Wolves Make me Nervous. I don't know why.
So after the events of Wheedon Village and Eagehrt (May the Devil Have his Fun with his Soul) our little band of would be heroes plus me set off for Levoca Village to Collect our pay. I do not know what happened but when we were following the path we managed to get lost due none of it my fault (Am I the only one that's actually competent in our party). At night fall we made camp. That same night a Horseman who looked injured rode into camp. I Pulled him down from his Horse to Treat His wounds. (Not for any other Reason of course... Fine I tried pickpocket him.) As we lay him down we realized he was dead and he was carrying a very ornate Silver axe. I reached for it but before I can hold it Dodgy beat me to it and he got the axe. (THE SNAKE! How dare he keep something that rightfully belongs to the party) That was when we heard the Howls and soon we were surrounded by wolves. We heard a Voice from the forest say "Give us wolf Killer", which I concluded was the name of the Silver axe. We said no the voice and that was when the Wolves attacked, focusing their assault on dodgy, No doubt intending to steal the Axe from him. We managed to fend of the Wolves with me getting the last Kill before they left, One wolf got left behind knocked unconscious by one my allies. We talked a little bit about the axe and what should we do with it and what our next move is. We went back to sleep eventually.
The Next day we Continued our Path we came before an inn just as the sun was setting. Finally, I thought to myself, some sort of civilization in this god forsaken forest. Hopefully they have Milk or better yet Beautiful Señoritas up for a little fun with a well known Roguish hero. As we were about to enter Levaell complained that we don't need to get our food from the Inn we can just go into the Margreve to look for our food and it will provide. I counter argued that if you feel comfortable hunting for hours in the wood while there are wolves around be my guest, as for me I love my civilization and its easy access to food and homely comforts. With that I entered the Inn with the Party in tow.
When entered the tavern I picked a seat and Ordered some Leche and Started flirting with the bar Maid. She Pulled my Tail and said something (I forgot What she said because I was too Enchanted by her charm), I took that as Good Omen. Eluine went to talk to a fortune teller in a corner of the tavern (What a fool). Dodgy was talking to a man that he met. I was still attempting to woo the bar maid when I heard From the man That dodgy was talking to that his Daughter Needed Saving and It is a heroes Duty to save Women and Children so I started Listening to him. The mans name was Hodel and he said his Daughter Red was chosen by the Margreve to play a part and that a so called would be king of wolves is trying to gain dominance in the forest and we had all a part to play. This was all too confusing for me but This Talk of Red, Little Children alone in the forest and Wolves Reminded me of a Children's fairy tale, Little red Riding Hood. Mother Babushka Interrupted our talk/interrogation and Told Hodel to go home and that we should rest up and set out for the morning in our new quest. I tried one more vain attempt to win over the bar maids heart tonight but no such luck and I had to spend the night alone in my bed. In the morning I got the Bill and was Floored by how expensive it was. How could an Inn in the middle of nowhere charge so much. But anyway we had a lot to do today so I didn't argue all that much and paid the tab.
When we exited the Inn I noticed a bunch of men on the rooftop drawing bows. I yelled Hit the deck and managed to duck into the foliage before they started Loosing their Arrows. I Climbed to the roof and started dueling a man. I noticed these men Looked a little feral. They had Bestial features and Hairy for Humans. (Not that there is anything wrong with being hairy but Really not everyone can make furry look good like I do.) I was surprised to see Stevnar Able to climb up and Join me in Clearing the Roof, We then focused our Attention to the werewolf that burst out of the Forest to attack us and get the Axe. I managed to Stick My Rapier into the Wolf and I was Dismayed that it did no damage to the Werewolf, I disengaged after my attack and Decided my Party got this and decided to loot the bodies Instead for they may have something to help the party and maybe at least give us answers. I reengaged the werewolf eventually and together we took down the beast.
We found a really nice looking pendant on the werewolf that the party kindly let me keep. Eluine got bit and was worried that he got bitten and was going to turn into a werewolf. I told him He will only change on his first full moon... Which was Six Days away. We took a short rest and During our rest Mother Babushka Spotted us and Chastised us for sitting around when we have so much to do. We continued on our quest after our rest and ran into some little forest dwellers that looked like Eluine but Tiny. They Offered to tell some information about our quest for a fee. Levell suggested to give them the Obviously expensive pendant we just found. (I'm Beginning to think Leveall is the most "Special" member of the group and that's saying something) I Handed them a Gold coin instead and they told us that there would be three trials of honor, and if we pass all three and we would be sped along to find Red. We thank them and got on our way.
We Pass by some statues made of plants of What Looked like Knights into our First Test. Getting Pass a River. There were some Suspicious looking Stones on the river that looked like we could use them as stepping stones to get across but for some reason the party decided to talk to the stones. (What can I tell you...) Turns out the Stones were not just stones but Giant tree people. We asked politely to cross and they let us. One Test Done. Easy.
We found some bodies of water that showed us in our reflections our Ideal selves and I looked Liked a Majestic Lion with my Glorious Golden Mane with a Crown of Laurel Wreaths. I liked these Puddles. HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!!
Continuing on with our quest we came before a couple of beautiful fey folk. Eluine knew of these creatures and Introduced himself to them. I then Introduced myself after him. We had a nice picnic after that and despite my Gallant efforts the women seemed more interested in that lecherous snake Eluine. (Don't they know a Good Loyal man when they see one?) They Challenged him to an archery Contest. (Why would they challenged a Subpar, Inferior and Downright ugly Archer to a contest and ignore me?! I am Clearly the Superior Fletcher) To my surprise he manged to beat her in the contest and they gave him gifts. Then they asked to Slap us as a "reward". Thinking this might lead for better opportunities with the ladies later I accepting. They Slapped me and then The rest the party. They then told us to continue on and they Faded into the Forest. Dios Mio! I am Begining to think That the margreve is Having its fun at my expense. Ever since Entering this Accursed Forest, Despite my best efforts, All I got was rejection after Rejection. Don't people know Romance in this forest?!
After our Second test came our Third one. We encountered an old woman, Stuhac. (Whats up with old women in the Margreve.) She gave us a choice of three tests: skill, strength, and wits. Of course being the over achievers we are we chose to do all three. I was so proud of my group, The common man chooses the easy way, real heroes chose the path least traveled. I chose to do the test of skill of course. I was given a Weird string instrument covered in wasps and played the song "desperado" flawlessly. Don't let anyone else tell you other wise I was Amazing and I passed the test. Then came the test of strength. Stevnar wrestled a dwarf and was able to pin him Eventually after many rounds. And for the last test Lavaell played some sort of chess game against Stuhac... and lost. (Like I said special.) Fortunately Stuhac thought Two out off Three was good enough to be called a success and gave us dolls to mark our success however we had to choose one of use to be eaten by her. We debated for a long time about who would be eaten. So much so that Stuhac got impatient and Started casting Lightning spells Upon us driving us off. With that we passed our third test.
We found a safe Area to rest for the night and continued on our journey in the Morning. Dodgy pulled out a needle that supposed to point us at the right Direction. I was skeptical but it did point us to our final destination. We came upon a giant treeman which had a house on it. We climbed the treeman and Since I was the Best Climber (Unsurprisingly Of course) I helped everyone up and onto the tree house after which we knocked. No one Answered. And then we heard "My what big eyes you have, grandmother," from a childs voice to which a familiar voice replied "All the better to see you with." I'm guessing we all Heard the Fairy Tale when we were younger because without hesitation we busted through the door and got into the house.
The scene that greeted us was a confusing one. Red was right beside someone who looked like Babushka. I didn't trusted it at all and I rushed to pull Red away and Put myself Between babushka and Her. She resisted so I wasn't able to. It was then that Wolves Appeared suddenly from out off nowhere surrounding us and ready to pounce. But then Dodgy Brandished his Axe and Issued a challenge to the would be king of wolves. As suddenly as they Appeared the Wolves in the room disappeared and Babushka Transformed into a Hulking werewolf and Gave a Bloodcurdling Howl.
Red's face was Full of Fear after this and I decided I was going to be the Hero Once more (It's an easy Decision for me) and there was no way I was going to risk the life of an Innocent Girl in some sort of sick test. I looked her in the eyes and said "Don't Resist me this time" and I picked her up and with all my speed tried to get her out of the house and into safety as soon as possible. We made it to the door when the Wolves reappeared and a Couple of them bit my back but gritted my teeth through the pain. Red was the most important and I was going to get out here if its the last thing I do. I climbed us down to the steepest part of the Treeman for I figured wolves cannot climb and I Shielded Red as Best As possible. I did not know what was going on inside the house, all I heard was the sounds of battle, spells being cast, wolves howling in pain, I trust my party as got things under control. I looked up and saw a wolf whimpering as he looked down on me, unable to climb down. I could help but smile. Cats- 1 Dogs-0. Then after awhile when I was beginning to think the worse is over the werewolf appeared like from out of nowhere began to climb down. I realized I was still the better climber and I pulled us away from him to put some distance between him and red, I also put myself between them. Then Stevnar I guess trying to catch the would be king of Wolves burst out off the house and Tried to angle himself to catch the werewolf. But he slipped through his fingers and he plummeted. He would have hit the ground if he didn't managed to grab a branch on his way down. I would have found the whole thing comical if our lives weren't on the line. Then as if straight from a nightmare The Would be King of Wolves just appeared out off thin air right next to me. He slashed at me with his claws and Tried to bit me but thankfully I'm a Nimble Gato and I dodged his attacks. Cats- 2 Dogs- 0. It was then that Red Muttered in my arms saying "Should I just Jump Down?". My eyes Shut up in alarm I then Told her "I've Gotten You this Far Haven't I? Just keep trusting me!". I was this Momentary Distraction that gave the Would be King of Wolves the opening he Needed and He thrust his arm towards me and managed to grab My throat. It was at this Moment That my life started to flash Before my eyes but I made my peace. I was going to die as a hero. Saving Innocent lives. But then all of this was cut short when an Arrow Appeared Between the werewolves eyes and his Grip went slack and He Plummeted to the Ground. I Looked up and Saw Eluine with his Bow out Smiling and Waiving at me. (I guess he wasn't an Inferior Archer after all... I'm Still the better fletcher though.)
After the the Would Be King of Wolves died the Treeman stopped his walk and then Looked at the body. We all came down and examined the Body. His Belly was moving like somebody was wriggling inside. We remembered the Story and Used the Axe to Split his Belly and then out pops Mother Babushka. She told us we all played our part well and that we deserved to be rewarded. She gave us a Pot with legs and told us its going to be useful for our travels. I asked her what this Whole Exercise was about. Apparently every three generation the Margreve puts on this show to see if the Humans would remain dominant in the forest or the wolves. I felt sick to my stomach to at this. The forest advocated the sacrifice of little child ever few years just for what amounts to as a game and the denizens are just okay with it. I looked at the Margreve in a new light. I still don't believe its sentient but if it is, its uncaring and utterly evil deity. Maybe it would be much better if we just burnt the whole forest down and build something new and better ontop of the ashes. Mother Babushka told us we could just let red go and she will reach her home safely. I said I will Take her to her home. The child has seen enough and been through enough. She deserves to go home safely and I do not Trust the Magreve at all to let her just walk on home alone...