You all wait tensely for several minutes, waiting for an ambush to be sprung, or some further development – but nothing happens.
You wait a few minutes more, to be sure – still, nothing. It seems that no attack is forthcoming.
If anyone wants to keep looking around the clearing:
Keildrithe keeps scanning the clearing from his vantage point beyond the edge of the woods, then cocks his head and squints...
"I think I hear something... it sounds like... crying? Coming from the box... someone is trapped inside. Careful, lads..."
You all wait tensely for several minutes, waiting for an ambush to be sprung, or some further development – but nothing happens.
Laithe Continues to look around the clearing, but sees nothing. He turns his attention to the box, looking at it and noticing it continue to shake. Listening intently he catches a sound...what he thinks is...crying!
Now concerned, Laithe stands and says to the others "There's a child in the box! We must get them out!". He wants to rush over, but knows falling in another such trap is unlikely to help whoever is stuck in the box.
"Alton, do you think you will be able to detect any further traps in the clearing? If you have any skill in this area, I will come out with you to the box."
Laithe starts forward, reaching out as he sees the pit trap open up below Alton's feet. Relief floods through him as he sees the nimble halfling dodge away and avoid the pit.
His relief is short lived though as he kneels, keeping behind the cover of his shield and carefully scans the clearing, searching the someone or something he assumes is nearby. Seeing nothing around the clearing, he turns his attention to the box, noticing it rattle slightly.
"Does anyone see anything? I think there may be something alive in the box!"
Jirkin turns toward Laithe "There is something wrong here...I notice another Pit? could it be?
I'm short on time at the moment and am probably not going to be able to post again until late tonight so you can NPC me to keep things moving along.
You all wait tensely for several minutes, waiting for an ambush to be sprung, or some further development – but nothing happens.
You wait a few minutes more, to be sure – still, nothing. It seems that no attack is forthcoming.
If anyone wants to keep looking around the clearing:
Spot check 20 + ** spoiler omitted **
Spot check 22+ ** spoiler omitted **
Spot check 25+ ** spoiler omitted **
If anyone is listening:
Listen check 10 + ** spoiler omitted **
Listen check 15 + ** spoiler omitted **
Listen check 18 + ** spoiler omitted **
If anyone looks specifically at the box:
Spot check 5+ ** spoiler omitted **Spot check 10+ ** spoiler omitted **
Spot check 13+ ** spoiler omitted **
Spot check 16+ ** spoiler omitted **
If anyone searches the box
Search check 10+ ** spoiler omitted **
Search check 13+ ** spoiler omitted **
If...
Jirkin walks around the box and searches the box "An animals perhaps is in hear, shall i open the box?"
"There appears to be some sort of folding latch... like an animal trap. We must free this... whatever it is, child or animal. Be careful, though, it may be angry or dangerous."
Yruch moves to a position where he could defend whomever opens the box should its contents prove unfriendly.
"There appears to be some sort of folding latch... like an animal trap. We must free this... whatever it is, child or animal. Be careful, though, it may be angry or dangerous."
Yruch moves to a position where he could defend whomever opens the box should its contents prove unfriendly.
Jirkin nods his head "Poor little creature locked up," Jirkin starts to mumble to himself. "I am going to open it everyone keep your guard up!" Jirkin goes over to the box and opens the box...
I make a move as though to stop Jirkin but I'm too late. As Jirkin begins to raise the lid of the box I say "You fool! never open a box you find lying about in the wilderness without looking for traps first! I already triggered a pit trap. Who knows what else is in this clearing!" in an angry tone of voice. I raise my weapons, preparing for an attack from whatever is in the box.
Keildrithe silently watches the scene that is unfolding before his eyes in the clearing. "I wonder... would a lullabye inform whatever creature is trapped therein that our intentions aren't hostile? Would it calm it down?"
Keildrithe silently watches the scene that is unfolding before his eyes in the clearing. "I wonder... would a lullabye inform whatever creature is trapped therein that our intentions aren't hostile? Would it calm it down?"
"Perhaps. I have not seen this tactic in action, but if you are confident in your abilities, it could not hurt."
Keildrithe unslings his pack and retrieves his beldach from it. He starts to drum a slow, gentle beat, above which he recites an old poem in what he thinks is a soothing, sing-song tone, but which actually comes out sounding quite a bit too weak and whiny:
"Out on the road there are fireflies circling
Deep in the woods where the lost souls hide
Under the fog there are shadows moving
Don't be afraid, hold my hand
Sleep my child...
Speak to me now and the world will crumble
Open a door and the moon will fall
All of your life, all your memories
Go to your dreams, forget it all
Sleep my child..."
Although feeling the need for urgency to get out to the box, Laithe hesitates, waiting to see if the other's have spotted anything he missed. For a second time today however, he turned his back on Jirkin only to turn around and see the mage making his way through the clearing and reaching out to open the box.
Not as surprised this time, but none-the-less exasperated at the mage's seeming lack of caution and discretion, Laithe starts to get up to follow. But as Alton and Yruch follow him into the clearing and over to the box, he thinks again and instead pulls out his sling. He readys a bullet and watches the clearing, hoping to strike should anyone or thing threaten those standing around he box.
Keildrithe begins reciting an old poem in an effort to calm whatever lurks within the box, but, surprisingly, the normally talented bard is somewhat out of tune, his voice not in shape – perhaps the oppressive nature of this forest is taking it’s toll on him.
As most of the group turn to glance at Keildrithe in some surprise, their attention is momentarily distracted from the box – all but Jirkin, who lifts the latch, and raises the gate slightly…
… enough that whatever is inside can escape! A small, long, reddish-brown shape streaks out from the box, seemingly making for the edge of the clearing.
… enough that whatever is inside can escape! A small, long, reddish-brown shape streaks out from the box, seemingly making for the edge of the clearing.
Keildrithe gasps as he sees the creature streak from the box, dropping his drum and drawing his sword, while trying to get a better look at the escapee... without luck...
What did you get on the spot check? It might garner something...
What did you get on the spot check? It might garner something...
Keildrithe, you spot a small creature, it appears to be an animal of some kind, running on four legs, with a fairly long tail. However, given the speed of the creature and the suddenness of it's appearance you cannot tell more at this stage.
I curse as the creature shoots out of the box and try to catch a glimpse of it as it shoots past. Assuming that Laithe has either decided to provide us with cover and not been eaten by some kind of forest creature I shout "Use your sling! Try to disable it not kill it." over my shoulder
I strike downwards with my rapier as the creature flys out of the box however my attack was ill timed and it merely passes past the creature's retreating back. However, I was prepared for its emergence and strike at it with my sickle and again with my rapier. On both strikes I attempt to disable it, not kill it, incase it is somehow important to our mission.
Alton,
As soon as the creature emerges from the box, Alton is upon it, attempting, awkwardly, to hit it with the basket hilt of his rapier, a desperate attack which misses the fast moving creature. However, Alton leaps after it, and hits at it again, this time with the flat of his sickle’s blade – and this time hits! The creature is knocked to the side, and lies there, seemingly stunned.
I walk cautiously over to its insensate form and carefully poke it with the tip of my rapier.
As soon as the creature emerges from the box, Alton is upon it, attempting, awkwardly, to hit it with the basket hilt of his rapier, a desperate attack which misses the fast moving creature. However, Alton leaps after it, and hits at it again, this time with the flat of his sickle’s blade – and this time hits! The creature is knocked to the side, and lies there, seemingly stunned.
"Alton, what is that thing?!"
Keildrithe stays put beyond the treeline.
"It looks like a half-starved fox to me but I'm not really sure. Laithe, come over here and look at this thing. Is it a fox or something else?"
Alton, you poke the creature gently with your blade. It lets out a mewling noise which sounds surprisingly like crying. It turns it’s head to nip ineffectively at your sword, before its head lolls back to the ground. It appears stunned.
Everyone can now see that the creature is a small mammal, maybe a fox or something similar. Alton, you notice a dirty leather collar around the creature’s neck.
I catiously kneel down and examine the creature and it's collar, looking for anything of interest (or value).
You find nothing of interest. The collar looks old and non-valuable.
"It looks like a half-starved fox to me but I'm not really sure. Laithe, come over here and look at this thing. Is it a fox or something else?"
Laithe looks on, stunned by the speed of the creature darting from the box, and by Alton's quick reaction to it. Before he can so much as ready his sling, the creature is knocked down, and lies there unmoving.
It is only Alton's call which finally rouses Laithe into action. He hurries towards the fox-like creature, as he goes saying "keep a close eye out around the clearing. I don't want to be crept up on while our attention is focused here". Reaching the animal form he kneels down beside it and examines it.
After taking a quick look, Laithe reaches into his pack and pulls out his winter blanket, intending to cover the creature with it (up to the neck that is).
"Well, is it a fox or something else? I ask "Is there anything wrong with it other than a lack of food?" as I look through my pack and find my rations, pulling a small strip of dried meat out.
Laithe instantly recognizes that the creature is indeed a fox, although while the animals are usually quite sleek and well groomed, this one looks quite disheveled. It’s fur is matted and dirty, it appears to be bruised in places, and there is dried blood around it’s jaw. It also looks under-feed, like it hasn’t eaten in several days. It is currently stunned, but appears to be beginning to come around, struggling to stand up.
Once it awakens I carefully hold out the peice of dried meat that I retreived from my rations in as non-threatening manner as possible. I again look at it's collar, trying to make out any details I missed in my initial hasty search. "I imagine that its thirsty as well. Perhaps we should take it over to that stream. We should also search the area for anything else of interest and be careful of any more traps!"
Laithe instantly recognizes that the creature is indeed a fox, although while the animals are usually quite sleek and well groomed, this one looks quite disheveled. It’s fur is matted and dirty, it appears to be bruised in places, and there is dried blood around it’s jaw. It also looks under-feed, like it hasn’t eaten in several days. It is currently stunned, but appears to be beginning to come around, struggling to stand up.
As the fox begins to stir, Laithe lays the blanket over it, up to its neck and gently lays a hand on its body. He speaks soothing words to the animal. "Be calm little woodland friend. You will soon be free to run among the trees once more. We just need to find why you have been left in this box, and who would put a collar on you..."
He gently tugs at the collar buckle, attempting to pull it free. To Alton he says, "Yes, some food and water would be a good idea. Have you got a bowl or something to bring the water to us?". Turning his attention back to the collar, he attempts to find if he can garner any further information from it.
Keildrithe drops sheathes his sword, picks up his drum, and walks closer to Laithe, trying to get a better look at the fox without getting too close. "Strange indeed. Why would someone leave a fox to die in a box? It makes no sense... or was this an actual device left by a trapper, who has yet to come and check it for the daily catch? Perhaps even Jarred Hale himself? For some reason, I don't think it would be his style, but I could be mistaken..."
I pull out a small cooking pan and trot over to the stream to collect some water. While I'm over there I look in the water, wondering if there might be any strange creatures or traps in the water but the gleaming of light on the water's surface makes it so that I'm unable to see the bottom of the stream. I then return to where Laithe and the fox are and put the pan of water in front of the fox.
Alton takes a closer look at the collar, noticing that something – a word? – is etched faintly into it. However, it appears to be in a language he cannot read.
---
Laithe’s soothing words and gestures seem to calm the animal. It licks his hand, then settles down to rest, closing it’s eyes, allowing Laithe to remove the collar. Alton points out the writing to him – Laithe can read the Karandic words; it simply reads “Wil”.
Laithe’s soothing words and gestures seem to calm the animal. It licks his hand, then settles down to rest, closing it’s eyes, allowing Laithe to remove the collar. Alton points out the writing to him – Laithe can read the Karandic words; it simply reads “Wil”.
Assuming that Laithe reads the inscription aloud...
"Wil... is that it's name? Might it be Jarred Hale's companion?"
Alton, walking past the old camp fire to the stream, you spot a suspicious looking patch of leaves about half a foot from your feet, at a point about fifteen feet away from the edge of the stream. You realise that you have narrowly avoided stepping into another pit, through pure luck, and then recall that Jirkin had earlier mentioned he thought he had seen another pit over here. You make a mental note to retrace your steps exactly on the way back across the clearing.
The stream is narrow but swift. The water is clean and cool.
"Wil... is that it's name? Might it be Jarred Hale's companion?"
Keildrithe,
Assuming that Laithe reads the inscription aloud...
"Wil... is that it's name? Might it be Jarred Hale's companion?"
Looking up at Keildrithe, Laithe nods "I can only assume that Wil is the name of this little guy". Laithe shrugs "Perhaps we should ask him?".
He takes the water and rations Alton has offered him and puts them within reach of the fox. Giving it some time to feed and drink, he turns back to Keildrithe "He might be Jarred's companion, and if so may be able to lead us to him, though I am not confident I will be able to track him over a long distance".
Looking around the camp he says "It would be good to get a better look around the camp, and see if we can find some clues as to who set it up. Can someone sit with our little friend here while I take a look and see if I can find any tracks?"
Turning back to the fox, he says "What say you little friend, is Wil your name? Do you know the woodsman Jarred?". He looks into the creatures eyes, looking for any sign of recognition in speaking either name.
The fox opens its eyes, perks up its ears and gives a little "Yip!" of recognition at the name "Wil."
It then closes its eyes and appears to fall asleep. Although Laithe is sure that his words calmed it, he also suspects that it is used to being around humans.
Yruch, having little experience with wild creatures, or creatures in general, stands back a ways to allow Laithe and Keildrithe to apply their knowledge.
"If there is anything at all I can assist with, do not hesitate to ask."
The fox opens its eyes, perks up its ears and gives a little "Yip!" of recognition at the name "Wil."
It then closes its eyes and appears to fall asleep. Although Laithe is sure that his words calmed it, he also suspects that it is used to being around humans.
Jirkin smiles at the fox when he "Yips". "See no one got killed, and it was a small animal,but next time i will be more careful." Jirkin bows" please forgive me for not having patience." Jirkin then walks away and sits on the ground
"I'll begin searching the rest of the clearing for anything interesting. Laithe, if this is Jarred Hale's companion than perhaps you can communicate with it somehow? Someone stay with the fox and the rest of us can search the clearing. If we each take a quadrant of the clearing than it shouldn't take us as long." With that I walk off and begin to methodically search the eastern part of the clearing, starting with the area around the chest.
[
Looking around the camp he says "It would be good to get a better look around the camp, and see if we can find some clues as to who set it up. Can someone sit with our little friend here while I take a look and see if I can find any tracks?"
Keildrithe steps forward, then sits down by the fox as Laithe gets up. The bard gently strokes Wil's fur, smiling. Softly, he says in Karandic (which Laithe might hear):
For lack of anything really useful to do with regards to the animal, Yruch joins Alton in searching the clearing.
For lack of anything really useful to do with regards to the animal, Yruch joins Alton in searching the clearing.
"it looks like i will search too" Arik gets up from the ground also joining Alton
[
Looking around the camp he says "It would be good to get a better look around the camp, and see if we can find some clues as to who set it up. Can someone sit with our little friend here while I take a look and see if I can find any tracks?"Keildrithe steps forward, then sits down by the fox as Laithe gets up. The bard gently strokes Wil's fur, smiling. Softly, he says in Karandic (which Laithe might hear):
** spoiler omitted **
Laithe looks at Keildrithe, vaguely recalling the children's stories of the dog and the fox, but remembering no specifics. "You have a good memory, friend." To the fox he says "You are in good hands, Wil. Let us see what we can see".
With that, he rises slowly, taking care not to startle the fox, and leaving Wil in Keildrithe's care and moves over to the campfire. He sudies the ashes and the ground surrounding it, trying to get a feel of when the site was last used/set. He also takes a closer look at the box that had trapped Wil, seeing if it was set up to lure him in, or if it was left there with the fox already in it.
Jirkin looks at Laithe "Are you sure that Wil understands us? or is he just barking happily he has company?" Jirkin looks at the ground. "I don't understand animal that well."
Jirkin looks at Laithe "Are you sure that Wil understands us? or is he just barking happily he has company?" Jirkin looks at the ground. "I don't understand animal that well."
As Laithe searches for clues, he responds to Jirkin's question, without looking up.
"It is hard to be certain with animals of course. This little fella has definitely spent time around humans though; the collar and relative lack of fear are testament to that. And his reaction to the name Wil points towards that being his name. Whether he understands the rest is of course up for debate. He is no doubt happy to be free of the box and offered some food and drink."
Continuing his search, he directs his voice to the group at large, responding to Alton's earlier question. "It may be possible to find out more about Wil by speaking with him. However, I know not the tongue of the fox, and will have to ask Ehlonna to grant it to me. That I fear, will have to wait until dusk this evening."
He falls quiet and continues searching for clues.