Session0107

Transcript

  7:00 PM] DM: You came across four Ascan guards who had three commoners in manacles next to their ox and cart. The horses bolted to the east, the ox and cart to the west. There are four Ascus guard bodies in the middle of the road and a weird, shriveled plant man. Behind your cart, the silver-scaled dragonborn and female half-elf are kneeling over the male half-elf, their hands still shackled.   [7:02 PM] Urrak: Urrak sheathes her sword and searches the guards for the keys to the shackles   [7:03 PM] DM: Investigation   [7:03 PM] Urrak: ((9))   [7:04 PM] DM: It takes you a good minute of rifling through their pouches and pockets before you're able to find a key, but you do.   [7:04 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over the commoners, approaching slowly. "Here, I can help ye out of those." She holds the keys up beside her.   [7:04 PM] DM: As you approach, the half-elf stands, a dagger in one of her bound hands. "What do you want from us?"   [7:06 PM] Urrak: Urrak stops, "We were tryin' t' help ye, nothin' more. We're not gonna hurt ye."   [7:06 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle heads over to the commoners and goes to feel the pulse of the male half-elf.   [7:06 PM] DM: The woman points her dagger at Gayle before she can get close enough.   [7:07 PM] Brimeia: "Relax, we just wanted to get you away from those guards. We know they've been hurting people who aren't human."   [7:08 PM] Gayle Silbando: "No guard has the right to treat you this way. We saw there was trouble and just wanted to help." She looks over to Urrak so she can finish unshackling them. "My name is Gayle."   [7:08 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia puts her greataxe away and holds up her empty hands.   [7:09 PM] Urrak: "An' I'm Urrak, we're an adventurin' band. We saw that th' guards had ye, and that yer friend was in trouble, So we tried t' get ye free from them. If ye still wanna stab me, fine, but let me unshackle ye so ye can do it a bit more effectively, eh?"   [7:10 PM] DM: The dragonborn gently puts her fingers to the male half-elf's chest, then stands and puts her hand on the woman's arm. The woman falters a little, lowering the dagger.   [7:11 PM] DM: The dragonborn takes a step forward, holding her wrists out toward Urrak. "Forgive her."   [7:12 PM] Urrak: "It's fine, we understand yer scared," Urrak unshackles the dragonborn   [7:13 PM] DM: She puts her hand out towards the half-elf. "Taji..."   [7:14 PM] DM: The half-elf steps forward too, the dagger trembling in her hand.   [7:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rides up to the party on Adventure, a dead guard draped over her. She pushes the guards body off Adventure then says to Seir, "How much longer until your wolves disappear?" There's an urgency in her tone.   [7:06 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori comes back, still shifted. She tilts her head at Ry, "An hour, roughly."   [7:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "And how far can you be from them?" She adds to Seir.   [7:08 PM] Seirixori: "I don't think it matters how far. Probably as long as I don't leave this plane."   [7:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Can you have your wolves drag the bodies of these three into the forest? And then have them return to 'guard' this last body? Then if someone approaches they can snarl and snap at them, before dragging half of the remains into the forest?"   [7:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and shifts back, calling her wolves to her. "Drag these three to the forest, please."   [7:11 PM] DM: The wolves do so.   [7:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh finally acknowledges the others. "We need to get off the road. Now. Why don't we ride back and find a place in the woods to stay for while, if not the rest of the night." There's a shake in Ryleigh's voice.   [7:15 PM] Urrak: "Hold on, Ry, let 'em get their footing." Urrak takes the half-elf's wrist gently and unlocks the chains   [7:15 PM] Brimeia: "Don't mind Ryleigh. She's just trying to keep us safe. Come along, we can explain more later." Brimeia tries to be as reassuring as she can be.   [7:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't pay attention to the others as she tells the wolves to guard the left over body and drag it to the forest if other guards show up. Then she walks over to the dead plant guy and crouches next to it.   [7:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sorry..." and Ryleigh really sounds it. "But there will be another patrol, especially when these 4 don't show. If we're caught anywhere near here... we will be blamed... and I... I might not be able to talk us out of it. Please, we need to get off the road."   [7:18 PM] Urrak: "Their ox ran off, along with th' cart. We can't fit them all in with us. We'll either have t' walk or figure out another way t' get outta here." Urrak looks to the man on the ground. "An' we have another casualty t' deal with."   [7:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We can all fit if you guys cram together and Seirixori rides with me. We don't need to go far, we just need to get away from here and find a spot in the woods to lay low for a few hours."   [7:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is starting to sound irritable.   [7:21 PM] Urrak: "Fine, pile in, someone can ride with me up top, as well." Urrak walks back to their cart   [7:22 PM] Brimeia: "She's right, we gotta go." Brimeia moves to help them into the cart if they're willing   [7:22 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle nods. "We should leave this area. I can walk."   [7:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh offers her hand to Seir, pulling her up onto Adventure.   [7:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir stiffens when Ry does, not expecting it. "Oh."   [7:22 PM] DM: Half-elf: "My brother? Please, I can't leave him."   [7:24 PM] Urrak: "We can bury him just inside th' woods, if that's alright. It'll be a cramped ride, even more so with him."   [7:28 PM] DM: The half-elf looks to the dragonborn. The dragonborn looks apologetic. "I can't..."   [7:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'll take him on my horse," Ryleigh says, hopping off Adventure and offering to take his body.   [7:30 PM] DM: They both look at Ryleigh with surprise, but the dragonborn nods.   [7:30 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Are we far from home?" She asks the half-elf. "He deserves more than just being left here in these woods."   [7:32 PM] DM: The half-elf nods at Gayle, tears at the corners of her eyes as the fight leaves her.   [7:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes him carefully and secures his body to Adventure. "Let's get going," she says to the group, leading them back the way they came.   [7:32 PM] Urrak: Urrak and the cart follow   [7:32 PM] DM: Everyone piles in and you head back towards the west.   [7:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Can anyone cover our tracks?" Ryleigh asks.   [7:33 PM] Seirixori: "I can try to, but I don't think we need to."   [7:35 PM] Brimeia: "I can run along the cart if it would help. Though I don't know how that would affect our tracks.."   [7:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((We're looking for a place to pull off the road and hunker down for a few hours))   [7:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: In the cart, Gayle offers her hand to the half-elf in comfort if she needs it.   [7:36 PM] DM: The half-elf's crying into the dragonborn's shoulder.   [7:36 PM] Seirixori: Seir squeezes Ryleigh's arm, "It'll be okay, issui’as."   [7:37 PM] DM: It takes some time to find a spot, but after an hour or so, Seir spots a place where the cart can pull in.   [7:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: They do! And start to unload. Ryleigh carefully take the body off Adventure and carries him to the half-elven woman. "Would you like to bury him here? Or... do you have other plans?"   [7:45 PM] DM: The dragonborn and half-elf look at each other again, and the dragonborn says, "If we're going to be here for a little while, please, just set him down."   [7:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks over to Gunnloda and whispers to her, "Can you do anything for them?"   [7:43 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns. "I... don't think so. I only have one set of diamonds, and... I think it's been too long now."   [7:47 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I could try... but if it works, they're the only diamonds we have."   [7:48 PM] Seirixori: She nods, resting her hand on Gunnloda's shoulder and squeezing. She heads to the edge of the group, closer to the forest, crossing her arms and frowning as she stares out into it.   [7:51 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Gunnloda, I have another diamond if you need. I can pick up more on the way, I'm sure." Gayle almost whispers to her once the rest start walking.   [7:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda shakes her head at Gayle. "It wouldn't be strong enough. We could buy more in a city. Probably Aston even."   [7:55 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks back to the group, "I suppose we could give it a try. Personally, if I fall, I wouldn't want t' come back, but..." She crosses her arms.   [7:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods, setting him down. Her face is pained as she says to the half-elf, "I watched my brother die and had to bury him too... I'm... I'm truly sorry for your loss." She quickly turns away, and walks the perimeter of where they're making camp.   [7:52 PM] Urrak: Urrak shifts a little uncomfortably. She walks over to the horses to help get them settled.   [7:52 PM] DM: The two women kneel beside his body. The dragonborn pats down her chest like she's looking for something, then looks over to the half-elf. She shakes her head. "The guard had it."   [7:52 PM] Brimeia: "We're sorry if we scared you," Brimeia addresses the rescued folks, " We were trying to scare the guards off without letting on that we were on your side. Not that it worked. Where were you all headed?"   [7:54 PM] DM: The two women don't intentionally ignore Bri, they're just focused on what they're doing.   [7:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: On her perimeter check, Ry walks up to Seir. "I... I need to speak to your wife and, I think maybe you should be there when I do."   [7:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks a little confused, but she nods, "Okay..."   [7:56 PM] DM: The dragonborn sighs and they both clasp their hands and start a prayer, both their lips moving, but silent.   [8:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You can come over whenever... just, don't be too long before you do," Ryleigh says, taking Seir's hand and giving it a brief squeeze. She then walks over to the group.   [8:01 PM] DM: The prayer ends, and the dragonborn bows her head. The half-elf starts crying more.   [8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "If it's okay with everyone, I'd like a word with Gunnloda. Alone."   [8:02 PM] DM: Gunnloda raises an eyebrow towards Ryleigh. "O'course..."   [8:03 PM] DM: Gunnloda glances over her shoulder at the commoners, then walks to Ry.   [8:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir waits a few more seconds before heading over to Ry and Gunnloda.   [8:03 PM] DM: The dragonborn stands and puts her hand on the half-elf's shoulder, then steps away.   [8:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks further into the woods.   [8:05 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over to the commoners, "If ye need," she starts softly, "I can set him t' rest. S'ye don't have t' see him like that. Jus' let me know how we can help ye, or if ye need anythin'."   [8:06 PM] DM: The dragonborn looks back over at the woman now crying into her brother's chest. "I'd rather not give up on him just yet... if we could find our cart..."   [8:07 PM] Urrak: "I reckon we could track it down. A scared ox makes quite th' trail." Urrak offers with a small smile   [8:10 PM] DM: The dragonborn looks back at Urrak, glancing in the direction Ry and DF had gone. "I'd be grateful. I don't want to impose on you."   [8:10 PM] Urrak: "It's no imposition t' me. An' I'm sure I can convince a few others t' come along, fer safety."   [8:11 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks over, "Gayle, Bri, Sariel, what do ye think?"   [8:12 PM] Brimeia: "Sounds alright with me."   [8:13 PM] Gayle Silbando: "If we go as a group, it will be safer. We have to try anything we can."   [8:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What are your names by the way?"   [8:14 PM] DM: Dragonborn: "I'm Alarys. They're Taji and Yahya."   [8:16 PM] Urrak: "We want t' do as much as we can fer ye, Alarys," she looks to where Ryleigh and Seir entered the woods, "Should we wait fer them t' come back? This feels real urgent."   [8:17 PM] Brimeia: "We should probably stay put."   [8:22 PM] Urrak: "Aye, we can get a bit o' rest." Urrak rummages through her pack. "Have any o' ye eaten recently? We've some rations if ye need 'em."   [8:24 PM] DM: Alarys: "We ate in Wandermere..." She looks back at Taji again, then back to Urrak and Brimeia. "Why would you risk attacking guards for us?"   [8:27 PM] Urrak: "We're followin' rumors about t' Moonborn. We've heard stories of dark skinned half elves like yer friend, bein' targeted. We're tryin' t' stop th' killin's, but it looks like it runs deeper than jus' a occasional pack of madmen." Urrak pauses a moment, wondering if she should offer any further info, "Our paladin friend is very interested in seein' how far it goes."   [8:28 PM] DM: She tilts her head. "To what end?"   [8:29 PM] Brimeia: "To get to the bottom of it, and .. stop them if we can."   [8:30 PM] Urrak: "Aye. As of what else Ryleigh's lookin' fer, ye'll have t' ask her. We're mostly here t' make sure she doesn't die out there."   [8:32 PM] DM: "How would--- what would you do if I told you The Moonborn was in Kenbow when we were there? What's your intent?"   [8:34 PM] Brimeia: "Wait. Really? That guy's still kicking? Thought he was a goner long ago."   [8:34 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia thinks for a minute. "That's how you all got caught up with those, guards, isn't it?"   [8:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: "We wanted to ensure their safety, as like what Urrak was saying, they are being targeted and killed. There have been rumors floating around that the Moonborn still exists, and the higher ups want to eliminate this...conflict of interest because they feel threatened."   [8:36 PM] DM: "They were looking for her."   [8:36 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia frowns. "Who?"   [8:36 PM] DM: "The Moonborn. The guards were looking for her."   [8:38 PM] Urrak: "An' ye saw her? Talked to her?"   [8:39 PM] Brimeia: "The Moonborn? I thought that was some sort of prince."   [8:40 PM] DM: "She's real... but you travel with an Asten. I don't feel comfortable sharing what I know with... that."   [8:41 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh is...A different sort o' Asten. I can promise ye she doesn't want t' harm th' Moonborn. Quite th' opposite."  

Seir, Ry, and Gunnloda

  [Anchor|807][8:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh paces back a forth a little, her hand gripping onto Dawnbringer handle. She keeps her voice quiet, but a bit shaky when she says to Gunnloda, "When we were fighting the guards... you said something in celestial and... and controlled me."   [8:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir wasn't really paying attention, her gaze still more focused on the forest, until the last part and her head snaps to look between the two. "What?"   [8:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I heard Gunnloda say an incantation of sorts and then... then my arm moved on its own... hitting the guard without my control," Ryleigh repeats, her voice still quiet but her breathing is a little rapid - like she's reliving the moment.   [8:10 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns. "I--- m'sorry, Ryleigh. I don't remember doin' that."   [8:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir closes her eyes and audibly exhales, "This is happening with a lot more frequency lately, isn't it?" She whispers, she's saying it to herself, but it's loud enough for the other two.   [8:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brows furrow, like she's trying to actively push aside her feelings. "You may not have meant to, but... but I..." she shakes her head and turns her back to Gunnloda, taking a few audible deep breaths.   [8:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir hesitates, unsure of what to do, she gives Gunnloda's shoulder what she hopes is a reassuring squeeze and goes to Ryleigh's side, "...tell me what you need."   [8:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know it was an accident but you know I can't... and I'm here... I don't know..." Ryleigh looks pointedly at the sky a single tear falling down her cheek. "We have other things to attend to right now, I'll be okay... I always am," she says in a near broken whisper.   [8:28 PM] Seirixori: "Liar," Seir chuckles, taking Ry's hand and tugging it so she can pull her into a hug. She looks towards Gunnloda and says to them both, "I wish I knew how we could... control this, so to speak."   [8:30 PM] DM: Gunnloda just kind of looks lost in this moment and nods. "I'm real sorry, Ryleigh... I didn't mean t'upset you."   [8:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Extra tears leak out of Ry's eyes when Seir hugs her.   [8:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's not your fault. Being controlled is... a sensitive subject for me," she says quietly, clearly trying stop her crying.   [8:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Maybe Rukiya will have more information for us once we get back home."   [8:37 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe." Seir sighs, "This is going to sound... rude, and I'm really sorry, but I need you to decide on crying now or later. I don't want to leave any of them alone for too long."   [8:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm fine," Ryleigh says, her eyes glassy, but sharp. "We don't have time for tears and they won't change anything."   [8:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes, "Later then."   [8:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh quickly presses a kiss to Seir's forehead and walks back towards the group.   [8:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns as Ry goes and kneels in front of Gunnloda, cupping her cheek in one hand, "This is getting a little complicated isn't it, llaro?"   [8:45 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "I didn't mean t'..."   [8:48 PM] Seirixori: "I know, tor beag, I know." She presses a kiss to Gunnloda's lips. "I can try and stop you outside of a fight, if you want, but... It's a lot more complicated in one."   [8:58 PM] DM: She takes a deep breath and sighs, but it's a shuddering sigh. "'m scared... I don't want t'be the reason somethin' bad happens to you."   [9:04 PM] Seirixori: "You won't be." She smiles, reassuring and with a stupid amount of confidence. "If you need a minute I'll be here, but you know they're lost without us." She winks.   [9:06 PM] DM: She nods, a slight uptick at the corner of her mouth. "Y'almost make me believe in m'self."   [9:09 PM] Seirixori: "Good. You should. You're amazing, llaro. And I'll continue to tell you so until you do believe it... even after that." Seir kisses her again and stands, leading them back to the group.  

Back to the camp

  [8:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks out of the forest.   [8:44 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Affiliations aside, Ryleigh has the safety of those who are being wrongfully targeted in mind and she can be trusted," she looks over to where Ryleigh and the rest disappeared to. "I know it's not much, since you hardly know us."   [8:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: When she does walk into the clearing, her eyes fall onto the group, but instead of approaching, she walks over to Adventure and starts to stroke her.   [8:49 PM] Gayle Silbando: “Any information you might have would be greatly helpful to point us in the right direction,” she offers a look of reassurance. “We would hate for more people to get captured and hurt.”   [8:50 PM] Urrak: Urrak glances over at Ryleigh, and then back to Alarys , "Aye, we're on yer side."   [8:50 PM] DM: Give me a persuasion check, either both of you or one of you with advantage.   [8:50 PM] Urrak: ((Jaymes will do it with Advantage))   [8:51 PM] DM: ((16.))   [8:55 PM] DM: She looks back at Taji, then Ryleigh, and back to Gayle. "Would it be possible for you to escort us across the border?"   [8:55 PM] Brimeia: "I'm sure we could."   [8:55 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods, "Int'a Vyon or...?"   [8:58 PM] DM: She nods.   [9:00 PM] Urrak: "Aye, we can do that. We'll find yer cart an' get movin' from there." Urrak places her hands on her hips. "I'll talk t' Ryleigh."   [9:04 PM] Urrak: She walks over to Ryleigh and Adventure , "So, we've got a plan t' move forward. Those people, they say they've seen th' Moonborn, in Kenbow. They seem t' know more, but they're hesitant t' tell us, cuz of yer affiliation with Asten. They want us t' escort them t' border. I think once we're close, they'll be more willin' t' share."   [9:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow. "So you want us to escort these people the 4 days it takes to get to Vyon for them to give us information we can get by riding a day to Kenbow? No. We're here to find the person claiming to be the Moonborn so innocent people stop dying because of their proclamation of being Vydea's chosen."   [9:09 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh this is th' best lead we've had. At th' very least, we can help them find th' cart we caused t' careen off int'a th' woods." Urrak crosses her arms, "An' even after that, they're alone in these woods, they've lost someone, it's cruel t' just leave them t' their own devices. We can at least get them t' a bigger city back up th' Spine."   [9:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No." Ryleigh says simply. "We already knew the person claiming to be the Moonborn was in Kenbow, what information can they possible give us other than their name."   9:15 PM] Urrak: "What other people have we come across that could even give us a name, Ry? Or do ye really want t' keep goin' on this wild goose chase?"   [9:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Wild goose chase?" Ryleigh's tone is clearly irritated. "Everything I've done has brought us one step closer to the Moonborn. Not once have we been off their trail. Whoever it is is on the move, we can't afford 4 days of travel and hope their information is still good when it'll take us 4 more days to get back here." She shakes her head, then walks over to the main group.   [9:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks back to the group, Gunnloda beside her, "What'd we miss?" She asks, looking to where Urrak and Ry are.   [9:16 PM] Brimeia: "Hey there, stranger. Was about to ask you the same thing." Brimeia chuckles. "Our new friends here said they know where the Moonborn is."   [9:18 PM] Brimeia: "They also were hoping for an escort back to Vyon."   [9:18 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Urrak is talking to Ryleigh to see if we are able to help take them to Vyon in exchange for information, but that's going to be at least a few days travel."   [9:19 PM] Gayle Silbando: "How could you be sure it was the moonborn?" she asks Alarys genuinely.   [9:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks over to you all, leaving Urrak behind.   [9:20 PM] DM: Alarys looks like she was about to answer, but stops when Ryleigh approaches, looking at her warily.   [9:21 PM] Gayle Silbando: "We can talk privately if you would like, Alarys. I can promise you that Ryleigh is not like the rest of them, but I can understand your wariness."   [9:22 PM] Seirixori: "Where were they? The moonborn?"   [9:22 PM] DM: "Kenbow."   [9:23 PM] Seirixori: "You guys were there?"   [9:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I apologize," Ryleigh says to the Dragonborn woman, "but my friends seem to have misled you in my absence. We're searching for the person claiming to be the Moonborn, because there are innocent people being targeted by these rumors. People like your friend and her brother. I won't spend 4 days escorting you two to the border and risk losing the Moonborn's trail while doing so. I'm sure you can understand our urgency... we aren't the only ones looking, and we were ambushed in Aston by people wanting to end the Moonborn's life - I can't allow that to happen, because even if I don't believe in the Moonborn... they give hope to those who do."   [9:24 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks back to the group slowly   [9:27 PM] DM: "Can I speak with my friend, alone, for a moment?"   [9:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Certainly," Ryleigh says, turning away and walking back towards the horses.   [9:29 PM] DM: Alarys bows her head to excuse herself and walks over to Taji. She kneels beside her, leaving her back to the rest of you.   [9:32 PM] Seirixori: Seir's tail is flittering behind her with a bit more frequency than normal, "So uh, you guys, did none of you ask a more obvious question?"   [9:32 PM] Brimeia: "What?" Brimeia looks puzzled.   [9:34 PM] Seirixori: She motions to the half-elf, "We've already been told what a rarity they are so, I don't know, did you ask if she was the one we're looking for?"   [9:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: "They are on their guard and we are strangers so any answers would have been compromised. I'm sure they will tell us then the time is right if that is the case. Hopefully sooner rather than later."   [9:36 PM] Urrak: "Besides, if she was th' Moonborn, she'd be dead instead o' her brother. Or worse. Those guards could've easily taken her. "   [9:37 PM] Seirixori: "Or he protected her?" Seir says, again like it's an obvious thing.   [9:37 PM] Brimeia: "All they said was that the Moonborn was in Kenbow when they were there. I assumed it meant someone besides, them, but I suppose you've got a point."   [9:40 PM] Urrak: "Regardless, we're not gettin' anywhere with them. Not with Ryleigh around. They're afraid of her."   [9:41 PM] Seirixori: "Hmm." Seir frowns, looks to where Ry is and then where the strangers are. She heads over to the half-elf and dragonborn, clearing her throat as she gets closer to them.   [9:42 PM] DM: Alarys and Taji look up at Seir's approach.   [9:46 PM] Seirixori: "I... understand you don't trust my friend, or possibly any of us. Which is fair, but... she's... her girlfriend is also being targeted by this and I'm afraid unless you tell her why you want an escort, she'll leave you here."   [9:48 PM] DM: They look at each other for another moment, then Taji looks up at Seir. "We're trying to get to the temple in Riverrun. I'm the Moonborn."   [9:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir blinks. "Oh." She kind of laughs, "Thank fucking gods, I hate this place and I would love to leave it."   [9:51 PM] Seirixori: "Do you mind if I tell them? I could maybe just convince her, and them, we need to do this, without specifying. She trusts me."   [9:52 PM] DM: Taji takes a deep breath and stands. "It's ok. Everyone will know sooner or later."   [9:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and heads over to Ryleigh, tugging her back towards the group. "We'll talk later about Things, but we have more important Things right now, like exactly who we were looking for being a few feet away from us."   [9:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brows furrow, but she allows herself to be tugged back to the group.   [9:59 PM] DM: As everyone gathers back up, Taji says, "I'm the Moonborn. The guards found my pendant and were asking whose it was when you came across us. We're trying to get to the temple in Riverrun."   [10:00 PM] Urrak: ((17 insight))   [10:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir motions her hands to them, "See, I asked."   [10:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh studies the woman closely. ((12))   [10:01 PM] Urrak: "Thank ye fer askin' th' more obvious question, Seirixori." Urrak smiles a little despite of her slightly bruised ego.   [10:02 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((19 insight))   [10:02 PM] Seirixori: ((22i ))   [10:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "If you are the Moonborn, I'll be more than happy to assist you to Riverrun, but first I'd like to make sure you are who you say you are. Would you be willing answer my questions under a truth spell?" Ryleigh asks.   10:04 PM] DM: Give me perception checks pls.   [10:05 PM] Urrak: ((2)) Brimeia: ((18)) Seirixori: ((17)) Ryleigh Alastair: ((15)) Gayle Silbando: ((16))   [10:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir studies the two strangers as Ry asks this.   [10:08 PM] DM: So everyone but Urrak sees Alarys move her fingers and mutter under her breath.   [10:09 PM] DM: Urrak just thinks Taji's pretty.   [10:11 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle notices and casts counterspell under her breath as well.   [10:13 PM] DM: Taji nods to Ryleigh.   [10:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's eyes fall onto Alarys. "You must agree to this as well."   [10:14 PM] DM: Alarys's eyes dart to Taji, then across the rest of the group before she nods to Ryleigh too.   [10:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh starts to sing a song of truth and how it's rarely a simple thing. (casts zone of truth - DC 15)   [10:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir waits for Ry, and immediately asks, "So... are you going around pretending to be the Moonborn while your pretty friend here does the work?"   [10:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It doesn't matter what she says, she can lie." Ryleigh's eyes narrow.   [10:21 PM] DM: Alarys steps forward, her hands open at her sides. "I am sorry for the deception. She and her brother have been trying to protect me the best way they know how. I am the chosen of Vydea."   [10:22 PM] Urrak: "And now I... am confused." Urrak mumbles   [10:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You're in disguise?" Ryleigh asks Alarys.   [10:23 PM] DM: "No."   [10:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "So you really are a dragonborn?"   [10:24 PM] DM: "I am."   [10:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Well, I have some good news for you. All of the rumors that have lead us here don't point to you."   [10:28 PM] DM: Alarys nods. "Taji and her brother have much to do with that. When I realized that the people I was helping were spreading the word of my work, they came to me and asked to help. They offered to shield me if I could get them to Vyon. We would work as a team to conceal who was performing the acts."   [10:29 PM] DM: "I have also disguised myself at times."   [10:31 PM] Seirixori: "That's unfortunate." Seir clears her throat afterwards. "Uh... Just gonna stop talking now." She mumbles.   [10:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "The road back to Vyon won't be easy, but hopefully, the sooner we can smuggle you out of Ascus, less people here will be targeted... they don't need the extra reason for persecution. Why do you want to go Riverrun?"   [10:33 PM] DM: "Vydea told me to go to her temple there."   [10:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow. "Directly?"   [10:34 PM] DM: "She appeared in dreams."   [10:35 PM] Urrak: Urrak's eyes shift around as she thinks.   [10:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: “Is this possible? For the moonborn to be reappointed after the death of a previous moonborn?” She asks, mostly towards Ryleigh.   [10:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs.   [10:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir kneels beside Gunnloda, whispering something to her.   [10:37 PM] Urrak: "Is there a kinda...test ye can do? T'prove she's th' real one?"   [10:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She has to tell the truth," Ryleigh answers the group.   [10:40 PM] Urrak: "Wasn't th' Moonborn healin' folks? Miracles an' th' like?" Urrak plays with an earring absently   [10:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She doesn't have to prove who she says she is, because she cannot lie about it," Ryleigh reiterates, rubbing at her temples.   [10:42 PM] DM: Gunnloda steps away to walk towards the dead man.   [10:42 PM] DM: Taji: "What are you doing?"   [10:43 PM] Urrak: "Jus' sayin', a crazy person could believe they're tellin' th' truth, even when it's a clear lie..." Urrak trails off as she watches Gunnloda walk away   [10:44 PM] DM: Gunnloda pauses to answer Taji. "I just... I might be able t'help."   [10:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What matters is that she's the one the rumors are about, that the trail we've been following ends here. The Moonborn, Vydea's chosen, none of it actually matters. What does is that the sooner we escort her out of Ascus and get her to Vyon the rumors will hopefully stop. It won't stop people being hurt by Tilman and his cronies, but it'll give them less reason to look so closely."   [10:48 PM] DM: Gunnloda continues on towards Yahya and Taji follows her.   [10:49 PM] Urrak: "If it means leavin' Ascus, I'm in," Urrak says over her shoulder as she watches Gunnloda carefully.   [Anchor|1050]DM: Gunnloda kneels next to the boy's body, looking over him.   [10:50 PM] Seirixori: "And we can maybe get my friends a new place to live sooner!"   DM: She looks up at Taji. "I've never done this. I can't promise it'll work. Could y'tell me about 'im? It might help."   [10:51 PM] Urrak: "That too! I guess," Urrak crosses her arms, "Hey, Seirixori, what's yer wife doin'?"   DM: Taji: "He's... kind. Believes too much. We're from Manavik. He likes oranges?"   DM: Gunnloda smiles softly at her attempts to figure out what's relevant. "Thank you. His name?"   [10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shushes them. "We need to keep quiet, we don't want to draw anything out of the woods."   DM: "Yahya."   [10:53 PM] Seirixori: "Trying to believe in herself."   10:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda reaches into her bag and withdraws a small pouch. She sprinkles diamonds out into her palm and places them on his forehead, his nose, his chin, his chest.   [10:55 PM] Seirixori: "Speaking of the woods... Has it always been this way? The creepy darkness the," she says a word, you know by sound it's druidic, "had?"   DM: She puts her hands out over his body and closes her eyes.   [10:57 PM] Urrak: Urrak tries to listen to Gunnloda and Taji's conversation   [10:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It was always like this in Falberk," Ryleigh replies. "I didn't spend a lot of time this far North, but it's my understanding that the Fytulk was only like that near it's heart... which was near where I grew up."   DM: Her brow furrows a bit, like she's focusing or exerting herself.   [11:00 PM] Seirixori: "Takara said the darkness was growing, but the..." She frowns, trying to find the right words, "the Person-tree, they don't generally look like that."   DM: Her eyes fly open, but they're entirely black like entrances to the void.   DM: Taji recoils a bit, startled.   [11:01 PM] Urrak: "Guys yer gonna wanna look at this," Urrak points at Gunnloda   [11:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I played in the forest as a kid, it was a kind of escape for my family to picnic there, but I've never seen anything like the tree creature that attacked us."   DM: Gunnloda reaches out with alarming speed and grabs Taji's hand with one hand and takes the boy's hand in the other.   [11:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir's been looking at Gunnloda while talking, and she hushes Urrak, "Don't distract her."   [11:03 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods. "Right, right"   DM: One by one, the diamonds explode into little puffs of glitter that sparkle over his skin.   [11:03 PM] Seirixori: "They don't attack, unless threatened, and we weren't... I mean, the ones I know don't. They guard things, we weren't even in the forest."   DM: Gunnloda's eyes close. Her face relaxes.   [11:04 PM] Seirixori: She reiterates, "And they don't look like that. It only looked normal when it was dead. Mostly. It ... It's like something drained it."   [11:04 PM] Brimeia: "Creepy."   [11:06 PM] Urrak: "A haunted forest wasn't enough, eh? Now there's some kind o' dark energy about too? Yer home country sucks, Ryleigh." she mumbles something in orc to herself.   [11:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "The Fytulk has always been kind of mysterious and wild. It's the type of place that parents scare their children with - 'don't wander too far into the forest or you'll be swallowed up by it' or 'the beast of the Fytulk will steal you away if you go out after dark.' For the most part, I always believed they were just tales."   [11:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half smiles at Urrak's comment. "Yeah... I know."   DM: A deep gasp comes from the boy's body, followed by a moan.   [11:07 PM] Urrak: Urrak's attention snaps back to Gunnloda and the siblings, "Holy shit, was that him? She brought 'im back?"   [11:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir's smiling as she looks over at Gunnloda, but there's also a little sadness in it as well.   DM: Gunnloda's eyes open and they're the normal green again, but slightly panicked. She leans down and puts her hand to his belly, casting a cure spell to fix the sword wound.   [11:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh catches the look on Seir's face and takes her hand, giving it a small squeeze.   [11:09 PM] Seirixori: "I kind of wish I could find out what's wrong with the forest, but with Takara as worried as she was... It's not something I don't think we can deal with right now."   DM: Taji pulls him up into her arms in a hug, tears streaming down her face.   [11:10 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle also begins to look a little uneasy at the stories but listens intently.   DM: Yahya: "T-Taji?"   DM: Taji nods and holds him closer.   [11:12 PM] DM: Yahya: "Taji, I saw him... I saw dad." He pulls back a bit and looks at her. "He... he wanted me to tell you he's proud of you."   [11:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Takara will handle it, and if she needs help... she can always ask Moki. And if he needs help... you can tell Takara we'd be happy to. She takes care you, Homashoc... the least we could do is help clean a portion of her domain. But let's get this lot back to Vyon first..." Ryleigh looks a little weary.   DM: As the two hug again, Gunnloda stands and starts walking back towards Seir, but stumbles, wavers, and about halfway there, she falls to the ground.   [11:15 PM] Seirixori: She hums in acknowledgement and starts heading slowly towards Gunnloda, but once she sees her fall she runs over.   [11:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh quickly follows, looking concerned.   [11:15 PM] Urrak: "Gunnloda!" Urrak follows behind Seir and Ry   [11:16 PM] DM: She's unconscious, and paler than usual, but breathing shallowly.   [11:16 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle gasps and runs over as well, but keeps a little distance to give her space.   [11:17 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia follows and waits at a distance like the others.   [11:18 PM] Seirixori: "Ry," Seir says, trying to sound calm, but absolutely isn't. "Can you--" she motions to herself, "the thing." Somewhere she knows she needs more words, but they don't come as she pulls Gunnloda to her, or tries to.   [11:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Kneeling beside Gunnloda, Ryleigh hovers her hands over her. She stops when Seir asks her to something other than what she was. So she hums the song you've all become familiar with that she uses to locate Seir. Once it's finished she starts singing a soft, soothing tune. ((lay on hands for 20))   [11:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Her aura is still there, it's different, but not in a bad way." Then she worries her lip. "I can't heal her... maybe she just needs to rest."   [11:24 PM] Gayle Silbando: “Has this happened before?” she asks softly with sadness in her voice.   [11:25 PM] Seirixori: "No," Seir whispers, tears in her eyes.   [11:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No, but she hasn't intentionally tried to raise someone before." Ryleigh runs her hand slowly up and down Seir's back. "She'll be alright, Homashoc. It probably took a lot out of her."   [11:30 PM] Seirixori: "Yeah..." Seir says, her voice still quiet, feeling a bit guilty.   [11:32 PM] Urrak: "Are we stayin' th' night here? We should get her more comfortable," Urrak bites her lip "I can carry her, if need be."   [11:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Let's go ahead and make camp, so we can let Gunnloda rest and regain her strength. We'll head back out in the morning."   [11:44 PM] Seirixori: "I can- I can do the- the camp thing."   [11:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh leans in and presses a kiss to Seir's forehead. "No, Homashoc, we'll get it... you stay put and watch Gunnloda."   [11:45 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods, "I'll get some firewood."   [11:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'll set up the tents," Ryleigh says.   [11:48 PM] Brimeia: "Yeah, we got you." Brimeia gives Seir's shoulder a gentle pat before moving to help set up camp.   [11:49 PM] Seirixori: "Urrak!" She nearly yells, barely remembering to keep her voice down. "Dead wood only. Please."   [11:50 PM] Urrak: Urrak gives her a thumbs up, confirming she heard Seir, and walks into the trees