The cub walks over to Echane and says, "Why are they here? Humans never come to home before."
Shi'Vatha lets Echane deal with the cub, only whispering to him. "Stay here, be stealthy, listen to others." He whispers anything he notices about the group to the others, then prepares to sneak out to try to get behind the group so they don't know where he came from.
"They were scared of your parents before, young one. Now that fear has turned. I will help the others keep you safe though."
Shi'Vatha waits until it's dusk outside then, humans tend to make camp as dusk hits, so they should be making a camp. He'll keep an eye out from the cave to make sure they do. Once dark, he'll sneak out and sneak up to where they are camping and listen to see if he can overhear what they are doing here.
Actually, they don't make camp, at least, not in the time that you are expecting. They seem to be wandering back and forth. As the light from the sun fades, you reach the point where only the torches are easily seen. Finally, someone gets brave (or foolhardy) enough to shout,
"Where are you foul beasts hiding!!" At this point, they are maybe 100 yards from where you and Selene found the trailhead to climb up to the cave. It is still clear that they have not found anything to lead them directly to you. Also, the now night skies have clouded up a bit, making it even harder for them to find a trail. However, they don't seem willing (at least not yet) to give up in their searching.
Shi circles around them, trying to get good looks to see if he recognizes any of them. Given they are carrying torches and making idiots of themselves by lighting their faces in the dark, he should get good looks at faces.
Once on the opposite side of them, he get's about 50 ft away and calls out. "You'll need to be more specific. There's a ton of foul beasts out here. I saw a really nasty deer awhile ago, I think it had the mange. There was a pretty foul looking badger too, at least, it looked like it had a foul mood. Then again, there was that eagle that tried to peck my eyes out, he was pretty fowl as well."
Felicity whispers to everyone else. Now would be the time to leave, before they grow accustomed to the dark. I'll take point if you want to manage the cub.
Shi circles around them, trying to get good looks to see if he recognizes any of them. Given they are carrying torches and making idiots of themselves by lighting their faces in the dark, he should get good looks at faces.
Once on the opposite side of them, he get's about 50 ft away and calls out. "You'll need to be more specific. There's a ton of foul beasts out here. I saw a really nasty deer awhile ago, I think it had the mange. There was a pretty foul looking badger too, at least, it looked like it had a foul mood. Then again, there was that eagle that tried to peck my eyes out, he was pretty fowl as well."
[dice=Perception]1d20+13
When you speak, you hear gasps from the crowd of people, some of them saying things like What is that thing, or Is that the manticore? Several men get their pitchforks ready, when you see Corian step out from the crowd.
"My gods, man. Are you alright?"
Shi'Vatha's head tilt's sideways. "You are quite sure you want body guards? You seem to be intent on placing yourself in unnecessary danger." The Eidelon says with a chuff. "I am fine, the situation has been handled. Why are you here with this mob?" Shi'Vatha moves closer to the group, but still stays at least 35 feet away.
Looking back at the crowd, Corian says, "That drunk at the bar has riled up half the town, or at least a significant portion of it. When it was noticed that you and the rest had gone out a couple of days ago and never returned, well..."
You notice that Nijena haas stepped out from the crowd as well, looking a little nervous. The crowd itself seems confused at this point; you're not killing anyone. Isn't that what monsters are supposed to do?
Felicity whispers to everyone else. Now would be the time to leave, before they grow accustomed to the dark. I'll take point if you want to manage the cub.
The cub looks at you and says, "Where do we go? Why not stay and fight them? They don't look so tough."
Shi'Vatha snorts. "It's a two day trip for most of the people in our party. We've only been gone four days. Nobody should have expected us back for at least a week, possibly two." He makes a shooing motion at the people. "We are all fine, the situation with the Mandy Core has been dealt with. We are all fine, except for our hunter, who disappeared on us while hunting for food yesterday. If you would truly help, you could help us find him, he may be hurt in the woods. It's dark though. I will show you a good camping spot we used a few days ago near here. Tomorrow, when you can all see, you can help us find our missing grippli hunter. Then you can go home where it's safe." He half expects them to mostly go home in the morning, rather than help find the Grippli. He looks at Nijene. "You're good with people, cleric. Explain to them the situation is resolved, and there is no reason to risk their lives stumbling around in the dark. They might wake up a bear and be eaten if they don't camp."
Corian looks over to the cleric and says to her "You explain to them that Shi' here is friendly, and I'll start maneuvering them away."
He then turns back to Corian and whispers, "Is the manticore around here, or did it leave?"
Felicity turns to address the Manticore as she shepherds it into the brush, Killing them would be wrong, they seek only to protect their family, much as we seek to protect you.
Corian looks over to the cleric and says to her "You explain to them that Shi' here is friendly, and I'll start maneuvering them away."
He then turns back to Corian and whispers, "Is the manticore around here, or did it leave?"
Nijena shouts. Her words attract the crowd's attention and the talking ceases for a moment.
Pointing to Shi', Nijena continues. "This is our friend, Shi'Vatha. He will not harm you; he is not a manticore. He's on our side.
The crowd mumbles for a moment, processing the information. There seems to be a sense of relief from the crowd. That is, until you see someone stumble forward. It is the drunk from the bar. He is carrying a jug in one hand, and a rusty sword in another. Squinting in the poor light, he says, "No, I thing *hic* das' the mandycore. Is even go' the wings!!" He brandishes his sword, ready to yell.
Shi steps up to the drunk, and puts up a hand toward the rest of the crowd. "You idiot, I'm the one who sobered you up at the bar! I'm also the one who picked you up off your feet and held you until you stopped pissing your pants. I even got someone to clean you up afterwards, and then I talked everyone into coming out here to help you!" Shi let's his halo glow, shedding dim light in the darkness as it floats over his head. "I am no Mandy Core, I am a Celestial Spirit! A warrior for good and right! And you would turn on one who helped you? The only one to listen to a drunken sot?" He lets his voice rise as he stalks forward toward the man, ensuring the entire group can hear. "Woe be it unto the mortal if thou attack a Celestial Spirit! Thy afterlife shall be one of cold comfort, with such a sin on thy soul!" Shi then repeats the admonishment in Celestial, letting the assembled group hear the glorious language of the Heavens. "Now drop they sword, miserable wretch, and plead with whatever god thou dost worship to forgive you!"
Upon hearing the epitaph, the drunken man falls to his knees, dropping his sword, and begins confessing. He blubbers about hitting his wife with the bow, and causing their family to perish. He even confesses to hating the manticore, not for carrying off his wife and son, but for making him look like a coward. The blubbering goes on for several minutes .
The crowd is similarly awed when you begin to speak in Celestial; most of them drop their improvised weapons (but not their torches) and begin prostrating themselves in whatever religion they most closely follow. From the way they are acting, you gather that there is likely another priest or cleric in the nearby town that can speak in the 'tongues,' likely during special services or something similar.
Corian is surprised by this; it's likely given his training that he understood at least some of the words that you spoke. It is Nijena, however, who has the most profound effect upon you. As you begin to glow, her eyes widen and her jaw drops. Then, you see that her eyes begin to glow, an almost unnatural soft blue. You also see a faint image of angelic wings form behind her as her body begins to glow as well. Nijena bows her head at you, then speaks in Celestial herself.
Shi'Vatha bows to Nijena.
"I am Seeker of Evil, Formerly Warden Archon of the 7th Tome Zaphkiel, Formerly Summoned Servant of She who Shall No Longer Be Named, and now lowly servant to the Church of Muir."
Shi'Vatha grins and his halo fades away again, and he lolls his tongue out in amusement. "I find, though it may be blasphemous, that I much more enjoy doing with a fraction of my former power, rather than watching with vast but unused power." He tells Nijena, and then looks at the man with a sigh. "I had hoped that he was not as worthless as I feared, but my worst fears are true. Not that the Mandy Core was blameless. A coward and a fool meet, and others die because of it. The child no doubt at least deserved better." He sighs. "I can not find it in me to recompense him for his lost family. And yet, there is none other who deserve it. I confess I am unsure what to do with him." Looking past the blubbering man (whom Shi'Vatha does not stop from confessing his every sin, such is good for the soul, and the man's soul needs much cleansing). "Now come, peacefully, and follow me. I will show you where to camp, and you can go home safely in the morning, none the worse for being led out here by the drunkard."
After some hesitation on the crowd's part, they begin to move and follow you. Nijena and Corian follow you on either side, occasionally glancing back to make sure that there are no stragglers. It takes awhile, but with your help, everyone gets bivouacked for the night.
Ethane will pet the cub' snack, hoping he will calm down and stay here instead of moving out of the cave's safety.
Felicity has been busy talking to the cub, trying to convince him to remain hidden out out of sight.
The rest of the night can go uneventfully. The few predators that might have been in the area are wary of so many humans around.
Shi'Vatha will alternate the night between standing watch over the humans, and checking in with the folks in the cave (taking long circuitous routes to make sure he's not followed). So the cave folks will know what is going on.
Shi'Vatha sighs, and then sneaks off toward the Orcs. He sneaks behind them, and then starts throwing pine cones.
edit : Sorry, was busy at work. Shi'Vatha does this from 70 ft away and yells things at the orcs, then runs, getting them to chase him. He makes as much noise as possible, to wake up everyone.
"Get down." She tells the cub, crouching and keeping a hand on it in the hopes it stays. "Those humanoids are too dangerous for us right now."
Oblivious to the threat, Felicity continues her recharge cycle.
Shi'Vatha sighs, and then sneaks off toward the Orcs. He sneaks behind them, and then starts throwing pine cones.
edit : Sorry, was busy at work. Shi'Vatha does this from 70 ft away and yells things at the orcs, then runs, getting them to chase him. He makes as much noise as possible, to wake up everyone.
OK, they do start to chase you, at a distance of 70 feet to start with. What do you do next?
@Echane: You see something distracting the orcs, and they start to run off. What do you plan to do?
@Felicity and Selene: With Echane heading out, the cub is giving you both a contemplative glance...and is slowly edging towards the cave opening (he thinks he is being much more stealthy than he really is...youth!). What are you two doing?
Seeing the cub trying to leave the cave, Felicity moves over to stand in front of him, whispering a warning. Don't try to fight them, nothing good will come of unneeded violence. Better to remain safely hidden until Mandy returns.
Selene appears out of the shadows at the cave entrance. "Best remain inside. If the humans see you, then all this will be for naught. Let the others deal with this particular problem."
Shi will lead them a merry chase, making as much noise as possible. He also fling out insults about their penis size, for the male ones. He'll stay just far enough ahead of them that they can't close in one double move.
"Be it known by all creatures great and small, I, Seeker of Evil, have found Evil!" <hurl insult at orcs> "Be it known that they are weak and cowardly evil, and should be purged!" <hurl insult at orcs> " Be it known I am leading them around by their pig noses and would find it very useful if all the humans were ready to ambush them when we come through the clearing the humans are in!" <hurl insult at orcs> "I'm leading them to come around from the south!"
Selene appears out of the shadows at the cave entrance. "Best remain inside. If the humans see you, then all this will be for naught. Let the others deal with this particular problem."
The cub sees that you are on to him (how?) and says "Aww, come on. I just want to see them."
Shi will lead them a merry chase, making as much noise as possible. He also fling out insults about their penis size, for the male ones. He'll stay just far enough ahead of them that they can't close in one double move.
** spoiler omitted **
Corian and Nijena both here you and they have the humans prepared (such as they are; it's about 15 pitchforks, 9 short swords, and 24 daggers) as you bring the orcs around. To save the rolls , suffice it to say that 4 orcs are not much of a match for roughly 2 dozen lightly armed humans (and 3 PC's).
After a few minutes, the battle is over. The orcs are dead, along with 2 of the humans. Nijena is doing what she can with the rest of the wounded (14 in all)
Shi'Vatha doesn't claim any of the spoils, the towns folk did the hard work, and lost friends. Once morning comes, Shi will ask them to go back to town before someone else get's hurt, while he looks for the missing ranger...
Everyone make a Perception check...
After on uneasy night, Felicity awakens to greet the dawn.
Once the townsfolk leave, Shi will return to the cave, and go over tactics with the cub. Make sure the cub understood how the orcs were led into a trap, how it kept losses to a minimum, and how the orcs, who were individually powerful, were still overcome by unarmored and lightly armored people.
By the end of it, the cub should have a newfound respect for (A) humans, (B) crowds, (C) tactics, (D) his own easy death if he's not smart.