Another forked path. Damn it. Henry silently studies the two paths to determine the best course: left and up or right and deeper into the cave.
Henry seems to realize that the upper chamber is more likely to have an outlet back up into the woods, while the lower chamber has a good chance of being at least partially flooded. Besides that, he can't be sure of anything.
Lead the way, Henry...I am right behind ya.
Wilkens sets the lantern down for a welcome break rubbing a sore knee.
"Well, I would be more inclined to think they continued upward than deeper into the cave, unless whatever took them lives down here. In any case, I think lighting the sconce here at the corner would be helpful in marking our passage back."
Looking at the forked path and taking into consideration Doc's assessment, Henry quietly declares, "I say we take the left path upward. The lower chamber may be flooded. I cannot risk us going down, unprepared. Cole keep your eyes and ears open." He was curious of what lay deeper in the cave but he could not risk the others being hurt or worse if the lower chamber was indeed partially flooded as he believed it would be, especially with the recent rains and flooding of the Toxaway.
Henry begins moving up the left path, dagger still in hand, eyes peeled. He looks upon the dirt floor, hoping to find tracks of some kind, substantiating his theory that this route was the best one. He searches along the walls of the cave for markings, especially Hewitt's markings, minding his head and warning the others to do the same.
Cole stays close on the heels of Henry with his Shortsword drawn, looking about for anything unusual.
Perception:
With a few sparks of flint and steel Doc lights up one of the sconces at the intersection and continues after the others, lantern in hand. Sensing the growing tension he secures the only weapons he has, making sure they're within easy reach.
Henry notes the increased lighting and turns briefly and nods to Doc in thanks. He continues making his way up the left path.
As the party continues up the path, the cave opens into a larger chamber. Here it appears to end, but the walls are decorated much like Hewitt's cabin. Random articles such as arrows and spilled powder have been pushed into corners. Wooden benches sit haphazardly thrust against the far wall. The ashen remains of a campfire sit right in the middle. Above, a small hole breaches the stone and allows shaded sunlight to filter in through the brush above.
Zachariah looks for any evidence that the place has been occupied recently. He squints in the dim light of the chamber and turns over various items, examining them.
He pauses after only a few moments and shrugs, looking to the others.
Henry glances up at the small hole in the roof which allows some sunlight into the chamber.
The space did not hold much clue as to the whereabouts of Hewitt and his children.
Henry glances over his shoulder as the others filter into the larger chamber and asks Cole who had followed him directly into the room, "Find anything that can give us an idea where Hewitt might be?"
Henry moved about the chamber, examining the walls, moving his hand against the wall around the chamber, looking for any secret recess or opening/s.
Once more his mind wandered to the path which led down deeper into the cave. Henry could not risk it -- not if the lower chamber was partially flooded.
Cole begins to look casually around the room for any indication of Hewit or his children.
Perception:
Should we take the other path? this seems like a dead end.
As the party looks around, Richardson and Cole spot something at the same time; a cloth doll, half-shredded, with traces of blood. It leans up against one end of one of the benches, which upon examination, is littered with scratches and claw marks.
The bloodied and shredded doll stopped Henry in his tracks. "Not entirely a dead end. Thistle, take a look at these claw marks. Do they resemble the marks you discovered back in McCornin's shack? I believe you said they were made by a young bear?"
Zachariah leans down and squints at the claw marks, running his hand along them. He attempts to put together the clues. Perhaps this could be from the same beast? Seems a bit odd considering all the human debris...
Doc's eyes grow wide as the lantern light reveals the blood and the doll. Time slows down as the others examine the claws marks. He numbly walks around the room looking for any other traces.
Thistle examines the marks and starts to come to the same conclusion about them as he did the marks at McCornin's fallen shack. But soon the sound of breathing brings clarity to the situation as matted brown fur catches the edge of lamp and muted sunlight. As a roar echoes through the small cavern, the wild look in the bear's eyes suggest there's no safe way out of this one.
Zachariah stumbles backwards, gasping a hoarse warning to the others. He first hits the hard stone of the cave wall, and then stumbles over one of the benches. His mind races, strange apparitions passing over his eyes that only he can see, half remembrances of his "time away".
His voice is hoarse as a jumble of strange words escape is mouth,
"Naq'sllah, veia Ryuk!"
Cole smiles broadly as he five foot steps to the side away from Henry to achieve a future flanking position and he thrusts his shortsword in an upward stroke, searching for vital organs.
Flank this beast!
SS Att:
SS Dam:
The bear shakes of Thistle's mental assault, and momentarily looks both confused and furious. Cole's attack makes it angrier, but it pushes past him to attack Thistle.
,
Zachariah reels and grunts as the bear's claw rakes him across the chest tearing his skin and muscle and spattering hot red. He screams as it pulls him in.
Wilkens comes out of his fugue with the grizzly action. He tries to hold the lantern steady as he grasps the wooden crucifix around his neck. With closed eyes and a quick whispered prayer the room fills with soft billowy air. A smile creeps across his face as he feels his body become light as a feather.
As the energy fades and the weight of gravity returns, he stumbles to one knee, his old war wound momentarily causing it to buckle.
Henry with dagger in hand, cautiously and quietly, makes his way around the room to the other side of Cole. He did not want to make the bear any angrier than it currently was, especially with Thistle in its grips. In fact, he wanted to attempt to soothe the bear to a less aggressive state.
Henry probed his mind for information on the bears in these parts, but in the moment nothing came to him. He had not come face to face with a bear in Devil's Fork before this day.
In a very quiet and steady voice, Henry states to the men, "Make no sudden moves or sounds, unless of course this does not work."
If he didn't act, the unfriendly bear would tear open Thistle, so he had to try something. Henry moved closer, dagger shielded by his side, to within 30 feet of the bear, and looked the bear calmly but straightforwardly in its eyes, and held the look for a long minute, hoping to silently sway the creature to back down and away.
Thistle and Cole are up.
Then that roll can go toward another action -- an attack, if you will allow that.
Cole five foot steps to place him in a flanking position with either Thistle or Henry, whichever is applicable. He again stabs with the Shortsword as he re-adjusts the angle for maximum effect.
Damn, I need bigger sword!
SS Att:
SS Dam:
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It doesn't appear to be an in-combat skill just based on my reading of the ability and the "initial attitude" line. I'm trying to provide a mechanic in which it *can* work in combat, but it's not easy (which seems appropriate). If you'd rather attack, you're welcome to do so, but as it is, I was going to prevent the bear from acting this round due to your Wild Empathy attempt.
I would also give Cole a chance to change his action to avoid interrupting what you're doing if you prefer to keep your action.
No longer bleeding nearly as bad, Thistle nonetheless does his utmost to escape the bear's mighty grip...
but it appears he is still to panicked to succeed.
Cole leaps into action, stabbing at the bear with his blade.
Thistle accidentally angers the bear and gets mauled brutally.
Wilkens reminds Thistle of just how resilient he is, whereupon Thistle realizes he's merely been scratched. Even so, he cannot find the strength to free himself from the bear.
Richardson appears to try to hypnotize the bear. It works just long enough that the animal releases the struggling Thistle. But Richardson's persuasive demeanor can't hold the bear's attention as Cole keeps tearing into it.
The bear turns to face Cole, rearing up on its hind legs to fill the chamber.
Would Henry know how stable the cave is and if a gun shot/s would set off a cave in?
Taking a 5 foot step back (Henry is now 35 ft from bear, if there is the space to accommodate this distance in the cave, otherwise he will stay put at 30 ft from bear), Henry drops his dagger by his feet (free action) and draws his rifle (free action re Quick Draw feat) and fires at the bear's back as it rears menacingly at Cole.
"Mind your ears, gents!"
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Wilkens keeps his distance from the bear's claws and places the lantern safely out of the way (move action). He draws out his sling, loading a stone into the pouch and begins spinning it over his head (drawing as attack action).
Cole positions himnself intop a flanking position with Thistle and steps in close to the bear with an upward thrust as he feels its hoot breath upon the top of his head.
Die beast!
SS Att:
SS Dam:
Regaining some of his senses, Zachariah ducks back several paces, putting some distance between himself and the beast. Still quite confused after being battered, he stumbles for his knife and flails with it blindly as he moves backwards.
Thistle's knife connects, but the bear doesn't even notice as the blade can't seem to make a cut. Cole makes plenty of noise, but the bear easily deflects his strike. Richardson's bullet goes deep, but the bear remains focused on Cole for the moment. It moves out from between Thistle and Cole, trying to get all of the threats in front of it at once.
,
Razor teeth sink into Cole's shoulder as the bear descends upon him with force.
Cole attempts to ram his short sword under the bear's jaw and up into his brain for a killing blow.
Ouch, you bastard!
SS Att:
SS Dam:
As a move action, he will roll away from the bear, attempting to avoid any follow-up attack.
Acrobatics:
Zachariah crouches and creeps back against the cave wall, the shadows gathering about him.
He moves slowly and quietly, like an insect, carefully attempting to remove himself from the threat
Wilkens lets loose the sling stone trying to distract the bear from his companions.
"Hya! Over here!"