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Hurrying along, Thurim is barely able to catch up with Grog and the others. "The good... News... Hah... Could we not march as if our lives depended on it? The good news is that... Our skulking smoker smokes the same kind of mix as the old wizard... Holgast, at the edge of town. Perhaps we should pay him... A visit?"
It may be possible to combine certain ingredients to achieve better illusions. This however, does not do so, you look to the orcs, but they have all vanished.
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Huh? Seems the effects may have worn off.
Ngonunho trots after everyone else, coming up as Thurim catches his breath.
Holgast? I haven't had the opportunity to meet him. Does he live around here?
Ngonunho looks around for a second and kind of shrugs. Then he trots back after Grog.
Grog. Grog! Hold up, I got little legs, it's hard to keep up with you. Also, let me have a look over you. I'm curious about the wounds those illusions may have caused.
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Ignatius looks at Thurim as they attempt to catch up with Grog.
Holgast you say. I am not overly familiar with the wizard. Do you think that he would mean us ill, or do you think this challenge - an ultimately harmless one, is meant to test us, or perhaps just make our adventure more grand? Or even a test to lure us away from our goal, to return the flame to the town?
Perhaps it is best if we complete our task, and then inquire as to the nature of the intentions of Holgast, The Skulking Smoker of Kassen!
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Grog slows down to let the others catch up. He assures the gnome that he is well and uninjured.
Must all be part of the test. So far testing patience most... How can ones so small be chosen for test of strength? Don't have a cart to carry back dead bodies.
He nods and waits in silence until the others are ready to proceed.
The further away from the town you travel, the more difficult the path gets. You have to consult the maps to find the correct path.
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While Grog consults the map, Ignatius will makes notes in his own journal, recounting the battle against the orc illusions, and recording the moniker of Holgast, The Skulking Smoker of Kassen for later use.
How close are we Grog? Do we press on or make camp - and when you make your suggestion, remember that we are not quite as long legged and will need rest sooner than you. I don't want to be exhausted and having to fight real orcs in the night because you have to go charging ahead.
I know he could handle tromping on, I just don't know about the rest of us. I hope he knows that his strength alone might not be enough.
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Ngonunho smiles up at Grog as the half-orc scans for which way they should go. He begins examining some of the bushes and plants along the trail, then turns back to Ignatius.
Us dwarves and gnomes can easily march for hours, though Grog should keep the pace slower so we can stay together. If Thurim is having trouble traveling, I am sure I can keep his energy up.
Ngonunho takes his pack off and pulls a satchel out of it.
Yep, I am sure I can help the elf from getting to tired.
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Grog sighs heavily and puts the map away before answering Ignatious.
Bout halfway there. Grog said he would keep you small legs safe... Try anyway.
Slow heroes need rest... Grog could be at crypt by now himself... I am hungry.
His words sound short and grunty.
We camp here for night. Rest. Stay quiet and maybe nothing finds you. I go get food. Be back soon.
He draws his shortbow and wanders off a short distance to collect sustenance for the group from the surrounding area.
Grog finds a nice level area, surrounded on three sides by a thicket of bushes, to stay for the night.
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Ignatius begins to make camp, using Mage hand to help with setting up his tent, unrolling his bedroll, and collecting firewood. He will then use Prestidigitation to clean his clothes, and offer the same to the others.
We need to set watch, I will take whatever shift, just wake me when it is my turn.
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Ngonunho looks around the site making note of the plants he sees, specifically anything that would cause the party a bad night of sleep.
I'd be happy to take the middle watch. I could spend some time observing if any of the local flora has a night cycle. Back in the Forest of Spirits there was a whole clearing of night blooming roses. Of course they were watched over carefully by a powerful kami. Great little fellow, made some of the best wine you would ever find.
Ngonunho puts down his pack and begins looking through it and finally pulls out his blanket along with a lamp. He spreads the blanket out before him and sits comfortably. Then he looks to Grog.
So big guy, what's for dinner?
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Grog returns after a short time from his hunt and settles into camp by making a nice fire with the wood Ignatius collected. He distributes his spoils to the group evenly and cooks the game meat to the best of his ability.
You eat rabbits, nuts and berries. Very tasty. Sorry no taters. Grog eats tree raptors (squirrels).
Though not all the fur came off the squirrel meat before consumption, Grog belches loudly after completing his meal and slurps large amounts of water down from his skin before sprawling aimlessly on the dirt. He sneaks in a bit of brandy from the bottle as he yawns at the group.
Grog watches last. Wake when ready.
Before long, loud snoring and foul smells come from Grog's general direction.
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Thurim, looking aghast at the spectacle of Grog's feeding habits, makes a quick note in his book before answering. "Truth be told, I think I would prefer taking the first watch. We elves do not sleep, but nonetheless, I do need to undergo the regimen of the Sar-Dath."
At Ignatius's blank look, the elf elaborates. "The rest regimen for someone who practices magic in the way I have learned it."
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Ngonunho looks up over the handful of nuts and berries he is currently munching on.
I've always been curious about elves not needing to sleep. Is it some in their blood that lets them do that? Maybe when this is over I can stay up one night with you and see if I can figure it out.
Ngonunho takes a bite of rabbit, then keeps talking while he finishes chewing.
Maube, itsssh alh t tadditonal lants yuu eeet?
With a deep swallow, Ngonunho smiles looking around at his companions.
After everyone finishes their meal and settles down to sleep, the familiar songs of the birds stop and the incessant buzzing of insects grows. The wind howls through the bare trees and think you hear something else in the wind. A few moments later you recognize the howling of a wolf, far in the distance.
Even with your superior vision, the darkness of the woods closes in. Over the next hour the howling gets a little louder, becoming a familiar, yet unnerving sound. Then it stops, leaving you with just the wind, insects, and crackling of the fire.
Another hour passes and you feel it's time to rouse Ignatius. As you move to do so, you spot a canine creature staring at you, just beyond the darkness.
Two wolves sneak up behind Grog and bite at his legs. He dodges away from one, right into the jaws of the second. The wolf tries to pull Grog down, but fails to move him.
The first wolf collapses as a hue of colors sprays forth from Thurim.
The wolves are lean and starving, looking for a quick meal.
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They look hungry, maybe a distraction...
Ignatius rolls over and grabs whatever food remains, preferably a hunk of rabbit from dinner or if nothing else is handy some trail rations. He then waves them to get the scent circulating and tosses them into the brush.
They are hungry, just give them something to eat other than your leg and we should be able to get away.
Ignatius tosses a hunk of meat into the nearby bushes. Both wolves lift their noses to sniff the air, distracting them from their original target.
Grog lands a heavy hit on one of the wolves, causing it to whimper in pain and flee.
The other wolf is scolded by Ngonunho, but ignores the bright spark and hurries off to the bushes where the meat was thrown.
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Just hungry. Can't say I blame them, they looked half starved and half orc is delicious. Odd though, after a summer they should have fed and be ready for the winter. Hrmmmm.... Well, come here Grog, I can't have you bleeding all over the trail. That reminds me of the tail of the great warrior Tradak the Bold, he was wounded in the battle of... Ignatius continues the tale as he looks at Grog and only pasues to cast his spell.
When Grog comes over, Ignatius will inspect the wound to make sure it is real, and if so, cast a cure light on him.
As the wolf flees from Grog, he swings at it and it crumples to the ground. The other wolf takes the meat and runs away, into the bushes. The third wolf lies unconscious.
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Let them go, Grog, their is no glory in killing a half starved creature just trying to stay alive. And lets be honest, anything hungry enough to take a bite out of you would have to be pretty desperate right?
Ignatius looks at Grog's leg after casting his spell. Still a bit of a gash. He casts another Cure Light.
That will have to do. He then cast Prestidigitation to clean the wound.
He will then grab another bit of meat and set it by the wolf Thurim has incapacitated. Just move away from him, when he comes to, he will be happy enough for the meal, and leave us be.
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Grog kills the wolf at his feet with his sword before he drags its carcass near the fire. He then walks toward the unconscious wolf, his massive sword hovers over it still dripping with warm blood. He looks to the group.
Never understand small ones.
You think wolf here kills for glory? Can't eat glory. Grog is like wolf, he kills to survive. Should kill this wolf before it wakes up and tries to kill us again... Why you want to save it?
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Don't get involved. Don't get involved.
Ngonunho sits up and looks between Grog and Ignatius and rubs his chin for a moment.
Makes me think... predators such as these wolves often take out the weak and the helpless... perhaps...
Ngonunho lies back and closes his eyes.
Oh well, whatever you two choose. Just know if I am eaten in my sleep I will be very displeased with both of you.
Now that should settle them!
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Grog growls and bares his sharp teeth, raising his sword high for just a moment as if to deliver a killing blow...
He then lets out a bellowing belly laugh.
You a funny dwarf. Almost as funny as Braggar! Gnome funny too!
You keep your wolf friend. Grog finish up here and go back to sleep.
He sheaths the massive broadsword and pulls his smaller blade out to begin skinning and butchering the wolf carcass near the firepit. Once finished, he'll settle back in to sleep before his watch starts.
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I knew I sensed the potential for greatness in you Grog.
Yes, Master Kaetanta, wolves do feed on the weak and sick, and old; but for food and in doing so balance the herds. They do not pick on the weak or sick or old out of malice. So, it would seem, neither does our companion. Pleasant dreams, I shall keep watch to assure none of us are eaten.
Thurim, I do think that moving the creature away would be safer. Shall we?
The rest of the night passes uneventfully. The wolf will eventually wake and wander off on its own. The next morning you get ready and continue your journey through the Fangwood.
After a couple hours, the trees begin to thin, revealing a field of short, green grass that leads to the shores of a wide, calm lake reflecting the overcast sky above. A dense fog hangs over the center of the lake, obscuring the far side. Near the shore of the lake, a dark form lies next to the water. Watching the form, you can tell it is not moving.
The form is a decayed body of a human. He has huge bite marks on his upper torso. All of his gear is rotted and worthless.
You find a trail leading East along the lakeshore for about a half mile before you come across a camp site. It hasn't been used in several months.
He is definitely dead, but looks like he has been for several months.
You don't recognize the man as being from Kassen. His clothing is in poor condition from exposure, but is obviously purchased from a larger city.
You see a glint of metal beneath the body. You turn it over to find a very nice looking short sword and a coin purse with 87 gp inside. The coins look newly minted from the capital city of Tamran, they bear the likeness of Forest Marshal Gavrik, the nominal leader of Nirmathas.
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Ignatius rolls his eyes at Grog's impatience.
Any ideas what killed him? Master Kaetanata, Thurim, can you tell? I don't recognize him. Or the clothes, though they look like they are from a city. These may prove useful, Nat moves the body aside and draws out a short sword, and a purse with coins. 87 gp. The coins look newly minted from the capital city of Tamran, they bear the likeness of Forest Marshal Gavrik, the nominal leader of Nirmathas. I believe it is customary for humans to bury their dead. Let us pile some stones here on the shore, a simple cairn, for a forgotten traveler. Perhaps we can give his spirit rest.
Ignatius casts mage hand and starts to gather stones.