"I think it is safe enough. These animals were killed several weeks ago, perhaps by the youths from Kassen...perhaps not. They will attract carrion eaters, though. We could always go another mile."
"Why not drag the bodies off a while. This way, if carrion eaters show up we know where they'll be."
"Well...Aldous...their...ichor...has soaked into the ground. It will still smell at the spot where they have lain."
"We could just move on a safe distance and camp there?"
Another mile then. Garuneh is our wilderness expert.
"Better safe than smelly, I say. Remember that drop shaft full of body parts?" Garuneh leads the group onward.
|
Everybody but Bria moans in agreement with Grauneh's remark and trugs on. Garuneh leads the group away from the smell and is able to find another suitable campsite with level ground (auto Survival skill success!) There is plenty of dry wood to be found to start a fire, and the rations can be cooked into a fine stew for dinner and breakfast if everyone contributes. (-1 rations to everybody eating)
The cold comes quick after the sun sets, with only a light frost touching the ground. Watches are set as the fire cracks under the cloudy moonlight. Wolves bay in the distance but never come close.
The next day, the party continues their journey through the Fangwood. Early in afternoon, their trail leads them in the direction of Gray Lake, with hopes of refilling their waterskins and stop for a quick rest.
The trees begin to thin, revealing a field of short, green grass that leads to the shores of a wide, calm lake reflecting the overcast sky above. A dense fog hangs over the center of the lake, obscuring the far side. Near the shore of the lake, a dark form lies next to the water.
Would you be able to create water, Garuneh? I believe I heard that priests of nature can do such a thing.
"Ah...yes. I hadn't thought to prepare it today, but I'll do so from now on. It's a point of pride to find natural water, generally...note to self...especially in dungeons...Create Water"
Garuneh peers at the form.
"Oh, and did we count rations before we left? We should do some hunting if not. Don't want to count on Darkmantle for foodstuffs in the Crypt."
|
|
From a distance, Garuneh takes a long look at the form.
"Hmm, lets see ... I have rations for four more days. We probably should go hunting."
Noticing the thing Garuneh is looking at, Gunder gets a few steps towards it to look at it.
"What do you think it is? Another animal the children killed?"
"Hunting would help the food situation, but I fear I would be of limited assistance. I have another week's worth of rations available, well make that 6 days, and some wandermeal left. The pack the mayor gave us had some food in it as well, if I recall correctly. "
"I have four more days of rations. Getting more water would probably be a good idea, then go hunting."
"...no...that may be one of the children."
Garuneh approaches the form, scimitar out, using Detect Magic.
Indeed Garuneh, but be careful. Whatever killed that one night still be near.
Elizabeth gets her short swords out and takes Garuneh's left.
Aldous follows Garuneh with his bow drawn.
"What is it? What do you see? "
"Dead humanoid, or very relaxed undead. Be alert of the latter."
|
|
It appears to be a dead humanoid as it does not animate . . . yet. A quick guess would make it a male human. The corpse is quite bloated with large bite marks on its torso. Around its waist is a belt pouch. Inside the pouch are 85 gold coins. A short short is strapped to its thigh. The grip and hilt appears to be untarnished by its stay in the water.
Obviously, something or someone killed this poor man. Bria will walk away from him (10 feet or so) then taste the lake's water. If it is palatable, she will fill her waterskin.
Afterwards she will walk around the corpse and take a good hard look at the vicinity. She holds her axe at the ready.
, perception
"A bit of coin, and a short sword fir someone. Elizabeth? Need a spare? "
Are we sure it is not one of those we are looking for? If he is, we should return his belongings to his family.
"He's no local. If I had to guess, I'd say Nirmathan. Definitely a city dweller from the look of his clothes and gear. "
I suppose that if he came from far off than we can take his goods. We shouldn't tarry though, whatever killed him might come back for seconds.
"Maybe we should bury the body. Thats kind of the least we can do - after stealing all his belongings."
Indeed....Does anyone have a shovel?
Alas no. Bria replied. Perhaps a funeral pyre might be easier and more respectful? And warmer she thought practically, to herself.
I believe that would be acceptable.
"Rather mild winter," observes Garuneh. "Oh, I can do this!" He walks among the reeds and then back again...leaving no trace, sporting a gigantic grin. "Untraceable in the marshes! Just in case we need to, um, if I need to...well, yes, I suppose we won't be seeing much swampland in the Crypt and require trackless walking. Anyhow, yes, let's light a fire for camp and a fire for this poor fellow."
Bria quickly attacks the surrounding trees. They're tall and green, they must be evil!. Definitely unnatural. Killing them and using them for fire is as righteous a deed as there ever was! She also gathers dried brush and fallen logs as best she can to build a pyre for the dead guy.
Elizabeth is out of her depth in regards to building pyres and just assists Bria however she can.
Now if we were going to immoliate him in a crubicle, I would have no problem with constructing one and heating to the correct temprature.
|
|
Something with big teeth
As Garuneh plays in the marshlands, the two woman (as usual) set off to work. It takes an hour or so to build a pyre along the lake's edge and put the body to ash. There is an awkward silence as the bloated, dead corpse is put to the torch.
It is now mid-day and there is a storm on the horizon.
Elizabeth mumbles a few prayers to Brigh as the corpse burns, which might be very offensive to the more nature-loving members of the party.
Afterwards, she puts one of her ordinary short swords on the mule and takes the well-crafted one as a replacement.
Hmm..Weather is getting worse. We best hustle.
"Monsters, trail rations, and now rain. There has got to be an easier way to make tons of gold and arcane power."
Aldous pulls his cloak closer around his thin shoulders and suppresses a shiver.
Bria admires the large bonfire. Let all the arboreal enemy tremble before the righteous might of the dwarves! Shortly thereafter, nice and toasty warm, she readies herself for the trail again and assumes her place behind Garuneh.
|
|
The party departs Grey Lake after the last of the flames dies out to continue on its journey.
The trail leads ever deeper into the Fangwood, through a twisting maze of trees and confusing ravines. The trees in this part of the forest are very old and quite gnarled. At the waning hours of the day a trail tops a small rise. A broad valley spreads out before it, the opposite side of which looks like a writhing serpent. Yet between the two, lies a steep hill sloping down into the valley. A cold rain begins to fall, making the ground slick and treacherous.
"Hmm...my druidic senses suggest camping back a short distance under the trees."
Garuneh knows what he is talking about. Shall we build a fire?
Bria's heart leapt at the idea of another fire. Yet more trees to the slaughter. Surfacers were entirely too casual about the wooden threat.
"A fire sounds like a good idea. I'll gather some wood." She bustled off to do just that.
Garuneh looks at the rain.
"Good idea Garuneh, lets rest for the night."
Gunder watches Bria setting off to "fight" more trees.
Wow, she really enjoys cutting down trees. She must hate nature a lot. I bet she can't wait to be under a mountain again.
Perhaps we should watch in pairs? Myself and Gunder, then Bria and Garuneh. Hmm..That would leave Aldous alone.
"It's going to be a wet slog tomorrow," says Garuneh. "However, that may turn conditions into a swamp! Which I can pass through without trace! ...um, anyhow...let's get to the Crypt quickly tomorrow. We can always camp in the opening and do some forays and foraging."
"Technically I am a pair, remember?" Aldous strokes Dragon along his back. "He may not be great in a fight, but he's rather stealthy and perceptive. "
|
|
Bria fells a legion of evil trees. Garuneh is able to make somewhat of a shelter to keep dry but it is very difficult keep a fire going. The rain is cold and feels like pins of ice during the night. The rations are hard and only gives a sense of being full without the fulfillment. The entire group is cold and drenched all evening.
The rain continues throughout the night and the muddy trail down the valley still lies along the steep hill come sunrise.
-1 rations.
"Have I mentioned I hate being out in the rain? There has got to be a spell to keep this stuff off me."
Perhaps some hunting on the way to the Crypt?
"That will slow us down, but I think it's a good idea. If we can find anything while hunting in the rain. Seems like everything around here has been bitten and is dead. And why isn't it snowing? I don't understand Avistani winters."
"Snow? It's raining on us, we're eating trail rations, and you're wishing for SNOW? You are a madman, Garuneh! "