Rig stifles a yawn and trudges off into the nearby trees, scooping up small bundles of sticks. Soon his arms are full, and he returns to Khadon. Noticing that he has already started to get a fire going, he dumps the load on the ground nearby and says, "Here you go. What's for dinner?"
the big strong smith wants the others to get the fire wood? Ahhh, alrigty then. By the way. Get a pot boiling, saw a bunch of rabbits while I was scouting.
When dart gets back he will toss a few limbs on the ground next to the small fire then hand the "cook" three rabbits.
here, make a stew from these. I assume you know how to skin them yes? Miss massori, make sure he adds the proper herbs and spices would ya? And Honey, I'm sure your a better cook than your sister, so keep an eye on em and help em when you can!
Daniel looks at the pile of wood rig gathered and frowned.
I'd rather not have my firewood pile smaller than our door carrier. Also found a small spring, anyone want me to refill there waterskins?
He will collect any water skins offered
Then heads off back into the woods. Mumbling about something to do with food and cooking
If you want more wood for the fire Dart, then go gather it like I told you too. khadon growls at dart. He takes the rabbits and stocks off to gut and skin them.
Maidie pointedly ignores all talk of cooking as she maintains her focus on her alchemical crafting, carefully concentrating an acidic solution in a glass pan by constantly moving it over an small brazier. After the liquid if fully condensed she sets it to cool, making sure it can't tip over or spill. Only then does she stand and join the others, making sure to scrub her hands thoroughly.
"That ain't soup I'm making over there. A vial of acid is not only a useful tool, but it can also be used as a weapon. I can even use it to augment my spells. And if I disturbed while making it, the whole camp could quickly be engulfed in noxious fumes, or we could have an exothermic reaction."
She levels a stare at the others, especially Dart, as if daring them to challenge her. To emphasize her point, she adds "Do you know what I mean by exothermic reaction? Kaboom!" while gesturing with her hands.
Once supper is over, she carefully transfers the cooled liquid into a small glass vial which she places in her satchel, within easy reach.
On his way back from cleaning the rabbits Khadon stops for a minute and stands still smelling the cold air trying to get a feel for what the weather will be like in the coming days. Feeling uncertain he goes back to the fire and finishes preparing the evening meal.
Once the meal is finished and cleaned up he goes to his tent to rest. Mossri, wake me up when it is time for your watch. I will sit up with you. I can see better in the dark than you can. Stay alert everyone, and don't let the fire go out. That said he crawls into his small tent, wraps himself in his blankets, and goes to sleep.
"Sure, Khad. Nothin's gonna happen, just like in tha stories. It's always tha second-t'-last watch that's attacked by wolves or ghosts, or has tha stranger walk inta camp. Hope it's tha last for you, Rig! I'll humor ya, though."
Mossri also heads off to bed, leaving Maidie to watch.
Maidie packs away her alchemical tools and begins her watch by picking a sitting position by a tree that offers her a good view of the entire camp and the most obvious approaches to it.
Resisting the temptation to pull out her spellbook, she instead settles for fingering her newly created vial of acid while occasionally playing a bit with Tanglefoot.
At random times, she casts light on a small pebble and tosses it into the shadows outside the firelight, especially if she sees or hears anything.
after Dart comes back with slightly more limbs than last time he resumes his spot on the trunk of tree and places his hands behind his head after finishing the meal.
Our alchemist is right, wizards need a good sleep to prepare there spells, I vote our Maidie here gets to sleep soundly, its only about 8 or 9 hours so the rest of us can easily split it up properly without her. By the Khadon, impressive food. Maybe you should take up cooking as a hobby once we get back eh?
The night is cold, with a bright moon glowing in the sky. Clouds move steadily covering the moonlight from time to time. The sound of wolves howling can be heard off in the distance, and as the night goes on the howling becomes a bit closer.
As Maidie wakes Mossri up, the halfling rolls over and tries to avoid the duty. "don' wanna. Five more minutes, Maidie, please..." After some convincing, she gets up and awakens Khadon to sit with her.
Mossri doesn't notice whatever it is she's supposed to.
Khadon wakes immediately when Mossri shakes his blanket wrapped foot. He unwraps and crawls out of his small tent. He straps his Bastard sword in its place and goes to stand by the halfling by the fire. Looking at the much diminished pile of stick he tells Mossri Stay here by the Fire and keep it burning, I am going to go get more firewood. Color fades from Khadon's vision as he turns away from the fire and heads out into the dark. Khadon stay near the camp making a rough circle around it as he looks for firewood. As he searches Khadon grumbles to himself about Dart's laziness.
As Khadon walks the perimeter of the camp seaching for firewood, while keeping an eye out for danger, he spots a pair of large glowing yellow eyes. The eyes are attached to the largest wolf he's ever seen. The creature lets out a deep growl with its long dagger-like fangs glistening from the burning camp fire. The wolf is as big as a horse and prepares for a fight.
Initiative Rolls:
"Jocyn must've lied to me, this was supposed to happen later! I'll never forgive him for this!"
Mossri rushes toward the massive wolf, brandishing her spear in one hand and reaching for her tambourine with the other. As she does, she begins dancing, banging the tambourine against her thigh in time with the rhythmic turns.
Maidie jerks awake at the sound of the commotion outside her tent. Supressing her first instinct to hide under her blanket, she makes sure she has her satchel and spell components, then jumps up and runs barefoot out of the tent.
Khadon drops the merge bundle of sticks he gathered and draws his bastard sword. Darts behavior during the day had brought Khadon's temper up, here was something he could release that temper on. Khadon lets the rage loose with a howl, and attacks the Dire wolf.
Khadon drops the bundle of sticks he was collecting, grabs his bastard sword and swings it at the large wolf, connecting with its left flank. The wolf howls in pain and responds with a bite attempt, The wolf latches onto his sword arm With a firm grip, it attemps to sweep Khadon off his feet with its massive head. Khadon goes down on his back, still grasping his sword. Mossri grabs her spear and tambourine inspiring courage and waking the rest of the group that didn't hear the wolf and Khadon battling on the outskirts of the camp.
Khadon roars in fury and drops his sword. Wrapping both arms around the beasts head and locking his off hand on the beasts lower jaw he howls Now I have you!
It was basically a trip maneuver with its head after his successful attack, so you are on the ground with the wolf staring at you. (Not grappled) you did take the bite damage though.
Khadon roars in fury. Ignoring the bite on his arm he takes his Bastard Sword in both hands and chops at the Dire wolfs head.
Sorry Maddie. Take your action
Actually Dart your 1st!
Sorry Maddie. Take your action
Maidie stands up and exits her tent.
Dart jerks awake from his spot under the tree upon hearing the a howl, a howl he only heard once before and a shudder runs down his spine.
gods, not that, please not that. as images of a dire wolf tearing apart a guard not long after he joined on to be a scout flooded back to him.
a split second later he shakes it off.
he looks around and spot khadon
oh, no, its just khadon....and look, he made a friend.
like the wind moves behind a tree to attempt to catch the beast unaware.
then slip a dagger out of his belt and aim for an eye.
The sight of the huge beast covered in Khadon's blood sends shivers of ice down Maidies spine.
"Hang on, Khadon. I'm coming. My magic can protect you. Mossri, try to distract the wolf.
Dart attempts to sneak up on the beast, but is spotted in the act. A thrown dagger hits it's mark and the dire wolf yelps as a dagger is now lodged in its left eye.
Grasping his bastard sword with both hands, Khadon swings his sword like he was spitting firewood while lying on his back. The blade hits with immense force, disecting the wolfs skull! It drops to the ground next to Khadon with a heavy thump.
The rest of the night is quiet and uneventful, but clouds start to thicken as a light rain begins to fall.
Khadon leaps to his feet and roars at the night sky. He looks around, searching the night for something else to fight. Finding nothing his rage ebs away abd ge slumps to the ground exhausted. He sits there for seveal minutes staring blankly at the dire wolf's carcass. After a few moments though the pain from the bite on his arm is enough to drag him from his stupor.
Dart, That was a good throw. Thank you. Khadon says to the man in a tired voice. Do you think you could help me bandage my arm, and deal with this beast. I will give you the claws from two of the paws, and the teeth from the lower jaw.
Once his arm is bandaged and he has recovered some of his energy Khadon sets about skinning the dire wolf. He prys out the teeth and cuts off the claws. He also cuts out the dire wolfs heart. He spears the heart on a stick and sets it to roast over the fire. Assuming Dart agrees to help the two of them drag the rest of the carcass away from the camp. Khadon shares the dire wolf heart with anyone who would like some.
Rig jerks awake at the sound of the battle. He squints through the darkness and sees Khadon standing over the wolf's corpse. "Nice sword," he mumbles, before rolling over and falling back asleep.
YAAWWWNN, (mumbles), What did I miss, and is anyone hurt?
Dart looks at khadon after he stops roaring.
ya through? Good. Sure, let's get started.
Dart picks his dagger from the wolf's eye.
shame, as ferocious and dangerous as they are. Still magnificent beasts eh?
Dart will help with the wolf.
one question though, who is gonna carry the pelt? Its bloody huge, though Tis to rare a thing not to keep. Could be worth a pretty penny once this is over. Khadon, may I ask what you will use your fangs for?
Mossri passes the watch on to the next person in line, thankful to be back in her tent. Once there, she tosses and turns for a while, thinking about the gigantic wolf. Finally, she falls into a normal state of sleep. She doesn't think at all about the thing's pelt; it probably weighs more than she does anyway.
I will carry the Pelt. It can't weigh more than 70 or 80 lbs, and your right it is too rare to leave lying. I am not sure what I am going to use my fangs for. I will think of something.
Thank you for your help. would you like some wolf heart?
Once the dire wolf is dealt with Khadon will return to his tent and go back to sleep.
In the morning Khadon is stiff and sore but he tries not to show it. He isn't able to avoid favoring the arm the dire wolf bit the night before, but he forces himself to keep using it.
Who has the map? he asks the others as he finishes tying the direwolf pelt to his pack. Finished packing he hoists his pack on to his back and pulls up the hood of his cloak against the light rain. Today is going to be a miserable sort of day if this rain keeps up he says half to himself.
Once the group is prepared to leave, Rigliame opens his folded up piece of the trail map and begins looking for the direction you all should be heading.
Mossri helps Rig with the map, nearly fighting Tigeara and Khadon for space around it.
Rig peers at the map. "Okay, let's see."
"Hey! This whole map thing isn't hard at all. By the way, Khadon, I could help make that hide of yours into a nice piece of armor if you'd like."
In the morning, Maidie studies her spells while Khadon works on the remains of the dire wolf. She does her best not to appear shaken by the eventful night or the bloody work, but her complexion is a bit pale.
[dice=CLW]1d8+1
Yeah that's fine
Dart declines khadons offer then strides into maidies tent talking about needing protection and not safe, but is soon ejected by a stream a nigh incomprehensible words and flailing fists. Red faced Maidie returns to her tent. Dart simply grins and shrugs at khadon before retuning to his sleeping bag.
Dart, seeing the others have the map down, takes a little more time to relax. He never liked long walks, specifically long, boring ones.
Alright, someone else is on scout duty today, sheesh, how long is this rain going to last.
He looks toward the sky.
After maidie puts down her spell bool dart will walk over and offer her his pipe, here, it will help calm your nerves hunny. I rememeber the first time I encountered a dire wolf. Heh, I probably won't forget it any time soon either.
Maidie glares at Dart and waves away the offered pipe as if she was trying to chase off an annoying insect.
"Get that smelly thing out of my face, you oaf! It reeks worse than the terrible stuff Holgast smokes, and I didn't think that was possible. And I'll have you know that my nerves are perfectly fine and in no need of calming what so ever. If I look a bit out of sorts, it's only because SOMEONE wouldn't let me get back to sleep after all the commotion last night. Now get out of my sight before I decide to dump my new vial of acid down your codpiece."
She stands up in a huff and slings on her backpack, a move that would certainly have been more dignified if she had taken the time to fasten the straps properly. Rations and alchemical instruments clamor to the ground, fortunately not breaking. Maidie's face flashes red hot, and she furiously shoves Dart away before dropping to her knees and scrambling around to recover her belongings.
What in Nethys' name did I do to deserve this?
I get up from my prayers. If you are done harvesting, I would like to help moving the wolf's corpse into brush off of the road.
jeez, try to be nice to people eh? Yeah the smell takes a bit getting used to but I gaurentee the effects are different, and better I'd wager.
Dart manages to stammer out as he is shoved away. He takes a moment to watch her then kneels down and grabs a couple of things for her.
here. Ya know if were going to be traveling together, we should at least pretend to enjoy each others company. I certainly do, even rough and tough khadon over there. So sorry, you ought to show me some of your books sometime eh maidie? Bet I'd surprise you how quick I catch on haha.
He makes a note to call her by her name when he speaks.
Dart slips something into maidies backpack. Its shaped somewhat like a book with something attached to it.
alright everyone, touchy feelings time is over, let's shove off!