overhearing his companion slightly Kragg reassures his dwarven ally. We are not alone. Zuth is with us and we will overcome. All we need to do is make it back in a few short days and you will be laughing at this whole thing.
It is Modnar who noticed the sight of two drow, barely. Odd weapons (Bolos) gripped in their hands. You may think at first they are hunting you, for they are moving stealthily as suits their people. But theyre passing you by, not having seen you yet. They're seeking someone or something else.
The wizard's head stops its rapid cutting, and his vision tightens on a particular spot in the distance. Modnar raises a hand to catch his comrades' attention.
He whispers, "Hold! A pair of drow are ahead and off to our left. They do not appear to have marked us yet."
Looking to the rest of the group, he adds, "Shall we engage them or attempt to waylay them?"
Kragg shakes his head no, whispering This is not the Tim nor place. We need to keep from being seen and then hurry towards Fasturvalt. We need to hurry away from them now.
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Though Modnar tries valiantly to remain undetected, he stumbles into Miku and falls to one knee. His mouth curls into a grimace as he realizes his shortfall.
wow better than I thought
Ulfgar moves along with the Skis'raal as is his nature asking questions about the forest and the inhabitants of it as well as it's dangers.
As Modnar stumbles, the thump seems to carry. The two drow turned, and then gape for a moment. After all, it's a rare thing to find surface dwarves when you're looking for something else.
Miku hurls a javelin at one drow
While Tuvix hurls his just a bit after at the other one
Surprised the dark elves maybe, but each one narrowly avoids the javelins.
Ulfgar moves along with the Skis'raal as is his nature asking questions about the forest and the inhabitants of it as well as it's dangers.
Shado still claims the Xan are the most dangerous things around, and admits, "I fear you have all been tricked. But since you ask, the most prized beasts in these lands are likely Rothe. They travel in great herds, and can provide much fresh meat for any people that dine on such. Should you ever find a herd, mark the location, for they are creatures of habit and often return to the same fields."
Slyd nods at that, and adds, "Be wary, if they stampede, they can crush everything in their path."
It sounds like surface cattle, but wilder.
Still muttering at his failure to evade the drow's attention, Modnar points his hammer toward them while incanting, "ថ្មនេះនឹងធ្លាក់ចុះ"
Abandoning any pretense of stealth, the wizard cries, "Close the distance before they escape!"
One of the dark elves manages to keep his footing, the other, in a move almost comical in such a graceful species, struggles to stay up right only to have his legs flailing and then he actually makes it worse, flips upside over and lands on his back with a grunt.
Seeing that stealth is out of the question Kragg does what is only befitting a dwarf and charges the dwarf still standing. Nice job Modnar! My turn.
Charge for Kragg rushes forward and lands a blow on the upright Drow. The blow was aimed true but the force behind it was pitiful to say the least.
"We have yet to run into anything like that down here but some roast Rothe sounds excellent beside a mug of good dwarven stout, too bad Kragg went the other way, hope they are well"
Ulfgar replies to Shado, watching how the skis'raal move at once admiring their ease in surmounting obstacles his dwarven leg must work to pass; but also at ways they move and react should they need to fight together or worse against each other.
"How far to your village, and what were your plans for the assasins you were looking for"
Kragg smashes into the standing drow but it is indeed a glancing one.
He seeks to retaliatate with a slim dagger coated with some sort of poison
The cleric's armor saves him from whatever the poison would have done.
While the other dark elf manages, at best, to slide a bit closer to the edge of the grease away from the cleric.
Miku and Tuvix move forward closer to melee, but not charging, mostly they position themselves, but Kragg will be pleased to note that Miku is now positioned to allow him to flank his target if he likes.
"We have yet to run into anything like that down here but some roast Rothe sounds excellent beside a mug of good dwarven stout, too bad Kragg went the other way, hope they are well"
Ulfgar replies to Shado, watching how the skis'raal move at once admiring their ease in surmounting obstacles his dwarven leg must work to pass; but also at ways they move and react should they need to fight together or worse against each other.
"How far to your village, and what were your plans for the assasins you were looking for"
"Roughly 80 miles? It is not close. But We know the trail." One says.
The o ther answers your second question, "Most likely they would have been slain eventually for their crimes, so there will be no tears shed over your bringing justice to them."
Kragg definitely swings his hammer around targeting the flanked drow. for
This blow had more power behind it but lacked the accuracy needed. However with 1 Drow still on the ground prone thanks to the grease and their numbers hopefully the drow threat will be over with soon.
Modnar advances on the melee cautiously, maneuvering out to the sides of his comrades. Suddenly, the wizard lifts his hammer overhead before slamming it into the stone at his feet. "ដុំថ្មនេះក្លាយទៅជាទឹក"
The cave floor under the standing drow suddenly lurches as if the ground were the surface of a disturbed pond.
Kragg misses, and the dark elf gets another chance to tag him and takes it
But the blow goes abysmally wide as the dark elf almost loses his grip on his blade
Modnar's spell doesn't work as well as he'd like
And...
to his relief, the other drow just can't get out of that darn grease
Tuvix bites down on the greased drow
The drow in the grease stills, as his muscles stiffen. Tuvix spits as if to clear his mouth from what he just did.
Miku switches to his glaive and brings it out in a biting arc at the one Kragg is fighting
The drow Kragg fights is in severe pain, and his eyes dart as if looking for some way, anyway, to escape.
Modnar points his open palm toward the remaining drow, and a greenish aura surrounds his hand. He calls out in the elven tongue, "Mwen sijere pou w rann tèt, pou w soufri sò a menm jan ak kolèg ou yo."
Kragg sees the one remainon the ground and the other take another hit from the Xan. The new allies were proving quite adpt at attacking and Kragg felt a brief pause as he considered what could have happened if they all were enemies. Shaking the thought out of his head he concentrates on the task before him and swings again.
for
crit confirm for
Finally Kragg was able to find the right combination of power and accuracy as the hammer dropped quickly down on the drow.
The dark elf hears the warning, and his lips curl into disdain despite his seeking escape....
whatever he was going to say goes unsaid, as Kragg's hammer smashed into his face and slew him quite dead.
The Skis'raal looks to you two and the paralyzed dark elf below him, "Shall I slay this one as well? He lives, the venom merely holds him fast."
Kragg looks to Modnar, Better now while held then a chance to escape later. Whatever information he has I do not feel it is worth the risk to find out. If he escapes and reports back then word of us has gotten out.
Modnar looks uneasy at Kragg's words. With a wave of his hand, the grease coating the stones dissolves. He steps slowly toward the dark elf, and kneels down beside him. The wizard closes the drow's eyes before driving his dagger into his foe's throat.
As he rises back to his feet, Modnar mumbles, "I know I would not want to see the end coming. The Azathyr is an unforgiving place . . ."
The young dwarf turns back to his comrades. "We will need to hide or dispose of the bodies, lest their masters discover their fate."
Kragg watches as Modnar does the deed himself, I would have done it if you wanted me to. It is not an easy task but one that had to be done. As for the bodies, hiding them under some brush is good enough. There is no proof that it was dwarves from the surface that made those blows. Let us hurry onward though from here in case there are more present. Do you think we can push a bit faster today? It might make us tired but there is safety in haste right now. Before we leave though let us strip them of their gear for use or sale later.
take 20 on perception to loot the bodies for a 24.
force marching if agreeable
Modnar wipes the blood from his dagger, then puts it away with a slight pause. "Let us put this place behind us; I am overeager to see Fasturvalt again."
He smirks as he adds, "I need to determine what Fralin has done in my absence that requires scolding."
The bodies are searched, revealing:
Two chain shirts
Four bolos
One net
Two sets of binding cuffs (not magical)
One serpentine Ring, non magical, silver, with a small bloodstone chip (45 gp value)
And another ring, made of iron, bearing an unusual mark of a turtle shell like design. It registers as magic
Meanwhile.... Anka, Dolgrin, Hannarr, and Ulfgar (And the two Skis' raal with them) continue on their way. Only Ulfgar seems to converse much with Shado and Slyd as the days pass...
It is a new day, and you have been traveling for hours when you hear the cry of ...something.
As the foursome continue to march toward Fasturvalt, Modnar searches for magical auras among the spoils. Noticing the ring, he concentrates further on its properties.
"Fascinating -- this is a magical ring of protection. An impressive find from a random drow patrol, I believe."
Shortly thereafter, the wizard begins to froth and splutter anew as the rigor of the hike wears on him.
Kragg gives a low whistle at the revelation of the ring. A very impressive find I must so myself. Perhaps you should wear it for the time being until we meet back up with the others.
As they travel onwards and Kragg sees that Modnar is starting to huff and puff Kragg does what he can to help the wizard. If we need to stop here let me know. I wish to press on but if you can not then we will only do so much. Perhaps every other day we should push ourselves so as to not be exhausted should we come across another drow patrol.
At the cry Anka assumes a defensive posture, glaring from side to side as she attempts to discern from whence it came.
Hmm...that's a curious sound. Shall we investigate? Ever intrigued by the new, Hannarr's feet are already moving in the direction of the cry before his companions have had a chance to answer.
Ulfgar doesn't recognize the animal crying out but loosens the straps on his bow and starts that direction. "can't be to careful."
Dolgrin nods to Ulfgar Dragonbone, should we investigate if it isn't a threat?
" Better to know the enemy if their be one than to be stabbed in the back unawares. My gut says check it out...." Ulfgar replies matter of factly.
Ulfgar moves in the direction of the cries, wishing more to see what is happening first, than to directly involve himself in the situation. Scanning the ground he also looks to see if any tracks are about to warn him of what is ahead.
unfortunately his ranger training has failed him today
Anka, Dolgrin, Hannarr, and Ulfgar
Ulfgar has little luck finding tracks, perhaps the fungal jungle remains too much of a mystery at this time. And yet, as he closes, he gets a glimpse of a creature in a trap within a clearing.
The creature is a Pteranodon, and an infant at that. It is pale, an albino perhaps, and its eyes are very strange almost sealed over with a film. The flying creature is now trapped against the earth by ropes or coils.
And despite his attempt to move quietly, Ulfgar is spotted. The bound creature twitches in panic, somehow sensing his presence even with seemingly blind eyes..
And by the Skis'rall who caught them. One appears on the top of a mushroom when he sees Ulfgar, it hisses in Undercommon "That is not for you"
"No harm intended, heard an unknown cry and wished to verify this was not something to cause myself and my company danger." Ulfgar replies keeping the bow and arrow in one hand and spreading the other out to the side indicating the others behind him.
The skis'raal capturing a Pteranodon for food or beast of burdon use doesn't bother Ulfgar, the fact the creature has adapted blindsense to operate in these environs is intriguing.
"This creature has remarkable adaptations to live here. Is this common among their kind?"
Hannarr takes in the scene and moves beside Shado, whispering, Does this scene strike true to you? This isn't another fugitive like the two you were seeking is it?
Put at ease by Shado's response, Hannarr's natural curiosity gets the better of him. Remarkable indeed! I have never beheld a creature like this. Would you be interested in trading for it?
Hannar holds his tongue as Ulfgar approaches the stranger, moving slowly to his left to keep the new spider-folk in his line of sight while scanning the surroundings for any other hunters.
"No harm intended, heard an unknown cry and wished to verify this was not something to cause myself and my company danger." Ulfgar replies keeping the bow and arrow in one hand and spreading the other out to the side indicating the others behind him.
The skis'raal capturing a Pteranodon for food or beast of burdon use doesn't bother Ulfgar, the fact the creature has adapted blindsense to operate in these environs is intriguing.
"This creature has remarkable adaptations to live here. Is this common among their kind?"
The new Skis'raal seems more at ease at your answer, and then at your question it answers, "It is the norm which is why we call them Pale Hunters. A few are born with color, but they are rare. They grow quite large, this is a young one."
Hannarr takes in the scene and moves beside Shado, whispering, Does this scene strike true to you? This isn't another fugitive like the two you were seeking is it?
Shado assures, "Do not be alarmed. I know this fellow, though not well. They are merely hunters. We eat fresh game after all. Though the food is puny."
"Shado? Is that you? And Slyd! We thought you lost," Another Skis'raal steps out.
Shado greets them, "Tiklak, Gozneal..." He says to the two hunters now in view, "We were prisoners of the Xan, but these dwarves freed us with a strange claim indeed and we repay our debt by allowing them to speak to our leader. It is only right. With us are some of the dwarves... Anka Dolgrin, Hannarr, Ulfgar... if I have their names right. Two more aided us, but when their own way with the last of us to their own village."
Tiklak bobs its head, "Good good. We have few allies. Let alone those that would aid a Skis'raal."
Put at ease by Shado's response, Hannarr's natural curiosity gets the better of him. Remarkable indeed! I have never beheld a creature like this. Would you be interested in trading for it?
"Trade our meal?" Gozneal mutters in confusion, "Have you a larger prey freshly killed to offer? I do not see one."
"It is rather puny," Slyd comments at their captured prey, "It won't feed you much."
The way they talk, the things must get much bigger indeed.
"How big do these things get, since this one is but a young one, have you domesticated them by any chance? No, we do not have a larger meal to trade sorry, we are traveling quickly but lightly."
Well, I gather these creatures are not a rarity here, but they certainly are back where we are from. How about something that is equally rare here in the fungal forest. Hannarr produces his wooden walking stick. And, since we a leaving you without your dinner, please join us for a meal. True we travel light, but we have water wine and meat to spare for new friends
Yes, stay with us for a meal. We would wish to learn more about your people
Ulfgar nods in agreement to the offer of meat and wine.....
As the others attempt to set the Skis'raal's minds at ease, Anka assumes a more guarded posture, focusing the majority of her attention upon their surroundings.
The Skis'raal hunters you've stumbled onto seem dubious about the trade, but they agree to sit with you and consider it.
"You have saved some of our people. this is no small thing," they admit, "We eat food only an hour dead or less if we can. Our stomachs cannot handle decayed flesh."
Slyd and Shado speak up, "True, but as we said, that meat you have will not feed you long anyway."
Grumbles of agreement, then, one says, "He saved you , will you take the debt?"
Shado and Slyd confer then nod, "We will pay you in hunts and if the dwarves are willing you get the wine."
It would appear those you rescued have gotten you a bargain.
Agreed then! Hannarr hands over the bottle of wine and scoops up the infant blind flying lizard thing. He is very pleased, knowing that act of reaching an agreement with these new skis'raal was more important long term than the terms of the agreement itself.
Come, he says to the other dwarves, let us break bread with our new friends. As they prepare a camp and sit down to enjoy some wine and fresh rations, Hannarr asks the newcomers of their travels, and what they know of the drow and xan and deep gnomes, and asks them to share any stories they have of their own folk, the old dwarves of Dammarhall.
Ulfgar moves over to where Hannarr is now with the Pteranodon. Talking softly to it and trying to comfort it.
While Hannarr chats with the Skis'raal, he learns more of their hunter ways. Ulfgar puts his knack with the natural world to use, cooing and clicking to the young beast...sounds that seem to comfort it somewhat.
Modnar and Kragg, traveling with a single Skis'raal, find themselves making good time towards Fastervault...
but there's no sign of who, or what, that small patrol of drow were seeking.
It is days later when they start to approach the town that they liberated and is now their base.