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Dortlin again grows strong as a bull as he urges Clyde into accelerated speed to reach the ... beast? (This provokes if he has reach + combat reflexes.)
Defenses?
He drops the Bardiche and attempts to trip the thing with his Nodachi.
Activate Broken Wing Gambit then
Clyde will use Broken Wing Gambit as he attacks it.
If it is not prone Dortlin will try to trip it again.
If it is prone
Clyde will just attack.
Dortlin realizes that the group faces not a true owlbear but an animated owlbear mascot, likely being powered by magic or some fell spirit. The barding that the animated creature wears, in addition to whatever is powering it, provides strengthened defenses and makes it particularly troublesome to destroy.
With that in mind, Dortlin taps into his animal instincts as he urges Clyde forward to engage the animated beast. He deftly switches weapons and attempts to trip the owlbear - and for a moment, the creature wobbles and flails its arms in a rather comical fashion...but manages to keep its feet. Dortlin is sure that just a little more would've done the trick. On the other hand, Clyde has better luck as he sinks his teeth into the owlbear and rips out a chunk from one of the arms!
Vanya rushes forward to close the distance, as does Stardust who leaps onto the center display in order to get a better view - and a better reach.
The animated owlbear, having no real intelligence, snaps and claws randomly at the three - well, two, really - targets that are present.
The mascot sinks its...uh, beak, deeply into the brave she-wolf, spraying blood everywhere! But when it goes to swing claws at Dortlin, he reacts in the blink of an eye and manages to put the creature down on the ground this time! Clyde also takes advantage of the opportunity to give the mascot another solid bite, tearing out more bits of fur and taxidermied flesh.
________
Round 2
Skye
Fung
Peribras + Darkpaw
Dortlin + Clyde
Vanya
Rallas
Stardust
=======
Walking Taxidermy (-42, Dusted, Prone)
Active Conditions: None
Everyone is UP!
_______
Despite being flat on the ground, the mascot does manage to slash Dortlin's leg with one set of claws but thankfully misses with the second set!
_______
Rallas comes circling around Darkpaw, ready to carve his own piece from the animated mascot. As he does, the mascot takes another swipe...
...and only just misses the elf! In return, Rallas sinks his blade into the flailing creature's back, driving it deep in spite of its heightened defenses. Fung also gifts the mascot with another blast of electricity that leaves it horribly blackened and charred...and yet, it still continues to move and twitch.
________
Round 2
Skye
Fung
Peribras + Darkpaw
Dortlin + Clyde
Vanya
Rallas
Stardust
=======
Walking Taxidermy (-79, Dusted, Prone, Debilitating Injury)
Active Conditions: None
Skye, Vanya, Peribras + Darkpaw and Dortlin + Clyde are UP!
_______
Darkpaw growls at the creature and steps around into flanking position, then bites into it.
for
Skye hustles forward, getting up close and personal with Dortlin and poking him with his healing wand to close some of the more minor cuts the ape-riding hunter has suffered.
Peribras takes aim and looses two more arrows against the mascot but hitting a prone target proves to be a little more difficult than expected and both arrows thud harmlessly into the floor. Darkpaw attempts to savage a flailing leg and though her jaws clamp down firmly on the mascot, her teeth fail to punch through the thick barding protecting it.
________
Round 2
Skye
Fung
Peribras + Darkpaw (-12)
Dortlin + Clyde
Vanya
Rallas
Stardust
=======
Walking Taxidermy (-79, Dusted, Prone, Debilitating Injury)
Active Conditions: None
Vanya and Dortlin + Clyde are UP!
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After a loud crack and a ripple of arcane energy, silence falls across the museum as the construct guards freeze in place and haunted relics drop to the ground. Nigel’s voice rings out, magically projected throughout the museum: “We’ve disabled the magical security measures. Since we haven’t found the thieves yet, they must be hiding in my third-story study. Please subdue them; they have much to answer for!”
Nigel Aldain’s announcement echoes through a museum littered with shattered clockwork and toppled exhibits. There’s no question that the Pathfinders have quelled the building’s defenses, and perhaps the peaceful silence will set whoever hides on the third floor at ease.
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"Thanks."
Dortlin and Clyde try to finish the fight.
Both full attacking first activating Broken Wing Gambit just in case.
If it confirms Dortlin and Clyde get an op attack.
If the crit confirms aoo from both.
And +2 to hit and dmg on it's first attack if it lives.
Between Vanya and the Dynamic Duo's efforts, the strange animated mascot never has a chance to even try and get to its feet as it's hacked and slashed and stabbed into oblivion.
"Aw...and I didn't get a chance to test out my claws against it," Stardust laments. She gives the group a rather appraising look, as if seeing all of you in a slightly different light. "Hmm...maybe playing the riddle game worked out better for me in the long run, eh? You're all tougher than you look - especially Mister Ape-Rider. How long did it take to teach him to fight like that?" she asks, sounding genuinely curious. "Come on, you can tell me about it while we head up top since you're all apparently here to save Nigel's bacon. I've heard that happens a lot around here," the dweomercat chuckles.
_______
After taking a few moments to mend your wounds, you heed the advice of your fellow agents and quickly make your way up to the second floor, as other groups of Pathfinders finish the job of taking care of the museum's remaining guardians. At the sight of the busted-up clockworks, Stardust actually laughs. "Did you guys do this? That's great! I wish you'd found me sooner, because I've always wondered about how easy those things are to break."
You continue onward, past the broken clockworks, up a set of spiraling stairs that must lead to Nigel Aldain's study. The mahogany walls and domed, plaster ceiling both show signs of heavy damage. Most of the luxurious furniture and the crystal chandelier are intact. The contents of cabinets and bookcases lie strewn about the floor. A small wooden panel near the door hangs open, revealing an arcane sigil covered in scorch marks.
A Kellid woman dressed in furs with intricate scars all over her body steps forward. She holds a hand up and says, "Stay back. We are members of the Twinhorn following, and we have only come to retrieve what was stolen from us." As she speaks, you can also see that she has two Kellid men that accompany her, their bows now trained on the party.
A fourth, towering figure steps forward; his translucent red form is that of a man clad in heavy armor and wielding twin warhammers. "Medda, they must be in league with the thieves; they should die for crossing us." The man’s voice sounds hollow and unnaturally loud, and as he speaks, the chandelier glows with a dull light. The woman, Medda, puts a hand on the figure’s arm and says, "Maybe we should give them a chance to explain themselves, Anok." She turns to you, wearing an expectant look. "But I have to admit you'd best make it good, strangers."
_______
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To Stardust: "Many training sessions between many adventures. Our divine connection has made him smarter then most animals. I worry about him though. He has been with me as I met 2 gods in person. One of them granted both of us visions. It might be too stressful for the big guy. Thinkin about letting him retire soon. Set up his own ape church maybe."
When encountering the new people: "There are better ways to retrieve your goods then to break in and steal them. And you callin us thieves is odd considerin, Wouldn't you say?"
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Skye addresses the strangers in his native Hallit, "Well met, Medda and Anok. I am Skye, shaman of the Lyrune Quah. My father was a Kellid of the Night Hunt following."
He switches to the Common tongue, "My friend, Dortlin Golani has the right of it. We are no thieves and have taken nothing. Our aid was requested to end the odd malfunctioning of the museum's wards and guardians."
Skye points to the others, "Dortlin's companion is the ape, Clyde. Xuan Fung. Rallas Linnderil. Vanya Kaleth. Peribras Sandlock and his companion, the wolf Darkclaw. And this, " he indicates the dweomercat, "is Stardust, a new friend."
"Now that we have given you our True Names, perhaps, you can tell us what was stolen from you and how that came to pass. We may be able to help."
Perched on Skye's shoulder, Sova the snowy owl shivers, her ruffled feathers reflecting the stars that would be visible in the night sky, no matter where she is or the time of day.
The spirit animal nods and blinks. "Hoot."
Stardust blinks, clearly not expecting the answer she receives from Dortlin. "Not one, but two gods? Um...I know there's not really much time right now, but those are stories I'd really to hear, okay?"
Turning to regard Clyde, she adds, "Hmm...I think he'd do good with an ape church. If I ever meet any apes looking to get some religion, I'll be sure to send them his way."
It's hard to tell if Stardust is being serious or just pulling Dortlin's leg, but she sounds sincere enough.
_______
The being named Anok narrows his eyes at Dortlin's words and he takes a step forward. "You dare to compare the Twinhorn to these...these...thieving outlanders?" he hisses, but that's as far as he gets before Medda reaches out and firmly grasps his arm.
"Anok! That's enough," Medda warns, a hint of steel in her voice. "You will let them speak."
"I...yes, Medda," Anok finally responds as he falls back to stand by the woman's side. "Forgive me."
Medda shakes her head and then turns her attention back to the group. Where Dortlin's words seemed to have little effect beyond riling up Anok, Skye's more calm, measured introduction achieves just the opposite effect - Medda, her two silent archer companions, and even Anok seem to relax. In fact, Medda's eyes grow wide and she regards Skye with a look of wonder.
"A descendant of the Night Hunt, here in these lands? Fortune smiles on us, Anok! This must be the hand of Vildeis at work - there is no other explanation for it," she exclaims excitedly. "Well met indeed, Skye of Lyrune Quah, Son of the Night Hunt! And to your companions, big and small. Maybe you can be of help to the Twinhorn."
To elaborate, Medda produces a bundle of bloody bandages and unwraps them to reveal a dagger hilt with only the fragment of a black blade. "It belonged to Ivvora, a champion of Vildeis who vanquished the great black evil from our land over 900 years ago. We kept it safe until the Blakros agents stole it three months ago."
Anok chimes in in his deep, booming and hollow voice, "As for the proof you'll surely ask for, they came into our camp asking about Ivvora. Medda gave them shelter and told Ivvora’s story, but we would not part with the hilt. The next morning the hilt and the Blakros agents were gone. We tracked it here, to this building."
Vildeis is not a true god or goddess, but an angel and one of powerful empyreal lords. Known as the Cardinal Martyr, her holy symbol is that of a scarred gold breastplate.
Vildeis is the patron of devotion, sacrifice, and scars. Legend tells that Vildeis despises evil more than any other empyreal lord, so much so that she willingly blinded herself so that she did not have to look upon its foulness. Her followers commit themselves utterly to her worship and to them, sacrifice in the service of good is its own reward.
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To Stardust: "Of course. Do you drink? I know a bar named Pig's Paunch where they would welcome your presence."
Present encounter.
Dortlin mutters to the party what he has heard of Vildeis.
"Blakros agents, Not Pathfinders. That makes me feel better. Did you speak with Nigel about this? It is his museum."
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"Are you claiming the Blackros Museum appropriated your valuables in an illegal manner?" Vanya states, suddenly assuming a very precise tone as if we'll used to such terminology.
"That's a grave accusation indeed, but just so you know we were called here on the assumption you were robbing the museum..."
Anok goggles at Vanya, nonplussed by her words. "Um...yes, we are saying exactly that!" he exclaims. "Weren't you listening to a thing Medda was telling you? Do all of you outlanders have wax in your ears??"
"Well, the armored one sure is a sourpuss...and rude to boot," Stardust whispers to no one in particular.
"Anok, please - I can't blame them for having questions," Medda breaks in. "To be honest, I would too if I were in their shoes." She gives all of you an imploring look. "If it will help our cause, I can prove that the hilt - and the dagger that it belongs with - belong to me."
Medda closes her eyes, grasping the hilt of the broken dagger tightly. When she opens her eyes, they begin to glow with a brilliant white light as her scars begin to seep thin rivulets of blood. "It is bound to me," she explains, her voice now somehow ethereal and eerie. "Is that proof enough for you that our claim is just?"
After a few moments, Medda's eyes and voice return to normal and her scars cease their bleeding. "And you truly think that this Nigel will listen to the Twinhorn now? We tried to simply ask him to return the dagger earlier but he refused, telling us that he didn't honor 'seller's remorse. But...if you, Skye, and your companions...if you will speak on our behalf and lend your voices to ours then we will honor your request to leave this place peacefully."
_______
She nods to the two Twinhorn bowmen standing nearby and they begin to gather their things as if to depart. They've only just begun when the chandelier hanging above suddenly creaks and then come crashing to the ground below!
While Medda reacts just in time to dive out of the way of the chandelier as it shatters against the ground, Anok is not quite as quick and suffers some cuts and gashes from the flying glass. The acrid smell of brimstone fills the room as an enormous fiend of iron and nails appears, standing on six bladed, beetle-like legs and looking for all the world like some sort of infernal knight mounted on some monstrous steed.
"I am free! Servants of the elf, you will pay for my imprisonment!" it bellows as it hefts a trident in one clawed hand.
This is a warmonger devil, a Lawful Evil outsider from Hell.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
_______
The two archers, already on high alert after the arrival of your group, utter warning cries as the creature materializes in the study. Raising their bows, they both fire at the monstrosity!
One of the arrows misses and buries itself in the far wall but the other strikes the monster, penetrating through its armor and into the flesh underneath!
"The Twinhorn will not fall to the likes of you," Anok declares, his eyes blazing with a sudden fury. "Go back to whatever hell sh@t you out!" With a raging battle cry, Anok attempts to give the monster a vicious pummeling!
One of Anok's arms catches the knight squarely across the jaw, but doesn't seem to do quite as much damage as Anok had expected.
"Heh...it'll take more than that to send me back to Hell, puny spirit," the knight chuckles in a hair-raising, hollow voice.
Stardust's eyes grow wide and her fur stands on end as she utters a low, growling snarl. "Whatever it is, it doesn't belong here in your realm! Bring it down; I'll protect Medda," she calls out as she races up the stairs and into the study. As she moves past the monster it lashes out at her with its trident and cuts a large gash along her flank.
"I think not, little housecat! Run along back to your master and your saucer of milk!"
_______
Round 1
Rallas
Peribras + Darkpaw
Archers
Anok (-4)
Fung
Dortlin + Clyde
Stardust (-11)
========
Beetle Knight (-17)
========
Skye
Vanya
Medda
Active Conditions: Aura of Fury (Orange; +2 on melee attacks, -2 AC)
Ralls, Peribras + Darkpaw, Fung, and Dortlin + Clyde are UP!
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"We will definitely help discover the truth. I hear Nigel can be shady at times but he is an ally of the society."
When the Beetle Knight appears Dortlin has a memory boost and shares what he knows.
Since it was foolish enough to appear right next to Clyde and Dortlin they move into action.
"Don't get too used to that freedom taste."
As a swift action Dortlin will grow even more muscular.
He will switch over to the Nodachi and urge Clyde 5 feet closer.
He will then try to trip it. first using Broken Wing Gambit.
Clyde also uses the broken wing gambit as he also takes advantage of the aura of fury to full attack.
If it confirms it provokes aoo's from both.
If it lives it gets +2 to hit and damage on it's first attack.
If it hits Dortlin Clyde will use an immediate action to take a Vengeance Strike. This is not an aoo.
Darkpaw bites at the evil knight.
for plus
for
Rallas charges forward to engage the Beetle Knight and as he does, the creature whips around and slashes at him with its trident, opening up a nasty gash in the elf's side. In turn, Rallas attempts to retaliate against the monster but the Beetle Knight easily deflects the blade.
As with everything else they've faced thus far, Dortlin and Clyde spring into action with their brutal but methodical battle plan. Clyde does the five-foot shuffle next to Beetle Knight as Dortlin hulks out and swells with a burst of strength. He expertly uses his nodachi to sweep Beetle Knight off of his many feet and then Clyde sets upon him in flurry of teeth and claws! So vicious is the mauling that Clyde unleashes that it even afford Dortlin the chance to give the creature a stab with his nodachi for good measure.
Good thing, too. Dortlin knows that Beetle Knight is actually a Warmonger Devil, an evil outsider from the depths of Hell itself. Warmonger devils are challenging opponents, for only good-aligned weapons can be fully brought to bear against them and, like many devils, are completely immune to flame and poison. Their hides are also quite resistant to cold and electricity and warmonger devils can even resist the effects of magic. And, in spite of being true living creatures, these devils also share multiple similarities with constructs which only serves to bolster their defenses further.
"You worms! You face Zedwin'ztar, servant of Moloch himself!" the devil hisses, locking eyes with Dortlin. "And you will be the first to fall beneath my blade!"
Peribras steps forward and pulls out just the thing he'd been saving for an occasion like this - holy arrows. He takes aim and fires twice, but both arrows fail to strike the devil. Darkpaw has better luck, racing forward and avoiding a swipe of the trident to sink her teeth into Zedwin'ztar's leg, giving it a vicious shake!
"Yeah! Show 'em what's what!" Stardust cheers in spite of her injury.
_______
Round 1
Rallas
Peribras + Darkpaw
Archers
Anok
Fung
Dortlin + Clyde
Stardust
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Zedwin'ztar
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Skye
Vanya
Medda
Active Conditions: Aura of Fury (Orange; +2 on melee attacks, -2 AC)
Fung is UP!
_______
Fung moves around the wall of the study in order to gain a better vantage point. Then, a low hum can be heard as Fung winds up and then attempts to blast Zedwin'ztar with a jolt of electricity!
And though the devil does absorb some of the blast, burns can be seen on his body once the smoke clears!
_______
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Looking considerably worse for the wear and surrounded, the devil seems to realize that his situation isn't good. Instead of trying to get to his feet - and open himself up to attacks from all sides - he instead attempts to make good on his threat and directs all of his ire at the massive ape that's been ripping into him and his rider. And even this has a price, as man and ape seem to be anticipating his intent and deliver two more blows that leave the devil bleeding profusely, a black, sticky ichor that drips and pools on the floor.
Perhaps desperately hoping to take at least one foe with him, Zedwin'ztar slashes at Dortlin with his trident while two of his strange, bladed legs kick out at Clyde...
...but as soon as the devil connects against Dortlin with his trident, Clyde immediately retaliates with a powerful Vengeance Strike and finishes the devil off for good! With an inhuman howl, Zedwin'ztar collapses back to the floor and vanishes, leaving behind only the faint scent of brimstone.
Medda and her companions lower their weapons, the battle over as quickly as it began. She gazes upon you all with a newfound respect and even Anok seems impressed with the display he just witnessed.
"I am glad that you came bearing the olive branch instead of the sword, my friends," she says, a wry smile on her lips. "As I now see that engaging you in combat would have likely ended very badly for myself and my companions."
She gazes down at the shattered chandelier, shaking her head. "What man keeps such a dangerous entity bound within such a flimsy prison?"
"A damned fool, that's who," Anok replies. The strange, ghostly man steps forward and gives Dortlin a clap on the shoulder. "You and your ape friend fight as well as any Twinhorn rider. Come, tell me about yourself while we walk."
You all take a few moments to collect yourselves and catch your breath and then prepare to head back outside, to report your success to Sergeant Svaralk and to speak with Nigel Aldain.
"Wow...there hasn't been this much excitement here in ages," Stardust remarks as she falls in with the rest of you. "You belong to some sort of group, right? Are your lives always like this?"
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"We are Pathfinders. And no. We don't always adventure, And when we do adventure there can be long travel times. Honestly we were at a party of sorts in our lodge when this happened. After we talk to Nigel you could all come and party with us. Fair warning, Pathfinders are a curious lot and will be asking you questions all night."
"As for the devil, He's dead now so problem solved. Let's ask Nigel to give you back your knife then party."
Dortlin will give them a brief but truthful account of his adventures. Ranging from the outrageous meetings of gods, to the odd dinner parties and casino heists, to mundane sailing while catching up on some reading.
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"Rallas, would you like me to use your wand to heal your wounds?"
"Stardust, you've been a valiant ally. I release you from any obligation from our earlier wager. You're welcome to accompany us as long as you'd like, but let that be as you will it. If you're interested in joining the Pathfinder Society, you'd be welcome in the Dark Archive. Our Venture-Captain, Zarta Dralneen, has many, em, feline qualities."
Skye nods at Dortlin's suggestion. "Medda, let's find Nigel Aldain and settle this matter of the Twinhorn Following's important artifact. We will vouch for you and your people."
"Really?" Stardust replies, sounding thoughtful. "Hum...I wonder..." her voice trails off as an odd little expression that might approximate a grin seems to creep across her feline features. "An invitation that bears consideration! But it can wait for the moment while you deal with this dagger business."
"Very kind of you," Anok remarks, sarcasm in his voice. "We'll try not to inconvenience your wanderlust for too long."
_______
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The crowd of guards, onlookers, and concerned citizens outside the Blakros Museum quiets as Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin approaches a woman clad in furs exiting the museum. “My Pathfinder agents tell me that you are Medda of the Twinhorn following, is that correct?”
“Yes, I speak for the following.” Medda glares at Nigel Aldain, “I have come to reclaim what is rightfully ours. His agents stole our most sacred relic after we refused to sell it. We have traveled through dangerous lands to claim it back, and still he refused—”
“My agents claim they bought it,” Nigel protests. “I’m not going to just give it to you because you stomp into my office demanding priceless artifacts.”
Valsin interjects, “Nigel, let us listen to her story and decide how to proceed. Medda, tell us about this relic. Why is it so important to you?”
Medda takes a deep breath. “Over 900 years ago, a powerful warrior named Ivvora came into our camp. She spoke of an angel named Vildeis who guided her hunt for a great dark evil she called Eshimka. Several of our scouts had recently disappeared, later found ripped into pieces. The elders insisted that we help banish this evil and ensure the safety of our following. They laid a trap for the evil spirit, luring it to our sacred standing stones on the winter solstice. There, Ivvora and the great dark evil, Eshimka, fought a mighty battle that raged for hours. Just as the night was darkest, Ivvora dealt Eshimka a telling blow, digging her dagger deep into its flesh. The creature tried to escape, but it only snapped off the blade and then collapsed on the center stone. The elders finished their ritual and destroyed it completely.
“Ivvora rested with us for the winter before departing to eradicate more evil from the world, but not before leaving us the hilt of her weapon.” Medda withdraws a bundle of bloody cloth from her bag, then unwraps it to reveal a small hilt with a bloody fragment of black metal. “She told us to bring the hilt back to the standing stones every year at the winter solstice to keep evil away. We’ve had to travel for so long to retrieve the hilt, I’m afraid we won’t make it back in time for the solstice. Please, let me leave now.”
Ambrus Valsin contemplates Medda’s story for a moment, then nods, his brow furrowed. “Nigel, you should send for the Blakros agents who ‘obtained’ the hilt and hear what they have to say. Medda, I’m going to send as many Pathfinder agents as you deem necessary to travel with you and your following. I want to ensure we return this relic to its proper place.” Nigel starts to protest, but Valsin cuts him off. “Nigel, you wanted my help; you are getting it. I’m helping you fix a mistake your agents made. As for your museum,” Valsin takes a moment to survey the heavily damaged museum, ”I’m told most of the damage was done by your own security, not Medda and her following.
“Pathfinders, prepare to head north to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords.”
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“My Pathfinder allies, thank you for bringing us much needed support,” says Medda, the Twinhorn following’s spiritual leader. She stands beside Anok, her phantom and constant companion. “After the orc ambush sapped our supplies and strength, we pushed north to our winter home. We are only hours away from the stone circle and our encampment—if we are going to make it there by midnight, we need to press on. Once there, we will use Ivvora’s hilt to perform our time-honored ritual and keep evil from our lands.” Medda produces the small hilt of a broken weapon with only a fragment of its black metal blade remaining. “Let us move. There are dangers in these ancient woods: orc raiders, bears that topple trees, and worse. Stay in groups and don’t get lost.”
As the Kellids and Pathfinders reach the top of the hill next to the Twinhorn encampment, they notice splashes of blood and the occasional corpse dotting the landscape. Medda raises her voice, calling, “My brethren, our families are under attack! Secure the camp and drive back any who oppose you. Pathfinder allies, join us in defense of our home!” The landscape opens into a burned hillside where blackened trees stand like lifeless sentinels. A crude blockade shields the entrance to a natural cavern.