Perception
"I'd like to drive them off if can, but usually, once they've finally found a meal the vultures are loathe to give them up without very good reason.
I'm fine with trying to drive them away with ranged attacks, but we may want to stay back as much as possible when we do. They're not the brightest creatures, and might get confused."
After a night on the ground Eli's mood hasn't changed much from the afternoon prior. It is obvious that he is not used to overland travel, but he is eager to help break camp and aid in anyway possible. As the party travels he remains mostly quiet probably because of the discomfort his city born body is enduring from the excessive riding, but he never complains. Wiping the sweat from his brow he watches the vultures and says, "I'm not sure how effective my rapier will be against the birds so if someone needs to tend to the camels while the others inspect the situation, I can do that."
We cannot allow those remains to be picked away by a pack of vultures! They need to be examined and burried with appropriate rites.
I have a plan...
Maybe we can approach them swiftly in a column - two abreast, yelling at them in an intimidating way. Kyra and I can lead the way with loud shouts. The camels will follow with Garavel and Eli riding the first two and trailing the others behind. Right behind them will be Javra and Dumah on foot.
If the birds are spooked and take off....that will be good...but not likely.
If they attack us Garavel and Eli will split up and ride out to a distant flanking position . As soon as a path of fire is cleared before them, Javra and Dumah will emerge and we will all fire a barrage of whatever we can shoot into the throng. Fire will intimidate them. Quzman can stay back and shoot arrows from range or charge in if he sees fit
Eli and Garavel can ride the camels around in a merry chase trying to taunt them and confuse them.
How does that sound?
Garavel, is there anything you would do or say to this plan?
If our guides believe it worthwhile I have a Sleep spell I can cast. I would have to be within a hundred feet of them, but it most likely would drop all of them for a minute or so. Are we concerned they may turn on us?
Maybe my plan is a bit elaborate. I know little about these creatures in the desert. I take it they are dangerous? Does anybody know more about them?
Dropping them all with a Sleep spell might be just the right thing. Would it give us time to tie them down- or would we have to slaughter as many as we can?
"Maybe they are just eating, well, a desert animal that died, or maybe what's left of a gnoll. If that's what is going on, maybe Dumah could just put them to sleep and let them go back to eating after we check, if that's the case," Jarva suggested to the group.
How is this for a revised plan? It is a more merciful one.
We approach quietly to within 100'. The mage casts his Sleep spell. We charge in and have a look around. If necessary we can knock out as many birds as we can. I am skilled at the art of the Merciful Blade - I can fight well with the flat of my blade. If they awaken and things get out of hand Dumah will call out and we will all rush out of the way so he can roast them.
Garavel can run the camels around the merry go round as we take control of the scene.
How does that sound?
Garavel has been hearing your suggestions to date. He speaks: "It seems we have to deal with the first set of vultures before dealing with the second. Perhaps the mage's spell can take out 8 vultures, but I count at least 20 up on that hill. Does the Sand Whisperer have any magic to spook or scare off those, since he can manipulate the sand? If not, then fire may seem to be the best suggestion. I have ridden plenty of camels so I can ride them about, if that's what you need me to do."
Our Rangers will have more to say I think but where there is a horse there is usually a rider. And where there are remains of a horse there are usually remains or signs of a rider. If there are remains of a Gnoll we definitely need to see them
And the carrion must be somewhat fresh or it would have been picked to oblivion long ago. There is a story in those remains - there must be. And we need to gather as much intellgence as we can for our mission.
The fact that the horse is half buried is unusual. What buried it?
We need to know these things. We are not going to let a bunch of birds stop us are we?
If Dumah uses sleep, I think the it should be used on the larger mound first so as to maximise it's effect.
"Sorry, Garavel. I, I don't think I can help right now. I could catch all the birds with the sand, but the problem is, uh, no one else could get close enough to investigate without maybe being caught as well. But if they were to attack, I could catch a bunch of them, so long as we aren't among them. I think putting the closest group to sleep is the best, you know, option," he says shaking his head as he explained why his Entangle spell wouldn't be an option now.
Garavel looks confused. "We don't want to capture the birds, son, we want to drive them off. Will your magic accomplish that? If so, can't we investigate after they've left?"
Jarva realized that Garavel was giving him a test, and perhaps wanting him to show his sand ability to the others in the group. Jarva had not wanted to put himself in the spotlight this early, but like it or not, he was there. He takes a deep breath. "I can drive most of them off, but a few will no doubt be caught by the sand. Perhaps Dumah can put the ones entangled to sleep and we can be in and out before the others return." If anyone pays close attention to the druid, after deciding to use his powers he was much more forceful and assertive in his speech and actions.
Quzman turns towards Jarva, "That sounds like a solid plan Jarva. I can also harry any that may end up free and aggressive with a few arrows."
Quzman will step down off of his camel and pull out his bow and knock an arrow. "I am ready when the rest are."
Jarva confidently strides forth, bends down and clasps sand in both his hands. He then begins to intone words of magic, releasing the sand through his fingertips as he speaks, and swaying his arms back and forth. The sand, however, does not fall to the ground but instead swirls around Jarva's body. When the final word of magic is spoken, an 80' diameter circle of an area is suddenly engulfed by talons of sand erupting from the ground, trying to grasp both huddles of vultures. The birds gawk in terror as the ground comes alive, futilely trying to peck at the sand. When they realize this is ineffective, they drop their food and immediately take to the air for safety. The lucky ones evade the talons and fly away post haste. The unlucky ones struggle to break free from the talons, spreading their wings in an effort to flee and join their flock. Talons in the sand continue to search for new victims like sharks in the water.
Jarva looks at his work in admiration. When he glances back at the party, he sees Garavel's face white in shock. He hears him mutter"In all my years......by the gods, this child is blessed!"
"Dumah, please prepare to cast your Sleep incantation. Let me know when you are ready, and I will force the sand to stop churning," Jarva says without so much as looking at his group mates, keeping his attention focused solely on the vultures caught by his magics.
Dumah stoops down and scoops up a palm full of sand. I am ready. If need be, I could possibly call on the spell again. Duman casts when cued.
"Be ready. If they do not scatter, please take care of as many as you can. I am releasing them....now!" Jarva waits until his compatriot is fully prepared to handle the effects of the spell being dismissed.
With their readied actions, Jarva releases the spell, while Dumah intones arcane language and traces in the air with his finger, pointing at the area on the hill, where the largest concentration of vultures (8) in total are entangled. Of those 8 birds, four fall down to the ground asleep upon the the casting of the spell. The other four vultures, as well as the four previously entangled at the site of the horse's body, immediately bolt for the skies and freedom once the spell is dismissed. You see them fly into the sky heading west at a brisk pace. You believe they will not bother you for some time.
You hear a clapping sound from behind. "Great teamwork there, managed to spook those birds away without any injuries", says Garavel, even though the shock on his face from Jarva's casting is still evident.
"Well I guess we can go ahead and see, you know, what is up there now," Jarva mutters, feeling Garavel's eyes on him the entire time. He waited for the team and began walking toward the closest area where the vultures had gathered.
As you investigate the first site, you see the corpse of a half-eaten riding horse missing its eyes, half-buried in the sand. .
Perception
Heal
Know. Geography
Jarva looked at the scene closely. "Someone cut up this horse pretty badly...looks like they used some sort of curved blade like a, you know, kukri or a scimitar. Sand's just about hidden it, but it looks like it's been here for a day or so. Still has some of a, um, harness on it," Jarva describes after looking at the scene laid out in front of him.
Geography:
Heal
Eli covers his mouth and nose in a futile attempt to block the odor of decay. "Well obviously this was a domesticated animal attacked by an organized foe. I wonder where the rider went?" Eli starts to move around the corpse shuffling the sand to see if anything, or anyone else is has been buried by the sand and wind.
You do not find a rider buried in the sand. However, both Eli and Jarva realize as they look closer at the scene that the straps of the harness look like they were forcefully torn, not cut. Harness looks like this: Harness
"It seems to me this horse was pulling something and must have torn free of its burden. I wonder if there is a wagon or carriage up where the larger flock of vultures was feasting?" Eli heads up the hill to see what is there.
Perception
Heal
Knowledge Geography
Kyra is a little too stunned with Jarvals performance with the sand and fails to notice anything. Fortunately the others explain it to her.
"Hmm ... if it was attacked and fled ... I think your guess is accurate enough Eli."
"Let's go check it out ..."
The smell of decay is overpowering as you trek up the hill and you're forced to cover your noses. As you reach the top, you see the bodies of 4 rotting human corpses lying next to each other in a circle, surrounded by flies and maggots. The bodies are missing their eyes and most of their extremities. Jarva and Brebork realize that they have been dead the same amount of time as the horse. The bodies also have similar wounds as the horse. Beyond the bodies, you see pieces of a cart strewn about with a snapped harness attached to it.
Kyra is overwhelmed by the odor of decay, fervently hoping this isn't the trader.
Since she has not seen any other travelers since they left Solku ... there can probably be no doubt.
"Does anyone recognize the .. erm .. remains ?"
Eli mutters a prayer to the gods, and says "It's the merchant and his sons, that one has the scar Raza described. They didn't even stand a chance, look at their swords...no blood. Why would anyone want to smash the cart apart? I'd have thought it useful for transporting goods, or water out here." Eli stoops down and gathers up the coin purse and any coins he can find as well as the short swords and ties them into a bundle. "We should return these to the ladies at the well, they will need the money and they can sell the blades."
Perception
Know.Nature
Jarva nodded at Eli's grim assessment. "Yep," was all he could mutter. The only thing Jarva could have added was that coyotes had been gnawing on the corpses, but didn't see how that would add anything at that moment in time. He would just make sure there were at least two people on watch at night from now on.
Perception
Know Nature:
Brebork excavates around the cart and the horse..looking inside and around it for any more clues.
Once our investigation of the scene is complete Brebork solemnly speaks of the dead...
We cannot take the bodies with us, nor do we have sufficient fuel to cremate them. Do we have a shovel to dig a burial plot? ...I think not. Let us then perform what rites we can for the departed and erect a marker. The desert will take what is left of their remains. I know a rite we use which may suffice under the circumstances.
With his keen eyesight, Jarva spots a metal shard lodged in the wood of the cart, perhaps from the weapon used to hack it. The metal appears oxidized and rusted.
Garavel, who has remained at some distance with the camels, due to the smell and uneasiness of the mounts, advises the party he brought a shovel, in case the party needs it. It is on the supply camel.
"Couldn't you summon up some of your magical fire? I'd not like the vultures to desecrate them more than they already have." Then as Garavel mentions the shovel he says, "Then we can at least bury them." Eli will go and get the tool from the pack animal and start to shift the sand and form a makeshift grave site.
Jarva points out the oxidized metal shard in the cart to the rest of the group. "I doubt the metal would have, ah, rusted within a day, so I'd guess someone was using pretty rusty weeapons to attack. Doesn't make any sense as to why they would leave the shiny new shortswords behind, though."
As the others inspect the scene, Brebork will begin digging and preparing the funereal rites.
Responding gravely to Eli, "I could summon fire to start a great blaze, but I do not wield enough power for this task. it requires a great pyre with much fuel to sustain enough flame to cremate a body. It is indeed a good thing that Garavel is prepared. Clearly a shovel is a tool one must have when travelling in the desert...and not just to dig graves"
I agree. I'm not sure my fires could finish the job, and so I wouldn't want to start it. But I am more than willing to take my turn preparing their resting place unless Jarva can make the sands take them under.
Eli will take turns digging with Brebork and Dumah to help finish this ghastly task quickly. "May Cayden Cailean watch over our journey so that we don't need to use this shovel to dig graves for each other, right friends?"
"Preparation is key, Brebork", says Garavel from his seat atop the camel. "After all, how was I going to dig the holes for my tent pegs without a shovel?" Garavel smiles but it vanishes from his face, as soon as he hears Eli's remarks. "Yes, pray to your gods, we do not share this merchant and his sons' fates."
"I'm sorry, but I can only stir the sand once today. But, I've, uh, got a strong back and can help dig, though," the druid offer helpfully.