@vort- it sounds like a Crow, or Raven.
@Hans- you see a small glowing from the old cornfield that the farm is located at, and it appears to be getting smaller. (like a torch being carried away) your survival check doesn't turn up any extra info.
Hans watches the receding light as he says to the others, "Someone--or something--other than a crow is out here. A light is receding into the woods. Might be a torch, but... might be one of those lights that distracted us when the b*tch wolf attacked for her pups."
"So do we fortify ourselves here? No tracks to follow it seems."
"No, we have not enough supplies for any sort of lengthy stay here. Perhaps leave the homestead and travel in a spiral pattern outwards looking for any sign of what may have been here?"
Vort ties his gear together and throws his pack across his broad back. He slaps the greataxe back into his massive paw and nods.
"Vort is ready!"
the light appears to wait or working on something. the crow continues to Kaw.
my friend Russell , (llano) decided play by post just isn't for him. he says ty for trying it out with him.
"No reason to leave in the middle of the night. For now, we stay here where we have some limited defense if something comes at us again. We'll move on in the morning," Grethel says.
Hans watches the light and says, "Grethel... the lights led you away last time, is that right? Well, right now, it's just one light and its... I don't know. Waiting? If it's the wolves, I must image we're the targets... so it's bait for a trap. Nonetheless, it could be a trap with our targets nearby."
He looks about for the crow, pistol still in hand.
"Yes. Beat the bush to make the snakes stick their head out. We are the snakes..."
Alexandria sees Grim looking about the crow. "If you can find that bird, I suggest you kill it. Just in case."
"Fair enough, brother mine. All together then, when we're ready? Vort, put on your armor."
It seems you have time, nothing attacks you in the time it takes to put on armor. (sorry Vort just seeing if you would leave without armor) as for the crow you can see it but you know it there because it caws from the cornfield from where the light is.
(sorry Vort just seeing if you would leave without armor)
Hans dons his own armor, a precious mithril shirt he was given by his mentor in the church, grabs his backpack, and makes ready to "follow the light".
Alexandria gathers up all of her belongings and dons her own armor.
Certain that the moment of danger has passed, the barbarian preps his gear once more.
Vort straps on his armor and hefts his greataxe. The weight feels good in his hands. He anticipates sinking it into warm flesh again soon.
The sunrise is still many hours away. outside the farmhouse all is quiet except for the Cawing of the crow. After looking around you see that the light is more of a greenish color rather then yellow or white.
"All right. If we're set, let's go investigate the lights together," Grethel suggests.
Knowing most of them can't see all that well in the dark, she summons some small red lights as well, the heat warding off any nighttime chill.
Grethel's lights illuminate the surrounding area.
Vort takes the lead as they head out into the darkness.
Vort heads toward the light, greataxe in hand.
Here goes nothing.
the party heads through the unkempt cornfield, as they get closer to the cawing. you can hear a little movement up ahead. The light is getting brighter and you will get to it shortly.
(any of you want to do anything this round.? before the view.)
Grethel takes a moment to center herself, ready to pummel whatever may be ahead.
"Let's do this," she says.
Alexandria will just have her crossbow out and loaded with a silver bolt, just in case.
Vort continues forward, giving himself a slight lead from the party in case he attracts attention.
as you come into the clearing you see a scarecrow barely hanging on to its poles. twine hold onto the wrists. you see what appears to be a glowing ghost raven. its light is a sickly green. trying to pick at the scarecrow but its beak doesn't effect the creature. as you show up it turns and appears to look at everyone. "Caw!"
Alexandria looks puzzled and tries to figure out what the ghost is. "A ghostly raven is not what I expected to find."
"Should we try to get rid of it? It doesn't seem to be hurting anything, but if it's trying to talk to us, it isn't making a whole bunch of sense right now," Grethel notes.
She looks around to see if there's anything else.
Hans has a deeply suspicious expression. "If it is a ghost or a spirit, it is undead and not of this world, here to lure us for some purpose." Still holding the pistol in one hand, he lofts his holy symbol with the other and prays to Sarenrae.
The ghost raven gives a shriek of pain and dies as Johannes kills it with a ray with a wet popping sound it explodes like a balloon with light motes.
@Vort- You find no evidence of anything else in the clearing. it appears to be a cleared out piece of land that a old scarecrow was placed.
@alex- normally ghost do not come in the form of animals due to most ghost stay to fulfill a purpose. Whatever the animal is it is unusual.
Having slain it with positive energy, Hans grunts. "T'was beyond death but is no longer." He studies the scarecrow and the rest of the area.
"Yes, that creature is gone, but from where did it come? It is not normal for a ghost animal to exist. I have to wonder if someone summoned it here for a purpose."
"Well, that was ... unusual," Grethel observes. "Well shot, Brother Mine."
She moves forward carefully, going to inspect the scarecrow.
Vort curses beneath his breath at the sight of the strange apparition.
"Foul Ustalavic sorcery. Bah."
As Grethel walks towards the scarecrow it starts to twitch and rises off the pole it was resting on. In the rotten pumpkin a small bit of fire starts to alight. Vort barely pulls himself out of looking into its eyes. The scarecrow then silently rushes forward and attacks Grethel.
It uses its surprise action to fascinate Vort DC 14 will save.
Scarecrow firsts- first tab under caravan.
take 10 grethel you saved vs the fear effect.
HP: 22/32 (nonlethal 2)
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15 CMD 16 (18 vs. grapple)
DR 1/— vs. creatures and attacks with the fire type
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +2
Burn: 1/6 Martial Flexibility: 1/4
Effects: weapon focus (unarmed)
Grethel grunts as the thing hits her.
"You'll find I hit back," she growls, flame flaring up around her before it coalesces around her fists as she tries to pummel the scarecrow.
Hans scowls as the scarecrow moves to attack his sister but, rather than uselessly curse its existence, he studies it with a cold eye while raising his pistol. CRACK! With a blast of fire and smoke, the lead pellet speeds towards the hay-stuffed demon.
------------------
Actions
Move: Studied Target (Scare Crow)
Standard: Fire Pistol
------------------
Active Conditions/Modifiers: None
Contingent Modifiers: None
@alex - engineering.
Vort shakes his head violently to knock the cobwebs loose.
"Ugh. Vort feel like he's been drinking Numerian Ale all night after a hunt. Strange magicks make Vort mad.
Now Vort mad! Raargh!"
Vort charges (+2 to hit, -2 to AC) forward with his greataxe and hacks at the strange construct.