PlanetADnD.com

The elven village appears peaceful and prosperous. One wonders if this might be what most elven villages looked like before the nightmare arrived. As the disguised bozaks lead the party through the village square, they attract more than a few gazes. Some elves watch in curiosity, others show a hint of fear. It's clear this place doesn't get many outsiders.

The party is escorted to a beautiful stone structure, like a small palace. The main gate is guarded by half a dozen elven sentries. They nod to the disguised bozaks, and let them and the party pass.

Once inside, they are quickly ushered down into a dungeon, in the basement. There are two, large cells, opposite of each other. The party is thrown into one, where they find there is already an occupant. Her hair is messy and she's covered in filth, but it is none other than Malika!

After everyone is inside, the bozaks shut the gate and lock it. Two sentries patrol the hallway outside of the gate, while the rest depart, one of them taking Greycap with him. "Put him in the stables with the others," one bozak says.

"Well," Malika says sarcastically, putting her hands on her hips, "nice of you to finally come rescue me."

Meanwhile, Babushka makes her way after the group, coming upon the village a short time later. Elven guards patrol the border, but it may be possible for her to sneak in if she's careful.

===========

It is now Fifth Watch (11 AM), Summer Run 13th.

Remembering that there have been draconians disguised as elves, Babushka decides to first keep to the woods and watch the village, circle it to get an idea of its size, maybe climb a tree again to get an overview. Perhaps she can see where Dekker and the other anlimals are kept, and how they're guarded?

If there is something like a hunting party leaving the village, she will follow them, see if they're turning into draconians once out of sight. If they don't, and she's pretty sure thy're real elves, she'll show herself to them as fellow hunter and phoenix of Habbakuk.

"Yes, well, we do what we can," Imani says as she looks around the cell. "What can you tell us about this place, and what exactly is going on?" she asks. "There are actual elves here. Why are they trying to fit in with them?"

OOC: Are they still tied up?

Locky wanders into the cell, looking very crestfallen, she walks over to Jerrard her face full of concern. "Rescue you? We have been looking for you for a long time." Locky frowns, kicking the bars gently.

Jerrard moves towards Malika, "You are here...?" He mumbles, his voice raising and lowering with no control. "All I hear is a Buzzing sound, like bees are having a party in my brain."

Babushka circles the perimeter of the village, searching for a tree large enough and safe enough to climb so that she can get a better view of things. It takes some time, but she finally finds one that might suit her purposes.

Meanwhile, in the cell, Malika answers Imani's question. "I'm not really sure," she admits. "This place is ruled by a pair of elves called Lord and Lady Jadestone. The draconians work for them, as far as I can tell, and most of the citizens are ignorant of the fact. Pretty ignorant of most anything, actually. From what I could find out, they don't know anything about the war, the nightmare, or anything else. I was branded a 'trespasser' since humans aren't allowed in the forest, and that's the justification they used in locking me up."

===========

(OOC: No, they are no longer tied up.)

Babushka climbs the tree and stays there for a while, trying to get a picture of the daily life in the village, and to get an idea of the purpose of the various buildings. Can she see the place where the animals are kept?

She will sta in the tree until nightfall, or until she sees a hunting or gathering party leave the village so she can stage a chance encounter with them (outside the village) before their return.

Locky listens to the conversation as she does what she can for Jerrard before helping Thuskar to sit (with Ulsters help)

"Odd," Imani says. "That doesn't really explain why they are after the kirth," she adds with a sigh. "Though, I am interested in meeting this Lord and Lady Jadestone."

"You probably will soon enough," Malika remarks. "They seem pretty interested in questioning everyone the draconians capture for them."

==========

(OOC: As Babushka is waiting for nightfall, I'll have to put her on pause until we resolve this scene. Everyone let me know when you are ready to fast forward.)

Locky pulls her medalllion from her robes, and calls on Paladine to heal the group.

(Three cure lights on Imani, Thuskar and Ulster. 1d8=7, 1d8=5, 1d8=5 Should heal each of them.)

"I think I can help when I rest." She smiles. "Have you been here all the time Malkia? Jerrard is.. deaf at the moment, but he has missed you.." she grins. "I want to meet with them too.."

Unable to hear what is going on, Jerrard gives Malika a weak smile, (Can he cast a cleaning Cantrip to clean Malkia?)

"Locky, perhaps you should leave the talking to me when we do meet them?" Imani suggests.

Locky's prayers completely heal Imani and Ulster, and almost completely heal Thuskar. Sadly, Thuskar's blindness persists. "Will I be like this forever?" he wonders aloud.

Malika nods to Locky. "They came on horseback and rounded me and the animals up while you were all off fighting. They brought me here, and here I have been ever since. I don't know what they intend to do with me, but I've been trying to charm the Lord and Lady." She shrugs. "It doesn't seem to work. Stupid elves are so resistant to magic, even mine."

==========

(OOC: Jerrard can use a cantrip, or cast a spell, but they have a 20% failure rate because he can't hear himself speak. So for a cantrip, that'll be a standard proficiency check with a -4 penalty. In other words, an 11 or less on a 1d20.)

Concentrating hard Jerrard focuses on Malika, he motions down her form willing the dirt away.

1d20=3 Success.
"Locky, could you remove the magic from us?" He asks with a whisper.