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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Frogs.  The well was exploding with tiny frogs, hopping away in the sudden distress of having their protective cover removed.  Evelyn nearly dropped the cover of the well, which had been obfuscated by the leafy floor bottom of the forest, as a rather large frog also jumped past her in search for foliage cover.  Beneath ground surface was a pole across the well, a bucket hanging from a weary rope that encircled the pole.  The water looked safe, if a bit stale, and after the past day of fleeing, moving and at times, running, it seemed as sweet as a good elven wine.

Oberon seemed ill at ease, though eager for the water.  He warned Conner of the fire at the bottom of the hill, though the smoke that was perceptible through the canopy of leaves was another tell-tale sign of the dangers below.  Still, it was too dangerous to try traversing back up again, and there was a Mill that Conner knew about at the bottom of this hill, a safe point if they could reach it, and if it was not yet occupied of course.

Rum looked back from the direction they'd come from, apprehensive but calm.  The undead they'd just gotten away from could have picked up their trail, no matter how unlikely, and stopping for water just seemed a sign of weakness.  Not knowing how to conserve their water was something they were going to have to get over and soon if they wanted to survive.  He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, and watched their rear, until the others were ready to move again.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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You know I don't like fire. I'm just reminding you. You humans have a tendency to forget what's dangerous... you know, like fire. growled Oberon through their bond. The black-brown wolf was almost 7' nose to tail and large even for a timber wolf. He looked warily at the distant smoke through amber/yellow eyes.

We'll avoid it if we can, my friend, Connor responded back through their link.

"Hold before drinking, a gift of nature can purify the water," he said to Evelyn and Rum. The two others he'd recently met. Rum was human but Oberon said that Evelyn wasn't... She looked human and had not done anything to make him wary so he'd given her the benefit of the doubt. Neither had seemed too familiar with getting by in the wild but he'd been happy to help them. Perhaps they'd reach the Mill after all with his survival skills and their additional martial abilities. "Fill your water skins and I'll will purify their contents. I can also draw water from the environment, another gift of nature. It is all around us and easy to draw on." He held out his water skin and concentrated. Its volume expanded quickly to full. "The well water may contain other minerals that could be beneficial. I for one would like a change, but let us not tarry long." he stated with a smile moving toward the well.

Oberon, keep an eye out. I'll save you some water, he said to the wolf, I don't plan on being here for long.

They'd been traveling hard, trying to stay ahead of the advancing armies. He'd provided magical berries to them all as often as he could. A single berry while maybe not filling the belly provided enough nourishment as a full meal. More, the healing warmth of the nature's magic washed away much of the fatigue that the hard journey was inflicting on them. Even Oberon had consented to have one now and again. He'd been keeping their water skins mostly full but didn't know if the other two had noticed that he'd been doing so.

"If we continue this way, we should reach a mill at the bottom of this hill. If not overrun, it could represent a place where others like ourselves would rally. It is worth finding out." he said.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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Evelyn, upon hearing the druid's words, shrugged her shoulders at him.  "You're full of helpful tricks, aren't you?  Well, as I'm lacking in any training in magic, I'm used to slightly dirty water, so no need to waste your energy.  Anyway, if we do get overrun, I'll gladly show you what my talents are."  After filling her waterskin, she greedily drank the contents, and then set about filling it again.

"You're right, though," she went on, after taking another drink.  "We need to keep moving.  If we delay, it's only a matter of time before the dead army catches up to us, and enlists us into their ranks.  I'm no soldier, and I don't fancy myself a zombie, either, so I'd like to avoid that outcome."  Finally, after filling her skin one more time, she stowed it in her backpack, and took a few steps down the hill, towards their destination.  "With luck, other survivors have made it to the mill already, but I wouldn't necessarily count on them being able to fight.  Chances are, they're just peasants who managed to outrun their peers.  I suppose we'll find out, one way or the other."

She pulled her hood up over her head, resolved to start moving again, as soon as the others gave the word.  "I'll take the lead, but you'd better let me know if you or Oberon pick up any signs of threats that I miss.  Rum, you cover the rear, let us know if we need to start running.  And, if anything does block our path, I'll ensure that it doesn't live to regret that decision."

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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"The purification and water, nature gives freely. It wastes no energy on my part," replied Connor.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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Rum nodded to Connor, as thanks for his help. He had actually been forced to drink his own piss, and been through disentería while on the run from a handful of orcs... both experiences he would gladly forget if he could so, being able to drink good water was a blessing he much appreciated. He was not much for words though so the nod was that.

"Wonder if poisoning what's left might be a good move" he said though... 'Otto, would have known, but of course he was not there anymore, and he was no longer a merc sawing chaos behind enemy lines, but rather a man on the run along with the rest.. so...' "I dont know, maybe some one else will come still... needing".

He shrugged pushing those thoughts away and concentrating on the immediacy of the situation "I'll take rear.. yes... I have keen eyes... but I don't see in the dark, just keep that in mind".

'Otto didn't need no explaining, he knew each one of them down to their smallest habit...' Rum shook his head, took another swag and moved to the back keeping his eyes alert.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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The path down was treacherous for the inexperienced, and although it would only take about 5 minutes to run to the bottom of this hill, attempting to do so would likely result in broken bones and a sharp tumble along the rocky crags between your place and the bottom of the hill, where the Mill sat.  Thus it was that you were forced to make a slow progress, stopped periodically by brambles with thorns the size of your fingers.  The only way past the brambles was with steel weaponry, or an elevated means of travel.  Along the way, you pass the corpse of a wolf who, having followed something into the brambles found that the sharp thorns prevented its egress.  It likely died of starvation or perhaps from the thorns themselves.

On the bright side, there were berries aplenty for your pouches, if you can identify which ones were poisonous, and which were not.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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"We've got a bit of sunlight left," Evelyn said, as she cut through a patch of bramble.  "When it runs out, we'll see what happens.  I have a torch, but am hesitant to make ourselves so easy to spot."  Sheathing the wakizashi once again, she thought to herself, Besides, I can see in the dark well enough.

She shook her head when she saw the dead wolf.  After glancing back to make sure that Oberon was alright, she said, "Do be careful of your footing, all of you.  Would be a damn shame if any of us died to a few plants while on the run from the real threat."

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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Rum continued down stopping to inspect the wolf's corpse as he went just in case they had missed anything... some kind of attack on the down side of the carcass or anything.

On his way down, he picked what bays he could safely recognize without stopping to collect them in numbers.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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They move like bears through a blueberry patch! growled Oberon about their companions.

Be nice, Oberon. They did not grow up in the hills and forests like we did. Nature speaks and guides us in ways they are not privy to. We'll slow our pace and stay up with them, Connor thought back to the wolf.

While Rum and Evelyn were slowed by the dense underbrush and briars, Connor and Oberon seemed to glide through finding the smallest of breaks and paths with ease. He moved slightly ahead to pause and cast Goodberry but found fewer berries ready for the magic than he'd hoped, but he was able to find plenty of edible berries along the way which he readily shared with his companions.

At one point Oberon dashed into a thicket and and returned a few minutes later with some blood on his mouth. I do love me some rabbit. he remarked to Connor self-satisfied, You can keep your berries.

Neither remarked on the corpse, nature would reclaim the remains.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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Evelyn took notice of Connor's fluidity even in the dense growths, and became much less concerned for his safety in that regard.  She refrained from picking berries, feeling that it would be too much of a risk for her to attempt something like that with her limited wilderness knowledge, and given the frequency of poisonous berries.  Instead, she kept her eyes trained down the hill, focused exclusively on their destination, and whatever may lay on the path down.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Though treacherous, the end of the slope can be seen ahead, and with a quick yet careful endeavour, the trio arrive at the bottom of the hill.  They are still within the treeline, and can hear the thundering of hooves as a large contingent of knights approaches their location.  The setting of the sun reflects off of a large collection of armor charging northward towards your position.  Looking to your left, you see the target of the charging knights... orcs are encamped against the hillside and are hastily making preparations for the coming charge.  You see apparent bear-traps right in the center of the path, and the orcs have sharp long spear-like sticks, sitting against a tripod type configuration of sticks, upon which to impale the riders.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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"Let's try to make a run for it... towards the hill, before the charge arrives... Think we can make it ?" he asked Evelyn, for it was rather clear that the druid would have no trouble covering that distance in his wolf form.

He did not see any way he could alert the riders of the bear traps awaiting them, and anyway, he knew that in the heat of the battle trying to talk or signal someone who was not specifically waiting for that kind of information was next to absurd.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Connor ground his teeth and hoped that the two forces would destroy each other. He nodded to Rum and turned towards the hill. His eyes flashed yellow (Wolf's Movement).

There's a lot of nasty smells here. That human makes sense, Connor. The smart wolf does not stand in front of the charging bull, thought the wolf darkly, scowling at the battlefield.

Agreed, my friend, he thought back.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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Evelyn held her hand up to her face, trying to think of a plan.  "The safest thing for us to do is to go down around the fire, and sneak behind the human army after they start fighting the greenskins.  It will take longer, but--"  But, before she could finish her thoughts, she noticed that Connor and Oberon had already taken off running, both at the speed of wolves.  "Or, fuck it, let's just run.  A lot simpler that way, at the very least.  Watch out for the bear traps, Rum."  With that, she took off running, trying to follow behind the pair, despite their significantly greater speed.  (Run 120')

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Leaning on his spear, he looked to up towards the slops leading towards the Mill. That path would be treacherous at best. "I don't think we can make that slope," he said, "but Evelyn's suggestion has merit. Maybe longer but seems more likely to succeed."

He nodded to the other two and turned south to begin the run. His speed matched that of the wolf as the pair flew across the ground in a loping, easy stride that seemingly ignored the terrain through which they ran (Run 200').

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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Rum nodded, there was no discussion in his mind, it was time to act, and if the others were set on a course of action, it was best to follow unless one had a huge argument against, which he didn't.

He looked at Evelyn... thinking on all the atrocities he had seen done to women throughout this war... he shook it off his mind and just said "Ok, Connor, you take point, scout ahead, I'll run with her just in case they catch up with us... Let's go." a team was a team, even if it was temporary... (160' run, can push to 200')

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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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You finally decide on a course of action, and, though staying behind the treeline, make haste through the light woodland in a southerly direction, hoping to avoid the entire battle situation.  Something feels weird though... why would the Orcs be setup outside the mill, placing themselves against a dead-end rocky surface?  What keeps them from using the mill itself?  As you run, you notice that the knights raise their shields up, and begin lowering their lances.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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While they advanced, Rum kept looking around both the terrain and riders, in case any of them saw them running and decided to charge on them or in case there was something hidden, trying to find crevices or any other thing that might help them hide and pass the incoming battle more safely.

"Those orcs... they are either defending the mill... or they are more afraid of whats in there... why are they making their stand there?" He asked the others panting as they ran.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Connor and Oberon kept a close eye on the orcs and their path ahead, taking their role as scout seriously. He only had a minute of this ability with each use and wanted to make the most of it. He moved his staff to his left hand and slipped his sling into the right.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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Evelyn, though slightly insulted at Rum's implication that she would need his help, was still grateful to him for slowing down to her speed.  When the man asked his question, she replied, "I don't know, but it's making me regret the decision to come to this mill."  Her breath was short, but she went on.  "Corpses rise from the ground, but for whatever reason, orcs and men still decide that this is a good time for fighting.  Whoever wins this battle, we'll need to either ask them some questions, or we'll need to run away again, which is something that I'm really not looking forward to."

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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Though the cause is unknown, a loud ruckus from the knights draws your attentions back to the north, where a chaotic assembly of knights meets your vision.  Something seemed to have created a stir, as if one of the lead horses had stepped onto one of the beartraps that were so obvious on the field.  You find yourselves at one of the drop-offs that separates the different levels of plateaus on the mountainside.  Jumping down, you have a good vantage point to see what is happening uphill, while also maintaining a good protective cover if you so choose.

Interestingly, a bright glow is visible near where the mill is, though just out of sight from your angle.  As if someone had just lit a giant bonfire whose lights were reflecting off the higher points of the mill that are still visible.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Connor waited for the other two to catch up and said, "While I'm tempted to just remain concealed here and see how this plays out, there may be folk at the Mill that need protection."

He continued his movements as planned to get around the two engaged forces and move towards the Mill from the East.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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Rum looked back at Connor, from him down to what now looked to him like a cozy hideout and then back at the mill.. "You sure ?. Those lights there don't look like no fires, and the fact the orcs are not attacking and those lights are showing...  dude, I don't know how many wars you have been to, but getting in the middle of 2 or 3 forces... when we don't even know who to support sounds like the recipe for a major fuck up".

He paused "Only thing that appeals me about moving on is that I am afraid if we stay we will still know not much about who's in there... What'cha think Evelyn ? I am ok with moving towards the Mill.. just I don't know... it'd feel safer to stay"

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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Evelyn was silent for several seconds, as she thought about what to do.  "The mill was our objective, right?  If other survivors came this way, the mill is likely to be where they stopped.  I'm not leaving here until I know who's inside, and I can be sure that they're safe.  It's a risk, yeah, but life's no fun without a little danger."

She turned to look at Rum.  "I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to stay here, or even to leave this place entirely, but I'm going in, and it looks like Connor is, as well, so if you do stay, it will be alone."  Once she was done speaking, she went back to following Connor around, feeling much less concerned about her visibility with the help of the new cover.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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Rum chuckled bitterly, and shook his head not saying a word as he moved on towards the mill 'There she goes,feeling hurt cuz I didn't let her alone on the run, and right after, downright calling me a coward and leaving me behind... the gall of it !.. what the fuck do they know ? one does not leave companions behind while there is a fighting goin' on'. He shook his head again as he moved on covering the rear again.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Running towards the mill, using the river as a path to follow, you hear the voices of discontent to your left as a man, glowing with a brightly lit holy aura, says something indecipherable, thanks to the roaring river, towards the distant knights.  Looking left, you watch as vines creep up from the ground, encircling and trapping the knights where they stand.  The orcs are no longer within your line of sight, but it seems strangely silent in that direction for some reason.

The mill is directly before you, though not quite within throwing range yet.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Connor slowed down and let the others catch up. "There's something strange going on," he said, "There's a druid or a priest with the Plant domain over there. That's an Entangle being cast on the knights. I'd thought about doing the same thing if we became involved. I still think we should make our way towards the Mill and see who is there."

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297316 Rum
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"What a bitch.... " growled Rum as he run "... not knowing who is who". "Any decision we make is bound to be a coin flip, let us just run on". Rum tried again to get a look at the knights on the mill see if he could get a hint on that but it was to no avail.

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297311 Evelyn
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"Agreed," Evelyn said, glad that Connor was back with the group.  "We don't make any moves until we really know what's going on, or until we get attacked, whichever comes first.  We're pulling it off so far, and we continue with this plan for as long as possible."

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IC - The Downward Slope by 297379 Connor
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Connor nodded and moved with more care towards the Mill. Trying to present a lower profile and keep closer to his other two companions.

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