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Ishmail wanders along with the group, largely oblivious to the benefits or dangers of the site. He mostly spends his time staring in wonder at the impressive surroundings.
Why the hell did they send ME on this mission, I'm no ranger, I'm a city boy, give me stone cobbles beneath my hooves and buildings all around me...
Well, the hippo seems to like this place at least but if we are done here I vote for the spooky abandoned village
At least it might have some people, probably crazy murderous cultists but still people!
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Kramac stands watch as Flynn and Kiboko survey the site. He lets out a laugh as Mvumbu wades into the water. His laughter turns to alarm as Jino begins moving towards the springs.
Hey! Jino! Wait!
Kramac is narrowly able to dismount from his rhino, before the beast hops into the hot springs and joins Mvumbu in swimming about.
Splash! Kramac is showered with water as Jino hops into the water, though he avoids being completely drenched and submerged. The Rhino sits down in the water and hums softly to himself.
Hmmmmmwargmmwmwmmm
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After a refreshing break, the group continues their journey in the wild lands in search for suitable grounds, and head towards the mountains where the cave lies. Although nowhere near as high as the Tusk Mountains’ snowcapped peaks, the location provides a commanding view. The cave itself looks like any other cave.
The Thunder Steppes and Sarkorian Steppe are both visible to
the east. To the west, a canyon of red rock forms an ugly scar
across the grays, browns, and greens of the mountains.
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The Pathfinders bravely step inside the darkness of the cave to investigate it's vastness.
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Flyn nods in agreement. "You are right Kiboko, my friend...this is a much better site than the springs. I wonder if there is a potable water source nearby? I also wonder if these tracks you found show that these giants may be a rival for this potential base...but, alas, I cannot tell what type of giant these may be..."
Wary of the tracks, the Elf keeps a sharp eye out...
"I guess there's one more site to check out before we can make a recommendation...shall we continue on to the abandoned town?"
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Ishmail trails along behind the group.
Before entering he activates a few wands, just in case.
He tries to keep to the shadows in case anything tries to ambush them.
Ugh, cold, dank, horrid caves, this looks like a terrible place to use as a base
When the others point out the tracks Ishmail takes a look, pulling out a chrinicle from his pack.
Looks like frost giants to me, not a good sign.
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Err, it just occurred to me that these rock formations suggest an area corrupted by the Worldwound that might drrive you mad. My infernal blood probably protects me but I'm not so sure about the rest of you...or perhaps the rocks are already starting to influence my mind...
Ishmails eyes start darting around the group, trying to keep a watch on everyone at once...
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After investigating the caves, the Pathfinders somewhat conclude that the area is not ideal for a base of operations. As you exit the caves, a group of men, barbarians by the looks of it, await to greet you, whether their intents are hostile are unknown, but they bear arms. Their outfits are distinctly different from that of the Tolguth, and they surround all sides of the cave, entrapping you inside.
Approaching you, a giant of a man , approaches you, keeping his distance about 30 ft away. A large scar runs across his face, and uniquely he has strapped a large, preserved bear’s claw to the stump of what remains of his left arm. He speaks with a strong authoritative voice.
"Ta yaagaad zövshööröögüigeer manai nutagt ochij üzsen üü? Ta ükhliig erelkhiilekhiig khüsch baina uu?!"
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Ishmail steps forward, careful not to get too close and speaks to the man in Hallit. We have no desire to trespass in your lands or disturnb your people. My name is Ishmail, we are members of the Pathfinder Society and we are seeking a place form which we can stage an attack against the monsters of the Worldwound. We have already struck down one greater demon since we arrived and, in time, many more will fall. We are happy to speak to your chieftain and seek their agreement, and perhaps even co-operation. It is in all of our interests to thin out the numbers of demons surely.
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Maintaining his strong demeanour he response to Ishmail."Nariin. Ta udirdagchtai yarikhaar irne, kherev ügüi bol bid tanyg zövshöörölgüigeer gem nügel üildekh bolno. Oilgokh."
Then he ask you to follow him and turns to walk.
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The man-bear introduces himself as Dorok, but says little more during the journey as he leads to back to their camp.
The camp is little more than a handful of yurts set up in a vaguely circular yet defensible arrangement partially surrounded by a crude palisade. A few open spaces create communal work areas where two large animal carcasses lie ready for butchering. Nearly everything in the camp is derived from the local megafauna, from the yurts’ woolen felt to the cooking meat to the bones used to create various tools, supports, and decorations.
As you enter the camp, Dorok's mood invidently changes as he breaks out in a smile, joke about the day’s events, and join the rest of the tribe in carving up one of two large aurochs that are being prepped for a meal.
two elders stepaway from the festivities to meet you, and ask you to join them in the comfort of their largest yurt as they take a moment to clean their hands. The structure is modest, containing only a few wooden and earthenware containers, a neatly folded stack of bedding, and a few furs that serve as seats.
A tough-looking barbarian minimally dressed warrior in his early thirties introduces himself as Thanock Sundered Bear while a middle-aged woman, who from her outfit looks to dabble in arcane arts, introduces herself as Bloodspeaker Velka. She dresses in furs and wears an elaborate, elbow-length gauntlet threaded with spiritual talismans and terminating in a trio of sharpened ivory spikes on her left arm. They ask you to seek your business in the Hallit tongue.
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Ishmail steps forward and addresses them in Hallit. Greetings noble elders, my name is Ishmail, I and my companions are here from the Pathfinder Society. The Society seeks a base to carry out an assault into the Worldwound, to recover an ancient Dwarven Sky Citadel. We have no wish to trespass on your lands. I am sure the Society would be willing to compensate your people for any inconvenience caused.
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Thanock and Velka whisper a conversation. Velka then turns and responds accordingly in the common tongue, "Should your Society wish to be our neighbor, you must first prove your worth. An enemy of an enemy is an ally as some say. You shall travel into the worldwound to slay a powerful demon and return with proof. That should not be too difficult, especially with a tiefling in your midst." Their demeanour though tells they are unimpressed so far.
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Velka answers. “Two types of demon threaten our lands. The first and lesser of the two we have come to know as the corruptors—beast demons. They spread their taint through the animals, twisting their spirits. We have put down many a corrupted calf and the wild herds grow thin. These beast demons walk on the legs of a horse, and attack with claw and barbed tail, but most frightening of all are the human faces between their pincers. The second and far more powerful is a floating, disease-ridden ball of fat and filth. Where the beast demons corrupts, the filth demon kills, spreading disease and infecting the land. You need only bring us proof that you have killed one of these.”
Regarding the question on where to find the demon, Thanock answers as interpreted by Velka. “The beast demons range not far from hrungara, often crossing the border to corrupt healthy herds. We know how to identify signs of their passage and can show what to look for. As for the filth demon, we know one lairs in the remains of an ancient burial ground two days’ journey from here.”
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Heeding Kramac's words, the group heads down first to take on the filth demon by following Thanock's directions. Again, the trek is strenuous and the days long, but nothing of the particularly of trouble. The closer to the worldwound, the more signs of death surround you. animal corpses and bones littered across the lands.
The air is heavy with the sickly sweet scent of putrefying flesh in this ancient graveyard. The source of the smell is quickly discernible: eight ancient crypts stand opened to the elements, several stuffed from floor to ceiling with rotting, putrid corpses.
As you make your approach towards the graveyard, by coincidence the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse as the gray clouds that have loomed above for most of the day burst open with a crack of thunder and a hail of frozen eyeball.
As you enter into the cursed place, a few of you are able to spot a creature a hideous bulbous, tumor-riddled mass with numerous arms, no legs, and a leering, three-eyed face trying to hide itself atop one of the crypts.
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Maps & Handouts
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Ishmail and Flyn quickly react when they realise danger is very nearby but is unable to identify what monstrosity it is.
The creature retaliates by magically casting a fog of bad smell upon the party.
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Maps & Handouts
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Casting a spell Jin flies forward with his magically enhanced speed, rising to float above and behind the creature.
With a flick of the wrist the rapier glows even brighter. He drives the tip straight at the bulbous mass.
As the blade slides into the creature a blast of force strikes it, possibly driving it back.
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Kill the beast!
With no idea what the creature is, Kramac will cast Divine Favor and activate Tiger Focus in the surprise round.
If Flynn's cold iron arrows do not appear to be effective, Kramac will retrieve a scroll of align weapon and cast Align Weapon on the Elf's bow after moving out of the cloud.
If Flynn's arrows do appear to work as intended, Kramac will move out of the fog and engage the Demon (assuming Ishmail successfully moved it into range).
Jino begins retching and moves out of the cloud, either towards the demon or behind Flynn, depening on Kramac's actions.