Bugsby watches Avora for several moment, not comprehending her pain. Eventually he shrugs, takes out a crossbow bolt and moves to the body (dismissing the grease before he gets to it), and stabs the corpse half a dozen times for good measure. He also uses both hands to change the mans expression from a serene smile to an evil frown with eyebrows turned down, and puts a pebble in the mans nose. Dipping his finger into the blood on the mans face he then writes 'MrUgly' on the mans forehead. Looking up he gives Avora a smile, "That'sbetter!" and then commences a thorough search of the body, and then the cabin, with judicious uses of detect magic in to assist his searching.
On the body, Bugsby finds masterwork studded leather, masterwork short sword still dripping with the greenish ichor, masterwork thieves tools, a ring of keys you suspect fit all those locks the ulfen "lockpicked", a book of arcane writings, and a magical cloak that radiates minor abjuration.
Inside the one room cabin you find a chest of clothes befitting that of a hunter, a single bed, the mounted heads of a bear and an elk, the beginnings of a longbow left mid construction, 3 blankets, a spare suit of cold weather gear, 3 more days trail rations, and a journal written by Dryden Kepp.
Assuming someone flips through the journey, you find notes of various game trails and hunting tactics, as well as mention of some bear traps he's strewn about the local area to try and catch a giant white weasel. Perhaps the most interesting thing, is a reference to a maze of giant ice shards leading to a strange hut and the odd doll that's inside it.
Gradually, Avora's fierce stabs slow down and she falls to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. She buries her face in Sven's furs when he comforts her, pausing to sniffle a "thank you" to Bugsby for his efforts. After long moments, she recovers her composure and picks up her spear, letting Sven lead her to the cabin to rejoin the others.
Astonished by the damage the evil cleric did with his channeling, Ankih can only stare as the others destroy their opponent. He sadly watches as Avora breaks a little, and Bugsby tries in his way to help her. Following the others into the cabin he channels to help heal them.
Grabbing Sven before he leaves, he channels once more...
And a third and final time, finishing his Channeling for the day..
Then offers to help the big man dispose/bury the body.
On the body, Bugsby finds masterwork studded leather, masterwork short sword still dripping with the greenish ichor, masterwork thieves tools, a ring of keys you suspect fit all those locks the ulfen "lockpicked", a book of arcane writings, and a magical cloak that radiates minor abjuration.
Inside the one room cabin you find a chest of clothes befitting that of a hunter, a single bed, the mounted heads of a bear and an elk, the beginnings of a longbow left mid construction, 3 blankets, a spare suit of cold weather gear, 3 more days trail rations, and a journal written by Dryden Kepp.
Assuming someone flips through the journey, you find notes of various game trails and hunting tactics, as well as mention of some bear traps he's strewn about the local area to try and catch a giant white weasel. Perhaps the most interesting thing, is a reference to a maze of giant ice shards leading to a strange hut and the odd doll that's inside it.
Bugsby is sure to remove the body of it's unneeded arraignments, smiling happily at finding the keys and the thieves tools, regarding the latter like an fondly remembered friend. He puts the armor and the sword in the floor, along with the blankets, rations, and gear. The cloak he takes with him to a corner to quietly study, turning it this way and that, and the book of arcane writings he keeps nearby to study next.
Kalt stumbles a bit on the way into the cabin, having taken quite a bit of damage in the last minute or two. As Ankih's healing energies flow over him, he straightens and takes a deep, easing breath, a satisfied smile on his face. He looks around at the rest of the party for a moment, then says, "We nearly lost the bastard again there. Sorry, folks, I should have had him a couple of times. But Avora and Bugsby got it right - nice catch, you two. I would have liked to question him, but the world's a better place without him in it, that's sure."
As his friends look through the cabin, Kalt takes up Kepp's journal and skims through it, looking for any maps, sketches or descriptions of where Dryden placed his traps, any information on the giant weasel, and all he can find about the maze of ice shards.
"Resting here sounds like a good plan, Sven. I'll take some time to study Kepp's journal a bit more closely, see if I can sort out where his traplines are. And learn what I can to prepare us for a visit to the ice maze. I agree, it sounds like something we need to take a look at."
Bugsby shares what he discovers about the cloak and spellbook:
The cloak is an enchanted yeti cloak that has multiple effects. It offers it's wearer a constant endure elements to cold, +1 natural armor, and a +2 bonus to intimidate if the pull the hood round their head. The spellbook contains alarm, chill touch, expeditious retreat, feather fall, identify, locate object, and ray of enfeeblement.
Getting praise from Kalt, the gnome puffs out his little chest proudly, clearly pleased by the praise. "Who'scoldalotthatwantsthiscloak?" he asks the others. He peers out a window to try and get some idea how much time they have left.
" That's a nice cloak Bugsby, but I don't think I could wear something that Rohkar wore. He was an Evil and Vile man."He shudders as he glances at the green tinged sword blade.
No one wants to do a little exploring??? ;)
Okay, we'll rest.
The group settles into the small cabin for the remainder of the day and evening. The cabin was clearly not meant to house six as the group can barely move about inside without bumping into each other. Ankih tries to care for everyone while they rest, but without any herbs and bandages, just succeeds in making everyone comfortable while they rest on their own.
The night is quiet, the wind having died down and only the gentle fall of snow is seen outside. The group awakes in the morning refreshed, though a bit stiff having to sleep wedged against each other and someone under the table.
Bugsby, already adept at wedging himself into small spaces, found the night to be quite warm and comfortable, offering up silent thanks to the poor deceased hunter and trapper who's home they are invading.
Come the morning, the little gnome seems ready and eager to go.
Avora confers to Sven:
" Ahh bright beautiful Dawn!! Always a pleasure to see another one." Ankih returns from his morning prayers happy and relaxed.
" Is anyone in need of healing before we begin our icy sojourn?"
Seeing that not everybody is in tip top shape, Ankih intones a quick prayer for health, while everyone is still gathered in the small room...
" Shine your Blessed light upon us Milady.."
"Yes, thank you, Ankih. It is a fine light your lady shines on us." While Kalt eats a quick breakfast, he describes what he's read in the journal about the traps set for the giant weasel, so his friends are less likely to come upon them unawares. Then, taking a last look at the directions to the maze of ice, he hefts his pack and steps to the doorway. He takes a deep breath of the cold air and says, "All ready to travel? I expect we've got quite a day ahead of us."
Avora will certainly take the cloak, if no one else claims it.
The group sets out from the cabin in a "perfect" day. The clouds overhead prevent the sun glare, and the wind has lessened over night. Kalt easily leads the group back to the main trail and south, toward Somir Valley.
Preoccupied in thought, Kalt trudges on, but Ankih and Lachna show keener eyes than the ranger as they call out moments before he steps into one of the bear traps strewn about the area. Now clear of his fog, he easily leads the group around the remaining untriggered traps. However, two traps have snapped shut, and bloody animal tracks mark the snow as the trail descends from a ridge into a copse of evergreen trees. As you follow the trail, two things become apparent. The corpse of a large Giant weasel lies exsanguinated in the snow, two of its limbs nearly torn from its body. The other is that the ground is completely devoid of snow, though heavy snow burdens the boughs of the evergreens.
Bugsby runs over to the dead creature, scooping up a stick and poking at the beast in open curiosity. "Whatafind!Thesmellaloneisworththetrip!" he says, even as he tugs resolutely on one of the whiskers, determined to remove it. He does have the presence of mind to cast detect magic around the area, idly wondering about the lack of snow.
Bugsby runs over an begins poking the corpse with a stick, stepping on branches, pine cones, and a carpet of pine needles. Suddenly a harsh sound like branches being brushed together bellows out as a snowy limb of the tree next to him descends , clipping the gnome and sending him spinning.
When he manages to right himself he sees himself practically surrounded by angry-looking trees. Doing his gnome-ish best to ignore the pain of several cracked or broken ribs he turns and runs with all speed back towards his friends, "Don'tstepontheiryoung!! AAAAaaaaaahhhHHHHHHH!!!" he screams with reckless abandon.
Those sounds... Voices? I can't understand wha....Bugsby!!
" Wait, gentle giants, we mean you no harm! He's just a very excitable gnome! Avora can you talk to them?"
" Please hear us out! We have a nature walker among us!" Ankih shouts out as he stumbles forward hampered by his snow gear.
I hope they understand common
The trees show no sign of understanding the words Ankih speaks as two charge in on the fleeing Bugsby, unhindered by any of the foliage. The third, unable to reach the gnome, stomps over to the advancing cleric and swings a branch.
Ankih manages to avoid the blow, but the two rampaging trees club Bugsby hard. When the branches rise, Bugsby does not, and he is covered in a sticky sap.
"Arhoswch!" Avora shouts hurriedly. "Rydym yn golygu unrhyw niwed! Rydym yn eich cyfarch gyda heddwch."
Kalt dodges past Sven's swing, saying quickly, "Let's take out the one on the end, then focus on the middle one, then on down the line. Like taking down pickets around a Galtish camp."
He moves wide of the tree-creature, then circles behind it and swings his sword, but fails to penetrate its tough bark.
The treekin show no sign of understanding Avora’s pleas, and so Sven’s axe bits deeply into the wood of his target. Kalt’s blow does deflect off the bark, not inflicting any serious damage, but enraging the tree further.
Bugsby's body shudders a bit and begins to breath rhythmicly beneath his sap covered clothing.
It takes Lachna several moments to recover from the sight of walking trees. By the time she does, poor Bugsby is on the ground, quivering. The look on her face turns from one of astonishment to one of rage and she roars as she lashes out at the creatures who harmed him.
Avora reaches out with her mind, the air around her becoming bitterly cold.