Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Darren]

Kalarian watches Charis for a moment as she passes, his expression unreadable. Then a grin creases the corners of his mouth as he moves into position at the rear of the group.

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Sorry, Jeff. You didn't make that clear when you said that nothing had been touched. So we're all on the same page...can you give us a list of what IS still there?

[Joe]

"We should get moving, my friends. The sooner the better! Out here in the open, we are targets."

Streko takes his place in the marching order and waits for the bulk of the group to follow Goran and Grafth.

[Jeff]

2 longsword (scorched but usable)
2 heavy wooden shields (badly burned)
2 crossbows (badly burned)
2 quiver of bolts (burned)
2 sunrods (the alchemical tips have been burned, useless)
Travel rations (burned)

[Ken]

Jun 5, 2008 9:22:39 GMT -4 Josh said:

Grafth, observing the tracks alongside Goran, says to the group, "Let's move. If we're assuming the grey cloaks came from the manor, we'll follow these tracks, heading northeast." Turning back to the tracks, the shifter heads forward, observing the landscape beyond.

"Lead on!" says Belarin enthusiastically. "I wish to give a fatally stern lecture to the grey cloaks' master!" He stays roughly in the center of the group and scans the area as they walk.

OOC: Nothing in the pile for me.

[Jeff]

Goran has chosen the set of tracks that had circled the site, that pointed northeast, I believe? Do they lead off that way? If not, Goran will direct them that way nonetheless.

The tracks that circled the site actually head due north in a somewhat wandering path. The grey-cloaked mages' tracks are the ones that move in a steady line northeast.

Northeast, then, following the grey-cloaked mages.

Goran and Grafth lead the way, leaving everyone else to fall into line however they wish (do tell me where you prefer to be). The tracks grow leaner the further you travel; they're still manageable but the rain looks like it may obliterate them before a few hours passes. You continue to track them north and east, as Kal had thought, remaining in the tall grass but hugging the tree line of the Whisper Woods.

Amal, who accepted Kal's Deneith blade earlier with gratitude and obedience, remarks, "This seems rather far to come on foot."

The Thunderhead disappears from view within fifteen minutes. Matheu flies overhead for a time, occasionally disappearing altogether within the tree line or lighting upon one of the outlying branches. Although it's a bit dreary now, the air is clean and the rain makes the already verdant landscape even more lush.

[Josh]

Overhearing Amal, Grafth replies, "I suppose it does, depending on the objective. Perhaps any other means of transportation would have unsuitable to the greycloaks' ends. Regardless, as long as a trail remains, we can follow it."

The shifter clearly enjoys being in a more natural setting. His typically stiffened stance has relaxed considerably.

[Marcy]

Jun 5, 2008 10:01:00 GMT -4 Jeff said:

2 crossbows (badly burned)
2 quiver of bolts (burned)

Sounds like these too burned to be usable? If so, Charis will not bother lugging them along.

---

Charis rises from her search with a shake of her head.

"Next time we should probably search the bodies before we burn them, eh?" she says with a small laugh to no one in particular. Then she takes a place in the middle of the lineup, closer to the front than the back.

[Darren]

Calling from the back of the group, Kal says, "It may be far, but those men didn't seem very concerned with physical comforts, anyway. As Grafth says, let's see where they lead. I get no sense of ambush...yet."

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Just to be certain, does the list you posted above mean that the crossbows were unusable?

[Jeff]

I would call the burnt crossbows it "nigh unusable." The mechanisms are messed up, and you could hurt yourself. Alternatively, it might work sometimes.

[mike]

"I wish to give a fatally stern lecture to the grey cloaks' master!"

"I have given many such lectures to my enemies," Torhak says to Belarian. "I am glad to know more teachers are among us."

---

Torhak brings up the rear, keeping an eye out for unwanted spies or attackers that may be following the group.

[Jeremy]

Goran keeps his focus on the earth, the tracks, and the air...seeking signs of passage. He is obviously in his element once again.

Every few moments he can be heard to say, almost to himself:

"Keep up! Don't fall behind..."

[Jeff]

Matheu drifts out of sight.

After a half hour's march, the specific tracks you've been following drift away. However, it also becomes evident that in this region of wild grasses and brush, this stretch of land, skirting the treeline, is the most trodden. Goran even sees evidence that there was once a dirt round here, but it's been swallowed up.

Another half an hour of travel and you see a boulder on one side of the path ahead. Matheu is perched there, apparently dining on a small rodent of some kind. When you approach, he let's the tiny corpse slide out of sight behind the boulder; he seems not to wish to eat in front of anyone else.

It may interest you to know that there is a collection of buildings a short distance before you. Human-occupied at one time, I am sure.[/color]

[Joe]

Streko leans into the air around him, enjoying the smell of wet earth and rich soil. He ignores the newcomer's veiled stab at insulting him (or, rather, his decsion to burn the bodies after searching them...recalling the fact that he was being screamed at to hurry so they could flee the area). "I would not allow the chance that some foul Emreald Claw necromancer might violate them. To Kyhber with their shields and weapons! At least their souls are safe and bodies at peace and at one with the land for eternity."

He stops momentarily and grubmles. "I must really stop talking with myself. Preaching to this choir is a pointless waste of energy."

He continues on, once again relaxing into the surroundings and allowing the land to caress his nerves.

[Darren]

"Are they occupied now, Matheu?" Kalarian says, his senses coming alive. "Goran, Grafth. Take the lead and move us closer to those buildings. Everyone else, fan out and let's see if we can surround the buildings as we approach." His grip tightens on his sharrash and a hint of a smile turns up the edges of his mouth.

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Jeff, when we get close enough to see the buildings, can we get a map so we can determine our exact locations?

[Marcy]

Jun 5, 2008 20:33:09 GMT -4 Joe said:

"I would not allow the chance that some foul Emreald Claw necromancer might violate them. To Kyhber with their shields and weapons! At least their souls are safe and bodies at peace and at one with the land for eternity."

Charis moves to walk beside the halfling. "I meant no insult, Streko. We worshipers of the Flame feel much the same about necromancy. I was simply bemoaning the loss of my own weapons and supplies; I'd feel better able to contribute if I had them, instead of borrowed armor and rusted arms."

[Jeff]

There is no obvious motion among them, the pseudodragon replies to Kal. I think it may be abandoned altogether.

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Jeff, when we get close enough to see the buildings, can we get a map so we can determine our exact locations?

I'll only provide a map when (1) it's really needed and (2) I have the time to put one together. But in this case, I have.

[Joe]

Streko reaches back into his haversack and removes one of the three daggers that he has been holding since their last tussle. He grabs the dagger that Mist had handed to him and hands it to Charis.

"This was given to me by a friend and, as I already have one, you may have this one."

He reaches back again and pulls out a thunderstone. "I also have another of these. Perhaps you can make good use of it."

Finally, he pulls out his sickle. "I think I will hold onto this, though." Streko smiles.

[Ken]

Belarin speaks softly, "I love these military terms ... 'fan out' ... it sounds so pleasant and relaxing. And then the screaming starts! Heh. Let us not spread our delightful fan so far, m'lord, that we lose sight of our closest ally." He moves cautiously to his left. "It's a left day today, and I welcome company. Good sir Streko? Lady Charis?"

OOC: Jeff, Belarin will try to spot any tracks as he moves, so please make Survival checks as necessary.

[Jeff]

"Are they occupied now, Matheu?" Kalarian says

I do not think so, he answers, then takes to the air again.

Sure enough, after another ten minutes of hiking, you begin to see, through the brush and trees, the outlying buildings of a small hamlet. But right away, Goran is the first to see that nature is reclaiming it. He's seen it before, particular during the war: in the Eldeen Reaches, when villages were abandoned because of invaders, the absence of people invited the natural world to overthrow the structures of civilization. By Goran's assessment, this hamlet—a string of what looks little more than twenty buildings—has been abandoned for the better part of a year now.

Weeds have sprung up around the edge of every building and some of the wood-based structured appear partially collapsed. The gravel road that once ran through the hamlet is all but disappeared from the vegetation. To the north (your left) you can see there are fields that were probably once used by the village's farmers, but they too have grown wild.

It's eerily quiet. Only the distant squawk of crows can be heard.

________________________________________

The purple arrow shows where you are approaching the tiny village. The numbers do not designate anything specific. I only placed them there so we can reference them for purposes of proximity.

[Josh]

Grafth makes no motion to arm himself as they move toward the settlement. Instead, he seems to concentrate more fully on the surroundings ahead.

"Unless we find further indications within this area, the trail will die here."

As the party moves into the built area, Grafth will make a Listen Check.

[Darren]

Kal stands to the side of the path, studying the land. "Goran, you take Torhak, Streko and Charis and head along the treeline to the south. I'll take Grafth, Belarin and Amal and swing wide to the north to that stand of trees over there," he says, pointing to the spot. "When you get opposite us, spread out and move in towards the center and meet up in the middle. We'll do the same on the other side. If there's anything in there, we'll hopefully catch it between us." Kal looks around to make sure everyone understands. He looks down at Tangat, "Ears open, okay?" he says in Halfling. Then, to everyone else he says, "Okay, move out."

[Jeff]

Do me (and us) a big favor: on your next post, each of you please say whether you will follow Kal's plan or not. If you don't post, I'm assuming you do by my next post.

And please include any other actions. Don't just say "yes."

[Marcy]

Streko...grabs the dagger that Mist had handed to him and hands it to Charis.

"This was given to me by a friend and, as I already have one, you may have this one."

He reaches back again and pulls out a thunderstone. "I also have another of these. Perhaps you can make good use of it."

Charis accepts both gifts with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Belarin speaks softly..."It's a left day today, and I welcome company. Good sir Streko? Lady Charis?"

AND

Kal stands to the side of the path, studying the land. "Goran, you take Torhak, Streko and Charis and head along the treeline to the south."

"Apparently it's a 'south' day for me," Charis answers with an apologetic shrug to Belarin, then moves to join Goran near the front of the party, borrowed dagger at the ready.

[Ken]

"Compass points are so unreliable," says Belarin to Charis. He then walks with Kalarian in the direction indicated. "Northward ho, m'lord," he says. Despite his words, it's clear from Belarin's eyes that he's taking this situation very seriously.

[mike]

"Away we go, heigh heigh, heigh ho," Torhak says softly to no one in particular.

He heads to the south, following up several paces behind Charis, his axe at the ready.

[Jeff]

Under Kal's recommendations, the party splits north and south and proceeds on the outer edge of the quiet village. Neither ranger nor scout can hear anything unusual except the mutter of the crows. You only see one or two flitting about, not drawn to anything in particular—which in itself suggests there's no fresh carrion around.

Even a quick look shows how few tracks can be found here. The grasses are tall and wild and where there aren't any, there's watery mud.

Matheu perches on the eave of one of the more stable-looking buildings, seeming not to want to be easily seen in the air. Do be careful, he says to all.

When you read your destination points and watch closely....

Kal, in the north-side party, sees movement out of the corner of his eye among the buildings (somewhere southeast of the number "2"): a small shape, perhaps a human child, a halfling or dwarf. But it moves quickly out of view and Kal doesn't get a good look at all. Tangat honed in on it, too, but neither man nor dog heard a sound. The shape disappeared around a building.

Goran, in the south-side party, sees it, too—a rain-soaked, skinny shape. But then it's gone, ducked behind a building somewhere near the center of the hamlet.

No one else saw a thing. Even Matheu doesn't seem to have noticed. Although only Kal, Tangat, and Goran saw it, everyone else does notice their respective "team leader" take note of something and tense up.

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Spot checks = Belarin (7), Charis (12), Goran (18), Grafth (10), Kal (21), Streko (13), Tangat (20), Torhak (4).

[Josh]

Feeling invisible tension from his compatriots, Grafth silently slides his handaxe from its place at his side, angling it downward to avoid any reflections.

[Darren]

Seeing Grafth ready for action, Kal nods silently at him, then motioins for everyone else to do likewise. He then points his arms out towards the sides, indicating for everyone to spread out in a straight line, Amal on the far right flank, Belarin next, then Grafth, and then himself on the left flank, all within 30 feet of eachother. Thus arrayed, he indicates for the group to proceed forward, slowly, into the village.

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How wide is the area from the north side of the village to the south side? Can the two groups see eachother?

[Joe]

Streko nods, keeping close to Charis. His sickle is ready, as are the words to a spell that he is preparing.

[Ken]

Belarin moves to the side as directed and then advances slowly, occasionally glancing behind them to make sure that whatever Kal saw isn't a ploy to distract them from another threat.