Myastan’s energy bolt drops the wounded Owlbear. Leaving one wild beast left while Sashah pokes at his fellow adventurers. Raiden then steps up to the hulking beast that rushed Uriah and puts two deep slashes across its midsection.
Ravvek uses Raiden’s attacks to distract the beast as he plunges his rapier into the creatures rib cage and then again. Backing away from the beast when he sees the look of death in the creatures eyes.
The owl-bear drops back to all fours and stumbles forward, clumsily swiping at the air and then collapses.
The forest then quickly returns to it’s eerie silence.
Rav, having a little time to collect himself, kneels before the creatures and says a little prayer to return them to the cycle before looking for any clue as to why they attacked.
"If I knew where we were I would say we should prep the bodies for a taxidermist. Who wouldn't want a stuffed Owl Bear."
Anton takes a moment to inspect the owlbear bodies, trying to get a sense of their bizarre physiology.
Raiden wipes off his sword and just sort of stands there, overwhelmed by the idea that there might be more of these things, even if they are little, and still trying to process where they're at and what exactly is going on.
The party takes a few minutes examining the creatures and discussing things. Between your combined thoughts with Ravvek and Sashah chiming in with very important information, this is what you deduce.
- Owlbears are generally solitary and ferociously territorial.
- These two seem to be very young adults males.
- On rare occasion, Owlbears gather in small packs with one Owlbear being the Alpha.
- Found in many different climates but tend to avoid very hot areas.
- There are stories of owl bear cubs being domesticated but often ending with terrible results.
Ravvek shakes his head as he tears off a piece of cloth to bind his wound, I am guessing we were dropped right in their territory. But they are usually solitary creatures... Let us figure out where we are first.
Sashah scratches his beard in contemplation. "Hmm...Vell, Zat depend on where sun is in sky. Yes it move from east to vest, but does it travel overtop or stay in one half of sky? Also, based on ze temperature and the season it it likely, ve might be able to get roundabout location."
Based on Sashah’s best guess, you are still in the Moonsea region since the starts locations have not changed much from their locations in Mulmaster.
Well, at least we know we are close to something... Let's get a better look! Ravvek begins climbing up a nearby tree, one that looks like it has many sturdy branches, to get a better look of their surroundings.
Ravvek gets a pretty good view from on top of the trees. A large body of water can be seen far to the northwest with a river to the west expelling it’s waters into the larger one. On the other side of the river, more forest but large mountains loom far to the east. The forest does seem to thin befor reaching mountains though with a large swath of prairie land before the base of the mountains.
It is in the easterly direction that small ten drips of smoke can be glimpsed on the horizon. Ravv’s best guess it’s about a days hike from where you are.
Rav hops down from his perch, Looks like a day's hike to the East is our best bet. I believe that the Moonsea is up to the North West, so eventually, we may want to head that way to get up and out of here.
Anton nods. We may as well set off then.
Zayless nods, "Off we go."
Sashah wrinkles his face in displeasure, looking a little like a bush of white hair, then shrugs and begins trudging.
"But what if...", Raiden shakes his head and follows the others.
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Rav shoulders his pack and starts off, turning to regard Raiden, What if, what?
The party packs up and heads east. The day is hard for some, while quite comfortable for others that are used to the kinds of journeys. The way is uneventful but the lack of dangerous events only gives you more time to ponder the why the forest is so quiet.
Eventually the forest thins and the group finds itself on the outskirts of a small village. A small sign posted along the road identifies this place as Goldwyn Farms.
As you enter Goldwyn Village, you are greeted with a somber sight, a funeral conducted in haste. Beside four empty graves are four blood-splattered sheets covering the unmistakable forms of bodies. The gathering is unusually small, half a dozen red-eyed mourners.
Rav shoulders his pack and starts off, turning to regard Raiden, What if, what?
Raiden would have asked what if Scram showed up. Which of course he won't but our guys don't know that. :-)
Rav looks at Raiden, but when it becomes evident that no answer is forthcoming, he just puts his hand on the warrior's shoulder and gives a reassuring nod.
--
As they approach, Ravvek, still with bandages wrapped about his shoulder, asks one of the mourners, What has happened here?
Anton studies the faces of the mourners as Rav speaks with them.
Sashah looks on with piqued curiosity but does not appear to intend to intervene in any way.
The rolling fields of wheat and oats, barley and hops are punctuated by tall windmills. These farms extend for miles along the border of the great woods, feeding and supplying a keep tha can be seen on a distant hill. The geography makes the fields a gusty place, the tall grains often flowing in winds that fuel the many mills. The only road to the keep goes through the heart of these farms where the small village in which you find yourself rests.
Ravv stands near a farmer by the look of him. Sadness filling his voice, he answers Ravvek’s question. ”Owlbears. They came into the huntin’ lodge on the forest edge and killed em. All of em. Me boy was there helping out the priest lady that had came in yesterday.” the farmer turns back to the service. ”Now he’s gone. Too many folks been dyin.”
The priest giving the service is distracted by your arrival and seems to stumble on his sermon. He does recover though, and then continues.
We had a run-in with some of these creatures, I believe, Rav subconsciously rolls his shoulder as he speaks, Did this priest lady survive?
Anton turns his eyes to the heavens and whispers a prayer to Ilmater to grant strength to the mourning survivors.
Raiden maintains quiet so as not to further disturb the priest, but he does look around and listen intently.
One of the other congregants steps nearby and whispers to Ravv ”The mans greivin’ for his boy. How bout you be givin him some space stranger. The funeral won’t take long. You can ask yer questions then.”
The young priest (of Tymora) if you are to correctly identify his holy symbol continues on with his sermon for a short time. Only awkwardly pausing one additional time signaling further his inexperience. Afterwards the farmer nods at Ravv for his patience and drifts away while the young priest steps up to the party and introduces himself.
”Good fortune to you all. My name is Davith Miller. I am a humble servant of Tymora.” he regards you for a moment and continues ”Would you be bounty hunters then?” he asks while motioning toward a post near by with a small poster attached.
The poster upon examination offers a 50g bounty for every Owl Bear beak turned in. This order decreed by the Lord Oreclasp.
Rav's first instinct is to snap back a retort, but takes a deep breath, This man is just looking out for his friend. Exercise patience.
Ravvek rolls his aching shoulder as a reminder of the problem at hand and waits patiently for the service to finish. When the priest addresses them, the paladin shakes his head, No, we are travelers. I represent the Enclave and am curious what might be instigating these attacks. My friend, gesturing at Sashah, informs me that Owlbears are territorial, and often solitary. Yet... we were attacked by two at once. Young males, I believe, so not likely a mated pair.
Rav stops for a moment before gesturing to the fresh grave, Did anyone survive that attack?
The priest’s shakes his head sadly ”Not that we know of. The site of the attack, a hunting lodge along the forest border, was a massacre. We are missing some of the bodies that were there, but one of the farmers with some skill in tracking said there were signs of bodies being drug away. With the amount of blood at the lodge, I can’t imagine anyone survived. “ he pauses for a moment in contemplation. ”You say you represent the Enclave? By the looks of you, you seem like experienced adventurers. Could I beseech you in the name of Tymora to find our fallen friends and return them so that they can be given a proper burial?”
If the party needs more incentive than good will, Davith points out the 50g reward per owlbear beak. He also mentions that one of the two bodies that were missing is the Master Huntsman for Lord Oreclasp himself. He may reward you for your efforts as well.
I have no need for such things, but it may help to cover my companions' expenses. Perhaps we should speak to Lord Oreclasp. Could you arrange an introduction, or should we approach the keep ourselves? Ravvek seems to be taking in all of the information that he can, and stops, Who was the second body lost?
Ravvek looks visibly uncomfortable, How does this Lord Oreclasp treat the commonfolk? Is he a good man?
As Ravvek asks about the local lord, Anton looks at the villagers to gauge their reaction.
Sashah continues to stand a little away from the conversation, though is obviously paying astute attention. He strokes his beard as he listens, clearly heavily processing the information.
The priest goes on to tell you that the remaining body to be found is that of his superior, priestess Shinn. She had been staying at the lodge that evening in preparation of an expedition into the forest. He goes on to ask that you might go after the bodies as soon as possible with the slim chance of Shinn or the Hunt Master still being alive. He offers that while you are gone, he would speak with the Lord about getting you an introduction.
”Shin was troubled and preparing to leave early today to seek guidance about something.” Davith continues. ”I do not know what. I am sorry. I know this often seems the case, but I am only an initiate.”
Anton paying attention to the villagers sees most of them wandering away sadly from the funeral. He does however spot a young man by a nearby line tree. He seems to be watching you and the others intently. When he catches you looking at him, he ducks around behind tree cautiously.
To the others, So, back the way we came then? I wonder if we're getting the full story. While he hopefully wasn't loud enough for villagers to hear, he does look pointedly towards the tree where the guy is presumably still lurking.
Davith, which way to the lodge then? Rav nods, We will see if we can find the last two, alive.
If Ravvek noticed the young man, he doesn't seem to show it and prepares to head back out into the wilderness...
"Right back in action."
Anton discreetly moves toward the lad, careful not to appear threatening. Fear not my young friend. We are here to help. Are you kin to these poor fallen souls?
Raiden leaves Anton to it, and will follow the others towards that lodge. Though not too fast.
Anton’s approach causes the boy to startle but as he looks around, it seems he has no where to run for he was hiding behind one of the few trees around. The boy turns to Anton and simply nods to his question of being kin. He is dressed in poor formal attire as though he was here for the funeral but you know he wasn’t standing with the others. Anton surmises he probably watched from here.
”Are you.. an adventurer?” the boy asks. A hint of awe can be detected in his voice.
Davith gives Ravvek easy directions to the lodge. ”I can lead you there if you’d like, either way, we should move from here so that the grave digger can do his work.”
The Lodge
A short walk away over a rolling hill the lodge can be seen nestled against the forest edge.
A fair sized structure this building was built by skilled craftsman. Davith indicates that the lodge is often used by nobles who come to hunt in the Cormanthor Forest with Lord Orecrest’s permission.
The backdoor of the lodge has been smashed by an incredible force. There are claw marks all along the door frame and inside across the walls. The place is in complete disarray, beds are overturned, furniture is splintered, and there is dried blood smeared all about.
Rav scans the cabin, seeing what he can glean from the scene...
Any hints? Any signs of life?
Anton solemnly nods. My friends and I travel the land, helping people where we can, so I suppose you could call me an adventurer. What can you tell me of your lost family member? Do you know anything that could help us prevent any other from suffering the same fate?
”My uncle. He was the cook for the lodge. When people stay there, he goes and cooks for em. “ the boy seems unsure how to feel about his uncles death.
”You’re gonna get the owlbears right? Be careful, the woods haven’t been right for a few weeks now. We ain’t been out hunting in them cause the animals have gone away. The woods have been real quiet. The place seems darker, and deeper lately.”
”Seein as you’re an adventurer that probably doesn’t scare you much.”
At the lodge
Ravvek finds signs of deep heavy claws all over the place and much blood spillage. Davith points out the owbear tracks but Raiden on the other hand points out that he thinks there smaller tracks hidden inside the owlbear tracks. Almost as if the owl bear tracks were concealing the smaller tracks.
This makes more sense. Someone using the owlbears to commit these deeds would explain the change in behavior. Davith, when did these attacks start happening, or were they commonplace before? Ravvek's mind is reeling, often he deals with the evil of man, so placing a manipulator in the mix makes him strangely more comfortable...
Anton smiles thinly and ruffles the lad's hair. Then he heads off to rejoin the others.
Lodge
”From what the villagers tell me, the attacks have been common over the last month. He sent the bounty being placed on them. The forest has a bitter sweet history of providing many things the villagers rely on but from time to time producing very dangerous threats. They told me of a time when a mates pair of wyverns had found their way onto the hunting grounds. This time is particularly bad though. It’s been going on for way too long. Many villagers have began to flee their homes for safety. “
Anton
The boy watches Anton head toward danger. Anton has the feeling that the young man may grow up to make his own mark on the world as an adventurer. If an Owlbear doesn’t get him first.
Lodge
The evidence of a more intelligent plan involving the tracks seems to have ignite a flame of hope in Davith. ”So can you follow the tracks? With Tymora’s blessings, Shin still may yet live.”