"I heard there's about a dozen of 'em. That makes nine for me, and three for him. I reckon that's almost a fair fight. Maybe I'll use my bare hands just to even it up." Ern spits some disgusting substance on the snowy ground.
"Actually, we heard a dozen raided a kobold lair. That leads me to think there are more than that. Probably won't want to take them all on at once, of course, but if we can draw them out in groups, maybe use some fire to flush some out ... I think we can take 'em. Of course, you're welcome to come with us, Nicolay. We wouldn't turn down a capable ally in making the region safer. You'd have a fair share of any goodies, of course."
diplomacy 1d20+7
The hunter laughs with Big Ern making his half-serious joke, then hears Agerron's request.
"Why that's a tempting offer, and I'd have to thank you for thinking I'm useful for you... but... I think I rather try wrestling with Tuskgutter than shoot at Mites from a distance. Were it not the whole lair but a group up ahead you'd take on, I'd be in...Call me a coward if you will, but I rather keep my hide intact.
May Erastil bless you and guide your weapons to strike your enemies, and good luck on top of that, but I'm just a hunter of rabbits and other small game. That's a bit too large a risk for my taste."
If you don't have any more questions, Nicolay bids you a farewell and some more good luck, then rides on towards the direction he previously took.
Kardok declines the offer of Xanda to ride with her, asking how he should lead a group from back where the cart rolls. He want's to keep up front.
Hearing Devlin's words, the Kobold smiles back, revealing his row of sharp teeth to all, then sticking out his tongue towards Queslin.
"Ah don't worry" Majet comments from where she is walking "Ern couldn't find his way out a paper bag never mind find a lair of mites."
"I heard there's about a dozen of 'em. That makes nine for me, and three for him. I reckon that's almost a fair fight. Maybe I'll use my bare hands just to even it up." Ern spits some disgusting substance on the snowy ground."Actually, we heard a dozen raided a kobold lair. That leads me to think there are more than that. Probably won't want to take them all on at once, of course, but if we can draw them out in groups, maybe use some fire to flush some out ... I think we can take 'em. Of course, you're welcome to come with us, Nicolay. We wouldn't turn down a capable ally in making the region safer. You'd have a fair share of any goodies, of course."
diplomacy 1d20+7
The hunter laughs with Big Ern making his half-serious joke, then hears Agerron's request.
"Why that's a tempting offer, and I'd have to thank you for thinking I'm useful for you... but... I think I rather try wrestling with Tuskgutter than shoot at Mites from a distance. Were it not the whole lair but a group up ahead you'd take on, I'd be in...
Call me a coward if you will, but I rather keep my hide intact.
May Erastil bless you and guide your weapons to strike your enemies, and good luck on top of that, but I'm just a hunter of rabbits and other small game. That's a bit too large a risk for my taste."
If you don't have any more questions, Nicolay bids you a farewell and some more good luck, then rides on towards the direction he previously took.
"Very well. A good journey to you!" Agerron continues riding towards the mite lair.
For the rest of the day, nothing out of the ordinary happens, to either teams. Both make their way south, one faster, the other slower.
So while Agerron and Big Ern, riding on horseback, bring some good miles under their hooves, the others, with Xanda riding her cart, nearly crawl in comparison.
The weather is steady, sporting a lightly clouded sky and mild winds from the southeast, though it is still rather cold, just over freezing.
At the end of the day, both teams make camp close to a small group of trees (3 to 5 leafless limes).
I'll take last watch.
"I'm rethinking leaving the cart behind. Even without a guide, the lead those two have may allow them to get to the mite lair well ahead of us. Too far ahead for us to help them when they need us most."
Xanda bows to Questlin's comments.
"We could leave it here? This seems to be a good land mark." She goes about shifting things from her horse over to the cart to lighten its load for the journey ahead. As people set up camp, she helps as best she can, though it becomes obvious that Xanda has been more living out of the cart than anything else.
"I am please to take the shift any one suggests." She adds.
"You might be right, the cart is slowing us down. Not that I mind if those fools get killed, the foolish often make their own fate" he says, still seeming unhappy atop the horse.
Bram, will say his evening prayers. Offing to bless the group in Adabars name and take what ever shift is needed as adabars blessings are unspent. He will still get up early to say his morning devotions to his god however.
"While I too am not fond of Agerron and Ern, specifically Ern, I feel that we shouldn't just let them ride to their possible deaths when we possess the knowledge and capability to assist them. If Xanda is willing to leave her cart behind for a day or two, I think it would be best if we hurry tomorrow to catch up to them and do our best to help those who want nothing to do with us."
During Michaels turn on watch, one of the horses suddenly starts turning mad, whickering like crazy, pulling on his reigns that are tied to one of the trees nearby. Pretty soon the other horses fall into that rage as well, trying to get away.
Those sleeping don't take too much time to wake up.
Though Michael doesn't see anything past the circle of light the campfire shines, Delfey spots two creatures with catlike build, though much larger than cats (one the size of Majet, the other even bigger) to the east of the resting spot they chose.
With the creatures being outside the light of the campfire, it's really hard to tell wha they may be.
Branomonrik awakens with a start..he rolls from his very warm blankets garbing his crossbow. "By the Vaultkeeper!" he yells "What is wrong with those damnable beasts! he says rounding about peering into the darkness.
Xanda stands, yawns, stretches and walks over to try and calm the horses.
Majet yawns sits up and stretches. "Whats gotten into them?" she asks as she attempts to rub thesleep out of her eyes.
Queslin snaps back to consciousness and grabs up Norsanehtar. He turns a full circle as he rises taking in the situation.
Can I tell what sort of creatures are out there?
Knowledge: Nature
Michael moves over to the horses to try and calm them down. Unaware that he is moving closer to the cat creatures.
*Handle Animal +6 (+2 Cha, +1 Rank, +3 Class Skill)
Big Ern snores peacefully, lost in the land of filthy, filthy dreams.
Agerron tries to rest over Big Ern's snoring, tossing fitfully every so often.
Xanda watches Michael more than the surrounding forest.
"You are good with them..." She says, smiling shyly.
Michael peers into the darkness as he answers "I have had a lot of practice, Kay, throw a burning brand over this way, something has got them spooked, I hope its not those bloody Fey again."
"It's not. Be on guard everyone." Queslin calls into the dark. "What are you about?"
Devlin wakes up like the others: unsure of their surroundings, being wakened from the horse's freightened whickering. Not noticing the nearby creatures lurking in the dark he turns his attention to the horses as well, helping the others to calm them:
Taras does pretty much the same, heading over to the horses, soothing them while securing the ropes as to not loose them to the night.
When Kardok wakes up, he is as unsure as the others, and even though he sees better and farther in the darkness, he doesn't notice the two animals to the east of the camp. The Kobold just gets up and asks the group:
Queslin takes some time to hunt his knowledge for information of the creatures he sees in the dim light his elven eyes are able to pierce.
Thylacines are noctural marsupial carnivores. Farmers fear the creatures, blaming all manner of problems on them.
The larger one is surely a Brush Thylacine (a larger and more aggressive breed), while the smaller is either a normal Thylacine or a young Brush Thylacine - judging by your knowledge, you think them mother and child.
When Majet has finished rubbing her eyes, finally looking around, she realizes how close she is to the two animals in the darkness of night. She quickly gets out of her bedroll and stands.
Delfey, having not taken notice of the monsters in the dark outside his range of vision previously, now rushes foreward to meet them with his claws up high, attacking them even outside the circle of light from the campfire:
His attack strikes the animal just behind the canine head, creating a small wound that trickles blood.
The striken creature howls in pain.
Branomonrik seems to startled to act so shortly after waking from his slumber, though he notices the horses calming a bit, thanks to the combined effort of some of the group. Then Delfey rushes past him to the east, and a howl cuts the horses whickering.
The animals in the darkness return the favor the eidolon did to the larger one, circling the summoned one a bit and, moving much like wolfes, they surround their enemy. Now cought between two animals, Delfey has a weak position to defend himself when the creatures snap at him:
The young one can't close it's jaw around the eidolon's ankle, but seems to distract it enough to give the bigger one an oppening in Delfeys defense. The canine's teeth dig deeply into the flesh, ripping big chunks of it out of the summons body. Nearly immediately Delfey feels the bloodloss weakening him.
Kay does as Michael orders, grabbing a piece of wood out of the fire, tossing it eastward, over some members of the group to where he thinks he heard the howl and scream of pain.
Majet pulls out a bomb (and assuming Delfey has either gotten out the way or been killed) throws it at the larger creature
Attack (touch)
Damage
(6 splash damage)
Queslin moves to stand next to Mahjet (the square just below her) and prepares to loose and arrow at the larger Thylacine (if Delfey is out of the fight).
Composite Longbow: to hit
Composite Longbow: damage
Devlin yells out, "DELFEY! GET BACK HERE!"
Once Delfey has reached Devlin, Devlin cast's shield on Delfey.
Michael will continue to calm the horses as he searches for the cause of the horses panic. His eyes widen as he notes the cat like beast and he starts scanning the whole perimeter in-case another is circling behind them.
Perception +0
Michael doesn't see any more animals in the area, though his human eyes aren't the best to see anything in the darkness of the clouded sky.
Xanda keeps soothing the horses, her efforts slowly and one by one calming them.
With his eyes wide open Kardok peers into the darkness looking at the animals attacking Delfey.
Shouting in his own language, he steps a bit closer to the animals:
While Queslin steps up as well, bow and arrow ready, Majet prepares to throw a bomb, but waits for Delfey to get away first.
The Eidolon takes a step backward cautiously, but when he turns his back on the animals, they pounce at him:
The smaller animal catches Delfey by the forearm, gnawing the flesh, making Delfey crash to the ground.
Having Delfey not in the way anymore, Queslin looses his arrow, hitting the animal in the flank, arrow sticking out. It howls once more in pain, looking at the members of the team nearby with his large teeth showing.
Majet throws her bomb aiming to catch the two creatures but to avoid Delfey.
Attack
Splash damage of 5
"We'll have these things run off in a moment. Someone have the kobold help with the horses." Queslin yells as he knocks another arrow.
As combat erupts Xanda frowns at some of her companions actions. She calmly, but swiftly, moves to her bed roll and gear pulling out a spear and tossing it (Blunt end first) to the Kobold.
She them looks out into the darkness as she draws forth her Elven Curved Blade,
Branomonrik seeing the attacker down one of the party calls upon the vaultkeepers power. "In the name of Adabar I demand you tremble before his power!"
Majet's bomb incinerates both animals and they howl in pain again, growling towards the gnome.
The dwarf steps foreward, casting his spell to strike fear in the bigger, red-pelted beast:
But it seems that Branomonrik's spell has little effect, the animal shaking it off with a shrug. At least it doesn't seem too keen on attacking for now.
Seeming desperate for flesh the Thylacines bite at whatever they tore out of the Eidolon's body before, carrying that away from the camp, growling loudly.
With the canines backing away the horses are calming fast, under the combined effort of Taras, Kay and Xanda.
Branomonrik is happy to let the beasts run. And check upon Delfey. If he is not past saving he calls upon the power of the Vaultkeeper and channels healing waves.
"Oh mighty ,Adabar, lend your power so I may heal this creature who has kept the dangers of the wild at bay so I may do your work oh, mighty keeper of the vault!"
Seeing the beast still hurt and wanting to go back to his warm bed Branomonrik once more calls upon the power of Adabar
"By the blessing of the Vaultkeeper, I grant you life and his blessings so you may guard us as we do his work. In Adabars name I heal you!"
And if needed
As he passes Devlin on his way back to his oh so very warm blankets he says "No charge this time, but I am sleeping the rest of this night"
Queslin advances a short distance (no more than a double move) to insure that the duo is leaving before returning to the camp.
If the kobold still has his spear, he asks in a loud, unhappy voice, "Why does he have a weapon? He has no need of a weapon. Did someone not hear me when I said to have him help with the horses?"
It is going towards midnight when the horses are soothed enough to get back to sleeping.
Branomonrik's healing magic brings the eidolon pretty close to full health again, and the attacking Thylacines really make a run for their living, having secured a bit of flesh.
Kardok stares out at the leaving animals as well, borrowed spear raised at them, shouting something:
Queslin's comment on him having a weapon he pretty much ignores, but doesn't understand anyway.
Xanda walks over and stands beside Kardok.
"He is our guide. He would be no use to us as dead" She replies to Queslin. Then to Kardok
"I know he's our guide. That's why he's still alive and that's why I'm protecting him. Our agreement with him was to return his weapon when we entered the mite lair. He does not get it until then." Queslin walks up to the kobold and holds out his hand for the spear.
The Kobold turns his head to Xanda and speaks:
Then Queslin stands nearby, arm outstreched towards Kardok. The reptilian looks unsure, watching his hand, blinking. Taking a second to understand what the elf wants of him, he hands over the spear shaking his head, muttering under his breath:
Xanda tilts her head, looking slightly puzzled, at Queslin's explanation.
Then she holds her hand out to him, in indication that she wants her short spear back.
She looks to Kardok,
Kardok perks up, answering Xanda:
The Kobold smiles at the thought, showing a full round of his sharp triangleshaped teeth, then yawns.
Xanda smiles and laughs softly at Kardok's comments and actions.
Queslin returns the spear to her. For a short time, he looks between them as they speak, then he snorts as he leaves them to converse.
Michael, with the aid of the others soothes the horses down and then watches the little drama between Queslin and the Kobold unfold. Once he is sure the mounts are fine, he heads over to wake who ever is next on watch.
He checks to ensure Delfrey is okay before he retires, "you always seem to be take the brunt of the attacks, we should buy you some armour."
Branomonrik mumbles about people talking to much as he rolls himself in his warm blankets.
With nought but an arched eyebrow at Queslin's behaviour Xanda whisks back to her bed roll and slips 'neath the covers and hence back to sleep
The rest of the night is uneventful, and the next day starts warmer than the days before.
The clouded sky during the night opens up early and you all feel the sun's warmth on your faces, making for a nice day to follow.
The larger team takes everything useful from the cart Xanda brought with her, and leaves it standing close to the trees they had their camp at.
Without the cart they are seriously faster, though only about half as fast as the other two explorers are. And there are already some miles between the two groups.
At the other campsite, Big Ern had a good sleep the entire night, which Agerron can't say. The enormous man's snoring didn't let him fall asleep easily, and in the morning he was surprised to see all trees still standing.
While the large team nearly enjoyes a whole day of travel in the hilly terrain, making their way south with not much to distract them, the other two have a more interesting time. Only an hour after they broke camp Agerron notices a small group of small, strange childlike creatures, that might as well be some mites.
The blue-skinned fey (3 as far as you are able to tell) are on another hilltop, just like the one you just peaked, about 90ft. between you and them. One of them seems to ride on something, but you are unsure what it is, due to it being low in profile and a bit behind the hilltop.
The moment Agerron points out the enemy to Big Ern, one of the fey seems to have noticed the two as well, yelling something both of you don't understand.
"All right! Finally some action, without some dewy-eyed kobold-lovers moaning and groaning in the background." Big Ern grins as he slides off his horse and draws his bow.
He hollers in Sylvan:
init: