Fergus gives Third a nodding approval as he wipes his hatchet and puts it away. He walks over picks up his longsword and then inspects the body of the creature...the now deceased Brother Mathias. "May your soul find peace and the darkness wash away from you Brother Mathias." He inspects the body closely without touching it...not sure if Brother Mathias was human and cursed or he was this creature and using Brother Mathias as some sort of disguise. May Bahamut bless us and keep us safe. We will need it if there are more of these things.
He once again looks over the creature and tries to sense if it is still evil or if this presence of evil is now gone?
"What was this creature?"
Make a knowledge arcana roll to identify the creature.
With his knees he moved Fireball away sliding from the saddle and patting the warhorses side while putting away his flail. He was shielding himself from the eyes of the others. He had performed poorly against whatever that monster was. He would have to do better. He moved over and gathered up the lance that he had dropped and once more mounted his horse watching while the others poked and prodded at whatever the creature was.
"Mayhap you disappearances and murders will cease now sister."
He offered calmly, though his heart was still racing a bit from the excitement.
Fergus turns back to the pilgrims on the road. "He ran for a reason...I sensed evil in him but was he cursed or in disguise? As Talenvere stated this will hopefully cease the falling of your brothers and sisters."
You all get 150 XP.
You all get 150 XP.
knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
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Fergus turns back to the pilgrims on the road. "He ran for a reason...I sensed evil in him but was he cursed or in disguise? As Talenvere stated this will hopefully cease the falling of your brothers and sisters."
Grunting in response, Reidog narrows his eyes and scans the pilgrims while running a thumb along the edge of his axe.
The whole lot of them might be more shapeshifters or worse. Nothing good ever came out of pilgrims, especially ones devoted to a dead god.
Coughing up some phlegm, Reidog spits on the ground, then regards his teammates. "Time ta be movin' on, innit?"
"My condolences on your losses during your pilgrimage. But we have all gained the experience of seeing one of these creatures, now, and hopefully we've all learned something which will aid us in dealing with what The Colorless and All-Colored puts in our paths in the future."
Naji is ready to move on with the group . . ..
The pilgrims accept your condolences, and continues their walk to honor the Great Prophet Quonzar.
Therion moves towards the body of the Bhut and searches it for any signs that it might have been the killer plaguing the pilgrims. He will display whatever he discovers and if the pilgrims do not claim the items, he will place them into his pack.
Therion moves towards the body of the Bhut and searches it for any signs that it might have been the killer plaguing the pilgrims. He will display whatever he discovers and if the pilgrims do not claim the items, he will place them into his pack.
A perception roll, taken at ten, equals a search check.
That was a quick dismissal of a wolf in their mist. They barely blinked an eye.
Whoa. You find several finger bones, a purse with 120 gold pieces in it, a holy symbol of the Prophet Quonzar, a tooth brush, and some sugar.
Fergus wipes off his longsword and sheaths it as Therion inspects the body. He walks up the pilgrims as he ponders the outcome of this meeting. I need to be more prepared for events like this...I didn't expect that to happen even though the Master of the North Winds gave me reason to be cautious and aware! He walks up to the Sister that was brave enough to confront Brother Mathias. Sister, I am sorry for the violence you had to see today. I hope you forgive us and know that we only had concerns for your welfare and safe travel. It appears Brother Mathias was more than he appeared to be. I hope you and your party have safe travels here on out.
"I can't believe that we were so easily deceived," said the sister.
"Such creatures are rare and even rarer still to be discovered. Take comfort in that we were able to stop it when we did and no further misdeeds will happen. Few can say the same."
...
"We better get going before Reidog's agitation increases."
Fergus turns to look at Reidog and sees the look on his face. He nods to Jebeddo and makes his way to Reidog. As he walks up to the brave Dwur he pats him on the shoulder. Thank you for your assistance master Dwur. I sensed a foulness, an evil, in him...not sure how to explain it other than he felt foul. If it was not for all us working together I doubt we could have taken him down so quickly. He waits for the rest of the group alongside Reidog.
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Reidog gives Fergus a nod of approval as he approaches. "Oh, Aye, 'n' good that yer did. Yer suspicion o' tha fella t'were right dwarf-like.
One less shapechanger in tha world."
His gaze falls on the pilgrims again, and his face scrunches up as if he had just bit into a lemon. "Only thing worse'n a shapechanger 's a pilgrim. Pilgrims 'n' refugees... Show 'em one kindness 'n' soon ther kickin' yer outta yer own home after takin' all yer gold ta boot."
Watching Therion search the corpse, he calls out, "Therion! Yer should leave anythin' he got fer them as t'were hurt by 'im"
Therion looks over to the dwur and nods his head in agreement.
"My thoughts exactly master Dwur. Here you go. I hope this money helps your group on their journey."
He hands the money over, but leaves the other items on the dead creature's chest then heads over to stand with Reidog and Fergus.
"The prophet Quonzar provides," says the sister. "Even in a time of mourning for our dead. What will you do now?"
"We've heard rumors of a hidden temple among the caves. We seek it out to bring truths as well as stories to light," answers Jebbedo.
"A hidden temple?" asks the sister. "Probably full of heathens and infidels."
"And no worries sister.heathens and infidels will be given their due. Be safe on your travels."
He offered a little half bow from atop Fireball an began to move forward torwards their destination. That creature had certainly been a surprise. It was a good thing they had been about. Perhaps the gods had brought this strange group together for a reason.
These pilgrims truly are blind to the world...
"Why master Reidog, does something vex you? You look terribly vexed. Let's move on and with luck the next pilgrims we cross will be selling mead for their cause."
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"Har! Pilgrims doin' somthin' useful?! That'll be somethin' ta see."
Reidog falls in step with the others, glad to be back to the business at hand. When he gets a chance to walk next to Jebeddo for a moment, he finally decides to answer the hanging question.
"Thought we decided ta keep the caverns ta ourselves. Seems like it worked out, but tellin' a bunch o' cave-stealin' pilgrims about hidden temples 'ill just get 'em thinkin' bout gold statues.
I don't wanna have ta be cleavin' me way through a bunch o' stinkin' wretches ta be gettin' out wit' whatever plunder as we might find."
"Pilgrims are like anyone else. Some do useful things. Some do selfish things. Some are going through the motions. Some are more than they seem. Every thread that touches yours alters you somehow. If you choose to work at it, you can make more of those contacts growth than loss. But, that choice is yours, so . . .." The priest continues walking along, following trail.
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Reidog snorts. "Shows yer ain't been taught yer history. You humans're always stirrin' up one war or another. Nevermind what other races might get caught up in yer foolishness.
Me ancestral home lies under a volcano now thanks to yer kind, 'n' I ain't seen nothin' ta tell me that tha current crop o' warmongerin' humans're any different."
Fergus walks along Reidog's side listening to him chastise the human race. There is not much he can argue with about his assessment but the dwarven view is rather harsh.
He turns to Reidog...I think you will find we are not all warmongering self-centered fools...at least I hope to prove that to you if you allow me too. He turns back to look down road to the pilgrims they left and turns back to his new companion. Most humans were as much victims to those very same powers that your ancestors were. Most I would imagine were in their homes cooking, farming in their fields, and tending to their everyday lives when those catastrophes happened. Many humans died... He realizes he might have been a bit hard so he turns to Reidog with a small smile. It doesn't lessen the losses your ancestors suffered and I am truly sorry your ancestral homes suffered. He then turns and looks up in the sky and back towards the brave dwur. If the Master of the North Winds wills it; I will do my best to prove you wrong Reidog Blesstone.
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Reidog pauses as he studies his new companion, "Yer do seem a good sort, Fergus, though I fear ye be tha exception ta tha rule.
As ta tha farmers 'n' such, that jes compounds tha sins 'o yer leaders. Plenty 'o orcs what're farmers, cooks, 'n smiths. Might even live out a peaceful life if thar shamans weren't whippin' 'em inta battle frenzy."
Settling down into as much of a silence as he is capable of, Reidog continues the long trek to their destination.
Going into the woods brings unexpected things for your journey to the caves.
You happen apon some gnolls, and the hyenaids are not to happy to see you either. There are thirty gnolls and three flinds, as you count them. They stare you down threateningly.
Fergus looks around as he comes up to join shields with Reidog. Following suit with the Dwur and not putting his hand near his weapon.
Well it looks like the Master of the North Winds has provided me with a moment to prove myself to you. He turns and gives the stout dwur a smile and a nod.
According to the map, you are traveling northeast. The gnolls are fifty feet away and they have higher ground.
He stared up at the gnolls with a frown halting fireball a steady distance away.
"I dont suppose anyone speaks their language."
He began cooly but he swallowed nervously. He felt like he could stand for three maybe four of the gnolls, Fireball was good for two or three. That still left two dozen for the others. Those were long odds.
"Har! Pilgrims doin' somthin' useful?! That'll be somethin' ta see."
Reidog falls in step with the others, glad to be back to the business at hand. When he gets a chance to walk next to Jebeddo for a moment, he finally decides to answer the hanging question.
"Thought we decided ta keep the caverns ta ourselves. Seems like it worked out, but tellin' a bunch o' cave-stealin' pilgrims about hidden temples 'ill just get 'em thinkin' bout gold statues.
I don't wanna have ta be cleavin' me way through a bunch o' stinkin' wretches ta be gettin' out wit' whatever plunder as we might find."
"Those pilgrims weren't going anywhere. They couldn't even protect themselves from that shape changer. But if they knew of any cults or religious factions counter to their philosophy, I'm sure they'd share it. Knowledge can be greater than gold, especially if it keeps us alive."
Akeirin listens with half an ear as the theological discussions reach their usual non-conclusions. When the gnolls are discovered, the valley elf's skin prickles.
"Chaotic creatures gnolls, they bow only to a show of might or power. I have little knowledge of the other creatures, Flinds. I speak the tongue of the former, but have lttle hope I can cajole nor coerce them not to eat us for their supper..."
Fergus turns to his Valley Elf companion. "Akeirin, I would suggest you say something then that will keep them over there. They have the higher ground and numbers. Even with Talenvere's steed and a fine charge we are woefully outnumbered."
Looking at the group of gnolls he tries to discern who the leader is and what if they are in fact hostile.
Fergus turns to his Valley Elf companion. "Akeirin, I would suggest you say something then that will keep them over there. They have the higher ground and numbers. Even with Talenvere's steed and a fine charge we are woefully outnumbered."
Looking at the group of gnolls he tries to discern who the leader is and what if they are in fact hostile.
Sense Motive -if actually hostile? 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Perception - who the leader is? 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
They aren't hostile, they are just mean tempered. Their leader is one of the flinds.
Yes, they see you.
Fergus looks at Akeirin. As fate may have it I don't think they are hostile but they might be looking for a fight if we step on it. He points to the Flind that he observes is the leader and gives the Flind a respectful bow. He is the one we need to talk to.
Therion also moves to speak with his forest-dwelling cousin.
"Glac col ceathrar cúraim. Is olc iad na beithígh seo agus b'fhearr linn iad a ithe ná labhairt."
Take a care cousin. These beasts are evil and would rather eat us than talk.
Doing his best to not appear obvious as he mentally focuses on the leader that was pointed out to him. If it came to a fight, he would be the obvious target to dine on lance tip.
"Shall we just start to skirt around them? Sitting here staring at one another is bound to lead to trouble."
"We should acknowledge their presence, and make it clear we are going around, not looking to start a fight. No need to get close enough to converse.
Maybe bow and make a point of moving a hand away from a sheathed weapon as we turn to the side?"
Fergus following the advice of the others nods again to the leader of the gnolls and to the group of gnolls in general and begins to slowly walk down the trail ensuring that they see is hand is away from his weapon. Going slow enough for the rest of the companions to close up ranks...especially if the group of gnolls decided to charge.