Pendar - Session 15

47 Merrysest, Earthsday -
After returning aboveground, Sana burying the discovered skeleton, and resting for the night, the party gathers their things in the morning, preparing to set out on the road again.

Atremis looks around, seeming as if he's having difficulty getting his bearings.
Efta and Nimue seem to be busy holding a conversation of their own.
Maximilian rubs his head, still feeling hazy.
Sana: "{Miss Pegasus, I have some... bad news... I don't think your old owner or master made it...}"
"{I'm... very very sorry I couldn't do anything for them...}"
Maximilian: "Say, Pol, I think they tried making a grave for you before they left. Think that's over there?"
"Ugh, I'm still feeling muddled from that poor spirit."
Pol Trisk: "B-but I'm alive! I don't need a grave!"
Maximilian: "That ringleader fellow really didn't want to linger. He was very rude."
He goes to examine the grave anyway, looking a little nervous.
Maximilian follows Pol.
Pol Trisk: "Boss isn't too nice when it doesn't make him any money... and there's a name here, and it's not mine. I don't reckon he'd spend the time on a grave for me, anyway."
Maximilian: "Ah, fair enough. I mostly remember the girls in tears."
"Let's have a mosey..."
Pol Trisk: "Penny... sure do miss her."
"But hey, it's not his fault this time. We were traveling fast to get to Alta leading up the coronation. Good times to be a performer."
Maximilian meanders over, peering at the graves.
Maximilian: "Ah, yes, the coronation!"
Atremis walks over to the nearby tree, shuffling through the bushes at its base.
One of them is recognized as Sana's handiwork, the earth recently overturned. The other looks to have been there for some time, small flowers planted on it, the headstone bearing the inscription "Nathanial Everton, a man of mercy and kindness".
Young Pegasus: "{Soul not dark now. Went home. Better than before. No more bad dreams.}"
Maximilian: "(Of course, the diary. So this must be Orielle's?)"
Sana pulls out a small holy symbol of Taelia.
Sana: "{I think I have something of hers or his, a holy symbol... I thought I should keep it as a memory of this person.}"
Young Pegasus looks at the trinket, whickering softly to Sana.
Young Pegasus: "{Smells like her. But dark. But light under dark.}"
Pol Trisk: "That's an odd critter. Would ya sell it?"
Sana: "...how many times can you survive being hit by a greatsword, I wonder...?"
Pol Trisk: "It's young enough we could train it up to act well. Um... I dunno. I'm the guard, I'm strong."
Sana: "If you try to take her, you will soon find out how many swings it shall take."
"She is not for sale."
Pol Trisk: "Hey, hey, relax, I said buy, not steal! Crazy girl!"
Atremis yelps suddenly and leaps back, as the brush he was nosing through catches a small fire.
Pol Trisk: "Lord sir knight, you're not gonna just let her threaten me, are you?!"
Maximilian: "You don't just buy or sell something like a pegasus."
"...but, uh, threats aren't a reasonable response either."
"Either way, let's put that aside. There's a fire!"
Pol Trisk: "HEY! What just happened?"
Sana: "...wha?"
Atremis whimpers sadly, looking at the fire.
Maximilian grabs his helmet, filling it with water. [Create Water]
Sana summons some water to put out the fire. [Create Water]
Maximilian and Sana are able to quickly put out the fire, leaving only a bit of burnt brush in a rather large puddle.
Atremis shakes his fur dry from the sudden drenching.
Sana: "Sorry, Atremis..."
Maximilian tilts his head to the ground, looking for a certain fox.
Maximilian: "(Was that... you?)"
Atremis: "(I... I'm not sure?)"
"(My head hurts...)"
"(It's hard to focus...)"
Maximilian: "(Likewise... everything is so foggy and sore.)"
Sana: "(I am preparing curative spells for you, please wait one moment while I prepare.)"
Sana mediates for a little while, and then gets up.
Sana: "Okay... Max, how does it hurt? Can you prepare restorative spells too?"
Maximilian: "I'm trying, but the mnemonics aren't coming to me. It's all too foggy."
Sana: "Okay then, I know what to try and cure, then."
Sana places her hands on Max's forehead, focusing healing energy into them. [Lesser Restoration: 2, 1]
Maximilian loosens up, then jolts sharply.
Sana: "Feel better...?"
Maximilian: "Ahh... argh! Ok, senses coming back in full force."
"I'm feeling more, I'll say that."
"Now, if Atremis was suffering what I had... give a moment for prayer."
Maximilian returns after some time in meditation, and calls out Atremis.
Maximilian: "Atremis, here boy! I can help your pain, as Sana did mine."
Atremis looks up at Max, having been rifling through the doused bushes.
Maximilian lifts Atremis up onto his shoulder, and pats his head with the opposite hand, channeling positive energy. [Lesser Restoration: 3]
Atremis blinks as the magical energy washes over him, shaking his head.
Atremis looks at the charred, doused brush.
Atremis: "...I made a mistake, didn't I?"
Maximilian: "Your head was muddled by the spirit. So was mine."
Atremis whimpers.
Maximilian: "It's okay. We should both be fine now."
Atremis: "I don't... honestly, I don't know how I do it."
Maximilian: "There are some kinds of people who have magic in their very blood. I don't know how they do it, either."
Atremis: "...But I'm not... I'm only a fox..."
Sana: "You're not only a fox, Atremis."
"You're much much more than a fox, now."
Maximilian: "You have the body of a fox."
"I don't know how much that would even matter."
Sana: "(Your mind is that of a people, though, so you get the ability to think like a people, and get granted those abilities. Also, the strange person is slightly close, we might want to speak more quietly.)"
Maximilian: "(Strange person?)"
Pol Trisk: "Did that girl hit me on the head and I forgot it?"
Maximilian: "I hope she didn't."
Sana: "Hm?"
Maximilian: "Sana, you need to stop relying on force when agitated."
Pol Trisk: "I thought I saw the fox talk. Are you a ventriloquist? Boss wanted to hire one."
Maximilian: "...OH!"
"You know, I imagine Efta could find a spell that does that."
Atremis barks at Pol.
Sana: "Why not go ask Efta about it?"
Pol Trisk: "Dammit Efta, I told you not to practice tricks like that on me!"
Pol Trisk stomps off to go argue with the two wizards, apparently forgetting Atremis.
Sana: "(That was close...)"
Maximilian: "(Yeah. I suppose we should consider hitting the road soon.)"
Atremis: "(...I'm really not normal, am I...)"
"(Why was I picked, anyways?)"
Maximilian: "(Commonfolk worry far too much about normality.)"
Sana: "(We... don't know. Maybe that person saw great potential in you.)"
Maximilian: "(What do you mean by 'picked'?)"
Sana: "(A druid awakened him, Max. ...um. As far as we know.)"
Maximilian: "(Awakened...? Well, I think I can guess what that means.)"
"(So, then he left Atremis to do whatever he wanted?)"
Sana: "(Apparently so... he was trying to come to terms with this new experience when he encountered us.)"
Maximilian: "(Now, that is peculiar.)"
Sana: "(...when did Atremis tell you?)"
Atremis tilts his head.
Sana: "(...well ...when did Maximilian find out that you had this gift, Atremis?)"
Maximilian: "(I worked out he could speak a while back, in Seskesa.)"
Sana: "(Oh, I see.)"
Maximilian: "Right, well, Pol said it. We need to make it to the coronation."
Pol wanders off to go sulk some distance away, seemingly frustrated by something Efta said.
Maximilian: "Argh, well, now I'm gonig to need to fetch him."
Sana: "I shall stay with Atremis"
Pol Trisk: "Hi, Sir Knight."
Maximilian: "Did something happen, Pol? We need to start preparing to move out."
Pol Trisk: "Efta's picking on me again. But okay, okay, I'm comin'."
Maximilian: "Thanks."
"I don't want you to miss out on your performances either."
Young Pegasus peers at Atremis curiously, prodding the burnt mess.
Sana: "{Miss Pegasus, we are readying to leave. Are you ready to come with us?}"
Atremis looks away, with a sense of shame.
Young Pegasus flaps her wings once energetically, looking back at Sana.
Maximilian heads to the wizards, informing them that the group will be moving out shortly.
Young Pegasus: "{No more bad things here. No more nice things here. New places time?}"
Sana: "Yes, new place time, Pegasus. And... something I have been wanting to ask.."
"{Do you have a name? Or if not, may I give you a name, please?}"
Efta, Nimue, and Pol prepare to set out, as Sana talks to the creature.
Maximilian contentedly moves on to adjust Marigold's straps and feed.
Young Pegasus: "{No name. Nice woman thought I would die. Used to be sick. No name until I was healthy. You give name!}"
Atremis looks at the pegasus, trying to assess its opinion of him.
Sana: "{I will name you Asteria... and Atremis the fox seems to like you.}"
Atremis attempts jumping onto the pegasus, attempting to imitate riding it similarly to Maximilian and Marigold.
Young Pegasus startles and panics, jumping away from Atremis and running in circles around Sana.
Sana: "Miss Pegasus, please calm down..."
Atremis falls down against the ground, just as surprised as the pegasus.
Sana speaks soothing words to the Pegasus in an attempt to calm her. [Handle Animal: 16]
Maximilian: "Whoa now, what happened here?"
Young Pegasus slowly begins to calm down with Sana's reassurance.
Sana: "Atremis jumped on her, and she got startled..."
Maximilian holds Marigold steady, keeping his hand by her snout.
Maximilian: "Hah, fox games. How sweet."
Sana rests her hands on the Pegasus' neck gently, trying to keep her calm
Sana: "Atremis, please don't do that again so suddenly... please?"
Atremis whimpers, looking guilty.
Young Pegasus nuzzles Sana, still shaking slightly.
Maximilian: "It's alright, lad. Just, remember a young horse is going to be flighty."
"Well, even an old horse gets flighty when it comes to things like that, haha."
Marigold whinnies in disdain.
Maximilian: "Well, okay, this old friend is hardened even for battle."
Atremis climbs back to his feet, watching the party and waiting for when they start heading out.
Sana: "{Sssh... it'll be okay, Miss Pegasus... and... what do you think of the name Asteria?}"
Young Pegasus: "{...Asteria! Nice! Fox mean! Stop mean fox!}"
Sana: "{Fox didn't mean to be mean, Fox was trying to play. Fox is sorry, won't do again, wants to get along.}"
Young Pegasus: "{...okay...}"
Maximilian climbs onto Marigold, and stands by Atremis.
Asteria looks calm now, watching Atremis less warily.
Sana: "Okay, we are ready, now. Let us go!"
The group returns to the road, Efta, Nimue, and Pol lagging a little behind to keep to themselves.

Passing back through the swamp safely and unhindered by nixies, the road seems quiet for a time, until the calm is interrupted by a panicked horse charging by, cart in tow.
Atremis leaps back out of the horse's path, shocked.
Maximilian: "Whoa, nelly!"
Maximilian sharply steers Marigold out of the path.
Up ahead, in the direction the horse ran from, a pack of owlbears have cornered two people.
[Sana: Casting Expeditious Retreat]
Atremis: "(What the...)"
Maximilian: "What in Ivanda's name?! We should hurry!"

[Maximilian - Initiative: 23
Half-Elf Merchant - Initiative: 22
Owlbear - Initiative: 17
Atremis - Initiative: 13 (Alert)
Owlbear - Initiative: 13
Half-Orc Merchant - Initiative: 11
Owlbear - Initiative: 11
Owlbear - Initiative: 10
Sana - Initiative: 5
Owlbear - Initiative: 4]

Atremis: "(Bears... owls...? Um...)"
Sana: "I don't understand either..."
Atremis: "I saw some before... they eat a whole lot."
"I saw them eat a squirrel in one bite once."
Maximilian: "Point is, we should stop them from eating people!"
Sana: "Taelia has gifted me with fleet feet today... I can reach them quickly."

Marigold storms round the side of the battle, her rider uttering prayers and readying his lance. [Fervor, Divine Favor, ready attack vs charge]

Half-Elf Merchant spots Maximilian, running toward him.
Maximilian: "You two! Can you fight? We'll help as we can!"
Half-Elf Merchant: "I can't... Raf, a little, but not against these things!"

The northern two owlbears make no move toward the group, far more interested in fighting over the horse they felled.
Maximilian: "Understood. Ivanda guide you to safety."

Atremis rushes forward to follow Maximilian, his nimble feet carrying him swiftly.

An owlbear trudges toward the other merchant, swiping at him.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 18, Damage: 3
Attack: 7, Damage: 7]
It leaves him with a minor wound, and he tries to stand his ground against the creature.
[Half-Orc Merchant : Dagger, Attack: 16, Damage: 4]
Another owlbear joins in attacking him.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 21, Damage: 6
Attack: 14, Damage: 7]
Half-Orc Merchant: "Linna, get out of here! Dunno who you lot are, but lend a hand, will ya?"
Maximilian: "What else is a knight for?"

The nearest owlbear looks surprised by Sana's appearance, scratching at her.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 10, Damage: 8
Attack: 24, Damage: 7]
Sana: "Ow!"

Maximilian lowers his lance, imbuing it with a silver sheen, and meanders round to back up the merchant.
[Lance, Attack: 18, Damage: 13]
The owlbear roars in pain as Max strikes it.

Half-Elf Merchant picks up a rock and lobs it at the nearest creature, then runs further.
[Half-Elf Merchant : Thrown Rock, Attack: 2, Damage: 2]
The further owlbears continue to devour the horse, still uninterested in other prey.

Atremis rushes around the owlbear Max is fighting, looking for a way to strike it.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 10, Damage: 4]
[Fox Bite, Attack: 13, Damage: 4, Sneak Attack: 8]
Atremis injures the owlbear further, despite barely managing to reach it.

Enraged, it blunders away, clawing at the little fox.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 20, Damage: 4
Attack: 16, Damage: 5]
It manages to reach him with one claw, too reckless to do much harm.
Half-Orc Merchant backs up carefully, trying to guard against the beasts as he runs.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 14, Damage: 3]
He manages to escape without further injury.
The owlbear looks hungrily at Max instead, lumbering forward to rake him with long talons.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 18, Damage: 4
Attack: 21, Damage: 5]
Maximilian grunts in pain, taking a steady blow.

Sana moves forwards and attacks the owlbear with her new sword.
[Sana : Peacemaker
Attack: 14, Damage: 13]
Sana cuts feathers off the creature, its thick coat protecting it from real harm.

Another owlbear slashes at her with a bizarre-sounding cry.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 23, Damage: 5
Attack: 22, Damage: 6]
It manages to strike a weak point in her armor, leaving a wound.

Maximilian: "Sana!"
Sana: "I'll be fine..."
Marigold rears up and flails at the closest owlbear.
[Marigold's Bite, Attack: 23, Damage: 9
Marigold's Hooves, Attack: 4, Damage: 5
Attack: 5, Damage: 4]
Marigold's bite weakens the owlbear further.
[Lance, Attack: 26, Damage: 16]
The owlbear collapses in a heap of bloody feathers.

Half-Elf Merchant ventures a little closer again, tossing another rock as she takes shelter in the low branches of a tree.
[Half-Elf Merchant : Thrown Rock, Attack: 2, Damage: 2]
The pair of owlbears wolf down the last of the horsemeat, and slowly begin to turn their attention to new targets.

Atremis runs through to the owlbear near Sana, attempting to protect her and bite it. [Acrobatics: 24]
[Fox Bite, Attack: 8, Damage: 6, Sneak Attack: 10]

Half-Orc Merchant backs away a little more, staying between the owlbears and the girl.
Atremis succeeds in drawing the owlbear's attention, it turning on him.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 25, Damage: 5
Attack: 17, Damage: 6]
It leaves a long slash on him, although not striking him twice.
Sana: "Atremis, be careful!"
Atremis whimpers, trying not to focus too much on the stinging wound.

[Sana : Peacemaker, Attack: 10, Damage: 12]

One of the owlbears claws at Sana.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 23, Damage: 3
Attack: 8, Damage: 3]
Sana winces in pain as another claw hits her.

Marigold begins to move, biting at the owl.
[Marigold's Bite, Attack: 15, Damage: 9]
Marigold manages to damage the owlbear, before it strikes back at the two.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 16, Damage: 4]
Marigold slips past the attack, bringing Max to striking distance briefly as she wheels around the unconscious beast.
[Maximilian : Lance, Attack: 25, Damage: 8]
Max wounds the owlbear as he passes it.
[Fervor: 2]

Half-Elf Merchant searches vainly for another rock to throw, then climbs further into the tree to hide.
An owlbear lumbers forward in search of more horse to eat, clawing Marigold.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 20, Damage: 5]
It manages to wound the creature, and the other one moves to swipe at Atremis.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 8, Damage: 4
Attack: 11, Damage: 4]

Atremis attempts to maneuver away from the mass of owlbears, attacking the one near Maximilian.
[Fox Bite, Attack: 31, Damage: 5, Sneak Attack: 11]
Atremis leaves the owlbear with a nasty gash.

Half-Orc Merchant tries throwing rocks as well, still too wounded to risk approaching the beasts.
[Half-Orc Merchant : Thrown Rock, Attack: 12, Damage: 2]
One of the owlbears plods after him, annoyed by the rock glancing off its feathers.
[Sana : Peacemaker Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 9, Damage: 8]
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 12, Damage: 3]
It ignores Sana's sword, failing to injure the fleeing merchant either.

Sana moves after him, futily trying to attack the crossbreed.
[Sana : Peacemaker, Attack: 15, Damage: 10]
Sana manages to strike it this time, weakening it more.

Another owlbear lumbers after her, attacking.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 15, Damage: 7
Attack: 26, Damage: 3, Crit confirm: 12, Damage: 5]
It leaves only a slight wound, fortunately.
Sana: "Ngh..."

Marigold moves round to aid Atremis.
[Marigold's Bite, Attack: 20, Damage: 10
Lance, Favor, Attack: 12, Damage: 11]
Max's lance misses the creature, but Marigold manages to injure it.
Maximilian: "Damn hardy buggers. They just won't fall!"

The owlbear moves away from the rest to focus on trying to fell Marigold.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 14, Damage: 7
Attack: 15, Damage: 8]
Maximilian: "You won't get this horse!"
Another one continues flailing at Atremis.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 7, Damage: 6
Attack: 12, Damage: 7]
Atremis dodges the owlbear's attacks, aiming for cooperating with Max on taking out another one.

Atremis lunges at the owlbear's side while Max has it distracted.
[Fox Bite, Attack: 16, Damage: 5, Sneak Attack: 7]
The owlbear takes a bad wound from Atremis's bite, roaring.

Half-Orc Merchant backs up and throws another rock, trying to keep one of the creatures distracted.
[Half-Orc Merchant : Thrown Rock, Attack: 15, Damage: 3]
The owlbear, slightly pained by the projectile, continues chasing him down.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 13, Damage: 7
Attack: 18, Damage: 4]
Half-Orc Merchant stumbles back from the injury, but remains standing.

Sana continues her assault.
[Sana : Peacemaker, Attack: 13, Damage: 8]
Sana shaves a few more feathers from the animal, as another keeps attacking her.

[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 13, Damage: 7
Attack: 19, Damage: 4]
It gets a claw past her armor, barely.
Sana yelps in pain as the claw hits its mark on her again, struggling to stand and a large gash on her arm
Maximilian: "Sana!"
Sana: "I'll... I'll be fine..."

Maximilian lowers his lance, and makes a daring charge towards her pursuer.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 22, Damage: 4
Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 20, Damage: 7]
The owlbears swipe at Max as he passes.
Maximilian endures the pain, thrusting his spear into the back of his target.
[Lance Charge, Attack: 26, Damage: 39
Marigold's Bite, Attack: 26, Damage: 12]
Max quickly strikes the owlbear with his daring assault, Marigold finishing it off.
Maximilian puts a hand to the claw marks, easing off the worst of the damage. [Fervor - Cure Light Wounds: 7]

The owlbear Max just escaped trudges after him, still blindly intent on turning Marigold into lunch.
[Fox Bite Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 8, Damage: 4, Sneak Attack: 15]
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 23, Damage: 5]
Maximilian deflects the swipe with the length of his lance. [Ride: 27]
Maximilian: "Haha! Not today!"
Sana: "Y-yeah... not today..."

The other owlbear turns its attention to Max, wary of his lance.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 13, Damage: 8
Attack: 10, Damage: 3]

Atremis moves aroun,  the nearby owlbear, lunging at previous gashes to worsen its state.
[Fox Bite, Attack: 24, Damage: 5, Sneak Attack: 6]
Atremis deals heavy damage to the creature, it beginning to tire.

Half-Orc Merchant gives up on rocks, stubbornly attacking the owlbear directly again.
[Half-Orc Merchant : Dagger, Attack: 15, Damage: 6]
The owlbear backs up with a growl, slashing back at him.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 18, Damage: 4
Attack: 7, Damage: 5]
The owlbear manages to wound him back significantly.

Sana continues to keep attacking the owlbear.
[Sana : Peacemaker, Attack: 7, Damage: 9]

Maximilian pivots to jab at the wounded owlbeast.
[Maximilian's Lance, Attack: 16, Damage: 7]
The owlbear squawks weakly at Max before flopping to the ground.
Marigold scoots round to get a new angle against the last bear.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 20, Damage: 3]
[Ride Check: 17]
Marigold whinnies in pain, and bites at the beast.
[Marigold's Bite, Attack: 12, Damage: 9]
Marigold bites only fur, however.

The owlbear growls, clawing back at Marigold.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 18, Damage: 8
Attack: 9, Damage: 7]
Marigold takes a staggering blow from one of the claws.

Atremis moves to the next owlbear, continuing to help support Maximilian's effort in gradually bringing the beasts down.
[Fox Bite, Attack: 23, Damage: 6, Sneak Attack: 9
Debilitate: Attack]
Atremis heavily injures the owlbear, distracting it.

Half-Orc Merchant desperately backs away from the owlbear, before succumbing to his wounds and collapsing.

[Sana : Peacemaker, Attack: 11, Damage: 10]

The owlbear wanders after him, finding helpless meat more interesting than the armored Sana.
Sana: "Help the merchant, he's down..."
Maximilian: "Of course!"
Half-Elf Merchant: "Raf, hold on!"

Maximilian: "Alright, one shot at this!"
Maximilian tugs at Marigold's reins, beckoning her to charge.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 22, Damage: 6]
Maximilian shrugs off the pain, fueled by adrenaline.
[Lance Charge, Attack: 24, Damage: 42]
[Ride Check: 24]
Max's lance nearly rips the owlbear in half, as he rides to the rescue.

Sana moves over to the fallen merchant, channeling healing energy. [Cure Moderate Wounds: 7]
Half-Orc Merchant slowly regains consciousness, groaning in pain.
Half-Elf Merchant jumps down out of the tree, running over to him.
Sana: "I tried healing him as best I could... I'm still able to heal a little more..."
Maximilian: "You've saved their lives, Sana."

The last of the owlbears growls to itself, deciding to try to take down the nearby, less armored prey.
[Owlbear : Claw, Attack: 10, Damage: 5]
Sana smiles a little, still a little shaky on her feet.

Atremis dodges the owlbear's claws, before deciding to dash northward, goading it.
[Owlbear : Claw Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 10, Damage: 7]
Atremis ducks under the owlbear's claw, and, once a safe distance from it, turns to stare at it, the tip of his tail glowing faintly.
[Foxfire, Attack: 24, Damage: 1 Fire, Sneak Attack: 10]
The owlbear roars as flames singe it.

Maximilian readies for one final charge in the battle.
[Lance Charge, Attack: 23, Damage: 28
Marigold's Bite, Attack: 11, Damage: 10]
Max just barely manages to slay the last of the owlbears as he passes it.
Half-Elf Merchant: "Raf! Raf, are you okay? Oh, thank you, miss!"
Atremis falls onto the ground, his adrenaline fading as the fatigue sets in.
Half-Orc Merchant: "Aaargh... yeah, keep your head on, girl, I don't die that easy. Thanks for the help, lass."
Sana: "Hold still, please.."
Sana channels more healing energy into the merchant. [Cure Light Wounds: 8]
Maximilian: "That was quite the shocker."
Atremis turns and begins to lick at the wounds the owlbear's claws left, attempting to clean and sanitize them.
Half-Orc Merchant: "Yeah, thanks, that's a mite better. Lucky for us you were here."
Maximilian: "Atremis, come join the rest of us, we can treat everyone's wounds in one go."
Atremis looks up to Max, and gets up, following the man and his horse.
Maximilian dismounts, and clasps his hands together.
Sana: "Ah, right, Atremis..."
Maximilian: "(Ivanda, grace us with your strength.)"
[Channel Positive Energy: 6]
Sana channels healing energy for everyone. [Channel Positive Energy: 5, 6]
Sana: "There we go..."
Atremis's wounds patch up entirely, leaving only bloodied fur as a sign of any injuries.
Sana stands up, feeling a lot less shaky.
Sana: "Everyone feeling better now?"
Atremis yips.
Half-Orc Merchant hauls himself to his feet, looking sadly at the broken cargo everywhere.
Maximilian rests against Marigold's sturdy body.
Maximilian: "Am now, though I'm still shaking."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Yes, thank you! I don't know what I'd do if I lost Uncle Raf too..."
Maximilian: "He's a courageous man, that's for sure."
Sana: "Mm, I do my best, thank you."
Atremis nuzzles against Sana's leg, attempting to get her attention.
Sana: "Ah, yes, Atremis?"
Maximilian: "This is one sorry mess, though."
Sana bends down to talk to the fox.
Half-Orc Merchant: "Lady Luck isn't smiling on us, of late... first the boss gone missing and now this."
Atremis reaches his paws high up Sana's leg, as if miming attempting to climb her.
Sana: "Ah, yes~"
Half-Elf Merchant: "Papa..."
Maximilian: "It might be worth a brief career change to tanners, looking at this."
...your boss went missing?"
Sana picks up Atremis happily, stroking his fur, moving over to the Half-Elf Lady with the fox in her arms.
Half-Elf Merchant: "Papa never met us back down the road..."
Maximilian: "Oh. What is his name?"
Half-Elf Merchant: "Say, you're travelers, right? And knights? His name's Cobb. A tall human with blond hair and a badly scarred nose. He had business back in Auna and was going to catch up to us..."
Half-Orc Merchant: "Linna, watch it..."
Maximilian: "Cobb... Cobb..."
Maximilian bites his lip.
Maximilian: "I think I might have seen someone with a face like that."
Half-Elf Merchant: "You saw him!? Oh, where?"
"We can't really do much for you now,... but please, please tell me."
Half-Orc Merchant elbows the girl, scowling.
Maximilian: "Uhm, sir Raf, a moment please?"
Half-Orc Merchant: "...Arright, arright, let's hear this."
Maximilian beckons the merchant behind Marigold, and lowers his voice.
Half-Elf Merchant: "What? But..."
Atremis yips playfully at the half-elf girl to get her attention.
Half-Elf Merchant forces a faint smile, petting Atremis.
Atremis seems to appreciate the petting, finding the girl's scent familiar.
Sana: "He likes you..."
Half-Elf Merchant: "He's cute... Was he really fighting the bears with you?"
Sana: "Yes! He's really stronger than he looks, he just took on an owlbear by himself."
"He keeps us safe."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Did you train him? Bant trains dogs..."
Atremis yips, looking proud of himself.
Sana: "He's self trained, a very smart fox."
Atremis reaches a pair of paws over to the other girl, as if inviting her to take a turn holding him.
Half-Elf Merchant holds out her arms to take Atremis from Sana, looking a little happier.
Sana gives the girl the fox.
Sana: "What's your name, miss?"
Atremis curls happily in the girl's hold, doing his best to make it easy on her to carry him.
Half-Elf Merchant holds Atremis carefully, petting him.
Half-Elf Merchant: "Linna. I'm Linna Kaeswood. What's your name?"
Sana: "I am Sana Wil."
Half-Elf Merchant: "That's a nice name... You're incredible, though! You're only my age and still fought like that..."
Sana: "I'm only 16, young, for my race... I train hard so I can help people."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Um, maybe you haven't noticed... you don't have to tell me that part."
Half-Elf Merchant sets Atremis down after giving him a last snuggle, smiling at Sana.
Atremis nuzzles against the half-elf girl's legs affectionately.
Sana: "I should probably call Asteria over..."
"Asteria! Come, please!"
Asteria comes trotting over to Sana.
Sana: "...we have a lot of animal friends in our group."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Oh, cute! Hello, little one~"
Atremis yips!
Asteria navigates around Atremis, staying wary about he fox.
Atremis fails to notice the pegasus's reservation, as he idly nuzzles against both of the half-elf girl's legs.
Half-Elf Merchant pets Asteria's nose gently when the young animal settles down.
Asteria seems to be at ease around her.

Maximilian: "(Truth be told, my friend and I were attacked my a man bearing those features en route from Auna to Sakkel.)"
Maximilian: "(He was part of an organised group, and... well...)"
Maximilian looks at the owlbears solemnly.
Half-Orc Merchant: "(Yeah. I got it. Looks like I'd better tell Linna for ya, huh..?)"
Maximilian: "(I-I would appreciate it. I... don't know what to say.)"
"(I'm sorry.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(Arright. What about anyone with him?)"
Maximilian: "(There were about nine others, plus he hired another group of five. Of that group, two survived, and were captured.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(There'd have been a kid, maybe. 'Bout Linna's age.)"
"(Never did think Boss shoulda took that job.)"
Maximilian: "(Well...)"
"(I think... I can trust you. She's safe and secure. Ivanda watched over her.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(That's some better news, for a change. Glad the kid's okay. Mebbe I can talk the others into giving up this scumwork.)"
Maximilian: "(Pray, please do. I think you understand why we head northwards?)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(You're after the dungwad who hired us?)"
Maximilian nods quietly.
Maximilian: "(Though, you say 'us'? He has merchants involved, too?)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(He doesn't have merchants involved. He's got Linna involved on account of bein' her pa. I just look after her. Rest are just mercs.)"
Maximilian: "(Right.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "(...I gotta get the kid outta this business, and I'm not gonna be able to talk the rest down. I keep my word, I don't sell out anyone. But you go to Iranri, you better be ready to make some enemies in high places. And that's all I'll tell you.)"
Maximilian: "(I... see. Thank you for the warning. This will be a good chance to make my name heard. ...even if it is as opposition, at first.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "Better luck than us with that."
Maximilian nods, forcing a weak smile.
Maximilian: "(Best of luck to you, too. And that goes doubly for breaking the news.)"
Half-Orc Merchant: "Thanks. We got nothing to thank ya properly with, but we're in your debt, sir."
Maximilian: "Looks like you've accrued enough debts with the barrels. Don't worry about us, it's part of my duty."

Sana: "Normally my animal friends are a little skittish around strangers... you must be special, miss, for them to be so friendly."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Oh... thanks. I like animals..."
Half-Orc Merchant: "Linna! Let's get out of here, we gotta see how far that horse ran off. I gotta talk to ya anyway."
Sana: "It show-oh! It seems it might be time for you to go, miss Linna."
Half-Elf Merchant: "Coming, Uncle Raf! Thank you, Sana, thank you mister knight and fox, goodbye!"
Atremis yips at the half-elf, looking a little sad to see her go.
Sana: "I hope we see each other again, Miss Linna!"
Maximilian: "Good luck on your travels!"
The pair leave in the direction the horse ran, Linna waving back.
Maximilian waves nervously.
Atremis: "...I liked her."
Maximilian: "I pray she'll accept the news."
Sana waves goodbye.
Sana: "I liked her too, she seemed really nice."
Atremis: "Her smell was like your smell, miss Sana."
Sana: "She was the same as I, half-elven, Atremis."
"...news?"
Atremis: "Are you two sisters?"
Maximilian: "Her father... led the ambush on the road to Seskesa."
Maximilian retrieves a labelled potion from his bag.
Asteria turns her attention back to Sana, prancing around her happily.
Maximilian: "This was his."
Sana: "We are not sisters... huh?"
Maximilian: "Her father led the thugs that tried to capture Valdya."
Sana: "But we..."
"We...."
Atremis tilts his head, not sure about Sana's concern.
Sana drops to her knees and holds her head in her hands.
Sana: "No..."
Atremis: "Miss Sana!"
Maximilian: "We did what we had to."
Asteria stands close to Sana, trying to comfort her.
Maximilian: "Think of it this way. Had we not stopped him, the girl would have been roped into the same sordid business."
Atremis whimpers, nuzzling Sana.
Maximilian: "Either way, do not hold yourself at blame. I think it was by my hands that he fell."
"It is my burden to shoulder."
Sana: "That poor girl... I..."
"But... we were going to die, otherwise... but... why do people have to die...?"
Atremis continues his attempts to cheer Sana up, even though it's evident her despair is rubbing off on him.
Maximilian: "That is a good question. We fight to defend what we believe in. But it is the same for the others, too. Diplomacy is a better tool, but it seems to fail at the courts."
Sana sniffles and picks up Atremis and puts him on her lap, hugging him.
Maximilian: "Her Uncle is very caring, at least. She'll be safe in his hands."
Sombered by this revelation, the party regroups and recovers their bearings to move on...