Well we got the troll, and a manticore 'sides. But I think we're good to explore a bit more before heading back? Jenya asks the rest of the group.
"I believe we have time to explore. And i have my manticore trophy. Im all set"
-Posted with Wayfinder
After finishing the ceremony, Raven looks to the others. "I agree that we should explore more. We've Encountered Quite a few monsters out here. We should make sure that there aren't any more. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
Well we could do with finding a shambling mound to round out the trifecta, I think it's the only other monster on our 'wanted' list, if you don't count that turtle...
Natalya mounts up again.
Further west or north?
"You are our guide, Natalya. What makes more sense to you? If you have nowhere special to go, any road is good."
Natalya laughs
I'm only good if you want guiding as swiftly as possible to be lost, my navigation skills leave much to be desired!
she taps one finger on her lips before shrugging
North it is then, I'm sure that mound was around here somewhere...
She takes a look around
"Mounds you say? Maybe this way? Im nor familiar with this kind of thing. So just trying to help out"
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
It occurs to you that shambling mounds are most often found in swamps or near lakes and rivers. The Skunks river is only a little ways east, you can follow it north or south.
Also the mouth of the murque river, where the Lizardfolk village was located was a fairly swampy area.
To the north lies the statue of Erastil, which hides the secret entrance into the hidden lair of Bactrophan.
"The lizards have a swampy area? Maybe start there?" she suggests
If we can build some good relations with the lizard folk than maybe we can extend Emermark out to their place and help them turn their village into a fort for both their and our protection. Heck maybe they know about the mound too. So let's explore our way south?
Suits me Jenya, let's go south then
Natalya leads the way south, following the course of the river whilst keeping an eye out for Shambling Mounds.
|
|
You head east to the skunk river. It seems you are blessed with an exciting journey because as you approach the river you hear splashing noises. Approaching carefully you see a pair of tatzlwyrm, six foot long dragon-like creatures with only a single pair of clawed arms at the front, sunning themselves on a rocky point bar.
The creatures do not appear to have noticed you.
What are those things? Don't think they've bothered anybody. Should we pass 'em by? Jenya whispers to the others.
"More things that enjoy the sun... uhg. Lets move around them... let them enjoy it"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Raven smiles at Zartana's remark. "Agreed. We haven't heard of creatures like this attacking anyone, have we?"
Hmm, I think we've met this sort of creature before, there must be several nests of the things around and about
I don't remember that much about them though, I just hit them very hard and they stopped moving...
she chews her lip in embarrassment.
|
|
These are tatzlwyrms, technically they are dragons, and technically they can be dangerous. They are not malicious, thought they are predators. They prefer to live near rivers and spend their daytime sunning themselves like this. Two of these creatures would pose very little danger to seasoned adventurers such as yourselves.
Raven smiles. "Isn't that the case with most things? That said, these may not be much of a threat to us, but if any of the locals accidentally wander this direction, well...", she trails off.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Well said Raven, not all folk are blessed with our skill at arms and magic, we should remove the threat to look after our populace
Natalya will move towards the wyrms and charge them
"There goes that idea..." staying in the shadows, she moves forward and fires an arrow at the one she charged
Can't strip the wild of wild things Jenya says a bit sourly. And folks need to recognize that wandering around in the wild is asking for trouble
You both had good points, I apologise for my headstrong nature
shouts Natalya over her shoulder.
"Not exactly what I had in mind, but it works.", Raven says as she moves forward to support her allies, Ravenclaw in hand.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The time for talk ended Jenya moves in to support the others as they carry out a surprise attack. She moves in within 20 feet of the tatzylwyms and fires.
The young girl shruggs and just says. "You never know, but a safer land means more happier people and more place to settle!"
|
|
Taken by surprise the creatures turn to look as Natalya nearly cleaves one in half, Zartana finishes it off with a skilled shot.
Jenya fires her gun and blodies the other one in a single blow.
The one remaining creature is grimly wounded.
Round 1
Jenya, Raven, Zartana and Etienne go first. If any of you can hit AC 15 I suspect you will slay it.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Seeing that the wyrm is already gravely wounded, Raven mutters a short prayer to the Raven Queen before slashing down in an arc towards its head.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Astonished, Raven says, "It appears this one must be spared to preserve the balance. Let us capture it. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Then I suggest heal it sister, before it bleeds out" she warns
Whilst I am no interpreter of omens, it could just as easily mean someone else is destined to kill the beast, what if children pass this way in future? cautions Natalya
Raven nods, simply reaching out to touch the creature.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
So you stabilize the creature and then immobilise it.
as you are doing that a shirtless human man wearing trousers of dirty hempen fabric emerges from the brush on the opposite of the river. His hair is arranged in several long dreadlocks. He calls out, "Greetings neighbours, my thanks for handling those creatures, my even greater thanks for avoiding killing when it was unnecessary."
She takes a step back, putting a bit of distance between her and the new arrival, gripping her bow
"And who might you be?" she asks. People who appear out of nowhere puts her on edge. Best be cautious
|
|
"My name's Róbert," he says. "I'm from Tatzlford, to the north. I was out gathering medicinal plants and herbs," he motions to a rough canvas rusksack he is carrying that is bulging with plants and herbs, "I had to cross the river when I spotted those wyrms. I was considering backtracking when you ladies, and gentleman, showed up and saved me the trouble."
Tazlford? Haven't heard of the place Jenya remarks. We're from the new settlement of Emermark. Is Tazlford in The River Kingdoms?
Seeing that her companions have the new arrival well in hand, Raven busies herself making sure the creature will survive the journey home.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Well met friend, glad to hear there are others out here making a life. You might be interested in keeping to yourselves for now, but if you ever have the need, do feel free to come and talk to Emermark, you'll have a friendly reception
Natalya smiles, but not too widely.
Turning back to the party she asks
So are we done hunting for the meantime or shall we continue in search of these shambling mounds?
"If we can take this one to the town, quickly, I am sure we can come back to search for the Shamblers"
Wouldn't be bad to see how other folk are getting along in the wilds Jenya says. Certainly would like to know wher Tatlzford is on the map. We can head back here to continue searching for the shambling mound afterwards. Say you haven't seen anything like that have you Robert?
"That, Jenya, sounds like a good idea." she nods her agreement
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I would also like to know your home. Please... lead us there."
Natalya shrugs, nonplussed. Evidently she was missing something about the import of these wyrms, but she didn't need to understand anything more than her fellow founders wanted to have this creature alive.
Indeed Robert, lead on!
though she smiles, she keeps an eye out for trouble and potential ambushes as the group travels.
Her curiosity piqued, Raven follows Robert to Tatzlford, keeping herself near the wyrm.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
Robert leads you up the Skunk river. He has a practiced pace and is clearly in his element in the forest.
When you arrive at Tatzlford you are a bit underwhelmed. A few hide yurts sit in the lee of the river. Robert introduces you to a few members of the community, there are perhaps 40 people living here. Most are older and favour a living close to the land lifestyle. None wear shoes and only a few of the women wear shirts. Their tools look primitive and they seem to have a rudimentary lifestyle.
After being shown around you begin to notice that a half dozen homes are actually built into the upper reaches of the trees so that they are safely off the ground.
He brings you to the single largest tree in the community, which has a door carved directly in to the trunk, inside is a tiny living space where he introduces you to Fábián Vanessa, the leader of the little settlement.
"I'm hardly a leader, just a healer," says Fabian. "One of the things I try to heal is the wounds inflicted on the land and on our souls by civilisation." Fabian is a small, common looking man wearing a simple white cotton smock and trousers. He sits over a work table crowded with herbs and other medicinal ingredients. He wears little round spectacles and gazes at each of you in turn, assessing, before he speaks to anyone.
"How can I help you?" asks Fabian.