Quest Name: A Wool Full
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A small group of Woolful (3-6) have found themselves stuck in a dire situation. Maybe they are stuck in a recently opened fissure, or at risk of drowning in a flooded area. Maybe some hostile predator is hunting them, or maybe they are just lost, regardless of what is causing them danger, they need your help. Be careful, Woolful are easily spooked off and are already terrified. Do what you can to rescue the little creatures before nature, or something worse, claims them.

---

Sarne had been looking around all day the countryside. He had been tracking several Woolful resellers these bandits had been eluding Sarne for a day now. He had followed one trail for about an hour. Riding Screech and flying had their advantages. It did not always make it easy to see tracks of who Sarne was looking for or the Woolful that were missing. A local farmer asked for Sarne's help looking for his Woolfuls with the bonus of taking down the bandits.

He had seen others along the different roads and trails but still could not get any real information on the Bandits or Woolfuls Sarne was looking for. Getting into some hills Sarne thought this had to be where they could be hiding. Sarne pulled on on the ranes of the Terror Bird as they got lower to the round looking for any clue Sarne could pick up on. All Sarne wanted was a sign Sarne could follow. He spotted someone just off the hill he was flying up to. saw a man on horseback. Sarne flew past him to git a good look at the man looking for some sort of marking that might tell Sarne who the man could be.

The man looked tall he had broad shoulders. He has short blonde hair and soft, pale blue eyes. A knightly build buried underneath the man's armor. With his armor, the man looked to be a knight. The Knight appeared to have a halberd over his shoulder. The large blue cape is trimmed with white wolf fur, the back is emblazoned with the symbol of House Aurthurian, and two lions holding a sword between them.

Sarne had seen that Crest before it was of the house of Aurthurian but did not know this Man making a hard turn and landing in the road ahead of the man Sarne slid off Screech and waited for the man to come "Hail Knight!" shouted Sarne to get his attention if Sarne did not already have it.

For the moment, things had seemed to slow down in Charon. At least as much as things can these days. It was at the very least calm enough that lost livestock seemed to be the most pressing matter of the day. No gods threatening to restart the world or dragons embroiled in territorial disputes, though what job is ever as simple as it seems?

Leandros took Byrr on a slow walk along the roads keeping an eye out for signs of these woolful. Stolen by bandits seems odd, but he supposed they could be sold for a quick solar to an unscrupulous buyer or made into dinner fairly quickly. He would hope it was the first option, if it was the second they would have a much harder time recovering the animals.

Theo walks beside the knight filled with a mix of emotions. He was happy to be able to follow the knight on a job, but once again he seemed relegated to jobs that bore little physical risk. He was 16 now, that makes him a man doesn't it? He should be able to fight monsters now. That's the plea he would make to Leandros, only to be met with the same speech about how being a man is not about violence and killing monsters.

Leandros picks up his gaze to the man signalling for them. There is something familiar about his look....something in the livery he wears. Where does Leandros know it from? Perhaps it will come to him in time.

"Well met, is there something we can help you with? We are looking for some lost woolful, but we may have time to assist you if needed."

Upon seeing another seemingly noble person, Theo stops beside the knight and does his best to appear as tall as he can. A tough task for a halfling, but he's gonna try regardless.

"Hail, of house of Aurthurian. I am Lord Sarne Sequoia of Grey Stone Keep, Captain of the Shadow Wolves Hunters, Grandson of Duke Sequoia." Sarne paused and smiled. "I know that is a lot but Etiquette says it's the right thing to do," explained Sarne. "Just call me Sarne," he said as Sarne walked slowly away from Screech. The Terror Bird stayed where it was but was looking at the Halfling with interest. It was about 15 feet in height and had a 40 feet wing span a large mount, to say the least. it had strong jaws and sharp teeth and was colored in different earth tones.

Sarne has soft features like an elf with a husky build. He is strong and has swift movements. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself, his armor, and his clothing. His piercing green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan showing the time he spent in the wilderness. The Harness he wars underneath the cloak, but over normal attire, the harness comes equipped with numerous leather rings and straps to which larger equipment can be secured close to the body.

A full-body cloak with long wide sleeves and a hood, made of canvas is a flat, matte grey color, His cloak is large enough to fully cover his body, His armor and cloak have a crest that could be seen on his front and back, A large tree with two wolf heads on each side pointing at the tree with three stars above it. With a black sword in the background pointing down with a holy rune over it and a fire rune under it. with a gold sword at his side and a gold bow on his back.

"Yes, I too am looking for some lost woolful small herd and the bandits that took them. I have tracked them this far. But lost the trail this morning." explained Sarne in a pleasant tone.

Ah, that's the name. Remembering all of the houses of nobility can be difficult, especially for a man who doesn't pay as much attention to it all as his mother would perfer.

"It is fine, its good for Theo here to see more knightly interactions from time to time." He chuckes softly. "Leandros, and this is Theobo Buck. I am sorry to hear what happened to your family recently. I am no fan of how the crown has handled things, but perhaps that can be a conversation for a later time."

Theo keeps an eye tied to the terror bird as well. He was starting to grow more used to seeing monsters and strange creatures, but there were still things that surprised him. Given his size as well, he had unfortunately grown a bit paranoid about monsters viewing him as snacks. Part of it is his size and part of it is compared to the Lion of the Landing, the little cub seems like the much easier target.

The halfling does perk up a bit when talk of tracking comes up, "I've been spending sometime with Mr. Tavoie, might as well put that to use."

Leandros nods, happy to see the initiative, and Theo takes to the woods just off the trail. Bushes are rustled and branches moved aside as he tries to pick up on anything. The halfling was set on finding something of use to the two knights.

"I hope you don't mind...he's been a bit discouraged not being able to go out as often in recent weeks. The incidents across Charon have made me a bit more worried about his safety. Would seem irresponsible to take a child to fight a god like Vulcadreus." He offers a small laugh. It was faint, but there were still the last lingering marks from the burns he received during the fight with the draconic god of rebirth.

"I have something!" Theo pops up from the shrubbery with a tuft of bright woolful fur. "There's more going this way!"

Sarne looks over to Theo and gives a reassuring smile. "good man" Sarne says loudly almost seeming like he was talking past Theo. Sarne knew he had his men in the area looking for clues. Nordic can be a little protective of Sarne acting before asking. Naesala and Vamir would not be to far away either. Sarne had a lot of thrust in his people and let them go about doing there task he set them to do. 

Sarne looked down at the ground for a moment then knelt and played with the dirt some. wiping his hand across the dirt. Sarne stood dusting his hands off. "I think Theo is right. Someone was trying to cover their tracks. The dirt here has been freshly moved around passably a day ago. I could not see that from the air." informed Sarne. He smiled and looked back at Leandros. "If Theo had not walked that way I might not have noticed," commented Sarne with a smile praising Theo.

"So what direction do you think they went Theo?" asked Sarne with great interest. Mean while Screech was getting fidgety with Theo moving through the bushes. But stopped to look off and sniff the air and looked in the same direction as Theo found the woolful fur. "Hmmm....." said looking at Screech. The Terror Bird was not looking at Theo somewhere else.

"Which means they aren't amatuers...which makes stealing woolful even more confusing. Perhaps a personal vendetta?" Leandros ponders as his squire continues the search.

Theo brightens at the compliment but quickly turns back to his serious face to keep the proper knight aesthetic going. He turns back to the tracks ahead, following them through the brush. At this point Leandros does decide to dismount and follow after the group leaving the mounts to wait together.

The halfling keeps his eyes to the tracks, picking up bits of woolful fur as they continue. After a few minutes of walking, Theo stops to look around for a second. The concern twisting his expression is hard to miss.

"Something's wrong.....the fur...I've been finding it every 12 paces...They might be leading us into a trap...or just distracting us to give the bandits more time to get away."

Leandros looks to Sarne for any insight he might have. These bandits were turning out to bay more capable than Leandros had estimated. Willful distractions and misdirection, just what exactly were they after. Were these woolful magical or are they just desperate not to be caught? .....Or is this a trap specifically to lure adventurers in then try and rob them?

Sarne had let Theo get the glory and did not pay much attention to the tracking which was a mistake thought Sarne. Just shaking his head Sarne looked around. "Theo, I apologize I should have not let you do all the work." commented Sarne "If it is too easy then something is wrong. The fur will never be evenly spaced out." Sarne walked over and asked to look at the fur.

Sarne looked over the Fur rolling it in his fingers. Letting out a sigh Sarne looked back at Theo. "It's dry Theo, a few days old the oils on the fur are dried," informed Sarne. "Ser, Aurthurian this is not necessarily bad. I know they have been here in the last two days. I am sure who left this trail for us was not more than half a day behind his friends" explained Sarne walking looking at the ground now. Sarne was trying to keep up the knight persona as well but there was still work to do training could be done as well thought Sarne.


Looking up at three hills around them Sarne chuckled. "Theo, if this was where they were. You just lead us into a trap. They could have been trying to get someone lost if they were being followed. We are in a little valley and can not see far. Mind the land around you Theo." suggested Sarne.

"This way that is where I would go. The train is more rocky but not impassable." Walking a little more Sarne gave a loud whistle. Screech took to the awkwardly jumping a few times and started to fly. Circling overhead making a few screeches now and then.

Looking down Sarne saw a boot print in the dirt between some Rocks. "Theo, what can you tell me about the boot tracks here? what else is here as a sign," asked Sarne with a polite grin.

"Maybe a trail then? A way to find their way back to a hide out?" Theo felt the fibers of the wool in his hand now as Sarne explained about the oils. It was pretty dry. It was then that he did start to look around at the area. He got so wrapped up in the search that he forgot Gilder's words. What's in front of you is never the whole picture, always watch the peripherals.

The minor bit of disappointment in himself is also hard to hide, but a reassuring pat on the shoulder from Leandros snaps him from him. No words are exchanged, but Leandros is proud of his squire. These were the types of mistakes he could afford for now, a bandit trap is likely little threat to two knights. A mistake here could be covered for easily, and hopefully not made again when he is finally out on his own.

Theo stops to look at the boot print. It is heavy...a deeper imprint than some of the others. It certainly seemed like a much larger person, probably their enforcer or muscle. Someone Theo definitely wasn't keen on facing any time soon.

"Well....I think um....we can see what direction they were going...it's clean so they probably weren't running. Which means they must have felt safe...could it mean we are close to a hideout or safe spot?"

Sarne stood up and started to walk in the direction of the boot print. "Ser. Aurthurian, I think so let's get to the top of the hill and see what we got. I still think about a few hour's walk and we should know what they are up to." Sarne said walking still looking around.

The group gathered their stuff and started on the new trail. Sarne was walking now with the others. Screech was over head still circling. It was not hard to see where the boot tracks were going. After the hill, it was just more planes area with tall grass to their waist and rolling hills. It stretched to the horizon. "Let's get moving," suggested Sarne still looking at the ground now and then.

They walked for about an hour. Sarne froze in place and lifted his hand for people to stop. "No one moves, please," advised Sarne. He walked to a place where the grass was laid down then looked around some more checking some other places. Working in a circle Sarne came back. "Barghest, a few of them following the tracks of the man we are tracking. I would say he need to hurry if the Barghest find there hide out before we do, We wont have to worry about the bandits or the lost woolful" Sarne tells the others.

Leandros nods and makes a soft clicking noise with his tongue. For a moment there's no response, but soon Byrr can be heard clomping towards them. He smiles softly as the horse approaches and pats its neck.

"You'll have to stay here for now Byrr, safer with cover." The horse brays and shakes its head. "Well that's the thing, I wasn't asking."

"I'll watch him."

"You won't, you're coming with this time Theo." Leandros shifts to the halfling clasping his shoulder. "If Byrr is as smart as he thinks, he'll stay here." A quick glance back to the horse who just huffs and starts to chew at the bush beside him.

The knight motions with his head for Theo to catch up with Sarne, which he does with excitement. A chance at seeing some action has him excited, it has been awhile since he's been able to properly fight. The hell hounds were the last time he could really fight, normally he is on protection duty. Something he knew was important, but still. What young man doesn't dream of being the hero?

They stop when Sarne signals, both recognizing the seriousness of the situation, "We should make haste then I think the quiet approach might have to be abandoned if we want to cut this off in time."

Srane looks up at Screech and whistles and walks off a bit the large Terror Bird lands beside him. Giving a few screeches. Sarne lulls something from under his cloak and feeds it to him and pats its nose. Sarne looks back at the others "Screech will stay here too. I doubt anything will approach them with them both being here," suggests Sarne.

After everything was set. the three started in the direction of the tracks the rolling hills had their beauty. To Sarne, it was a shame that all of this was not for just site seeing bit to find bandits and woolful. It appeared as they tracked the three. That the plan for the Barghest was to hunt down and ambush the bandits and the woolful.

The three of them were making good time Sarne was in the lead and made little noise if any at all as he moved swiftly through the tall grass. they had traveled about an hour. As they crested a hill Sarne stopped and kneeled. Sarne looked over the land in front of him. there was a faint clashing of steel and yelling. Sarne stood up and again looked over the land. The Sarne pointed "There we must hurry," said Sarne with urgency.

Sarne was running swiftly looking like he had been sunning in this stuff his whole life after a long run they came to another hill looking over the hill on the other side. It was gruesome seen there was a Pin with the woolful huddled in one corner making noises of fear. Three men lying in the tall grass one missing a head the others with their guts ripped out and in a pool of blood, the big bandit with a two-handed sword cornered fighting off two Goblins and three Barghest. He looked like he would not last long.

Sarne wasted no time and pulled out his [Action] bow gold bow and drew it back as Sarne did an arrow appeared a bright gold arrow of light. He realised it with a flash hitting one of the Goblins in the back. The Goblin yelled in pain as there was only a hole in his back with blood coursing out.

[Action Ray Bow, Light arrow]

Every fight he had been involved in so far usually involved monsters, demons, things he could easily reason away the violence for. This was the first time Theo had seen the carnage of fighting humanoids...and other humans for that matter. His breath catches in his throat for a moment, but he knows what he needs to do.

Steeling himself, the halfling draws his sword and moves forward to flank the beasts along with Leandros. The lion and the cub are faster than one might think for some so heavily armored. Theo splits out to the left to engage the goblins while Leandros moves to take the barghests.

The first goblin turns, ready to make its last stand against whoever attacked it, but it is quickly met with Theo's sword. A second goblin comes for him, but he raises his shield to block the blow. He can do this, he can fight, the confidence fills the halfling with the courage to keep his fighting.

His lord on the other hand has his hands full with the three barghest. One leaps and clings on to his tower shield, desperately trying to claw at the knight from over the top. Leandros draws in a breath before something akin to a roar escapes him, the overbearing presence of the knight knocking the barghest back.[1]

As the barghest stumble back Leandros swipes his halberd overhead, nearly cleaving off the beast's shoulder.[2] The others snarl and scramble back to their feet ready to charge again.

---

1. Undying Fervor
2. Titanic Reach

Knowing it was time Sarne could hear Vamir behind him coming up. He dropped the bow and drew his sword. [1]Reaching out with his other hand the blood mist from the ground started to form a shield on Sarnes his arm. It looked made of iron as it formed the head of a lion could be seen on the front as it became solid.

[2]Within a blink of an eye, Sarne was there with Theo and Leandros. Sarne ran into one of the Barghest that was attacking Leandros. It was hit hard by Sarne and his shield sending it rolling. The Barghest roared in pain. It tried to stand but it was dazed from the impact.

The Large bandit had a look of relief on his face as the three showed. He turned his two-handed sword to the Goblin that attacked Theo and was stopped by Theo's shield. The Bandit made a mighty swing cutting the goblin's clean head off. Its body went limp as the head hit the ground. Blood sprayed up from the open neck and onto Theo. The red-crimson color covered his shield and his hair and clothing. The smell was horrible like sewage or something putrid. A smell Theo probably was new to.


1 Crimson Armaments Shield
2 Rushing Charge

The second barghest tumbles away after the hit as its friend climbs over its body to soar past Sarne and to Leandros. The knight just took a step back and anchored himself, angling the halberd up. The beast would skewer itself. The lifeless body was discarded to the side as the breath left it.

"Heh, easy ransom." The bandit muttered as with everything dead he could try and capture the halfling. Seems like the other two men were rich enough, he wasn't going to beat them in a straight up fight.

He raised his sword high, why not wound the little runt first? Make them pay him off before letting the boy get healed. Before he could begin the downswing, a pair of ethereal lions sprung out. One bite at his midsection and the other placed its oddly heavy paws on his shoulders biting at the junction between the neck and shoulder. No blood drawn, but the bandit held firmly in his place.[1]

"Only a cowardly man would turn to attack those that came to help him." Leandros sheathed his halberd along his back and walked to the bandit. "And should you choose to continue this fight.... you can continue it with the Lion of the Landing...or you can save yourself and tell us what you're doing out here."

---

1. Ancestral Fervor

Sarne followed up with his sword thrusting the sword through the heart of the beast it died. Sarne turned to the last bandit and sheathed his sword he held his hand up and made a fist then relaxed his arm and walked forward to where Leandros and Theo were.

The large man was breathing heavily from the fight and now being held by some spirit he was afraid his eyes widened. "I... I... Well... Don't kill me masters, Lords!" the man started. "We were to meet here and then take the woolful somewhere but Jake died I don't know where." the man said dropping his sword and falling to his knees. "Don't kill me."He said begging for his life.

"Theo can you tie him up we will take him back with us and the four woolful. with the help of some Black wolf hunters." said Sarne with a sly smile "Show yourself selfs," ordered Sarne.

[1] Nordic, a Dwarf Male, and Naesala, a Half-Elf Female appear behind the Large man they just walk out of the shadows. Another Vamir, Elf Male comes from the hill.

"These are my retaners Nordic, Naesala, Vamir they will help us clean up this mess and get back to town." said Sarne with a smile.

1. Stealth Invisibility