Urdaan jerks awake as everyone begins moving about, and smiles grimly at the sight of so many bearing weapons. "Well, that was fast. What are we expecting?" He considers the armor on the ground next to his shield, but simply hefts the shield into position and picks up his axe. As Calain's armor begins to gleam, Urdaan's eyes sweep about the grove, attempting to locate what has Garavel so unnerved.
Perception:
Feeling dead tired after his first day in the desert, Raulzig woke up last. As soon as the initial dizziness has passed though, he hastily donned his armor and picked up weapons. He attached his light-producing wayfinder to his belt, loaded his crossbow and joined the group. He was trembling nervously.
"What happened? Are we under attack?"
"What happened? Are we under attack?"
"I'm not certain." Urdaan replies quietly, still sweeping the grove for activity. After a moment, he glances over to Samuel. "We were still on your watch period, correct? Do you have any idea what occurred?"
Seeing as everyone is awake and seems to have no idea what is going on Garavel speaks up and explains the situation"There are hyenas in these woods or at least near for otherwise I wouldn't have heard them we are checking the woods for any sign of them it is not safe to rest while there is a threat nearby for those who need it be sure to bring a light source." with that said he turns to the woods a raises his torch in an attempt to find were the howl came from.
Knowledge: Nature as needed
Perception: to spot anything
Survival to look for tracks/sign
Calian, his armor shining brightly, is not one for stealth. Calls a challenge to the darkness, Come on you bastards! Let get started. If an attack comes, I'm at the centre He strides forward a few paces letting the "Hyena's" see him.
"How far do you estimate the hyenas could be? I can see in the dark better than humans do. Would it make sense for me to try and scout for any enemies? I can keep in touch via magical messages, but they can only be heard at about 30 yards. I can also light up the location of the danger if I spot anything."
"I am not even certain if they are hyenas though the howl did sure sound like it came from among the woods couldn't track the direction though. Raulzig you can scout ahead though I would prefer if we stay together you can see better in the dark stay on your guard whatever you do"says Garavel in response to Raulzig
Seeing as everyone is awake and seems to have no idea what is going on Garavel speaks up and explains the situation"There are hyenas in these woods or at least near for otherwise I wouldn't have heard them we are checking the woods for any sign of them it is not safe to rest while there is a threat nearby for those who need it be sure to bring a light source." with that said he turns to the woods a raises his torch in an attempt to find were the howl came from.
** spoiler omitted **
knowledge(nature):
Raulzig produces a piece of copper wire from his pocket and wraps it over his wrist. He then points a finger at Garavel and silently moves his lips. Garavel nods in response - apparently, he has accepted Raulzig's message. Satisfied, Raulzig turned off his Wayfinder and slowly wandered off to the woods, turning his head in all directions.
Take 10 on Stealth: 10+11=21
Perception:
How far is it to the woods? From the picture it looked like we're right near them. Anyway, Raulzig tries to stay within 100 feet of Garavel, if he doesn't reach the woods now then he will get there first when the group advances. If possible, he has Dancing Lights readied vs. approach.
Message to Garavel: Dead hyena over here, freshly killed by... something. Stay alert.
Raulzig stops still in his tracks, and starts backing down slowly. Taking a bit of fleece from another pocket, he quietly mutters a strange words and gestures his hands. An image of a hyena appears, moving in circles around the real hyena's corpse, while Raulzig continues to retreat, observing what happens.
Retrying Perception, this time with Archaeologist's luck:
Message to Garavel: Small claw marks on its back. What could leave them? Are there bats?
Raulzig scouts the 30-foot area around the corpse, trying to stay stealthy. He directs the hyena image to move 30 ft. in front of him.
Stealth still at 21, last try at Perception:
This is unbelievable.
If I still don't find anything, I'm reporting back to the group.
Garavel stares of into the woods in disbelief after receiving the message from Raulzig then he mumbles something quietly to himself before turning and speaking to the others"Raulzig has found us a fresh kill, our hyena friends though he cannot identify the cause or what could have killed them they bear no sign of blow that could have been there death either way we'd best be careful it could strike at any moment once our gnome returns I think it is best that we scout the woods and eliminate the threat or stand guard for the night though I doubt we would find any sleep knowing that danger lurks nearby, it's your call"Garavel waits for the party to decide on there best course of action and waits for Raulzigs return.
perception to notice messages:
"I agree." says Hav'k and then begins to look for tracks.
Survival:
edit:
I would rather fight. Whatever is out there KNOWS we're here already. If it is Gnolls, they have the advantage away from the light, they can see in the dark, we cannot. So search or guard, the lights stay up. But maybe on a immobile object so the shadows aren't constantly moving. Priest, Can you light up a high point hear in the camp? It can illuminate a fighting area and allow us to move freely without the light changing
"Gnolls, Gnolls do not hunt Hyenas they work with them sort of speak whatever it is we are dealing with here has great stealth for it left behind no tracks nor any marks on its kill nor did it feast on the hyena. Any ideas as to what we are dealing with?"says Garavel trying to come to some conclusion as to what it is.
Samuel stays near the source of the light, his ranged weapon ready.
Urdaan leans down to examine the kill, then goes to assist H'vok in seeking tracks.
Survival
K.Nature
"From what I could tell, what ever this was went south from here, maybe southeast. If we choose to pursue, that would be the most likely direction."
So we have a dead Hyena, and no tracks? I can spot no animal sign around the camp and I'm pretty good with that stuff. What about something that flies? In that case we should probably stay with the trees, they will give us some cover against an airborne threat. We should maybe pull back to camp a double the watch. Me and Urdan could pull a double shift, the casters need sleep yes?
With that, Calain shethes his Nodachi on his back and pulls a sharpend metal chakram from his belt and Scans the sky and trees around the camp(what little he can see at night)
"Perhaps it was a Geier have heard there's been sightings of them in this area if so they are very dangerous and protective of there nest perhaps the hyena just got to close"Garavel adds "I say that it is best if we search for our beasty would make me feel a lot better knowing what it is"Garavel then looks near the camp for any such tracks or sign of danger not wanting to stray to far away from the whole of the group.
Of course. Damn big Vultures. The little pathfinder should remain weary, lest he be carried off as a snack
I would rather fight. Whatever is out there KNOWS we're here already. If it is Gnolls, they have the advantage away from the light, they can see in the dark, we cannot. So search or guard, the lights stay up. But maybe on a immobile object so the shadows aren't constantly moving. Priest, Can you light up a high point hear in the camp? It can illuminate a fighting area and allow us to move freely without the light changing
"I can, but your armor will lose its shine if I do. I will trust your expertise, but let us decide an approach and follow it closely. We will not last long governed by wild instinct."
So we have a dead Hyena, and no tracks? I can spot no animal sign around the camp and I'm pretty good with that stuff. What about something that flies? In that case we should probably stay with the trees, they will give us some cover against an airborne threat. We should maybe pull back to camp a double the watch. Me and Urdan could pull a double shift, the casters need sleep yes?
K. Nature
Urdaan nods in agreement. "While I understand your concern, Garavel, stalking out in the open after an airborn predator does put us at a disadvantage. Calain's suggestion that we keep under the trees to keep cover from the air is sound, and I am also willing to take on a double watch for the night." Glancing down, he adds "I'd also move the creature's kill further outside the grove. Give it less reason to attack a secure campsite." Unless someone else objects, Urdaan hefts the carcass out to the edge of the grove and leaves it.
Raulzig emerges from the trees, wide-eyed. As he comes closer to the group he tells of his findings:
"I found a hyena corpse - that must have been the one that woke us up. There weren't any signs of whatever attacked it, only some small claw marks on its back, but they didn't look deadly. Whatever has killed it did it without a struggle. It could have been a poisonous snake or insect. I have also read about bats which attack animals and drink their blood; but I don't know if they exist in this region.
I investigated the area around the corpse but didn't find anything. I also created an illusion of another hyena to try and lure the attacker into striking again, but to no avail. It could have fled the area, or maybe it's just not hungry anymore.
Anyway, it seems like my stealth approach didn't give us much; I think it's better to do what Garavel proposes and sweep the woods together, with light and noise. If we don't find the attacker, we can then be reasonably sure it escaped the forest, and get back to our sleep."
Actually Pathfinder I believe you may have confirmed the vulture. I think some large types of bird carry prey up high and drop them. That would explain the lack of tracks and lack of wounds.
"Either way, I suspect that chasing it's killer out in the open in the middle of the night is not to our advantage."
"Perhaps it was a Geier have heard there's been sightings of them in this area if so they are very dangerous and protective of there nest perhaps the hyena just got to close"Garavel adds "I say that it is best if we search for our beasty would make me feel a lot better knowing what it is"Garavel then looks near the camp for any such tracks or sign of danger not wanting to stray to far away from the whole of the group.
** spoiler omitted **
knowledge nature:
"A geier, what is that?"
Garavel continues to listen to the party while he wanders aimlessly around the camp"Perhaps sweeping the grove is not the best plan however it is best if we do something to guarantee our safety this night..."Garavel is interrupted by the whimpering of a dog of sorts coming from very close to the camp."Perhaps it has found us"Garavel draws his sword and slowly move in the direction of the sound."Coming? may need some backup if this is indeed our strange killer"Garavel barks back at the group.
Pashaj takes a deep breath to center himself.
Raulzig readies his crossbow and follows 20ft behind Garavel and a bit to his right.
Sameul follows, staying near a light source if possible.
Garavel leads the party several feet into the Grove before the now smell of blood assails your nostrils Garavel quickly notices the scent and brings his torch down to the ground to see if he can find the source the light from the torch reveals a trail of blood witch continues on to the SE "Blood and lots of it may be dangerous to follow the trail but I am curious as to what is happening here" Garavel kneels down for further examination.
Hav'k brings his scorpion with him, and pulls out his sling.
Garavel, you should let me lead. You're paying me to kill things and I'm gonna have trouble with that if you're between me and what needs killing.
I can follow a trail.
Calain puts away his Chakram and draws his Naodachi and assumes front position in line.
Pashaj assumes a place right behind Calain and follows without a word.
Urdaan looks to Calain as he strides forward, and wit ha nod, falls into a rearguard position behind Garavel, Samuel and Raulzig, quietly watching for a second attack from the flanks.
Samuel sticks to the middle of the group, crossbow loaded and ready.
The party and Garavel follow the trail in respective order down to the SE the trail goes far but the blood trail begins to thin as you near the SE end of the grove until it stops nothing no body or more blood. Garavel flails his Torch around in an attempt to find some other trail around or near them. "Strange that it suddenly ends here perhaps our killer is can fly or perhaps its just my eyes someone look around there must be something to be found here"
Raulzig checks the skies above, the tree canopies, and finally the earth where the blood trail ends.
Thinking something might be afoul, he tries to detect a presence of abnormal magical energies.
Perception -
Perception