Elysia's vanguard has located the enemy!
Spotting the smoke of a camp fire from their aerial mounts, the scouting party has landed a short distance away to find a group of "bulls" camping at ground level in the ruins of a small Chandric commune that was probably the first to fall. The vanguard has snuck in closer for some reconnaisance, using various methods to conceal their presence. The dull twilight and the close growth of the Chandric helps.
Nimisha, having survived the raid on Athendíl to serve as the vanguard's guide, confirms in whispers that these are the same creatures who attacked the commune. Their group is made up of sixteen bulls, presumed to be adults, sitting in various states of repose around a small fire. One is turning a spit roast already half-cooked, the size and form suggesting the meat to be that of a Nymph. A couple appear to be taste-testing a selection of leaves and fruits. Most are sharpening massive, double-sided war axes and runkas. Roughly half have four horns while the rest have six that branch into antlers.
Two of the bulls, slightly smaller and less decorated than the rest, are off to one side of the main circle, butting heads. Their horns clack and scrape together as they argue in a foreign tongue, but none of the furry humanoids step in to stop the argument, seemingly unconcerned with the damage the pair are causing to the camp and to themselves.
Outraged at the disrespect shown to the deceased, Nimisha urges the vanguard to exact revenge, but Cartographer Ramsey reminds them of their responsibility to the rest of Elysia. "What if we fall? Then no one will know where they are and another group will have to look for them all over again! We should report back to Alexandria so they can send a proper attack force."
Nimisha vehemently disagrees. In his grief, he flings the Sylvan Creed to the four winds. "If we return to Alexandria for reinforcements, we'll be ignoring a golden opportunity. These things might have moved by the time we get back, and then we'll have to look for them again anyway."
"Then why haven't they moved already? This is the farthest north that we've received reports, so they must return here after an attack, which means this is probably their base of sorts. Meaning," Ramsey tacks on quickly, "They'll probably still be here when we get back."
"Probably? Do you want to risk it?"
"Then maybe we should find out more before we do anything," the cartographer hisses. "We have a couple of telepaths, maybe they can read those things' minds."
"You're assuming they even have minds."
"Well, then." The cartographer frowns, his hands jerking beside his head in a gesture of frustration. "What would you suggest?"
Nimisha makes a high-pitched noise in the back of his throat. "I already told you! Let's just kill the bastards!"
PCs will be added to this list as they reply to the plot thread. If NPCs (italics) do not already have profiles linked, you can make them up as you go and their listed vitals will be updated per chapter.
Aella Karakinos — Unaffiliated Ayad, blacksmith's apprentice
Aiden Roy — Therian
Aifric Ramsey — Therian Cartographer
Alain Gaston-Moreaux — Red Warden
Anatoli Vitalis — Rutilus, Espurian Guard
Faris ibn Alsyad — Purifier rep attached to LoP
Ionia Essytia — Skotadi representative, League of Adventurers
Kiel Taskel — Rutilus, League of Protectors
Maaike Sullivan — Therian scout, LoP-attached mercenary
Mortimer Jericho — Peteulanus, supplies & logistics
Nimisha — Sidhe forest guide for unmapped areas
Captain Olympias Lysistrata — Apali, Varangoi
- Send news of the invaders' location to Alexandria. [COMPLETE]
- Find a way to learn more about these "bulls". [COMPLETE]
- Who are they?
- Where are they from?
- Why are they here?
- What do they want?
- Who are they?
- Help Nimisha exact revenge against the monsters who have killed so many innocent Nymphs! [COMPLETE]
OR stop him from making a terrible mistake.
This chapter will end out of character at midnight (GMT) on the 14th of July. In-character, the events of this chapter will last one day.
The Vanguard left Alexandria on Menenas (July) 18 by air. They travelled to the Fae Tree by portal and then flew north over the forest to reach the villages affected. They have had 13 days to investigate before finally spotting the smoke from the Malaki's campfire.
Note: To meet the time constraints, mounts must be capable of traversing the forest inside of 13 days (i.e, pegasi, anka, nagrim and dragons). If your character does not have one of their own, they will be supplied a seat on one of the ankas provided (by Jericho at the expense of the League) or double-up with anyone willing to share theirs.