Fethril's acute elven eyes scan the area and find an enormous beast lying in wait, fifty feet above you, on the edge of the sandstone. It is cleverly hidden from less well-trained vision.
James doesn't see any tracks in the hard-packed earth, but figures the downward slope will lead to Kafar and Nefti's final destination.
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The elf makes a conscious effort to not panic. That response is for the baser races. However, how best to share this information with the others so as not to provoke some reaction based on fear.
"I am glad that thing is dead but I feel like I don't want to fight what killed it."
"But isn't that what humans like to do? Push themselves to their limits. To take their entitlement and privilege to exotic locales and kill or destroy the ecosystems? Maybe that is why Fate has seen fit to provide you with the opportunity to do it once again. How ironic that the only concern you voiced out loud is the one thing nature ensured you will have to do." Fethril merely stares at the human and begins casting a spell. "Haven't you figured it out?" With a long sigh of disappointment, "Your predator is concealed on the cliff above."
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Kelris looks up at where Fethril is pointing, seeing the Large creature Kelris shifts his stance to that of protection placing himself between the flimsy Elf and the large predator.
"Yes you are right ALL humans are out to destroy and enslave all the races of this planet, maybe we will have to mount up and go to your home later so I can see what I am up against." Kelris was with a mock grin.
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"Funny, I never mentioned 'slavery'. Interesting how your mind went right to that abominable practice. Certainly not one of your race's greater contributions. Perhaps we should suspend this intercourse until after the present situation has been resolved?"
Of course he threatens violence, even when receiving honest social feedback. Maybe I should take him to Kyonin. I'd like to see how quickly he loses grin of his when he sees just how a truly enlightened society interacts with its environment. Then with a grin of his own, Actually, maybe I should leave him there.
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Fethril looks as if he has been slapped. Their twisted ways are an affront to all life. There is no greater curse upon Golarion itself. And you would say their blood-tainted stain is somehow connected to ALL ELVES? Surely you cannot mean this. They are so far removed from true elves that it is more accurate to say that all half-orcs are synonymous to every human, and that YOU should be held accountable for all their atrocities!" This last part is at the established edge of Fethril's composure. Spittle sprays as if to punctuate his growing rage at this clear and completely unprovoked attack.
His heart aches with true sorrow. Have all my efforts to enlighten them and improve their lives been for naught? How much more can I give them? Maybe they are all beyond hope. Perhaps they cannot be pulled up from the swamp their society is mired in. I had once believed that by being a light for a few of them that I could ignite an inferno of change. However, all they really want to do is burn down anything that challenges their reality. It would be somewhat humorous if it were not so tragic.
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Kelris turns his face away from James and Fethril so his smile cannot be seen. "Yes we are not know at times for our temperament but I thought you Wizened and Intellectual Elves were. There are also many other races that Enslave, Dark Dwaves, Kobolds, Giants..." Kelris goes on for a minute as he readies himself.
Fethril knows the beast is known as a Behir, though this one appears smaller than a full-grown beast. Temperamental and avaricious, the behir spends most of its time slithering through the sandy hills and desert cliffs that make up its territory, preying upon all creatures who dare to enter its hunting grounds. The creature’s six pairs of powerful, clawed legs remain folded against its sides most of the time, only extending in combat to grapple foes or carry the behir forward in a terrifying, low-slung gallop, or else when climbing the sheer cliff faces common to behir lairs.
In addition they are known to fire gouts of lightning from their mouths, shocking and charring its prey before swooping down to attack.
Realizing you know where it lies in wait the Behir roars at you. "Intruders! You dare tread upon my territory a second time?! You die now!"
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Earlier, as they are investigating the defeated creature, Morka stands behind the group and witnesses the interaction of his comrades. It is obvious that he is rather uncomfortable by all of this, seeing that he is new in the group. He finally musters up the courage to speak up, but he keeps it short - like the pun he makes. "You know, guys. All the races actually have their shortcomings. I would know." He does a poor job at easing the tension as the creature on the hill attacks them.
When it comes to his turn, he will begin his bardic performance to grant everyone bonuses.
The behir rushes forth, scattering stones in its wake. It winds up latched onto the cliff face, making its way downward.
The behir roars as a dagger finds itself lodged between the monster's scales. It climbs down further before dropping the last fifteen feet to the ground.
It crawls over top of the worm's corpse and launches its lightning breath at Kelris and Fethril. Unfortunately, this causes the blisters covering the corpse to explode in a poisonous cloud.
Morka's arrow finds another opening in the Behir's scales, damaging it more.
Fethril's missiles dive through the clouds, injuring the Behir as it dodges Kel's strikes. It lashes out at the man with its massive jaws, attempting to grab a hold.
It manages to hold him and looks back up to its home on the cliff. The wind continues whistling through the gully, dissipating the cloud of poisonous gas.
Morka's arrow finds another opening in the Behir's scales, leaving it open for more attacks.
Everyone jumps on the Behir as it grabs Kelris, bringing it down with a flurry of blows.
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Merisiel looks around for any valuables. She examines the carcass of the worm-thing, but it careful not to touch it.
Then she goes up where the Behir had been hiding and looks around.
"Fethril, with your magical training, you could quickly locate any magic items of note in this desolate waste. Might I ask you to Detect Magic?"
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"Well done everyone!" The halfling exclaims cheerfully! "Was that a Behir? My oh my, isn't it a little small? Heh, I've only read about them in books! Well, I sure am glad I had the rest of you guys with me, otherwise I would have been toast!" He smiles at the group, happy that they have once again found a way to work together.
He will help to look around the battlefield.
He raises a question, to the party, "How is everyone doing on their mystical energies? That thing we found earlier, it might help replenish your strengths if we need to!"
It appears this Behir was too young to have much in the way of treasure stored in its lair, just some inconsequential small coins and a steel bracelet. However there is a 'ring' on one of its claws that glows with magic. Upon closer inspection it appears to be a crown of swords.
Although the behir’s remarks indicate that Kafar and Nefti took this course, the severe winds and hard ground make it impossible to locate any tracks; however, you can infer that continuing down the valley is the natural route forward and is likely the path taken by your quarry. The trail descends among many red sandstone arches and hoodoos as the afternoon sun heats the rock formations to baking temperatures. Periodically, you find signs of Kafar and Nefti’s passage, such as a discarded bottle, footprint, or shred of cloth. As the afternoon heat abates, you finally begin ascending taller peaks.