A stormy beginning

Caught in what can only be a Border Storm, a strange recent occurence said to be a result of the Dawn War over 50 years ago. The storm is filled with strange events, lightning that brings hills to life, and rain that makes plants and animals grow at unusual rates. The winds are bluster and shift in chaotic fashion but the liquid that falls as rain has healed all wounds, removes fatigue, and rejuvenates all it touches. The trio leading their horse see a lone figure stumbling through the rains and pause before moving to join as the hill animated by the storm lumbers away slowly with a swishing tail behind it crashing through the wagon abandoned moments before.

The harnes is easily burst by the tough hide and expanding form of what waas a horse. As you retreat you regroup with the new arrival. The unusual storm continues to rage around you with wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. Fortunately is seems to be weakening and through the grass and shrubs on what was simple grassy hills has grown to rediculus heights.

The animated hill has wandered off but the transofmed horse plods along behind you . By this point it has rown to about 10' tall at the shoulders and is now about 30' long. It's thick neck and tail make it more lizard like though with longer legs than you have seen on any reptile. It stands contentedly though still startling a bit at the thunder each time and shifting a bit closer to your group when it does.

Elyse custodian approaches and the beasts behavior confirms her suspicions as the beast tries to nuzzle her and nips at her cloaks hood. The four ladies gather closer to the large houre-lizard and use it for a bit of shelter from the storm that is slowly moving on and now looks normal with all the odd portions well past you but it's effects lingering.

Hazel looks over the newcomer with trace of uncertainty and confusion but the questions about her wagon snaps her out of it. Glancing up at the beast she murmurs We can likely rig up a pack harness, I've got the rope . . . Yeah, thanks great idea. I wish we had some rope to shape a halter for the beast. and she begins trying to entice the



Now fully recovered due to the effects of the storm July looks around before shaking her head. I want to head home but, . . . . Lets focus on getting out of this situation first. The village always pulls together in adversity and if the storm hit there then they are likely better of than we are at this time. As you chat and walk back to the wagon the former horse begins rubbing its head against a tree it is passing and after a few moments of vigorous friction tosses its head triumphantly to reveal a pair of short horns that grow visibly. A bit shocked at this additional transformation you quickly learn it is still willing to be lead and make it back to the wagon and Hazel begins sifting through the wreckage of the overturned wagon. The tarp that used to cover the wagon is converted to a couple of large bags to hold the various recovered goods and supplies. Some crates are emptied into this after the rough pack is secured to Tiny. The entire process will take quite some time if Hazel is allowed to continue on in this manner and the cold of the storm is making everyone uncomfortable and increasingly aware of the diminishing daylight.

The tall grass and falling rain has ensured that everyone is wet all over no matter how you move or are covered. There as f large trees nearby but as you scan the area through the thickening gloom you spy a ribbon of taller trees that is likely following a stream or small creek. Tiny seems unbothered by the rain, cold, and growing weight of the packs. Hazel directs the loading to balance both the weight and bulk of items secured. She keeps setting items to one side that either go into the top of the two large "sacks" draped over Tiny or into smaller travel packs for her and July. Hazel finally admits that what is left is not worth the effort and time and you make your way towards the treeline.

The refreshing effects of the life giving Border Storm are fading and the constant rain is beginning to drag you down by time you reach the trees. Your guess proves correct and what was likely a small stream before the storm is now a gushing torrent several yards wide and hemmed in by tree roots that likely have weathered similar deluges of water. You search for any place dry but are out of luck. Fortunately Hazel has a small waterproof tent that you erects in a raised and relatively flat area. However it is too small to house all four of you so you decide to take turns on watch and tend the fire while the other three sleep. As you work you chat and Zeva learn a bit about Hazel of Avonley the merchant and July who hired on as her guard. Hazel was heading to a city that was lost at the Breaking and is being reclaimed. With a bit of dry wood, wax, and efforts you manage to transform a spark into a decent flame to make heat and light for the night.

Let me know of any other preparations for the night and the order you will be standing watch.

From what you have observed Tiny still thinks and acts much as a horse, though somewhat more sedate than before as proven by its reduced concern over the storm. I grazes much as before but you note that she is more willing to nibble on other foliage than grass and is currently stripping low branches she can reach of their leaves. It still enjoys the feed butt hat was left when packing up as Hazel deemed there would not be and problem for the time being securing enough fodder.

The sword looks normal enough but there are tales of intelligent, possessed, and cursed weapons. There are also crazy people. However not all such items can be heard/understood by others. Other than an odd mode of speech from Zeva, Elyse has little to go on without a closer inspection of the weapon in question.

Judy takes first watch and Hazel agrees to take last watch as she is used to waking early. You all make what accommodations you can and settle down for the night. Several hours later Judy nudges Zeva awake and quickly takes her spot next to to the others muttering something vague about animal movement but no danger. Zeva settles back to hone her discipline and remain alert. She too hears some movement in the tall grass but the sounds seem to be avoiding the camp....

This continues throughout Zeva's watch with an increase in activity but always stopping and retreating anytime it gets near to the campsite.

Zeva can't spot whatever it is but some careful listening indicates there are multiple things moving through the tall grass in the dark. You are uncertain but you think they are not big or small. Bigger than a dog but smaller than a pony . . . They move alone or in groups and seem more heavily concentrated or frequent in one particular direction.

As you light the torch and it sputters to life, spreading its light abroad, a rustling noise indicates a creature retreating deeper into the tall grass from nearby.

As you talk with the Formian, Hazel has begun inspecting the wagon and though all the commotion has disturbed Tiny's sleep she suggests waiting till dawn before setting out. Judy is a bit wary of the large insectoids and seems to be repulsed by them so avoids staying near or looking at them.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, with Judy taking the remaining watch as she is unable to sleep. In the morning you are impressed as you look out along the road the Formian have cut through the thick vegetation overnight. Between Hazel and the worker Formian a makeshift harness is crafted from woven grass fiber rope. Though a bit skittish of the formian at first Hazel is able to calm Tiny whey the harness is fitted and she is tied to the wagon.

let me know if you have any other questions for the Formian and give me a navigation and/or look out test for the day.

Zeva sees no major flaws in the creatures defense but an obvious weakness it its slow movements. Though massive and likely able to move around the same pace as you it does not seem to move its limbs quickly. In fact its limbs do not look to move as an animals but rather warp and flow more like thick bread dough oozing from one position to the next. The thing has no discernable features or even a clear "head" so you are uncertain as to how it senses the world. However it is clear that is is aware of the group on the wagon as it has started to slowly move in your direction as Tiny pulls the wagon bumping along the rough road the Formian cut from the countryside last night.

Magian seems to ponder Elyse's words for a moment before nodding. Taking to the air with the pair of gryphons the tries to harass the creature. Unfortunately the gryphons and flickering lights seem to have little effect on the ponderous moving hill of a creature, if it even notices them.

It continues to plod along in pursuit of the bouncing and rattling wagon as Hazel tries to navigate it through the rough terrain with Judy urging her and Tiny on. Blornvid pulls himself onto the back of the wagon only to see an insectoid , about 3 or 4 feet tall, pop up glancing about with antennae twitching.

Though not in immediate danger the hill elemental is obviously following the wagon though its slow movements give you some time to handle it. But the crash of it's massive feet leave little doubt as to what would happen it it even accidentally stepped on any of you.

Everyone go ahead and give me a test dealing with either observation, lore, nature, or magical monsters
Remember to use your trade or traits to give advantage

With the amount of noise the wagon is making it seems entirely possible it is being tracked by that. The question is how to silence the wagon or distract the creature? Elyse experiments with a couple loud bangs and gets no reaction until she does onr right on the ground. This seems to get the hill elementals attention.

Magian and the griffin begin dropping rocks and combined with your own efforts seem to confuse the hill elemental. Now more alert to the elementals mode of sensing you notice that when it places a foot, witch takes a coupe of seconds, it does not seem to notice anything you do. But when it is shifting between steps it reacts to your thrown rocks but also to you steps. You soon master the art of shifting only right before/during/after it completes a new step while the flyers proceed to drop as large of rocks as they can manage is a location off to one side of the creature from you. Repeating this method the elemental is slowly drawn away from the wagon .

Keeping an eye on the massive form as it moves further from you in pursuit of the griffon you begin to relax and take in the new aquantances...

As you chat Magian continuees to slowly lure the hill elemental away

After several minutes the hill elemental is barely visible and its once thunderous steps and mere thuds in the distance. As you chatBlornvid figures that Hazel was heading toward Paphos. And upon learning of the Manor, which is not too far out of the way, is is decided to head there before deciding whether to continue on or return as both Hazen and Judy are in agreement that the Wilds are not for them.

Blornvid gives general directions and you cross an old track, likely a road from before the Shattering, and as it lead in about the right direction take it. Several minute later Magion is seen overhead and he waves at you before continuing on his way back to the manor house.

The wagon ride back, though swift due to Tiny's new form, takes longer than the flight out and it is near sunset when you follow the rough track and finally see the manner a ways off still through the trees. As you near you hear sounds of water he passes into a thicker part of the forest. The woods you have been passing through are old and look untouched by hands that shape things save the faint traces of the road you follow. Soon the roofline of the building is in sight and yougets a better view of the structure.


The yard shows signs of having been well organized and cared for but had grown wild for years. There are signs of recent attempts to tame the surroundings but there is much work left to be done. There are people moving between the building and they look up with interest at the sound of the wagon. The nearest structure, a short tower, has it's front door thrown open and three youths in ill fitting armor rush out to stand on the road and confront you.