I wince as the creature manages to attack me with it's sword and the metal bites deep into my skin. I pull my arm free and try to respond in kind. I then hold my side where the creatures blade struck me.
"Ugh! Why won't this thing die already?"
Pheadra swings at it again.
Andre howls as the creature's fangs sink into him, and collapses to the ground!
Andre moans on the ground, feebly trying to stanch the flow of blood from the bite.
Rona's last strike is able to destroy this creature. The demon inside screeches as it is destroyed and the flesh of a dead orc falls to the ground like a sack.
Edit:
Ihon attempts to stem Andre's bleeding with some small success. Andre is hurt, he says as he looks around at the others, finally nodding towards Rona, As are you.
Once the man seems stable, he casts Detect Magic and serenely looks over the items and the creature.
Phaedra moves over to Andre and casts CLW on him.
"What the hell was that thing? Was it what that sign was talking about?"
"Ungh..." Andre comes to groggily, still looking badly beaten. Moving feebly, he grasps his holy symbol and, beckoning everyone closer to him, murmurs a prayer.
Looking slightly better as the pearly light washes over him (though still far worse for wear than when the group set out), he sits up. "Perhaps it was...that would make sense. It's stalked us since we came upon that trail earlier. I wonder if it could only attack once we crossed a particular border?" He looks troubled. "If so, that's...a concerning possibility. There may be a powerful demoniac here somewhere."
Moving gingerly, he clambers to his feet.
Ihon stares into the forest, There is certainly something here.
I lower my blade, and look down at the body of the creature shaking my head. I then walk towards Andre until Ihon goes to him and starts administering aid. I use this time to sit down and catch my breath, I wince with each heavy breath as pain shoots through my body.
After Andre's explosion of pearly light, my wound seems to have healed itself together enough for me to stand again and look at him. "Thank you. Well we can assume that the creature didn't make the sign as it didn't seem to know the tongue, which means there must be some people it chose not to attack and that is, in itself worrying."
Sazu, in the grips of fear, slowly approaches the creature. Though it repulses him, he studiously takes notes and sketches, a bit of sickness in his stomach.
"If that wasn't the warning, I'm not sure what was. Should we press on? How are you holding up Andre?
"I...have been better." Andre probes some of his wounds gingerly. "These wounds still need treatment, and I fear that I've used up most of the grace Erastil will be willing to grant me today. Damned foolish of me to rush toward that thing when it didn't seem bothered by holy light...but live and learn, I suppose."
Ihon, you determine that the amulet is magical. Nothing seems to be moving in your immediate vicinity so it seems safe to talk for the moment but you are still on the inside of the warning signs.
Ihon nods towards the amulet, simply saying, that contains magic, but as usual, not elaborating.
"Well, should we pause here to rest for the night then, or travel back to before the sign to camp?"
It is late afternoon.
Ihon, the amulet is an Aegis of Recovery.
Ihon points towards the amulet and elaborates after a short break, An Aegis of Recovery, but then falls silent again for a moment. After almost a minute he says, Helpful.
"I am up to continue, we can't keep on putting this attack off forever." I look to Ihon, "What is an Aegis of Recovery?"
"I'll keep going as well," Andre says. "Soon as not avoid camping in these woods, personally."
Ihon frowns, and for a moment, it doesn't look like he's going to respond to Rona. Finally, he says, It is exactly what it sounds like. It aids in recovery. It is helpful.
As you move forward, you notice that the underbrush starts to become sickly and much less dense. Even the tall trees look unhealthy and some seem to be dead or dying.
I look to Ihon with a deadpan look, "Aids in natural recovery, magical recovery or both though? Would it heal our wounds now so that we could continue on with less danger?"
Ihon looks back at Rona and frowns, Both, and no. He looks around the forest, We should go.
Andre glances around uneasily. "We must be nearing the source of corruption of some sort..." he murmurs, hands on his bow. "Look at this! Old Deadeye would never allow such rot."
Ihon, as you walk, you hear sounds of movement in the distance. All of the disturbance seems to be coming from further on in the direction you are heading.
All of you notice that the air becomes somewhat uncomfortable to breathe. It doesn't hinder your abilities in any way, but it makes the walk certainly unpleasant.
Sazu coughs, and for once finds it uncomfortable to speak. He becomes as silent as Ihon usually is.
Ihon's small companion, who had recently been hiding under his cloak, pops its head out and chirps. Ihon nods and absently says, We have found what we're looking for. Up ahead, he says, nodding in the direction they are headed. Others await.
I sigh and shake my head, "Great, I wonder if he does it to annoy others or if he is just brain broken?"
I pull my furs up to cover my mouth and nose, hoping that it will make things easier. But when it doesn't I give up and march forwards in silence, at the mention of our destination being before us I nod and walk a bit more carefully.
You don't see any clear path through the forest in your vicinity. At the moment all you can do is pick your way toward the direction of the sound Ihon has noticed.
Phaedra follows the others, wondering what awaits ahead.
Andre nocks an arrow. "I'm not the quietest, good shot though I may be. Anyone with lighter feet want to scout ahead?"
None of us are quiet. And walking forward alone into the unknown is unwise, Ihon says quietly.
"It may be unwise, but at the same time it means we can find out what forces await us and plan an effective strategy to combat them. If you look at it that way then it is a smart idea."
Ihon frowns and gives Rona a puzzled look, You must learn to listen to what is said, rather than what you think is said.
Ihon will follow the others as quietly as he can.
Phaedra moves along with the group as quietly as she can. Which isn't all that quiet...
Andre also follows. He's right about not having a light step, though.
Sazu moves to keep pace, all the while giving off small coughs and such with the difficult air. He presses his handkerchief against his face, a lovely floral pattern that smelled of summer rains, as he attempts to stimy his fits.
Picking slowly through the forest, you walk for a while. As you continue, whatever is afflicting the forest gets worse and worse. After about twenty minutes of careful travel you finally see a clearing about 50 feet away. It isn't a natural clearing however and seems to have been made by burning away trees and underbrush in what is roughly a circle. There are some tents set up in the clearing and there are pots and pans as well as a cooking fire indicating that probably close to ten people reside in the area. At the moment you see two humans talking while a hideous looking dretch flits about the camp cleaning up refuse.
Andre peers at the camp and scowls.
He whispers to the others, "I'm not sure what that thing is, but I worry that it may be able to overcome us. I am still badly injured and the blessings of my god are nearly spent--is now truly the wisest time to attack?"
Ihon speaks quietly, I have not completely exhausted my abilities for the day...but caution is wise.
"That set up looks way too big for just those two people and that thing. I wonder where everyone else is? Could they have been the ones that had the deer earlier or are they completely different people who are going to come up behind us at any minute now?"
"I really can't decide if we should attack these few now and take them out before anyone else can show up or if we should wait for everyone else to show up here first to avoid any surprises?"