Renia nods at Beorn. "I could drag it around but it would take a while to get anywhere. I guess we'll deal with it later. Lets go find this guy."
Let's go!
With the 'hide from undead spell' Orchen is able to fully focus on the trail. After an hour he stops sniffs around and then howls before charging into the tall grass. Two hours later Orchen is still on the trail and luckily there is nearly no undead around as you see a campfire with several wagons around it.
They tell you about the centaurs that have been bugging them but just a few hours ago a ghast or ghoul of some kind was spotted as whe shot at it, it circumventing us. Then a winged human of some sort flew down and picked up the undead.
Beorn presses to follow Orchen as quickly as possible while keeping the group together. He has his bow out and stops periodically to confirm the trail Orchen is following.
”Gentlemen, I think we need someone or a pair of us to approach the wagons openly. The others could stay back in case the meeting goes south. Not to be deceptive just to be cautious. I’d recommend i stay back with my bow as I can reach out and touch someone if it does get hot.”
I'll stay back, too. I can do some blasting if it comes to that.
Yes, you need better armor, but we can't do that now. Just try to talk to these people and see what you can learn. Take someone with you. We'll be right here with the backup, the halfling says to Loarin.
Rouqar openly approaches with Loarin. "And I follow Cayden Cailean. We seek only to destroy undead. For the living we seek peace."
As they approach the strangers, Renia shifts down out of his black carapace and into his more approachable red-haired appearance. He smiles at the people around the campfire. "It's dangerous out here. Aren't you worried about the undead?"
As you get closer you notice there is no people or animals around. You hear movement but don't see anything. Once the three of you get within 15 feet of the wagons the invisibility spell fails and you see about two dozen folks with arrows, bolts, and such aimed at you. A female voice comes from the group, "as you can tell we are well prepared. These are trying lands, our settlement was overran by a horde. Come have a seat around the fire or ask your questions where you stand."
The female leader in a chain shirt and blue clothing, motions for the others to be at ease, most stow their weapons and return to camp life. The present guards begin to move about with three of them remaining vigilant facing your group.
With a smile on her face she waves to you and greets you with a handshake, "Welcome I am Clarissa and we are the refugees from a mining expedition. Come have some tea, wine, or ale with us."
|
Warmly without the nervousness of so many projectiles aimed at him he responds, "It is nice to meet you Clarissa, I am Loarin Valeguard. Thank you for this kindness. I am sure some of our number will join as well as the others continue on the trail. There are six of us not including the dog or roc."
Rouqar moves with Loarin. "Thank you for accepting us. I am Rouqar Surtova from Port Ice. You say that you were overrun by a horde of undead. Which way did they go? We destroyed many back the way that we came from, but there are still many of the mindless ones there. We are tracking others that are not mindless. Creatures that direct the mindless ones. We plan to return and destroy the weak ones afterwards."
Beorn steps into the light, his bow in hand but no arrow nocked. He waves in salute to the those assembled, "How do you do?" he says. Then he looks to the skies, "Reaper, find a tree."
Renia just shakes his head at Loarin's suggestion, not wanting to go off by himself in the dark with a horde of undead harassing the countryside. The red haired half-elf steps forward with his enormous dog, a friendly smile on his lips. "Always glad to find friendly travelers on the road. You never know how people are going to react when you say hello."
He gestures at Rouqar. "Sorry to hear about your settlement. Hopefully we can help. What direction did you come from?"
"We are from a rather well protected settlement to the south. Once we turn back that way you could join us." Beorn offers looking about the camp.
Thank you for the hospitality, he says to the boss lady.
She simply relays, "We came from the East. Which way did the horde go? We don't know. Seeing the several hundred horde we quickly made it to the wagons and set out West. A good portion of them followed us but we used our ranged counter measures to trip them up. That is a good offer to clear any undead. It may have helped us in the past if such a group went out to clear them."
The guards nod and wave to Beorn.
Responding to Renia she and many of the others nod their heads, "Yes indeed it is always good to find friendly travelers on the road. Oh we know and so do you! Yes if you think you can take on the undead horde of catfolk and centaurs. That would be appreciated and we could possibly get back into the mine sooner than later."
She shakes her head slowly putting emphasis on her words, "There is no settlement to the south. There is the Valley of the Dead, the Tors of Leveni, and the few remaining tribes of centaurs. We are in the Nomen Heights. The only actual city is Varnhold, I am assuming you came from there."
In response to Flouncy, "Any time! Any time."
The tracks you were following could have gone into the camp, to the side, or around.
"To be clear, we are from Castle Khorvian and you guys are welcome to accompany us back there. However, we have a fugitive to run down. Speaking of that, did anyone else enter your camp before we arrived?" After we get a response. "Renia, we'll need to search all around the exterior of the camp to see if Orchen can pick up the trail again."
Flouncy pays attention to the answer to Beorn's question.
Renia nods at Beorn. "Soon as we're done talking to our new friends."
"To be clear, we are from Castle Khorvian and you guys are welcome to accompany us back there. However, we have a fugitive to run down. Speaking of that, did anyone else enter your camp before we arrived?" After we get a response. "Renia, we'll need to search all around the exterior of the camp to see if Orchen can pick up the trail again."
Her demeanor changes to that of urgency looking to her people, "No you are the first person or thing to approach the wagons. It could be hiding. Everyone quick take a look for something out of place!"
After ten minutes of searching, they come up with nothing. Sitting down again she states, "It must have circumvented our camp."
----
When you decide to pick up the trail again Orchen smells around, goes one way, then another, it whines unable to get a clear read.
The wind whispers through the encampment bringing a chill. Many of them get closer to each other, throw on a blanket, or get closer to the fire.
Beorn circles the wagons as Orchen does searching for any sign of passage.
Renia encourages the big dog to keep looking. "Come on, boy, you can find it."
A bit disturbed to have lost the track Rouqar joins Beorn to help search for tracks.
He finally picks up on the trail and heads out to the West.
Seeing the critter hit the trail, Flouncy is relieved.
Beorn! Can we get the bird involved?
"Of course," Beorn says and then whistles for Reaper. "Let's go look for anything skulking about my friend." With that, Beorn mounts and he and Reaper push off for the sky.
Renia puts his game face on and follows his big buddy.
Flouncy, too.
Renia takes on his combat form and follows the dog. Flouncy and Beorn mount Reaper.
The conversation has died down but the leader looks to Rouqar, "So do you think you would be willing to clear our encampment and the silver mine of most undead?"
Rouqar considers, then replies. "Of course. Once we deal with this creature we will return and get the details. Undead are an abomination that should all be destroyed!"
He follows the group hoping that they can catch up with their enemy quickly.
Beorn will direct Reaper into a circular sweep of the camp slowly working his way out in ever widening circles. If Orchen begins to bay as if he has found the trail then I will have Reaper fly in that direction.
Soon Reaper sees a figure heading Southwards.
"I've got eyes on!" Beorn calls out and directs Reaper to follow the figure.
Reaper easily catches up to the man and keeps at an altitude of 100 feet above the moving figure.
Once we have caught up to him, Beorn sends Reaper into a dive. Reaper will try to grab and pin the man to the ground.
The thing strikes Reaper back!