Allence's Last Hope

Game Master sarpadian

Chantif and Det make a quick swing around the perimeter and don't find anything unusual. The party resumes their eastward trek once the temperature begins to drop. About 20 minutes later, you all hear a mewling sound coming from the trees north of the road.

Mewling like a cat? Being that I've already established Rhona has a thing for cats...

"You guys hear that?" Rhona says, holding up a hand. "What would a cat be doing out here...?" Slowly, cautiously, Rhona begins approaching the sound, but not straying far from the group in case they are not interested in stopping.

Chantif shrugs. There is nothing unusual about a cat in the wild. No beast is tame but was wild once. He turns and follows Rhona into the trees.

Fyi, Chantif walks with his Longspear like a walking staff.

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Hearing the mewing from the tree, Det immediately grabs the dog. Which we still need a name for. Not gonna lie, Phillip made me laugh. "You'd better not chase after this cat or you'll have Rhona to answer to." He says to the dog with a teasing glance at Rhona.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

I scan the trees for the cat and then quickly loose interest when I cannot see it.

After getting Sal under control Det decides to figure out what he can about the noise.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

In response to Det's line, Rhona glares at Sal in mock warning. Getting back to searching the tree line, Rhona makes sure to have her sword and shield out. "Could be a cat... or a cat-person. They have those, right? Or a goblin pretending to be a cat... et cetera et cetera..."

As the group walks towards the trees, a gravelly voice says, "Yes, cat people do exist. I should know, since I am one. Now, please do not come any closer; you're scaring my kittens."

"...Oh. I was totally joking, but all right. Sorry, didn't mean to spook you." Rhona looks back at the rest of the group, befuddled. "Uh... well, pleasant journeys to you, friend."

Rhona starts to head back toward her companions, eyes wide and mouthing "what the hell?"

Welcome back, everybody!

*Blows dust off* It's good to be back!

The voice was so surprising to Det that he visibly jumped and let out a gasp. Then he looks at Rhona and shrugs. He was now so embarrassed that felt like he had to say something,"Uh...you need any help?

I stop and look toward the woods, sensing danger. "Why have you been following us, this is not the first time we have heard your cats meow."

Glad this one started back up again I have enjoyed it greatly so far.

You all hear some cat-like sounds in the undergrowth at the treeline, and then a female catfolk emerges. She looks each of you over and then addresses Rhona. "I'm afraid it's not been a very pleasant journey...and we have your kind to thank for that. We don't want your help. 'Help' from people like you is what got us into this situation in the first place." She turns to look at Drexel. "Nice try, bud, but you're fishing. You haven't heard my kittens meowing before."

Chantif shifts his weight and puts his spear over his shoulder. What is it you do want then, eh?

Rhona grunts in annoyance at the catfolk's words. "Sounds like a real sad story, lady. Well, hey, if you don't want our help, we'd be happy to be off on our way. Guess you don't have any need of a few strong arms or a pair of survival experts or a wizard or anything like that..." She gives the catfolk a wink. "Of course, if one did want such assistance, one would only have to swallow their pride and ask, but I'm not, y'know, suggesting anything of the sort."

At Rhona's comment the catfolk winces. [b]"Poor choice of metaphor, though I suppose I should be fair and admit that there's no way you could have known. Most of my pride--you would call it a 'family,' I think--was swallowed recently. By gnolls apparently led by one of you." She points at the Kingdom's insignia on Rhona's armor.

Oh-... was the the only thing that came out of Detskiye's gaping mouth.

Umash laughs: "All those precious insignia to display your loyalty, and only one wong person who gets their hands on one of your uniforms and suddenly your reputation is ruined.", apparently unaware of the brash rudeness of her reactionshe continues: "When did that happen? Perhaps these gnolls and their- leader, are still in the area."

"Gnolls?! I hate gnolls." Rhona grimaces, hoping that it looks like her sudden anguish is at the sound of the gnolls and not the fate of the catfolk's pride. "I'm really sorry to hear about your family- I mean, your pride, but at the same time, thank you for bringing this to our attention. Do you know anything more about what happened? If some psycho from our side of the fence is leading a bunch of mangy gnolls around, munching on innocents, then..." She looks back at the rest of the party. "I mean, I know we're on a mission, but..."

Chantif narrows his eyes, Gnolls are very dangerous, Rhona. A human that would earn their respect must also be particularly dangerous. He pauses and tilts his head back. And yet...

"If she will not have our help, there is no point in supposing. I don't mind helping others, but if they don't want it I won't force it on them."

An anger rises in Det so deep that it surprised even himself. He looks the catfolk woman in the eyes and says to her, "I know you might not think it's possible, but I know how you feel. I've lost everyone too...twice. Only, when I lost them, I didn't have anybody to help-I was all alone. I don't think I could live with myself if I walked away and did nothing." He spoke through gritted teeth, the memories of his past were flooding his vision so fast he could barely breathe. He was gripping Krolik so tight his knuckles turned white and his whole body shook. Whoops, I think Catwoman struck a nerve there.

A wan grin begins to appear on the catfolk's face as she begins speaking to Rhona. "Interesting. You feel as though this touches on your personal honor; perhaps your people and my people are more similar than I'd thought. On the other paw, though, your friend here," she points at Chantif, is right. They're really dangerous; there's no sense in you winding up like my pride. The human with them was using all kinds of powerful magics. He took out most of the pride with a single large ball of flame, and the gnolls were moving unnaturally fast. My mate is out hunting; he'll be back soon and we'll keep heading west. You all seem to be headed in the opposite direction, and you spoke of a mission. I appreciate your offer--now that I realize that it's sincere--but I think my mate, kittens, and I will be relatively safe from this point on, since I think the gnolls have lost our trail, but I would suggest that you remain vigilant."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"A single spell? Whoever that was would be a bit out of our league. I vote for moving on."

Aye. Det, I know you want to strike out, but those gnolls would knock our heads clean off in a blink, sure. We're no good to anyone dead.

"...Maybe you're right," Rhona says reluctantly. "Still... if we run across those flea-infested dirtbags, you all know what we have to do." She looks at the catfolk lady and nods to her. "If I get a chance to avenge your family, I will. For now, just concentrate on your own safety."

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"A single spell taking out a large group, I feel I could learn much from this man. I mean no offense to your Pride, but that skill would be useful against the Orcs."

Det lowers his head and lets out a deep sigh then mutters to himself, "Just don't feel right, best not go down there t'day." Then he says to the rest of the group, "Alright, I agree that it would be suicide to chase them, but would it hurt to poke around a bit next time we hit civilization? I mean, if he bears the Kingdoms insignia then there's a good chance they gave it to him. Maybe he's a traitor, or he took it off a dead man or...I don't know, but if there is a powerful magician running a murderous band of gnolls on our side of the Pass, then somebody has to know about it, and if we can't to a damn thing about it then maybe someone else can."

Aye, we'll be sure to let the authorities know at the next outpost, and warn any other travelers we see. Chantif turns from Det to the catfolk. Thank you for the warning, mistress...

Sorry for the slow progress; it's been a long week. I'll try to update again later tonight.

Those pesky real lives get in the way of everything don't they?:P
When Det finally cools down he mumbles an apology, "I, uh, I don't know what came over me." He waves to the catfolk lady and walks off.

Leaving the catfolk behind, the party continues its trek towards Alenk Town. After two uneventful hours of travel, the sun is low in the sky, and the party finds a place where there's a large clearing adjacent to the road. The clearing looks as though it was made intentionally. You can see some sharp, raised stumps, and the grade up to the clearing from the road is steeper than the surrounding terrain would warrant.

The ellipsis was meant to imply Chantif was asking for her name. I guess I should have made that more clear.

This seems like a good spot to make camp. I think I'll give the woods a little walk-through. You can join me if you like, sure, but keep quiet. Chantif circles the clearing in a circle 50 feet out from the edge of it, then again 100 feet out from the edge of it.

"Sure, I'll walk the perimeter with you," Rhona says. "Let's make this quick, eh?"

I'll follow behind Chantif 'til we've made sure the place is safe.

Chantif and Rhona walk around the perimeter and find nothing interesting.

"Well then," Rhona says as she returns to the rest of the gang, "Shall we set up camp for the night? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm about ready to cross this one off the calendar."

Any other prep we should tackle? Watch order, etc.?

Yep, watches (and I'm guessing Drexel wants to use his bond object to cast Endure Elements on someone for tomorrow. Might as well pick spells for tomorrow while you're at it.

Same watch order as last time?

Good with me. No need to mix it up every time.

After we decide to bed down here for the night I cast endure elements on Rhona and then assist with making camp. I'll post new spells later, don't have my books currently.

The night passes uneventfully. All of you awaken the next morning refreshed. After going through your morning preparations, it is time for you to resume your journey.

Drexel and Umash, I need your spell/extract selections for the day, if you want to change them. I should also note that a day of rations needs marked off.

Heck yeah. Thanks again, Drexel.

As the party gathers themselves for departure, Rhona straps on her boots and armor and stretches. "Anybody know how long 'till Alenk Town?" she asks.

Cure Light Wounds and Enlarge Person as before.

I never got time at home yesterday so I will just prep the same spells as well.

And who gets the Endure Elements? Chantif again? Sorry if I'm belaboring things, but I've had bad experiences with DMs assuming all kinds of things, so I prefer to let you state your choices.

Rations marked off.

I don't mind, I would rather everything was clear, everyone was happy and it went a little slower then for the group to fall apart.

I remove the Cloak of Resistance that I wore the day previous and pass it to Chantif, "This did me no good yesterday, perhaps you can put it to better use. I do not wish to hold up the group again." After saying that I cast Endure Elements on myself and then assist with breaking camp.

Without Endure Elements, I think Chantif will return the Scale Mail to the mule. Remind me to update the EQ sheet and my combat stats if I forget, please.

Thankee Drexel. Chantif says, donning the cloak after removing his studded leather pajamas. Let's get going, shall we?

Det grumpily grabs his things and gets ready to go. "Yeah I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Unless of course I had about an hour more of sleep..." Then Det sighs, "I don't suppose you've worked up a teleportation spell that can get us from here to Alenk have you. "

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"While I am loathe to admit it, such spells already exist. I do not yet have the skill to manage that much arcane energy however."

Det shrugs and says with a smile, "Well I hear that certain spells exist that can turn armor purple, but I can't cast that. So as far as I'm concerned you're still a damn good wizard." Then he claps Drexel on the shoulder, "too bad though, about the teleportation, my legs are kinda sore." then he laughs and starts helping out with the days preparations.

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