Barsaive Emergent

[PeteZero]

Noticing the changes X'ragash points them out to the others. "You see this?" he asks. "The tracks change, becoming shorter before it vanishes. Any ideas what this could mean?" He seems rather puzzled and wonders, if the beast comes back, or how to track it. He sighs - maybe in astral space? (Astral sight, looking in: 12, seeing: 7, TN:?)

[werefrog]

When they leave the room to begin their discussions, Selevite begins to search the lab for anything that he recognizes that could be useful in this situation. He takes his time in his search to be sure to look at all the different tools present. [Search (Perception): TN:?, Roll:5]

[gryphon410]

Aladorai responds to X'ragash's comment, [Throalic]  "Not a clue.  For that matter, why would it grab Emmit and just run with him like that?  Was there a purpose?  At this point I am unsure what we should do.  The Kaer should know of our findings, especially with how long we've been gone, but then the chances of finding Emmit alive or dead would be slim to none. 

"Even if we did try to track down Emmit, how far could we even get at this point?  I hate to sound pessimistic so soon but..."  He sighs, looking up at the stars almost for a sign of what to do next. 

He then translates what he said to X'ragash to Kae, leaving out the "dead or alive" portion for sensitivity's sake. 

[PeteZero]

X'ragash sighs, "any ideas how we can try to hunt it down - I tried to detect it in astral space, no way, and what was he doing hee anyhow? He must have been following from the getgo." X'ragash looks quie unhappy, "so, either he is a dumb fool, or - there is more to him. If we cannot follow the beast or Emmit, we shouldn'r be sitting around here - back to the kaer I would suggest then."

[Lianaura]

Pink eyes narrow slightly at Aladorai as he translates. What he didn't say is almost as telling as what he did, words being her domain as much as music. However, she says only in reply, "I won't argue to follow it. I can't do it alone, and I can't ask you to if you don't want to. He isn't your friend." With one last look around, she spins and begins back towards the kaer without looking to see if they come immediately. There is nothing else she can do. Were she alone, she would stay looking, but in this matter she is the representative of the kaer and must think of their lives before Emmit's or hers. When the kaer is alerted and up to speed, she will return to look for him.

[PeteZero]

X'ragash shrugs, "I would like to follow it, but if we don't have any possibility - I hate to give up, but the wisest decision might be to head back now."

[ED_Chronicler]

[Inside the Kaer]

Selevite examines the lab, however, every jar is filled with items that he does not recognize any medicinal value for. Most of the jars are filled with various flowers, and a few jars appear to be filled with beans. One item that is of interest to Selevite is the labels on the jars are all faded and impossible to read, and thinking about it he realizes the seals on the jars are also old, none the wax appears fresh or recent. As Selevite examines the tools, he notices they are well cared-for, but clearly have not been used in some time. Also of interest is the fact all of the metal tools are silver and the few glass items strike him as very good quality glass. Most of the tools are basic and could be used for making quite a bit of stuff, but there are some odd specialty tools that make no sense to him. [Perception Roll: TN: 5]

As he is examining these items, the Windling, Riaho arrives chattering about the scouting party's return.

[Scouting Party]

X'ragash's attempt to astrally sight the beast yields no results. And after some discussion over options reluctantly follow Kaelanae back to the kaer. Tired and weary, sore and disheartened, the scouts return to the kear.

They spot torches set at the cave entrance and a slight lightening appears in their step. They arrive back inside the kaer meeting Brennan and Kaghan at the entrance, and catching a fleeting glimpse of a four small flying shapes heading deeper into the kaer.

The scouts quickly pause and are offered some water from a jug by Brennan. He appears nervous and expectant, but says nothing. Kaghan keeps an eye down the tunnel as the scouts settle back into the warmth of the kaer. But all the warmth doesn't hide the hollowness a shared sense of events that while the details aren't known, are felt by each.

A short span later, Lady Estmill and Tanar arrive behind Riaho. [Elves only: Perception Roll: TN: 8]

[werefrog]

[Perception Roll:TN 8, Roll: 6, Poor Success]

Selevite, upon hearing of the return of the party, goes to meet them. He counts the people with them to see if Emmit did meet up with them. Seeing Emmit missing, he presumes that they don't know about Emmit going missing.

Upon reaching the party, [Throalic]I'm so glad you're back. We had an emergency while you were out. Emmit turned up missing from guard duty, and when we went out to investigate, we were attacked by something. It's not alive, but it's not dead either. It's like it's devoid of life, and I can't tell what to do with it. Vagrand is still injured, and it's slowly killing him.

I'm not sure if you've ever seen anything like it before, so I thought it would be wiser to wait until you returned before doing anything that could possibly hurt him more. If you could come with me, please, I don't know how much time is left.

Selevite begins heading back to where Vagrand is sleeping.

[gryphon410]

[Perception Roll:TN 8, Roll: 7]

Aladorai looks to his companions, hoping one of them might break the news first.  While although glad to be reuinited with his former companion, and having had success in finding the beasts, his demeanor is less than one might expect. 

Aladorai turns to Kae and then, realizing that Selevite had just spoken in the Throalic tongue and therefore hopefully won't have triggered any sudden emotion in Kaelanae, other than when the word "Emmit" is spoken, he responds to the fellow elf as they continue in the direction of Vagrand.

[Throalic] "The individual you speak of followed us.  I dare not speak his name for the sake of our fellow elf here.  He was a dear friend of hers.  Unfortunately he was snatched by one of the beasts.  We tried to pursue it but....something odd happened, it somewhat just disappeared.  We had no choice but to return.

"But this beast you say that attacked...not dead nor alive?  Where is it now?  Is it under heavy guard?  Has it stirred since it became void of movement?  As for Vagrand...if you, being schooled in the arts that you are, are unable to determine what to do I'm not sure what sort of help any of us will be.  Still, we will do our best.  Perhaps X'ragash may have some knowledge that can help?"    He finishes his sentence as he turns to the T'skrang, seeking a possible answer before they've reached the area where Vagrand is at.

  Man, ED, you sure do know how to make TN difficult to hit.  That was a D8 for me on Perception and I got a 7.  Talk about hard mode!  lol j/k

[PeteZero]

"What it tells us for sure is, that the beasts must have observed the kaer for some time, striking just at it opened.  More, I am noit sure," and he thinks for a long time, to take all the information into account.

ooc: half magic test for horror knowledge please - can I use karma?

[werefrog]

gryphon, don't complain. The Werefrog had 2D6 and rolled lower than you.



[Throalic]Did the beast carry him to you to be seen, or did he arrive on his own, then get taken by it?

The thing that is not alive and not dead hasn't move at all since it ceased. All that's happened is the pattern has degraded. I didn't recognize the thing, and I don't know how to heal it. However, I thought that X'Ragash would possibly know something about it. It just feels like a horror construct in what it's doing.

[Lianaura]

[Perception: 6]

Kaelanae is the only one approaching the kaer that does not seem visibly relieved, in fact, if anything her posture and body language get more tense as they near the torches. She accepts the water from Brennan without comment and gulps quickly. As Riaho and Grandmama approach she wipes her mouth and goes to meet them, ignoring the Selevite's unintelligible comments, except to wince when he speaks Emmit's name.

"Grandmama, I'm sorry. We weren't very successful." She bows her head to hide reddening cheeks and misty eyes. "And ... we lost Emmit. I let it take him away and I just left. I abandoned him to die, or worse. I couldn't follow, there wasn't a trail, no tracks. They were returning and I knew it was duty to return as well, to report on the mission."

She pauses to take a deep breath, dashes the tears from her eyes angrily, and straightens her shoulders. "So here goes. We followed the tracks North for a long distance, most of the day. We were about to head back, having found nothing, when he heard loud roaring. We followed the sound to it's source and found three of the beasts that attacked the the guards at the Door facing off against a beast of another kind, one I didn't recognize. This new beast killed one of the three attackers. The wind gave away our scent and the two remaining attackers fled. We closed in on the scene following a wounded attacker, which we managed to kill without serious incident, rather easier than I expected actually. My companions were brilliant! But, anyway, examining the wounded defender, the new beast, we found it to be dead having protected a baby, which we fed, and left. Emmit approached us then. As I was yelling at Emmit for sneaking out and following us, the monster that had gotten away appeared behind him and attacked him. He was ... he was seriously injured in that first attack and it fled holding him in its jaws. We were unable to find any tracks to follow. My companions decided it best to return to the kaer without a trail to follow, and I came as well, knowing it is my duty to. Has anything happened here?"

[ED_Chronicler]

As everyone is arriving and X'ragash speaks to his companions and they respond, the kaer residents present watch with obvious anticipation as Kaelanae strides forward and delivers her report.

Brennen's initial reaction is rage and he gets up and sets out towards the kaer entrance, but Lady Estmill's voice stops him when she says, "Brennan, you know we can NOT go."

This even causes Kaelanae to wonder at why.

Lady Estmill continues and in Throalic to X'ragash, "Dear X'ragash, as you are already of mind to direct your friends to assist our friend, we would appreciate any efforts you make to helping him recover."

Tanar takes lead to escort those who wish to follow him to his residence.

She waits for them to depart and then talks to Kaelanae, "Come with me my dear. We must talk."

As Lady Estmill and Kaelanae arrive at their home, she makes Kae a nice warm cup of tea. She then sits down across from Kae and speaks to her of various stories where loved ones were left behind and of legends where the lone companion bade his friends to leave him and stayed behind to protect them. Kaelanae responds to some of these with statements and questions and in the end, appreciates her grandmother's advice and insights, but is of her own mind on the issue and covers that up with the grace that she was trained to show in such situations.

Finally after they have finished talking. Lady Estmill encourages her granddaughter to sleep, "You can not go find Emmit without recovering from tonight's ordeal."

[PeteZero]

X'ragash turns to Lady Estmill and responds, "Thank you for the trust you have in us We will do our best to find him, and eradicate the threat to all of us."

He then turns to Selevite, "as you know, Emmit was captured by the beasts and has vanished, couldn't trace him - but lead us to Vagrand quickly - we might be able to help him, and also get more ideas about what these things are, constructs, minor horrors, part of a bigger horror." On the way to Vagrand he takes of the sack and reaches into it retrieving the head - "maybe this tells you something Selevite?"

[werefrog]

[Half Magic the head, ensuring it's dead: TN?, Roll:4]

[Knowledge Horrors: identify the beast, what we know about it, etc., TN:?, Roll: 8]

[Astral Sight, looking at the head's pattern: (two attempts, first doesn't make it into astral space): Roll get into space: TN: 8, Roll: 4, fail, second try: TN: 8, Roll 11 (success) to see the head:TN?, Roll: 12]