Duristan believes himself to be quite the werewolf hunter. He's killed three so far, a fact he is keenly proud of. As if to punctuate his prowess he shows you a nasty-looking scar on his shoulder.
"Its a scarward," he says, pulling down his his jerkin off of his right shoulder, "and it prevents lycanthropy. A witch at the Lodge gave it to me. I will make sure she gives you all one when we return. Can't be too careful."
The forest goes pitch black save for the firelight. The wine bottle empties, and Duristan produces a decanter of fine the Ustalavic brandy, and that too, begins to get low. It is almost time for the second watch when a short, horrid snarl pierces the night, followed by a smothered scream cut short.
Tolvan is able to somewhat pinpoint the noise and casts Dancing lights in the general direction. He will then move the lights around to locate the cause of the noise.
Anna makes a face at the prospect of gaining an ugly scar. "I'll just stick with the plan of not getting bitten, thank you." She declines when the brandy is passed around.
Anna is up and reaching for her crossbow, then she swears. She takes up the shortbow, shakes her head, and moves to stand next to Tolvan. She pats her mithral dagger at her side as she watches his spell illuminate the area where she heard the scream and snarl. Glancing around, she chooses a patch of shadow cast by the torches, and melds into it, throwing her hood up over her head to activate her cloak's magic.
Danica rises and looks towards the others, obtaining confirmation that she was not the only one hearing the screams. She prepares an arrow and notches it on her bow string. "It's show time guys."
I get up and grab my sword. No time to put on armor.
If nothing happens immediately, he will start putting on his armor.
If nothing happens immediately, he will start putting on his armor.
Tolvan's lights flit about the massive boles of the trees, casting shadows about as they move. It's hard to tell with all of the tricks those dancing shadows play, always something seems to be moving on the edge of your vision.
Then the eyes appear.
Gleaming brightly in the light of the spell, a pair of large yellow eyes watches you from the shadows, just out of the range of the dancing lights illumination.
Danica aids Oathar in putting on his armor. "We should hire a squire for you. I hear all of the knights have one." Danica keeps a straight face as she pokes fun of her friend.
Tolvan advances and expands the dancing lights. They may exist 170 feet away from him and he can move then 100' feet a round. In expanded formation they illuminate a 30' circle.
I see you there. Come and speak with us if you will. If you choose not to do so, I fear I will have to consider you hostile.
Anna stays silent in the shadows. She stays aware of the eyes, but also casts about, wary that more than one beastie might be lurking about in the woods.
The stories continued, the wine and brandy passed around.
no objections ever came, and Kimberly definitely had her share.
of course she barely had any before the effects start to hit her.
behold the drunken little oracle.
By the time the scream came and the nightly visitor, Kimberly is completely passed out.
Kimberly was having trouble stirring and her head was pounding as the events started to play out.
ohhhh, I don't feel so good...
Again, the size and thickness of the boles of the trees foil Tolvan's attempts to get a clear view of who - or what - the eyes belong to. The shadows dance, huge shapes rising and falling as the lights move. The eyes wink out, only to re-appear fifty feet to the left a few seconds later.
Anna stays silent in the shadows. She stays aware of the eyes, but also casts about, wary that more than one beastie might be lurking about in the woods.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
Anna sees nothing but dancing shadows and moving lights.
It seems to be trying to draw us out into the darkness. Tolvan observes.
"Tolvan, draw your orbs back to camp. I can see in pitch darkness." Danica tries to see into the blackness.
Something big is indeed moving in the darkness just outside the lights. You can't hear it so much as feel it.
Detect evil range 60' in that direction.
It is definitely evil.
The eyes wink out. A few seconds later, a huge creature steps out from the darkness between the boles of the trees. It jaws are dripping with blood and gore. The victim - one of Duristan's minions - is being dragged by the ankle. In its other hand (paw), the beast carries a huge blade.
It looks at you with those large yellow eyes, and snarls.
"What do you here, trespassing in Vollensag lands?" She growls in a deep guttural voice.
Tolvan sees the dead man and is tempted to attack the were. But it also seems to be trying to talk instead of attack, so he holds off, hoping that one of the more diplomatic types will speak. Almost as an unconscious though the gloves of dancing lights move slowly towards the creature better illuminating it.
"A hunting trip"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Under his breath Tolvan whispers to the other. The Vollensag are one of the five tribes of werewolves in the Shudderwood. They are also known as the Primals.
Anna stays silent and shrouded in the shadows. She keeps a silvered arrow nocked and ready.
Duristan lies flat on the ground where he fell over from his stool when the beast emerged from the darkness. He says nothing, his mouth frozen open in fear.
The werewolf emits a low rumbling growl at Oathar's words. "Lies...to be expected from the likes of you."
We did not know that the Vollensag claimed these woods. Do you wish us to leave? Tolvan truthfully states. If you can explain the boundaries of the lands you claim we will be better informed in the future.
Duristan lies flat on the ground where he fell over from his stool when the beast emerged from the darkness. He says nothing, his mouth frozen open in fear.
Yeah, I expected about as much, Anna thinks bitterly from her hiding spot. She keeps quiet and alert as the others talk with what she could only assume was a werewolf. Though her nerves are racing, she keeps her head and stays focused. These creatures are flesh and blood, she reminds herself.
Danica responds in kind. "Apologies, we did not know these lands were claimed. We were on a hunting trip and as you can see we are poor at that. we did not come for a fight but if provoked we have the means to defend ourselves. Why have you attacked one of these men?"
Danica tries to discern the werewolve's weakness.
"Again...more lies. Your false explanations are meaningless. Go tell whoever sent you to stay out of wolf affairs! Let him know that his dealings with Mathus Mordrinacht and the Silverhide pack do not sit well with the other tribes of this wood. There shall be much blood spilled between our kin before a Silverhide packlord sits upon Highthrone. Mathus the betrayer shall never claim the title, and should you and yours continue to support him, the wrath of the wolf packs shall fall upon him! Now leave our territory and return to your cozy wooden den, or share the fate of these poor little sheep!” The big were growls, continuing to glare at you while her huge paw flexes on the hilt of her blade.
Duristan whispers: 'M-maybe we should g-go...'
This is your hunt Duristan. If you say we should go, then we should go. Tolvan comments, wondering about a number of things the were has said. He then calls back to the were I do not know this Mathus Mordrinacht and have never met a Silverhide that I am aware of. What can you tell me of him so that I will recognize him for the traitor he is? What is his treachery?
"If someone in the wooden den is conspiring with the Silverhides it is not us. Sounds like we may have a common cause. We hunt those who support the Way."
Kimberly stumbles toward the others, her eyes a little glazed over, she seems to be able to make out a really big doggie, or is that a wolf?
her voice a little slurred, Kimberly stumbles a little closer to the wolf, Hi there mr. wolfie, person. I am, ahh, I am, never mind that part, I want to tell yoush, <hic> that I have never met anyone like you, ever before. it ish a real pleas <hic> plea <hic> pleashure to meet you.
Now about theshe clansh and shtuff, why don't you tell ushe more? I think theresh more of that funny juicshe here shome where.
she spins around a little trying to find any more wine or brandy.
mixed in her drunken slur is a tiny bit of magic, enhancing her words just a little bit
The werewolf bares her teeth in a feral snarl as Kimberly approaches. Too fast for the eye to follow, the huge were leaps forward, pinning Kimberly to the ground. One giant foot on her chest, the were places her face right in Kimberly's. Her hot breath reeks of blood and gore as she growls: "Leave. Now. Send our message to your cowardly master."
She leaps backwards away from the prone form of the oracle. Bent in a half-crouch, she lifts her head and lets loose a blood-curdling howl. A long, low howl that reaches through the trees and draws itself up into the night sky.
Then she is answered.
First one, then another, then another howl come from out of the dark forest. Within seconds, it sounds as if the whole forest is alive with Vollensag hunters.
'Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh' Duristan, in abject terror, leaps to his feet and unties his horse. Without even saddling his mare, he tears off out of the camp like all of the tribes of the Shudderwood were after him.
"I think we are outnumbered. Best we withdraw.
After the werewolf releases the oracle Tolvan goes to her, lifts her up and carries her back to the others. Fool girl. he says in a chastising voice. You endanger not only your own life but all of our lives. If you wish to continue to travel with us you shall not do anything like this in the future. Do you understand! Turning to the paladin he nods. Lead us out of here.
Anna materializes out of the shadow she was hiding in and pulls back her hood. "Can someone tell me what just happened? she asks, incredulous.
"I mean, I expect cutting and running from Duristan, but I thought you'd unleash all kinds of holy righteous smiting on that thing." She looks over at the mauled corpse. "Or did you check him out and he's not evil, just misunderstood?"
Then she turns on Kimberly. "I think this is a pretty bad time to convert to Cayden Cailean!"
She stands in the middle of the camp, listening to the howls in the darkness. "This stinks. We are doing a fantastic job here. I for one vote we just head back to Lepidstadt and tell Daramid where she can stick her stupid plan."
"With Kimberly impaired and I without armor, I felt it best to regroup and come back when we are in better shape to deal with them. One, I was not concerned with, but I am not a fool to take on an entire pack at once. Besides, I think there is information to be gleaned about these Silverhides. Does it not seem strange that the packs are having issues at the same time the Way has shown its face here? I would not doubt they are behind the Silverhides. Deal with them and perhaps we will have less issues with the other packs. Your opinion Tolvan?"
edited my typo
Anna fumes. "It's Tolvan"
"And we don't know if the Way is here, or has been here, or anything. Daramid just said there was strangeness at the Anscanor Lodge. Well, yes. I think we've confirmed it. It's strange."
She shakes her head and moves over to where she had her tent set up.
Trying to stay near Anna and skill carrying Kimberly, Tolvan follows the Paladin back towards the lodge.