HEROIC REALMS

Before the early morning rise a female scream echoes throughout the stronghold; it awakens all that were asleep. Anyone exiting their cabin to investigate the voice can see a female adorned in a white robe. Her body lifelessly hovers three or more feet above the ground and drifts away from the cabins toward Dark Entry road…Within moments, she seems to evaporate into air.

Laurelin had awoken with a start, the unsettling scream yanking her straight from the peaceful dream she was enjoying. Sitting bolt upright, she could feel her hair stand on end. Shaking off the initial unease, she grabbed her cloak and whispered for Samarac to stay near the cabin. She had a sinking feeling she knew what it could be but had to see for herself. Quietly she crept along the tree line, careful not to make her presence known. Then she saw her... and the druids breath hitched in her throat.

Hauntingly beautiful, the creature moved with a grace, reserved for beings of a ghostly nature, along the path toward dark entry road. Laurelin watched silently from a shadowed hiding place amongst the woods, a frown passing over her expression. Despite the obvious danger the creature posed, there was something innately sad about the torment she was left to. When the creature had gone from sight, Laurelin returned to the cabin in solemn silence.

Artha was immediately peeking out the door of his cabin, staff in hand, not yet dressed in more than what he slept in. He looks over, following the creature with his eyes, and then with a brief usage of a spell to pass without a trace to creep along after it, watching it... and a second later it vanishes. He pauses, a bit confused by this turn of events... and by the time he's done mulling it over in his head, his brief invisibility spell wears off, leaving him standing on the trail and looking confused."What..." He whispers to himself. "...was that a ghost? No... that scream... a mythical banshee?" He shivers, partly from the fear of such a creature, and partially because it's early in the morning and he's not wearing anything but pants. "...eyeesh..." He quietly heads back to his bed, wondering about the strange creature and why it would be here.

Hanz, out on an early morning patrol, hears the scream. Thinking that there is justice to implement, rushes in the direction of the shriek. Seeing the haunting figure of the pale, yet mezmerizing beauty, Hanz draws his mace due to the chance of danger. Seeing the others he waits for something to happen, but it simply vanishes.

"Hmmmm" Mutters Hanz. Watching the others leave, he begins searching the area around the phantasm's disappearance for clues. "That was odd, and i will find out what just happened here."

There is a slight hissing sound as Orogom appears like magic beside Hanz, holding his shortswords and wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and boots. "Please do, it's abit to cold out to be investigating in the buff." With that being said, the Triclopse moves back towards the cabin to get dressed.

A few minutes later, a fully-dressed Artha comes back out of the cabin and heads over by Hanz, passing Orogom on the way. "Oh, good, I'm not the only one who saw that banshee or whatever it was."

"Yes Artha, it was indeed here, and with our luck it will be back too." stated Hanz grimly. He continues scanning the area around where it dissapeared.

Keith: I am searching the area for evidence of the "spook" do I find anything?

Laurelin walked past the assemled townsfolk with her head down, scantly noticing them. Her pace was slow and measured as she continued on down the path until reaching her cabin, where she opened the door and slipped inside.

Orogom silently watches the reactions of the others, his gaze lingering on Laurelin for a few seconds longer then the others, then he does as the others and slips back into his cabin, intending to return to the warmth of his bed. Banshee or not, he needed sleep.

OOG: No trace of the "spook."

Unable to sleep, Orogom steps back out of his cabin, fully dressed and armed. He sits on the stone outside the row of cabins and waits for Laurelin. When he eventually sees her, he steps up beside her and whispers in her ear, "I probably don't want to know, do I?"

Artha looks around as well, but eventually shrugs. "Hanz, will you be around to keep an eye out incase it shows up again? Not that we need someone to alert us with how loud it is, but to investigate?"

Laurelin had found it difficult to sleep. The early morning air taking on an extra chill now. She decided to head toward the Druids circle so that she could pray for the lost soul she had just seen. On her way Orogom appeared suddenly and asked her a question. Her brows furrowed as she looked to the Triclopse. "A Banshee is a tragic being... locked in eternal torment. Although I am not certain why this one has appeared... it is not a good omen. Our already heightened vigilance must be increased even further now... it takes a great deal of power to condemn such a soul. It could be the product of Torom's avatar...and we may see more. I hope that is not the case."

Her gaze moved up the path toward the circle. "I am going to pray for guidance... and for the unfortunate creature. Hopefully... I will find an Awethorn as well... perhaps they can shed some light on this. Though..." Her expression turned solemn once more, "... I am not sure I really want to know."

Orogom nods grimly and replies simply, "Good luck. I'll go get people drunk since that is about all I can do in this situation." Bowing slightly to Laurelin, he turns and heads down the path past the portal towards the tavern. As he moves, he mumbles, "Just one day...is it too much to ask for one day of peace and quiet around here?"

Artha frowns, looking to Laurelin and scratching his head, then back over to Hanz. Alright... this could be my chance to be some use around here, let's not screw this up. The young mage put a smile back on his face, likely the only one around who was smiling. "Hmm... Laurelin? If you don't mind, what else do you know about banshees? I'm only familiar with children's tales where they turn people to stone with their scream and such. Any information could help us investigate this."
And as quick as that, the young mage has his journal and a pencil out to take notes, a smile on his face.

Laurelin nods her head politely in farewell to Orogom as he takes his leave, then turns to the grinning mage with a look of mild distaste. "Why in Trill are you smiling? We face a countless number of damning perils... and you are grinning as if you were awarded a medal for your smile!"

Closing her eyes she takes a deep calming breath before speaking again, "Apologies Artha... You are trying to help, I should not have been so rude. I am afraid I need to speak with others before I can accurately answer your querey. A seer perhaps who can possibly give us insight into why the Banshee is here... and who has done this cruel and terrible deed to her lost soul. You have recently found your faith in the gods... I suggest you utilize such and pray. Pray for guidance, pray for help... and pray for the Banshee. In the meantime, if you see the creature again, it would be wise to keep your distance and cover your ears. The fables you heard are not too far from the truth of things. Franky, given all that is coming our way... the Banshee may be the least of our troubles."

Laying a hand on the mages shoulder she offered an apologetic smile, "And continue to ask questions to anyone you think may be able to help. Even the smallest bit of information can lead to great discoveries. If you see Zeesa... please ask her to meet with me in the Druids circle, I have something important to discuss with her. If I get any answers about the creature, I shall be certain to share them with you."

Letting her hand fall to her side once more she quietly waits for anything Artha may have to say.

Artha nods. "I shall. Arlon and Laroon seem like they could both help us in this time of need." He smiles again, still less of a happy grin and more just a calm smile. "And Laurelin? Remember what aspects of the world Arlon embodies. Optimism and Magic." He holds up his staff, looking at the cloudy fabric about the end. "So long as I have my magic, I know that Arlon still favors me. And as long as he favors me, I can't lose faith that whatever task we undertake CAN be accomplished. I just have to keep an optimistic thought in mind and I can keep going."
He sets his staff back against a tree as he finishes taking a couple notes on the banshee. He then takes his staff back in hand, tucking his journal away and nodding to the elven druid. "I know you seem to have more on your shoulders than any of us around here, but even in the face of death, a smile and happy thought sometimes makes all the difference." He pats her shoulder as he heads down towards the Tavern, keeping turned towards her as he talks. "Why don't you let the rest of us take the lead this one, alright? As odd as it may sound, you seem like you might snap and go all druidically 'Nature's Wrath!' on something if you have another nerve-wracking mystery to deal with."
He chuckles, then stops and looks back to her from halfway down the hill. "I know! Sing that song a bit. That'll lighten your mood." He whistles a bit to the tune... "Laurelin is huntiiiii~ng you down~!" He sings along for a bit, then breaks into upbeat laughter and heads on his way towards the Tavern, and the Sanctuary beyond.

A smile emerged on the druids face despite her solemn mood. She waved to the mage as she silently hoped he would be able to keep his optimism longer than she. She watched him disappear down the trail before finally turning back on her way up the path. Climbing over the fallen tree she crossed the circle and sat on the ground facing the path. Her ears twitched as she listened and looked for any who might be about. When she noted she was alone, at least for the time being, she let go a deep sigh and slumped over to hold her head in her hands. As such she remained for quite some time, desperately trying to clear her thoughts... and stave off the urge to return home to Farlenia for a bit longer. Homesickness ... especially in such time where death and horror seemed to loom in every corner of the forest, was a difficult thing to shake. She still had a number of tasks she had to see through... then... then she could leave the adventuring and such to those who desired it. If only she survived long enough to do so.