Cain follows Acalon into position staying mounted as he can't possibly make more noise that Acalon and he's guessing he'll need to ride in behind the charging pin cushion anyway. Cain begins prepping his first spell that he plans to cast if he gets the time to.
Stealth (hah!!)
Adriana stays close by Acalon. Always best for a dainty lady to be behind a big strong man, eh?
Miraculously, Acalon doesn't seem to disturb the kobolds. This is probably because his party takes a nice wide route around them. However, as the party is closing in to a distance that will allow the slow moving knight to arrive at the battle before it's over, a particularly loud clank jostles one of the kobolds upright and he begins talking excitedly to the others, pointing in Acalon's direction as they grab their spears and scramble upright. It might be noticed however that they do not look at all well as they sway slightly and hold a claw to their stomachs.
Shakes his head as he hears the clatter from the north.
"Well they where right so much for surprise." he mutters under his breath. He takes a step to one side to make sure he has a clear lane of fire and he shoots the closest kobold in the back.
Hit: +2 if human +1 if inside of 30 ft range
Dmg: +2 if human +1 if inside of 30 ft range
Cael then takes a couple more steps forward to try and ensure another clear shot.
Edi, more than ready for this lets out a blood-curdling and otherworldly shriek/howl, his gaze set on the nearest kobold. He blazes ahead with reckless abandon, clearing the woods as best as he can before breaking full out, teeth bared, saliva flying from its dripping fangs (full 40ft movement 10 x2 + 20). He makes it just to the nearest kobold and chomps down squarely, but doesn't get his whole jaw into the creature. Over the tearing of kobold flesh and the shriek of pain, you can hear Edi give a grunt of great satisfaction, like that of a diner savoring the first bite of a welcomed meal.
Bite:
To Hit:
Damage:
Moving calmly up into the clearing as Edi rushes in on the other side, Adriana steps to one side to give Acalon room before extending one arm and pointing maliciously at the closest un-injured kobold.
The kobold quails at her glare, grasping it's spear nervously as it readies it to attack.
The two struck kobolds spin around with squeals of pain, but still seem determined to make a stand of it.
Red steps through the thick brush behind Edi, but only steps 5 feet into the clearing (within 25 feet of another, uninjured kobold). Red waves his hands around, mimicking a bird for a moment, muttering a few words, and squawking like a bird. Then with a flash an eagle appears directly above the unsuspecting kobold, just before being torn into by a flurry of talons and a beak (full attack by eagle).
To hit:
Talon:
Talon:
Beak:
Damage:
Talon:
Talon:
Beak:
Realizing that he's too far away to make an adequate charge on any of the kobolds and that he has this shiny new bow liberated from a bandit, Acalon decides to take aim at the kobold that Adriana terrified.
Damage:
The kobolds stand little chance against such an organized assault. While two of them turn to face their attackers, already severely wounded, the other two suffer far worse. The poor sap already effected by Adriana's powers quickly finds itself doused in eagle feathers as the summoned creature lays into it in a flurry of claws and beak. By the time the animal is done, there is no movement from that mound of torn flesh. Meanwhile, his fellow is struck dead center by Acalon's arrow and drops right beside him.
The two remaining kobolds, unaware of the fate of their compatriots, or perhaps uncaring of it, launch into attacks against Edi, the closest threat to them. Only one manages to hit the otherworldly beast, scraping a nice gash along its side with his spear.
Taking a couple more steps forward to get a good angle and saying a prayer to the gods Cael fires another arrow into the melee.
Hit: +2 if human +1 if inside of 30 ft range
Dmg: +2 if human +1 if inside of 30 ft range
Edi roars in pain and anger at the wound in his side. He lashes back at the creature than stabbed him with all appendages (full attack).
To hit:
Claw1:
Claw2:
Bite:
Damage:
Claw1:
Claw2:
Bite:
The remaining two kobolds disappear under Edi's frenzied assault and soon the only sound remaining in the clearing is that of Edi savaging the bodies on the ground.
Relaxes stepping through the last couple feet of rough ground around the clearing.
"Well at least one of us won't be eating rabbit on a stick tonight!" He says grimacing at the mess that Edi making. turning to Red laughing lightly "Ya know you could teach him a bit of table manors. I am gonna take a minute or to and see if I can find out what direction they came from.
Cael will take a walk around the clearing looking for tracks and if he can find them will follow them a bit out into the forest to see what direction they came from".
+2 if human =
+1 (1/2 ranger min 1)
And come back to camp to report anything he might find.
As Edi takes the blow from the spear, Red cringes
As Edi finishes mauling the kobolds he flops down and starts gnawing on a leg. Red nods to Cael, but doesn't respond. He looks a bit green and seems as though he may vomit. He walks over to Edi, pats him on the back, then places his hand over the wound, and speaks a few words under his breath (Rejuvenate eidolon (lesser))
HP healed
He then gets up and inspects the white roots that the kobolds have collected. Looking over the gathered plants Red says to no one in particular: "So these are moon radishes? Sure are a lot of them. I wonder how many they ate to make them look so queasy? Do we take the whole load back, or just a sack full?"
Adriana watches Edi with a raised eyebrow before starting to make her way slowly around the clearing, picking up her skirt to avoid dragging it over the dead bodies. "I don't know that she said anything about how much she needed."
"Well I don't suppose it will require all of this for one pot of stew, but perhaps if we can keep Oleg in good spirits for a while, it will be to our benefit. If nothing else maybe they'll fetch a gold or two. I guess the better question is do we have room for all this on the cart?" With that Red picks up a basket of the radishes, as he suppresses another gag reflex walking by Edi, who is still greedily chewing on kobold. If not stopped or assisted, Red will move all of the baskets to the cart, and try to find room for them.
Cain finally walks into the clearing rubbing a spot on his head that has a thin trickle of blood flowing from it. Apparently he managed to get clocked by a low hanging tree branch on the way in and spent the entire fight trying to regain his dashed wits. Seeing everything in what appears to be perfect order, he takes a seat on the head of the Kobold that Acalon shot and continues to rub his head. "Well, that was uninspiring." just what he is referring to though is unclear. Cain sighs and continues, "Might as well though what you can in the cart. I'm sure Oleg will be happy for the goods to trade with." He pauses to wince and the adds in a similar sarcastically annoyed tone. "So what next, mite hunting on our way back?"
Acalon helps Red gather up and make room for all the radishes in the cart. When they finish he says "I guess we could find some mites on the way back, though I'm not sure I'd know a mite if I tripped over one."
"Of course, we don't know for sure where they are. Not even the fey knew exactly where they were. Only a rough direction." She seems to contemplate helping Red and Acalon out but apparently figures that the two strong men have it more than covered and instead perches herself on a rock nearby. "I would vote our best bet to be heading back to the trading post as we were, getting rid of the excess baggage and then making a second foray. But then, I am hardly a leader." She motions vaguely to Cain with just the hint of a smile.
Walks back into the clearing
"Well mite hunting might be mighty fun I might suggest we become a mite lighter by visiting Oleg's first." grins continuing in a slightly more serious tone. We probably should handle one problem at a time and a infestation of kobalds while not individually very dangerous can cause problems to settlers and general peace of mind. I think that after a rest at the trading post we should consider ridding this area of kobalds. Besides doing so sounds like it will put us better with the local fey as well."
Cain nods to Adriana, "And a good leader listens to his counsel." Cain whistles to Able who comes trotting up from where he was grazing. "So as soon as stuff is loaded up, lets make our way to Oleg's."
It doesn't take long, with two strong pairs of arms to load the baskets of radishes into the cart amongst the other things. Still, it's getting on towards dinner time by the time it's all done and thoughts are starting to stray towards making a camp and getting some sleep before starting the trek back to the trading post.
Looks toward the setting sun.
"How about a little R&R and sleep before we head to olegs tomorrow? Although from the way those kobalds reacted you might want to be a bit careful on how many Radishes you eat with the Rabbit. When it's your turn on watch keep a close eye out to the south east thats where Edi's lunch came from."
Red wipes his brow after loading the last basket of radishes. "Thanks Acalon." Red chokes back one more wave of nausea, as he makes his way to the clearing and Edi. Red surveys what's left of the kobolds, and his rather gory companion. "I think I'm going to have to invest in a bib for you," Red mutters under his breath.
Edi gets up, and lets out a very satisfied belch. Edi then shakes like a dog, flinging little bits of kobold gore about the clearing, with bits hitting Red, and one bit landing on Cain's boot.
"EDI!" Red belows. The eidolon snickers a bit, and starts a slow waddle towards the wagon. "Well you certainly aren't going to be of use the rest of the evening. Go home and clean up!" At that Red waves his hand at Edi, and the creature vanishes. "Ahh... a moment's peace." Red sighs in a most relieved manner. "I swear, one more vivid description of the flavors of kobold innards I might just lose it."
To Cael and Cain: "I agree, we should get back to Oleg's soon, just to lighten our load if nothing else. And I have not objections to setting up camp, but it would be good to do so a little ways from this clearing. I can't imagine what creatures might come feed on this carrion, not to mention the stench of it."
Looks at the gore spread around the clearing.
"You are probably right. I remember a clearing about a half mile back that should work unless someone has a better sugestion lets get to it. Am getting hungry.... to bad we don't have any steaks!"
Adriana stands up, brushes her skirt clean and, lifting it clear of the gore, walks back across towards the horses. Once at the new clearing she summons her invisible helper to aid in setting up the camp while she takes care of her horse, back in the regular routine of the past few days.
After arriving at the new camp, Acalon first gets out of his armor. "Ah, it sure feels nice to get that load off." He then takes care of Shade, then works at unhitching the horses from the cart and gets them fed.
Red goes through his normal camping routine, though at a few points pauses as though something is missing. Each time then smiling to himself, as though he was remembering a joke. He sets up his bedroll and cares for his horse in unusual silence; as he isn't arguing or barking at Edi every five minutes.
Red also is very uninterested in food this evening, and turns in early.
When his watch comes up, he summons Edi. The creature is clean, and much less plump than when it left. The two sit quietly together during watch, and when Red returns to bed Edi lays down beside him until Red falls asleep, at which point Edi vanishes.
The night's watches pass by without incident and before long the sun is rising once again and Adriana is nudging everyone awake before heading off to do her usual solitary morning routine. She returns fresh and clean, and as perky as she ever is, her horse in tow and ready to take a quick bite and help break and pack up camp.
Red awakens refreshed and packs up in near silence. Just before leaving the camp he stops and thinks for a moment, the grudgingly kneels down and speaks a soft chant for about a minute. As he stands up Edi appears in front of him. Red mounts his horse and Edi takes up his usual walk beside him. Neither make a sound for at least an hour (unless addressed by someone).
Chews on a stick of rabbit jerky while everyone gets ready to go. While helping Cain with the wagon he nods his head toward the silent Red and quietly asks Cain. "Any idea whats eating red.... I mean besides Edi's eating habits, do you think that really affected him that much? I mean ya there was a little gore but they were only kobalds what will happen if he gets onto a real battlefield with tens or hundreds of dead?" He finishes up harnessing the horses ready to go.
On his way past the wagon, Acalon overhears Cael's question. "I don't know much about the arcane, but I get the impression that Red and Edi are pretty deeply connected. I'd wager it's not easy dealing with something like that" he says quietly before going about his business.
Perception DC 15:
Red hears you talking, but doesn't realize its about him. He continues to walk his horse ahead without acknowledging the conversation. He seems pretty steely today, but when addressed directly he acts pretty normal (unless you ask him what's wrong, in which case he denies it, rather unconvincingly).
Adriana either doesn't hear the conversation about their traveling companion or doesn't care. Probably the later. She does, however, rather conspicuously catch up to Red and walk her horse silently next to him. Why is anyone's guess.
Cain finishes up with the wagon, then wagers his own guess. "Well, Red did say he was studying to become a cleric before his talents manifested elsewhere. I'm guessing that reveling in mass slaughter isn't part of his general outlook on life. That and judging by how green he was turning, I'd wager he got a little more than just a description of what Kobold innards taste like. I'm starting to think that Edi is somewhat of a practical joker, and Red's sense of humor doesn't follow along the same lines." Cain shrugs his shoulders. "Perhaps you could call it a 'lover's quarrel'." He says with a teasing smile and a wink.
Cain hops up onto the drivers seat of the cart and then just can't contain himself. He calls out, "Hey Edi, I think you left some of your supper on my shoes last night, wanna clean em off before it gets too dirty?"
Starting with Cain's comment:
Edi's ears perk at Cain's remark, looks in Cain's direction, and he starts to crack a smile. Red is fixed upon horse, though he obviously heard the comment he doesn't react. Then with an abrupt movement, as though an invisible leash or bridal was tugged to get Edi's attention, he returns to his steely demeanor and returns to his place beside Red.
As Adriana comes up alongside Red, he remains unchanged in his gaze for a minute, then softens a bit as he speaks to her: Adriana, I assume you've known at least a few other Arcanists, or at least know more about them than I... does the power of the arcane seem to change people's disposition at all?
+2 if human =
Looks up at Cain as the wagon moves out and he listens in on Red. Speaking a bit quieter with a sly grin on his face."Well maybe he is also getting the same enjoyment out of it as Edi and it's all in his mind that is making him ill. I know that if all of the sudden the thought of fresh kobald made me salivate I might be a bit disconcerted to.... kinda funny though I wonder what else Edi would really like that is out of the ordinary, any ideas with which we could test this theory o mine?" He continues the conversation while walking beside the wagon as they all head to Oleg's.
Cain's grin spreads wide as he looks to Cael. "How about copious amounts of beer?"
Adriana walks in silence for a few moments, obviously thinking, then answers softly.
Red nods as Adriana is speaking, his eyebrow raises as she gets off on her tangent, but remains silent. After a few moments of pondering her words, his steely gaze is replaced with one of downcast. At this Edi looks up at Red, and Edi seems to share his master's disposition for a moment. The both then seem to recover their composure.
Thanks Adriana. That clarifies things for me. I have quite a bit to think about.
She gives a nod then just walks along in silence. Which is her usual. In fact she seems skilled at schooling her expression to hide whatever she might be thinking. Still... she travels next to Red until lunch when she falls back to her usual spot further back.
It only takes another couple days to make the slow way back to Oleg's, exploring all of the land around it. By evening of the second day the fort is coming into sight.
It takes only a glance to see that things have changed in your absence. The most immediately obvious are the set of four tents pitched just south of the stables, and the two guards on duty. One at the gate, and another in one of the towers acting as a lookout. This might explain the fact that both Oleg, and another, armed, man are there to greet you as you ride in. Oleg with a giant smile on his face and hands ready and willing to give a shake and a clap on the back (at least to the men, Adriana just gets a sort of awkward but firm hand-shake).
The latter watches the reunion from a couple paces back, his hands resting easy at his side as he appraises each of you. He is dressed in worn if well cared for leather armor, and he wears his sword as one who is familiar enough with it to at least not trip over it. His brown hair is worn close to his skull and his face is as worn as his armor, but the small smile and the glint in his eyes shows he is more amused by the scene than anything.
"So how did it go?!" Oleg asks eagerly.