The party regroups and sets off to learn more about the dangerous wolf attack on the local shepherds.
They approach a small island in the river, and are able to locate some shallows to wade across. The island is rimmed by a thick curtain of trees, in proper druidic fashion. In inside the ring the group finds an overgrown vegetable garden and a small earthy cabin. There is no smoke rising from the chimney. As search proves that that the place has been abandoned for quite some time. No food has been left out, and the place was tidied up. But whoever left obviously has been gone for some time...
Well, this be a waste o time. Less go ta the farmer and hope he be there." says Angus glumly, already having visions of wolf pelts adding to his fearsome visage. Wonder if'n I can turn them teeth inta some kinda fightin knuckle...
[i]Now is probably not the right time to magic up a wolf howl behind Angus, but I really would like to do that![/b]
Yasmin's face shines, she seems to be very pleased with herself. Smiling broadly she nods at Angus' idea "Great idea Angus, nothing to be found here"
Nat and her bird search diligently.
After a few minutes, when the others grow impatient, she sighs and joins them, agreeing to head to the ranch.
The search reveals nothing of import, other than to confirm that it appears the residents have been gone for some time, although there are no signs that they left in a hurry or under threat of violence. Perhaps just a long trip.
The group walks over to Abrassus Ranch. The place is a large sheep farm. You can see small groups of the fluffy animals grazing in the distance, each watched over by a pair of men with large dogs. As you near the main building, a man looks up and approaches you:
"Prake Abrassus, proprietor. What can I do for you? Looking for some wool? We haven't got any animals ready to turn into mutton just yet, but those damned wolves seem to have a different idea..."
The man's face seems a bit less tense as Gio speaks with him and seems to calm his nerves.
"Well, let me tell you what I know. I spoke with Grant and Kenny. They heard one of the attacks. Got to the scene first. Solid men, both, but they were pretty shaken up... Anyway, the sheep were completely gone, just some blood. But there was at least 2 or three wolves, and I mean big ones. Biggest of all was as tall as a horse, they said. And these are good men, not liable to exaggerate. It looked at 'em, they said. Like it knew somtehin'. Or was smarter than the average animal. Anwyay, they left tracks in the mud, sure enough. Looks like it really was two or three. You can tell because one set 'o prints is wdier than my own hand stretched out! I'll show ya"
He takes you around to the back of the barn and you see wolf tracks, only a few days old at most. And one set is definitely very large.
"Just looks like a very big wolf to me..."
Giovanni recognizes the tracks of a dire wolf. Natulcien is able to decipher that based on the size and shape of each footprint, there are likely two ordinary wolves as well.
"The big one had two small ones with it, the size of normal wolves... perhaps offspring, or simply pack members."
Before she starts following the tracks, Nat asks the farmer, "Do you know when the Druid who lived on the island left?"
Nat bends down and peers at the ground, her bird on her shoulder, using its sharp eyes to see anything she might miss.
"We can follow them, if we are ready."
Yasmin lets Giovanni and Nat deal with this situation, she knows she can't really add anything here.
Nátulcien begins to follow the tracks, while her thrush flies on ahead scouting the area. She stays low to the ground, looking not only at tracks but at broken twigs, disturbed leaves, and other signs of the animals' passing.
"A dire wolf, you say, Rooster? Are they just larger wolves, or is there something else special about them?" she asks as they travel.
The party follows Natulcien's lead, her keen hunting skills allowing her to follow the trail of the beasts with ease. After traveling north for a few miles, the group reaches a wooded area near some hills. The tracks seem to head towards the hillside.
Angus keeps a moderately watchful eye out for the wolves or anything else that might ambush them. He is not particularly stealthy, grumbling frequently about there beein too many trees and that the forest needs a few good crags to break up the monotony of greens.
"I could try to lure them out by conjuring some sheep sounds in front of us, you know, like this. Would that help?
Yasmin casts ghost sound [dc16] in front of them at max distance, making the sound of a few bleating sheep.
You see a trio of wolves skulking in the distance, one clearly very large. As they pace by the entrance to a small cave, they seem to wince, as if afraid to approach it.
Yasmin is quit and is focused when suddenly a whole howl escapes her throat while she signals her companions to wait.
"What is wrong my 4 legged brethren?"
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This ability replaces inspire courage.
The large wolf looks at Yasmin, and seems to communicate somehow. Wrong? You mean near that cave? It causes pain...such pain. But life is good. Good hunting, plenty to eat.
Yasmin continues her growling
"How does the cave hurt you? If we stop the pain, will you and your kin stop killing the sheep of the big folk?"
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Giovanni continues to observe, and he will play his mandolin if the wolves approach threateningly.
Naturalist (Ex): An archivist who has identified a creature with a Knowledge check appropriate to its type can use performance to share strategies for defeating it with allies in combat. The archivist and any allies within 30 feet gain a +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional*, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by creatures of that specific kind of monster (e.g., frost giants, not all giants or all humanoids). This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. This language-dependent ability requires visual and audible components.
This ability replaces inspire courage.
Tje wold speaks with Yasmin yet again.
This cave is a mere trifle. We encountered it only earlier today. It may cause us pain, but we have nothing we want in there. And we have no intention of giving up on this prime hunting ground!
With that, the wolves assume an aggressive posture!
The wolves leap into action! The smaller beasts races forward to attack Darian and Angus, the larger beast racing at Angus as well. The Dire Wof bites at Angus!
His fangs sink into the dwarf's flesh, and he tries to whip the stout hero down.
Angus's head hits the earth!
The second wolf waits for an opponent to get closer.
The third bites at Darian!
It bites only air as the swordsman spins out of the way!
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Giovanni immediately begins his readied performance.
Naturalist (Ex): An archivist who has identified a creature with a Knowledge check appropriate to its type can use performance to share strategies for defeating it with allies in combat. The archivist and any allies within 30 feet gain a +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional*, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by creatures of that specific kind of monster (e.g., frost giants, not all giants or all humanoids). This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. This language-dependent ability requires visual and audible components.
This ability replaces inspire courage.
Nat steps back, and begins chanting a spell, calling upon an animal ally to join her.
Angus is surprises as his usually sturdy feet are whipped out from under him. ”Dinna see that comin.” he grumbles as he defensively rises.
Darian lands a bow, harming his wolf. Gio continues to sing and Nat steps back before casting a spell. Angus tries to rise!
Despite his efforts, Angus takes another terribly nasty bite, and feels himself wavering on his feet.
Angus grunts in furhter pain as the wolf continues to ravage him, dispite his best efforts to avoid it. "Imma gonna enjoy wearin you."
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Giovanni continues to perform as he strikes Angus with a wand.
Naturalist (Ex): An archivist who has identified a creature with a Knowledge check appropriate to its type can use performance to share strategies for defeating it with allies in combat. The archivist and any allies within 30 feet gain a +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional*, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by creatures of that specific kind of monster (e.g., frost giants, not all giants or all humanoids). This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. This language-dependent ability requires visual and audible components.
This ability replaces inspire courage.
The dire wolf tries once more to down the tough dwarf, while the other two wolves moving in on the swashbuckling Darian!
Fortunately for the party, the wolves are too overanxious to cause any harm this time!