Old friends, mind blowing
Subject: The final dash
Harp looks back over his shoulder. He, Ran, Mund and Ragnar could slow down and play rear guard for the rest of the group, but then who would carry Acer and Surin? Leaving only two would be a suicide mission. Damn it, they would just have to move faster.
"All right, you guys, lets double time it. Lets get as close to the woods as we can. If we start to hear them, Salix, you are going to have to take Acer and Surin, you are going to have to hoof it on your own. Ran, Mund, Ragnar and I will cover you and try to slow them down. Just get Acer to those trees."
From: Porter
Subject: The final dash
*raises eyebrow*
Who's the leader of this party now?
:)
From: Bryan
Subject: The final dash
As the group continued on and forced to stop carrying him, Surin cursed his short stature. For the most part his height had never gotten in the way of accomplishment - in fact his small size had often worked to his advantage, forcing people to overlook or underestimate the diminutive halfling. Panting with exertion, the halfling continued to keep the grueling pace, wishing that his legs were just a little big longer.
From: Kevin
Subject: The final dash
Harp is just reinforcing what Salix said - lets get a move on. He is also thinking about the tactics they can use if they do not make it to the woods before they are caught.
He isn't forcing anyone to agree with him, just suggesting a possible plan if things get to that point.
From: Mark
Subject: Old Friends
Salix's appearance in front of them sends the warriors into a defensive stance. As the druid shifts back into human form the excitement on his face is obvious. "Don't stop!" he says to the group. Trouble is right on our heels, but help is ahead. The woods are only a couple of miles ahead, but Faldor's men are catching up with us. The druid council has been waiting for us just inside the woods. I have seen Noctis and sent him back with a message that we need help, but I don't know if they will get it or be able to react in time. We *cannot* slow down. If there is any energy at all in us, we need to pick up the pace. "
Harp turns to the others "Double time folks. There's help ahead if we can just make it." As the party breaks in to a slow jog Harp moves next to Salix and asks "How far back are they?" The druid, jogging with the rest of the group now turns and estimates "About a mile or so. They were moving pretty quickly. They had torches and were members of the tribes, so they can move fast when they want to." Harp nods and moves off to confer with the other fighters. Ragnar, in his plate armor, is making quite a racket. Surin grimaces with every step.
For the better part of an hour the party moves towards the woods, the only sound that of jangling armor, mainly Ragnar's. Mund ranges around the party, making sure that they all keep up. Harp is surprised that Ally has been able to keep up. The mage notices that Harp stays around him more than the others, like he expects Ally to collapse at any moment. "Harp, you don't have to worry about me. I may be a little out of shape, but Mund used to chase me for hours when we were kids. He was always faster than I was but I could usually run longer then he could. I'll be fine."
In the distance the dark form of the Great North Woods starts to take shape. It gave the party renewed energy. They were almost there. There was safety in those woods if they could just reach them. Breathing was becoming harder now, fatigue starting to set in. All the extravagant expenditure of energy this day was starting to take its toll. Behind them they could just start to hear the sound of pursuit. Then they were under the eaves of the first line of trees.
Salix almost falls over when a young druid steps out from a close by tree. "Quickly, all of you stop and be quiet. Not a sound." The druid turns and makes a sound like a bird. From a distance down the forest edge the sound is repeated. The party members can hear the sounds of armor clanking along the forest edge moving away from them. From out in the plains the sound of their followers moves off in the direction where the new sounds had come from. The young druid waits until the tribesmen have passed far enough away and signals them to follow.
For the next half hour they follow the silent druid. Salix knows better than to talk and he makes it clear with hand signals that the rest of the party is to keep silent. Eventually the party is led to a small clearing. There is a large oak tree in the middle of the clearing and several make shift lean-tos. As the party approaches a dozen people approach them. It is the Druid Council. MountainFather Flint steps forward "Salix, Noctis says that you have rescued Acer. Where is he?"
OODM: I will let the party role play this.
From: Kevin
Subject: Old friends
Looking to Salix for approval, Harp moves forward, gently lowering Acer to the ground (or to any druids that move to help take Acer).
"He has been greviously wounded, and he still does not seem to have full control of his faculties. We tried to do what we could, but it has not been enough."
From: Kevin
Subject: Old friends
OOC: Mark, there aren't any alarm bells going off in anyone's heads, are there? That these aren't really the druids, but an elaborate trap set up by Faldor on short notice in order to trap us??
*rolls dice*
Nope, everything is as it seems.
From: Porter
Subject: Old friends
Does Salix recognize any of these folks?
From: Mark
Subject: Old friends
Everyone recognizes Flint. He was the one that took you to the druid council back before the party traveled by the trees.
Does not mean this is not some elaborate illusion meant to trick you into helping the stormfather. :)
From: Porter
Subject: Mind blowing
Like, what if the entire *world* is an illusion?
Blow. My. Mind.
From: Kevin
Subject: Mind blowing
Did you take the red pill? Neo did.
rom: Mark
Subject: Mind blowing
BOOM.
Mund is now dead.
From: Porter
Subject: Mind blowing
Can I be a really obnoxious ghost?
PleeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEAAAAASE?
From: Mark
Subject: Mind blowing
No since Mund general in his worship, he is being punished in the after life. His ghost is surrounded by elves.
From: Porter
Subject: Mind blowing
Are they young nubile elves?
If so, I think that Mund might be ready to see the light and put aside ancient prejudices.