deception))

[10:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir summons her wolves, keeping one beside her, the others she has spread out, so they're behind the guard, but still hidden in the forest for now.

[10:09 PM] DM: "Oh, I'd say she's very wanted." He gives Ryleigh another look. "Keep your eye out. His Radiance is offering a bounty for her capture."

[10:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh crosses an arm over her chest and tilts her head in a slight bow. "I will, Sir. Safe travels."

[10:09 PM] DM: He nods and takes off again, riding hard for Aston.

[10:10 PM] Urrak: Urrak visibly relaxes, "Fuckin' hells."

[10:10 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Next time I see him, he's dead."

[10:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I need a quick moment," Ryleigh stammers, almost stumbling off of Adventure and walking quickly into the forest.

[10:12 PM] Brimeia: "I would've socked that guy in the face. Can't believe you didn't..." Brimeia stops abruptly, seeing Ryleigh walk off.

[10:12 PM] Urrak: "Same, Bri. Took every ounce o' me not t' attack th' fucker."

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts to walk out of the woods, the wolves forming in behind her. As she sees Ryleigh rush into the forest she leaves half the wolves where they are and follows, the other 4 going with her.

[10:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle scooches forward and holds onto Adventure by the reins and gallops over to the cart. "That man shouldn't be breathing."

[10:15 PM] DM: Alarys, as a half-elf: "I'm glad I guessed right."

[10:16 PM] Urrak: "He's a tough fucker. I was watchin' him, how he moves, what his gear is. I'm almost glad nothin' happened." Urrak gathers the reigns in her hands, "I'm worried fer Ryleigh, though."

[10:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: A short while later, Ryleigh returns from the forest, Seirixori in tow. She mounts Adventure, looking a little shaky as she does. "We should get moving." But before she pulls ahead of the cart, Ryleigh says to Alarys, "Make sure to hide yourself... they know and we might not be so lucky next time. And... I'm sorry for what he said about you all."  She then pulls ahead of the cart, continuing down the road.

[10:19 PM] Urrak: Urrak and the cart follow behind.

[10:21 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I'm sorry about the things he said to you, too. I wish I had said something, but it would have escalated the situation and I'm pretty good at that," she says, trying to lighten the mood.

[10:22 PM] Urrak: "Jus' know that we're behind ye, ready t' back ye up, Ry." Urrak smiles crookedly, "We're here t' keep you, an' everyone else here, alive."

[10:23 PM] DM: You continue on, taking a break for lunch. Gunnloda wakes up a bit more, but still doesn't seem quite herself.

[10:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thank you for not stepping in, or saying anything. I know it isn't easy to hear... but sometimes, we have to concede the battle to win the war, and getting Alarys to Riverrun is more important than..." Ryleigh sighs "...it doesn't excuse my behavior but thank you."

[10:27 PM] DM: How is Seir traveling for the next 3 hours?

[10:29 PM] Seirixori: ((if short rest, then a horse))

[10:31 PM] DM: Ok! Anyone riding with her?

[10:31 PM] Seirixori: ((if no PC, she would have asked Alarys lol))

[10:32 PM] DM: Alarys would, if asked. So. Ry and Gayle on Adventure, Alarys on Seir, everyone else on the cart.

[10:32 PM] DM: Continuing down the road for another few hours, you see an unremarkable amount of traffic. Nothing too extraordinary.

[10:33 PM] DM: Give me a perception check.

[10:33 PM] Urrak: ((5)), [10:33 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((16)), [10:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((14)), [10:34 PM] Seirixori: ((18)), [10:35 PM] Brimeia: ((19))

[10:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, but otherwise does nothing.

[10:36 PM] Brimeia: "There's someone up ahead," Brimeia says quietly.

[10:36 PM] Brimeia: "Cloaked, so can't tell if it's trouble or not."

[10:36 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Another grey cloak getting what he was asking for."

[10:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Homashoc, the grey cloaked people want Alarys. If you need to, run away with her to escape them if it comes to that." She then rides ahead to get a better look.

10:39 PM] DM: It's not long before you're coming up to the object in question since it was only 45' ahead. A rough looking dummy has been made of sacks and leaves with frayed rope mimicking hair hidden under a grey cloak. It's tied to the tree and splashed with red.

[10:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: They continue to ride past, looking as they pass ((10 per))

[10:40 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Keep your eyes peeled. This is a trap waiting to happen."

[10:40 PM] DM: Ry sees nothing out of the ordinary.

[10:41 PM] DM: Continuing on, another perception check an hour later.

[10:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((0)), [10:42 PM] Seirixori: ((16)), [10:42 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((19)), [10:42 PM] Brimeia: ((5))

[10:44 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Another dummy up ahead at your 12, Ryleigh. Who do you think left these?"

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh swallows. "The grey cloaks friends... I... I shouldn't..." she sounds unsure and worried.

[10:46 PM] Seirixori: "They were killing innocent people."

[10:47 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Do you think they found their friend in the woods and they're trying to threaten us? Cowards are just wasting their time."

[10:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I should have just let the guards take him," she answers Seir.

[10:48 PM] DM: Another dummy is tied to the tree here, but this one's head is made of a gourd with a face carved into it and splattered with red. A piece of parchment is tucked into the mouth, sticking out in invitation.

[10:49 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I can grab it. Can you see any traps?"

[10:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No, don't grab it. We... we should keep going. Right?" She asks Seir, and again, she sounds uncertain.

[10:50 PM] Brimeia: "What if we like... magic grab it?"

[10:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir hums and then sighs, "Have Brimeia grab it, but don't let her linger."

[10:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Good thinking Brimeia. Is that okay, Ryleigh? Or is it better to pass it so they know we didn't see their threat."

[10:51 PM] Urrak: "This has a big ol' 'Nope' written all over it." Urrak grumbles

[10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I just don't want anyone in a position where they can't flee. If you can grab it with magic... then I don't see the harm. Maybe it's just a warning."

[10:53 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle uses mage hand and tries to retrieve the note.

[10:54 PM] DM: Perception checks pls

[10:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((17)), [10:54 PM] Brimeia: ((6)), [10:54 PM] Seirixori: ((22))

[10:54 PM] Gayle Silbando: She scoffs when she gets the note. "They say the forest here is alive, but I'd be more afraid of the things that aren't," she reads aloud. Gayle uses mage hand to put the note back.

[10:55 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((4)), [10:55 PM] Urrak: ((5))

[10:55 PM] Urrak: "That's...lovely."

[10:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh hums a few notes, singing a song - the one you guys know she uses most often to locate Seir.

[10:58 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia huffs. "Is that supposed to be intimidating?"

[10:58 PM] DM: Everyone but Ry and Seir are surprised and can't act in the first round as a man drops out of the tree on the other side of the road near Ryleigh. The man she'd left for dead.

His eyes are sunken, hollow. His skin a little too tight. His body still bears the marks she'd carved into his arms. He draws his rapier and says, "Time to meet Asten."

[10:58 PM] DM: Roll initiative.

[10:58 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((4)), [10:59 PM] Urrak: ((14)), [10:59 PM] Seirixori: ((7)), [10:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((14)), [11:02 PM] Brimeia: ((17))

[11:02 PM] DM: The man glares at Ryleigh and she needs to make a Wisdom save.

[11:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((14))

[11:04 PM] DM: Ryleigh is paralyzed. She is incapacitated, automatically fails strength and dex saves. Attacks against her have advantage. Anything that hits her is critical hit if the attacker's within 5'.

[11:06 PM] DM: An arrow flies out of the trees behind the man, striking Ryleigh for 15 damage (12 after).

[11:07 PM] DM: On Ry's turn, she's still paralyzed.

[11:07 PM] DM: Another arrow flies out, this time from the other side, but it misses.

[11:10 PM] DM: Then the man points his rapier. "Tied by your own mind... you showed me no mercy. You'll have none."

And he'll stab at her three times, though the second one misses. A total of 43 damage, 37 after your reduction as he runs his rapier right through a joint in her armor.

[11:11 PM] DM: Her paralysis ends, but now she is frightened. She has disadvantage on attacks and ability checks and can't move closer to him.

[11:12 PM] DM: More arrows fly out towards the party, one at Urrak that misses, one at Bri that misses.

[11:12 PM] DM: .Seirixori

[11:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir curses and brings Alarys to the cart, dropping shape as she does, "Stay with the cart." She summons 2 dire wolves towards the tree line where the second arrow that went for Ry came from. "Attack whoever's shooting at us."

[11:16 PM] Seirixori: ((and end because I can't shape until next time lol oops))

[11:16 PM] DM: Another arrow is fired toward the cart. It sticks in the wood.

[11:17 PM] DM: And with the third nat 1 for my archers, another arrow hits the dirt.

[11:17 PM] DM: Top of the round, he's going to attack Ry again.

[11:18 PM] DM: But this time her armor actually works and he misses.

[11:20 PM] DM: Gunnloda pushes herself up in the cart a bit and points towards Ryleigh. She heals for 7 damage.

[11:21 PM] DM: Alarys pokes her head around the back of the cart and four bolts of energy streak out of her hand and hit the man.

[11:22 PM] DM: .Brimeia

[11:26 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia hops out and runs up  to the creepy dead man, raging and smacking him with her greataxe.  ((reckless, 18 a, 14 dmg)

[11:27 PM] Brimeia: "We need to get out of here. Can we grab her and go?" She looks at Gayle and Seir.

[11:27 PM] DM: Her ancestors post up on either side of the man, daring him to attack Ry again.

[11:28 PM] DM: An arrow flies out towards Brimeia- 8 damage, reduced to 4.

[11:30 PM] DM: Sariel will hop out of the cart and also run to the man, but she misses her attack with Frost Brand. As on brand as ever, her dagger hits though!

[11:30 PM] DM: Yahya's cowering.

[11:30 PM] DM: .Urrak

[11:31 PM] Urrak: Urrak will flank Ryleigh's attacker and slash at him with her greatsword

[11:32 PM] Urrak: ((21, 17 and 21, 15))

[11:33 PM] DM: Both hit, but he doesn't seem to flinch.

[11:33 PM] DM: .Ryleigh Alastair

[11:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh swings Dawnbringer, but is so shaken her swings go wild. ((15H, 18D/14H, 16D))

[11:36 PM] DM: Both miss.

[11:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((26 wisdom save))

[11:37 PM] DM: She is no longer frightened!

[11:38 PM] DM: A voice calls out from a tree, closer to the back of the cart. "He was right! They've got the Moonborn!" Then an arrow flies out and strikes Seir for 10 points of damage.

[11:39 PM] DM: A yelp comes from the trees from one of the wolves. 17 damage on it.

[11:39 PM] DM: The man snarls and strikes at Ryleigh with three attacks again.

[11:42 PM] DM: The first was a nat 20 that gets erased by Bri's ancestors, but it still hits. The second is also a nat 20 erased by Bri's ancestors. It misses. The third misses. 16-3=13 damage, halved for 6 total.

[11:42 PM] DM: Another arrow misses.

[11:42 PM] DM: .Seirixori

[11:43 PM] DM: And while she types, the two wolves bark at the two in the trees, but can't quite reach.

[11:46 PM] Seirixori: Seir curses, looks at Ry then to Alarys, "Fuck, Alarys just go with this, please!" She'll cast polymorph on Alarys if she's willing. ((An Ape, and yes the wolves go bye bye))

[11:47 PM] Seirixori: Then she shifts into Alloseir and takes off into the trees where she sent her wolves before. ((End))

[11:48 PM] DM: An arrow for Urrak misses.

[11:48 PM] DM: .Gayle Silbando finally gets a turn!

[11:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle casts a chromatic orb of fire at the grey hood nearest to her.

[11:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((8a, 7d))

[11:51 PM] DM: That'll miss.

[11:51 PM] DM: Are you staying on Ry's horse?

[11:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Yes, end turn))

[11:53 PM] DM: At the top of the turn, he's going to attack three more times. And miss three times thanks to Bri's ancestors.

[10:50 AM] DM: Gunnloda, still propping herself up against the edge of the inside of the cart, points her finger at the man, casting Sacred Flame, but misses.

[10:50 AM] DM: And with that, it's .Brimeia 's turn.

[4:01 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia smacks the creepy guy again. ((20 a, 8 dmg))

[4:12 PM] DM: That'll hit. Second attack?

[4:19 PM] Brimeia: She swings again. ((24, 7))

[4:23 PM] DM: That also hits, and the ancestors stay in place another round.

[4:25 PM] DM: Yahya and Taji are still cowering. Sariel is going to attack the guy... and somehow still miss. And the dagger will still hit. Is this sword cursed?? (13/12+4, 21/8+10SA)

[4:27 PM] DM: One of the archers fires an arrow at the closest target- Urrak- and when it predictably misses, he drops out of the tree and runs through the trees.

[4:27 PM] DM: Speaking of .Urrak , it's her turn.

[4:43 PM] Urrak: Urrak is gonna keep slashing at the guy

[4:43 PM] Urrak: ((30 (nat20), 21 and 27,13))

[4:44 PM] Urrak: She'll also use her bonus to heal Ryleigh (healing word)

[4:45 PM] DM: Ok. The sword pulses, sucking... blackness out of his body since there is no blood to be had. Urrak gains 10 temp hp.

[4:46 PM] DM: .Ryleigh Alastair gains 6 hp.

[4:46 PM] DM: And it is .Ryleigh Alastair 's turn.

[4:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh swings Dawnbringer at the undead guy ((23A, 13D + 15 smite; 15H, 21D)).

[5:00 PM] DM: The creature shudders as Dawnbringer pulses radiant energy into it and he screams with an unnatural howl. His body jerks and twitches and black veins crawl across the skin around his eyes and lips. "You... must... suffer."

5:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Point Dawnbringer at the man, and commands Adventure to stomp on him ((14A, 11D)). She then hums a song of protection, a bright shimmering field surrounds her. ((casting shield of faith on herself, +2 to my AC - now 22))

[5:06 PM] DM: Ok!

[5:07 PM] DM: Adventure does miss, unfortunately.

[5:08 PM] DM: The archer that Seir is next to will draw his sword to try to poke the dinoseir that has him treed.  He'll hit .Seirixori for 8 damage.

[5:08 PM] DM: The one closest to them will shoot at her- and hit .Seirixori for 14 damage.

[5:09 PM] DM: Alarys is very confused, but once she realizes her scales have been traded for fur and muscles she's going to head towards the trees.

[5:10 PM] DM: The Moonborn lays the first archer out with a 23 to hit and twenty-four damage... on her first swing.

[5:11 PM] DM: She reaches up into the tree to snatch the one that's still up there, but he manages to squeal and squirm around the trunk of the tree, barely evading her grasp.

[5:13 PM] DM: Another archer sees the ape demolish his buddy and fires a terrified arrow in her direction. It hits for 6 damage.

[5:13 PM] DM: .Seirixori 's turn.

[5:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a bite at the archer in the tree ((21a, 17d)) and move to the other side of the tree to try and not be quite such an easy target for the other archers shooting at her.

[5:24 PM] DM: Ok. The archer near the ape fires his arrow right at her face... at disadvantage, but still hits for 11 damage.

[5:25 PM] DM: And with that, it's up to .Gayle Silbando

[6:23 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle crouches on Adventure Assasin’s Creed style and hurls another chromatic orb of fire at the undead guy. ((15a, 14d))

[7:12 PM] DM: The fire flies past his head and hits a tree. He is unfazed.

[9:22 PM] Gayle Silbando: As she is doing this, she pushes off and does a backflip off Adventure ((15 acrobatics)). When she sees that her attack misses she mumbles, "Fuck," under her breath and takes off for the archer to the north.

[9:26 PM] DM: lol Ok. No faceplant this time.

[9:26 PM] DM: Another archer in the trees tries to take a shot at Gayle as she runs. And somehow still misses.

[9:26 PM] DM: And we're back to the top with The Dude.

[9:27 PM] DM: He swings and misses three more times, but unlike me, he doesn't get frustrated.

[9:28 PM] DM: Gunnloda misses her Sacred Flame again and slumps into the cart.

[9:29 PM] DM: .Brimeia 's turn.

[9:44 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia is pretty impressed with her ancestors and takes some more swings at creepy man.

[9:45 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless, 18 a, 8 dmg, 26 a, 16, dmg))

[9:47 PM] DM: Both of those hit.

[9:48 PM] DM: You notice that with every slice now, you're carving away at him, but his wounds fill with darkness.

[9:49 PM] DM: ...how does a person continuously miss with a +8 to attack? I'm not sure, but Sariel does. Her dagger misses too this time.

[9:49 PM] DM: .Urrak

[9:53 PM] Urrak: Urrak, spurred on by the rush of energy given to her by the sword, will continue to attack the undead man. ((24,16 and 30 (nat20), 20 +10 nec))

[9:54 PM] DM: Two hits, and again, the sword pulses and draws energy from the man, giving Urrak another 10 temporary hit points.

[9:54 PM] Urrak: She will then move and situate herself so that she's next to Ryleigh but in range of the guy and use her Action Surge to cast Cure Wounds on Ryleigh ((end))

[9:55 PM] DM: .Ryleigh Alastair gets 5 hp back.

[9:56 PM] DM: One of Urrak's hits cleaved the man's shoulder apart, but the darkness became tendrils that pulled the arm back into place, holding him together.

[9:56 PM] DM: And it's .Ryleigh Alastair 's turn.

[11:01 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Finally getting her shit together, Ryleigh furiously swings Dawnbringer at the undead man. ((23H, 24D; 27H, 30D))

[11:03 AM] DM: Dawnbringer's radiant energy pulses through him, burning away several of the strands of darkness that are tethering the various parts of his body. His body sags for a moment like it's taking too much effort to stay in one piece. "Suffff... fffer."

[11:05 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shouts, "Adventure, silence him!" ((17H, 7D))

[11:08 AM] DM: Adventure kicks him square in the chest and his body shudders again, the various parts moving almost individually, like a marionette controlled by tangled strings.

[11:09 AM] DM: The archer nearest .Seirixori  pokes her in the face again for 7 damage... and she needs to make a con save (at disadv as discussed).

[11:25 AM] Seirixori: ((a nice 5))

[11:27 AM] DM: That's... definitely a failure. The little poke in the snout ends up making Seir sneeze... and suddenly the ape is a dragonborn.

[11:32 AM] DM: The other nearby archer takes a shot, at who, doesn't matter. Wouldn't hit anyway.

[11:35 AM] DM: Alarys, now a dragonborn again, looks very surprised... and then very scared as she's now in the forest, face to face with one of these archers. She throws up a Shield of Faith, bringing her AC to 13, and disengages and flees.

[11:36 AM] DM: Another archer sees .Gayle Silbando running straight for him and fires an arrow right into her shoulder for 14 damage.

[11:36 AM] DM: And it is .Seirixori 's turn.

[11:45 AM] Seirixori: Seir, cursing in every language she knows, realizes how much of an idiot she's being, heals herself ((12)) and then takes off towards Alarys and picks her up via mouth and runs away from the fight.

[11:47 AM] DM: Seir picks a still-confused Alarys up and carries her off like a mother carrying her cub in her mouth. Except one's a big pink dinosaur and the other's part dragon.

[11:48 AM] DM: The archer does get an AOO on Seir as she leaves though- and he smacks her with his sword for another 5 damage.

[11:49 AM] DM: The archer who had been next to Alarys chases them, firing at Seir as he does. And misses.

[11:50 AM] DM: And now to .Gayle Silbando .

[12:28 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle grunts when the arrow hits her and casts a firebolt to the one who attacked. ((25a, 11d))

12:28 PM] Gayle Silbando: She ducks behind a nearby tree for coverage.

[12:36 PM] DM: Ok! Unfortunately, hiding from that one leaves her open to another. But that one misses. Gayle's surprised to see an arrow stick into the tree just above where's she's ducking.

[12:38 PM] DM: And we are back to the dude. The darkness in his body can't quite get past the damage Dawnbringer did to it. He staggers a bit, then stares at .Ryleigh Alastair again. "Suffer..."

Wisdom save, please.

[12:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((17))

[12:52 PM] DM: Ryleigh's righteous anger allows her to shrug off the paralysis this time.

[12:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda's having trouble lifting herself high enough to help and Yahya and Taji are ducking down into the cart.

[12:53 PM] DM: .Brimeia

[1:09 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia keeps hacking away at creepy dude.

[1:10 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless, 19 a, 16 dmg, 25 a, 7 dmg))

[1:11 PM] DM: With every hit, he seems to be falling more and more apart. His body jerks and shudders, but the strings continue to pull.

[1:12 PM] DM: Sariel's going to pull off and chase the guy chasing Seir.  And stabs him with Frost Brand and the dagger! For a whopping 21 damage.

[1:12 PM] Brimeia: "What is up with this creepy fucker?" Brimeia grumbles.

[1:13 PM] DM: .Urrak

[1:28 PM] Urrak: "I don't know, but I'm gettin' tired of this fucked up puppet show!" Urrak swings at him again with her greatsword. ((11, 18 (nat 1) and 26, 16))

[1:37 PM] Urrak: ((end))

[1:38 PM] DM: Urrak takes one of its arms nearly off. It's hanging uselessly by a thread of darkness that looks almost like a tendon.

[1:38 PM] DM: .Ryleigh Alastair

[1:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh slides off Adventure as she swings at the man - missing because of course she does ((14H, 19D)), but with her feet firmly on the ground, Ryleigh plunges Dawnbringer into the man's chest ((17H, 38D)).

[1:43 PM] DM: The radiant energy courses through his body, severing the last remaining vestiges of darkness and his body collapses into a heap without the puppet strings to hold it up.

[1:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half catches him as he falls to the ground, Dawnbringer still deep in his chest. She says in a half broken voice, "I'm sorry... I'm... so sorry."

[1:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Half a moment later, Ryleigh's standing and mounting Adventure. ((end turn))

[1:55 PM] DM: The archer that Seir left whistles out and disappears into the trees.

[1:56 PM] DM: The one near Gayle takes a parting shot, but it glances off the tree she's hiding behind and he runs towards the trees too.

[1:56 PM] DM: .Seirixori 's turn. There is a guy about 10' away, giving chase.

[2:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir runs a little farther away, drops Alarys, turns back around and pounces the guy. ((22a, 5dmg and STR save for pounce))

[2:09 PM] Seirixori: ((20a, 14d if it fails save))

[2:14 PM] DM: He does fail the save, and he cries out in pain and fear as a dinoseir tries to eat his liver.

[2:15 PM] DM: He'll stand on his turn and disengage before trying to escape.

[2:15 PM] DM: .Gayle Silbando

[2:15 PM] DM: The archers seem to be making an escape.

[2:31 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle hurls another firebolt towards the archer who is getting away  ((27a (nat20),  24d)), and continues to chase him into the woods.

[2:54 PM] DM: He's blasted from behind and Gayle manages to catch up to him.

[2:55 PM] DM: .Brimeia . You can try to find one of the archers who has fled to the woods or there are  two still engaged with Gayle or Seir and Sariel.

[2:56 PM] DM: Or you can let them go.

[3:52 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia runs up and smacks the  one archer she can reach.

[3:53 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless, 26, 11, 23, 18))

[3:54 PM] DM: That one's on his last legs, but he's still trying to run for it.

[3:56 PM] DM: Sariel moves up with Bri, but misses both attacks.

[3:56 PM] DM: .Urrak

[3:57 PM] DM: You're not quite in range of either to get to them without dashing.

[3:57 PM] Urrak: Urrak will dash towards the archer Gayle launched a firebolt at ((end))

[4:05 PM] DM: .Ryleigh Alastair

[4:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is going to ride to where Alarys is and offer her hand to pull her up onto Adventure. If something comes out of the woods towards them that's threatening, Adventure is going to dash away with them.

[4:13 PM] DM: Alarys lets her help her up, and once she's situated, she heals Ryleigh for 15 points.

[4:15 PM] DM: The archer with Gayle and Urrak disengages to flee, but Urrak's Sentinel feat allows her to take an AOO if she wants to.

[4:15 PM] DM: .Urrak

[4:15 PM] Urrak: ((hell yes 16,13))

4:16 PM] DM: That does just barely hit, and he is unable to flee.

[4:16 PM] DM: .Seirixori

[4:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes off after him and pounces again and will bite if he falls. ((22a, 5d. STR save if fail 23a, 17d))

[4:30 PM] DM: He is dead.

[4:30 PM] DM: .Gayle Silbando

[4:36 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle casts another firebolt at the nearest archer. ((17a, 13d))

[4:42 PM] DM: Still hits.

[4:43 PM] DM: Over the next couple seconds, you end up huffing over three dead archers, the undead... thing... and everyone's more or less whole. Except Ryleigh. Who is still hurt.

[4:43 PM] DM: But that's where we're going to end until the next session.

7:08 PM] DM: It's late in the afternoon, early evening. You're on the road between Aston and Wandermere/Kenbow, and surrounded by bodies.  It's only a couple more hours to Aston.

[7:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is quiet as she rides Adventure over to the cart. Alarys still with her.

[7:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir stomps over to where Ryleigh is, she hasn't shifted back, and asks, "Ryleigh, how viable is it to travel back to Vyon without going into town?"

[7:12 PM] Urrak: Urrak rushes back to the rest of the group. "Everyone alright? Ry? I've got one more spell left in th' ring."

[7:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We need to stay on the road... traveling through the Fytulk would be almost impossible with our cart and horses. We can avoid the cities by going around and sleeping outside of them," Ryleigh solemnly answers Seir.

[7:13 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Might want t'save that. Not sure I'll be able t'recharge it any time soon."

[7:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir hesitates, "Without the cart."

[7:14 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods, "Yer right, Gunnloda. We need t' get somewhere safe."

[7:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "There are 10 of us... most of us would have to travel on foot. It'd take us at least 5 days to get to the border instead of 2 1/2. Why?" Ryleigh's tone is a little agitated.

[7:20 PM] Seirixori: "Because I don't think we should even go near the city. And if... If Adventure can hold you and Gunnloda... I can take care of the rest. I think. At least for an hour and then we'd have to rest for a little bit... And leave the cart."

[7:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Whatever," Ryleigh answers, her face tense. "But we need to stay on the road until we reach Aston because I need to get us more diamonds... in case one of us dies."

[7:27 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts back, clearly not set in getting closer to Aston. But also not reacting to what Ryleigh is saying, "Then we'll take the cart closer... But once we get in eye sight... You, Gayle, maybe Gunnloda and maybe myself, should be the only ones to consider going in and getting those diamonds. We have to camp away from town."

[7:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I can take the cart and sell it in town. Then I'll meet up with you all. That way there's no danger to anyone." Ryleigh pulls at Adventure's reins leading her slightly in front of the cart.

[7:30 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle has a look of concern on her face and hesitates before speaking. “I do know of a way through the forests and mountains that I’ve taken before out of Ascus out of the guards’ way. We can still take the cart and some of us can walk if we need to go faster.”

[7:31 PM] Seirixori: "That... is probably better than my idea." She goes to the cart, then turns to Brimeia, "Can I borrow your axe?" Then she quickly adds, "The small one."

[7:32 PM] Urrak: "Anythin' we need t' do t' get outta these fuckin' woods, I'm all in for," Urrak crosses her arms and looks around a little nervously.

[7:33 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks confused but shrugs and says, "Sure."

[7:33 PM] Brimeia: She takes out the handaxe and hands it to Seirixori. "Want to get the jump next time, huh?"

[7:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks a little confused as she takes it, "No, I... well if we take the cart this part of my plan might not be necessary, but..." She shrugs.

[7:36 PM] Brimeia: "What plan?"

[7:37 PM] DM: Alarys speaks up from behind Ryleigh. "Maybe we should move away from the bodies before we get too deep into discussion and another of those... creatures comes along."

[7:37 PM] Seirixori: She shifts, now unsure, "I wanted to destroy the cart."

[7:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "That would require them to get into the cart and discuss as we drive... good luck," Ryleigh says loud enough for everyone to hear.

[7:39 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and hands the axe back to Brimeia, "Nevermind, there's no point." She gets in the back of the cart, now focusing on Gunnloda, asking if she's ok.

[7:40 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "Just tired, I think."

[7:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks a bit confused but gets onto the drivers seat. "If we're keepin' th' cart, let's get goin'. We can talk more once we're closer t' Aston."

[7:41 PM] Seirixori: She nods, "Going to be a lot more crowded than it already was... Sorry." She says to anyone getting in the cart.

[7:42 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks from Seirixori to the others, looking more baffled than ever. "Well, okay then. If you need to smash something up again, I can help."

[7:42 PM] Brimeia: She hops into the cart too.

[7:43 PM] DM: Yahya climbs over the edge to take the seat next to Urrak.

[7:44 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle hops in as well.

[7:45 PM] Urrak: Urrak grins at Yahya a moment and gets the horses moving. "Everyone in? Let's get th' fuck outta here."

[7:47 PM] DM: You head off down the road towards Aston.

[7:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thank you for healing me," Ryleigh says to Alarys, as they ride.

[7:49 PM] DM: Alarys nods, though Ryleigh can't really see it. "Thank you for not turning me in."

[7:50 PM] DM: It's getting close to sundown when the forest starts to thin. There's a dim glow over the treetops- the light from Asten's temple.

[7:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm not sure you'll believe me, but I wouldn't have and I don't plan to."

[7:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We should probably split up here," Ryleigh says once she's sees the glow.

[7:53 PM] Seirixori: "How long will it take you?"

[7:56 PM] Urrak: "We makin' camp out here, or are we movin again when ye get back?"

[7:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I shouldn't be longer than two hours," Ryleigh replies. "It depends. You can find a place around here, or you guys find a way around Aston, and I'll meet you off of the Spine."

[7:58 PM] Seirixori: "If Gayle can show you guys around, then do that, otherwise stay here." She says to Urrak then turns to Ryleigh, "I'm going with you."

[8:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brows furrow. "You shouldn't."

[8:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't say anything, just continues to look at Ry, determined.

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'll agree if you can use magic to look human, otherwise, you aren't coming."

[8:02 PM] Seirixori: "Of course I can." She rolls her eyes a little.

[8:03 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I can take the rest of us to the spine, if the party would prefer to get there instead of waiting here. Otherwise, Ryleigh is right. They won't ask questions here, as we've seen," Gayle frowns.

[8:04 PM] Urrak: Urrak hops off cart "Just be safe, th' both of ye," she looks over to Gayle, "Take us t' th' Spine, I'm not a fan of sittin' here like this."

[8:04 PM] Seirixori: "Gayle, would horses be a little faster?"

[8:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Meet us off the Spine. Take Adventure, so I can find you."

[8:06 PM] Urrak: "Jus' be sure t' bring the bab--horses back in one piece, Ry."

[8:08 PM] Seirixori: "We won't need them."

[8:09 PM] Gayle Silbando: "They would be faster, but if we have a few hours, we can foot it if need be. At least to let Gunnloda rest on one as well," she answers Seirixori.

[8:12 PM] Seirixori: "Use ours, Adventure, and these." Seir summons some horses, enough so if they want, they don't have to double up yet. "I'll pull the cart." She looks to Ry, "And be human at some point if I need to." She looks back to the rest, "The horses will only last an hour, so... Sorry about that, but it'll at least be faster for a little bit."

[8:13 PM] Brimeia: "Woah, handy."

[8:14 PM] Brimeia: "I can run once they're gone," Brimeia offers.

[8:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle's face looks really excited for a moment before she coughs and straightens up to look serious again. "This is extremely helpful, thank you Seirixori."

[8:15 PM] Urrak: "Aye, thanks, Seirixori," Urrak climbs up onto Monty, "We'll see ye at th' Spine. Gunnloda, can ye ride or do ye just want t' hold on t' me?"

[8:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes two of the horses, leaving 6, "Or I'll take these... it might take too long trying to hook me up to something that needs to be pulled by two."

[8:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I... should prob'ly ride with someone, but I don't think I can get up there without help."

[8:17 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Do you need any extra gold for the supplies? If there's any extra and you happen to find any healing potions, could you pick me up one? We can never be too prepared." Gayle hands 50gp to Ryleigh.

[8:17 PM] Seirixori: "Put her in front, Urrak."

[8:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes it, nodding.

[8:18 PM] Urrak: Urrak hops off and help Gunnloda up onto the horse, "I got her, Seirixori, no worries." She climbs back up behind her.

[8:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir hooks up her two conjured horses.

[8:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Climbing up into the driver seat, Ryleigh takes the reins and waits for Seir to get on.

[8:19 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia helps boost Gunnloda up.

[8:20 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle offers a horse to Alarys, and another to the siblings before getting on one herself.

[8:20 PM] DM: Everyone gets situated on horses with no saddles, no bridles, no reins...

[8:20 PM] DM: Bareback Fytulk.

## In Aston

.Seirixori and .Ryleigh Alastair head off down the road in a cart here.

[8:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's quiet.

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and shifts into a small brown mouse, "Sorry."

[8:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What do you have to be sorry about?"

[8:27 PM] Seirixori: "Not listening."

[8:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs, attempting a small smile, but it probably looks more like grimace. "I trust you, so... I trust that you had your reasons."

[8:30 PM] DM: You get into town without issue.

[8:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Let's sell the cart first, then the diamonds."

[8:32 PM] Seirixori: "Ok." Seir climbs up to Ry's shoulder, "Got room in that armor?" she kind of laughs.

[8:33 PM] DM: Most of the major shops and all the cart and horse dealers are along the Spine, so you travel a bit deeper into the city before you come to a place with stables next door to a big warehouse-style place with carts and wagons.

[8:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks for someone to barter with.

[8:35 PM] DM: Two men walk out of the buildings, one from each.

One: "Can I help you? Lookin' for some horses?"

The other: "Or another cart?"

The first: "Or are you here to sell?"

[8:36 PM] DM: They sound and look similar, and you can guess they're probably related.

[8:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Here to sell, actually." Ryleigh smiles at them.

[8:37 PM] DM: First: "Horses?"

Second: "Cart?"

[8:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "The cart. I don't have further use for it."

[8:39 PM] DM: The second man starts walking around, feeling various bits and examining the wear and tear. "Any repair work needed?"

[8:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "On the way here we broke a fastener? I think that's what it was."

[8:41 PM] Seirixori: "You could sell the horses too... And then never come back here." Seir jokes.

[8:42 PM] DM: He leans under to check the connections. "Not too bad a condition. Just a little loose back here... I can give you 30 for it."

[8:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((18 insight))

[8:44 PM] DM: Seems legit.

[8:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay," Ryleigh says, holding out her hand in shake.

[8:46 PM] DM: He shakes her hand. "Go ahead and pull it back and I'll get the coin."

[8:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She does!

[8:49 PM] DM: He comes back out with a bill of sale and a pouch of coins. "Need help unharnessing?"

[8:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Sure," Ryleigh says, starting to unharness the horses.

[8:52 PM] DM: He helps her do the thing and you can continue.

[8:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'd like to purchase a riding horse, if possible."

[8:55 PM] DM: He points over to the stables. "Gotta talk to my brother over there."

[8:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh does.

[8:59 PM] DM: So Ry and Seir do their thing and all told, walk away with another horse, a couple saddles, some new diamonds, a potion... and a personal purchase.

## Group in the woods

[8:21 PM] DM: And you all head into the woods. Let me get a survival check from Gayle.

[8:21 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((10))

[8:24 PM] DM: You start moving through the forest in a direction you think will take you to the Spine!

[8:25 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Do I see any familiar landmarks?))

[8:25 PM] DM: It's a forest.

[8:27 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks around  the woods for any signs of trouble

[8:27 PM] DM: Perception.

[8:27 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[8:28 PM] DM: There's an owl. It's looking at you like he wants to know hoooo  are you?

[8:29 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((4))

[8:32 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Thankfully we don't have to deal with anymore guards for a while, hopefully. The Fytulk might have had their fill for the time being," she half-jokes.

[8:34 PM] Urrak: "Yeah, I'd rather not come across anymore undead folk anytime soon," Urrak grumbles, "Or tree demons."

[8:36 PM] Gayle Silbando: "You all seem...seasoned to this kind of creature. I take it that wasn't the first time you had to deal with things trying to kill you?"

[8:36 PM] DM: Alarys: "It'll be less likely the further north we go. I'm surprised they were this far north anyway."

[8:37 PM] Brimeia: "What that weird tree specifically or murderous plants or just murderous creatures in general?" Brimeia laughs.

[8:40 PM] Urrak: "We've been through plenty o' rough adventures. Safe t' say not much surprises us anymore," Urrak shakes her head, "Seems like we're always stumblin' onto somethin' that's tryin' t' kill us."

[8:42 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle smiles. "At least it sounds like it keeps you on your toes and you get to help people. What do you all report to next, after Riverrun?" she says to the group including Yahya and Taji.

[8:45 PM] DM: Taji shrugs. "Don't have plans beyond the border."

Yahya: "We're gonna go to the temple, Taji. You said we could."

[8:47 PM] Urrak: "An' we're our own bosses if that's what yer askin'," Urrak smiles a little, "We've a headquarters in th' city, where we all stay in between missions. I'm very much lookin' forward t' gettin' back. We were barely there long enough t' sleep before we rode down t' Ascus."

[8:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: "That sounds freeing," she says, eyes focused on the path.

[8:51 PM] DM: Gayle manages to lead you guys well enough to a spot where you are close to the Spine north of the town.

[9:00 PM] DM: And after about 2 hours, you see Ry leading a horse with 3 saddles on its back into the forest to meet you all. Adventure looks happy to see her.

[9:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We bought saddles for all the horses, so everyone can ride. Gayle, you owe me 10gp, your potion was 60."

[9:04 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle hands her some coin.

[9:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes it, then heads over to Gunnloda. She hands Gunnloda the diamonds without a word.

[9:07 PM] Urrak: "Good, wouldn't want anyone t' fall an' break their ass," Urrak pats Monty's nose

[9:07 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes them and tucks them away in her pouch.

[9:07 PM] Brimeia: "Ryleigh, what do we owe for the diamonds?"

[9:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I used guild money, so nothing."

[9:09 PM] Urrak: "So, what's th' plan from here?"

[9:11 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia nods in acknowledgement.

[9:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We escort Alarys to Riverrun," Ryleigh says simply.

[9:16 PM] Urrak: "Glad t' see this trip hasn't robbed ye of yer charm, Ry," Urrak shakes her head, "Fine, onwards then."

9:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Fuck you, Urrak." Ryleigh walks into the nearby forest.

[9:19 PM] Brimeia: "Not the time, Urrak," Brimeia mumbles quietly under her breath to just Urrak.

[9:21 PM] Urrak: "Ugh," Urrak crosses her arms and waits with the horses for Ryleigh to come back

[9:21 PM] DM: Gunnloda sits against a tree. "Think we should camp."

[9:22 PM] Brimeia: "You doing alright?"

[9:22 PM] Brimeia: "You gave us all a pretty good scare."

[9:23 PM] Urrak: "Aye, we should," Urrak starts to collect firewood and soon gets the campfire going. "Alarys, Yahya, Taji can ye help me with th' tents?"

[9:23 PM] DM: Gunnloda shrugs. "Been better. Awful tired."

[9:24 PM] DM: Yahya helps Urrak. Taji 'supervises'.

[9:25 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle helps them as well.

[9:26 PM] DM: Alarys kneels next to Gunnloda. "I haven't had a chance to thank you for what you did for him. I appreciate it greatly. I wish I could have done the same, but I lost my pendant and... my Lady didn't answer when I called her. Is there anything I can do for you?"

[9:28 PM] DM: Gunnloda's eyebrows pull together in a slight frown, but she shakes her head. "No... I think I'll be better with a bit o'rest. Keep your energy up."

[9:31 PM] DM: Alarys nods and leaves to help the others.

[9:40 PM] Brimeia: "So the Moonborn, huh? We thought he...?" Brimeia pauses and gestures vaguely at Alarys, "..She? was dead?"

[9:41 PM] DM: Alarys tilts her head and the ridge above her eye raises. "You know there can be more than one person with a title in history, right? Lucas was the Moonborn. Then Badru. Now me."

[9:42 PM] DM: Yahya comes over to sit next to Alarys. "We talking about Badru?"

[9:42 PM] Brimeia: "Oh. I guess didn't really know what that was. So you're... the new one? What are you supposed to be...? do..? exactly?"

[9:43 PM] DM: Yahya: "She's Vydea's champion. She does things that Vydea wants done cause she can't do them herself."

[9:43 PM] Urrak: "He was th' prince, right? Of th' Moonstream rulin' family?" Urrak asks as she walks over to the fire.

[9:44 PM] DM: Yahya nods at Urrak. "Prince Badru. He was going to be king before he died."

[9:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak settles in a moment before continuing "How'd he die?"

[9:46 PM] DM: Yahya frowns and Alarys kind of chuckles at it. She says, "Nobody knows for sure. He was traveling through the Misty Wilds when his carriage was attacked."

[9:48 PM] Urrak: "Jus' up an' vanished? That's...really odd." she furrows her brow, "No one found a body but they assumed he was dead, jus' like that?"

[9:50 PM] DM: Alarys tilts her head. "I didn't say he vanished."

[9:54 PM] Urrak: "Guess I'm not followin', I get yer th' Champion of Vydea now, but from what I recall, some o' th' rumors were sayin' Badru was still around, jus' in disguise. I feel like if there was a body in th' ground then folks wouldn't hold on t' that hope so much."  Urrak scratches her a face a bit, "But honestly, I could be all kinds of mixed up. This journey's been...tirin' t' say th' least."

[9:55 PM] DM: Taji pipes up from the edge of the darkness. "They probably just assumed the Moonborn being around meant Badru. People are dumb."

[9:56 PM] Brimeia: "So if you do what Vydea wants.... what does Vydea want?"

[9:56 PM] Urrak: "Y'know, I can't argue with that," Urrak chuckles

[9:57 PM] DM: Alarys shrugs. "Right now, she wants me to go to Riverrun."

[9:57 PM] Urrak: "Have ye had any more dreams about her since she called ye th' Moonborn?"

[9:58 PM] DM: Alarys: "She sent me to Kenbow and it wasn't really a dream, but she told me how to find the cure there."

[9:59 PM] Urrak: "Well I'm sure whatever she wants ye t' do in Riverrun is jus' as important as curin' a plague."

[9:59 PM] Brimeia: "But I mean like... in general. I don't know much about the gods here... or in general, I guess."

[10:00 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What will you do once Asten backlash starts? Who will protect you from Tillman and his men?"

[10:01 PM] DM: Alarys looks confused. "I'm hoping they'll stop hunting me once I'm in Vyon."

[10:01 PM] Brimeia: "Yeah, like that. What's Asten got against the Moonborn or Vydea anyway?"

[10:03 PM] DM: Alarys: "Two hundred years ago, this was all Ascus... until Vydea had a son named Lucas who led the people in a revolution and formed Vyon. Then he called himself Moonstream and named himself king. Asten's the patron of Ascus. They didn't like losing very much."

[10:05 PM] Brimeia: "Ahhh. Good old fashioned royal rivalry." Brimeia rolls her eyes. "Bastards."

[10:05 PM] Urrak: "Some things never change," Urrak takes a drink from her waterskin

[10:05 PM] DM: Yahya frowns. "The Moonstreams aren't like that."

[10:06 PM] Urrak: "We've met some great Moonstreams, an' some less than great, but aye, I can't say they're all bastards."

[10:07 PM] Brimeia: "Still, people are getting hurt over fights of who gets to rule what."

[10:08 PM] Brimeia: "People should get to live how they want."

[10:12 PM] Urrak: "Not t' put words in anyone's mouth, but I feel like that's what Lucas was tryin' t' do. At least with how Ascus is now, I imagine there was a good reason t' revolt against th' Ascan crown."

[10:14 PM] Brimeia: "Hmm. I suppose."

[10:15 PM] DM: Actually, perception checks pls

[10:15 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((20))

[10:15 PM] Urrak: ((5))

[10:20 PM] DM: An elf steps out of the trees, but stays in the dim light just outside the fire's edge. Her skin is pale and greyish, her eyes nearly solid black. It's unclear if the shadows around her eyes are natural or makeup. She wears dark grey leather armor and her hair is wild, dark, and tied back in what were once braids but is now more of a tangle. "The Ascan crown is a farce... but you do not belong here either. Give me a reason not to kill you all."

[10:21 PM] Urrak: Urrak stands slowly, "We're jus' travelers, passin' through. We mean no harm t' ye."

[10:22 PM] DM: "You may stay seated," she replies sharply.

[10:22 PM] Urrak: Urrak stops, raises her hands, "Ok, ok, I'm not tryin' t' start anythin'. What do ye want from us? Gold, food?"

[10:24 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle casts message to Urrak, and afterwards Ryleigh. "She comes with friends. Stay sharp."

10:27 PM] DM: The elf sneers. "Your gold is meaningless and your food is nothing. Why are you in this forest? Why are you not in the cities your kind love so much?"

[10:28 PM] Urrak: "We're a group full o' half breeds and plane touched, we're not really welcome in th' cities. Trust me, I'd rather be sleepin' in a bed than on th' ground any day."

[10:28 PM] Urrak: "We're jus' tryin' t' get back home."

[10:28 PM] DM: Give me a persuasion check.

[10:29 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[10:30 PM] DM: Elf: "Funny, that's all we're trying to do too."

[10:31 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks into the camp, but what you see instead of the pink Tiefling is a black woman, with light to dark, tight curls covering her ears and going down mid-back. "Trying to do what?" She asks as she enters the area.

[10:33 PM] DM: Elf: "Get back home. Or get our home back. Why did you change? You think we did not see you and the Asten? We see everything... and you sullied our forest with your garbage."

[10:34 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I can promise you, that was not our intention. We just needed a place to rest for the night. We have respect for the forest."

[10:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs a little and drops the illusion. "Because I didn't know who was here." Her eyes narrow as she tilts her head, "Are you the... the other stuff in the forest?"

[10:36 PM] DM: Elf: "The other stuff? We are elves. Do we not look it?"

[10:36 PM] DM: For the record, none of you have seen elves that look quite like her.

[10:37 PM] Seirixori: "Not exactly."

[10:38 PM] DM: The elf vanishes and reappears in the dim light closer to Seir. She says something in a strange melodic language. (She's remarking on the smell of forest on you... in druidic)

[10:38 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle balls her fist.

[10:39 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a small step back in surprise and then speaks back to her in the same. *"It's where I've lived until recently."*

[10:41 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia grips her axe, just in case.

[10:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak blinks in surprise, "Uh...is that a good thing or?"

[10:43 PM] DM: Elf: "What is your purpose here?"

[10:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a breath and says, "We're trying to get back to Vyon. The towns aren't safe for most of us. And I fear the guards are looking for us."

[10:45 PM] DM: Persuasion check.

[10:46 PM] Seirixori: ((21))

[10:47 PM] DM: Elf: "And yet you travel with a human. An Asten at that."

[10:48 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, "Yes. She is... Different and..." She switches back to the other language. *"hopefully won't be following him for much longer."*

[10:50 PM] DM: She peers at Seir for a moment, the slightest of smirks on her lips. "You will retrieve your garbage from the forest and take care to leave this place as you found it... or we will find you..." and she continues in the other language. *'and make shadow woads of you.'*

[10:52 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods quickly, "Of course." She then responds back in the other language with a low head bow. *"I apologize for letting it happen."*

[10:54 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia's eyes dart between Seirixori and the strange elf-lady, but doesn't dare move otherwise.

[10:54 PM] DM: The elf looks around once more, then steps into the shadows, vanishing.

[10:55 PM] Urrak: Urrak waits a moment and then speaks, "Seirixori...what the fuck just happened?"

[10:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir let's out a very long breath and slumps a little, "Holy shit."

[10:56 PM] Brimeia: As soon as the person is gone plus a little bit extra just to be sure, Brimeia exclaims, "Uh. WHAT was THAT?"

[10:56 PM] Brimeia: She looks toward Seirixori.

[10:57 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle stands and looks out into the rest of the forest to make sure no one else is there.

[10:57 PM] DM: perception

[10:57 PM] Brimeia: "What did she mean about garbage? And what did you say? What did SHE say?"

[10:58 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia's eyes look comically large as she speaks.

[10:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir swallows, or tries to, she eventually manages to clear her throat, "Please be quiet, Brimeia."

[10:59 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((2, nat 1 perception))

[10:59 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia responds quieter, practically whispering, "Sorry, sorry. Just.. that was weird, even for us."

[10:59 PM] DM: Your 120' darkvision means nothing. You see nothing.

[11:00 PM] Gayle Silbando: She returns to the others when she is satisfied at what she sees. Or doesn't see.

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: As she gets her heart rate under control, Seir says, "We just need to-- fuck, Ryleigh." She turns and runs back to where she left her.

## Seiryleigh

9:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh presses her back into a nearby tree, she takes several deep breaths, then slowly slides down the tree's trunk into a sitting position.

[9:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir climbs out of Ryleigh's armor and shifts back, kneeling near Ry, her hand starting to reach out but she drops it to her side instead. "I'm here if you need to talk. Or not talk. Talking is probably better, but uh, you know..." She trails off.

[9:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm not allowed to upset... just ask the others."

[9:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, "You're allowed to be, they're just..." She shrugs, "Pretty selfish, really. And maybe a little less inclined to realize it."

[9:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks at Seir, she's clearly holding back tears. "I don't even know how or where to start... or if I'm ready to talk about anything that happened today..."

[9:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir scoots herself closer, offering her hand or anything if Ry wants it, "You don't have to talk now, maybe letting those tears go a little might help, but the words can come later... I can wait. Or you can wait to tell Rukiya, but don't keep all of it in for that long." She then whispers, "Please."

[9:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I deserve it, don't I? The man back there - he was a product of my vengeance - he was my fault." Ryleigh looks away. "I had to... Sir Barton... I'm disgusted with myself even though I know it was what needed to be done." She swallows hard. "No matter what I do... act, don't act, try to control what I can..." reaching into the bag, she pulls out the bottle of alcohol and stares at it "...it doesn't matter, so why bother?"

[9:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir's jaw clenches, as does her fist. It takes her almost a full minute to respond. "So that's it? Shit goes sideways all in a very short span of time and you just decide to give up? No, of course, you didn't save anyone or anything, didn't help a single person. No." She blows out a breath through clenched teeth. She closes her eyes, "Vengeance..." Seir shakes her head and starts again.

"You can't be a shield for us, for her, if you want vengeance." She looks away, her own words hitting her. "...can I have a drink of that?"

[9:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh laughs, but it's humorless. "Give up... I can't. I just wish I didn't feel like this and I don't know how not too." She hands the bottle to Seir.

[10:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes the bottle, opens it, and then chucks it farther into the woods. Then she turns back, "Yes you can. You'll lose yourself otherwise... or you'll... You'll be fine with beheading someone, sticking them on a spike, and burning warnings into someone's chest. And would do the same thing again, and again. Vengeance... Vengeance doesn't feel right. It wasn't even the same people-" Seir stops herself. Switching her words. "Vengeance doesn't save people, it's just a lie you tell yourself to feel better about doing exactly what was done to you."

[10:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's not that simple of a decision for me," Ryleigh mumbles, then adds, "and you owe me gold for that."

[10:17 PM] Seirixori: "I never said it was simple." Seir grumbles, struggling with the pouch at her side, when she finally gets it off, she drops it in Ryleigh's lap. "Don't stay here for too long or I will come back and- and love yell at you more. I need to go check on my wife." Seir turns to head back to camp.

[10:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I love you," Ryleigh says softly. "And I'm sorry for not being what we need..."

[10:22 PM] Seirixori: "You are, you just don't believe in yourself like I believe in you." She whispers back, this time actually leaving.

[10:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir rushes back over, "Someone's here, sounds like more than one?" And as she says it Seir's image completely shifts into a dark skinned woman as she quickly heads back towards camp, not waiting.

[10:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stands, and edges back towards the clearing.

[10:35 PM] DM: A voice comes from the darkness. "Not another step, nader'wunel."

[10:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'd argue that your use of nader'wunel isn't warranted, but I'm afraid you're quite right, Walker," She answers in elven.

[10:41 PM] DM: "Then you should not be surprised that you have no less than four arrows pointed at your throat, Asten. Do not give us reason to loose."

[10:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm not here to make enemies. My friends and I are attempting to escape Ascus, and it isn't safe for them in the cities."

[10:45 PM] DM: Persuasion.

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((24))

[10:48 PM] DM: There's no response.

[10:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs, and waits, not wanting to provoke anything.

[11:04 PM] DM: Ry's just standing in the forest in the darkness, a little beacon of light.

[11:06 PM] Seirixori: "Ryleigh!" Seir whisper shouts and runs up to her, struggling to keep her arms to herself. "Are you okay?"

[11:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes," Ryleigh says, a look of relief on her face. "Are you okay? They told me not to move and I..." she steps into Seir's space and hugs her.

[11:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir wraps her arms tight around Ry, "I'm fine, I'm fine. I just spoke to a creepy lady and told her we'd go clean up our trash and go back to Vyon because I really don't want any of you, or me, to be a creepy shadow tree person." She says this all in one breath.

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh softly shushes her. "We're okay." After a few moments she says, "What do you mean you don't want any of us to be a creep shadow tree person? Those people were walkers... the elves that live in the Fytulk."

[11:14 PM] Seirixori: "Uuuuh, ok, I think..." Seir frowns, getting that look on her face that she gets when she's afraid to piece something together because she doesn't want to be right, or to think about it. "Let's go back. Let's go back and we'll talk about it there."

[11:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Wait, didn't you say something about garbage?"

[11:15 PM] Seirixori: "Back at camp, I don't want to explain more than once."

[11:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay." Ryleigh allows Seir to drag her back to camp

## Back to Group

[11:03 PM] Urrak: "Well I definitely did not hear that right," Urrak watches as Seir runs off

[11:04 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia can't help but snort at the comment.

[11:05 PM] Gayle Silbando: "You guys have...odd rituals after being confronted by strangers."

[11:06 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia chuckles. "I like you. Funny."

[11:06 PM] Urrak: Urrak tries really hard not to scream laugh in the middle of the haunted forest.

[11:07 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Wouldn't be the weirdest place. Scary forest. I see the allure," Gayle shrugs.

11:08 PM] Urrak: "All jokes aside, I am wonderin' where it is Ryleigh ran off to. Don't know why Seir left her alone." Urrak crosses her arms. "This place is th' worst."

[11:08 PM] DM: Yahya: "Don't say that too loud. They might come back."

[11:10 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia just lifts her eyebrows and tilts her head in Yahya's direction.

[11:10 PM] Urrak: "Aye, yer right, I'd rather not meet th' park rangers again." she ties her hair up and sits back down by the fire. "I jus' hope they're ok."

[11:10 PM] DM: Alarys: "That... may have been my first encounter with the Walkers. If that's who they were."

[11:10 PM] Brimeia: "The who?"

[11:11 PM] Urrak: "I've never seen elves like them, they looked almost drow, but...not."

[11:11 PM] DM: Taji: "Elves who live in the forests 'cause the humans don't like them."

[11:12 PM] DM: Alarys nods. "The elves here though... are usually more... brownish. Or greenish. Not grey. Present company excluded."

[11:12 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What did she mean by garbage?"

[11:12 PM] DM: Sariel shrugs. "Not from around here."

[11:15 PM] Urrak: "Dunno. But I don't like this. I've got a feelin' somethin's not right," Urrak stands and brushes off her legs, "I'm goin' t' go look fer them."

[11:15 PM] Urrak: She heads off in the same direction as Seirixori

[11:15 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I'll come with you. After that encounter, no one should be alone." Gayle follows.

[11:15 PM] Brimeia: "No no. Then... " Brimeia sighs.

[11:16 PM] Brimeia: "Then we'll have to look for you if you don't find them," Brimeia grumbles to herself quietly.

[11:17 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle casts message to Brimeia instead of speaking loudly. "We'll be okay, promise." Then offers her a thumbs up.

[11:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir comes back, hand in Ry's, tugging her back to the group. She stops as she sees some coming towards them, "... You know, if we were actually in trouble, you guys are really slow."

[11:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half smiles.

[11:19 PM] Urrak: "Yeah, well," Urrak throws up her hands, "Stay here and we won't have t' come lookin' fer ya. Especially now that we know the forest is full of magic gray elves."

[11:19 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia snorts again.

[11:20 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Everyone in the forest was fineeeee. What happened with the Elf?"

[11:20 PM] DM: Sariel: "Most elves are at least a little magical."

[11:20 PM] Urrak: "Yeah, what language was she speakin' t' ye in?"

[11:21 PM] Seirixori: "I think... I think it might be more than that." She says but doesn't eleborate, instead answers Gayle, "Uh, I'm... I'm just a really bad Druid, to be honest."

[11:21 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Not from what I have seen. What did she mean by garbage? The dead bodies?"

[11:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh squeezes Seir's hand.

[11:23 PM] Seirixori: "I think so, but that's what I mean. I... wow it's a really good thing neither of them can see me." Seir mumbles. "I shouldn't have let that happen to begin with. Taka-- I was told... I am really terrible at this, wow." Seir just kind starts talking to herself about the situation.

[11:24 PM] Urrak: "Jus' take a deep breath, Seirixori, yer not makin' any sense."

[11:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "They showed up right after you smashed that bottle in forest, homashoc."

[11:25 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push. She just seemed very threatening and we couldn't understand the stranger to be able to yell at her for being confrontational."

[11:27 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks up, confused, and then her eyes widen, "...oh." She nods, pauses, and then shrugs, "Okay, but it still kind of applies." Seir says, continuing to grumble about it as she starts to go towards where she threw it.

[11:27 PM] Urrak: "A...bottle...?" Urrak's very clearly confused

[11:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes, you know... an item that often holds liquid contents."

[11:30 PM] Urrak: "Am I able t' be sarcastic back this time or...?" Urrak twirls her wrist, "I'm aware of what a bottle is and what it does, but of all people why would Seir throw one and break it in th' forest?"

[11:30 PM] Gayle Silbando: "For a spell?"

[11:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No, we had a disagreement," Ryleigh answers.

[11:31 PM] Urrak: "About what?"

[11:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "About whether or not I wanted to drown myself in alcohol or not." Ryleigh grips onto Dawnbringer's handle, looking like she's fighting the urge to walk away.

[11:35 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh..." Urrak walks up to her and places a hand on her shoulder, "Ryleigh I, I'm sorry if I what I said earlier hurt ye that much I, I didn't mean t'..." she takes a breath, "I understand th' temptation, but trust me, it ain't a good path t' go down."

[11:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You didn't push me to drinking, but being here and being faced with..." Ryleigh shakes her head "...I just wanted to have the option to forget."

[11:38 PM] Seirixori: Seir comes back with an empty bottle, "I found it! No being a creepy shadow tree person for anyone."

[11:39 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh I need ye t' look at me," she stoops down a bit, "It doesn't help ye forget. It jus' makes it worse when ye sober up." she blinks away a bit of wetness in her eyes.

[11:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Please don't touch me..." Ryleigh says, physically flinching away when Urrak stoops down. "And I was just thinking about it... clearly it's not happening now."

[11:46 PM] Urrak: "Sorry, I'm jus' lookin' out fer ya." She lets out a held breath, "Come get comfortable, have somethin' t' eat. We could all use some rest, eh?" she nods and walks back to the rest of the group.

[11:46 PM] Seirixori: "Urrak, personal spaaaace." Seir pipes up, looking a bit nervous, or too much energy, something.

[11:47 PM] Urrak: "Personal spaaaace," she calls back from the fire

[11:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What's wrong, homashoc?" Ryleigh asks, taking her hand.

[11:50 PM] Seirixori: "Nothing, nothing." Seir starts twisting Ry's hand in hers, her tail also twisting behind her. "She-she scared me a little and I think they might be part of the darkness in the forest and being threatened was not fun and you weren't there and Gunnloda is-is just really really tired but I'm still worried and now there's too much again."

[11:51 PM] DM: Gunnloda's snoring, slumped against the tree.

[11:53 PM] Seirixori: Seir points with her 'free' hand at her wife, "She didn't even see it. I bet it was cool. She missed me being cool."

[11:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's okay to be scared of being threatened," Ryleigh says, running her thumb over the back of Seir's hand. "It was selfish of me to leave the group... especially knowing where we are. I just needed some space." Ryleigh looks at where Gunnloda's asleep. "She already knows how cool you are, she didn't need to witness it again. Would... would you like me to move her to a tent?"

[11:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head and then nods, "No. I mean yes, she-she, the tent. She prefers a roof...thing."

[11:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh presses a kiss to Seir's forehead then says, "Why don't you go sit by the campfire. I'll be there after I put Gunnloda in the tent."

[11:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, the empty bottle still in her hand, that she used to point at Gunnloda. "Okay, okay. Fire." She moves to the campfire and sits. It lasts all of two seconds before she gets up again and starts walking around it instead, twisting the bottle in her hand.

[12:00 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves Gunnloda to a tent then goes to stand near the fire.

[6:55 PM] DM: You're camping north of Aston, just off the Spine. Gunnloda's been moved to a tent. You guys just finished talking to some grey elves.

[7:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do you want to talk about what has you all wound up?" Ryleigh asks Seirixori.

[7:07 PM] Urrak: "Aye, don't think I've seen ye this riled up since ye got drunk and told Gunnloda she was pretty." Urrak  chuckles

[7:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't respond at first, still pacing, her face only a little red at Urrak's comment. After moments pass she answers but doesn't stop moving, "I don't know. No, I do know, but there's so much," she motions around her head, "Takara told me the darkness was spreading and then the-the- lady elf person said she'd turn me into a shadow... a shadow... lasta. I don't know the word in common, sorry. But the tree thing we saw before. It was just wrong and- and what if they're the reason the forest is getting worse? Or-or something in the forest has-has taken them over? I don't know. And-and--" She finally stops moving and throws up her arms, like it explains the rest.

[7:09 PM] DM: Alarys tilts her head. "You talk to Takara? Are you her champion?"

[7:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half laughs at Alarys comment.

[7:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir freezes and points at Alarys, ".....Yyeees?"

[7:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "But she isn't Takara's champion," Ryleigh finishes for Seir.

[7:12 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks over to Alarys "It's...complicated."

[7:12 PM] Urrak: She turns back to Ry and Seir, "But, from th' elf's speech I figured they were th' guardians o' this place. Maybe they're makin' things all shadow-y t' keep folks out." Urrak shrugs a little.

[7:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle also begins to look a little uneasy.

[7:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "There are elves that live in Fytulk, Ascans call them walkers, but I'm not sure they're guardians of the forest... and I've never seen a grey elf - that's odd."

[7:16 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia folds her arms over her chest. "So... there's funny-looking elf people who are maybe making the spooky forest even more spooky?"

[7:17 PM] Brimeia: "Can't you just ask Takara what the hells is going on, Seirixori?"

[7:18 PM] Seirixori: "This isn't her place, and they have limits." Seir replies to Bri.

[7:18 PM] Urrak: "Let's jus' consult all th' gods. Apparently they love talkin'."

[7:19 PM] Seirixori: She looks at Urrak, "They really don't."

[7:20 PM] Urrak: "Wouldn't know," Urrak shrugs again. "Either way, th' sooner we get outta this crazy forest th' better, I say."

[7:20 PM] Brimeia: "Oh." Brimeia sounds disappointed.

[7:21 PM] Brimeia: "So is uh... Gunnloda ok?"

[7:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir plops to the ground, rubbing her face with both hands and groans, "Yes."

[7:22 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia hesitates at Seirixori's reaction. "Are you ok?"

[7:24 PM] Urrak: Urrak shifts uncomfortably

[7:25 PM] Seirixori: "I'm tired, just... tired." She responds.

[7:26 PM] Urrak: "Been a long journey, it's ok t' be tired," Urrak offers a small smile

[7:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves to where Seir is seated. "I think you need to get some sleep too, homashoc. Give your brain a rest." She then offers her hand to help her up.

[7:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes it and let's Ryleigh guide her.

[7:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry takes Seir to the tent she placed Gunnloda in. She whispers something to her, and then returns to the group. "I'll take first watch," Ryleigh says.

[7:31 PM] Brimeia: "I can join you."

[7:31 PM] Urrak: Urrak stands, "I'll take th' last, then."

[7:38 PM] DM: Sometime during second watch, Ry wakes up. Alarys and Sariel are on watch.

## Ry at the temple

10:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: On the balcony in the Aston temple of Asten. “I’m not sure you’re even listening, or care to, but… I need to do this for me, to get this off my chest.” Ryleigh takes a deep breath before continuing, “I don’t know how to feel, Asten… the people here tell me to have faith, and that you have a plan for me. I’m… I’m not sure you do. So many people here misuse your name… or maybe they don’t? Maybe you don’t care and I’ve got it all wrong… maybe existing is more important to you than the right thing? And if that’s the truth, than why me? Why would you give me power?”

[10:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh doesn’t expect an answer, so she just sits with her thoughts for a few minutes, then she looks at the moon. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this powerless, but the longer I’m here the more I realize that everything I’ve been working towards is nearly impossible to achieve. I always thought that if Tilman was gone, things would be better, but I know that there will always be someone else who will simply fill his shoes. The problem is the entire regime, and I’d happily let it all burn… but Rukiya says that a complete overthrow would harm all the people I want to help.” Ryleigh’s shoulders fall, she deflates slightly and softly says, “I feel lost, and there’s no one to help me work any of it out. Seirixori thinks it's stupid that I follow you, but she doesn’t understand. My family is with you, or… I hope they are, and if I serve you, maybe… just maybe I’ll see them again. I have so many regrets there… I just want the chance to tell them how sorry I am. I’m afraid to talk to anyone about my doubts. I already said too much to Lisbet when I was here last time. Her advice, like I’m sure Lydia’s or Olivia’s would be is to have faith, but you’re making it so difficult for me to. Especially with people like Barton running around with your symbol upon his chest. I just wish I knew what to do… or if I was on the right path, because I know what’s right in my heart… and this isn’t it, Asten.” She sighs, and sits in silence until the moon starts to fall and dawn approaches.

## Gayle

11:55 PM] DM: *The dream comes that night like shadows moving against a wall or figures in a fog. You're running. Are you running to something? Away from something? Are you chasing? Being chased? Lost? You're not sure. You stop and try to remember why you are here. You search within yourself for some key. Are you running from something you fear? Running toward something you love? You can't tell. You feel nothing. Not fear, not anger, not joy. An elven woman appears in front of you. "You do not belong here." The woman from before, but not her. The eyes are different. The hair is different. Yet... you know you've seen her before. She tilts her head and smiles. "Come, child. I will show you the way." She holds her hand out to you, but the hand that you raise to take hers is small, a child's hand.*

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