Star Furrrows Missing Knots

Log Info

• Title: Star Furrows Missing Knots
• Emitter: Barclaiigh
• Characters: Barclaiigh, Ravenstongue, Rocky, Vaera
• Place: W02: the Wilderness
• Time: Saturday, March 5, 2022, 5:30 PM
• Summary: Ravenstongue and Vaera have returned to the wilderness in search of the missing druid, Barclaiigh. After combing the wilds on the border of the Felwoods unsuccessfully the day before they've returned with some additional assistance in the form of the sith-makar, Rocky. Frustration mounts as the Khazad-aul continues to remain elusive but persistence eventually pays off.

Obviously returned from some manner of harrowing experience, Bar is battered and speaking unintelligibly and there's no sign of Porter. The three other mercenaries do their best to calm him, Ravenstongue eventually resorting to some enchanting magics. They head back to their camp to consider next steps.

Yesterday was a day of battle. The rumble with the alien tree-like creature and the glowing, airborne jellyfish on the border of the Felwood is still fresh in your minds. Attempts to track down the missing Khazad-aul and his black bear companion were fruitless in the wake of the chaos. There were no tracks to follow and no spore to signal the monstrous assailant's passing.

You had to rest, eventually, and your dreams were unpleasant. This has been a recurring theme of late...

With no clues on where better to look for the missing druid, the group splits up and spreads out. Perhaps reinforcements are obtained from the city... but so far it's only been another handful of fruitless hours combing the winter woods for a thing that doesn't seem to be there.

GAME: Ravenstongue refreshes spells.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So you guys can decide what you did but I have been advised that Bar is unfindable for a day. And the dream from her @mail happens if you sleep."

Ravenstongue comes to a rest in the middle of the searching, taking a moment to sit on a large rock--well, large in proportion to the rest of her. Her hands trace over the feather mark with its new lines curled around it on her chest, exposed by the lower neckline of the light wool dress more appropriate for the awkward transition of winter fumbling into spring.

Her violet eyes squint as she looks out at the horizon. "He has to be out there," she says. Her fingertips lift up from the mark over her heart. "I just wish I knew /where/."

Rocky was told there was trouble. That's enough to get involved. What -kind- of trouble remains a bit hazy to the greayscale. "Saaa... airborn jellyfish... what kind of jelly? This One does not know that type of fish." And honestly, why would he? He was raised in a jungle. Not a lot of jellyfish around there.

Vaera was continuing to look, and growing increasingly frustrated at an inability to find any traces of who they were looking for, or the problem they were sent out to fix. "Giant jellyfish, bigger than you or me. Or butterflies. I am not entirely certain what they are, but they're dangerous." The hunter sighs. "I don't know if they got transported to some other plane or something like that, but if they did, then we need to find where."

Rocky considers. "...why are flying flower petals named after processed cream? Tradespeak is very strange. But these are unusual creatures, even for these twisted woods? Is it known, are they demonic? Fey in nature?"

"We were in Quelynos, or close to it, when we were fighting that jellyfish and that tree," Ravenstongue says, her eyes still focused on the horizon. "I normally wouldn't suggest a jaunt into Quelynos unless it was to visit Grandfather, but..."

She stands up from the rock and hops down with a little 'humph'. "I think it might be our best option of finding him."

<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Go ahead and roll Perception checks."
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Stealth: (18)+-1: 17
GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception+2: (7)+4+2: 13
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (13)+6: 19
You paged Vaera with ‘Vaera will spot the dwarf back through a copse you'd already searched. The glowing edges of his armor catch her eye even from the distance.’
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Rocky misses cuz of distance but I gave V a page."

"I could not tell you why they are called butterflies. Maybe they taste like butter, but I have no desire to test that theory at the moment. Jellyfish are called such most likely due to their resemblance to the substance made from boiled animal bones served to nobles. It could be something similar." Vaera shrugs. Though before she can say more she turns back around to catch a glint of light, and she holds up one hand for the others. "I think I see the dwarf, back where we came from. At least it looks like him, for the most part, back where we came from." She states, jogging back through the forest to push through the trees to where she saw him.

Ravenstongue follows close behind Vaera, picking up the speed as they jog. "Are you sure? Where's the bear?" she asks, concern evident in her voice as she looks around. Best to keep an eye out for big grumpy bears in addition to hairy dwarves.

Rocky finds dwarves to look alike, but has the same problem with most softskins. He joins in the jog, quite swift for all his mass. "Is maybe trap, but have no better to check."

As described by Vaera, Barclaiigh wanders, limping, with his back to you at an angle. The dwarf's hair is matted on one side and teased at the other, his furred cloak is missing, and his spear drags behind him hanging off the dangling sling.

Even having spotted the druid through the copse Vaera has to keep him in sight. He leaves no trail in the wilderness. Brush remains undisturbed, branches unbent, and there's no imprint in the grass where his sandals trod. There's no sign of Porter; the large bear would be quite difficult to miss.

His low voice mixes with the wind, the meaning of his mutterings lost.

"Barclaiigh? Barc, is that you?" Ravenstongue calls out to him, cupping her hands over her mouth to amplify her voice.

"Where's Porter, though?" the half-elf then comments with a frown. "I hope the poor thing didn't get lost... I'd be really upset if I lost Pothy."

The white raven has been unusually quiet on Ravenstongue's shoulder, peering out at the landscape with his blue eyes. Apparently he /is/ capable of being silent when the situation calls for it.

Vaera was continuing to jog after him, but she slows down to hail the dwarf. "Barclaiigh, yes. We were looking for you after encountering that tree before. Are you alright? If you need any healing or a place to rest, we can make camp." The hunter offers, hesistant to physically confront the dwarf for the time being.

Rocky slows in confusion, but rapidly puts himself foreward again. If anything is wrong, his place is between trouble and others. "Saaa... no tracks? Strange."

"... feel inta an boggy keg," Barclaiigh grumbles, swaying at the sound of voices and coming up short. With a bit of effort his left hand comes up to worry at his tangled beard. "Ample... ample britches, hrmmm."

The dwarf groans a wince, tugging hard and pulling his fingers free-- along with a bit of wavy auburn beard. He turns to face the trio with one unfocused eye. The other droops, cock-eyed and glassy. His right arm is in a makeshift sling with his forearm swollen and bruised.

"Ochre? Randy boars... fade under bucket pins."

Rocky nods slowly at the message, leaning to quietly inquire of the others. "Do you speak dwarf? I did not understand."

Ravenstongue stops to listen to Barclaiigh and frowns as she looks at him. "I... Hmm. There's something really rotten going on here and I don't like it," she says quietly to Vaera and Rocky. "It sounds and looks like he's been through something..."

She raises her hand. "I could try and dispel any magic that's on him?" she suggests.

"No, it is not dwarven. He is speaking in common, but nothing that makes sense." Vaera explains to Rocky, before nodding to Ravenstongue. "I do not like this either. This is all too similar to a dream I had when I was recovering earlier. Only this time, it is not a dream or vision. Whatever you do, do so without touching him."

Bar flinches back, shaking his head and turning his 'good' eye to the sky over his shoulder. His lips move wordlessly and he slams his fist into his wounded arm. He sucks in a quick breath and forces it out slowly through his nose. Then a second time. When he looks back up at the three he's shaking his head and his eyes are misting. He takes a step closer.

"Ploddin'!" The druid makes his hand a claw, tapping his fingertips forcefully into his breastplate. "Ploddin'. Bramble river sky 'tween mule crate star furrows!" He chops his good hand down, twice, and then points a finger between Vaera and Ravenstongue. There's a quick, manic step forward and he spits when he forcefully repeats "Star. Furrows!"

<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Casting Charm Person on Barclaiigh with Persistent Spell metamagic."
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Charm Person/Persistent. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "DC should be 19 thanks to Arcane Bloodline's bloodline arcana"
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Will+2: (4)+8+2: 14

"I had that dream too," Ravenstongue recalls, shuddering. "I forgot about it until now--or was trying too, anyway."

She takes a few steps back from Barclaiigh and looks over to Vaera. She's frightened, but her eyes gain a sudden resolve as she looks back to Barclaiigh. "Okay... I have an idea..."

Ravenstongue raises her hand and she weaves a charming spell onto Barclaiigh. Whatever his state, she's hoping that he will at least follow her.

"Come on, Barclaiigh," she says sweetly, "let's get you somewhere where people can help you."

Rocky stays still, baffled by the whole set of events. But the others seem to at least have a clue, so, good?

<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "You guys have kn.nature, yeah?"
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Knowledge/Nature: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/nature: (15)+6: 21
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So Bar has bits of brambles and the like stuck to him that aren't terrestrial flora."
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "ie: weird shit not from Gaea."
GAME: Rocky rolls knowledge/nature: (19)+2: 21

"That is not dispelling magic, Ravenstongue." Vaera sighs. "But, perhaps necessary under these circumstances. We may need to find someone with a better understanding of magic to figure out what is going on fully."

The hunter steps back, and watches, waiting to see what might happen.

The dwarf's expression softens when Ravenstongue's spell takes hold. His shoulders sag as some of the manic energy drains out of him. He shakes his head again... but more slowly this time. The one responsive eye anrrows to try and find some understanding while the other just sags and leaks.

"Star furrows missing knots," he begs. The dwarf looks down, raising a fist to slam against the wounded forearm. He swoons and falls down to one knee, nearly tripping on his dragging spear. A plaintive look is offered to the sorceress and he motions to his lips, then his bloodied ear. "Feeling songs under mind temples..."

"..." His mouth is just making wet sounds as his lips move, turning to look one direction and then another.

<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Kn.Arcana?"
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (6)+15: 21
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Now this is just getting silly. XD"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Haha, sadly it's not high enough. Your dice' will to conform has foiled your quest for knowledge!"

"Hey, hey, don't hurt yourself, Barclaiigh," Ravenstongue says quickly, in a tone that is certainly a reproach.

She looks to Vaera and says, "Let's lead him back to... Where do you think? The Soldier's Defense? Ygdrassil Union? The spell will last for several hours, so I should be able to lead him where we need to in that time."

<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Sense motive!"
GAME: Vaera rolls sense motive: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Sense Motive: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Rocky rolls sense motive: (12)+2: 14
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "RT and Rocky are pretty sure Bar is having as much trouble understanding as he is being understood."
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Vaera might feel strongly enough to make a bet that direction."

Rocky chuffs softly. "Words... cannot speak words.. maybe cannot hear words good either?" The greyscale knows a littlte something of that. "Just point and gesture? Maybe is better?"

"Seems like he doesn't understand what we're saying particularly well. Which is, strange." Vaera nods, followed by a long sigh. "I don't see porter anywhere, and I don't think we'll be able to understand if he can say anything about it."

"I am, not sure which is the better option. The union sent us out there, so they may know more about what happened. But, it could be dangerous to bring him there. Perhaps if we let them know we are coming, and what happened, that would be best."

"I should stay with Barclaiigh, then, if either one of you wants to send word ahead to the Union," Ravenstongue replies. "I don't want him getting confused or lost--sometimes people react in... strange ways to being charmed, and can react poorly if the person who charmed them walks away."

She looks to Barclaiigh and gives him a friendly smile and a thumbs-up, just to give him a friendly gesture. Rocky considers. "He is injured. Maybe healing will help. But This One is not a healer." Rub some dirt on it and walk it off.

"It is best not to leave you both alone if that is the plan." Vaera nods. "I can travel with us back to the camp, and move ahead to alert them. That will give us time to monitor how he is doing on the way, as well."

Vaera offers a thumbs up of her own. "We will get this figured out, I promise."

"Let's get him back to the camp," Ravenstongue agrees with a firm nod.

"Snacks," Pothy says. There are snacks back at camp. He earns a little pat on the head and a scritch under his throat-feathers for that.

"Fields circle over dark limbs," Barclaiigh sighs in defeat. He stands back up and watches Ravenstongue looking for all the world like a whipped dog. He pushes his knuckles roughly across his mouth and swallows then bucks his hips and kicks at the spear tangling about his legs.

The dwarf doesn't seem to know what's going on but falls into step, constantly pausing to look back over his shoulders or jumping at shadows.

Rocky keeps towards the back of the traveling group, not quite trusting the addled dwarf enough to not keep an eye on him. Hasn't been violent, but might try to run off.

Vaera steps off to the side, and finds where Wyrmere was waiting patiently nearby. Partly so she could head off quickly to message those at the grove when necessary, and partly to keep the inquisitive swiftclaw under control. She heard enough about visions becoming reality of late from Skielstregar to treat this with more than a small amount of wariness.

Ravenstongue walks with Vaera, up to the front of the formation. She keeps an eye on Barclaiigh as the group goes, making sure he's not about to run off from the group.

Pothy is not nearly so concerned with Barclaiigh. Barclaiigh is not a snack, so the dwarf has nothing of interest. He whistles into Ravenstongue's ear and she responds back with a quiet whistle of her own, apparently some sort of coded communication between the two.