PrP: Fey-tasia

Log Info

• Title: Fey-tasia
• Emitter: Fiaol
• Characters: Kraken, Nasirri, Alteri, Sharna
• NPCs: Fiaol
• Place: Alexandros - Feywood
• Time: Oct, 27, 2011
• Summary: Food is scarce, and Fiaol has organized at least this group to go into the Feywild for food.
• APL: 3.75/4
• Death Consent: Yes
• Encounter 1: Satyr – RP Encounter CR 4
• Encounter 2: Elk (Megaloceros(CR4) + Primative(+1 CR) + Feytouched(+1CR)) CR 6

There is a crispness to the air, a hint of cold, despite the gloriously bright colors of autumn with the sun rising up in the sky. The sky, itself, is a most gorgeous blue, contrasting with the red, orange and yellow leaves which are turning, signally the impending winter. That crispness in the air ... smells like frost. Just a hint, there's no frost yet. But it is coming.

And that frost and true cold bode ill for the mass of refugees which have found their way to Alexandria and the borders of Alexandros, seeking shelter from the ravages of war and the doom of Taara brought upon all the lands. People fearing, hungering, crying for liberty and relief - something they have not had for five long years - begging the heros of the almost mythical now Alexandria to make the world right again.

Hero or no, there are those with compassion in their heart, or those who see how to turn bad times into profitable times, that are gathering for the greater good. Food is needed, and with winter fast approaching, and the granaries full, the tubers and fruits put into storage, there simply is not enough. The most plentiful, and easiest resource to be found now, are wild ones - the beasts of the Eldwyn which surrounds Alexandros. Protein is needed through the winters to keep a body nourished, furs and skins are needed to keep bodies warm - and even with the charity the city is known for, it is not uncommon at all for hunters to be selling their skins and furs, if just to cover costs and prepare for their own winter needs.

Thus many groups have been gathering, looking to put together hunting expeditions - Fiaol and the Church of Gilead are one such group. After all, the High Hunt is approaching, and what better way to celebrate it then hunting to feed those in need? Thus, Fiaol has been posting in the adventurers guild, and has even gone scouting into the mountains and into the Eldwyn for good hunting grounds where-in to send others.

And that brings us to today, where a small group was contacted by the Green Warden Fiaol herself - a red-headed lass wearing the holy symbol of Gilead, a smiling freckled face, and an enthusiasm that was too large for her human body by sevenfold.

"And so, after Karl and I went into the mountains, we came down through the FEywild here, an this looked to be a great hunting spot. Why, I swear I saw the largest elk I have ever seen in my life, and I grew up in the Mythwood! I hope you don't mind hunting here. I mean, I have heard of large beasts in the Felwood, but I think Karl wants to go hunting there, and I"m not really of a mind to tell him no. And it's best to split groups up so there isn't any over hunting, which is what I really fear if people just randomly go hunting on their own. I really should talk to the city guard about hunting permits just for this winter, and regions of the Eldwyn, so that we can limit overhunting as much as possible," excitedly chirps young Fiaol.

Kraken mutters, "Overhunting? I suppose people will be using things like arrows and spears to hunt then. It's not really sporting if you don't wrestle it to the ground yourself, or at least get up close and use a knife or an axe." He seems prepared to go off into the wilds, though not with much in the way of classic hunting gear, other than a few extra ropes and poles for a sled to haul game back with.

The winter holds a special joy for Nasirri. Come from far Am'Shere, she has only rarely experienced the fierce rigors and fures of the cold winter months, and those only briefly in her own skin. Slender hands folded beneath either sleeve, she tightens her clasp as she draws deeply of the scented air, the tang tasting of so many distant snows... "A wonderful thought," the Egalrin says, turning back to the energetic young huntress with a beak-gaped warmth, "But I do not know how well the people outside the walls shall accept it. When there is hunger on the air, the warnings of the law are far less sharp than they should be. Perhaps better to organize parties of hunters, with proper guidance in what and where, and how. Coordination, perhaps."

"You'll owe me -big time- after this. You remember that." Sharna hisses to Alteri as they arrive, a slender finger pointed at the other woman and azure eyes narrowed in her direction. Goodness of her heart, not to much, no. A chance for profit, perhaps. But mostly because she'd been asked directly by a trusted colleague.

The words are quiet, for the Eldanar's ears alone. For you see, Sharna and forests do not get along admirably at all. Hunting isn't something that comes naturally to the city-dwelling half-elf. Her usual cloak has been replaced with a warmer, heavier one, which is wrapped tightly about her to ward off the chill, and she remains otherwise silent - for the moment - allowing Alteri to lead the proverbial way.

It is the mass of refugees and the impending cold that weighs most of Alteri's mind. Already, the Eldanar has been seen around the Den and Guild, putting out feelers for volunteers to hunt with her. Needless to say, her efforts are but a scratch on the surface. Who better to lean on for true publicity than one of the holy orders?

Brought here by goals that match easily with the Church's, the female fighter listens to the chirpy redhead, pointedly letting Sharna's hissings roll off her like water off a duck's back. With them is Stupid, the blue roan packed with equipment to build a travois or three. A saddled pack mule keeps Stupid company, the animal placidly watching the agitated half-elf from beneath an overlong forelock. Finally, she turns to quirk a brow at Sharna, "Did you want the repayment in kind to what you paid me, for that heal potion?"

Paladins look impressive. Shiny breastplates and glowy swords, all that. When it comes to hunting expeditions? Not so practical. For the purposes of the hunt, Faiza has in fact slung a robe over that breastplate of hers, and is wearing a heavy woolen cloak. The robe, while not exactly camouflage coloured, is dark enough blue that it won't be a problem in snowless forested areas. The cloak, though? It's brilliantly, eye-searingly white, trimmed with white fur and rather glorious-looking. For sneaking up on prey, though, it's -spectacularly- impractical. Not that the paladin in question even seems to notice the dirty looks her cloak is getting from the more experienced hunters in the group. Perhaps she's simply assuming the looks are because of who, or rather what, she is. Faiza, Paladin of the Silver Guard, is about as shadow elfy as you can get without actually wearing nothing but spidersilk. Dark grey, nearly black, skin. Narrow, slanted, glowing blood-red eyes. Ginger hair. ... wait. Ginger hair? "So, what exactly is my role in this?" the Mul'niessa paladin is asking of one of the leaders of this little expedition. "I don't actually have a bow, or anything of that sort. Am I to be a bodyguard?"

Kraken looks over at the paladin, chuckling a little bit, "What do you need of a bow or the like? It's a sporting challenge to ride down your game and cut it down with a blade close at hand, so you can see and smell the fresh blood as you make the kill. Nothing quite like it, makes the roast that night taste even better, you'll see."

Sharna rolls her eyes at Alteri, shaking her head. "Let's just get this over with." she replies, putting on her best little smile for the employer's sake - a business-like little expression, neither warm nor icy, but pleasant. Her hunting implement... sort of... is a crossbow rather than a bow. Not terribly sporting, but it'll do. She takes a step away from Kraken, discreetly shuffling away. Barbarians. So... uncivilized.

Green eyes widen just a bit at the fact that Kraken has no shirt... then Fiaol is nodding and reaching out to shake the man's hand. "Ahhh,let me guess, you visit the Battlehall often!" she exclaims happily, before moving on to each individual with an extended hand. "So, I really thank you so much for doing this. Really. And ooh, look, one of Eluna's! Glad to see you here, Sister!" she offers to Faiza with a broad grin. "Member of the Silver Crescent or no? I've been considering petitioning to join myself, you see..." the huntress starts to ramble on, before blinking and stopping herself with a faint blush.

"But ... that isn't why you are here, are you? Here," offers Fiaol as she reaches into a satchel at her side, holding out a map of the Feywood, the area where they will be hunting. "Now, just stay out of the toadstool or stone rings, and things should be fine."

Nasirri raises a taloned hand, chasing the flow of her beak as she closes her eyes. Hunting holds its own special spark in her heart of hearts, but it is the constant dance and flow of emotion from the smoother skinned that gives such endless fascination! And bemusement, as sharp eyes reawaken with a twinkle of quiet mirth. "I am told that hunting is often a special ritual," she begins, continuing mischief's trail of thought, Coyote nipping at her thoughts. "From when mankind often slept for the winter?"

Alteri blinks big baby blues at Sharna, "You don't like being paid that way?" she makes a small hngh'ing sound of amusement, "Sure, whatever you say." her drawl in no way mocking, merely, lazy. Nodding to the rest of those gathered, for she has had cause to interact with them at one point or another, she then eyes the hand being held out to her. Uncertainly. Seeing how another may shake it, she mimics them to avoid giving Fiaol offense, though she looks entirely awkward doing so. Perhaps it is the custom of the city itself, the backwater noble muses. "Peace favour your hands," she intones formally in greeting. Oh yes, this one is either a Knight of Peace or was trained by them. Like Faiza, she doesn't look best suited for hunting traditionally, not with her breastplate, sword and massice guisarme. Perhaps that piddly quiver's worth of javelins is what she plans to use, or, perhaps she will be ululating right there next to Kraken on horseback.

Kraken moves over to check his horse's kit once again, then makes his way over towards Alteri. "So do you know what game we're likely to find out this way? I've not seen any of the large herds I'm used to hunting back home. This looks more like hunting in the woods."

Shaking Fiaol's hand firmly when offered, Faiza seems curiously guarded with the somewhat exuberant woman. "I have considered it. The Silver Guard allows its members quite a bit of leeway in their pursuits. For now, though, I will keep my focus broad." The Mul'niessa paladin resumes checking her equipment after the moment is passed, a simple crossbow slung from a shoulder under the cloak being the sole visible weapon she carries beside her sword and shield. The redhead seems to be keeping herself to herself, preferring to keep clear of the bustle and hubbub of preparation... and any possible shadow-elf hating daggers in the back.

Fiaol blinks at Nasirri, "When mankind sleeps for the winter? Oh, no. No. That is usually bears and ... well, no. Mankind is just smart enough to know snow is not their best element and thus stays indoors as much as possible, is what you are thinking, I believe."

Then Fiaol nods her head at Faiza, seeming nonplussed at the Mul'niessa's aloofness. "Well then, blessings on your persuits," she offers before smiling at Alteri. "Oh, thank you. Peace unto your ... hands? Is that right? I've only just seen a few knights, honestly, so I don't know what is right or not, so ... OH! And for hunting. Elk and deer, likely. No, alas, there are not the large herds here. Though, I hear the Vast has large herds off grazing animals still. One day I'd like to travel that way and see them for myself," she finishes up with a nod to Kraken.

GAME: Sharna rolls Knowledge/Local: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Sharna knows NOTHING.

You paged Sharna with 'IT's named the Feywood? Elves come from there. Born from the trees in spring …'

Sharna pages: Hahaha. Pretty much. "THERE'S FEY IN IT?!?!"

Sharna pages: MAYBE?! POSSIBLY? Either that or it's full of bears and someone thought it would be funny to make people think there's fey... XD

You paged Sharna with 'Nah! Just elves! Sometimes, they dance nekid in the moonlight ... and kidnap travellers and get them drunk, and then the sunlight forms into half-elves! Totally awesome!'

You paged Sharna with 'Yeah, there's fey there.'

From afar, Sharna is a half-elf, has not formed from moonlight OR sunlight. :(

You paged Sharna with 'But does the REST of the group know that?'

Sharna pages: Then again, was too young to remember. Maybe! :(

You paged Sharna with 'Faiza was totally formed from the shadows between the moonlight and the sunlight. *sagenod*'

You paged Sharna with 'Play it up if you want. I'm just joking around. But tell 'em a whole bunch of stuff, true and not true if you want! I'm sure they'll believe you.'

Nasirri clicks her beak, the temptation to continue on a relentless thrum in her veins! But she relents all the same, shaking her head in quiet laughter at some private thought. "I see," she returns demurely, bowing her head before she casts her gaze out across the vast area, the woodlands beyond. A curiosity to breathe wonder into the soul!

"Feywood, Feywood..." Sharna chants, tapping her chin. Eventually, she just shakes her head. "Tell you the truth, I'm not even exactly sure which part of the Eldwyn it's at. Well, I suppose there may be... fey... in it? Don't think it's good to mess with them, though." she says, shrugging her shoulders. Seems no helpful information from her, today. Shamelessly, she hops into the saddle of Alteri's horse, adroitly lifting herself into the seat and giving the animal a pat on the neck. Alteri earns herself a coy little smirk, perhaps a little on the disdainful side - but not much more.

Kraken chuckles, "Yes, the large herds of the vast. Finding them is not the trouble, surviving the hunt is much more. Ride the herd the wrong way and you'll be pounded flat like the grasses." He moves over and mounts his horse as he sees others mounting up. "Do we have someone that will track the game then? Someone good at it, I mean. I know a few of the signs, but only in passing."

Stupid is bored. When bored, the mare likes to look for apples, in Alteri's hair. Ducking under whuffling horselips, Alteri uses the bit to direct the mare's attentions elsewhere. Like Sharna's shiny pale hair, except now the half-elf is stealing her ride. "Not I," she replies to Kraken's query, though a flat-eyed stare is being directed up at the rogue. Finally turning to regard the much taller Kraken, she gives a slight shrug, "Yet, I do believe it has to be large. Rabbits will not fill stores in any significant measure." The Highborn certainly looks ready for bear, literally. Then Fiaol is clearing up the menu of what is to be hunted this day. The corners of her eyes crinkle at the cheerydin, "As long as peace is sought, be it by hands or feet, it is right."

Fiaol wrinkles her nose at Alteri's mount, and shakes her head with a warm smile for the beast. "Well, are there any other questions? The map should tell you where to go, and well... it doesn't matter how skilled you are, so long as you try, people will be grateful. /I/ will be grateful."

"How hard could it be?" Sharna says with a shrug, before bending forward to give Stupid a gratuitous amount of neck scratches, affectionate. The lithe little half-shadow elf hunts -people- for a living. Surely mere animals should not be a problem! Yes, this will most certainly be an interesting outing. Sharna gives the map a once-over before handing it off to Alteri, apparently considering her the tracker and pathfinder for the day.

"Then it surely it will be our pleasure to assist," Nasirri replies, eyes bright with the expectation of moments to come. Hunting! And then, a long pause as she glances towards the others. "Are we to ride after our chosen quarry?" she adds, giving the four-legged beasts a thoughtful regard.

Since Sharna has volunteered to look after their mounts, Alteri, map still in hand, is free to approach the aloof Elunite. Sombre as always, the Eldanar stops a few paces from Faiza. Eschewing a simple handshake, she dips into a full court bow, "Mistress Faiza," she straightens but keeps her voice low, "I apologise for my cryptic remarks at the... chilli tasting event. I felt need to send warning, but was uncertain of prying ears... He mentioned the need to visit his sister. I hoped what I said would be enough to set you on guard."

"Riding or not..." Sharna begins, giving no sign of wanting to get off the saddle. Hands rest idly on the front of the saddle as she regards the fiery-feathered Egalrin. -She's- riding, apparently, no questions about it. "... we'll need them to drag back anything we bring down. I mean, those things are -big-. Elks and deer, that is." She has a point, there.

Bright eyes glitter as she regards the beasts, dipping her head slowly. "I am not familiar with riding," Nasirri admits, fingers tightening imperceptibly beneath the folds of either sleeve. "But I shall try, if that is the desire."

The day's journey is a pleasant one, thankfully. The travel is easy overland, and the group arrives on the outskirts of the Feywood not too long after the mid-day meal. For the most part, there is little change in the Eldwyn ... except for a feeling - a feeling that things are different here and the Veil is thin.

Light Filters through the trees in pillars of gold, motes of dust, which sometimes upon closer inspection actually due appear to be a rare sylph that flees with a giggling chime once spotted. Wildlife is abundant here, whether because of the thinness of the Veil, or because there are protectors of the forest are hard to say.

<OOC> Fiaol says, "Perception checks please."

GAME: Kraken rolls perception: (13)+6: 19

GAME: Alteri rolls Perception: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Nasirri rolls Perception: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Sharna rolls Perception: (10)+11: 21

You paged (Nasirri, Sharna) with 'The sounds of a babbling brook drift on the pleasant breeze. The air is sweet here in the Feywood, and every once in a while, you catch a note or two of music, coming from the same direction of the brook.'

You paged Kraken with 'The sounds of a babbling brook drift on the pleasant breeze. The air is sweet here in the Feywood, and every once in a while, you catch a note or two of music, coming from the same direction of the brook.'

From afar, Kraken could get a know/nature check? :)

Despite being unaccustomed to riding, Nasirri manages to maintain a careful balance, clasping with taut strength and without digging taloned feet into the animal's poor sides. As the hunt goes on, she hums softly to herself, the quietus of a gentle music.... Pausing with a blink as her head shifts, swift eyes flickering into the distance. "If I may ask," she whispers, voice a gentle murmur. "Of what significance is the music along the waters of the Feywood?"

Sharna's wary, a little tense, as the group travels - perhaps fearing the creatures in these woods may strike at her simply on account of their ties with her lighter-skinned kin. "Wait... do you hear that?" A pointed ear twitches, slightly, and she raises her head. "Sounds like... water? And music?" Gently slanted eyes flick over the rest of the group, as if wondering if she's imagining things, the magic of the place messing with her mind - or if someone else hears. Eyes narrow a tiny bit when Nasirri confirms that if she is, indeed, hallucinating - someone else is, too.

Alteri tried kicking Sharna off her horse, she really did. But that sneaky rogue has a love affair going on with Stupid, clambering on the moment the Eldanar lets her guard down to scrutinise the map they were given. Since the ride is kept at an easy pace over pleasant terrain, she has no hope of keeping the rogue off, short of applying bladed force. Looking unamused at this saddle-stealing interloper, she rumbles something at the half-elf. Pale gaze flicking then to the gently murmuring Egalrin, the Highborn cocks her head, attempting to catch what the others are pointing out. No luck.

GAME: Kraken rolls knowledge/nature: (3)+4: 7

Kraken nods as he holds up, "I agree, I hear it too, water and music. It's a shame that water is the best place to find thirsty deer, the music might drive them away. Maybe we could ask whoever is playing to stop for a while."

"Or investigate further," Nasirri remarks thoughtfully, gazing off towards the source of the distant song. Feathers shiver as she curves, turning back towards the group. "Moving further upriver is a possibility as well. Leave the singer to her song, and continue our path in another way?"

Snippets of song start to drift now, so that every ear can hear. Even Stupid seems to hear the song, ears twitching, and unconsciously turning towards the source of the noise.

The song itself, what can be heard, is hauntingly beautiful, alluring, yet not riotous enough to frighten potential prey away.

Alteri exchanges glances with the rest of the hunting party, "I'm of a thought to investigate, or pay respects, if such is due. Our goal, while aimed for good, may disrupt the forest. It behooves us to mind our manners." Too well-trained to hunch, the Highborn still appears a tad discomforted from the way her shoulders shift under her cloak. Familiar mostly with the physical realm, the warrior looks to the ones closer to the gods, Nasirri and Faiza, for final decisions.

"I'm not sure I want to risk interrupting any denizens of this place while they're having a bath." Sharna says, quietly. An ivory brow arches at Alteri's remark, and the girl stretches, leaning back in the motion almost enough to unseat Alteri. Almost. And then the music becomes louder. She's suddenly smiling, completely unconsciously, as she leans forward into a more neutral position. "It's nice, isn't it?" she says, a little dazedly, of the music. There's a pause, a freeze - a sudden shake of her head to clear it. "You know, I'm not so sure. I don't want to be some fairy's slave for the rest of my life." Wary. VERY wary. She grabs for the horse's reins, but of course, Stupid's not likely to heed the command quite so readily in the circumstances.

The Egalrin listens to the music for a few moments more, clicking her beak in quiet chirr. "I agree," she says, leaning back upon her mount with a ripple of golden wings. "As said, it is best to pay our respects to the musician. Perhaps she may be able to guide our steps within the Feywood, if asked with courtesy." The avian head curves, tilts as she glances towards Sharna, eyes curving back to the wood with consideration. "But I will not press in this. My knowledge of the woodlands and those within is poor, at best."

Tch'ing at Sharna, Alteri's legs clamp down on Stupid's barrel. "Hold still, would you?" she grumps at the interloper on her mouth. Callused hands rescue Stupid's reins from the rogue. A good thing too, the blue roan was beginning to try sidestepping right on out of the forest. Tethered to Stupid's saddle, the mule simply munches on some undergrowth, waiting for a decision to be made.

Kraken keeps a tight grip on his mount's reins, one hand reaching down to pat the warhorse on the neck and remind him of his training. "Better to know what is out there than to continue in ignorance. A friend would be welcome, an enemy behind us a poor decision."

Sunlight bathes the wood in dapples, warming the world beneath the canopy of the trees. There is something ... ethereal about this place, mystical and more than natural. Why, even this late in the year there are butterflies dipping about blooming flowers which hang from trees, just as well as grow up from the ground.

The group moves ever closer to the sound of the water, the sound of the song, and never does it fail to stop singing - neither music nor brook. From just past a dipping willow's curtain of leaves, the light of afternoon sparkles and reflects brightly off the waters of the babbling brook, while soft grasses and mosses slip ever slightly downwards into the plane of the flowing water. The willow is large, it's leaves draping and swaying with the breeze as it moves as if dancing to the haunting melody being played. The source of the music is not seen at first, perhaps on the other side of the willow closer to the brook.

Kraken calls out, "Hello the minstrel, have you time to talk and share a drink with travelers?" Then he glances around towards the others and gives a shrug of his shoulders, as if to say 'well why not?' As he gives his horse a nudge to take him into the opening about the willow and around towards the side of it to circle around.

Perhaps there is something in the music affecting Stupid, for the animal's hooves pick and traverse in a most dainty way towards the source of the music. Meandering through the heavy shafts of green-tinted gold, Alteri finds herself trying to keep her breathing slow and even. Pausing by the chuckling brook, she waits to see what-all Kraken's call might stir.

Nasirri lets her mount carry her as close to the willow as she dares, pausing a distance back to dismount from the creature with a soft sigh of breath. "Thank you," she murmurs to the placid horse, brushing its mane before she gathers herself and her thoughts together. A tapping touch trails her fingers along her beak before she simply moves from beneath the shield of willow's leaves. A sparkle of sharp bemusement lingers in her eyes as Kraken calls out, and the silver-robed Egalrin turns her eyes towards the opposite bank. "We come as friends," she offers as well, liquid voice rising in turn.

GAME: Sharna rolls Will: (8)+3: 11 to Fiaol

GAME: Kraken rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18 to Fiaol

GAME: Alteri rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 to Fiaol

GAME: Nasirri rolls Will: (6)+7: 13 to Fiaol

Sharna finally hops from the horse's back, settling lightly upon the unusually green grass below. "Our sincere apologies for interrupting your beautiful melody so. We don't mean to intrude - we're here on a... mission." the elf-girl adds in a milder voice to Kraken's call, perhaps hoping to, indeed, mollify the mysterious creature.

A brief flash of movement, and the song continues. There is a man sitting on the bank of the brook, half resting in the water- from the waist down. He plays a set of reed pipes, the haunting voices producing the gentle, lovely music. He has the angled features of an elf, with the pointed ears, his skin is warmed and kissed by the sun, and nearly as muscled as Kraken. The distinct difference, however, is the rams horns on his head which curve up then backwards in a non-threatening manner.

The man continues playing his song, but motions the group over, a smile glinting in his eyes as he points to a spread of late berries and fruit, along with a couple of bottles of what can only be wine.

You paged Kraken with 'Look! A satyr... not that you've seen one before or know what he is. But you do not feel hostile, or overly OH MY GOSH MY NEW BEST FRIEND, towards him. Though, he does have wine.'

GAME: Kraken rolls sense motive: (7)+0: 7 to fiaol

Smoothly dismounting, Alteri sports an uncharacteristically wide smile. The sort of smile she NEVER smiles. Stupid's reins are tossed carelessly aside, again uncharacteristic of the usually methodical to a fault, Highborn. Striding forth, she seems to have met an old friend, for she immediately moves with arms wide open, wishing to give the Satyr the world's biggest hug known to Eldanarkind.

GAME: Nasirri rolls Sense Motive: (2)+8: 10 to Fiaol

GAME: Alteri rolls Sense Motive: (17)+1: 18 to Fiaol

Kraken slides off his mount and drops the reins, leaving his steed as he steps forwards towards the spread slowly. He pulls out his own wineskin and smiles, "Looks like you've got quite a spread here. Hey Alteri, you know this guy, introduce us will ya?"

Bright feathers ripple as Nasirri clicks her beak in quiet reverence, a soft chirr at the player's gleaming song. Curiosity shows in the swift trace of her gaze, curved beak marking the passage of her focus before returning to the player with a quiet mirth. "We have found our musician," the Egalrin says with bemusement, hands curving beneath her robes as she bows reverently towards the figure. "Pray, greeting to you, and blessings. We mean no disrespect with our passage here." Bright eyes gleam as she beings her own careful movements forwward, eyes curving from calm steps to the musician's song and back again, her voice carrying that tune with a thrum of her own song.

"Kinda cute, isn't he?" Sharna whispers to Alteri, grinning just a little bit, a hit of white under the dark of her lips. Her nose scrunches cutely. "Not a fan of the horns so much, but." And with that, she traipses over - moving to hop across the brook and take a seat beside the man... kind of... without any of the fear from a moment ago. Legs fold under her. "Well, hi there." she greets. "I'm Sharna. These are my friends." A glance to the pipes. "You're quite talented with those."

"Ah," offers the horned man after he finally ends the song, letting it hang merrily in the air. "We have not met in the flesh and blood, but I sense an old soul, a kindred spirit," offers the man in his reverberating baritone. A smile is given to Alteri, who is at his side to hug him before he can even leave the river. "Alteri... is it? Yes... an old soul indeed, my friend," he offers, before looking over the others. "Mmm... yes, kindred spirits, indeed. Come, come, I have fruit and wine, drink and eat at your leisure," he drawls, eyes lingering on the Egalrin a moment, before nodding back to Kraken.

"Tuskatoo," rumbles the man, waving a hand in the air. "My name, my soul, are called the same. I am Tuskatoo." Then grass green eyes light upon Sharna and Tuskatoo gives her a humbled smile. Why, even the tips of his pointed ears blush a bit. "Ah, yes. A gift. Why thank you. Thank you. I would love to play more for you. Drink, eat, let us be merry for a time."

Kraken raises his wineskin then in a salute towards the man, "Let us drink then Tuskatoo, I am Kraken." Then the wineskin is to his lips and he takes a healthy couple of swallows of the low grade ale churned out by one of the cheaper Alexandrian taverns.

Warmth dances as the Egalrin steps over, plumage flared before she reins the wayward feathers back in. "Would that we could," Nasirri admits, gleaming feathers slickening with a shiver of sharp regret. "But I regret that we cannot remain long with the joy of your presence and song." She bows her head, quiet breath curving low. "There are many who need what aid we can bring them of the forest's bounty. Death will come, if we do not find food for the coming winter days." She bends gently, broad wings tightening with a whisper of living feathers. "Pray, please forgive, ser Tuskatoo, and aid us if you may."

"Awww. Come on! The deer aren't exactly going to go anywhere, are they? Just one more song? Two? Please?" Sharna gives the matronly Egalrin a pleading look, like a puppy begging to be let out for a walk. She's almost childlike, seated there, looking more content than she ever really does normally.

"Tuskatoo, yes, of course," Turning to Kraken, Alteri introduces the horned fellow to the tall barbarian, then beams at Sharna for what she whispered. Shaking her head, she makes a playful grab for Tuskatoo's pipes, "I just ate. Teach me how to play!" The Highborn adds her own devastatingly puppy dog eyes look to Sharna's, begging Nasirri for just another five minutes, pleeeeese mom? "Tuskatoo's going to teach me how to make the pretty music," Sharna gets a jealous glare, "Me first."

"You are my guest, and drink from your own skin! Nonesense!" offers Tuskatoo, tossing one of his skins towards Kraken. "I am a gracious host!" he implores. Green eyes look to Nasirri, and the man arches a brow upwards as he listens. "Mmmm, I see. Yes, there is good hunting here in the forest." He pauses, as if weighing the Egalrin's words. "So long as you take only what is needed, I see no harm in letting you hunt here. Now, please, just a drink. It seems I am about to give some lessons," he offers the last with a deep chesty laugh, before turning to look equally between Alteri and Sharna.

"There is a sping just upstream, see the steam there, that feeds into this river. Right here, the water is just the perfect temperature. Join me," he offers before reaching his other skin and holding it out to Alteri. Then he turns, and with a flick of his wrist, produces a luscious red berry to Sharna's lips.

"Alright, alright. I'm dying to see how you do anyway." Sharna agrees with Alteri, grinning wildly a moment. She gives the satyr a sideways glance, plucking the berry from his fingers with her hand rather than gathering it with her lips. She throws it in the air, then, adroitly catching it in her mouth and chewing. Foolishly trustworthy. Or, perhaps... well.

Nasirri traces sharp eyes from the wineskin to the forest; torn! She closes her eyes, bowing her head as fingers tighten around either wrist, loosen, weighing heavily as yellow-gold feathers ripple, whisper. "One song," she admits with a long, *long* sigh. Breath whistles across her nares before she returns her gaze much more sternly, and *much* more sharply towards the two women. "But after such, we must return to what we have sworn to accomplish! Besides," Feathers rustle anew as eshe continues, faint mirth returning to her features. "We can always return to this place, to meet Ser Tuskatoo once again." She curves towards the satyr, bending again in quiet reverence. "If it pleases, of course?"

Sticking a triumphant tongue out at Sharna, Alteri holds her hand out for the pipes. She gives a minute little wiggle where she sits by Tuskatoo, so excited is she to try to make the pretty sounds. Pouting, she paws the skin away, long arms reaching for the pipes with more intent now, "You said you'd give lessons!" Everyone gets a look, "He said he was giving lessons, wasn't he?" Tuskatoo gets a mighty frown, thoroughly ruined by the grin of pleasure she feels being in his company. Crowing in victory at Nasirri's capitulation, Alteri declares, "What I play doesn't count as part of the one song!"

Kraken catches the tossed wineskin and grins, "It'll be a party if I start drinking a second skin. Maybe after we've gotten what we need we can settle in for a night of revelry. I don't want people starving because I ended up drinking all of your wine, Tuskatoo." Then he eyes Alteri for just a moment, he's known her for a little while and he's never seen her so carefree. Definitely want to come back for a real party if she's loosening up, yep.

"Very well, and it would, indeed, be a pleasure if you were to return ... anytime, m'Lady," drawls the Satyr to Nasirri, before he starts laughing jovially at Alteri's willingness. "Here, here, a man must wet his lips after playing the pipes," he says before he takes the wineskin back and takes a deep drink. Then he turns, and with a smile offers it to Sharna, "m'Lady Fair, would you care for a drink of wine?" he asks.

Then it is back to Alteri he turns, finally handing over his beloved pipes. "Playing the pipes, is like caressing your love with your lips. That is how I can put so much emotion and beauty into my lips. I think of them as the most beautiful woman I have seen, and I play them as if I were kissing her," he drawls, shifting so that he is closer to Alteri's ear as he begins to instruct his newest student.

"If that is your wish," he then says over Alteri's shoulder to Kraken. "But the wine... ahhh, the wine. From the mountains, made of grapes kissed with the first frost, so they are all the more sweet. Such a wine... is not easily found," he notes, before smiling back at Alteri with a great deal of warmth.

GAME: Sharna rolls Fortitude: (20)+3: 23 to Fiaol

You paged Sharna with 'You aren't drunk! But it's GOOD STUFF!'

Alteri hardly hears Tuskatoo's instructions, she is too busy being smug at getting to play the pipes first. The fighter inhales a huge breath, looks for the mouthpiece and just lets all the air her mighty lungs have stored up, through the poor pipes. Hopefully it is of extremely sturdy make, because THERE SHE BLOWS! PHEWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

Sharna giggles at Alteri, giving her a curious glance. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen you that relaxed." she voices Kraken's thoughts, idly accepting the wineskin thrust her way and taking a swing readily. "Oh gods. That's really good." she says of the wine, glancing down at the wineskin. "You should try it." she assures her companions, happily. Thank the gods, she doesn't look any more distraught or giggly than she did a moment ago. ... Of course, that isn't saying much. And then, then she drops it in order to cover her very sensitive ears, cringing and gritting her teeth.

An avian wince... It is eyes widening in shock, beak parting as the razor gaze stares, feathers slickening down like a blanket across the forehead! Nasirri all but cringes at Alteri's attempt at playing the pipes, closing her beak again with a *click*!

"Very..." the Egalrin begins, trailing off as she swallows her words, searching for another. "...nice attempt," she adds, shaking her head with a shiver. "Perhaps it is Sharna's turn?" she suggests. Quickly. Pointedly. IMMEDIATELY.

Kraken grits his teeth together at that sound, "Alrighty Alteri... maybe you need to practice playing those things off in a room. With a door. And some heavy blankets over the windows. By Kor that was loud!" Then he eyes the flask tossed him, "Maybe a swallow on the hunt or two wouldn't hurt..."

"A little over enthusiastic," rumbles Tuskatoo as he gently tries to reach out and pull the pipes away from Alteri's lips. The Satyr then shifts so that he is nearly completely behind Alteri now, one hand resting gently on a shoulder, the right hand then sliding along the woman's arm to where she holds the pipes. "Place them near your lower lip," he says, softening his voice as he leans in, a whisper trying to close on Alteri's ear. "Just a breath ... like this," he offers, before letting out a soft caress of air from his own lungs.

"Try that... then it shall be Sharna's turn," he rumbles, turning to smile at the other woman. Another flick of the wrist, and this time an apple is produced and he holds it out to his next student. "For your journey, if you are not staying long," he offers.

"Please, have as much as you want. I absolutely insisted on it, both of you," Tuskatoo offers, smiling at Nasirri and Kraken. "Perhaps it will help ease the ... awkwardness of lessons?" he suggests with a throaty rumbling laugh.

The Highborn directs a lofty look towards Sharna, "That is because you are mean to me, Tuskatoo is not." The horned man is given a liquid-eyed look of gratitude. "No, no, I got this." Alteri insists when people start threatening to make her stop, sharp elbows ensuring she gets all the space around her and no one tries to take Tuskatoo's pipes from her. "I was holding it all wrong, that's it, that's..." the touches, though originating from her BEST FRIEND FOREVER, are strange, alien, and when the man's voice susurrates in her ear, she stiffens and squirms away.

A hand is held out to keep that distance sacrosanct. Her smile is less sure, now, "I'll try, just... don't do that again." A fleeting frown slips across her angular features, why did she say that? Shaking her head, she tries again. Sadly, being distracted with the unfamiliar, the next attempt comes out even worse, with shrieks and screeches peppering the air. Even her own be-charmed ears suffer, and, thoroughly upset with herself, she throws that pipes back at Tuskatoo, rampant, uncontrolled emotions coursing through her form and lending far too much strength to her piqued endeavour.

"I'm not much for music myself." Sharna says, though she does accept the apple. She flips it onto the back of her hand, graceful motion letting it tumble the length of her arm, across the back of her neck, and down the other arm in turn. It is grasped in the opposite hand at the end of the journey. "But I'll happily listen to you play, Tusky." A soft smile is given to the satyr. Hunting is boring -anyway-. "I mean, I guess I could try." she considers, spinning the apple idly on the tip of her index finger as she ponders. "Never really had much chance to." And then the apple is nearly crushed in her hand as the cacophony of Alteri attempting to play the pipes continues. Her teeth grind. Noisily. A vein pulses in her forehead.

"You are most gracious," the Egalrin chirrs in return, the touch of rose dancing along her nares. She steps across to a near place, pausing only to search out a bowl from the low pack at her side. Smooth, shallow, she proves its use in a few brief movements- a gentel twist to unstopper one of the wineskins, adding a portion of its contents to the dark wooden bowl with a sigh of relish.... and another, feather-slickened cringe at the sounds from Alteri.

"Ceinara bless us with your favor," she whispers, murmurs, begs... Eyes closed as she drinks from her bowl with a careful grace.

You paged Nasirri with 'Strone wine. DC 15 Fort save, please. And privately roll it.'

GAME: Nasirri rolls Fortitude: (20)+5: 25 to Fiaol

The oiled barbarian decides to take a taste of the wine from Tuskatoo, anything to drive away the noise ringing in his ears from that attempt at playing. Well, a taste is a couple of hearty gulps, but that's not so much compared to Kraken's large frame. "Can we skip the music lessons for a bit? They're certainly making sure there is no game around for anyone."

GAME: Kraken rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 to Fiaol

"Now now, m'Lady of the Golden Feathers," Tuskatoo offers to Nasirri, wincing at Alteri's second attempt, "I did promise to give lessons. And once I've made a promise," he offers with a wave of his hand.

Green eyes look at Alteri curiously, and the satyrn considers a moment, before attempting to put his hand on her knee in a friendly fashion, a companionly gesture. "Pipes are one of the easiest instruments to make, and one of the most difficult to master. Do not be disuaded and feel rejected, m'Lady. I have been playing the pipes for as long as I can remember."

Tuskatoo turns to look at Sharna, then smiles at her antics with the apple. The pipes are inspected, before the Satyr moves and slides next to the nimble woman. "Now, as I said to Alteri, the same is true for you. Just a whisper of a breath," he suggests, leaning close to make certain the pipes are positioned correctly.

Kraken finishes his swallows and smiles, "Well, that's not bad. Strong enough for a good drink.. but way too sweet. A girl could drink this stuff, it's got no real kick to make your tongue remember it." He stoppers the wine and turns to get his horse back in gear, "Alright, so, we going to get to the hunting soon?" His real reason to get away from the next round of pan pipe practicing while he still has intact ears.

Nasirri positively thrums with the affectation, bright eyes curving closed as she finishes the bowl's contents with a sigh at the welcome heat. "A pleasant mix," she accedes, a warble in her voice before it normalizes once again. She basks, relishing the taste before her eyes curve open once more, a breath of regret before she moves to clean the dark bowl, sliding it away. "One more," she affirms, "And then we must continue our hunt. It would be unkind to stay..." Sharp warmth gleams in her gaze as she casts Alteri a glance, eyes curving to mighty Kraken in his own turn. "Or to allow a quest to support those in aid to be set aside for an evening's revelry."

Sulking up a storm, Alteri moves away from where Sharna is getting ALL of Tuskatoo's attention, and plops her butt down. Plucking at grass that is inexplicably still flourishing in this time of season, she tosses the remnants into the stream. If she should catch any looking her way, she would return a 'what are you looking at?' glare to them. No, grass plucking is too pathetic. Needing to do more to let out her anger with herself, her large bastard blade is drawn. Yes, take that, you wicked grass. STAB.

Sharna lifts a hand to support the pipes, not quite shying away from the horned man as her companion had. She exhales a gentle breath down one of the reeds, and a crisp little note emits from the instrument.

"Doesn't seem too complicated." she remarks, taking the pan pipes more fully in her own grasp and managing something that actually sounds like a little melody. Not a true song, no, but it doesn't put needles through the eardrums and despite being slow and uncertain, it manages to flow alright. That done, she grins... only to glance over at the sound of the grass being savaged.

"Excuse me a second, cutie." she says to Tuskatoo, handing him his instrument back and hopping to her feet, striding over to Alteri. "What's wrong?" she asks, lowering to a crouch to be eye level with Alteri - actually sounding a little concerned.

"Please stop beheading my friends," drawls Tuskatoo calmly, patiently. Though he does offer up a deep sigh as Sharna excuses herself from his presence, and Nasirri appears to be packing things away. "Some have a natural talent in one thing, only to find something they cannot do, others excel at," he notes, trying to offer calming wisdom.

Reaching forward, Tuskatoo takes a handful of berries and rises, gliding easily to Nasirri, and offering them to her. "I am always honored to meet one of the Pheonix' Chosen," he rumbles to the Egalrin with his warm grin.

Finally he turns to Kraken and laughs. "Next time, then, I will be certain to have some dwarven spirits with me! Something with true fire to put in the belly. Will that do, my friend?" he asks, his grin growing lopsided.

You paged (Nasirri, Alteri, Sharna) with 'And note... if any of you want to come back and find Tuskatoo sometime... with good intentions, he'll be here. If he sees murder on your face, this little goat-boy is running! ;) So feel free to use him as an NPC as you need.'

Kraken laughs warmly, "Yes, the dwarves do know how to brew something with more kick and fire to it. And they know how to drink it too." He mounts up onto his horse and starts sharing a few impatient looks with everyone else. "Now I know we're having fun and all, but can't this wait till after we've gone hunting? I mean, that's the order of things, you make things bleed and then you have the party."

Nasirri's faint blush warms like the heart of a star! The practical part of her thoughts exclaims that they *should* be on their way, for the sake of the hunt and the rest of the journey...

...and another part flails and squeals and chirrs at the sole, magnificent attention!

The priestess rises slowly, bowing as she acceptsthe gift with every care. "May she continue to watch over you with all heart," Nasirri returns, eyes a bright gleam as she cradles the berries in her hand. She makes a brief ceremony of placing them into her pack, careful to secure them tightly. And, in turn, reaching up along her neck, to steal a golden feather from amid the many with a sigh of breath.

"A token," she chirrs, offering it to Tuskatoo. "May we meet again in better times."

Glancing back over her shoulder at Tuskatoo, she reluctantly ceases her murderising of flora. She looks around for something else to smack with her sword, and Sharna decides to get within arm's range. Immediately, muscles clamp down hard on the urge to swing. There is a dissonance, and she blinks foggy eyes at the half-elf appearing concerned for her. The leather grip under her hand creaks from pressure. "Everything." she mumbles, then adds, "Nothing." This is a Site of Failure & Shame for Alteri now. Much as she likes Tusktatoo, she doesn't want to be here anymore. "I don't want to be here anymore," she grumps, then looks plaintively at the half-elf, nevermind that -this- one underlined her Fail so clearly. "Can we go now?" she whines.

"Are we leaving already? You -promised- we'd stay for a song." Sharna offers, biting her lip. There's a glance at Alteri. At the satyr. At Alteri again. Friendship forged through battle and pain battles magical influence... and wins out. "Okay. Let's get back to the hunting thing." she concedes softly, offering Alteri an encouraging smile and a hand to help her up. Whether her aid is accepted or not, she asides to the Eldanar: "I'll just go say goodbye." The mild words spoken, she saunters over to the Satyr, standing on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the wine and the music, Tusky." A gloved hand reaches up, index finger tracing the contour of his jaw. "You know... if only you weren't so hairy... and your legs weren't bent the wrong way..." she murmurs with a wry grin, but then dances away to... well, of course, steal Alteri's horse again, or at least hitch a ride. A hand lifts, fingers wiggling as she waves farewell to the faun.

Tuskatoo offers a graceful bow to Nasirri as he gently accepts the token. "A most honored gift," he whispers to her as he straightens, holding the feather to his chest for a moment.

"If that is your wish, m'Lady Alteri, then you are free to go, of course. I would rather you stay, and I would spend all the hours of day and night needed to teach you to play the pipes as you wished," he intones, offering her a bow as well. "However, your quest is a noble one, and one that suits my forest better than rampant hunting and intrusions. So I see no reason to keep you from it."

Then Sharna is dancing over and kissing his cheek. The Satyr laughs, the baritone resonating and echoing throughout the forest. "Most gracious and beautiful Sharna," he offers, with a flourished bow. "Allow me, please, to try and change your mind on that at some point. I am a very persuasive man when I wish to be," he drawls.

"Until we meet again, my friends. Happy hunting."

The sun continues to dapple through the leaves of the Feywild as the group wanders away from the brook and Tuskatoo, returning to their quest. Soon the memories of friendship fade from the minds of the women in the group, perhaps leaving them befuddled, confused, or angry as awareness of such friendliness with a stranger sinks in. Kraken, on the other hand, was unaffected by the Satyr's song, and continues unaffected still as the group delves deeper into the Feywild searching for deer or elk to hunt.

"I know that everyone was having a good time, but we really should get some food. There were a lot of expectant looking faces watching us leave. Small faces. I would hate to let them down." The big barbarian says as he rides along slowly, looking for sign of game as they trek deeper into the woods.

To spare the distraught Alteri, Sharna's since taken to striding beside her and her steed rather than stealing a seat upon it. Stopping midway through munching the apple the satyr had given her for the journey, her eyes narrow dangerously at the fruit as the magic evaporates, leaving behind conflicting thoughts and feelings. She looks... confused, mostly, puzzled, throwing the remainder of the half-eaten apple into the bushes for reasons that do not entirely make sense to her. The resident insects and small animals will no doubt be quite happy with the gift.

For herself, Nasirri is content in quiet peace. Never pleasant to be charmed, but no harm was done to the priestess' thought and concern...

... though, perhaps, other's sense of decorum did not fare so well!

Humming quietly, innocently to herself, the golden Egalrin basks serenely as she sits balanced atop her mount, following along with the hunt's progression. "Of course, noble hunter. We return to the task necessary..."

The confused discontent permeating Alteri's being translates to a marked stiffness in her posture as she rides astride Stupid. With the dawning realisation that she -had- been acting completely out of character, the Highborn stiffens for entirely different reasons now. Slowly, the glazed sheen over her eyes has receded and she glances to Sharna, Nasirri, then to Kraken; a markedly subtle motion, the Eldanar being uncertain of what-all magicks had affected her. Affected them? The hands on her reins move in silent handspeech. "Of... course, Master Kraken," she says, cautiously. She notes the apple Sharna throws away, and frowns slightly, but says nothing. Her breastplate shifts as she inhales a large, cleansing breath and shrugs the moment off. It can wait, hungry mouths, cannot. Applying herself to the task at hand, she begins searching for animal tracks.

Kraken grins a bit, as he either doesn't realize how uncomfortable people are as effects fade, or he's doing a good job of ignoring their discomfort and focusing at the task at hand. He hops down to look for tracks from foot for a bit, looking to see just enough old tracks to justify slowing down and looking more intently for game tracks.

Nasirri leaves the Eldanar in peace, for now, perhaps uncharacteristically. Bright feathers rustle in soft sympathy, but the feelings of the heart are never a course others may have mapped for them; she leaves poor Alteri to her own ends, at least until the warri--

She pauses as Kraken hops down, pausing as thought's train and sharp eyes are both cuved towards the huntsman. "Have we found what we seek?" she asks, warbling voice dropping low.

GAME: Sharna rolls Perception: (1)+11: 12

GAME: Nasirri rolls Perception: (9)+10: 19

GAME: Alteri rolls Survival: (14)+6: 20

GAME: Kraken rolls survival: (1)+5: 6

Sharna's thin, white brow quirks up at Alteri. The corner of her lips tugs upwards - and there's a single gesture, a single graceful sign in reply, before she focuses on what they're actually there for. "The sooner we find the deer or whatever, the sooner we can go back." she mutters. There's only one problem - she's a city girl, and she hasn't a damned clue what to look for. It's no surprise, thus, that she ends up fruitlessly glancing about and not noticing a thing a more nature-savvy individual easily would.

Kraken pauses and holds up a hand, "Ah ha... here we go, this is just what we're looking for I think this is antelope, several of them if I'm not wrong." He squats down and looks off to one side, "Going that way, about a day ago."

Alteri notes Sharna's handsign, at least, one might think she has, by the way a muscle in her jaw tics. Fortunately, Kraken is dismounting and forcing her attention to things other than the very recent past. Callused fingers previously strangling at Stupid's reins, creakily release said leather. Polished boots hit the oddly verdant ground, striding to take the Highborn to where the axe-wielder is. Squinting her mundane, human eyes a mite, she attempts to work out what the barbarian is referring to. Sable bangs swaying, Alteri gives a negative shake of her head, "Nay, the tracks are muddied. 'Tis a shared trail. We wish to head that way for the herd of antelopes, the other way will gain us honey badgers." This she says in a neutral tone of voice, still fighting back the urge for massive self-recriminations with regard to her conduct with Tuskatoo.

Nasirri keeps her counsel, observing the two hunters in their natural habitat. Much as with the passing of signs, the Egalrin can see the passing of remarks, but does not understand their meaning. "I leave the matter to your capable hands," she says quietly, eyes bright.

Kraken eyes the tracks again, actually giving his chin a rub, "Honey badgers you say? Just don't see that... guess I've never tracked them before." He shrugs and moves back to his horse and slides back into the saddle, "Think we should go after the antelope, or is the trail looking too cold to you, Alteri?"

"I didn't even know there's antelopes in these parts." Sharna says, quietly. She glances down at the tracks as they're pointed out - but really, to her, it's all just tears and scruffs in the soil that mean nothing at all. Blue eyes flick between the two trackers. Little choice but to follow the lead of the more educated.

At the Egalrin's words, Alteri straightens, only to afford Nasirri a respectful dip of her head. The planes of her angular features are cast in a determined light; she means to make reparations for her lapse, now, if possible. To Kraken, she gives a twitch of one shoulder, her version of a shrug. "Honey badgers are afeared throughout the forest," Her eyes flick to Sharna, "Perhaps the antel..." her eyes narrow, "Wait." Taking a single side step, she stares intently at some more track, "Elk," her low voice rings out triumphantly. "A very large one."

Nasirri stares at the tracks for a moment, trying to search out whcih one belongs to the creature in question. A shame that humans have such flexible eyes; they do not point properly to watch they gaze upon....! "Nearby?" she asks, voice hovering above a chirr as she asks as softly as she dares. "And dangerous?" she adds, feathers rousing with a ripple of flickering quillions.

Kraken smiles at the news, "Large elk, that'll feed quite a few people if we can bring one down." He shifts to ride forward so he can look for Elk tracks towards the indicated direction, but after his confusion on the antelope he doesn't move out right away, waiting for Alteri to start moving first.

"... How big, exactly?" Sharna feels compelled to ask, eyes flicking between Alteri and the ground, the bark of surrounding trees where no doubt there are antler-marks she simply isn't catching. It's not the goodness of her heart or the desire to feed people, no - more the desire to not get trampled by an enormous elk. Gods know if she's even seen an elk before.

Alteri doesn't return Kraken's smile, but the colour of her eyes does deepen in pleased assessment of his statement. "Indeed." Glancing back to the other females in their hunting group, she nods, "Northwards. They look very fresh," she points to the tracks in question, the dampness of the dirt kicked up, and the spoor a little further onwards, still warm enough to make more sensitive noses twitch or flare. "As tall as I am at the shoulders," she offers Sharna whilst signaling to Stupid to follow. With her mount at her heels, the Highborn quirks a brow, "It isn't rare for their antlers to reach ten feet across."

Bright feathers quiver as the Egalrin's wings shift. A dozen questions to ask! But Nasirri relents, if only with the greatest reluctance; silence must be maintained, if their prey is to be captured forthwith.... though such does little to comfort as she gives a faint, whistling sigh. "Please lead," she murmurs, beak clicking with a sharp whisper. "I shall try to be as quiet as one may."

GAME: Kraken rolls stealth: (10)+1: 11

GAME: Alteri rolls Stealth: (9)+-1: 8

GAME: Sharna rolls Stealth: (20)+11: 31

GAME: Nasirri rolls Stealth: (14)+3: 17

"... that's pretty damn big." Sharna says, grabbing her crossbow and doing what comes naturally. -Hiding-. She's... not so happy about the idea of an animal of that size bearing down on her. Into the shadows, the foliage, darting between cover of the trees, crossbow ready to fire.

Sharna's words finally dig out a faint smile from the Highborn. "Faint heart never won fair lady," Alteri drawls, "Nor fed the masses." Pausing, she takes stock of the direction the air is moving in, "We shall want to remain downwind of it. It certainly hasn't lived to this size being unwary of hunters."

Kraken keeps on the trail, getting one of his throwing axes ready, a muttered thought that maybe he should get himself a bow at some point muffled into the mane of his steed. He thinks about the size of the elk and gets a second axe ready, leaving his knees to guide his horse along.

Nasirri's eyes widen as she stares out at the forest, sharp beak marking the trace of her gaze, a burning search. "Great Roc," she murmurs, voice soft. "Sky Hunter. Lend me your grace, that I may see your gift for hunter's cause...." A silent shiver before she stills, perched upon her mount, bright wings a faint shimmering as she drarws nearer the great oaks' shadowy fields...

GAME: Nasirri rolls Perception: (1)+10: 11

GAME: Sharna rolls Perception: (3)+11: 14

Alteri remains on foot as the primary tracker. Stupid has done this with her mistress many times, and the animal remains quiscient whilst the Eldanar does her creepy, tippy-toe thing.

GAME: Alteri rolls Perception: (16)+5: 21

GAME: Kraken rolls perception: (2)+6: 8

Autumn seems to be coming late to the Feywild, which is likely a good thing, as certain Eldanar seem to be finding every leaf and twig to step on. However, Alteri is able to lead the group deeper northwards into the wood, before the sun glows ahead as the canopy breaks, exposing a clearing with lush green grass.

And the biggest dang elk anyone has ever seen!

Easily 7 feet at the shoulders, with antler's 12 feet wide, this elk has at least seven points to it, and a coat that glistens gold and bronze in the warm light of the lowering sun.

"The Holy Order has surely blessed all of Alexandria..." Alteri breathes in reverence, her eyes widening at the sight of the magnificent beast. Conventional hunting tools will not do for one so noble as this. Head borne down, she signals Stupid to stay far back and swiftly closes the distance with the great creature. "We seek not your death, but the life of many." she says once close to the elk, her bastard blade drawn and held at the ready.

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+2+5-4: (7)+2+5+-4: 10

KA-THUNK. The shadows of the forest let loose a crossbow bolt. Aimed at the elk's hindquarters rather than the main bulk in an effort to spare Alteri of it, the projectile screams through the air and embeds itself in the tree just behind the elk, where it vibrates uselessly. There's a muted curse in Sildanyari. The crossbow is left behind, replaced with the dusky-bladed twin swords she's more used to employing, as Sharna dashes forward to close some - but not all - of the distance.

Kraken sees the Elk close at hand so he drops his hand axes and hurtles from his mount, closing rapidly with the big critter with his large axe. Perhaps it's the desire to hunt down the elk, perhaps he's ticked off at no one noticing his well oiled pecs, but either way he is snarling a bit much and has a rather nasty case of the twitches on his left eye going on.

A forest of surprises, wonders to behold-- Nasirri stares as autumn colors give way to the great flow of colours, the sweeping brushstrokes of evening upon the animal's magnificent pelt. "Praise be, Cernan, Ceiwen..." she whispers, sharp beak parted in a silent gasp. Heartbeats pass before she moves with a shiver of regret, slender hands moving alongside to draw forth a trio of heavy weight, smooth stone orbs connected at a central line. "Blessings be on stroke and aim..."

Dismounting with care, she calls her blessings as she begins to move, carefully closer as her companions move in equal turn.

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+9: (20)+9: 29

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+9: (8)+9: 17

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d4+4: (2)+4: 6

GAME: Fiaol rolls 2d6+7: (7)+7: 14

As Alteri and Kraken move up next to the buck, the startled animal rears, brown beady eyes rolling dangerously in the back of it's head as it pummels the barbarian with his hooves. Falling back to the ground, the massive elk then snorts and starts swinging it's antlers side to side, raking and catching Alteri painfully on the side.

After contact is made, the massive beast lifts it's head, those brown beady eyes wild and fearful, before it bugles clearly, the sound of the trumpeting elk echoing throughout the Feywood itself.

GAME: Alteri rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20

GAME: Alteri rolls 1d10+15: (2)+15: 17

You paged Alteri with 'Roll me a private perception please!'

GAME: Alteri rolls Perception: (6)+5: 11 to Fiaol

GAME: Sharna rolls Acrobatics: (3)+11: 14

Alteri braces as the mighty elk trumpets its call. Whether it was a challenge or something else is moot, for the animal's lashing hooves signal enough, how it shall meet this intrepid band of interlopers in its domain. She doesn't have time to wince at the crunching hit Kraken is given, before she must guard against antlers that swoop down and threaten to lift her right off her feet.

A dull clang rings through the clearing, her mutely glowing blade just able to fend off the first slash of the horns. Not so lucky at her second attempt to avoid being hit, she feels the animal score deeply into her internals. Biting back the groan of pain, the temporary loss of breathe, she grits her teeth and pushes off from the antlers her sword was tangled with, using the momentum to fuel her returning swing. The blade scores a massive wound in the animal's golden pelt.

Lithe and light as a hunting cat, Sharna continues her dash, cloak whipping and billowing behind her as she moves. She runs right past the furious melee, somersaulting into position behind the bucking, panicked animal instead to provide her allies an advantage. The swords are brought forward, her body like a serpent coiled to strike. Poor, poor elk. "I'm pretty sure this isn't the proper way to hunt elk." she mutters, mostly to herself.

GAME: Kraken rolls 1d20+9+2-1: (7)+9+2+-1: 17

<OOC> Fiaol says, "+2 for flanking?"

<OOC> Kraken says, "+2 was for increased str while rage, so er, +2 more, so a 19"

GAME: Kraken rolls 1d12+13: (2)+13: 15

GAME: Kraken rolls perception: (14)+6: 20 to fiaol

You paged Kraken with 'It should have done a LITTLE more damage than it did. How odd.'

GAME: Nasirri rolls 1d20+6-4: (12)+6+-4: 14

<OOC> Nasirri says, "It is a touch attack... I shall take the Luck reroll."

GAME: Nasirri rolls 1d20+6-4: (18)+6+-4: 20

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27

GAME: Fiaol rolls 1d4+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: Fiaol rolls 2d6+7: (10)+7: 17

Kraken twitches a bit more, then lets the elk have it with the two handed axe. It should have cut the thing in half, but the blade just leaves a smaller wound along the flank of the beast. There's no exposition, just a roar of, "mmm! Jerky!"

Nasirri's feathers slicken back as she sees the sudden fury the great elk unleashes, caught by offguard as the animal moves so viciously! The bola in her grasp is momentarily forgotten; instead, the Egalrin raises her hand, murmuring a prayer of swiftness. Fire gleams as she closes in, a bare thirty feet before she unleashes the firebright shard of energy from her palm. Heat flashes forward in searing array, to scorch and sizzle and singe across the animal's right flank.

Now the beast is panicked, that is the only word to describe it. Surrounded by the scent of humans, the scent of hungry and dangerous humans at that, the large elk buggles again loudly.

One hoof is then shoved at Kraken several times until it connects. The elk then drops it's head and kicks backwards, bucking at Sharna, missing. Finally the massive horns swing from side to side once more, again raking across Alteri's side - blood is flowing freely there now.

GAME: Alteri rolls 1d20+10+2: (8)+10+2: 20

GAME: Alteri rolls 1d10+15: (7)+15: 22

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+2+5+1+2-2: (4)+2+5+1+2+-2: 12

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+2+5+1+2-2: (18)+2+5+1+2+-2: 26

<OOC> Fiaol says, "Okay, 1 hit."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+1+2d6: (4)+1+(8): 13

The hurt coming from multiple sides seems to lend an even greater rage to the elk's attacks. Almost brought to her knees by the King of the Forest's returning swing, the Highborn lets out a pained grunt as huge antlers swipe her right across the face. Spitting out blood, more pours down the gash over her eye. This must be done quickly if she is to remain standing.

With eerie calm, a counterpoint to Kraken's hunger for jerky, the Eldanar lets the hilt of her blade slip down further, lessening the length of her swings. Delicately, her other hand guides the lionhead pommel of her sword, a deceptive picture, as the shorter arc allows for sterner strength to be fed into the blade's motion. Letting loose a staccato shout, Alteri cleaves deeply into the animal's neck, the resulting gush of blood mingling with that which the elk had drawn from her.

Sharna ducks beneath the dangerous buck of the animal, her body twisting easily away from the blow. A blade lashes, an effort to retaliate as its legs retreat, but finds no purchase in the speed and frenzied, jerky motions of the panicked animal. The woman re-centers, eyes narrowing - the elk stills for a moment, a fatal moment, and the blade is brought into its side, just where its leg meets its body. The bite of the sword may not be huge, but it is precise, and a torrent of blood follows the weapon being pulled out with a twist. The creature trembles uncertainly on slender legs before collapsing in the grass.

Kraken pulls back his axe for a big chop into the elk when the thing finally goes down. There's a moment of incredulity on the barbarian's face, then a exhalation as he loses his grip on his inner rage. All is right in the world now, the dire enemy, the pec ignoring elk is at his feet, bloody and dead. And looking rather tasty for dinner tonight. "That's going to take some work to get home..."

Nasirri shivers as the last blow is struck; bright feathers quiver on edge as the Egalrin draws her hands back, a ruffled fury from tip to toe before she manages some semblance of calm, trying to ease the wild hue of bright crested array. "Not so much as you might think," the priestess chirrs, eyes still gleaming with fiery delight. A long breath soars in, exhaled with a reverent, worshipful strength; curiosity steals her closer to the fallen animal, pausing to brush her fingers through the coarse fur with a murmur. "If you will prepare the means to carry the elk," she continues, "Then Ceiwen shall provide the means to carry our fallen prey. And now..."

Letting the moment slip from her, she turns towards the wounds infliced, wounds suffered. It is time to heal.

Sharna pokes one of the animal's hind legs with the tip of her boot. It does not stir. The twin swords are sheathed, the crossbow gathered - and gently slanted eyes fall on the battered, bleeding Alteri. "Are you alright?" she asks the Eldanar, concerned, moving to her side so as to provide something - or at it may be, someONE - to lean upon should Alteri require it.

Despite her heavy wounds, Alteri is saddened to see the efforts of the group pay off. As the light dims in the great creature's eyes, she lays a hand upon its shuddering flank. "Forgive us, friend. Your sacrifice shall not go to waste." Her hand continues to stay with the animal, moving with it as mighty legs lose strength, lose life, and fold to the forest floor. Using that same hand to keep herself standing, she turns numbly to look confusedly at the questioning Sharna. Then the battle's adrenaline drains away and she stumbles against the smaller rogue. "The antlers... Greyfeather..." disjointed mumblings accompany the highborn's efforts to remain upright.

Kraken looks over the massive beast and nods, "He was a noble one. No fear and running when faced with danger. Though I suppose it should have. It will feed many though and clothe a few. And the antlers will pry coins from someones tight fist to feed more."

Nasirri nods quietly, eyes glancing from Kraken to Alteri with quick regard. "Then let us be swift," she says, stowing the bolas away before moving to cast the healing energies. "The sooner we return, the sooner that some may rest tonight fed..." She pauses, voice more quiet as she murmurs sa breath. "For a time."

Sharna doesn't buckle too much under Alteri's weight. Valiantly, she provides her wounded comrade support, draping one of Alteri's arms about her shoulders. The height difference is a problem, certainly, but she's doing her best. At the swordswoman's words, eyes flick to the beast and its majestic antlers - soaked with Alteri's blood as they may be.

"She has a friend who'd really like those antlers." the grey-skinned half-elf explains to the other two members of the group, mildly. "Would either of you mind letting her have them? I think she deserves them." she opines with a small smile. Alteri's blood soaks into her clothing as she helps the Eldanar towards her horse.

Kraken gives a nod, "They'd make an impressive battle helm, so if you'd likethem, then certainly they are yours." He goes to his horse and starts with the poles and netting, setting them up to take his place on his mount so that the warhorse can drag the bulk of the weight of the elk.

Nasirri attends to healing the unfortunate warrior for a few moments, letting the touch of healing magic flow. Quiet flames soothe bloodloss, bruises, the crack and weight of antler and hoof; a few bandages are added in turn, a moment's quiet nod before the Egalrin turns to Kraken's mount for its own blessing. Few words, but swift ones--- the magic is come and gone with a touch of fingers, a quiet breath.

By the blessings of Nasirri's gods, Alteri's colour returns, allowing her to cease being an awkward burden to Sharna. "Many thanks, Mistress Nasirri," voice quiet in the wake of a royal death, the Highborn straightens, giving both the Egalrin and half-Elf grateful looks. A few cautious movements then, testing the bandages. "You have a deft touch," she compliments the Egalrin.

Her main hand had instinctively kept a deathgrip on her sword all this while. With the worst of her wounds seen to, she now painstakingly takes a moment to clean her blood-stained blade with a handful of dry grass. Sharna's words cause her to blink. Oh, yes, she'd thought about that, but hadn't realised thought was given voice in her moment of weakness. She glances abashedly at the others, rubbing at her neck whilst mumbling, "I would... like to purchase the antlers. As Master Kraken has said, it would fetch fair coin to feed more mouths and fie that I would claim them as a right," At this, she gives Sharna a mildly exasperated look. That look turns into puzzlement when Kraken mentions something about using them for a helm.

Sharna helps Alteri up onto Stupid, striding beside the horse for most of the journey and only stealing a seat for brief spells when fatigue from walking catches up to her. Once back in the city, she becomes visibly more relaxed.

A small grin emerges on the Mul'niessa-blooded half-elf's face - slightly wicked at the edges - as the party strides into Alexandria. "You know, I've changed my mind." she drawls at Alteri. "I think I'll take your offer of repayment." The impish grin flares. "But not now - I desperately need a hot bath and a drink. I'll let you handle the skinning and other stuff - I'll find us a buyer for the pelt." And with those words and a wiggle of nimble fingers, she's striding off into the night.

Now, all that is left, is gutting the creature, and tying it up to be hauled back to Alexandria. It takes longer to reach Alexandria, even with Nasirri's prodigious spellcasting, than it did to reach the clearing, simply because of the bulk that is being carried behind - avoiding rocks and trees and the like.

Along the way, the Cleric of the Pheonix offers words of encouragement, beauty, and healing. However, cold does begin to creep in, despite Nasirri's efforts to keep it away, darkness has spread out across the land. Several hours past full dark, the group finally makes their way to the city gates, shut for the moment, but just beyond them warmth and comfort are waiting.

It takes some swift words, and compliments given by the silver-tongued cleric, and finally the guards open the gates, letting the group in. After all, this was an errand of mercy, and mercy is what many in Alexandria need now.