Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

Servayn, you are doing a great job! When you feel it is right, could you check and see if there is anything they need in trade, or have to offer in trade? We also need to know if there is any threats they know of around, either to them or us. Oh yes, and what they consider their territory so we can figure out if how we can co-exist.

It would be a relief to not have to slaughter absolutely everything we come across....

17th of Pharast

During breakfast Vekkel presents his bow to the group. "I thought to give this ta Garick, but I hear he's declined. Perhaps Sir Kalsgrim will take an old man's bow? I even have a few arrows I was saving for Tuskgutter." The old trapper lays his bow along with a fresh quiver on the table. masterwork composite longbow (+2 str mod), the quiver has 14 normal arrows and 6 with special black fetching (+1 animal bane).

I would be honored to wield this bow in taming these lands. Thank you for your generosity. Would you take my old bow in trade so you aren't without? It is similar, just not masterwork...

Addressing several points in this post, to speed things along.

Hearing Kalsgrim's approval of the current negotiations, Servayn proceeds, Which lands by the river do the Sootscales claim, that our men do not come to live here?

Servayn attempts a crude map of the river, drawn in the soggy dirt, and uses the location of the bridge and the Thorn River Camp as landmarks, and making a mark for their current location. If we are here, and this is the high wooden bridge across the river, and this place is where the bandits led by the evil woman lived with their men in the trees, watching on both sides of the river, which places are there Sootscales? We do not want to take your lands.

And after that is dealt with, he'll move on to

Are there any dangers here? We have faced great spiders, and destroyed them in this place here, Servayn makes another mark on his dirt-drawing , And there was a great pig here, larger than a horse, here, another marking. Servayn delays mentioning the fate of said pig, as it would be a bit of a faux pas if they worshipped it or something...

We come to make these lands safe for our people, but if something hunts your people, we must fight it as well.

And then moving on to trade goods.

Do kobolds trade with other kobolds? We trade here. he draws in Oleg's post on the map, and indicates how many days travel it is between the fort and the current location, to give a sense of scale to the crude map-of-dirt he is making. We may have things to trade, things that your people would want, so that both people can have better tools, and food.

Servayn avoids offering a trade of weapons or armor, at this point, as he's not keen on the idea of making an unreliable ally even better at becoming a serious threat later on...

Although, realistically, it's probably going to all end in tears when a kobold nicks a chicken from some settler, and the settlers retaliate by stringing up the thieving kobold, and the 'great treaty' is broken and there's burning cottages and mobs of angry villager beating the bush for kobolds to lynch... And it'll probably turn out to be a weasel that ate the chicken in the first place! But hey, we gotta try!

Ofering his own talent for the Dragon's tongue in translating for those that do not speak it, Lukasz relays the dealings with the kobolds to the group. Not being known for his diplomacy however, he continues to let the summoner do the talking with the Sootscales.

Norkyl listens careful to the question regarding territory. If a kobold could blush he would be crimson. One of his feet paws nervously at the ground. "We uh..we not bulk of Sssootssscale tribe. Actually we come far from cave." He looks at the dirt map and draws a fork in the Thorn River beyond the rickety bridge. "Thiss iz Ssshrike River. Sssootssscale home near here." He has marked the hex to the South East of the Mites.

"Dangersss? Deeper in the foressst liesz ruined ssstag temple. One of my kin tried to enter and wasss torn apart by a mad furred-one. I know not name of beassst. Even deeper beyond temple is the land of froggy-man and frogsss, he not friendly. The kobold scratches out two more X's in the dirt. He marks the two hexes directly southwest.

"Sssootssscales fierssessst koboldsss in land. No other tribe have home ssso grand or ssso many. We make own weaponsss to fight war againsst mitesss. Partiesss like my own hunt and gather food. Not sssure what could be tradesssed." Norkyl scratches his head. He is perhaps not the greatest diplomat and begins to look embarrassed again. "We due back ssserveral daysss ago...radisshess ssso tasstey though." His eyes start to glaze over and he begins to drool.

Updating from work, I'll have a new map with these freshly revealed hints tonight!

During the talks the rest of the kobolds move closer to the group. They actually seem a little frightened of so many humans and the size of the horses.

To anyone looking about the camp it seems that these kobolds had plans of staying here and eating all of the moon radishes for themselves. The roofs of their pitiful little huts are dangerously bowed with snow.

While translating, Lukasz whispers to the others, "That must be the temple the blind priest wishes us to find." Then he continues with, "Though Roykl is in charge of this band, he is not the leader of the entire tribe. Should we attempt to meet up with the other members of the Sootscale? If it goes smoothly we would find ourselves strong allies in the region. But if things went sour, it could end quite poorly for us."

The kobold cough during Lukasz's translation and says in Common, "Norkyl isss leader.

Listening to the translation offered, If they become players, I'll need to learn Draconic from Lukasz or Servayn. Corso takes a look at their equipment, making a mental list of their loot and his equipment to try and figure out a nice gift for their leader.

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

All of the kobolds are wearing leather armor and wield spears. Several crude digging tools lay about the area and the huts look like they where thrown together only a few days ago. There are several large leather bags overflowing with radishes stacked by the boulder.

Updated Exploration Map.
I also added a visual reminder to the boundaries imposed by your charter. Should you explore beyond them you will be beyond your jurisdiction and I do have the books which include those encounters...

Garick doesn't look thrilled to be parlaying with Kobalds, but if they could be peaceful neighbors that would be interesting. Didn't Svetlana want some moon radishes if we came across some?Perhaps their chief would barter for some. Learn how trading works.Garick suggestAlso are we going to try this with the M-I-T-E-S? Maybe we can negotiate peace.

Having completely forgotten about Svetlana's request for some moon radishes, Servayn reaches to his belt and slowly draws his dagger and scabbard, leaving his longspear leaning in the soft ground. This is very good information, and we will seek out the stag temple and make it safe. I offer you this gift, it is not a great thing, but it is a metal weapon that I have used myself in battle. May we in turn collect some moon radishes for our own bellies?

Regardless of the outcome of this barter attempt, Servayn continues, You have many radishes for your people, and the snow has stopped. Perhaps you should return to them now, with this great feast? Hungry bellies will be happy to see you...

Garick will ponder what he knows of Kobalds to see if he can come up with any thing that may help with relations.Know Nature1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"A blade!" he squeaks as he takes the weapon, "Thisss be a powerful weapon indeed. I can feelsss it."

In his hands the dagger is more the size of a shortsword to a normal person. Norkyl very carefully tucks it into his belt and bows, "Thank you great mage. You and your kind may help yourssselvez to the radissshesss."

At Servayn's suggestion of returning to the cavern the kobolds all look a little sorrowful. "I thinksss you are right. It isss time we returned with our bounty. Chef Sssootssscale will want to hear of your peoplesss and I will ssshow him your gift! Will you ssshare our camp tonight, wise one?"

Ox seems fascinated by the little buggers, Garick would recognize the look as the same one he gets when he wants a new pet.Once things are a bit more under control and the little guys are nice and friendly. Ox hops off his steed and takes off his blade putting it on Noir, with his arms spread out in peace Ox passes them and starts to take the snow off their little rooves. After that task is done he returns to his horse. He speaks to Garick, everything I have ever heard a bout m-i-t-e-s, is that they are truly wicked, I doubt we would get the chance to parlay as we have here.If negotiate anything I think it will be against the m-i-t-e-s, but that is just me.

Some of the kobolds follow Ox curious as to his doings. One of them is so eager he knocks another into the mud and giggles at his friends misfortune. After the roofs are cleared the kobolds proceed to burry the fallen one in snow. It finally pops it's head out of the pile looking dejected. The kobolds have a strange barking laugh.

Two of the kobolds have approached Ember each carrying a plump radish. When they get close enough they drop to their knees and start scooting through the mud. "A gift for you cousssin, ssson of ancessstorsss."

Just let me know when you guys are done with the kobolds. If you want to camp near them or farther away. Servayn will explore next. Also which hex. NW, W, and SW are unexplored.

Exploration Map

Can you tell us where your home territory is? Better yet can you show me on my map here? Garick asks holding the map for the little Kobald to see. He gives a quick lesson in how to read a map if the kobald does not understand how they work. Garick will try to get any more details he can about location, size, and terrain features from the kobald.other than just southeast of the mites.

I also have only heard that the m-i-t-e-s are truly evil. Perhaps we can bring the Soots into our community by agreeing to deal with the m-i-t-e-s. It would be a show of good faith and increase security for them and us both.

Am I looking at the map right? is the suspected location of the Stag Lord's keep outside of our jurisdiction, for lack of a better word? I like the addition of the white dotted line that shows the hexes we are responsible for!

"Sssootssscalesss hunt and forage all foressst and hillsss. Only claim area around home-cave though." the kobold explains in crude Common. Norkyl gives the details for the hills and small forests in the area around the Sootscale caverns in Draconic to Servayn while making small sketches on the map. "Treesss and rocksss are marked by burnsss or charcoal." With his notes you could find your way directly to the cave without exploring the hex.

That is correct, technically the Stag Lord is outside the border. It's a relatively minor concern. The charter "limitation" is a hint to keep you guys in the sandbox and not go get murdered by stuff from the other books.

Ember regards the moon radishes dubiously, but bows his head and mutters, Thank you, in Common, before switching to Draconic, Scaled cousins.

He then nudges Servayn and switches back to Common, Carry radishes. Being Ember, the thought of adding a please to the end of that sentence never enters his mind.

Servayn smiles, and takes the radishes, explaining in Draconic to the kobold delivering them, I'll carry these for him.

Turning again to the Chief, he asks, in Common, We will come near your lands soon, to kill mites, tell your people we do not come to kill them. Do they use many traps, or special magic that you know of?

Ember's now wanting to buy Leadership (after bumping his Charisma). A small pack of Kobold flunkies to carry his stuff and do his bidding would totally suit his mood...

That would be grand. Also Norkyl isn't the chief, just in charge of this party. Their chief is Chief Sootscale (he named the tribe).

Norkyl nods eagerly at the mention of traps, "Our land not trapped, but home isss! Must have permisssssion to enter. Sssecurity againssst the foul mitesss. Alwaysss guarded." At the mention of special magics though he seems to grow a bit frightened. "We have a new ssshaman named Tartuk. He isss ssstronger then you, wise one. Very ssstrong, he ordered my band to travel far away for foodsss. In fact sssent usss to the temple..."

At the mention of Tartuk all of the other kobolds begin nervously looking around and rubbing their claws together. A few make quick warding gestures. One of the females mumbles quietly, "I do not want to turn yellow and die. We mussst pleassse Tartuk.

Night is beginning to fall and some of the kobolds have started roasting moon radishes over their campfire. Aside from looking like melon sized pinksih-white globes their name may come from the fact that the radish stalks still in the ground have begun to sparkle silver.

The mention of this new shaman Tartuk clearly concerns Servayn. You should eat now. he says to Nokyl, pointing to the roasting moon radishes. We can talk again after.

He steps back towards the others and whispers low, This shaman could be trouble. I'm pretty sure we could ally with the local tribe without too much trouble, but if they have a priest to some evil diety whipping them into a frenzy and sending them far from their normal territory on a regular basis, possibly exploring local ruins for sources of power, that will just not work. He looks to make sure that the kobolds haven't crept close enough to overhear this last part, It sounds as if he uses some sort of magic that causes those who displease him to sicken and die, which is far beyond any magic I possess. He might be using poison and chicanery, but even then, I fear that an alliance will not be viable if he doesn't have some sort of unfortunate accident...

If the shaman is as mean as he sounds, it would probably be best to tell Nokyl to say that he drove us off, rather than admit that we talked about alliance. Tartuk sounds like the sort who would punish any who return talking about such things.

But it sounds like their rivalry with the m-i-t-e-s is such that if we were to eliminate that threat, the shaman might be overthrown. Maybe we can have meet with Nokyl after we succeed, and have him claim credit... Kal goes about caring for his horse, deep in thought. Clearly, he's not ready to give up on a potential alliance yet.

Ox helps the buried one out of the snow and considers starting a snow ball fight but refrains as there are others making important diplomatic treaties. Ox scoops quite a few moon radishes and deposits the majority of them by the fire for the round little kobolds.

He then walks over to the other men as they begin to have discussions of what is next,in a voice lowered after receiving a couple of looks, Ox relates his thoughts on the matter. Well, we could also let these ones tag along with us to the temple and then go try to work out something with the tribe, I am sure the majority of the kobolds would prefer not to be under such a threat, if we take care of the shaman and the mites, the little guys should be in pretty good shape. One of us mite not be able to handle the shaman but the lot of us surely could. I dunno, I like them any body that can be this happy just becuase of radishes , is ok by me.surely, coming across someone that is willing to destroy your enemies, couldn't be too bad. adds in his two cents mostly agreeing with Kal.

Updated follow up list. Am I missing anything?

Servayn, as we bed down for the night, perhaps the kobolds would be willing to tell us a little about what they saw when they went to the temple, or about where the mites are set up. Anything that might help us when we go to those places...

Sorry guys Work has been crazy, and my posting has slowed down. Don't let me slow you down thought, just keep going, and I'll catch up when I can.

Janku is content to let the others handle the diplomacy with the Kobalds. From study in the temple he learned they are cowardly and weak, and he doesn't see them as fitting warriors for Gorum, so is little interested in them. Not that he wants them dead...he just doesn't really care if they live or die.

Servayn nods at Kalsgrim's suggestion, and returns to ask Nokyl, Can you tell us more about the furry beast at the old stag temple? It sounds like another threat we will have to kill.

When the group has gathered at their own area, Lukasz speakes more freely. "Well, this shaman does throw a dagger in the armor. But I wouldn't worry too much about him yet. He is either as strong as they say he is, or he is a keen trickster, or even both. We won't know for sure until we get a chance to meet him ourselves. Helping to rid the kobolds of their problems however could only help us when it comes to meeting with the chief of the tribe. If it was the shaman who sent this group into the temple though, it might be wiser to find the m-i-t-e-s first as I don't think the shaman would be willing to attack the temple's guardian on his own."

Just throwing this out there, but if you wanted to get to the mite lair it would take you two days of travel. Without exploring the hex.

Norkyl tilts his head, "Norkyl sssent ssscout in and a great roar came. Creature sssize of three of your beasssts..." He stops, finding the words tricky in Common, "It was insssane crassshing around. I have never ssseen anything like it. When it caught my ssscout he was torn to piessesss. The creature did not leave the temple yard but we did not come closer." Norkyl will also give exact details on how to find the temple but muttering warnings the whole time. You may now travel directly to the temple without exploration.

"Tartuk told usss there where lotsss of foodsss in temple. Did not mention monssster.

After Norkyl adds that detail he looks over to the section labeled "Mites?" There he fills in a few extra hills and a very large sycamore tree. "Thisss isss mite-lair. Sssomewhere in tree. Ssso you ssstay clear, dangerousss." You may now travel directly to the mite lair without exploration.

Exploration Map

Servayn bows slightly to Norkyl and lowers his voice so that only he can hear, speaking in Common, Thank you for this information.

There are dangers in other places than the wild, Norkyl, and I wish to warn you that you may decide that it would be better to tell Tartuk about the monster at the stag-temple and that you tricked some big folk to go fight it for you. He might not like that we talked like this, and did not fight... pointing at the dagger he gave Norkyl earlier, he adds. Say you tricked me into trading the dagger for a moon radish that was spoiled, if you think that will please Tartuk more than thoughts of alliance. Servayn tries to give the impression that he is nervous, keeping this conversation secret from his people as well as Norkyl's, Tartuk scares me, and I don't want to make him angry, he might send curses against us if he thinks we are a threat to him. You know him better than I, so you will have to decide whether to tell him of our offer, or say that you tricked us.

It has occured to Servayn that Tartuk may have sent Norkyl and his cronies off to die, while he secures power back home. Norkyl coming back and bragging about an alliance with big folk could lead to the kobolds being turned against him as a 'traitor' or something. Then again, I'm naturally paranoid, and kobold politics might not be this sophisticated... :)

When we come to deal with the mites, we may seek an audience with Chief Sootscales, if you think he would be interested in that. I'm sure your sharp-eyed scouts will know when we are in the area...

The kobold leader listens intently with wide eyes. "Wise One isss very wissse. Norkyl will do asss you sssay. We mussst be careful with Tartuk. Him and hisss ssstrange purple ssscalesss."

He turns to the others who are beginning dinner. Norkyl let's out a high pitched whistle to get their attention. "Tomorrow we ssstart the journey home! It will take usss a week and a half from thisss far upriver but we will return with foodsss!"

Then he runs over to join them.

Purple scales? I can't say I've ever heard of a kobold with purple scales. I thought their scales pretty much only came in the colors that their full blood draconic cousins did. Perhaps this shaman isn't a kobold at all.

purple scales? sounds like that one found a blue berry patch! Garick laughs at his own joke even if no one else will.

Ox grins at Garick and casually looks around to see if he is getting into the alcohol that he bought off of Oleg. Once he doesn't see it anywhere in plain sight Ox starts to laugh, He can't believe Garick said that sober.

He sits up and draws the little catapult out of his bag and starts fiddling with the thing again. if it worked right now, he'd be flinging pieces of radish at his brother this very moment.he starts fiddling with it as he whistles quietly.

engineering 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

if it seems like i am going overboard with the catapult, it is just because I am trying to figure out a way I can explain his skills, while we move around, and I intend on him putting more and more into it.

Once he's away from the kobolds and able to talk freely, Servayn will agree with Kalsgrim's thought that the shaman isn't a kobold at all.

I got the impression that the shaman send Norkyl and his crew away to deliberately get them killed at the stag-shrine, or at least to see how dangerous whatever lairs their truly is. This is two separate instances of people seeking out the stag-temple quite deliberately, counting the supposedly blind priest. He sounds dubious about this now, as if questioning whether or not the priest is truly who he claims to be, or even blind... Do you know of any legends or lore regarding this Erastili shrine? Does it mark a site of power, or did house some relic or holy site, or stand atop a darker place, attempting to keep it in check with it's own consecration?

He's clearly addressing this last question to Kalsgrim, although he avoids the honoriffics that others may use. Never accustomed to hob-nobbing with his social betters, he's still not comfortable with the whole 'my lord' thing, obviously...

Sitting back in his saddle, Corso keeps a general view of things. As he doesn't speak Draconic, he tries to focus on the body language of the kobolds, looking for signs of deception.

Listening to his friends, he adds, to make his intention clear: "That is sound advice Master Servayn. If the shaman must go for Erastil to touch those lands, then let it be so."

He takes a supporting position at the head of the exploring, keeping his senses alert.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Kalsgrim smiles warmly when Servayn addresses him like a peer. He doesn't see any of the uncomfortableness that is usually present when some of the others throw titles around...

Kobolds for Erastil? That would be great! Maybe then we could rally some ogres for Gorum and we'll have this land settled in no time!

Seeing Ox fidgeting again with his model catapult, he'll say Ox, why don't you join the kobolds at their fire for a little while with that. Pass it around to them and watch what they do. From what I've read, they have legendary skills when it comes to mechanical stuff and they may be able to teach you a thing or two, language barrier or not.

Should we tell the Norkyl and the kobolds we'll seek them out after we do some more exploring and look at the temple and deal with the mites as a show of good faith? And the power of Erastil and Gorum?

Uh, yeah, I already told them we'd be heading over to deal with the mites at some point, actually... Servayn admits sheepishly, It's going to be a week and a half before this lot even makes it back, so we don't need to rush or anything.

He takes a supporting position at the head of the exploring, keeping his senses alert.

I'm sorry, but I missed which direction you were taking us.

Part of this adventure is tough for me; like Ox, the black hexes are taunting me, begging to be illuminated. But on the other hand, I feel the urge to check things off of our adventuring "to do" list.

Don't worry Kal, most of that "to do" list is to get you to want to explore the country and find the answers. By the way you left off Oleg's request to Garick, "Find a tatzylwyrm."

With dinner out of the way and the discussions dwindling down the kobolds collapse in piles within their huts. The party makes a quick camp at the far edge of the clearing. The sparkling of the moon radishes provide a tranquil sight throughout the night.

Half way through his watch Kalsgrim notices movement at the kobold camp. Norkyl is yipping and hissing quietly in Draconic waking the others. They carefully break their own camp and trot off into the forest. Each kobold laden with a massive pack. When the moon sets before sunrise the radishes stop sparkling.

The kobolds have cleared out but at their campsite. The little fellows left several large radishes along with a dozen trout spitted and ready to cook. A parting gift for their new big friends.

Where to guys? Someone pick something and sound authoritative.

Rising in the morning, Lukasz sends off Swiftbreeze to get a lay of the land around their location, using his connection with the young hawk to get a general idea of what type of land is around them.

When they all meet up to decide where to go, Lukasz says, "Well, I think it might make some sense to head to the temple since it isn't too far from where we are. That way we can explore that area and also get a look at this creature that is said to inhabit the temple."

Servayn makes sure to save some of the firmer (less ripe) moon radishes for Svetlana, knowing that it could be a week or more before they return to the fort, and savors the bits of leftover trout and moon radish from breakfast as they move out towards the stag temple.

He's allowing himself to feel a bit optimistic about allying with the kobolds, even though he knows they will have to deal with the shaman, the mites and possibly a less-than-friendly Chief Sootscales...

Servayn initially expresses an interest in Lukasz' new companion, but after discovering that the hawk cannot speak, is less intrigued, and Ember appears less than thrilled with the idea of there being any other intelligent animals traveling with the group, although woe to anyone who refers to him as an 'animal.'

18th of Pharast
Randome Encounter Check for the day
1d100 ⇒ 65
No random encounter.

Fresh river trout, flakey and moist, make a delicious breakfast. Anyone who tries the roasted radishes finds them to be decadent. Strong, but not too spicy, with a the crunchy consistency of undercooked potatoes. They offset the baked fish and honey wheat biscuits of Svetlanas'. The meal leaves you invigorated and ready for the new day.

With their own camp broken the party sets out, Corso in the lead. Exploring the forest is rather efficient with the notes from the kobold. By mid afternoon the area around the mysterious temple has been searched. Consulting Norkyl's notes leads to a wall of blackberries. There is a thin path that leads carefully through the razor sharp vines. Unfortunately the horses will need to be tethered behind. Some of the mounts are acting skittish, but Noir and Shade stand steady. After thirty-feet the path widens.

The thick tangle of brambles gives way into a large clearing in the woods, its border partially defined by ruined stone pillars. The western face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, upthrust ridge of rock, nearly 300 feet across and rising to a moss-topped height of 100 feet at the center.

The side of this towering boulder facing the clearing has been carved in the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers drooping down from its weathered face to frame a 50-foot- wide cave entrance. A flight of stone steps leads up to this cave entrance from the forest clearing—both the steps and elk face feel quite old and are thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A 50-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae.

At work, map will be up tonight. There is about 40 feet of dirt before it turns into the old stone of the temple courtyard. You'll all be placed there horseless.

Kal that was a great Idea about sitting around the camp with the Kobolds. we proceeded before I could implement it, but it looks like we might be able to work something out later. I am guessing we might even be able to contract some of the little fellas to fix the stuff up.

handle animal 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Ox will leave Noir un tethered. He cups the great beast on both sides of the head and the whispers into his ear. Guard. He looks to Lukazs, Swiftbreeze, Servayn and Ember. I know you are well bonded, and then looking only to Ember and Swift breeze Would either of you be interested in helping Noir keep the rest of the horses safe?

As Ox continues on toward the temple, he can’t help but be in awe of the might stag of Erastil. His hand sits on the longsword cautiously, as he keeps an I out for the beast. He quietly offers some suggestions on tactics.

Ember rejects the offer to guard the horses, and Servayn quietly explains as they traverse the path, Ember and I cannot separate by more than 30 paces, or he returns to the outer worlds.

When they reach the clearing, Servayn casts a spell, Armagus Loricatus and a shimmering suit of armor lays down upon Ember's hide and soaks in like water.

mage armor, 2 hour duration

He then casts guidance, while Ox speaks, giving first Garick, then Kalsgrim each a +1 competence bonus to their next attack roll, skill check, ability check or saving throw, so long as it occurs within the next minute.

Should be draw forth the beast quickly, while inspiration remains?

Hearing Servayn's suggestion, Corso lets someone else take the lead and finds a spot to hide himself.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Approaching the temple gives you a better view of the area. Stone pillars mark the edge of the grounds. The temple itself is too dark to see deeper than 15 feet into from this distance.

Ruined Temple

Ox grins, glances around the group to see if they are ready and hopes they are cause things are about to get interesting and walks towards the opening of the courtyard and toward the temple.

At the top of his lungs he shouts. " BEAST! Your day has come! Meet your end and my blade!" He swings his sword through the air testing his arm as he goes. Thinking that he'd be more comfortable with his horse under him, but none the less, the beast had to die.

"Come forth and die!"

Ruined Temple

The air settles for a moment after Ox's call. Then the ground begins to shake. Loud crashing noises come from within the temple as a ravening creature emerges. Garick recognizes it as a massive grizzly bear. The animal barrels down the stairs, leaving smears of blood on the walls it smashes against. It finally stops at the base of them and stands up ten feet tall letting loose a bone jarring roar. When it crashes to the ground the very temple shakes.

As the bear moves strange wisps of smoke curl off it's fur. With jerky movements it looks at each intruder and roars again.

Oh Em Gee bear. Round 1! Go! No surprise round.