6. The Stone Wood

[tumblingdice]

So, what's the plan, then? Head north? Stay at Sukiskyn for a few days to heal, but head out to the moors at night? Something else?

[badams30]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan votes to stay at Sukiskyn just long enough to get healed and all spellcasters stocked with spells, then we set out. We can't let Stephen's trail get too cold.

[Blood axe]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan votes to stay at Sukiskyn just long enough to get healed and all spellcasters stocked with spells, then we set out. We can't let Stephen's trail get too cold.

Harn seconds that vote.

[tumblingdice]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan ponders the Loshad question and consults Soldath and perhaps Pyotr and Taras. "I believe that some of my companions put too much stock in this Loshad character, but perhaps he has some idea of where we can find this ruin at. What do you think?" He glances at the homesteaders and says "Our ability to quickly locate this place will get Stephan back home that much quicker."

OOC: If the consensus is that the Loshad might be able to answer some questions, Athelstan will volunteer to seek him out to ask him some questions. If he does, he won't tolerate the presence of others who may seek to insult the thing, as Athelstan isn't convinced that he's got anything to do with this other than he's not keen on those who use horses....

[kwll]

Tethir - Elf

Tethir has been standing by the tapestry, seemingly, transfixed. He suddenly shakes off his stupor:

"One thing I can tell you about this lake - my clan, the Vyalia, live right by it and I can say with certainty that the ruins of Xitaqa are not near it. We need to try elsewhere."

Meringered observes the tapestry again. "If this symbol is not Xitaqa, then what is it?" he asks, scratching his head.

[tumblingdice]

"There's two symbols," Matvey, the young boy says. "Three if you count that one way up there," he adds, jumping up to reach the upper left corner of the tapestry.

Meringered says a prayer to the immortals revered by the Traladarans. He heals Harn first (6 hp), then Anja (3 hp).

Pyotr's elder mother Kuzma comes forward. "Step aside," she says to Meringered. She says a prayer of her own over Anja, healing her as well (3 hp). She scowls, then scans the faces of your party. She stops at Tret's, then crosses the room and lays her hands on the thief (4 hp). "Be at peace," she says in Traladaran.

Soldath 9/10
Athelstan 20/25
Tret Renegats 17/18
Harn Hammerhand 26/30
Meringered 8/9
Tethir 12/12
Anja 19/22

Any other actions or conversations?

[greyarea]

Tret, rogue

I say we stay one more day and then set out to find Stephen, as the fighters say.

[Blood axe]

Harn Hammerhand

Harn nods to Tret.
Aye, one more day, then lets be off.

[Spanningtree]

Soldath - Mage

Topping off his ale and taking a swig: Another day, then north we go. Burp.

[tumblingdice]

You all turn in for the night.

Day 20, Tserdain, Thaumont 20th, Sukiskyn, late afternoon

For the first time in what seems an eternity, you wake after a peaceful night's sleep indoors. You spend the day resting, studying, praying, polishing your weapons, and going through your equipment. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and a warm breeze blows through the budding trees.

Does your quiet mind give you time to plan your next move? Reflect upon your adventures? Grieve for the friends you've lost over these past three weeks?

**Cue flashback montage to remind you of everything that's happened. optional reading**
What a three weeks it's been! Help Igli's friend Stephan escort a herd of pure white horses from Sukiskyn to Rifllian and sell them to the Callarii elves. It seemed like such a simple job at the time, sitting there in Kelvin at the Sign of the Smashed Tankard. But then came the ambush and treachery on the river. Strange manacle tattoos. Fishing the old lady's dress from the water. Misha's Ferry, but no Misha, only her bear. Parting ways with Bombar Boulderfist. Then meeting Bizenghast, the strange Glantrian wizard.

Sukiskyn, burning and under siege by goblins: Redblade, Viper, Wolfskull. Defending the homestead all through the night. Athelstan on the edge. Igli and Marion dying in battle the next morning. Enmity between Tret and Soldath. Retrieving the horses, but losing Jarek to the horse trader and her thugs. The strange tapestry.

Searching the burnt-out settlements with Gregor. News of Bombar's death. Meeting Kalanos, beserk boatman. Killing Vlack and his frost-breathing ice wolf. Crossing the moors, meeting more refugees. Sighting the black stallion. Parting ways with Bizenghast.

Routing the Viper goblin lair. Rescuing Harn Hammerhand. Stumbling into the Stone Wood. Renardius falling to the dire wolves and Wolfskull goblins. Joining forces with Anja, Ha'arcus, Tethir and Meringered. Talking with fire beetles. Reckoning with the Wolfskull. Cold-water piranhas. The death of Ha'arcus. Thouls. Hungry ferrets. Albina the crazy old lady.
**end flashback**

Now you're back at Sukiskyn, sitting in the great hall, planning your next move. What will it be? Anybody up for a midnight stroll on the moors?

Soldath 10/10
Athelstan 21/25
Tret Renegats 18/18
Harn Hammerhand 27/30
Meringered 9/9
Tethir 12/12
Anja 20/22
Jörg 25/25

Actions?