Perhaps my perfumed kin would concoct some flowered extract that would increase one's defense should our rest be interrupted and our stout warriors be bare of any metallic protection. Like I wont to do. I have the arcane knowledge, but to convert it to something akin to perfume only he would know.
Daeron settles in for the night, eager to regain enough mental freshness to memorize in the morning.
But, let us do it when morning comes, when natural light is most conducive for reading.
Dearon looks up from his study at the mention of sounds and stands up.
Finding out the opposition we face is an intelligent move. But our stone friend here is most gravely injured. Could you wield a shortbow with skill my friend, for I have a spare that would see good use in your hands.
To Daeron:
"Alas I have not yet learnt that skill... in time perhaps"
Mankato still looks weak the next morning and Lockjaw did not rest well in his armor. The paladin looks weary though the elves seem well and ready to go.
The night passes without incident and Karrak is able to repair most of the injury caused by the lycanthropes before catching what sleep you can through the remainder of the night. The next morning finds everyone in decent shape though Mankato still bears some tender wounds from the claws and fangs of the werebats.
You ready your gear and wonder how you might repair the roof when Chitleen reports hearing a disturbance nearby.
"So... to tend the roof and plumb the source of the works I heard?" Chitleen takes a few moments to gauge what lies in the direction he heard the noise.
The weather remains cool and clear as Chitleen gets a boost up onto the roof to overlook the motte. He quickly sees a group of humans in rags working in the garden terraces in the opposite corner. There looks to be three women carrying baskets and a man with a bow.
I'll go with these spells today, and use Know the Enemy on the werebats.
Level 0:
Create Water
Resistance
Light
Guidance
Level 1:
Prot. from Evil (Domain slot)
Know the Enemy
Sanctuary
Remove Sickness
Level 2:
Align Weapon(Domain slot)
Spiritual Weapon
Summon Monster II
Knowledge:
Peception:
Chitleen returns from his vertical reconaissance and shares "Three women working and one man guarding. They have the look of slaves about them... but slaves to what?"
Karrak arises from morning meditation. "Whatever you do, don't let those werebats bite you. They can spread their curse. No offense to your little buddy, Daeron, but I've no desire to turn into a bat. We already know it takes silver or magical weapons to hurt them."
"I dinna think they affect me but thanks fer the warnin'."
Lockjaw squints at the humans.
"Do they give slaves bows?"
Astute observation, Lockjaw. Perhaps it is a whole community of werebats we are seeing here. How could we tell for certain, I would have to think about it. I would take advantage and disable the man with the bow and ask questions later.
"So Lockjaw, those longlegs look evil to you?"
With a slight tinge of sarcasm "Oh aye, they were collecting carrots of doom and cabbages of pestilence from the garden"
Daeron slips his hand into his pocket, waking his familiar gently. He waits for any signs of uneasiness his familiar shows before redepositing him back into the bat pocket.
"Chitleen has the right of it, I canna tell from here and they ain't likely powerfully tainted by it in any case."
Daeron keeps mum, keeping his eyes on the scene, watching for other arms other than the bowman.
I could blind the bow wielding human if need be with my spells. That is if a pacifist approach is called upon.
Favoring the direct approach, Karrak would go out and introduce himself. Lockjaw and Mankato want to back me up? The elves can follow or provide support from the rooftop.
The night visitors wore armor and were well armed. The strangers in the garden have nothing other than the bow and digging sticks that might possibly be used as weapons. Ghema squeaks in annoyance at be brought out into the daylight, but quickly goes back to sleep when restored to his pocket.
Tired of talk, Karrak heads down the stairs to get to the heart of the matter. Despite the obvious noise of the dwarf's approach, none of the humans appears to notice him. The women continue digging up tubers and the man watches the sky.
Karrak glances up to see what he is looking at...
"Greetings, friends. My comrades and I have traveled a long way to visit Tar-Urkatha. Is there a place we could find rest and refreshment?"
The sky appears clear and Karrak's greeting goes unheeded as the women continue their labor without even looking his way.
Could they be deaf?
Perhaps something ails them?
Daeron instinctively casts Detect Magic, concerned at any magical enchantments affecting the humans.
"Mebbe they're one o' them elusions?"
Lockjaw stumps over and looks at the man with the bow.
"Hope they ain't ghosts. Ain't got the tools fer that."
Daeron does sense magic upon the strangers, but perhaps Mankato has the right of it because a moment later one of the women spots you as she straightens to move to another spot. Her garbled cry does not elicit a response from the others until she shoves them and points. Only then do they all spot you and begin to attempt to flee up the steep mountainside.
"Reckon that answers that. Follow 'em?"
Lockjaw watches them flee while waiting a decision.
Chitleen shrugs "We may as well... I would wager Karrak wishes to befriend them?"
[b]"Talking doesn't seem much use. Let's see where they go and make sure they don't send out an army or something before we proceed." Karrak will have a look around the garden area where they were to see if there is anything unusual.
Perception:
Following them would lead us to either their shelter or what they would perceive as leader. They have magic upon them, I would need more time to discern what type of magic it is.
Daeron starts to tail the retreating humans, concentrating to identify the type of magic that he has previously detected, though he starts to speak the words of magic, shrouding himself with protective magic.
Mankato nods and goes with the party while keeping his defenses up.
AC=21/19/15 Fighting Defensive with 3 ranks Acro gives +3 AC/-4 to hit, Snapping Turtle Style +1 AC
The strangers head for the stairs up to the main gate of the mine while Karrak pauses to see what they were doing. He finds only a couple baskets and scattered vegetables that were dropped when they fled.
Karrak rushes to catch up with the others
The ragged humans continue to flee up the stairs ahead of you while glancing back in fear. Daeron seeks to identify the magic present, but the immediacy of the pursuit makes it difficult to focus.
Just before the fugitives reach the safety of the front gate, several figures burst through the gaping archway. A nearly naked dwarf with shield and warhammer leading a squad of six gnoll archers.
"What in Torag's name be this!"
"Explain yourself brother or be cut down as you stand!"
Lockjaw waits for a response from the dwarf before taking his next action.
Chitleen eases his shortbow off his shoulder and strings it.
The tattooed face and gaped-tooth grin of the dwarf seem all the more out of place by the near nakedness of his body. The dwarf leans into his shield, plowing aside the meek humans before him.
"Pay attention the fun I brought ya and not me, ya idiot.", he responds in the dwarven tongue.
Seeing his friends among the faces of bearded companions, he shouts,"About you got outta bed, ya layabouts, hahahaha!" Skidding to a halt about 30 feet between the groups, he suddenly turns on his pursuers bellowing in an amazingly loud voice he says, "NOW I GOT YA!"
From where you are it is obvious is muscled physique has tightened like hemp cords and a grown in size.
Karrak glances at Lockjaw to see if he recognizes this strange dwarf as he utters a prayer for protection.
Shaking his head as the dwarf draws nearer and betrays his face Chitleen has the presence of mind to quip "Tararr!... pity, I would have preferred to see the mules returned to us" before raising his bow and taking aim...
"BAH! Pointy eared nuisance.", is he replies.
Karrak and Lockjaw exchange a bewildered glance as the nearly nude dwarf barrels through the ragged humans who leap aside. At least Chitleen seems familiar with the lunatic.
Chitleen
Karrak +1 underground
Daeron
Lockjaw
Mankato
Tarrar
Gnolls
Mankato will just go full defensive at the moment until he knows what is going on. Seems the dwarf is known.
AC=24
I see you survived the fall, and with a welcoming party in tow!
Daeron starts to chant the gritted syllables of magic, aiming his arcane power to a clump of persuing gnolls.
"Thought you'd have known no stinkin' fall or slathering batman is gonna do me in. I also remember how much you pixies love shooting things with them toys of your's"