From: Derek

Subject Out of the trees

Allistair asks the others how they want to approach the town. "Do we want to get onto a road and then take the road into town? Or just take the shortest route? Also, what kind of a cover story do we want and how detailed does it need to be? I was thinking that we could say we were part of a caravan, with myself and Kal as paying passengers, Surin and Ragnar as workers, and Salix, Harp, Mund, and Ran as guards. Our caravan was attacked by and overwhelmed by ogres, and we are the only ones who escaped/survived. A simple and believable story. Any other ideas?"

Also, Allistair will give the ring of protection to Surin if no one else objects.

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From: Jason

Subject Out of the trees

Ragnar scowls when Allistair suggests he play the part of a worker. "A worker in full plate mail carrying a sword? Better if I were a guard, Salix could be a worker if we need someone to play that part."

OOC: touching on another topic Allistair brought up, that of Ragnar's open affiliation with Heironeous, could we say Ragnar borrowed some canvas or some such from the druids that he could cover his shield with in town? His armor has no identifying marks, but his shield also acts as his holy symbol so its pretty obvious.

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From: Karl

Subject Out of the trees

Or you could store it in Allistair's bag of holding. ;-)

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From: Kevin

Subject Out of the trees

Harp follow along, wondering how this was going to feel. The next thing he knows, his is stumbling out of a tree, trying to get his bearings. Wow, that had been really weird. Then he hears Salix's plaintive cry about the trees. Harp did not know anything about that, but he did know that they could be vulnerable here in the woods without Salix's help. Getting his wits about him, he says to the others "Ragnar, you and Allistair see if you can help Salix. Ran, Mund, scout out that way and set up a perimeter. Kal, you're with me - we'll take this side. Make a quick look, and then report back here in 15 minutes. If you see anything that bothers you, keep an eye on it and send your partner back. Surin, can you keep an eye out here while those two look after Salix?"

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From: Derek

Subject Out of the trees

OOC: I forgot Ragnar had full-plate and a sword. I keep on thinking of a cleric with robes or something....

IC: Allistair quickly apologizes. "That would be more appropriate, of course. Perhaps everyone except for Surin and myself should be caravan guards. We could have Surin be a scout for the caravan. Having six guards, a scout, and a passenger that is also a wizrd would also better explain how we managed to survive when everyone else perished. It might imply that we ran away and left the rest of the caravan to perish, but I doubt anyone would try and bring up charges in such a place as we're going."

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From: Mark

Subject The forest

Salix almost collapses as the party steps out of the tree. Retching and heaving, he clings to the side of the oak trying to keep his balance. His head spins and he mutters "The land is dying. The tree is dying. Is everyone out?" Harp nods and, seeing Salix convulse again, decides to take control. "Ragnar, you and Allistair see if you can help Salix. Ran, Mund, scout out that way and set up a perimeter. Kal, you're with me-- we'll take this side. Make a quick look and then report back here in 15 minutes. If you see anything that bothers you, keep an eye on it and send your partner back. Surin, can you keep an eye out here while those two look after Salix?"

The others, seeing the pain that Salix is in quickly spread out. They quickly notice something odd about the forest. All the trees are dead or dying. There are almost no leaves on any of the trees. Even the evergreen trees are bare. There is no brush on the ground, no weeds, no moss on the rock outcroppings or on the sides of the trees. No birds flittering around. Dead silence except for the low whistle of the wind through the dead tree trunks.

The large almost dead oak is on the side of a good sized clearing, maybe 90 feet across. As the four fighters spread out a bit the see something fuzzy in the distance, coming out of the trees on the other side of the clearing. Just at the edge of the clearing the air seems to shimmer in the morning light, shifting and flowing.

OODM: I need actions. Salix is still nauseated. New map. Assume you are at the south end of the clearing.