Andrea lets the agile menfolk deal with the pit.
[b]It's a thylacine. They're usually nocturnal. They're not very good eating, so I'm not sure why anyone would want to build a pit for it.[/ooc]
Perhaps it tried to poach someone's trap, or someone skins them to sell.
Anyone able to communicate well enough with animals to attempt to "rescue" this thing? Or should we just leave it here?
I have no skill for it.
Before departing Thaliar does buy some extra glass vials from Oleg so he can harvest more samples if he encounters something curious.
---
As the others approach the pit Thaliar stays back. As they discuss the animal he slowly moves closer, sure to stay away from the slippery edge. "I'm afraid I can't help you there either. I do think that if we can't release it we should put it out of it's misery. Starvation is no good death for any living thing."
Agreed. Better to kill it than leave it like this. He frowns as he looks down at the creature. Someone is hunting large game out here but not cleaning up after themselves. Wasteful.
Or have yet to claim their capture? Andrea shrugs.
A high-pitched little voice responds: "That trapper will not be claiming anything in this forest ever again."
Andrea looks warily around when the voice speaks.
Soren sighs.
No good hunter leaves game he didn't mean to catch in a trap. I say we release it. Besides, if it's intelligent enough, it may be a decent ally later.
At the voice, he turns, his bow drawn lightning fast and aimed in the direction the voice originated from.
Who's there? More bandits? Show yourself!
Thaliar seemed less concerned with where the voices came from then the others. Based on the pitch and the comment made it most likely was one of the fey. "What did he do to offend you? Was he poaching, taking more than he needed?" His voice was calm and he didn't face any particular direction when he spoke.
"Why did you leave this poor animal here to die if it was just the trapper you were after?"
"Oh, the trapper met his end near the opposite edge of the forest. There are a good number of his traps that we still have yet to find and disable. Apparently this is one of them. He had a distinct lack of respect for this forest and all that resides in it."
Andrea leans over to the others. So he has met his end it seems. If we can ally with these fey, it can make things easier mapping the forest.
Eduard looks around and then in the direction of the voice.
Do you have the ability to free this thing from this particular trap? We seem lacking in that area.
At least not without bringing harm to ourselves.
"Well, we actually lack the size and strength for that, but has sent out a request for someone who can. It should be freed by nightfall."
AH, so we don't have to worry ourselves. Thank you for informing us.
Radomir raises his bardiche, ready to attack, before he realizes no one else is bothered. He blushes and puts his weapon away. Sorry. I meant no offense. I was surprised.
He looks at the thylacine and sighs. A creature foolish enough to fall prey to a trap did not deserve mercy. Mercy was for the weak. But, the knight has a momentary flash of insight: saving the beast may curry favor with the fey. He didn't care about being their friends, but he would like them to stop throwing acorns at him.
I can try to calm the beast and tie a rope to it to get it out of this pit. I'm better with horses, than.. other animals, but I can try
(if can take 20 on the roll, he will)
If no one objects, he will try to tie a rope around the Thylacine and haul it up,
Eduard will stand by as Radomir attempts to save the Thylacine. He simply prepares for the possibility of the creature choosing to attack.
Andrea has her spear ready if things get too difficult with the critter.
Radomir, now the center of attention, manages to get into the pit and secure a rope around the thylacine with only a limited amount of trouble. Luckily, his armor protected him from the creature's frantic attempts to clamber over top of him in an attempt to get himself out. Once secured, Radomir climbs back up and proceeds to haul up the thylacine and then to free it. It happily runs off into the forest without bothering to look back.
There. Radomir dusts himself off and coils up his rope. So, uh.. fairies? How else can we help?
Good job, your animal handling skills are quite useful.
Radomir shrugs. I'm better with horses. Horses.. make sense. He pats Czernabog fondly. We should keep going. There is much to explore.
Indeed. Andrea waves to the unseen speakers. Tell me, do you know of any more bandits in the area? We're trying to get rid of them.
Very well done. I suppose that's that. He claps his hands together and returns to his mount.
Speaking to the trees, Alexander asks, If you've any help to give, we'd gladly take it.
Thank you my Lord. Radomir nods appreciatively and then mounts, hefting his lance. I stand ready, my Lord.
He looks to the trees warily, ready for the sting of acorns on his back and head.
You get the feeling there is a whispered conversation going on in the trees.
"There are no bandit camps left in these woods. The closest is several miles outside the edge of the forest. Though that doesn't stop them from wandering in here as they please."
Interesting. Alexander stirs his mount and starts to head into the woods. Soren, what do you think? I'd like to finish mapping out the north, and then head south. How much longer do you think that might take...give or take?
I agree, we should finish out any unexplored spots
I as well, my lord. Let us finish pacifying this wild place.. Radomir pets Czernabog's neck and tightens his grip on the steed's reins.
Alexander pulls out his map notes and consults with Soren.
Finishing up the northern area sounds best.
Agreed. Once we have pacified the north, the rest will be easier without worrying about the knife stabbing us in the back from the bandits.
Eduard shrugs, The north sounds like a fair decision to me.
Soran nods and rolls up the map, handing it to Alexander.
North it is. Let's be off.
Indeed. Alexander says as he takes the map. Lead the way!
Shortly after you begin traveling North, you all notice that the ground becomes softer and wetter. The reason becomes apparent when you near the river enough to see that it overflows it's shallow bed and forms a mire in this area.
What is most interesting about this mire, is what it seem to contain. As you peer into the distance ahead of you, you see a pair of ruined stone buildings jutting from the soggy ground.
Do you just note the ruins or investigate?
Well, this looks interesting. Alexander dismounts and pulls out his bow. Shall we?
Alexander makes his way ahead as quietly as he can.
Keeping his eyes open for anything odd.
Aye, my lord. Radomir keeps to the rear, so he has full length to charge.
Let us explore, ware the soggy ground that might interfere with charging.
Eduard will look from a distance, trying to let the stealthy make the approach.
A weird, froglike humanoid is gathering something from the bottom of the mire and putting it into a basket. He appears to spot some of the party and immediately puts up two hands (one of which is rather mangled) up into the air and croaks out: "Truce! Truce!" In badly accented common.
Alexander watches for a moment, then stands and stows his bow, raising up his hands, partly to keep Radomir from charging but also to indicate he means no harm.
Well met! He smiles as he steps forward. You have a lovely swamp here.
Soran melts into the surrounding foliage, keeping his bow trained on the creature.