My intention now is to head north warily looking out for signs of Gnoll activity.
I'll not stealth yet till I find some evidence of potential enemies.
The bear bids you fare-well, "I think it will snow soon."
Following his advice you head north and not long after lunch pick up the trail of small group of humanoids. There was six of them, one or two days ago, not trying to conceal their passing at all. And there, look! A scat.
I investigate the tracks and the spore. First trying to work out what left them.
Carnivore, by the smell of it. Most telling though is that it has been left in the middle of a track.
Taking a moment to cast Longstrider I direct Hrothgar to get the scent of these humanoids and we start following them.
I want to try and get to this temple before it starts snowing... Assuming the bear is a good weather man.
You soon across a disturbing sight. In a clearing off the path lays the remains of a makeshift camp. The fire has long been dead, and the tents are trashed beyond repair. The four human corpses bear deep gashes, but you can make out the Bear tribe emblem on their clothing and flesh. Among the human corpses lies a gnoll corpse.
I quickly rifle through the camp looking for anything useful. Mostly for rations.
Are there any human tracks leaving the camp (like survivors that escaped?
There's probably not enough stones about to make a cairn or enough time to bury the humans. So I'll wrap them in there tent material and arrange the bodies in a row, removing the Gnoll corpse from among them. Then I'll silently pray to the spirits to accept their souls.
The bodies have already been searched, with weapons taken from dead hands, scabbards torn from belts, packs ripped from their straps, even the armour has been removed from human and gnoll.
Carefully handling the bodies leaves you feeling that you made something right in this evil moment. The gnoll's dead body seems to resist you removing it from the tangle. Then it kicks out at you as it stands.
I leap back drawing my swords slashing with an overhand strike with the Longsword as I do.
The dead gnoll almost looks thoughtfull as the longsword carves off a chunk from its head and shoulder, as though it almost remembered something. Never mind, he glares and raises his fist at the strange human's face, suddenly propelling it into a jab
that is easy to read and easier to duck..
Wolf Attack!
Hrothgar will attempt to run around behind the Gnoll
Kalenth does a double swipe from left to right with both swords then brings the Longsword back around.
The wolf skirts around behind to maul it like he hasn't been fed for days... The zombie-gnoll folds in half as the wolf pulls it down, shaking the upper torso like it was a baby rabbit till the gnoll moves never more.
Kalenth slows his swings into a perfunctory, technical practice of technique.
Kn religion
" Hrothgar don't eat that it's tainted! "
" Come Hrothgar, we've done all we can here. "
I head out of the camp with Hrothgar at my side, following the Gnolls tracks.
Following the tracks through the wooded landscape, you see a clearing up ahead. At the heart of the clearing rises a rocky dome covered in dead vines and brush. Toppled statues line the walkway to a wide set of stairs. The steps narrow as they ascend to double doors guarded by two gnolls.
The rocky dome fills most of the clearing, and the temple is carved out of the massive batholith.
As soon as I see the temple and Gnolls i duck behind cover and motion for Hrothgar to do the same.
Then together we slowly circle the clearing, I look for other entrances or other activity.
At the temple stairs:
You can see ruts in the mud leading up to the stairs and to a pit on the side of the stairs, as if something was being dragged.
Circling around:
You notice a possible cave entrance in the massive batholith hidden behind a large boulder along the western side of the dome. There is perhaps a squeeze-space near the ground where the boulder does not cover.
I'll slink across the open ground to what looks like a cave entrance, staying low and moving as quietly as possible with Hrothgar right behind. Once there I'll check it out and if it is an opening try to squeeze through.
Suddenly there is a hairy, tusked face right in yours.
You can tell now, through the blood and the pain, that this is a male boar.
After letting out some (totally manly) howls of pain I grit my teeth and growl. Heaving with my arms and legs pushing at the boulder with my back. It moves just enough and I scramble back out of the opening.
The boulder rolls off to the left, as it has done several times before. The boar is now free to come out of the cave.
Hrothgar leaps over my prone form to defend me. Growling and viciously snapping at the boar.
The wolf's protective instincts kick in and it leaps over you as you scramble backwards. His teeth sink into the boar's front leg and he pulls it down, trying to hold it down on the ground.
Round Two
The boar shakes free from Hrothgar's teeth (fluff) and stands
to slash its tusks at the wolf.
Hrothgar Snaps at the boar again as it stands
I roll to my feet and step in drawing my swords.
Then Hrothgar starts circling around the boar trying to devise its attention. Snarling he lunges in snapping at the boars neck.
Kalenth, again, draws his swords through the air once his protector has killed he foe.
I shake my head to clear it and wipe my bloody face on a sleeve before looking about for any enemies drawn by the noise.
You motion for Hrothgath to Down and Listen. You hold still, holding your breath even. You carefully scan the area around you, but there is no movement, and you notice that there are no noises.
Then it starts to snow. Large white flakes drift lazily down from the deep grey clouds. The world becomes still and quiet as the colours are slowly replaced by black or white.
You make your way into the cave. The air inside the cave is rank and stale. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you hear snorting in front of you. you see that he walls of the cave have hooks and pigeon holes all over. The 'room' is about 55' x 20' (all send an image in the morning), and narrows to a natural tunnel about 6' tall and 4' wide at the southern end.
I call Hrothgar into the cave and I'll try to slide the boulder back if I can. If I can't do it from the inside I'll slide it most of the way closed and then squirm in. I'll also try to cover my tracks near the boulder.
You manage to in-fill what few tracks you have made in the little snow that has fallen, and you manage to pull the boulder back in place, only grazing your knuckles a little in the process.
This room has no natural lighting, and there is not a lot to see with the boulder blocking the doorway.
I guess I'll light a torch. Then I'll check out how far back this cave goes and what it links up with... If anything.
EDIT: Actually I will take my potion of Darkvision instead. Should last for three hours.
I'll command Hrothgar to 'Guard' here and move quietly and slowly.
The potion causes a tingling sensation in your eyes, which whilst it doesn't hurt is rather uncomfortable at first. After a few minutes you don't even notice it.
Hrothgar obediently paces the room, sniffing and looking about, before settling near the centre of the room with his ears perked. Then he seems to nod towards you.
You see that the walls of the cave have hooks and pigeon holes all over. The 'room' is about 55' x 20' (all send an image in the morning), and narrows to a natural tunnel about 6' tall and 4' wide at the southern end. The southern end continues on in a natural passageway, a fissure in the rock that is 5' wide that narrows to a point 12' up creating a space that is easy to traverse. There is nothing of note, other than a short passage off to your left where the boar has been sleeping, until you reach a door built of wood, reinforced with iron and well crafted at the end. It is hinged to swing towards you and has no lock, just a simple handle to pull it open.
I stand by the door and listen with my ear against it.
You hear nothing though the door.
Hearing nothing on the other side of the door Kalenth pulls it open a crack and scans the room with one eye.
From what you can see...
Empty shelves and old barrels line this ancient larder, while upturned tables, smashed counters, and rummaged cupboards tell of ancient violence long since past.
There is no movement or noise.