Act II: Ill Fortunes

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan plucks the arrow out of his shoulder. "Flesh wound," he mutters, and almost absentmindedly invokes healing upon himself as he sticks his fingers  under the pauldron to massage the wound. (CLW - Self (1d8+5=7))

He wanders back to the party, collecting his spooked horse (and, coincidentally, his bow) along the way. "Nice horsey. Good horsey for following Stardancer. Have an apple." He fishes around in his saddlebags... "Have an apple later. All my fresh food's been doled out back in town." (Handle Animal (1d20=13))

About then he hears Marius' request for healing. "Oh. Sorry. I dispelled the endowment yesterday morning so I could make more food, and restore that poor sod with the club foot. Bloody Danovich... hadn't been tending that flock in a LONG time." Ioan starts to mumble a bit. He reaches out to Marius and invokes healing with a pass of his hand over an ugly-colored bite. CLW - Marius (1d8 5=10).

And then he looks closer at the healed wound, recalling the sickly color that ALMOST remained even after it was fully closed. (Heal Check (1d20 5=19))

He looks at the beasts on the ground. His eyes widen.

"Werewolves. Oh."

He looks back at Marius, and again at the closed, healthily-healing wound. He smiles. "You won't be joining them this month, friend." He claps Marius on the shoulder. "You were too stout for the bite."

[unkabear]

Hasssid gives one shrill whistle and StarDancer comes storming back at full Gallop, Hassid begins to run by her side and as she began to over take him he grabbed the saddle and in a fluid movement swung into the saddle, StarDancer charging after the elf.

Handle Animal = 21
Ride = 21

[Adam Godson]

Adam watches Hassid follow the elf and he quickly gathers his horse.  This ambush explained much of the "darkness" and "evil" of this stretch of the road.  These werewolves have been dispatched, but the apparent ring leader was quickly moving away.  He needed to be dealt with. 

As he mounted he called to party.  "Yemam, we'll need your taking skills to flush out this brigand.  We need to catch Hassid as quickly as possible as who knows what other ambushes await us."

"Ioan,  gather the remaining horses and follow after us as quickly as possible.  I'll leave chalk marks on the trees so you have a path to follow.  Stick together as a group so nobody has the chance to pick us off one at a time." 

While Adam waits for Yemam to recover his horse he retrieves some chalk from his satchel.  He then  follows Hassid into the woods stopping every 100 yards or so to leave a large chalk mark at eye level on the trunk of a large tree.  Those who look closely will recognize the sign of the Tree. 

[Marius Ionescu]

"Thank you," Marius says with the greatest smile to Ioan.

Hassid bolts after the rotten elf as great as he is he's going to need some help Marius thinks to himself - nothing stopping him from leading us into another ambush.

Marius runs up to the slain werewolf, yanks the arrow from its hide and quickly examines it, "still good," he smiles.  Just then Ioan brings back the horse, Marius jumps into the saddle in a smooth motion.  "Adam, make the marks I'll ride up to Hassid he will need help," Marius exclaims to his tactical friend and gallops after Hassid.

Recover arrow=45%
Ride =20

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan climbs up onto his horse. "Giddup, you" he says, steering the beast after Marius and Yemam.

"If you guys think you can track an elf in the woods... well... okay. I'm in. But he was GONE before I knew it."

[allornothing]

Lorelei was still caught up in being attacked by werewolves. Things just kept getting better for the team, didn't they? Still mounted upon her horse, she gave it a curt nudge to it's sides. But her mount didn't move. "Uhm, guys! C'mon.. let's go.." It takes her several minutes to get her horse on the right path, but soon she is following along. She really had no desire to try and track this elf, especially because she wasn't particularly skilled in doing so.

Ride (1d20+3=8)

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam grabs hold of the horse and attempts to saddle her quickly.  However, his foot slips as he jumps and Yemam wastes more time then he would have liked to.

Yemam rides after Marius and Hassid.  However, his bad luck continues as a branch sneaks up on Yemam and pounds him in the face.

Ride = 4
Spot = 13

[Ikoma]

At first, Hassid can still see the elf... or see the effects of the elf passing through the woods and brush.  It's obvious that he's moving under magic speed.  He's also moving deeper into the forest, choosing paths that lead by and through brush and thick trees.  But Hassid is on a horse - a fast one - and even if he's forced to take the long way around an obstacle or two, he's able to at least keep up.  Sooner or later two things are going to happen.  Whatever spell or potion that speeds the elf is going to run out.  And the elf is going to reach the deep woods, deep enough that Hassid won't be able to follow on horse back.  Which one will happen first is anyone's guess.  (Need a ride check from Hassid; DC 15)

Meanwhile the others gather their horses and mount up.  They end up forming a loose line as the group tries to follow Hassid through the woods.  None are riders as good as he is.  Any attempt to keep up with Hassid is fraught with danger (Ride check; DC 15.  Just staying close enough to hear him is DC 10.)

As Adam rides, his vision begins to fade.  It is as if a cloud has passed over the sun for him and for him only.  He is forced to put his mount to a walk and allow the animal to find its own way.  Just when things appear to be their bleakest... a light appears.  He can see nothing in the light.  He can see nothing outside of the light.  But he knows to follow the light.

[unkabear]

Hassid finds himself pushing StarDancer, but StarDancer was answering his call.  He had not ridden like this since he found himself in this land, trees, rocks, valley's find themselves in his way, and like an arrow shot from a masters hand StarDancer navigates them with little difficulty.  Hassid could feel that the Elf was near and getting closer.

It was if the path that was not there was opening itself up before them.

Ride check = Nat 20 = 37

[Marius Ionescu]

For a second Marius almost saw StarDancer, but Hassid was a great warrior and a far better rider than he, there was no shame in admitting that, "damn he's good," but deep down Marius had a feeling, maybe it was his vengeful mind maybe dad channeling a warning - this was a trap. 

Marius allowed his eyes to focus, searching for his friend and seeing the upcoming branch at the last second.  Lowering his head, and ducking the branch, Marius whispered to horses spirit, "help me that warrior is my friend and he and StarDancer are in great danger, please help me."  Marius lifted his head and grabbed the reigns tight, he may not have been able to ride like Hassid but he had something better - raw talent! He swung the reigns from side to side galloping as fast as he could, "dad I know your listening, please direct all the dangers away from Hassid toward me, if something would happen to him I don't think I could forgive myself," Marius whispered then added, "I'll gladly die for that one!"

Ride=21
Spot=14

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ride (1d20+1=18)

Ioan suddenly realizes he's in front of Marius, Yemam, and Adam...

"Nothin' for it. Good horsey..." he mutters, concentrating on keeping Hassid in sight. It's a hard ride. No way is he going to be able to chalk trees. He might dent one, though. He focuses on the ride.

[Adam Godson]

Adam reigns his horse toward the light.  In the distance he can hear his companions crashing through the woods.  So far there are no sounds of combat.  That is good.  Hopefully they can remain together while he investigates this strange occurance.   

Adam's heart races as he approaches the light.  The abilitiy to manipulate light and darkness in such a manner spoke of great power.  In any place other than Ravenloft it would be a sure sign of diety.  Here however, things were different. 

As this thought entered his head Adam immediately began to mentally rebuke himself.  Such thoughts brought doubt, despair, and loss of faith.  Hadn't he just communicated with the Father minutes ago.  The light ahead was an answer to his prayer.  In a show of faith Adam sheathed his sword and removed his helm.  He began singing one of his favorite childhood hymns as he rode into the light and whatever the Father had waiting for him there.   

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam slows his mount down.  "This is pointless."  Yemam knows that he cannot ride as well as Hassid and he doesn't have the pure talent of Marius to keep up.  Yemam turns around and notices Adam riding slowly and almost without direction.  He turns his mount around and comes up to the Paladin. 

"Adam...are you okay?  You singing...do you know that?"

Ride = 7

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius continues to press after Hassid, watching for signs of ambush.  Then out of nowhere Ioan appears in front of him - not knowing where his friend came from, he could have sworn he was a better rider based on being Marius, amazes him.

[Ikoma]

Hassid starts to catch the elf in an amazing display of horsemanship.  Marius, at least, has Hassid in his sights.  Ioan and Lorelei have Marius in their sight.  And bringing up the rear, is Yemam, who is watching an oddly acting Adam.

The elf seems to know he's not making a getaway.  Plus, the unnatural speed seems to be wearing off.  With no warning, he stops, turns and knocks and arrow to bow.  The bolt whistles through the leaves, narrowly missing Hassid's head before slamming into a branch behind him.  He then steps behind a nearby tree.

Meanwhile, Adam's vision continues... something is moving in the white light.  Something with four legs.. but he cannot make it out.  No matter how hard he strains.  Yemam can also sense something moving in the thick underbrush.
((Sorry about the delay.  Parent/Teacher Conference went longer than I expected due to this being junior high.  Also, I'm headed off this afternoon to watch BYU pulp USU so don't expect another post until Monday.))