The mercenaries pack the camp with help from the refuges and the group gets moving again towards the village. The group moves slowly however as most of the survivors from the cave are in bad shape and since the mercenaries didn't bring enough food for everyone they need to hunt along the way. They ask if any of you can help with this.
Along the way you notice movements in the woods at several moments. Wolves, a talzwyrm and even a harpy spy on the group but they keep their distance not attacking such a large group and leave after a short while.
Night comes again and once again the mercenaries make camp. It seems unlikely you will make it to the village before dark tomorrow. At this rate you will arrive at the logging camp on the edge of the forest around nightfall.
Bleyz admits, "I'm not much of a hunter, but I will do the best i can to assist." He takes his sling and tries to bring down some small game for inclusion in a stew of some kind.
Looks like he has good luck and brings back 4 large rabbits for the pot.
Erik lends a hand foraging.
Even in his weakened state finding food in the wild comes easily to him.
Lysander also moves into the forests to either side, easily slipping through the trees and hunting game while remaining quiet and unseen.
Lysander, Erik and Bleyz manage to gather enough food to feed most of the survivors cook it and manage to spread among the hungriest among them.
Lysander forgoes his portion, giving half to Erik and half to the girl. "I don't need to eat yet. I'll be fine." He presses on, bow drawn and arrow at the ready, but looks to Achren. "Not a poor suggestion. Who's to carry the girl, then?"
"The creatures of the wood watch us. I am not sure we will be safe in such a small group. Still, I am not sure I will be worth much in a fight either if we delay too long."
"I think we should stay with the group."
Erik steps closer to the others and lowers his voice.
"Devyhn, what signs should we watch for that might indicate the girl is changing? Is there any way we can secure her if she does?"
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"Unfortunately, lycanthropy is not my area of expertise. I imagine the change comes on suddenly and painfully. From what I know of were-creatures, changes in the face, hands, and overall amount of body hair will be the clearest indications. Of course, by then, it may be too late," Devyhn whispers in reply. "I know she is just a child, but if she cannot be cured, she must be destroyed."
Lysander looks up. "I have an idea. Silver is considered painful to the touch by lycanthropes, yes?" He draws a silver piece and some twine from a pouch and hands them to Devhyn. "Tie this to her palm or some such, and tell her to let us know if it starts to cause pain."
So you tie a piece of silver to the girl and you continue on. You arrive at the northern lumber camp just as the sun is setting, the villagers let out a small cheer at having apparently reached safety. The mercenaries grab some food supplies from the cabin and pass them out.
The leader of the mercenaries comes up to you. "We will be in the village by noon tomorrow. I wanna thank you for the help getting here...You friend isn't looking so good, is he alright?"
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Achren frowns and says, "No, he suffers under a powerful curse. But our patron in the village who can cure him. It is one of the reeasons why we have decided to return with you rather than pursue our quest. As for our help, it is no more than any man should do for another. These evils are something we all need to face together."
Erik turns to the mercenary leader. "I might not be pretty, but my sword arm still works fine. We'll help you see these people safely home."
"Let us know if you need anything, I'm fairly certain we would currently have a smaller group if you hadn't come back with us."
Night comes and as a precaution you place the girl inside the cabin by herself while everyone else uses tents. Lysander and Devyhn keep an eye on her.
During the night when the full moon rises the girl indeed transforms into a she-wolf howling and clawing at the cabin trying to get out. The cabin wont hold her long.
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Devyhn cocks and loads his hand crossbow with a silver-tipped bolt.
"I feared it would come to this, " he says sadly. "Try to keep her between us, and at range. If she lands a bite, we may be the next ones needing a dose of silver."
He steels himself for the coming task. "Pharasma grant this unfortunate child a quick death."
Erik can barely sleep with the chilling effects of his curse.
He hears the commotion and slings his silver longsword on his hip and his rope over his shoulder. When she breaks free, Erik rushes up and tries to grapple her.
Bleyz wakens and, hearing the noise of the impending battle, moves over toward the others. Seeing Erik's intent, he attempts to aid him in his grapple attempt. )
The she-wolf girl jumps out trough a windows making her way out of the cabin.
Devyhn shoots and misses. Achren casts a protective spell on himself and Erik and Bleyz tackle her to the ground.
She tries to bite Erik but cant bring her jaw in line.
You can all post again. Don't worry about Initiative for this one.
Bleyz again tries to assist Erik in pinning the girl so she can be bound before she does damage to herself or anyone else.
Erik, now on top of the girl, tries to pin her to the ground.
Kartal was surprised that Sazred hadn't reacted negatively to his nature as a Styx, nor did he seem overly surprised at his being a Harrowborn. The man seemed ready to encounter nearly anything in fact, and served to renew what waning the young dark winged man's spirits had gained through suspicious glances from others he'd encountered.
Wanting to know more about those that he was to work with, and desiring information that Sazred himself may not even possess, the young cleric spent time with Desna in meditation and reflection.
The right mindset obtained, the Varisian, as he'd grown to think of himself over the years, drew out his Harrow deck. As he did so, he afforded himself a brief moment of thought towards his mother who'd given the deck to him after it had led her to him.
He then redirected his thoughts to the group in question, and laid the cards out before him, seeking what information the cards and by extension Desna herself may have for him about those he'd travel, and possibly develop connections with.
The she-wolf manages to escape the grapple. She snarls and is preparing to attack.
vs Erik's Cmd +2 for Bleyz helping.
you can all post again.
Bleyz attacks the girl with a flurry of blows.
Erik tumbles backwards as the werewolf child escapes. He winces and seems to struggle to open his eyes again.
He shakes his head and seems to return to his senses. He draws his sword and swings wildly.
She avoids every attack as if by instinct and then goes on the offensive trying to maul Bleyz but he also avoids her attacks.
you can all go again.
Again, Bleyz unleashes a flurry of blows on the child werewolf.
She attacks again targeting Achren this time striking him with her claw for 2 damage.
Erik recovers his composure and strikes the werewolf child solidly with his silver longsword.
Again, Bleyz unleashes a flurry of blows on the child werewolf but he is unable to land a hit.
After those two hits she is barely standing.
She tries to flee going for the forest. Withdraw, runs 60 feet towards forest.
Lysander, having struggled to get a good shot during all the fighting and grappling, finally breaks free and fires at the werewolf as she tears away through the night. The time for worrying on her life is over--she is now an unnatural beast. Green take you.
Erik moves up next to Devyhn and tries to spot any further creatures at the forest edge, but he struggles to see.
Lysander's arrow takes her down as she tried to flee. She drops to the ground reverting to human form.