It is still breathing, if just barely, and Dendarial's quick actions to staunch its wounds keep it from bleeding out entirely. As Tyanos pulls himself out from beneath the beast's coils and stands, he realizes why he recognized the scent.
The beast, although much smaller and not quite the same shape, bears an uncanny similarity to the great wyrms that gave his homeland its name...
When the snake thing bites Tyanos something happens to it.
The creature gets the sense that a massive two headed monster is behind it. But before anything else it is brought down.
After Tyanos is healed he removes himself from it and proceeds to shoot it with his crossbow regardless of what the elf wants with the beast.
"To the Hells with that! It nearly bite my leg clean off. You can study it's dead body, that's no pet you can control."
Killing bandits, thinking and reasoning people, is fine but a monster that can't talk and only wants to kill and eat you deserves a break. He didn't know if it was a woodsman thing or not but that was twisted to him. He reloaded his crossbow in case the thing was not alone. He had gotten a better sense of it's scent despite his unwillingness in the matter.
"That thing is sort of like a linnorm by the smell of it. But it's not. Their a lot stronger and smart enough to talk, not to mention bigger."
He spared enough attention to get a good look at it.
Den steps in between Tyanos and the wounded creature. This creature is my prisoner. If the time comes to put it down I will do so myself. Fire and you and I shall be done traveling together.
After a moment, you remember what the beast is: a tatzlwyrm. Distant cousins of linnorms (who are themselves cousins of true dragons), they share a body shape, blood, and the coarse, inhuman tongue of dragonkind. You have no doubt that they are capable of speech and basic reasoning, if they felt so inclined. But like any dragon, they have a penchant for lairing in secluded corners of the world and defend their territory with a fervor. It is quite likely that you stumbled across this one's self-proclaimed domain since it was so willing to throw itself at your group. Also like most dragons, its breath is potent to the unwary--these boast a toxic vapour that can quickly sap even the mightiest warrior's strength.
Never heard about this kind of creature, but they sound dangerous. I hope they aren't poisonous?
As do I, but it looks like we have to move camp again.
Thomas walks with Tyanos a short ways away so as to not catch the lizard in the channel.
Thankfully, the rest of the night passes without further incident. Just one draconic snake-beast chomping down on your slumber was really enough for a lifetime, anyway. As the sun rises and the morning watch gives way to a trail breakfast, a snapping branch to the east catches the group's attention. As weapons are drawn and the group jumps to alert assuming the worst (for what else had the Stolen Lands thrown at you?), a voice calls back.
"Whoa, there! Stay your weapons, my companion and I bring word to the Lady Orlovsky traveling in your company." Emerging from behind cover, a pair of figures approach on horseback--a dwarf and a human, both clad in the typical attire of Brevic houses. The nearer, the human, gestures with open hands in a motion of peace. "If you would be so kind as to give me a moment, I have the missive in question right here. It should prove our intents; furthermore, I believe Lady Karina will be most interested in the news we bear." He tilts his head downward, indicating a pouch resting upon his belt. He makes certain to not make any sudden movements or misinterpret-able gestures. You get the feeling he's done this before.
Thomas lowers his bow, but keeps it ready, and listens to what they have to say.
Tyanos narrows his glowing eyes at the foolish elf.
"Yes you have said the time and again, unlike you I do not throw my words like empty promises to a bought maiden of the night. So listen well, I am no fool nor a prisoner to delusions of grandeur that are shared by the arrogant. That is worse then some snake beast, it is a tatzlwyrm. A dragon kin with poisonous breath that can overcome any warrior. I will have no part of a fools errand or be party to one in anyway. I do not risk my life or the life of my companions on such. You think you can deal with it, find out for yourself. But I won't. I am done with it and I am done with you if that is your choice."
With a wave, his person is clean from the former sorry state he was in. Turning to the others.
"I will not ask or demand anything from the rest of you concerning this matter. Do as you deem best, as I have. I will return to Oleg's with all haste using my mount. Best of luck and I will hope for your return."
He gave Thomas his personal thanks before heading to his horse and leaving, he had saved his life twice so far single handedly. He hoped he would survive to return to the trading post. He intended to repay that debt in particular.
Dendarial watches the sorcerer ride off but says nothing to the unfair statements the man made in his parting. A Dragon Kin He says to the others. It may indeed need to be put down, but if its a dragon kin then its sentient and Tyanos, action would be murder. I think all it was guilty of was defending its territory and it certainly did not breath poison at us. Hadin, can you tell if it is evil? If we can communicate with it it could make a great ally.
Under the light of a nearby torch could Dmitri see the terror that lurked in the dark. It was a sizable foe with an elongated body and vicious teeth. Had it not been for the 1st watch, this dangerous foe could have made the drop on the party. What surprised Dmitri was that of all the things lurking in the forest, this had found them. Perhaps the Stolen Lands lived up to its name.
Kicking the beast to the side, Dmitri wiped his blade and stared at the monster.
"One thing that folks forget is that the woods is an unforgiving place. There isn't room to be friends when it could mean your life. I mean, look at this thing!" he said while watching the group's reaction. "Honestly, can't trust something like this. Even if we did manage to calm it, I bet that it would seek vengeance or probably alert whatever kin it has. My vote - slay the beast and move on. Only the strong survive."
After sharing his opinion, The Huntsman noticed that Tyanos had mounted his horse.
"Hold on, I ain't going to let you wander alone. Den's got these folks, let me atleast keep you company." he said while readying his horse.
In moments flat, the two rode off.
Well, our party is smaller, I suggest that we ride to Olegs, and see if we can find more whom are willing to explore and tame this land.
The dwarf remains on horseback as the human calms the situation. "I come to replace Lady Karina," he says to the group. "She must go with Errol as I was given the order to stay with the bunch of you."
The dwarf stands short of four feet and seven inches supported by a stocky build, but few could really tell his height unless he was dismounted from his horse. He prefers to be up top as his height disadvantage would prove futile when in combat, according to himself.
The human nods, drawing forth the missive from his belt and offering it forward to Karina. "It is as my companion Brycen says. I wish we came with better tidings, but it is Lady Karina's mother. She has taken ill with a grave malady, and does not wish the aid of the house priests to cure it. Your father is understandably upset; however, she wishes to see you in her company before her time on this world has ended."
Hopping down from the horse, he steps forward and offers the letter to Karina and any others that care to read it. It confirms the story he's told and identifies the two men before you as Errol Elricht and Brycen Chalkstone, two bards-for-hire that work with the noble houses of Brevoy. It also says that Brycen is to stand in for the Orlovsky family's interests, at least until Karina can return.
The horses balk at the idea of marching onward into the darkness, though their riders have little trouble seeing through the gloom. Fortunately the gleaming light of the moon provides enough light across the rolling plains that the horses can pick up a bit of speed. Unfortunately, as the gnarled depths of the Narlmarches loom ahead between yourselves and Oleg's, the horses slow to a crawl.
While the riders have little trouble seeing, the horses have slowed to all but a crawl. Eventually you're forced to dismount and help lead the beasts on foot. The going is slow and ponderous, but at least progress is being made. By the time you've reached the far end of the forest and once more break into the open plains between yourselves and Oleg's, the horses' crawl borders upon literal. The poor beasts look exhausted well beyond their means, and the pair of you are not much better.
The only good news is the sun is rising over the Stolen Lands... but that does little to alleviate your complete lack of sleep.
"I agree," the dwarf says to Thomas. "We accomplish nothing but suffocating the grass that hoists our feet if we continue to stay here."
I still say that we should return to Olegs. It is a 3 day ride, and unless you feel that you want to hunt for us, I think we should head back to restock.
Tyanos shakes himself to stay alert before speaking to Dmitri.
"Let us get some sleep, it's just barely dawn. We will wake with sun still in the sky and open plains to ride. That should more then make up for the bit of sun we lose. If it is not a burden I would ask that you take the first watch. I am less woodsman by far then you. The horses will have the benefit of sleeping without worry or interruption but then again they are more useful that way."
I'd still like to push to the river before we turn back. And this tatzlwyrm could have a lair nearby with something worth taking back to Oleg's We should at least look in the morning, yes. Den tries to find but not follow the tracks by torchlight before going back to bed.
I agree, let us look in the morning, for the lair, but after that we should return, and restock properly before trying again.
Besides Thomas ponders for a minute. Who is to say that we already didn't miss it.
The trail of the wyrm is not particularly difficult to locate--it had done little to conceal its trail. Obviously it had not anticipated being overwhelmed so easily. It zigzags off into the glade, back towards the center of it.
Hadin is both surprised and saddened to see Dendarial and Tyanos bickering again.
He keeps silent and follows the others
Dmitri planted his sword nearby within reach and steadied himself for the first watch. Their group's survival depending on his ability to keep Tyanos safe until they made their way to Oleg's trading post. It didn't seem like a monumental task however with such few number, it seemed intimate. Under the waxing moon, Dmitri kept his vigil.
Hadin is both surprised and saddened to see Dendarial and Tyanos bickering again.
He keeps silent and follows the others
Hadin does not sense the taint of evil on the beast.
The moon sets and the sun begins its rise over the calm plains. The depths of the Narlmarches lay behind the duo, and the horses look glad for the rest. They quickly drift off to sleep despite the bright morning sun. The watches pass slowly without any company to keep, but soon enough the change of shift arrives and Tyanos brushes the sleep from his eyes as he takes over.
An hour into his shift, he hears a bough in a nearby tree jostle and then snap. His eyes shoot up into the tree and he spots a tiny creature in its uppermost branches peering back down at him. He barely has time to acknowledge that it is holding something before that something is being hurtled down at him. Quickly jumping a step back, the object sails past Tyanos' head and cracks against the ground. The blue eggshell fragments and pooling goo made it clear what the object was. Glancing back into the trees, the critter has already vanished back into the thicker branches. Its laughter--and the giggles of a compatriot--fade away as they head back towards the Narlmarches proper.
Tyanos uses a spell, pointing at the creature's direction. Whispering some words that it would hear even as he whispered them from where he was.
"I have no time for your games. Try another day."
He would keep alert and watching until it was time to move again. Hopefully they would then make it to Oleg's before nightfall.
You gentlemen coming to look ?
Thomas takes a moment to look over the glade, before attempting to make his way into it.
Hadin does his best to guide his friends safely throught the wilderness
Hadin, I'd like to look for the worn's lair before heading back. I'd also like to finish exploring this hex if everyone is up for that. It will be a lot of back tracking to go back to Olegs and then all the way back out here again to finish that job.
I can work with that, shall we carry on then ?
I'd be happy to be of any assistance, Dendarial. Let's hope there are no more of these creatures in their lair.
Right. There is also the matter of what to do with the subdued tatzlwyrm. I'd like to be able to talk to it, but do not even know if it speaks a language. If so, I bet it is draconic. And I do not speak it. While I did want to discuss what to do with it before acting, Tyanos may be right - that the only safe thing we can do with this creature is put it down. Do we dare leave it to live its life in these woods so close to Happs and his settlement?
I honestly think this beast is a danger. More than any normal beast. I'm not as good as you into the ways and means of nature, Dendarial, but I don't think a normal predator would have attacked a few armed people. Maybe it would have attacked our horses, if it was hungry. We were lucky to be able to defend ourselves. I don't want to imagine a poor lonely hunter against this tazl... tlazt.. drake. He wouldn't stand a chance. We have to secure the wilderness to the best of our possibilities. You've seen Happstown, it's even hardly as safe as Oleg's place. Their walls could do with a decent carpenter. I'm not sure they would stand against this kind of drake, and I don't want to take the chance.
Lets see if its lair yields any more clues. Then we can make a call. I think it was simply defending its hunting grounds and you have already noted that it is not evil. Will we have to kill every bear and large cat as well?
Before leaving camp Dendarial will make sure that the beast is still well subdued.
I speak Drakonic, after we check the lair, I will see if I can converse with it.
Excellent Thomas. Let us proceed.
Dendarial tries to follow the creature's tracks back to its lair.
Dendaial, while we are going, can you keep an eye out for darkwood?
Again the beast's trail proves easy to follow--in its efforts stalking your group it did little to obfuscate its own trail. Neither does the glade prove particulalrly formidable travel--this is the third time you've crossed into it, and the party of mites apprently did the same at least twice. It takes less than an hour to loop over halfway back towards Happston before you come across a patch of gnarled logs and a makeshift burrow into the base of a large oak. A cautious glance inside... It seems clear.
The trip back to Oleg's is one you could practically do blindfolded by this point. Despite fatigue from a largely restless morn and a long trek across the Narlmarches, it isn't long before the walls signalling safe haven grace the horizon. As you ride up to the gates, you spot one of Kesten's men atop the wall.
"Ho!" he calls, "Just a moment while we open the gates... Weren't there more of you? What happened to your companions?"
Tyanos waves.
"I'll speak on that once we are inside. I need to sit down before I fall down."
Once inside and before they could start to worry to much he speaks.
"Last I saw they were all alive and well for the most part. We were ambushed by a tatzlwyrm, that nearly killed me and so naturally I was of the mind to kill it. The elf Dendaial was of the mind to keep it alive to study or something. I was disinclined to travel with a murderous dragon trying to make it my pet. So I chose to return here rather then be a party to that. That's the long and short of it."
Taking a breath he once more speaks, with less urgency now that they were informed that some ill fortune was not loose. Or at least nothing more then he himself was aware of.
"My advice should they show up with that beast in tow, refuse to let it in the walls. I left because I was not willing to gamble my life or the others on that course of action. I would think your of the same sense. Now then I do have some better news to deliver as well."
He drinks a little water from his skin before continuing.
"There seems to be a new budding settlement near by. Could be a source for some nice trade. But I would be careful, they seem a little hard to read and strange to me. Their leader is a man named Happs, not the friendliest person but that is hardly new in these parts."
Dmitri's body was aching from the arduous journey back to Oleg's trading post. The wooden palisade seemed like a safe haven against the dangers of the Nalmarches. Once inside, Dmitri clasped a hand on Tyanos' shoulder and smiled wryly.
"We did it. Thankfully, our comrades should fare better. I trust that Dendarial should keep them safe." he said while producing forth his own water skin and drank vigorously from it. "Guardsman, I can vouch for Tyanos. Had it not been for our combined strength, that dangerous beast would have given the party a quick journey to see the Lady of the Graves, may she reign in peace."
I am not liking the looks of that oak, but let us see what is there.
Thomas dismounts, and stretches the kinks out before pulling his gear off his horse.
The guardsman nods as Tyanos tells his story, during which time both Kesten and Oleg happen over to hear the tail end of it, along with Dmitri's testimony. The trader grumbles at the mention of wyrms. "Bah." Nothing new there. "Well, thank the both of you for having some sense-"
"Happs!" The brash guard captain exclaims, interrupting the thought. Kesten's eyes shoot towards Oleg. "Have you not received a warrant for just such a man? We must bring this lawbreaker to justice!" You can see the enthusiasm in his eyes, his zeal nearly tangible.
Oleg grumbles. "Aye, I think it were somethin' like that." He turns and heads back towards the storehouse, where several posters now hang from its side. "A few of these things came in with the last trader--left this morning, you lot just missed him. But here-" He gestures to the largest one. "'Wanted for Banditry and Thievery: Happs Bydon. Dead or Alive. Deliver to any captain of Brevoy for payment of four hundred gold pieces.'" Of the other three posters, only one seemed of any interest--a reward of equipment offered for the head of a particularly nasty boar so lovingly called Tuskgutter.
Kesten stands beside the two travelers, a hand on his sword's hilt. "And you say you've met this fellow? Perhaps you would share his location, such that my men and I can deliver a swift justice--as it should be delivered!" He finishes with an entirely unnecessary flourish of his blade, grinning like a youth.
Dendarial looks into the oak tree after checking the area for tracks. its possible that this creature was not solo. he comments as he examines the area outside of the burrow. Help me look for other tracks.