DM Bloodgargler |
That first Kaw Kaw .. was not from a bird .. it was a good mimic but not from a bird. The caws from the second source sound right... from a crow.. not sure what it is communicating.. the repeated "ee-aw's" could have some meaning... it is not a pattern you recognize.
Just at the edge of your darkvision, in the clearing to the west, you can barely make out what looks like a small figure tied to a tree - roughly three feet off the ground. You see it in profile, its about the same size as Furiel... its head is bowed.
regarding Furiel's question: in this moonlight, even the humans can see each other if within 10 - 15'.
Furiel |
Bregor Rowain |
"I am more worried about the fact that it circled us like that, crows and ravens are carrion birds, which is why they have such a bad reputation.
And there is no carrion here; it should not have been attracted to us in such a way."
Looking towards the place where the others disappeared to, The Green Man frowns.
"Well, let us give them a little while longer, but I think we should also be ready here, just in case mind you..."
Saying so, The Green Man hefts his axe and stand with his back to a tree.
Ta'de-win of the Gale |
Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Stealth 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Survival 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 +2 if natural
Norton Ambrosi |
Norton is no nature man, but Green's words have some sense.
"The problem is my friend, do we stick to the plan and wait, or do we rush after the other even if we are not sure what's going on."
He remembers the words of Master Godil: "A battle plan works only up to the first clash with the enemy."
DM Bloodgargler |
You move closer and soon see this clearing is actually where a well-worn path leading north meets a tree cleared vale of a decent size. The moon breaks free from the clouds giving a little more visibility ... you now see the body lashed to the tree.. it faces the path leading north ..as you circle around it to get a better view, you step on a twig .. "..moobli ... mooobli " comes weakly from the body ".. moobli ... run ... ". You hear a faint flapping pass over head.. the one lashed to the tree raises its head slightly .. revealing a goblin, arms tied back to the tree - beaten and bloody.
Bregor Rowain |
"The problem is that they are using stealth, they will not be easy to track.
I can probably manage, but it will be hard, and tracking takes time.
If we go, we had best have a general idea where things are happening, like a shout or something.
If we go off without being sure something is wrong, we might bypass each other in the dark and spend hour or even days looking to reunite again."
Despite The Green Mans calm and reasonable words, it is clear that he is also itching to charge ahead now, having convinced himself that something strange is afoot.
Ta'de-win of the Gale |
Goblin or not, this isn't right. Ta'de-win looks to see what the flapping was.
Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
DM Bloodgargler |
you look up and can barely make out a black bird flying across the vale .. you follow its trajectory with our eyes and notice a square of warm flickering light hidden in the trees at the far edge of the vale. You can faintly hear a voice call out from that direction maybe 80 yards away.. Alice hears this as well "Yea yea kaw kaw, Bitters... you've barely touched the one you have .. now you want me to chase after three more? .. not tonight.. "
DM Bloodgargler |
The area near the dying goblin provides a fair view of the small valley .. near the highest point on the other side the treeline begins again.. This is where you see the light .. you can start to make out the unnatural boxy shapes of two small buildings. At the bottom of the valley you can make out rows like turned soil.. There is a strong smell of rotting vegetable matter close by .. seems to come from the direction of the goblin.
The clouds begin to eclipse the moon again .. darkening your view.
Norton Ambrosi |
"Rogar, calm down. If, and I underline, if the others, more skilled trackers than us, has encountered any trouble, is unlikely that the three of us could do any batter. Give them some credit. Some time we are just required to be patient."
Norton Ambrosi |
"I know you feel frustrated" Norton speaks calmly, hoping to cool Rogar down, the wrong decision here could lead to disaster "I've seen Lady Morell in action, and she has nothing to envy us, in matters of melee fighting. de-win has magic, and it seems that the outdoors amplify her powers. Running out know, in this darkness, with them not expecting us, chances are we will stat shoot each other. Have faith friends: you must rely on your allies as much as you rely on your blade."
Bregor Rowain |
Gods, I feel so tense, I cannot just stand here, I have got to do something! Something....I know!
The Green Man dumps his pack on the ground, opens it and rifles through it for a moment before coming up with a fistful of jerky.
"When all else fails, eat and conserve your strength, an army marches on its stomach as they say."
With a tusky grin The Green Man tearing into his prize.
Rogar Valertis |
Rogar looks at Norton then at Green, incredolous:"Formidable as they may be they are two women and a gnome nontheless, and besides the obvious they may be severely outnumbered... how many bandits are supposed to be hiding here? Ten? Twelve? Three against twelve could be a problem even for real warriors... and you suggest we stay here and wish for the best! As I said, at the first sign of fight I will rush to their help, I won't have dead companions on my coscience!"
Norton Ambrosi |
"Good idea Green, when you can't do anything, get prepared."
Norton joins the half-orc in the meal, hoping Rogar doesn't find a reason to act out of impulse. No much he can do now if not be calm himself and hope this relaxes his confederate.
Ta'de-win of the Gale |
Ta'de-win will stay as quiet as possible and attempt to follow the man, by eye or by ear.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 +2 if natural
Stealth 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
DM Bloodgargler |
you are about a quarter mile away from other three
You try to focus on the area and move a little closer .. you feel exposed .. if the moon comes out from behind the clouds there will be little cover .. you then see another larger but dimmer light that looks like an open door .. it then shuts and you can just barely make out the sound of it closing. A 20 second sprint could get you to the treeline near the cabin structure..
Ta'de-win of the Gale |
Alice Morell |
"From what I saw and heard, a man was feeding his crow in a rather unpleasant way. He had a goblin tied to a tree.
Also he dismissed "taking on three more tonight", which I assume was one of our groups..". Rather offputting to me."
Norton Ambrosi |
Norton is relieved in seeing the others back and safe, both for their safety, and because that could put Rogar more at ease, now and maybe in the future.
Then he listens to Alice's words, growing worried.
"You mean, he spotted you? or maybe us. Green spotted a crow behaving strangely, there could be a connection. He didn't attack you though, I wonder what this might mean. Tell us more about what you saw."
Norton doesn't fail to notice that the camp was supposed to be quite far, and the scouts came back in just few minutes.
Am I correct? bandit's camp somewhere in an hour, according to Badgie; scouts trip 20 min hin and back?
Bregor Rowain |
The Green Man listens in silence as the others report on their findings, chewing thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing, afterwards he chuckles softly.
"So he settled for the one he had? Not an over eater then we can take it."
Slowly pulling on his braided beard he thinks for a moment.
"We should probably move a little bit away from here in case he changes his mind. Let us find another place to talk shall we? Noise travels far under a darken sky."
Alice Morell |
Alice says with concern in her voice
"I do not know if he knew we were there, or if he knew about the three of you, but he didn't seem too concerned by it either way. If he is with the bandits however, he may alert them. I suggest we try to track him down... also maybe we should check on that poor creature being tortured tied to that tree.."
Norton Ambrosi |
"A lone man, living in this wilderness, not afraid to face three opponents, could be a fool, but I won't bet on that... I'm not fond of torturing either. Goblins aren't men, but the are intelligent creatures nonetheless, but we came here for the bandits, we should not get diverted by other matters. As soon as they find out some of them are missing, they are going to pick on Oleg again. Chance are this whatever-he-is just lives here. Maybe we can just go around and he would mind his own business."
Alice Morell |
"True I guess, but are we willing to allow the chance of the bandits getting wind of us being here if he is in with them? Also, what if he does what he did to that goblin to someone in the future? Wouldn't it be better to make sure he means no harm in the mean time? I know we are all eager to get to the camp, but it seems irresponsible to just turn a blind eye to this matter."
Bregor Rowain |
"You both have a good point, which is why it is hard at the moment for me to side with either of you.
Does anybody else have something to add, something that can help us decide what we should be doing?
Just a word of caution, goblins are pretty fragile, ignore this or not, I doubt it will last long, and then he will either move on in which case we would end up tracking him for hours, or he might decide to come after us after all."
Norton Ambrosi |
Norton listens to both Green and Alice, still is convinced that distractions are not a good course of action.
"You talked about crows, if he is with the bandits, they are already alerted. We can't run faster than a wing. We know little about the bandits, and far less about goblins and this other possible threat. We saw many goblins tracks on our way, the clan should protect its own. If I had more information I would make them fight against each other, but this is another matter...
Norton resumes his speech
Besides, up to now Oleg was harassed only by Happs and the lot. Egorian wasn't built in a day, we are not going to tame this wild in a night. Stay sharp stay focused and learn as much as we can."
Rogar Valertis |
"As some of you told me this past morning, dealing with the bandits is our task, now I wouldn't mind checking on some crazy loon, and perhaps we'll have to do that in the future, but as far as I'm concerned killing goblins isn't a crime, and starting a fight so near our prey's lair seems fairly stupid. So here's my plan, we find the bandits, we catch them, and we wipe them out, after that, if we are all ok, which I don't doubt, we might decide to deal with this other possible threat. How does that sound to you?"
Bregor Rowain |
"Hrm...Goblins are natures creatures too you know."
The Green Man harrumphs a little about how quickly some people seem to decide that a goblins life is worth less just because it is a goblin.
"Not all goblins are monsters, no more than all with Orc blood..."
The frown does not last long before slipping back into his normal friendly mien.
"The rest makes sense however, I can agree with that, one thing at the time and right now that thing is bandit hunting."
DM Bloodgargler |
Although uncertainty remains .. you decide to travel on. It does not take long to get to the river .. its slow and shallow and about 15 feet wide at this point. A well-worn dirt path follows alongside it ... it appears several trails converge and lead to the path upstream, northwest into the woods.
Budgie claimed from this spot it would take an hour to get to the camp. There are no signs of life and it has grown chilly.. a drop of a few more degrees and your breath might be visible.