Jin gathers what he wishes from the wolf and the group continues to the cabin. Its dark now, but it only takes minutes to finish you walk. The cabin is dark and cold inside, but there is wood chopped and stacked along a side wall.
Let's cover the windows, start a fire, and get this place warmed up.
Lan shrugs, and leaves his collected firewood outside the front door. He finds a nice snug corner to get cozy in, preferably one with cover from the door (if not, he'll rearrange the room to -make one-). And spends a power point to forego eating... then goes into his meditative trance.
Zaralastra will take the first watch, as he is uninjured. Just before commencing meditation after his watch is over, he will expend a powerpoint to forego having to eat or drink for the next 24 hours.
Upon arising from meditation, he will, as usual, regain psionic focus.
Jin would set up his materials and Lab to be used upon awaking and taking the Second shift as that tended to be when creatures would most certainly attack. He also starts the drying/drain process for the furs he retrieved, later he would need to tan them.
Aside from the wind howling, the night passes quietly. Early in the morning, flurries begin to fall from the sky, though the wind dies down. You wake somewhat later than normal, rather sore from the previous day.
Lan 'wakes' after only four hours. Then grows quickly bored. But at least there's a safe watch. He goes over what he could have done differently. It occurs to him that he should have used his empathy in the cave, to see what he could glean from the Giant... but simply surviving was significantly more important.
I suggest we pack up and head back to town with all due haste. We have news to report.
During his shift as nothing seemed to have happened Jin crafterd an Elixir which he hands off to Elisa in the morning.
Packing up the furs and cooking some well made meat Jin is ready to head back and thus does so, his soreness something he wasnt completely foreign to.
" Shouldnt be all that hard, the snow will make it difficult, but I can simply remember the path mentally at this point.
His suit clasping on as he leads the group home.
If offered Elisa takes the potion but doesn't drink it yet.
Save it for when we need it.
If the trip was quite for a while she waste time by snatching up snow and making snowballs as they walked, targeting the nearest tree or person.
The group sets off for home. On their way back, they see the familiar smoke of the hobgoblin camp. They woke late in the morning, but the trip back is quicker, and they reach town before nightfall.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/snowball
Lan makes sure that the group takes the man and his belongings when they go. He may not live in the city, but he'll get a proper burial. Even if it has to slow Lan down massively in the process.
Jin is hit with a snowball but doesnt seem to register it much beyond the effect. He was.. confused at such an act.
Jin helps Lan with his duty. Once they reach the town, he sets up for the burial rights and gathers the group together afterward to move on the the Grandhall of the town, to speak with the council.
It is late in the day, but there is someone there that will get word of your return to a council member. He asks where you will be and tells you he will bring you instruction shortly.
I recommend we remain together while awaiting the council member. If Jin and Elisa would rather rest than talk, that's entirely understandable in the circumstances and, if that's the case, Lan and I can report what we've discovered.
While we're waiting, I've been wondering about the cabin. It could be a very useful way station for some time to come. Perhaps the townsfolk will be able to identify the deceased and state whether he has any next of kin who would presumably inherit the cabin.
Jin reasonably power downs his suit now that he was home. His hair falling down soaked in sweat as the normal chain underneath showed through. He looks at each individual in the part and smiles somewhat, they had lived and completed the mission while gaining valuable experience in the field. " I suggest we take a night at the local Inn.. I can ask the owner to place the amount on my tab, leveraging the return on these pelts. Which should sell for a bit. I also agree that we should find the proper procedure to contact his next of kin. Hunting Party I must say.. it was a Mission well done! " A Broad smile across his face.
"I made several mistakes." Lan replied to the 'Mission well done' portion. "I did not detect the feelings of either the giant, nor the wolf. That would have been useful information. I was also resting while you ate when I could be hidden nearby. I will seek to improve."
Jin pats Lan on the left shoulder, mighty hefty pats. " Lan there will constantly be mistakes made. I failed to protect Elisa and allowed our group to be Ambushed by a fierce Wolf. One of which might have killed us all for not that stroke of luck given to me. If I had detected it sooner I could have done something to make it less painful. We as individuals all have our faults but it is as a group that we cover those faults. I'm just a regular Human though so I guess it's less an issue. Unity supports comrades, for each specialization creates a greater whole. I promise Next time I'll be a little harder to surprise and ALOT harder to kill. "
Lan nodded slowly, switching from the Vim power back to Empath. While in town, he didn't quite need the steady dose of protection.
Considering two members of the party abandoned the mission entirely, I thought we did quite well. Though it must be said that, most likely, none of us would be alive were it not for Jin's single, heroic strike against the wolf. Certainly, by the standards set by the council, our mission was a complete success in that we have discovered the source of the tracks and have returned to report on our discovery.
[oo]You mean Jin[/ooc]
" It was nothing on my part, simply Unity's blessings. Regardless I would have distracted the creature long enough to allow both of you an escape, so do not mention it overly. Once a Wolf receives food, especially an injured one, there would have been little reason to risk chasing after Prey that could strike from a distance. After my death it likely would have dragged my body away and left Elisa's. It could only effectively carry one.. I have more meat to savor. Zara, do you agree to use the Inn for now? " As you look at Jin you realize how brutal the bite was, several puncture wounds adorn his abdominal area, even through the chain-links of his arm. A good portion of his left arm was included. Jin however does not mention this, clearly this as not important to him OR he had gone through some intense training.
Zaralastra notices Jin's grievous wound, but says nothing. He has heard of a psionic ability that would allow him to remove the wound, but is not yet able to manifest it.
The inn is fine. Food and drink would be welcome after this mission.
Raising an eyebrow in interest Jin nods " Oh? I thought your kind just didn't eat or drink? Well, It' will undoubtedly be on me this night. I also must respond in kind to Elisa.. That snowball from earlier must be returned " He says in a joking manner.. though not completely confident. That woman was beyond his capability to read... but so were most women.. or .. people in his case.
We Elans are able to forego the need to eat and drink through the use of psionic energy. But where there is no reason to forego such need, we eat and drink as you do.
" Contrary to popular belief I am not well versed in your race past rumors and self experience. I am glad to hear your kind can enjoy the same pleasures as mine. Now then, I wonder how much with wolf pelt would go for. and If I can afford to keep perhaps the head as a helmet covering. I still need to Tan the hide, Zara that bow, you said something was odd about it, will you get it checked some time soon?
"I will forego eating. It is better that the larders stay stocked. It will prevent starvation during a crisis."
" Well, I do have around 50 lbs of Cat meat left to offset that so it shouldn't be TOO much of a problem Lan. But remember you can only stock perishables for so long.. rather to eat than waste.. "
In this climate there should be no difficulty in keeping the meat frozen. Plus there is always the option of salting it. As to the pelt, I hear they can be quite valuable.
" well yes, there is certainly the ability to preserve it but more than likely without salting freezerburn would set in and ruin the meat. The risk-reward value of this pelt might provide us with some discretionary income. Perhaps I can purchase runic tattoos for an emergency. " Jin places his hand to his chin, as it seemed... the longest he has spoken to anyone.
" I wonder how long it will take the liaison to contact and call for us? I would be most amiss if they believed we would not have come back. Though the loss of force would have made little sense, so that is unlikely. "
"I am able to create the tattoos. I do not have an exceptional selection of powers."
Jin scratches his head in ponderance " I never fully understood how this all worked. When the Awakening happened I just assumed people had different talents. Like my suit.. something out of my own creation. I'm not sure if there is a way of expanding your range of power. Nor do I get how you manifest such effects. Glad to know you can create them "
Elisa was quiet during Jins gloating and would hand him his potion back since they returned to town unharmed.
Jin would tell her to drink it or Take it as being in town would not necessarily mean they were safe. It lasted for about 6 more days and unlike him, she was not as durable. Having the curative properties spread out among the group was better.
"I understand patterns. Usually with great accuracy. I am able to manipulate the patterns to some effect, and able to outright destroy some patterns." during his speech, he knelt down and seemed to be drawing something with his gloved hands. "If I know what I am dealing with, I am better able to break it's pattern. If I do not, I am forced to simply destroy patterns in general." When he rose, there was a crescent moon symbol drawn into the ground. Then there was a snowball hurtling towards Elisa.
v. touch, and possibly flat footed :p. Otherwise... a miss. :p
Elisa refuses the potion."If we need it, we'll know where to find it. Until then it isn't mine."
After getting hit by Lan. "Hey that was my thing."
" Fine. If we do head out once more however, I am having you carry it. There will be situations where my positioning may but unable to reach yourself, Lan or Zara. In those cases you are much more swift and thus able to deliver it. Just as you acted upon the Wolf to draw attention from myself or when the Leopard stalked into our camp. " Tying the Elixir off on his side.
" Will you be staying at the Inn until the council contacts us Elisa? " Noting the ball of ice crystals flying towards her direction. " And.. I ask.. why you did so before? I have never done such as a child.. I had to work. "
"I don't see a reason I wouldn't, No point in making them track everyone down separately."
Jin folds his arms breathing out a sigh of relief " Well then it is settled. Let's head there instead of standing out in the night cold. I'm sure the bartender'll welcome us back with warm food and drink. Besides that, Elisa.. I've.. always wondered if your weapon, was similar to my armor? Truthfully, when I first discovered this ability when I was younger.. I tried to make a sword. As back then I felt making one would be.. er.. 'Cool' but I could never quite manage one that lasted for long. "