If they will leave us alone then I see no reason to bother them at all.
"I doubt they're any friend to gnolls. We should address them, let them know our task here. I don't think they'll have any quarrel with us." with that, Drystan unfurls his wings, then says "If no one minds, I'll be happy to rise and speak with them."
"Fly you high Sir Drystan" Minerva says as she returns her arrow to her quiver.
As Sir Drystan rises the duo of giant eagles come towards him slowing down and begin to hover as well when within 30 feet.
Is that good or bad?
"That is the question isn't it, Grayson. I hope he says something before they think him a meal." He jokes as they wait for something to happen.
"Hello there! I am Sir Drystan, Knight of the Golden Flame, a paladin of Apsu. My cohorts are Baris, Graysow, and Minerva." he says, gesturing to each in turn. We are travelers passing through these lands. We mean you no harm. Indeed, we did not even know that this area was inhabited by suggest majestic creatures."
Likely due to your non aggressive behavior the eagles look at you but leave shortly after Sir Drystan's address to them.
At the end of that day's travel you find yourself at the edge of the mountains. There is still not much for firewood, sagebrush, sand, and rocks are the prominent aspects of the landscape.
Baris sets up camp bringing rocks together for the fire. He then sets up his sleeping bag. He then pulls out several sticks the size of his arm and lays them over the rocks, tinder placed under, he then grabs some extra sage brush and puts it on top, finally he hits the flint and steel together to get the fire started. He will pull out a cooking kit and pulls out the other items from the pan before putting it on the fire. Pulling out a sack from his backpack, then from the sack some of the cut meat from the lions. He begins to re heat the meat.
Looking at the rest of you he asks, "I am almost out of water, how about you?"
Minerva sits down cross legged, "I have some water if you need Baris," Minerva holds a waterskin outstretched.
I could always top off my waterskin.
Drysdan waves off the offer of water. "I'm fine for now."
Soon after eating several large slices of meat with a hard tack biscuit he yawns. With a smile he plays on his lute for a while settling himself. He soon dozes off and sleeps while the others keep watch. He wakes up slowly when Grayson shakes him awake for his shift. He quietly plays a nice lullaby on his lute during his watch.
Overall both performances are quite good.
Unless you packed more than two waterskins you are out of water now. There has not been a source of water since you have left Kelmanare.
The next morning Baris slowly stretches and breaks camp as Minerva prepares her spells. With four shifts not everyone has been getting their 8 hours of needed sleep and it is evident Baris has been letting the others sleep during Minerva's preparations for the coming day. He continues to keep a look out as he strokes the strings on his soft brown lute.
So where to now?
Drystan shakes his nearly-empty waterskin. "We probably need to find a water source soon, first off."
I agreeMinerva says as she stands up, she looks at Baris before continuing. Do you Kenzie of any water sources we will pass on our current path or need we search one out now.
Baris yawns before pulling out his scroll case and then the map, the sleepily says, "I don't see any water sources for days, nothing is marked. We should begin looking for one before setting out."
After packing up all the gear into his small bag that is kept under his cloak he begins looking for signs of water.
He finds several cacti and after cutting them open and pouring some of the liquid in his waterskin he offers it to Minerva. Then cutting the other in half he takes a few gulps before offering the two halves to Sir Drystan and Grayson.
With enough water you set out and perhaps others will find water as you travel as well. Into the mountains you find it not as hot as the sands but soon the up and down travel can become even more tiring.
Just after having a short meal while the heat of the day passes for a bit you head down into a gully for an easier time for a few hours. As you enter into what you thought was a forest you soon find out to be pillars of stone with strange black metallic branches over head that blocks out the sun.
He does not notice them until they are upon him.
Surprise Round
Then the group is shortly surrounded by these dogs that seem to simply vanish then reappear. They growl and snap their maws at you but don't seem to attack just yet.
Round 1
The sleek canines have coarse, tawny coat, pointed ears, and pale eyes. A faint blue nimbus seems to dance upon their fur. They move around but leave a 15 foot perimeter between them and you.
They speak Sylvan and are constantly under the effect of Blink.
They can dimensional door at will.
Drystan glances around uneasily, uncertain as to the nature of these beasts. "Hello?" he calls, first in Common, then switching to Draconic and Celestial.
Grayson watches intently as the creature pop in and around him. He remains calm and tries to see if there is a pattern to the blinking. After watching for some time he comes to the conclusion that the blinking is random at best. He Watches as the snap and growl, always keeping the distance. The distance could matter little if they blink into the middle of them. Slowly drawing his weapons, Grayson turns to his companions.
Close up the ranks, if they get in behind us, we will be at a great disadvantage.
He turns back towards to canines and watches intently
If they attack, can we defeat them with out to much damage to the bodies. I hope that the that teleport ability will remain in them after we kill them. That is a neat trick and I could use something like that.
Minerva snarls, she keeps her eyes open and alert for an attack, she knocks an arrow to her bow but doesn't draw noticing their hesitation. "Do we know what these things are, they don't seem peaceful but they have yet to attack. They are unlike any dogs I have ever seen before" her voice quivers a bit as she speaks softly as to not startle the beasts in front of her.
Round 1
Baris moves keeping his allies to his back and watches for a threat. Pulling his greatsword from his heavy cloak, almost out of an invisible extra dimensional pocket.
Round 2
The canines all stop moving and snarl at your group. You see that there are eight visible dogs but they do not advance towards you. Then they all sit and then howl towards the sky. The faint blue nimbus that seems to dance upon their fur begins to grow brighter. Each of you feel a magical effect wash over you. A much larger and darker colored furred one appears from behind one of the pillars.
Minerva waves her off hand and mutters a few words under her breath before she brushes her cloak of her head, "Do you speak, if so understand we mean no harm to those of good heart. If you are evil prepare to be slain. We are journeying to rid the world of a great evil and if you are with the forces of good please do not attack" she keeps her hand to her bowstring but makes no threatening movements.
Warily, Sir Drystan shifts to a combat stance with his glaive, holding it out in front of him.
Grayson tightens his grip and looks at the dogs.
This is starting to become boring. If you pups want to scrap then lets do this...otherwise we will be on our way. You can go and find a chew toy somewhere else.
The canines all stop snarling after Minerva's words. The likely leader of the pack, the much larger and darker colored furred one, takes a few steps forward, still 10 feet away, and speaks in Sylvan.
Minerva spoke in Sylvan before and none of you would understand what she said to the canines.
"Minerva what did you say? What did the dog say?" He asks with expectancy holding his greatsword in both hands the blade straight into the air.
Without turning away from the leader she speaks off to the side in common, "He says that they protect their land for evil and wishes to know what we are doing in these lands. They know we are not evil and likely mean us no harm, stand down." She switches to Sylvan and continues to speak, "I was explaining to my compatriots what you told me, we are in these lands hunting the evil gnolls who plague the surrounding area. She moves her bow to her side and places the arrow back in her quiver hoping her companions follow suit.
Grayson keeps his eyes on the dogs.
Are you certain of their intentions?
Grayson weapons are lowered and he sheaves them. He looks long and hard at the dogs. He relaxes but he appears ready if hostile actions are taken against the group.
I got you measured pup...
When Minerva tells them the dogs mean no harm, Drystan lowers his glaive so that the point just touches the ground.
The leader speaks in Sylvan to his own pack and the others lie down.
The leader points at Drystan with a paw and asks, "Do you serve the five winds? Come we will show you our watering hole and we can share a meal before you continue on your journey."
[i]A meal??? I must be thirsty if I am taking food from a dog...[/b]
"What are the Five Winds? If you believe and trust them, then that is good enough for me..." He winks at Minerva and stows his monstrous blade back into the folds of his robe. He follows the dogs with his hands at his sides at ease.
The pack moves out away from your group and further into the iron 'trees'. The leader stays near to answer questions as you walk, "The Five Winds is or was an order that stood for justice and goodness. They did their best to subjugate evil in the area many years ago, but the flag there is their symbol."
When the Five Winds is mentioned, Drystan recalls the cave they found on the way. He gestures to the banner "This and other things we found within a cave that seemed dedicated to the Templars of the Five Winds. We stumbled upon the cave whilst chasing off a gnoll attack on a caravan. The Templars were great champions, weren't they?"
Watching as the party talks to the dogs, Grayson keeps quiet as they discuss business.
Shit I hope I do not get flees...
The pack leader continues, "The Templars... yes likely, our history and myths are all passed down by speaking the stories. We know them only as the Five Winds. They are held up in the highest regards with our pack. They saved us from several evils and even a natural disaster, they kept mount fire from erupting. We even sent some of our own to be of help but sadly they never returned."
After about a half hour of walking you see that there are many other of the dogs about. Several large caves are nearby and a stream starts from a gurgling pool. Pups play around as the adults turn to watch the newcomers.
An obviously older and graying of the dogs approaches and asks, "So the signs were true!"
The pack leader curtly responds with a bark, "Silence, don't speak of your omens before our guests! We don't need to burden them with our troubles." The graying one looks dower and his ears fold back as he begins to turn away, the leader looks agitated but says, "Come, come, to the pool first and then you can rest as we bring the meat."
Drystan finds these strange, otherworldly canines to be completely unreadable, but will follow them if the others will.