Maksim sees the little sign of the mites withdrawing but continues to have that feeling of being watched.
"The mites have mostly left but I think a few are still scouting us."
Maksim prepares to bury the body of the unfortunate victim, saying a few prayers over the body when done. "I know not your beliefs, that amulet suggests you were a servant of the bandit leader, it no longer matters to earthly folk. You met your end alone, without friend or family, may that be sufficient atonement. May your journey to Pharasma's judgement go swiftly and true. May Erastil and all the gods show you mercy."
"Maybe, Egan, if this unfortunate soul, came to this place directly, those hills there are the likely area, such a distinctive tree, up high, should be easy to spot. Or we could just go the way we intended. Wherever we go, we need to be very wary."
Egan helps Maksim with the body, removing the armor and gold before he is prepared to bury. We should be away from here quickly and find a defendable camp for tonight. I can imagine its going to be a long night.
Andrej looks at the amulet.
Did the others we captured and offered amnesty to and the ones we hung when we first started this all have these as well?
"I thought ye mentioned such but I may be mistaken." Maksim rubs his beard thoughtfully.
"Out running or riding the mites might work but I have no skill at riding, bit o' a gamble."
Leaders did if I recall correctly. Egan offers. Lets ride and put some distance between us and these varmints.
Silva rides along quietly.
Might want to collect these then...
Folowing the afternoons hard ride you feel comfortable that you have lost you fae following and set up camp in the low hills, the last watch see eyes reflected in the fire towards the early morning but no attack comes.
The sun crests over the horizon and Anza will check ariund the camp, coming accross some tracks. They appear to have abondoned their chase overnight and continued to the south. "Their den should be somewhere near here according to the other fae, do you wish to hunt them down? They may be ready for you."
Egan looks to his group. I say yes. Time to end this threat.
"If it be done best done quick. They are ready for us, and know our numbers at least, and saw us use magic. I'd like a night's rest if possible to regain favor used, it may take all we have to win. Also know that we go after their home, to slay all, be prepared for what needs be done." Maksim gives his dark warnings with a grim face but determined to end evil.
Perception: See anything about?
Sorry read that as setting sun not rising for some reason. So we are good to go then.
I'm for it but beware of hit and run tactics that lead us into further traps such as that spiders lair.
You mount up and ride further into the hills, reaching the crest of the tallest hill nearby the vista opens and you can see in the distance to the south a huge tree. Standing over 100ft tall the ancient grey sycamore clings to its last years of life, from your conversations with Tig and Perlivash you know this is where the mites make their den.
Anza looks around thoughtfully from her horse, [/b]"If we stay here for a few hours Arielle and I can probably map most of this area without the need to ride around, perhaps some lunch while you plan your approach?"[/b]
Agreed Anza. What do you all think for a plan to remove this treat?
"Well, we could try fire. Though we would have to be careful not to let it spread to the other trees."
Perception: See anything about? This roll is a cut and paste error but if you want to use it instead of the other I understand.
Maksim dismounts and hands the reins of his horse to Anza.
Maksim looks over the area grimly. "I do not see a fire outside doing much harm to them, they live under the tree not in it, it's not large enough. So, if they live in a large burrow, really a cave under the tree, they'd be protected. They are small, but about your size I think Arielle, if they have any numbers it must be a large area."
"I think I'm the best to scout it out, see if they have any sentries that I can spot."
Unless otherwise disuaded Maksim slowly and alone walks toward the sycamore. He is looking for sentries or traps. He also checks for tracks trying to tell numbers, and to trace for the enterance. He is trying not to be noticed himself.
Perception: What's there?
Survival: Who, how many, and where is the enterance?
Stealth: Move half-speed.
As Maksim prepares to leave Egan asks How long should we give you?
Maksim replies to Egan, "Not sure, have to go slow, one-half hour seems about right."
Maksim continues with "That's after a 1 or 2 to get there and same back, of course." I'm good to go.
Maksim leaves alone with a light pack, you can see him for a while wakking before he drops below the next rise.
Maksim notes the activity, He looks around briefly and silently to see if any spotters are around the area to warn the den of trouble. He then returns to the others, quietly, and reports all he learned.
Perception: Any guards/spotter?
Survival: Any more info?
Stealth: Move half-speed.
After doing a quick circle of the area you are nearly sure that some of the mites who used to live here are gone, there are tracks from weeks ago with many mites moving at once but the recent tracks show groups no larger than four or six.
Maksim notes interesting tracks, then winces as is foot steps on a branch which snaps loudly. After a quick look around to see if he was noticed he slithers off to rejoin the main group.
Maksim will avoid any further encounters, if he can, till he rejoins the others.
Egan paces as he waits. How long has he been gone? We'll give him another hours and then we should go after him.
Maksim will arrive back to camp forty minutes later than expected after taking a detour to avoid two mites throwing stones at each other a couple of miles from the tree, he appears unruffled but weary from his long walk.
Soooo... I am guessing your average frontal isn't going to work?
Maksim gives a weary sigh as he see the others come into view. He explains all that he has seen. At Andrej comment he replies, "Don't know warrior matters but it might, tracks seem to say a large bunch went off somewhat and never came back, groups were small after that, so who knows? And they have a kobold captive hard to say what that means."
Well...let's go rescue the kobold then.
Andrej thinks for a moment then nods... A good move considering what we hope to accomplish.
What way did you travel to arrive back here unseen? Lets take that route to get as close as possible.
I say lets go now. That kobold might not make it til morning.
Agreed.
Egan looks to the others but begins saddling up Sparky.
"Aye, if it be done, best done quickly." Maksim wearly mounts up and prepare to do it all over again.
Perception:
Survival:
Anza stays back with your heavier gear as Maksim leads you across the grassy hills to the old sycamore, as the sun sets you have not come across anything but faded tracks and the tree looms nearby.
You dismount and approach, and begin searching among the trees large solid roots to find the hidden enterance Maksim saw the mites coming from earlier.
Maksim leads the way, noting old track but nothing else. Upon arrival he checks out for the enterance as quickly as possible.
"Should be right around here."
Perception:
plus low light vision..
I think I can see it..
Andrej seems a bit disorientated and spends a lot of his time darting his gaze back and forth looking for threats.
Egan finds a deep hole under a huge root but it does not lead into the mites lair, Maksim however finds a lump of turf which lifts to reveal a small but deep hole leading into the tangle of roots below ground.
The chute is rarely more than 5ft wide and further constricted by the tangle of roots poking from the walls, 20ft down there is a tunnel heading east and west. Not much light penetrates the hole.
Maksim's careful search reveals the concealed enterance to below. Stareing down into the inky blackness, Masikm says, "That'll be not a good place to go, it's small for us bigguns, and little light, we cannot sneak. I'll make a light for us but we'll be easy to see and target." Maksim picks up a small stone and cast a spell causing it to shine brightly. "I'm not sure should I call for Erastil specific aid now, or wait till we see what's down there?"
Egan can go first but would prefer to be lowered down. This armor is too restrictive to climb in. he explains.