"I think he is trained as I am and may be a bit better at hiding his trail then I am at finding it. It was easy to track when he had the others. The owlbears did him a favor by killing his men. Lets head back to the fort and regather and make a plan."
"He had a pet Owl .. . thing. Perhaps he has a connection to them. He might have stayed close to them to use them against us when we inevitably tried to track him."
Quince now is at 19/19 hp
Kevros now is at 17/19 hp.
Tristan now is at 26/26 hp.
Saren now is at 18/37.
Monks are still at (11/11, 18/18)
Nightwing now is at 14/19.
Akiros now is at 19/47.
Katrina now is at 16/16.
The group discusses what they will do next now that they were not able to track down the Stag Lord.
"With the North camp deserted and the fort routed, I don't know where the Stag Lord would go. He likely will be a thorn in your side until dead or caught. I agree that we should return to the fort, he might and there is the old man down in the basement to deal with. Auches is simple minded and I can keep him under control." The large man with a scar across his face says, sounding rather confident in the choice.
Kevros nods, "Very well, I agree. Let's regroup at the keep."
Then he turns the horse to wince they came when it is his turn, "I agree Quince, the Owl-things seem to be too handy and they had one at the fort."
Kevros pauses, "Is it possible to be a wereowl-thing like those werewolves in stories that mothers usually use to scare their children with? That Owl-thing was watching us methodically while the one at the fort just plain attacked us."
Angeus wipes her face, fatigue etched there plainly, "I hate to leave that bastard out there, but yeah, he's either long gone or sitting just over there watching..."
She ponders Kevros' theory, "Lots of strange creatures out here, I wouldn't be surprised if you were right."
She then turns her horse toward 'home'...
He responds to Velden, "They are called owlbears, and I have never heard of a were-'owlbear', not even in myths or such. ... Though I guess it is possible, I just hope not."
The group returns to their new fort. The monks open the gate to let all the horses into the fort then securing the gate again.
Saren is at the tower to the left as you enter into the fort. He smiles warmly at the group, then asks, "How went the hunt?"
"We lost the trail. As feared once he was free of his men he would be able to hide his trail. Now we wait. I don't think we can or should should report the bandit threat on these lands are over until we deal with him."
Kevros nods at the both Angeus and Akiros' responses and follows the group back to the fort.
"Hail Saren, good to see you are healthy again. Like Tristan stated, the trail went cold from some help from either a wild or tamed Owlbear like the one we fought here."
Then Kevros climbs off his horse inside the keep and gets the horse ready to be stabled.
"Saren, any of the prisoners conscious? We need to question them to see if we should remain here and fortify, or regroup at Oleg's"
"Yes it is good to be healthy again Kevros," he yells down in a good nature response to the half-elf. With concern he says, "Well nothing can be done about the Stag Lord now, hopefully we stumble upon him in our explorations of the Stolenlands. One is still with the living but Akiros seems likely the best one to ask about that. He did after all turn on the Stag Lord for a better cause."
Kevros waves to Saren and turns to Akiros, "Akiros shall we talk to Auches? I want to see is staying here will give us any advantage? The fort has seen its better years and the last confrontation didn't help it."
"Why would you want to talk with Auches. He simply plays with his toys and does as instructed. I have a fairly good pull with him, especially with Devon out of the way. Might not want to mention about Devon to him if you do speak with him." He says as he brushes his horse after taking the saddle off. He then continues, "Besides Oleg's outpost and this fort, there is no other real places of habitation for humans. But the Stag Lord knows the wild and can survive out there. He might be out of his peak but he will likely survive unfortunately."
"We are not sure if this is the location that we are looking for, we will need some time to investigate and look for signs of our brothers and sisters." Nightwing says with some resignation responding to Tristan. Then he brightens some, "Yes it would be nice to have some help, and we would be willing to hold down the fort for at least until the monastery is found or until we determine this is the right place."
"Well if it is or isn't, you helped us, Nightwing, we'll help you." Angeus says seriously.
She then turns to Saren, "Did you have a chance to search the place? They've got to have somewhere they hid all of their loot."
"Since they have been helping us, let's secure the keep well enough so that Nightwing and his brothers can search the keep further for clues that this maybe the location they are looking for or will lead them to it."
"Well we are not hurting for materials we are in a forest. Are there tools we could use to bring down some trees if repairs."
"Loot you say, no haven't seen any, just all the stuff that I have claimed." He says with a smile on his face and laughs at the jest. "No there is much wealth here in the Stag Lord's and Akiros' rooms. I have 'spoken' to Auches and he really is simpleminded, he likes it up on the second floor playing with his knights and dragons. The fort as a whole is secure and the only last place to search is the basement. For more loot and this old man... Shall I lead us down?"
After securing his horse, Kevros nods, "Please do lead us down?" Keveros then looks to others, "Anyone object?"
"Nope lets go."
"Akiros, is there anything beyond the old man that we might need be wary of going downstairs?"
Saren takes the lead into the dark area obviously not needing a light.
This room feels miserably damp, and greasy swaths of mold cake the carved stone walls and floor. The ceiling fifteen feet overhead is thick with cobwebs. Three archways in the walls open into other rooms, all of which are filled with mounds of crates, furs, sacks, weapons, and other obviously stolen loot.
There appears to be many twisted fetishes along the walls of the decrepit cellar. Also you can hear some movement down there.
New Map!!! Cellar, double check that you are in the position you want to be in.
Right now we have Saren at the lead, Kevros, Tristan, Quince, and then Angeus.
Saren with his greatsword in one hand as his other hand is on the wall slowly descends into the cellar. He takes his time and tries to make as little noise as possible.
Though he is untrained at being stealthy he gives it his best effort still making scuffing sounds with his feet and slowly descends.
Akiros shakes his head at Quince's question, he sourly says, "The bandits loathed and feared the decrepit old man who lives in these rooms. I have not seen anything else that could be a threat. Careful he is a crazy one and not to be talked down."
May act in the surprise round
May act in the surprise round
Initiative rolls
Saren gets just past the stairs and the action begins to happen. As two giant ants begin to head towards him.
The other's lolly-gagging on the stairs, Angeus maneuvers past them to stand behind Saren, peering around Saren into the dim basement.
Twisting her mouth in distaste at the many grisly fetished adorning the walls, she whispers to Saren,"Nice decorations, hey? Watch out! Bugs!"
Her crossbow raises in a flash, the bolt on it way before she even consiously aims it....
+
Surprise Round
The green ant takes the bolt in stride and charges Saren. As the other blue ant will charge up as well, The first ant bites and gets a hold of Saren though the other one only bites him.
Round 1 - Initiative
21 Kevros, 17/19 hp.
20 Angeus, 12/22 hp.
18 Tristan, 26/26 hp.
18 Giant Ant 2, Green (grappling), 9/18
15 Old Man, 39/39
13 Saren (Grappled), 18/37.
4 Quince, 19/19 hp
1 Giant Ant 1, Blue, 18/18
Monks are still at (11/11, 18/18)
Nightwing now is at 14/19.
Akiros now is at 19/47.
Katrina now is at 16/16.
Not expecting combat Tristan strides forward pulling the greatsword from his back and cleaves into the ant with its pinchers around Saren's leg.
Quince rushes down the stairs at the sound of struggle mace at the ready.
ROUND 1
Kevros levels his crossbow at the ant who has attacked Saren and fires, "Hang in their Saren, we'll help ya!"
Ammo: 4/5
Under 50 Recovered
(3) Arrows recovered and reloaded
Round 1
With the ant next to him dead, he moves forward letting the head just slip off of him and charge the other ant. With a mighty swing the ant is cut in half and gore is at his feet.
Round 1
The group attacks the first ant with vengeance and it drops after Tristan's mighty swing. Saren takes the lead once more and demolishes the other ant though it looks like it could still attack and does on Saren but misses.
21 Kevros, 17/19 hp.
20 Angeus, 12/22 hp.
18 Tristan, 26/26 hp.
18 Giant Ant 2, Green, -lots/18
15 Old Man, 39/39
13 Saren, 18/37.
4 Quince, 19/19 hp
1 Giant Ant 1, Blue, 0/18
Noting the darkness Quince mumbles a prayer and his shield illuminates.
Quince snarls out toward the old man, "Gerflump norl benen Erastil foren rebelley re vellum"
Going before Quince casts the light spell, he does not notice anything other than the obvious.
Kevros looks from side to side for any more aggressors and then looks for Akiros. "Where's Akiros?"
+2 if old guy is human
"Quince bring the light here so we can see down the hall. The chanting was from down that way."
Kevros shrugs regarding Akiros and looks down the hall way to which Tristan is pointing out.
Angeus peers down the corridor, trying to see what was chanting.
"I didn't see where he got to." she mutters to Kevros
Round 2 - end
The group slowly enters into the room but before Saren can act or Quince brings a light on the situation a swarm of bats falls from the ceiling to distract you.
Round 3
Round 2
"No the only thing I can see is a wolverine that appears to be casting a spell... Ahh, bats! That must be the old man some druid or something." He says still unsure about the situation.
He drops his greatsword, draws his bow and takes a shot, finally taking a side step.
Kevros nods to Angeus, then interrupts his reply and jumps to the side letting the bat swarm past him up, "ThaNK ... sh ...!"
Then regains his composure and takes aim at the druid that Saren is attacking.
Ammo:3/5
Quince moves forward into the cellar.
Now with light showing the wolverine casting spell Tristan steps forward drawing and throwing a javelin.
+2 if human
+2 if human
The fates say light or no light, it does not matter as the javelin flies wide of the target.
"Oh, there's the old....man?" Angeus mutters as she moves forward, slapping a new bolt into her crossbow.
Slipping past Saren, she raises the weapon and fires..
21 Kevros*, 7/19 hp.
20 Angeus*, 1/22 hp.
18 Tristan*, 21/26 hp.
18 Giant Ant 2*, Green, -lots/18
15 Old Man*, 27/39
13 Saren, 18/37.
4 Quince*, 14/19 hp
2 Akiros*
1 Giant Ant 1*, Blue, -lots/18
Kevros, Tristan, and Angeus miss their shots. With the call of his name Akiros comes down the passage as well. Hundreds of high-pitched squeaks fill the air as a mass of small, carnivorous bats surges forth, all of them hungry for blood, they follow the main part of your group. The wolverine scurries down the wall and strikes at Angeus, scratching her with one of its claws leaving bloody marks. She looks hurt from the wounds from the bats and from the wolverine.
21 Kevros, 7/19 hp.
20 Angeus, 1/22 hp.
18 Tristan, 21/26 hp.
18 Giant Ant 2, Green, -lots/18
15 Old Man, 27/39
13 Saren, 18/37.
4 Quince, 14/19 hp
2 Akiros
1 Giant Ant 1*, Blue, -lots/18
Round 3
He quickly draws another arrow and shoots at the wolverine.
Tristan steps forward with the large blade in hand and swings at the beast.
+2 if he is human
+2 if he is human
ROUND 4
"ANGEUS?! ... Akiros can you please help her?!"
"OUCH!" Kevros shakes a hand around his head to brush away any bats, "Tristan, being a man of nature, can't you do anything about the bats?! I am having a hard enough time hitting the crazy fur ball with teeth without the bats!"
Then he takes aim and shoots at the Wolverine ...
AMMO: 2/5