Mykael does his best to help Zork to his feet and assist Theaton in gathering any coins, jewels, gems, etc that may be scattered about and helps to place them in a pile at the base of the tree. "Burning the tree would do nothing but stoke the anger of the fey Zork, it's best to leave it be. You're better off trying to make amends with these creatures than you are trying to spite them, that's just my opinion."
Mounting his horse Mykael prepares to leave the tree behind "Theatons right, we should be on our way" He says as he steers the animal away. He mutters an apology to the fey for the actions of his companion and assures them that he desires peace and hopes that they will accept his offering as a token of this desire.
Having already gathered the majority of items strewn on the forest floor, the summoned small air elemental looks at Archival and Caelum questioningly, uttering a question in Auran. Archival and Caelum share a concerned look before Archival states aloud, “Yes Caelum, please have him gather the goods he missed that the others have so kindly gathered and deposit them in the nest too. Please thank him for me as well.”
Caelum relays the message and thanks the elemental as Archival walks over to where Zork landed. “I thought we were in the business of reforming bandits, not becoming them,” Archival states flatly. He spins on his heel and remounts Midnight with Caelum, dismissing the elemental after its task is completed. “First a lethal brawl with a compatriot, attempting to steal from fey due to anger at mere pranks, and now threatening a forest fire...” he mutters exasperatedly as he rides Midnight in the direction they are meaning to explore.
Theaton leads everyone to continue exploring west, but you cover little ground before sundown and camp in the forest.
The nightmares plaguing Mykael do not persist and everyone gets a full night of rest. (4 damage healed for Zork)
Moonday 13 Desnus
On last watch, Theaton sees movement coming from the spot the horses are tied to. He identifies blue lizard creature and tiny half-woman half-cricket as a Faerie Dragon and a Grig. They seem to be playing around on Zork's horse and using lemons for something. They turn to see Theaton watching and put a finger to their lips signalling quiet. In unison they click their fingers and vanish!
The next day of exploration will take you into the territory the traps were set up. Are you taking precautions?
“We are getting closer to where those traps were set. I would like to spend some time clearing them all out in order to be safe and protect other hunters in the area. I understand if you all don't want to wait. If you mark your trail, Caelum and I will be able to catch up after a bit,” Archival states.
Archival will remain mounted behind Caelum, relying on Caelum's perceptive eyes to locate any traps and disable them.
Out of Character: Caelum will take a 10 on all Perception checks to locate the traps, giving him a 25 Perception.
Mykael appears more upbeat to his companions and engages in more small talk than he has in the recent past when he was dealing with the ominous dreams as he was often caught up thinking about the dream trying to discern its meaning. As the party approaches the area with the traps Mykael dismounts and leads Patoot staying behind Archival scanning the surroundings for danger and trying to keep an eye out for traps as well.
Zork hears what Mykael says but at the same time he does not want to hear. As far as he is concerned the fey are his enemy and he will not pay them nothing. Zork, may not be wise but he is very determined to control his own.
After learning what Theaton saw Zork examines his horse to find what they did, he also checks the equipment so he is not left unaware. The rest of the day Zork stays in the background observing what the party is doing.
Zork sees only a few squeezed lemons near the horses, but none of his belonging have been tampered with.
Everybody pays close attention to their surroundings intently searching for traps. After covering much ground, you are relieved that you see no more and are confident it's safe. By sundown the north-most section of forest is explored, with the vast grasslands to the west remaining as the next region.
As you stop and dismount in a clearing, the extent of the fey prank dawns on Zork. On his horse's rump in large letters for all to see are the words 'Stoopid Biggins' made of some adhesive yellow compound. It seems to be stuck to the horse's hair and impossible to pull off without causing him pain.
At the campfire during dinner, a strange occurence happens to Mykeal. He hears a voice telepathically transmitted as though reverberating in his skull.
It has a sharp, feminine accent and the message is terse as though it was limited in length, "Attention Mykael! First Knight Anarrow speaking. Will take equipment for crusades. Sending cleric. Dream might mean completed quest or armageddon or werewolves soon. Iomedae bless."
The ambient sounds fade back in as the message ends.