Tairin felt the heat start to sap her vigour and she did not know if she could push the feeling away so readily this time.
Following Red's direction to the broken statue, she moved into the shadowed recess by Red's side. She unwound the veil from her nose and mouth and pressed herself against the rock, closing her eyes for a moment. Removing the waterskin from her pack, she brought it to her lips and gently sipped, feeling some of the dryness leave her lips and throat. Then she poured a little of the precious water over her head covering to help cool her down.
Taking a moment to collect herself, she looked to Bear, Red and Anhur. "We should stay here and rest until the sun has sunk lower in the sky. It will allow Red and I to revive from the heat and we can travel when it is cooler." Tairin's eyes sought Bear's first as he was her original travelling companion and then Red who seemed to feel as bad as she did. Finally they settled on Anhur. "We are not frail, yet we are not invincible either. We can make up the time we have lost in the evening, if we have to."
The company gathers their gear and moves forward onto the trail.
As they travel they notice after another mile another pillar like the one they saw, but whatever figure or statue may have been on it has long been broken into the dirt beyond recognition.
This persists for a short while and during your journey you notice that while traveling the road the small dried out gash in the dirt which stretched from the mountains from the scrub of trees seems to have bisected the road itself at one point and you are forced to cross over its shallow depth. In the bottom of it you see that there are occasional cracks and breaks in it and small breaks of dry, brown, scrub grass.
At roughly 4:30 PM you feel a dull, hot wind rise from the north – it pushes south hard over the sands and you feel the sting of the grit and dirt as the winds continue to blow. While the force is not strong it is persistent and somewhat annoying as you walk and you notice that to your left and right you cannot see much break in the landscape, only swollen hills that stretch to the south – to the north you see little but flat plains of sand and dust.
The hills to your south become more pronounced and varied, and you see occasional patches of grass in the dust, punctuated with an occasional thicket or cactus. You continue to walk, seeking out the next stone pedestal which marks the location of the road, though you notice the dry streambed seems to be running in a nearly eastern direction while the road itself is veering more south east.
These details seem almost monotonous as you continue to plod along, but the wind from the north continues to blow over you and you wrap your skin and face as well as you can with your clothes to protect from the dust and heat.
By 6:00 PM you feel you’ve traveled roughly twenty miles from the pass, but the wind still feels warm on you. You can tell that the sun will not descend until roughly at 9:00 PM, so you have time to continue, but you are starting to feel some hunger pains.
Suddenly you notice movement to the south – roughly a quarter of a mile off the trail you see large birds circling a point in the hills. You cannot tell what is hidden behind the hills at this distance, but there is clearly something there to draw the attention of the birds.
Looking at the parched lips of his female companions, Bjoern nods. "It makes not sense to move forward in the heat of the night. Maybe even better to rest during the day and move in the night. It´s cold, but the movement would make you warm."
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Seeing the birds Bjoern loosens his sling.
"There is our supper. I mean the birds! And we should investigate what they are looking at. Vulture is not great, but eatable!"
As the party stares to the south Bjoern decides to take the initiative.
"There is our supper. I mean the birds! And we should investigate what they are looking at. Vulture is not great, but eatable!"
Bjeorn moves off to explore. Being that is only a quarter of a mile away, it is not far from the company of the others. However, as the landscape south of the road starts to rise and fall with the presence of more hilly terrain, he is soon lost to casual observation.
After a quick jog you come over a ridge and see that a group of buzzards are picking at some dead animals. There seem to be three corpses of creatures, you cannot be sure what they are – yet.
Moving closer you can see that the largest of the creatures is a an Ibex. On closer inspection you can see that the body is missing several well cut pieces – as it was butchered after being killed. However, the butchery has stopped short and you can guess why.
Near to the body there are two other dead animals. They are the corpses of two Gray Wolves. On closer inspection the bodies seem to be very lean, as if the wolves had not been feeding well lately.
You can see two arrows shot through one of the wolves; the arrows are still lodged in the body – one in the throat and one in the shoulder. The second body has an arrow lodged in the chest.
On the ground you can see a broken arrow with bloodstains on the shaft and tip. You realize the arrows are not meant for a short bow; they seem to be arrows made for a longer bow. From what you’ve seen, though, the folk of Susrah typically do not hunt with longbows.
The buzzards watch you as you study the terrain, but they quickly return to feeding even while some of the buzzards circle above you.
Looking at the parched lips of his female companions, Bjoern nods. "It makes not sense to move forward in the heat of the night. Maybe even better to rest during the day and move in the night. It´s cold, but the movement would make you warm."
" Trying to move around in the heat of the day is a bad idea for a number of reasons. Since night is short, getting dark around 9, I think the best plan may be to march from dawn to mid morning, seek shade in the heat of the day, even sleep a bit, and then march from say 3 pm until the evening. "
Seeing the birds Bjoern loosens his sling.
"There is our supper. I mean the birds! And we should investigate what they are looking at. Vulture is not great, but eatable!"
"Very well. Come back if you encounter anything dangerous and we will confront it together" replies She Who Knows, thinking dining on vulture. This will be ... interesting.
The rest had restored her vigour and the heat had mellowed somewhat.
The wind kept up its assault and Tairin was glad for the head covering and veil over her nose and mouth. Pushing down the veil a little, so her mouth was uncovered, she called out, "Bjoern! Carrion birds mean something is dead there. I do not want to get off this path - it would be a fool's errand. Let us proceed as we have been and we can sup on the trail rations I have brought with me once the sun has fallen beneath the horizon. I want to reach Belthaar in reasonable time." Her dark eyes entreated the large warrior protector. Tairin did not care to know what lay beyond the hills and what had drawn the large birds. She knew Bear enjoyed his roasted meat and he could have his fill of it once they reached Belthaar.
To find more clues.
Bjoern looks around for a few moments, the draws his dagger and smilingly cuts himself also a few choice pieces.
"I don't think he is listening Tairin."
Re: Survival Check results via 27
Your first piece of information is how old the tracks are – you’d guess likely about an hour or so, maybe less, but it's hard to say specifically.
You can tell that the Ibex was likely part of a small herd – possibly about ten to twelve of them in the herd, as is not uncommon with Ibex herds. The Ibex came from the west – the mountains and the water sources were to the west – based on the tracks it’s likely they were traveling quickly as they moved over the somewhat grassier hills, likely as they were being pursued.
It looks like a single hunter was pursuing them from the west as well. The hunter made the killing shot likely at the crest of the small hill and the Ibex probably tumbled to the bottom of the small area between the low-lying hills where the hunter began to butcher it.
You’d wager the hunter was butchering the meat when the smell of blood drew the wolves from the south west. This would mean the wolves came from the west as well, but traveled in a somewhat northerly direction as they smelled the blood during the butchering of the meat.
The hunter’s arrow shots and methods suggest professionalism. It does not seem as if the hunter was wounded.
Based on the tracks you discovered and the blood trail from where the Ibex was initially shot, you’d wager that the hunter fired when the Ibex had reached the top of the small hill to your west because he was afraid that if the Ibex started running down the hill he’d not get a clear shot.
You only assume that because – from what you can tell of the tracks – the arrow was fired from nearly 500 feet (the effective range of a Shortbow is roughly 300 feet ).
Of course, you’ve seen Longbows in your homelands in the North, but you know that most southern folk use the Short Bow. The length of the shot and the size of the arrows you found in the grass and bodies makes you believe that not only does this hunter have a Longbow, but the hunter is an exceptional shot.
Given his expertise as a hunter you are surprised that he would linger so long with hungry predators roaming about. However; after re-checking the bodies of the wolves you’re convinced that these wolves are fairly lean and likely not eating well. You’d guess that the lack of food drove them to range further from their typical hunting grounds – you’d also wager that the lack of food urged them to attack the hunter in force as he worked. In short; the wolves were probably starving, they ran a long distance for the smell of blood and attacked the hunter out of desperation.
This is not typical of wolves, generally.
Your gut tells you there is something else is at work for wolves to be so undernourished in the middle of summer when game should be more plentiful.
While slicing off another chunk of the meat you ponder what may be causing wolves to starve in the middle of summer.
You’re startled to hear a howling sound from the southwest over the ridge of hills.
Another howl answers from the west; then a third…
"I don't think he is listening Tairin."
Her thin, dark brow elegantly arched up at the woman's words and Tairin looked across to Red, the corners of her mouth lifted in mild amusement, "You are right, Sister. Bear can be rather single-minded; more so when hungry." And, I do not always heed his words, Tairin mused privately.
Tairin casually gazed toward the hills and wondered what, if anything, Bjoern had discovered and when he would return.
"Wolves!" Anhur declares as he hears the howling and takes off running. The thought of getting eaten was none too thrilling, but he was sure he could easily fight off a few while they were chewing on the much bigger Bjoern. And they'd likely be better to eat than the carrion birds of Bjoern's original plan.
She Who Knows takes a second to register the situation, thinks time to go rescue our bodyguard and with a wry smile sets off in pursuit of Anhur.
Upon Anhur's swift declaration of wolves and watching as both he and Red ran off and left her standing on her own, Tairin muttered something under her breath and then picked up her skirts and started to run after them. She had warned Bjoern not to venture off the path and away from them. Now, wolves of all things.
"Neat trick. These two look very savage with all their muscles and weaponry. But they don't know the fist rule of strategy, don't divide your forces. Perhaps we should separate to be consistent."says She Who Knows while running, which she seems to be dealing with better than the heat.
Post is assuming I stayed with the women.
Bjoern will take out his shield and draw a pilum to throw it! When they come closer he is prepared to go shield and board using combat expertise.
Anhur casts aside his spear dramatically and reaches under his robe. From it he produces something unrecognizable and covered in ash. He consumes it and flexes tightly all over, and his skin seems to become thick and calloused. He then draws a painted club and holds it overhead even as the metal scrape of a curve-blade knife leaving its sheath rings through the air. He holds the knife forward and the club high and lets out a battle cry, wordless and animalistic, as the wolves come charging in.
Tairin ran as fast as she could, hoping to bridge the distance sooner rather than later.
The animals charge in, but even at a twice their speed, they are not close enough to bridge the gap between them and their prey.
The four allies watch in grim silence as the lean beasts charge in at them, their weapons ready and their senses tense. When they see how the animals have moved they then prepare their own counter-attack...
She Who Knows moves to a position slightly behind Bjoern and Anhur and then talks briefly in an unknown language and gesticulates for no apparent reason. For those few who understand magic, this is her casting Mage Armour on herself. She then speaks in Sushranite, saying:-
"Bjoern, Anhur, I am going to make the wolves sleep. If a wolf falls asleep try to kill it straight away, the hex only lasts a few seconds. I will explain later."
As the wolves charge in Bjoern whirls his javelin in his hand takes a step forward to gain momentum and be the first in line and throws it at the lead wolf.
Seeing the javelin deeply pierce the wolf he then quickly draws his gladius, holding his shield high and the blade ready to stab what comes closer.
As the wolves charge in Bjoern whirls his javelin in his hand takes a step forward to gain momentum and be the first in line and throws it at the lead wolf.
[Dice=Attack]d20+2+2; 1d6+6
Seeing the javelin deeply pierce the wolf he then quickly draws his gladius, holding his shield high and the blade ready to stab what comes closer.
Tairin unsheathed her scimitar and held it ready in her hand. She moved 15 feet forward (to F:14) to stand just behind Bear and Anhur, and, before Red. She keenly watched the wild canine scavengers, contemplating what she knew of such creatures and trying to gauge how they would move/attack and react if the lead dog was killed. Tairin waited to see how successful Red's slumber hex would be before attempting anything else.
Anhur steps forward to draw the attention of the dogs and poises himself for battle.
The creatures move up and attack –
In Susrahnite, Tairin called to her companions, "Kill the leader and half the Jackal pack, and, the rest will likely flee. Jackals move fast (50ft), like to feign death and flank their quarries!"
Tairin takes a 5ft step (to F:13) to get closer to the wounded lead Jackal and slashes at it with her scimitar.
Then she removes her scorpion whip with her off hand and simply holds it in that hand in case she needs it.
In Susrahnite, Tairin called to her companions, "Kill the leader and half the Jackal pack, and, the rest will likely flee. Jackals move fast (50ft), like to feign death and flank their quarries!"
She Who Knows focuses her arcane power on the wild dog closest to her on her left, ie using the Slumber hex on it.
Keeping his defensive movements up, Bjoern stabs at the last jackal and moves a step back to close the ranks.
Seeing one of them fall, Anhur swings forcefully at the jackal in front of him hoping to make it two.
,
,
Bottom of Round 3
With the first of the wild dogs dead, Anhur and Bjoern are able to severely wound two more of the beasts, all of them recalling Tairin’s words – hoping that if they can destroy at least half the pack the others will simply flee to seek easier prey…
Meanwhile, Jackal 2 rushes over the body of it's dead comrade to attack Tairin, Jackal 3 and 4 continue their assault on Anhur, Jackal 5 and 7 continue to attack Bjoern, and Jackal 6 rushes up to attack Red...
Anhur continues to beat and slash at the dogs with deadly rhythm.
,
,
She Who Knows attempts to avoid the snapping jaws but fails, gritting her teeth against the pain. In retaliation She Who Knows uses Bouda's Eye on the Jackal that just bit her.
The damn Jackal had dared to rush forward to bite her, but somehow it missed in its excitement. Still, Tairin did not like its audacity. She watched as Anhur wounded the wild creature, and, then swinging her scimitar, she attempted to slash at it, too.
Alas, the motion/arc of her blade was terrible and her scimitar went wide; leaving the Jackal unscathed from her attack. Tairin muttered an angry retort under her breath and stepped back 5 ft (E:13) to stand side by side with Red.
With an economical stab Bjoern attacks the wolf he wounded before but that was to stupid to run.
. He then moves a step back to help the witch.
The dogs are badly wounded and several dead, but they can smell blood. They therefore move to attack the wounded party members quickly, too enraged and desperate to do anything which might involve clever fighting or tactics.
Bjoern quickly attacks again, seeking a wounded animal to finish it off.
, ,
, ,
Anhur bangs his knife on his club and yells loudly at the dogs in an effort to disperse them.
She Who Knows employs the slumber hex on jackal on the far side of Bjoern.
She Who Knows employs the slumber hex on jackal on the far side of Bjoern.
The dog you hexed is now asleep. Also, via a Ret-Con for the dog near you - here's the Willpower Save[/ooc]
Moving 5 ft (F:13) to stand atop the nearest dead Jackal, Tairin slashed at the slumbering Jackal #4 with her scimitar.
Moving 5 ft (F:13) to stand atop the nearest dead Jackal, Tairin slashed at the slumbering Jackal #4 with her scimitar.
With the bulk of their pack slaughtered on the open plains, the remaining wild dogs give out loud, fierce yelps of panic and go charging off to the south far from you all.
Though it seemed long, the combat barely lasted a few moments.
The remains of the butchered wolf still lie near to where Bjoern had been earlier, and though the tracks he had studied are now trampled it is certain that the northman recalls the details which he spied before the mad beasts set upon him for blood should he choose to share them.
"Bjeorn, you are injured. I can help." says She Who Knows, who then proceeds to employ the healing hex on first herself, then, if he permits it, Bjeorn.
"Is anyone else hurt? And Bjeorn, did you discover anything?"