A Critical Role Story: Storm in the woods

Storm In The Woods Part 2

Vex'ahlia and the Whitestone forces had been following the party that had abducted Percival since the attack took place, Percival having thought about all they knew of the recent bandit activity on the road from Whitestone down to Westruun and the south of Tal'dorei. It had been his assumption from the targets chosen that this was targeted at the nobility of Whitestone and thus most likely at himself.

It had been his choice to appear to be travelling with just a few trusted guards, inviting the attack and abduction. Vex had not been impressed with the idea and particularly not when she realised that he intended for her to not be travelling with him. However, if Percival has correct in his assumption then it would be far too appealing a target if he seemed to be vulnerable.

And Vex, her Grey Hunt and a troop of Whitestone Pale Guard would be tracking them closely; the rangers doing the sneaky thing and the Pale Guard keeping in contact but not too close.

Vex had lead the Whitestone forces around the raiding party as they took their apparent prize back to the hollow that the bandits were currently based in. And knowing that two of her Grey Hunters had gone missing after being sent to check out this area meant that she had been able to move up ahead of the raiding party as they rested, slowly and carefully taking position around the camp.

As the raiding party returned, causing a distraction to the bandit lookouts, the Grey Hunt scouts began to move in, incapacitating them and allowing the Pale Guard to approach in turn.

Vex herself remained in the branches, using her broom to remain out of the sightlines but keeping her husband within her sight, and within the usuable distance of their enchanted ear-rings. Squads of Pale Guard, led by Kynan and Jarrett kept the half elf in sight so when Percival gave the signal, Vex was able to gesture them to move in.

The first few seconds went according to plan, Jarretts troop rushing down into the hollow with Kynan's gunners providing covering fire. Vex's own Grey Hunters were interspersed with the Pale Guard, several haven't taken positions over the bodies of the bandit lookouts in the trees.

Vex swooped over the bandit herd, this so called Herd of Stormwind. Her first arrow was a bramble shot to one of the few goliaths, who cursed loudly as the ensnaring growth pinned him in place, and a second arrow piercing the hand of a second goliath who cried out, dropping her maul.

The half-elf heard the bellows of the herd leader as she was flying closer to the ground and looked over to see a Pale Guard keel over, grasping her life blood pouring from a gaping neck wound. Worse for Vex was seeing Percival wrenched up next to the swinging bodies, obviously choking.

Vex cried out in a mix of panic and terror and leant against her broom, bringing it around to face Toureg. She was drawing back on Fenthras, eye focussing on the rope keeping her husband in the air when the wounded she-goliath leapt at her, getting a hand onto the half-elf's ankle.

Vex was unable to prevent the arrow going astray as she was pulled to the ground, broom sinking to the floor in her wake. The goliath maintained her hold and pulled out a wicked looking dagger with her wounded hand, raising it with murderous intent.

There was a blast and gunshot blasted through the goliaths shoulder. But the goliath, enraged, ignored the wound and swung down at the fallen half-elf.

By this point, Vex had got one hand to the pendant around her neck and the goliath suddenly found her dagger hand caught in the vice grip of an angry bear.

Trinket growled and bit down with the goliath crying out in pain before letting go of Vex's leg to grapple with the bear she was now engaged with.

Vex scrambled backwards from the goliath – she was aware of Kynan rushing in, gun discarded and the flame tongue dagger carving through the face of a half-orc; she could hear Jarrett's yelling as he skewered a bandit druid raising his hand against the Pale Guard onslaught – but she looked solely for her husband.