"Well, maybe you're right, Alton," Keildrithe says as he peers through the tree branches, trying to spot the boars. "Maybe we should bring that wild pig down, if it should come back this way... although it is a bit early for dinner, and the meat would probably be spoiled by the time we came back for it in the evening..."
Keildrithe pulls out his sling and loads a bullet in it, firmly bracing himself in the tree with his feet and his other hand...
Laithe-Boar crashes through the foliage, heart thumping wildly as he senses and hears the enraged boar hot on his tail (literally!), wondering whether this plan of action was a wise one after all.
"Well, too late for second thoughts now" he thinks too himself, putting his head down and attempting to put some distance between him and the pursuing boar.
Seeing that the boar is leaving, but uncertain if it will return, Yruch hurriedly stows his mace and shield and readies his crossbow – still, at this stage, stubbornly holding his ground rather than climbing a tree.
The angry boar rushes off the path after Laithe, but the druid’s boar form seems to be somewhat faster than the aggressor, and he quickly begins to pull away from the animal.
Both boars are now off the path, with the chaser about eighty feet away from Alton and Keildrithe’s tree, partially obscured by the undergrowth.
I hurridly pull out my bow, nock an arrow, and let it fly towards the boar, praying that fortune will guide my arrow.
[ooc]Attack 20 (14+6, haven't included any penalties yet.)
Jirkin watches as the 2 boars go out of slight and mumbles to himself "Can't take that risk right now, you did ya best." Jirkin the climbs the tree.
Keildrithe watches Alton's arrow sail through the trees. "I'm not nearly so good a shot as you, friend Alton, and with all the trees and branches in the way, I think it pretty unlikely that I would strike that boar... I hope Laithe will be alright..."
Watching Jirkin struggling to climb the tree, the bard crouches down on his perch, braces himself, and tries to reach out to the mage, unsuccessfully...
Trees and bushes flash past on either side, and Laithe-Boar takes some comfort in the distance he has put in between himself and the wild Boar. Feeling somewhat unnatural and cumbersome in this form, he decides it is time to assume his favoured form.
With another quick prayer to Ehlonna he takes a leaping stride and mid air, begins to undergo another transformation. His body elongates, his face and snout narrows, tusks shrink into canine fangs, and short course fur lengthens and takes on a finer quality. Without breaking stride he lands in wolf form and continues to flee the enraged boar.
Laithe-Wolf continues to run directly away from the path until, having judged he has put some decent distance between them, he changes his angle into an arc so that he is moving parallel to the path, back in the direction from which they came.
Alton’s arrow flies true, and strikes the boar in the rump. But the beast barely seems to notice the wound, and the last sight you see of it is the enraged beast chasing off into the forest with Alton’s arrow sticking incongruously out of it’s rear.
Soon, the sounds of the chase fade. Several minutes pass with no sign of Laithe or the boar. Then there is a barking from the north, and the yellow hound emerges from the trees to the north. It stands by the edge of the path, looks up at the tree that Alton and Keildrithe perch in, and barks several times.
Laithe,
Laithe, ** spoiler omitted **
Laithe:
---
Several more minutes pass and Laithe has still not returned. The strange dog appears to be growing a little agitated, running back and forward around the area, barking sporadically.
Laithe: ** spoiler omitted **
---
Several more minutes pass and Laithe has still not returned. The strange dog appears to be growing a little agitated, running back and forward around the area, barking sporadically.
DM Mothman
Laithe:
What are the rest of you doing?
With enough time and effort, Jirkin can be helped into the tree, although Yruch prefers to stay to the ground, his weapon held ready, eyeing both the surrounding foilage and the yellow haired dog.
Laithe: ** spoiler omitted **
DM Mothman
Laithe: ** spoiler omitted **DM Mothman
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Retracing the steps they had taken before being set upon by the boar, Laithe-Wolf brings his steady lope to a stop when he nears the spot they had encountered the boar. He stands for a moment, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth panting heavily, before transforming back into his human form. He resumes walking up the path, hands on his side, chest rising and falling heavily as he attempts to get his breath back.
Looking up, he tries to spot whether his companions are where he left them.
Upon resuming human form, Laithe discovers that at some point during his foray into the reeds, a number of blue snails managed to somehow attach themselves to him. However, he does not seem to have suffered any ill effects from the exposure. He hears the bark of the dog up ahead before he spots his companions.
The rest of you see Laithe walking back up the path about fifteen minutes after he and the boar ran off. It seems it was a long chase.
At some point, you realize that Wil the fox is not around, it seems that he has slunk off at some point between your initial encounter of the yellow hound and now. None of you can quite remember when you last saw him.
Upon resuming human form, Laithe discovers that at some point during his foray into the reeds, a number of blue snails managed to somehow attach themselves to him. However, he does not seem to have suffered any ill effects from the exposure. He hears the bark of the dog up ahead before he spots his companions.
The rest of you see Laithe walking back up the path about fifteen minutes after he and the boar ran off. It seems it was a long chase.
At some point, you realize that Wil the fox is not around, it seems that he has slunk off at some point between your initial encounter of the yellow hound and now. None of you can quite remember when you last saw him.
Laithe is a little alarmed to discover some snails attached to him. He quickly but gently removes them, touching them by the shell only and placing them among the foliage just off the path.
Having regained his breath sufficiently to speak, he calls out to his companions "Sorry about that; the boar was more stubborn than I had assumed it would be, and it took me some time to shake it." Turning and looking back down the track he continues; "I think I've left it behind, but either way I think we shouldn't dally here, lest it returns. In any event it seems the dog wants us to continue on...though where Will has gotten to I'm not sure".
I peer down from the tree and say "Thank you for dealing with that creature. It would have been much messier had we engaged it in melee. Does anyone know where Wil got off to? Where does it appear that the dog wants us to go?" I say and easily climb down from the tree after returning my bow to its place on my back.
The dog appears to be trying to attract your attention towards the path that continues up the hill, in the direction you had been following prior to the boar encounter.
I peer down from the tree and say "Thank you for dealing with that creature. It would have been much messier had we engaged it in melee. Does anyone know where Wil got off to? Where does it appear that the dog wants us to go?" I say and easily climb down from the tree after returning my bow to its place on my back.
Laithe nods at Alton's thanks. "I figured it was best for us all if we avoided the fight, and any possible injuries, which might slow us down in our quest. It took some time to shake him, but may have saved us time in the longrun. The last I saw of Wil was down at the swamp edge, when we first met the dog. Speaking of which, he seems particularly eager to keep us moving; let's head onwards."
Laithe offers his assitance to Jirkin and Keildrithe to climb down from the tree before beginning once more up the trail, following the dog. "I'm still assuming he's leading us to Jarred's tree-house abode, but that is mere speculation. I hope he is not leading us astray. Still, the quicker we move on the quicker we find out I guess."
"Lead on, we have much to do and Gosia has little time." I say and follow Laithe.
Continuing up the forested hillside in the wake of the anxiously barking hound, you soon enough come to the crest of the hill. The forest is still fairly dense at this point, so although you are at quite a high elevation, there is not much of a view of the valley through the trees.
Beside the path, right at the top of the hill, is a small clearing, with the remains of a log cabin sitting squarely in the middle of it.
The cabin would perhaps of been of a similar size to Gosia’s cottage in the Dimwood, but little of it now remains, it has been burnt almost to the ground. A blackened area of scorched earth and ash surrounds a few charred logs and the blackened stones of a fireplace, hearth and partially fallen chimney. A few unrecognizable burnt items are scattered about.
The hound sits mournfully before the remains of the cottage, with it’s head down on it’s paws, whining piteously.
Continuing up the forested hillside in the wake of the anxiously barking hound, you soon enough come to the crest of the hill. The forest is still fairly dense at this point, so although you are at quite a high elevation, there is not much of a view of the valley through the trees.
Beside the path, right at the top of the hill, is a small clearing, with the remains of a log cabin sitting squarely in the middle of it.
The cabin would perhaps of been of a similar size to Gosia’s cottage in the Dimwood, but little of it now remains, it has been burnt almost to the ground. A blackened area of scorched earth and ash surrounds a few charred logs and the blackened stones of a fireplace, hearth and partially fallen chimney. A few unrecognizable burnt items are scattered about.
The hound sits mournfully before the remains of the cottage, with it’s head down on it’s paws, whining piteously.
Coming across the cottage's remains, Laithe stops and scans the clearing to make sure there is no one else present
"This does not bode well for Gosia or our quest, and certainly not for Jarred" he comments, before moving forward to take a closer look and see if he can find any clues as to what (or who) was responsible for the fire.
[
"This does not bode well for Gosia or our quest, and certainly not for Jarred" he comments, before moving forward to take a closer look and see if he can find any clues as to what (or who) was responsible for the fire.
"Indeed," says Keildrithe with a dejected expression. "How long would you say since this fire burned, Laithe?"
The bard sifts through the charred ruins of the cabin, hoping to find items that could have survived the fire.
"What could that strange dog's relationship to Jarred be? Is at as close to him as Wil seemed to be? Could it be the bad dog that Wil referred to, and might it have played a role in the torching of his cabin?"
Laithe looks around, but apart from spying various small animals and birds in the surrounding foliage going about their business, he spots nothing out of the ordinary.
He finds various tracks in the area, but they all seem to be animal tracks (including dog or wolf prints) … of course, this morning’s rain may have wiped away any trace of older tracks.
The rain also makes a determination of the age of the fire problematic, although between the absence of any smell of woodsmoke, and the general lack of regrowth, the fire could have happened anytime between a couple of weeks and a couple of months ago.
---
Keildrithe makes a cursory search of the cabin’s remains, but does not find anything, more focused on his musings than the search.
Soon enough, the hound is back on it’s feet, and gives two loud barks. It then runs over to where the path continues past the cabin and heads down the other side of the hill, disappearing down the trail.
Laithe (or anyone else making a DC 20 spot check):
Soon enough, the hound is back on it’s feet, and gives two loud barks. It then runs over to where the path continues past the cabin and heads down the other side of the hill, disappearing down the trail.
"I have found nothing," Keildrithe states with a sign. "But it seems that our yellow-skinned canine friend is eager for us to follow his lead again..."
"I have found nothing," Keildrithe states with a sign. "But it seems that our yellow-skinned canine friend is eager for us to follow his lead again..."
Soon enough, the hound is back on it’s feet, and gives two loud barks. It then runs over to where the path continues past the cabin and heads down the other side of the hill, disappearing down the trail.
"You are not the only one", Laithe replies, a hint of frustration in his voice. "The rain has washed away any signs there may have been...but your right, the dog definitely knows something. I could have sworn he was listening to your words and is now responding directly to them. I think we should continue to follow him..."
It is now an hour or two past noon, and the sun is still shining brightly, although a few clouds lurk still in the sky.
The trail appears to continue back down the hillside, apparently all the way to the bottom. Although it is forested at this point, if you remember correctly from your previous view of the valley, the forest peters back out on the other side of this hill, giving way to more lightly wooded areas and then open fields or grasslands.
The dog is already out of sight around a bend in the trail, but you hear it’s barking from down below.
[
"You are not the only one", Laithe replies, a hint of frustration in his voice. "The rain has washed away any signs there may have been...but your right, the dog definitely knows something. I could have sworn he was listening to your words and is now responding directly to them. I think we should continue to follow him..."
Following Laithe's counsel, Keildrithe signs for his companions to resume their march, behind the dog. He falls in after Laithe and Yruch, still carrying one weapon in each hand, uncertain what to expect around the next bend in the trail.
I follow right behind Keildrithe, blades drawn. I say "I'm begining to think that the yellow dog we're following actually is Jarred Hale. Laithe, tonight when you request more spells or however you do that I suggest that you get the one that allows you to speak with animals. Even if the thing that we're folowing isn't Jarred actually speaking to it could aid us." as we walk. The whole time I stay alert, looking and listening for any ambushes.
Continuing up the forested hillside in the wake of the anxiously barking hound, you soon enough come to the crest of the hill. The forest is still fairly dense at this point, so although you are at quite a high elevation, there is not much of a view of the valley through the trees.
Beside the path, right at the top of the hill, is a small clearing, with the remains of a log cabin sitting squarely in the middle of it.
The cabin would perhaps of been of a similar size to Gosia’s cottage in the Dimwood, but little of it now remains, it has been burnt almost to the ground. A blackened area of scorched earth and ash surrounds a few charred logs and the blackened stones of a fireplace, hearth and partially fallen chimney. A few unrecognizable burnt items are scattered about.
The hound sits mournfully before the remains of the cottage, with it’s head down on it’s paws, whining piteously.
Jirkin looks at burnt cottage, "What happened?" Jirkin sees if he can spt anything that may give the group help
You hear another few barks from up ahead, but the dog remains out of sight on your trek down the hillside.
As the hill levels out into flatter ground, the character of the surrounding forest changes. The trees become more spread out and widely spaced, and the straight trunked elms and pines give way to gnarled oaks and willow trees. The ground is damp, and the trail goes back to mud, sometimes ankle deep. While the trees are more widely spaced, the spaces between them tend to be crowded with a jumble of small bushes, brambles, tumbled boulders and pools of standing water. Insects buzz about, chased by predatory birds.
The path still seems fairly clear and obvious, winding its way in a generally northern direction. There is no immediate sight nor sound of the dog you have been following.
You hear another few barks from up ahead, but the dog remains out of sight on your trek down the hillside.
As the hill levels out into flatter ground, the character of the surrounding forest changes. The trees become more spread out and widely spaced, and the straight trunked elms and pines give way to gnarled oaks and willow trees. The ground is damp, and the trail goes back to mud, sometimes ankle deep. While the trees are more widely spaced, the spaces between them tend to be crowded with a jumble of small bushes, brambles, tumbled boulders and pools of standing water. Insects buzz about, chased by predatory birds.
The path still seems fairly clear and obvious, winding its way in a generally northern direction. There is no immediate sight nor sound of the dog you have been following.
Laithe nods in agreement to Alton's suggestion. "I will pray to Ehlonna tonight that she might grant me the power to speak with our guide. There is definite intelligence behind his eyes". He falls silent as they reach the marshy ground, intent on scanning his surroundings for any sign of danger.
Spot 16+
Listen 14+
Listen 20+
Spot 16+** spoiler omitted **
Listen 14+** spoiler omitted **
Listen 20+** spoiler omitted **
Laithe slows his pace as he realises they may have lost their guide, who up to this point had been extrememly vocal. Scanning the surrounding area he spots something and calls a halt to those following.
"Careful, there is a large brown snake sunning itself on the rock over there. I hear water, but no sign of our guide; does anyone know where he's gotten to?"
"Careful, there is a large brown snake sunning itself on the rock over there. I hear water, but no sign of our guide; does anyone know where he's gotten to?"
"Snakes... why did there have to be snakes..." mumbles Keildrithe in a weary monotone.
"I like this not one bit... is our canine guide trying to lead us into a trap? I have no idea where he -- or she? -- went..." The bard tightens his grip on his weapons and strains to see or hear anything out in the boggy woods. Upon further reflection, he adds: "Then again, Wil did suggest that Jared had a home in the marsh as well, didn't he? So perhaps we are on the right track after all..."
"Snakes... why did there have to be snakes..." mumbles Keildrithe in a weary monotone.
"Snakes... why did there have to be snakes..." mumbles Keildrithe in a weary monotone.
Laithe points out the snake by the side of the path, but suggests that it will be unlikely to attack so long as it is not disturbed. He organises the group into single file and warns everyone to stay to the other side of the path whilst they pass.
Laithe points out the snake by the side of the path, but suggests that it will be unlikely to attack so long as it is not disturbed. He organises the group into single file and warns everyone to stay to the other side of the path whilst they pass.
Laithe makes his way past the snake, keeping to the opposite side of the path. Once everyone is clear, he leads the party on, keeping his eyes peeled for their lost guide or anything else of note. He also takes a look up at the sun, hoping to get an idea of which direction they are travelling in.
The pathway writhes like a serpent across the soggy ground, weaving around thickets and moss covered trees, but heading in a mainly northerly direction. After a time it turns into a small clearing shaded by an enormous weeping willow. Two paths leave the clearing, to the north west and to the east. Across the clearing, standing atop a large rock, is a beast-man of some sort. He wears forester’s garb, but his head is that of a boar. The boar’s face is caked with dried blood and droops severely, especially over the intensely blue eyes, where thick folds are bunched.
As the figure sees you, he jumps up and down atop the rock and waves a spear in your direction. His body shakes as he flails his limbs about. Suddenly, his spasmodic display ends and he stands erect atop the rock. Stabbing the spear at you he calls out in a deep hollow voice,
Spoiler for Laithe, Keildrithe and Jirkin:
Spoiler for Alton and Yruch:
The pathway writhes like a serpent across the soggy ground, weaving around thickets and moss covered trees, but heading in a mainly northerly direction. After a time it turns into a small clearing shaded by an enormous weeping willow. Two paths leave the clearing, to the north west and to the east. Across the clearing, standing atop a large rock, is a beast-man of some sort. He wears forester’s garb, but his head is that of a boar. The boar’s face is caked with dried blood and droops severely, especially over the intensely blue eyes, where thick folds are bunched.
As the figure sees you, he jumps up and down atop the rock and waves a spear in your direction. His body shakes as he flails his limbs about. Suddenly, his spasmodic display ends and he stands erect atop the rock. Stabbing the spear at you he calls out in a deep hollow voice,Spoiler for Laithe, Keildrithe and Jirkin: ** spoiler omitted **
Spoiler for Alton and Yruch: ** spoiler omitted **
Jirkin stands with a look of fear on his face. Jirkin doesn't move looking at the others, knowing he should not be the one to answer but replys in the native tongue
For DM, Laithe, Keildrithe