Sparte is here on a rather sedate horse who appears to be called Betsy, with a shield in his lap that has a partially started map attached to it. He has one arm in a sling which makes this tricky, but seems to be planning to map the area as they go.

Mal, a devious raccoon, Magnolia, a precocious pygmy goat, Daegmund, an Oakhaven Shepherd puppy, Marigold, a cheeky pygmy goat arrive, following Shae.

Lou has already arrived as well, and is standing by her mare, putting a few extra supplies that might be needed in her bags. She smiles easily at Sparte. "If you keep going out on adventures like this Sparte, I may need to recruit you for the Society of Explorers." So says one of the organizations First Seekers (voices).

The mission was given to those who showed interest: simply put, they needed to map forest land to find a suitable location in the Gray Forest as suitable area to mark boundaries for the proposed sanctuary. Many elements had to be put into consideration, mostly economic and situational to those baronies and land holdings that were already well established. It was going to be a delicate process, with some indication from the Prince that there had been some territory south and west of Bastion, so north and west of Arx itself. It was entirely up to the party, with the world map at their disposal, which way they were going to venture out.

Gaston arrives shortly, Shae on her war elk following along behind. The Blackram, it seems, is on foot, but he doesn't seem to find this any issue. A sharp, razor's edged smile to the group, head cocking first to the left, then the right, staring at the others. "Well met. Lord Gaston Blackram," giving a brief bow to those he'd not met yet, and then a gesture to Shae, "And Lady Shae Keaton. It's a pleasure to meet you all, I'm sure."

Sparte gives Lou a sheepish smile. "I'm still a novice. Maybe I'll have the skills to deserve it at some point, but for now I'll just follow the experts." He bows his head to Gaston, not being in a position for better. There is a moment of uncertainty before he gives a nervous grin to follow. "Sparte, uhh, Fatchforth. Your, ah, Lordship." A glance to Shae. "L-ladyship." His ears redden slightly, pausing his horse and holding the reins in his teeth while he scribbles a few more details onto the map.

After a while, it looks like no one else is coming along... Four might be all it takes!

Gaston checked intellect + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Shae checked intellect + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Lou checked intellect + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Baby pygmy goats left at home, as it was not adventures in goat-sitting. Though she did bring smiles! And indeed she is smiling brightly. A warm and cheerful thing it is. Saddle bags tied to her War Elk's saddle, likely full of provisions and supplies for the scouting trip. Smiling to both Sparte and Lou, a friendly wave given. "Hello and well met!" A nod of her head as she bows a little in her saddle. "Oh!" Eyes lighting up at the introduction from Sparte. "Oh, you are the one with the Stoat!"

As a mild winter day, there are pockets of snow layered across the landscape and the brilliance of the sunshine makes it considerably brighter out for the reflection up glare against it. It's early in the morning so that the party can get underway and head out for their tasked work and make it back to Arx before it grew too late or too cold. There's nothing on the horizon that says they'll be stranded in a sudden blizzard or snow storm, with scattered clouds remaining for the most part in place. There's little wind, though the cold will be cutting enough if one was improperly dressed.

Sparte checked intellect + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.


130 The gathered four won't feel the cold weather much at all, considering their preparations to go out, dressing well for the weather in wool, cloaks and other similar apparel. Through experience, the parties abilities will direct them along the Gray River to an area of wood near the river fork, that was unpopulated to the north west. It means an easier ride if using the river banks too, but there were a few rarely used hunting paths that Gaston can lead them on to speed up even further. There's no telling how much ice they risk along the river banks, while snowfall might be lighter within the trees.

Aiden has rolled 1 5-sided dice: 3

Aiden has rolled 1 5-sided dice: 5

Sparte gives a nod in affirmation to Shae's comment, though he doesn't remove the reins from there to give a more exact answer. Doodle doodle, map map. The stoat is at least absent, possibly up to their own misadventures elsewhere. After a little bit he moves the charcoal pencil to his right hand - his right arm is in the sling - and then has Betsy move along to catch up with the others.

The river bank will take them just over three hours, with the risk being that of ice sheets and deep snow banks. If one were to use the crown roads and not blaze trail, it'd take about five hours to work around and navigate to the area. Using the hunting trails can trim time off the three hours, as it's more direct, but opens them up to traversing through woods many rarely travel.

"How sure are you of the hunting trails, Gaston? That might be our best bet, and we'll be able to map more of the unknown areas, I think." Lou asks the knowledgeable Lord.

Gaston was well used to a good portion of the land around Arx already it seems, as he looks over the map. "Extremely. There a few I've come across right around here, actually, I'm thinking will do nicely," he comments, tracing his finger along the map. "Save's us time from the normal roads, and we won't have to worry about your mounts and the ice. Besides, the less well traveled the land is, the more likely it's to be suited for them, I'd think."

Lou finishes packing up a few more things in her saddlebags, then mounts her mare. She very lightly pats the horse's neck, then looks over at Sparte and Shae, "Do either of you have opinions to offer?" she asks, tilting her head down to look upon each one as she awaits an answer.

She beams a memoment at Sparte at his nod of affrimation, knees lightly squeezing the sides of her War Elk as keen Amber eyes look over the land. "The hunting and game trails will serve us best, between Gaston and I we will be fine." And then a nod of her head at his comment of the land serving them better. "Plus it will give us a chance to see what the game is like in the area as well."

Sparte blinks a few times. He glances between the others, then furrows his brow. "Well... His logic seems sound to me. I'll try to be alert to danger, you never know what you'll find when you go off the main path." He looks around, trying to add a few more details to the map. It isn't an expert map by any means that he is making, but everyone starts somewhere.

Lou gives a succinct nod. "Then it seems we're in agreement. Let us ride down the game paths, and see what we can find, and map what we can map," the explorer says. There's a glimmer of excitement in her eyes at the prospect of seeing new things, even if it's only for mapping purposes. "If we run into trouble, I've a fair hand at archery, no matter what Luca says. Less a fair hand at close range weapons, though," she warns lightly. "Does anyone here speak shav'arvani or have diplomatic skills? Just in case we run into any of them..."

It's about two hours after they left the outskirts of the city, and a further thirty minutes spent traversing off the beaten track upon the game trails. The sound of the river is muffled and a good set of ears will confirm they're north of the river and still following along the winding stretch. Up until this point, the woodland was relatively normal, despite some damage that was evident from Brand's army early on, in which many have come together to restore. Then they'll come across a change in the forest. It is subtle at first, a larger tree here and there with branches more tangled and thick. It becomes more evident the deeper they move in. The woods here are old. Age creates many of the trees in twisted shapes, though many of the thick trunks would be larger than six people holding round their base hand in hand. The canopy becomes heavier, even with the deciduous trees without their leaves. There's an ominous silence in the wood, an oppressive weight that comes with the ancient forests.

Sparte checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Lou checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

"I imagine Guardsman Sparte and I can handle things if it comes to things up close, at least to a point. Though hopefully, it shan't come to that," Gaston rumbles. "And that's a good point... Game will be useful, if they're hunt for their own food. Otherwise, we might have to introduce it ourselves at some point," nodding to Shae. To Lou again, "Unfortunately, I've never had the time to learn such... Most of my life was spent avoiding people, rather than dealing with them, Abandoned and otherwise. It seems that's... Something of a weakness, now," he admits.

Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Sparte glances around as they go, frowning to himself. He makes some notes on his map about bigger trees, and after a moment writes down Silence. He glances around, following the lead of the others but seeming less and less certain this was a good idea. "Little hard to fight with one arm, but I'll manage if it has to be done."

Lou drops her reins, guiding her mare along with her legs and feet. She uses her free hands to balance herself as she looks around the forest, taking it in with a critical eye, then slowly frowns. "This forest is ancient, perhaps more so than the spot I took Mason too not so long ago, and it seems to be slowly dying.

"Trees look... Decidedly older than they should," Gaston murmurs softly, as he walks up to one, inspecting it. "Surprised it's even still alive.... Or that it lasted this long without being harvest for lumber, so close to Arx...."

Lou drops her reins, guiding her mare along with her legs and feet. She uses her free hands to balance herself as she looks around the forest, taking it in with a critical eye, then slowly frowns. "This forest is ancient, perhaps more so than the spot I took Mason too not so long ago, and it seems to be slowly dying. But the woods aren't sick... it's just, they're very old."

"There are tracks over there," Lou points to where she sees the tracks. "Bear possibly?" she asks, looking to Gaston and Shae for confirmation. They use these trails.

Shae's own bow is strapped to the back of her saddle in easy reach, and her quiver is hanging from her belt. "I am skilled in archery as well." Comments the smallest of the Keatons. Once they get on their way, her bow is moved to rest in her lap. Perceptive and alert eyes carefully and slowly move over the forest's trees and canopy. "I now some of the Abandon's culture, from what I have learned from the Greenmarches and Paladin Leola. Though I do not speak their language, but I am willing to try and speak with them if the need should arise." Shae offers with a warm beam of a smile, leaning forward a bit to pet the neck of her War Elk. "Hmm.." A click of her tongue to Elk and it pauses as she leans over the side of her, looking down into the snow. "Tracks here in the snow. Around a day or more old, the snow has blown into them some. Humans by the look, moving in single file, in the same direction we are heading." A pause as she turns her head looking toward the direction fo the river. "The came from the river." Shae remarks as she turns her head back to look at the group.

The forest was getting deep and dense, ordinarily impenetrable to great numbers without lumbering all that came before. The further they press on, if that is what they choose to do, the thicker it will get, dominated by those large ancient trees that have survived so much for so long, but are now dying to time that has suddenly remembered them. Single file, the can still move easily. Do they move on?

Gaston seems ready to press on, curious about the tracks, and just who the people might be. It's a mystery, and one he's eager to solve, it seems.

Lou doesn't seem too concerned that the are human tracks. "Could possibly have been a hunting party, either one of theirs or one of ours. These are game trails," she points out. "Let's continue on, and see what we can map. The more information we can give Aiden, the better." She looks over at Sparte, "You're taking good notes, right?" she says even as she nudges her horse forward to follow down the trail. If at any time the trail becomes too narrow for her to ride, she'll dismount from her horse and start to lead it.

Sparte turns the shield in his lap so Lou can see the map stretched across it. The notes... They arn't great, but they're there. And they reflect his confusion on a place with such ancient, giant trees as far as their relation to the known landmarks he had put on the map in advance. "I'm sorry, this all is... Well, it feels like what happened with the archives, all those old books being found. I worry at what else might be ancient nearby."

They'll spend another short while traveling single file into the respective woodland. They are in the woodland on the map! They'll spend about another twenty minutes before they notice it has grown darker, not because it is any later in the day, but because the trees have grown that large and that thick together. In the summer, it is doubtful that much light gets through at all, making it relatively clear of shrub on the forest floor. In fact, the snow has transitioned to the odd skiff here and there, nothing at all to impede movement. It feels slightly warmer too, with an gentle sound of wind blowing through the massive tree trunks and all their towering limbs, as if life is breathing in and out here.

Gaston checked mana + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Sparte checked luck + occult at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Sparte checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Gaston checked mana + occult at difficulty 40, rolling 29 lower.

Shae checked intellect + occult at difficulty 40, rolling 19 lower.

Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Lou checked mana + occult at difficulty 40, rolling 30 lower.

Lou checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Sparte furrows his brow. "Wait." He gestures Gaston over. "Can I see your map a moment? We're... Southwest of Bastion, yeah?" He tilts his head at the map he is drawing, sticking his tongue in his cheek. He makes a few marks on his map that seem mostly right. "Which puts us around... Here, yeah?"

"Curious as what the fellows were doing...." Gaston murmurs. "If it's like the other trees, I'd think they could have just... Left it to die." A pause, then. "Unless.... Something about this tree in particular is what kept the surrounding ones alive so long..." the Blackram proffers, before moving to Sparte, and giving a nod of his head. "Mmmm, yes. Right about here. Up here was that bend in that ravine, a touch back, see?"

The party come across one of the largest beech trees in the entire wood, with skyscraping limbs that were thicker than most men standing up! The tree is gray and sickly looking, leaking tree sap from where all the recent axe chopping has maimed it. It was the greatest tree in the forest and someone tried to set it on fire. There's a wide hollow in the tree trunk itself, central to where one might assume animals had burrowed, though it appears it was forcefully opened up by all the hacking, gnawing, and biting of metal tools. It was recently done, as all the wood chips scatter around the base, as well as... incriminating foot prints!

Lou stops her mare and frowns at the tree. Frowns! "Who would deface such a beautiful thing!" she grouses. She gets down from her horse, patting it again for a moment of reassurance, then goes over to examine the tree. "The abuse it's been through..." She reaches out and touches each of the closest axe marks, running her fingers along each one, then peeks inside the blackened area to get a better look at the hollow within, then she examines the sap by taking a stick from the ground and very gently poking at it, bringing it to her nose to sniff, but not close enough that it touches her skin - just in case.

Sparte gives a groaning sound. "Ooooh this is bad, this is very very bad." Sparte writes in a name on the area they're in. Oriel Woodland. "This place, I've heard about it growing up. There was an old woodsman, I mean a REALLY old woodsman, who'd spin tales for us when the mead was fresh. He talked about a place from the Age of Songs. That is why none of these trees have been felled before, people couldn't find this place." He carefully gets down from Betsy, going over to the wounded tree with a worried expression. "Animals and trees here are supposed to be protected. If someone killed the eldest tree here this is very bad indeed." He stares into the hole. "Petrichor help us, whatever they took from this tree HAS to be returned."

As they continue on and enter into this far more ancient place, where the wind feels almost like a breath, Shae brings her Elk to a pause. Slidding off of it as she glances around. Eyes even wider, half in wonder. "This makes me think of the places Paladin Leola told me about." She whispers softly, almost worried she might disturb the place. Wandering closer to the tree, peer closer at it. Murmuring softly as she does so. "Petrichor, Great Stag God, we seek your guidance as we wonder into your ancient spaces. Spirits of the earth and woods, of the ancient trees, please know we come in good faith and seek to do no harm to you." Her limp much more visible now that she was walking. Like Lou, she too runs her fingers over the various injuries done to the tree, and is getting a much closer look at it.

Lou's head jerks up when Sparte mentions the Age of Songs. "This isn't the only such place like this.... There are others here in this forest. The one I was telling Lady Olivia about last night, in fact." She frowns darkly. "That anyone would /ever/ seek to destroy such a beautiful, primordial place. It's sacrilage!" Oh yeah. Calm, practical Lou can have a temper, and it seems someone destroying such a spot, well, that hits her anger spot. Her fingers still lingering over the blackened spot, something suddenly catches her attention and she looks back down to the tree and leans in to examine it closer. "The wood is still warm... this only just recently happened," she announces, and she looks up sharply again to search for those tracks once more.

Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Lou checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Gaston, for his part, on hearing what Sparte is saying would inspect the tree closer, to see if he could glean just what was taken, crouching down to inspect the area, nostrils flaring as he scents the air.

Gaston, Lou, and Shae will note the foot prints lead deeper north... and seem fresher than the other ones they came across earlier. A few hours at best. It seems whoever had done this, had only just managed it. The timing! Anyone touching the tree can feel it's still hot from being scorched. Shae will be the first one to spot the indications of a camp, on the other side of the great tree. There's imprints in the dirt around it's roots that people slept here. The wounds upon the tree, some of them are older by several hours, as if they happened the day before. The scorching at the base of the tree is old too, a day at least. Who ever was here also started to burn some of the tree to keep warm at some point in the night. There's enough different foot prints around the tree that indicates it's a decent sized party, at least six.

"I'll take point... You two cover me with your bows, yes?" the large Blackram tones, voice rougher now, glancing at the two women, eyes intense. He's up then, and following the trail, keeping low as he makes his way along.

"Sounds like sage advice," Lou states. She swings back into the saddle and rests her bow across her lap before nudging her mare forward again. "And, I will reign in my temper along the way as well." Or, she'll quietly fume instead.

No more sunshine. Good thing Eirlys is not here. Shae's brow furrows up deeply as her lips purse a bit, fingers slidding off the tree. Gaze looking a bit darker, as lets out an angry huff of air. Her head shaking as she carefully made her way around the tree noting the various pits of information she was able to pick up. "There is at least six of them. Looks like they started to burn parts of the tree for warmth, that's the sorching and why it's warm." Lips pressing together in a tightline. She nods to Gaston, few clicks of her tongue to her Elk and it is following the Blackram. Her bow in hand as it rested in her lap.

Gaston checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Lou checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Aiden GM Roll checked perception(2) + survival(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

They try to creep... further north. The other party was a few hours ahead of them at best. They had time to consider their plan. All three of them were scouts enough to confirm there are different treads in the dirt trail they follow, six for sure. It's confirmed. Further up, a seventh foot tread joins the six, as if it may have been a scout that's not walking with the group and quickly jumps off the trail again. Gaston manages to stay quiet... but the other two, it takes a significant effort to creep and stealth one's way in this wood! After a while, they hear voices and there's smoke rising from a fire pit...

"I wasn't expecting all that to be hidden there," a man's voice cackles proudly, holding up something that glints in the small flames of the fire and catches whatever daylight makes it through the thick canopy.
"Shhh--- I think I heard something..." a female's voice, that silences the group who had been sitting in around the cookfires, axes present. Most are in a state of leather and wool. Three stand up from where they were sitting, hunching over and weapons drawn.
A young man asks, "What was it?"
"Shut up so I can hear..."

Lou checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 higher.

Shae checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 11 higher.

Gaston checked perception + stealth at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Lou isn't the most stealthy person, and it shows, even if she's a pretty good tracker. She brushes leaves and crunches twigs like the best of them; and that's likely because she's angry about the desecration of the tree. But then she hears people in the woods and she pulls up short, and very carefully makes her way back to Gaston and Shae. "One of us should check things out, preferably someone who won't stomp around like me," she whispers quietly.

A huge hideously ugly mastiff, 1 Solace novice guards arrive, following Thena.

And so, Gaston volunteers, already having proven himself to the most light footed of the group, if also the largest.

With luck, the ax incriminated group... settle down from where they were on high alert. Though a few of them remain on guard, a particularly brawny looking fellow beside a strong dark haired woman, with braided hair. "Zeph," the woman is heard, "You should go look around..."

The ranger sort of man nods with a grunt, picking up his own bow with a grunt toward the trees, "Could be just the cries of the forest again, eh?" Their accent is not Shav in nature, but common tongue, rougher, as one might find in the poor classes of Arvum.

The woman shakes her head, gestures, and then looks at the rest of her group, "Eat. We leave soon if we are to make it out of these woods tonight."

Shae backs off as well, looking a little frustrated. A soft breath as she moves back to where she had left her puppy, quickly writing a note and sending him off. As well as asking Sparte to see if he can get them some possible backup just in case. And then hangs back to watch Gaston's back. Bow in hand and ready if need be.

Thena wields Umbrage, a smoke-gray dagger.

After some time watching, Gaston stalks back to the others, to share what he's found of their pre--quarry. Their quarry. Voice low and soft, though with a touch of growl to it, the giant noble leans forward so as to be heard. "Seven of them. Four women, three men. A pair by the name of Tild and Zeph seem in charge... The woman Tild, the dominant. From around the barony, I think, possibly bandits. Well equipped. Goods beyond what I'd figure to be their means, by the clothing," he breathes.

Sparte took off when instructed by the others. After all, he has the best map to get back here. Assuming he doesn't drop it, riding that fast while juggling it and the reins with his one good arm. Hopefully he'll make it back before things get too dangerous.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + stealth(3) at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Then there were six in the camp... In the time that it takes the Scouting group to call for backup, this pack of possible bandits, as described by Gaston, were packing up.

A huge hideously ugly mastiff have been dismissed.

1 Solace novice guards have been dismissed.

Eirlys had just gotten to her war elk, Kieran, before heading out to spar when Sparte and the message makes it to her. All she does is nod, mount her war elk then tell him to lead the way. She will follow him to where her friends are so she can help.

Thena checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Eirlys checked perception + survival at difficulty 35, rolling 20 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Sparte checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 35, rolling 7 higher.

Gaston has rolled a critical success!
Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 35, rolling 46 higher.

Sparte leads Eirlys and Thena to the others, riding as quick as poor Betsy the horse can go. It doesn't take an able hand with animals to know she'll be cross with him later. He leads them past snowy fields and into the Gray Forest, then deeper past trees that seem impossibly large and old for so close to the city, until finally they reach a great beech tree that may be one of the largest in the entire wood, clearly damaged and maimed. Sparte doesn't pause there long enough for a good luck at the tree for those with him, quickly looking for the trail to where the others are and heading down that way to rejoin the others.

Sparte starts to greet them as he dismounts, but his foot catches in a stirrup and with one hand holding a shield and the other in a cast, he manages to catch a faceful of soft dirt and grass instead. He hangs there a few moments, shaking his foot until it drops the rest of him to the ground. 'Luckily' not giving away his presence.

Gaston's head quirks to the left, then back to the right, nostrils flaring a bit. "He's here. Watching us, with his bow... From behind the tree," Gaston breathes, almost under his breath, barely audible. Eyes flicking towards the tree in question. "Zeph, that is..." Hand sliding slowly towards the massive boar spear beside him.

As they approach the group Thena drops to a crouch and lets Sparte move right on ahead and sort of fall off of Betsey. The ex-Iron Guardswoman has worked with him before. When the proverbial dust clears she offers a hand up, though her senses are trained mainly on what's going on with the others. Hearing Gaston, she determinedly does not look for an archer.

Eirlys gets there just behind Sparte and she stiffles the urge to sigh in relief when the man doesn't fall. She slips from her elk, unsheaths her sword, and follows Thena's movements since well she isn't the stealthy one in her family. When she gets close enough she will whisper to Gaston trying to get more information.

Shae nodded her head to Gaston as he reported back to them. Eyes narrowing a little bit at the mention of Bandits. The look on her face turning a bit grimer. And as they stand there, her brow furrows up in a little pain, eyes lifting up again as they dart about them. "I can feel it... we're in danger." She whispers to Gaston.

Sparte gets up, spitting a bit of grass and a small spider out of his mouth before wiping most of the dirt off his face with his hand. He very much looks the filthy peasant at the moment. Thena gets a smile of thanks that shows a bit of the dirt is in his teeth as well, before reaching up with his good hand to get his staff free. Wielding a weapon that size with one arm will certainly be a challenge, but there is Banditry afoot. Glancing around, he seems intent on striding right on out of hiding and towards the bandits if nobody stops him.

Spear now in hand, Gaston murmurs back to Eirlys a moment, and then nods to Shae as she confirms his suspicions. He starts to stand then, proclaiming"Going to take a piss. Been holding it in all morning..." and so starting to move from the gathering he heads... Before changing his course last minute, to close upon the watching Zeph, using the trees for as much cover as he can.

Thena crouches back down to...what is she doing, checking the condition of the spider? and then stands up as Sparte goes Jenkins. She barely bats an eyelash, merely slips her alaricite dagger from its sheath and a string of green prayer beads from her pocket. She is watchful, tracking Gaston as he feints and then looking for potential targets among the bandits.

Gaston checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Gaston checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

She glances back as Sparte arrives, with Thena and Eirlys. Pulling an arrow from her quiver, she starts to place it into the string. readying it, as she clearly senses danger around them. Though as Sparte makes for the bandit camp directly, she starts to follow after, though keeping some distance, eyeing Eirlys and Thena a moment. Before her eyes trail after Gaston, and then back to Sparte, to give him cover if he needed it.

Aiden GM Roll checked perception(2) + survival(3) at difficulty 17, rolling 15 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(1) at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Sparte wields Knothole Stave.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + archery(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Gaston checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Zeph licks his finger and thumb, before he trims them down the fletching of an arrow. His eyes follow Gaston but he seems to remain for a while longer in his perch. He loses track of Gaston for a moment as his interest quirks for Sparte's intent to walk right into the where Zeph's group was packing up to leave. It gives Gaston time to sneak up but this ranger wouldn't be in the woods without some skill of his own. He spots Gaston last minute to see Gaston's large weapon coming at him. He dodges, barely! And in return fires off an arrow... which Gaston is able to clear in return! Zeph curses under his breath as he dodge rolls aside, heaving a breath for the race of adrenaline. He whistles out loudly in hopes to alert his own group!

The six at the camp ... they pull axes and other simple weapons, like a bludgeon or knives! Tild gestures wildly, "Get to cover! We've got company! They'll not get the spoils after all our work...! They're probably those gods be damn Shavs!"

And in comes a certain kid in barely any armor, with one arm in a sling, and his face half-covered in dirt. "Hi there! I'm Sparte, not a shav." Sparte gives a big smile to the bandits, continuing to stride forward with his stave like a big walking stick despite them drawing weapons and vastly outnumbering him. "I don't know if you realize, but you're on holy ground to Petrichor." He keeps the big dirty-toothed smile. "It's REALLY important, since you might have just stolen holy relics, and I kind of need to know whether you deserve what is about to happen. To you, I mean."

Sparte checked charm + leadership at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

Gaston checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + archery(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

While the others go into the rest, and drum up a conversation, Gaston is getting down more to immediate business, already having confirmation from Shae's mystical means that Zeph had definitely meant them harm.

These faces, they're so young. What Sparte comes across is a young man who looks like he just turned eighteen, a female of similar age, an older man in his mid twenties, a woman in her late thirties, and Tild - the dominant leader, with dark hair braided behind her. She jerks the young man back by his shoulder, "Stay back Ike..." She slides herself ahead and scowls at Sparte, "We ain't stolen anything, see! This is ours by right of findings." This, being the loot bag that the eldest woman in the party holds onto and is presently retreating step by step with the other older man.

Eirlys steps out next to Sparte and smiles widely. "Look, this is sacred ground. Surely you can understand why desecrating it would be a horrible thing to do. The wrath of Petrichor might fall upon you all. Please all we want is for you to give back what you took and to please listen to us." Eirlys is imploring them even though she holds her sword at her side. She really is more worried about the damage done to the tree at this point as well as possibly damage done to her friend. "Please just listen to us. You don't want to do this. It won't end well. All we want is to keep this sacred place from being damaged."

Eirlys checked charm + empathy at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

Zeph wastes no time to rifle through his quiver for another arrow to nock it and loose it at Gaston. He's constantly redoubling backward to try and extend the distance between archer and ... heavy swordsman... Though in the process of trying to retreat, clearly for the sake of weapon differences, Zeph is struck by the large blade and grunts against the gash cleaving against his leather armor. An arrow is aimed to kill.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + archery(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

With Zeph and Gaston scampering about in the background but the others seeming inclined to talk, Thena sheathes her blade and approaches as well, quiet but not attempting stealth. "If you haven't stolen anything, then you'll come to no harm." She winces a little at the fracas going on. "Except that one, to be honest I'm not sure about that one." She jerks her chin in what she thinks is Zeph's direction.

Gaston checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked intellect(3) + leadership(2) at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Sparte shakes his head. "Let me tell you a story, see if it sounds familiar. You're suffering, times have been hard. In your desperation you look to more and more ways of getting help. Maybe it came to one of you in a dream, or maybe some stranger spun a tale. A forest with trees that were ancient, so very ancient, and amidst them one tree older than the rest. There was a promise that in that tree you would find a hollow that held treasures. Treasures the likes of which would feed you and your kin for a generation."

Sparte continues to walk forward, matching the retreating bandits step for step while not giving any sign of intending to attack. "Only you didn't know that taking those treasures would come at a cost. Not only would you face the ire of Petrichor for all your generations to come, this seemingly impossible place, these trees, this place known as the Orell Forest? It would die, like so many other places did when the armies marched. I tell you honest, I don't want what you've taken for myself. I want only to help you right this while there is still a chance."

Mal, a devious raccoon have been dismissed.

Magnolia, a precocious pygmy goat have been dismissed.

Daegmund, an Oakhaven Shepherd puppy have been dismissed.

Marigold, a cheeky pygmy goat have been dismissed.

As the Blackram continues to batter poor Zeph, feral eyes upon the man as Gaston throttles him with his spear, a low growl escapes Gaston's lips. "Yield," he hisses between strikes.

The young woman of nineteen years looks toward Tild, who shakes her head at the girl back. And when her mouth starts to open, Tild snaps, "Ceci don't believe them!" Tild's eyes shoot back toward the three before the group, "Orell Forest? Ain't fuckin heard of it ..." She growls toward Sparte, her eye wild, searching between the faces, "You ain't know what it's like. We had homes! Them those Shavs tore 'em up. This is all that's left of us. We had to survive the winter on our own, like this. What we found is a chance at a new life! You will not take that from us!" She brandishes her ax and leaps forward, mostly a threatening gesture to get Sparte to draw back, while her hand gestures to the others to retreat. The woman with the loot turns to run, followed closely by the other man with her. Ike looks toward Ceci, then back to Tild, then beyond her toward where Zeph is! "They're killing ZEPH!" He yells!

Aiden has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Zeph was torn up again by the wicked bladed point of the larger weapon, the spear getting close and biting into him again... He recoils back after the second hit, for the man was in his late forties and didn't look as if he could rebound so easily from damage as he once could have. At the ask to yield, Zeph hears the scream from Ike and folds onto the ground, on his knees, with his bow thrown at Gaston's feet, while his hand winds around the wounds taken.

Gaston kicks the bow aside then, out of the reach of the man, and shouts back "He's alive! Just wounded!" A snarled face looking to Zeph then, and nodding. "That's better," taking the man's actions for said demand to yield, there.

"That does not belong to you bandit." Shae says rings out firmly, bow raised as her fingers grip the string. Easily pulls the string back on it and aims for the woman that is starting to run away with the loot. "No one forced you to stoop to banditry, the Lodge of Petrichor would have offered you succor. Food, a warm place to stay. Assistance. But instead you harm what is his and steal from him." And then she lets the arrow loose, to fly towards the woman fleeing.

Shae has rolled a critical success!
Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 69 higher.

Thena watches carefully as Sparte keeps pressing his luck but barely flinches when he's threatened with an ax. When Gaston calls out, she turns to walk towards the men. To Zeph, "I am a field medic. Let me see to your wounds."

Tild's face is full of desperation. She's the leader of this band of survivors... bandits, what have you... While everyone has been focused on the Shav'arni and helping the Abandoned, have these people been forgotten? Driven to treasure hunting, is the conclusion that Sparte has made. Tild's gaze is blue, strained, a little wild and untrusting. Then with shock to see an arrow released at the fleeing woman... she gives out a scream and attacks! Ike is prompted to follow... and Zeph suddenly moves as if to stop the arrow - as if he could! Thena and Gaston might have to hold him back.

Aiden has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Sparte checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 90 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wep(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked dexterity(2) + small wpn(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

The thing with Shae, and the Keatons is, they are Huntsmen. Trained to track and hunt, and bring down bandits an criminals. On top of that well... Even as the arrow was loosed, her hand was moving to grab another arrow. Though let's talk about that arrow that was loosed at the woman running away. Which flew perfectly true, the arrow piercing the fleeing woman. The shaft of the arrow sinking into the meaty flesh of the side of her thigh, and continuing on right into her other one. Pinning the two together, and forcing the woman to fall to her side. The wounds clearly in a place that would not kill her, but only stop her.

Gaston checked dexterity + brawl at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Sparte turns his head when Thena goes to offer Gaston medical care, nodding appreciatively before looking back to the ones in front of him. He starts to say something else but is surprised like many of the others when Shae's arrow flies, missing a beat. Then there is an axe in his face. He leans to the side, then resumes speaking as though attempted murder was what he needed to recollect his thoughts. "My friends really don't have the patience I do. Please listen, you can stop this before more blood is spilled in this sacred place. I am sorry for your suffering, and would gladly break bread with you and try to find a way to help your family." Sparte continues to press forward, getting closer and closer to Tild despite the threat of the axe. "Please."

Aiden GM Roll checked strength(3) + braw(1) at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

The woman shrieks out from incredible pain as the arrow... skewers through her legs! She collapses and ... the goods? Yes... they spill just about everywhere... ! The fleeing man skids to a halt... and debates if he should scramble the loot together... No, he doesn't at all respond to the woman's sobbing sounds for help... His eyes fall on Shae! With a curse, he keeps running! Screw the loot! Apparently he wasn't that loyal to the group.

Aiden drops Aged Neodymium Ring of Swift Serendipity.

Aiden drops a gorgeous rose gold butterfly pendant.

Aiden drops a champagne silver nautical star brooch.

Eirlys is on alert, while she was trying to talk them down she is a fighter by nature so she expects things to go sideways. She sees Ike go for Shae and intercepts his blow with her sword. She lets out a low growl then yells. "Damn it! If you people will stop trying to fight this would all END! You can't desecrate sacred lands! If you need help we would give it but not if you are going to rip apart lands that don't belong to YOU!"

Aiden drops a sparkling rose gold magnolia promise ring.

Aiden drops Aged Praseodymium Brooch of Interconnected Roots.

Aiden drops Aged Praseodymium Pendant of Indomitable Spirit.

Aiden drops Aged Praseodymium Armband of Fortitude.

Aiden drops a pair of demure teardrop pearl earrings.

Aiden drops Aged Neodymium Belt Buckle of Necromantic Glamour.

Aiden drops a champagne silver keepsake pendant.

Aiden drops an ornate tribal choker inlaid with colorful bells.

Aiden drops Aged Rose-Gold Hairpin of Ignited Brilliance.

Eirlys checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Aiden GM Roll checked luck(3) at difficulty 7, rolling 8 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Ike yelps from being struck... The situation is grim for these treasure hunters! Their group was scattered to the winds! Zeph couldn't even struggle to rise, under guard from Gaston and Thena. Tild was being out played by Sparte as if she were sluggishly slow. Ceci was on her knees and looking robbed of all hope. The other woman had shish kabob thighs... and the other man was fleeing. Ike, wounded, tries one last effort to flail at Eirlys... stubborn young man!

Thena sighs exaggeratedly as Zeph struggles. "That's a bad idea. You shouldn't need this...very tall person and I sitting on you to get that in your head. Excuse me." She stands and rubs her hands down the sides of her pants legs, then lopes a couple of paces towards Ike and knocks him neatly on the back of his skull with the pommel of her dagger.

"Stop!" Shae's voie rings out loudly, firm and commanding.

Zeph sounds like a worried relative suddenly, "Don't hurt him! He's just a kid...!" He looks up toward Gaston, "We were trying to make it by, my lord. We were asked here, and told we'd be rewarded with a house and a place to live out our days. This is all that's left of my village... Brand and his Shavs army marched right over it!"

Gaston grips Zeph tighter there, and just shakes his head. "I'd really just... Sit down and wait for her to come back and treat those wounds, if I were you.. Maybe convince your friend with the axe to stop going for the guardsman, eh? She's in trouble enough."

Sparte checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Sparte looks over to the spilled contents of the bag, and something seems to dawn on him. "Oh. Oh, I see." He looks rather sad as he continues to deal with Tild. Rather than simply continue to dodge her swipes, he raps her hands holding the axe with his staff and then uses the end of the staff to catch the axe's head, jerking it from her grip. "That isn't all from the tree, is it." He looks pained. "You've all blood on your hands, havn't you?"

Ike doesn't see it coming. He's young at this yet and when the dagger pommel comes... he crumples in a heap anti-climatically. FLOP.

"Make it by... A house, hmm?" Gaston murmurs thoughtfully to himself. "Who asked you here? Told you of this place? I'd wager they knew well what they were having you do..."

Shae checked command + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

The guy running away... doesn't stop! He runs faster at Shae's commanding voice can reach. Soon enough he's out of sight by jumping behind a tree and running on still. He's weaving through trees so it's harder for her to shoot him in the back.

Zeph lowers his head and settles back on his knees, wincing when he sees Ike taken down quickly and Tild still trying to dance... only to be disarmed... "Some Abandoned... folk. Promised us homes, new lives... new opportunity..." He shifts again, looking anxiously toward Ike and Tild, "Tild! We're done in! Stand down, please!"

Tild furrows her brows at Sparte who out paces her by a long shot, when the axe is removed from her hands... and Ike is taken down beside her. She purses her lips, her hand suddenly lifting up in surrender with a stubborn jolt of her chin.

"Abandoned folks bid you do this?" Gaston's brows furrow, eyes narrowing in thought. "Interesting... I take it you don't know the tribe?"

A while later, the group gets all the captured and surrendered renegades together before the beech tree. They round up all the loot and begin their investigation. Zeph's answer is for them all, "No... We just know their faces and they were up from the North... They wanted us to return all the loot to 'em..." Tild scowers and doesn't look like she's going to say a damn word and glares daggers at Zeph for speaking up.

"Return it to them, you say? I take it you had a meeting spot then?" Gaston asks, at that.

Sparte, for his part, doesn't seem intent on being the one doing the questioning. He is instead back to working on his map of the Orell Forest. That isn't to say he lacks questions to request the others figure out. "I'm going to invite one of the faithful to Petrichor here later, to see about restoring the wood. Even if we can keep the trees alive, I somehow doubt we'll be able to hide this place from prying eyes again." He frowns a bit at the loot pile. "Knowing which objects came from the tree will help. If I remember correctly there was a hero who gave a great sacrifice to save this part of the forest. I expect those objects would have been his belongings that were enshrined here."

Thena checked intellect + theology at difficulty 30, rolling 10 lower.

Gaston checked wits + artwork at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

Eirlys checked intellect + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Shae checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Thena drops a festive favor bag.

Sparte picks up red cedar sapling.

Sparte picks up trailing willow sapling.

Sparte picks up red maple sapling.

Sparte picks up rose softwood sapling.

Sparte picks up black basswood sapling.

Sparte picks up yellow birch sapling.

Sparte picks up white foxwood sapling.

Sparte picks up smallwoods oak sapling.

Sparte picks up gloomy elm sapling.

Sparte picks up black walnut sapling.

Sparte drops red cedar sapling.

Sparte drops trailing willow sapling.

Sparte drops red maple sapling.

Sparte drops rose softwood sapling.

Sparte drops black basswood sapling.

Sparte drops yellow birch sapling.

Sparte drops white foxwood sapling.

Sparte drops smallwoods oak sapling.

Sparte drops gloomy elm sapling.

Sparte drops black walnut sapling.

Gaston, not having the brains or education of Eirlys, Thena, or Shae, starts at least some testing before they're even out of the forest. He wears a piece at random, to see if anything happens, putting on the Armband of Fortitude! Because he's not afraid to act the guinea pig despite several warnings not to by at least two of those present!

Gaston picks up Aged Praseodymium Armband of Fortitude.

"I have enough problems with jewelry," Thena says cryptically, and busies herself checking over the wounded banditry.

Eirlys picks up a festive favor bag.

Aware that Thena is skilled in medicine, Shae would help her assist the woman that she shoot with an arrow. "Gaston and I are both members of the Lodge of Petrichor." Shae says looking to Sparte, "I was planning on letting Paladin Leola know about this place." And then glances over the bandits, and then back to the group. "Gaston and I can take the items as well. And have Leola look them over as well." And then she just stares at Gaston, growling a little at him. Starting to pick up the jewelry.

Shae picks up Aged Neodymium Ring of Swift Serendipity.

Gaston picks up Aged Praseodymium Pendant of Indomitable Spirit.

Shae picks up a gorgeous rose gold butterfly pendant.

Gaston picks up Aged Neodymium Belt Buckle of Necromantic Glamour.

Shae picks up a champagne silver nautical star brooch.

Gaston picks up Aged Rose-Gold Hairpin of Ignited Brilliance.

Gaston picks up a champagne silver keepsake pendant.

Shae picks up Aged Praseodymium Brooch of Interconnected Roots.

Gaston picks up a pair of demure teardrop pearl earrings.

Gaston picks up an ornate tribal choker inlaid with colorful bells.

Gaston picks up a sparkling rose gold magnolia promise ring.

Gaston puts a champagne silver keepsake pendant in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts an ornate tribal choker inlaid with colorful bells in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts Aged Rose-Gold Hairpin of Ignited Brilliance in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts Aged Praseodymium Pendant of Indomitable Spirit in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts Aged Neodymium Belt Buckle of Necromantic Glamour in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts Aged Praseodymium Brooch of Interconnected Roots in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts a sparkling rose gold magnolia promise ring in a festive favor bag.

Gaston puts a pair of demure teardrop pearl earrings in a festive favor bag.

After collecting some of the jewelry, and stuffing it into the bag, Gaston made the perhaps dubious decision to use his own body as a testing ground. He puts it on, waits a moment. Hmmm. Itching and hives. Well. That was unpleasant. He goes to take it off. ...Oh. Oh dear. It seems... The armband has other plans.

Eirlys looks around. "I know someone who can also look into these items. I also know a place where they would be safe." She looks at Shae and Gaston. "If you would all trust me. I would take them to Prince Edain and Princess Alis. I know they would keep them safe while we figured out what they do, where they belong. All of those things. I just wasn't sure if you all would be ok with that?"

Oh, and Titus leaves his side, moving to Shae's, regarding Gaston with distaste.

Sparte seems to be satisfied after a bit that his attempt at a map is as good as it is going to get. He returns to the others, hooking the shield with the map on it onto the post of Betsy's saddle before going to see about the bandit prisoners. "I'm afraid, if you've been taking part in robbing people and perhaps killing them for their belongings, there is only so much I can do to help you. Your fate is a Grayson decision."

Sparte checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Gaston, it's a good thing it's winter. Bugs are dormant. But birds? Well. They will happily dive bomb Gaston on the way out.

"Give me the bag of them Gaston." She states, not looking very pleased with him, holding her hand out for it. Though when he can't take the armband off her eyes narrow further. And then she looks like she might shoot arrows out her eyes at him. "I told you--" A deep heavy angry huff of air. And she is Titus moves over to herside. In face Daegmund her puppy growls low at Gaston and bars his teeth a little. Whelp. This should be fun. And then she looks to Eirlys. "I'll hold on to them, Eirlys. I want to have Leola look at them." Still looking annoyed with Gaston.

Thena watches Gaston trying on various items, then gives him an arch look when one appears to be determined to stay in place. "I may know of some people who can help you with that. If it...doesn't fall off on its own any time soon."

Crows and ravens... will especially find pleasure in diving bombing. They always do.

Eirlys pinches the bridge of her nose. "Gaston, Are you serious right now? Did you really just put that on.. Nevermind. You did. Shae if you have time kick him for me." Eirlys takes a deep breath then says. "Look, I realize I sound kind of crazy but one of the items is literally now stuck to Gaston." She glares at him to drive that point home. She goes to continue then Shae says she will hold on to them and she relaxes a little. "Ok but if you need somewhere safe to store them let me know, ok?"

"Yes, yes... Wear gloves before touching an assassin's things. This is... Different." Is it really, Gaston? Is it really?

A huge hideously ugly mastiff have been dismissed.

1 Solace novice guards have been dismissed.

Shae offers Eirlys a little smile. "Yep, I'll let you know if I do. And any help with figuring what these are out is good. Especially since /someone/ went and put one on." Another look of daggers at Gaston. And then she smiles to Thena. "Any help would be appreciated."

Eirlys nods at Shae. "I will look into things on my end, see what I can figure out." She glares at Gaston. "Alis and Fia are going to have just LOVE what you did with yourself." She gives him her own glare before looking at Sparte and Thena. "It was nice to meet you both, Lady Eirlys Greenmarch." She offers to them. "Sorry we weren't able to exchange plesantries earlier."

The Blackram tugs on the armband again. And once more. ...Nothing. Nada. Zilch. A nod and wave to Sparte and Thena as they carry the prisoners off, and a frown as he looks to the band, then back to Shae and Eirlys. "I... Alright, I could have perhaps used more foresight with my testing... But I couldn't very well ask someone else to wear it as a test if I wasn't willing to do so myself, now could I?"

Sparte gives Gaston an odd look. He squints at the armbands for a bit, looks at the birds, then just sighs and goes about getting the prisoners moving. "We'll take it easy. Since you've a chest wound we'll go slow, but we're still going." He glances over to Eirlys and gives her a friendly smile. Yep, still has dirt on his teeth. "A pleasure!"