Alyssa looks at the weapons and decides on one of the daggers. As weak as she is, physically, she very much hopes that she doesn't have to use it.
Valerie counted those present and the weapons offered, then paused for a moment. "Has anyone seen Rei?" She asked.
Rei had been starting to doze, as the milling about was getting boring, until she heard her name. Her ears perked up and she started watching intently again.
Hearing Rei's name Alyssa scans the area for the young girl. "She seems younger than the rest of us. Maybe her family is keeping her safe. As small as she is maybe she could use one of the slings? I'll hold one for her and pass it along if I spot her."
"I need nothing further to kill and eat. If there are sling bullets, I could use those in place of my stones, but they are unneeded in the long term."
Korliss waits while those without natural weapons gear up.
"We watch the shore and the boats then? Do we have any information on what to look for?"
I guess Rei is better off at home. A young kid like that would just get in the way.
Hearing Alyssa mention her age, and then what Jediah said about her, Rei thinks again about what she is doing.
I was feeling some responsibility for all of this, but maybe WhiteTip was right. Maybe I should just wag goodbye, go back to the woods, and leave them to their problems.
o.o;;
As you head down to the small docks where the lakes fishing boats are tied off for the night. You meet old man Cooks, and old dwarf where been working the nets for years. As you aravie he comes you way and holds out a lantern.
"Arr ya dad nee coming then, he yet ye in his place I take it, well nor so bad lass, here take the light. And teh rest of ya, nothing much been happening. There is a jug of water and cup by the end of the 'Jittie' 11 boats all tied off. O and some brown bread and cheese from the wife. Any questions before I head off to bed?"
Touched by Jediah and Valerie's attention, Berold reaches for a quarterstaff, looking to the others to make sure nobody objects. Then, he follows the youths to the docks and strains to understand the old dwarf's greeting.
Hearing Cooks question, he simply shakes his head.
"Nae, ye dinnae need fash yerself over us," Tarial replied cheerfully in an excellent approximation of the old Dwarf's accent. She grinned at him.
I have no idea what he is saying.
Alyssa just grins as Tarial attempts to match old man Cook's accent. She adds, "No questions sir. We'll watch over the eleven boats and the dock area. Thank you for the provisions."
"Ay-grand-then, all a snit over nort, but ya can-na take chances, Ye will ill be ta bed then"
With the he picks up his axe and heads off home.
While you stand there, the waters of the lake are still. Here and there you can see lanterns burning around the village, their light streaking like blades around side streets and buildings. Faint splashes in the greater darkness.
Behind you one jittie and 11 boats sit bobbing in the black waters. Along the rocky beach a boat builders house, the other way on poles nets drying in the night air.
Korliss slips into the water and swims out to the boats, Grumsch close by.
"I will watch from here."
The big young man attempts to find a spot to lay in ambush but ends up standing in plain sight!
Rei, your CS (Appearance and Personality) says that you look about 13.... I think most of us are 16-20?
Jediah is sure nobody can see him!
The night rolls on, the air is still and silent, then rolling in over the lake a deep mist comes in. Visibility is down 20% as the fog rolls in.
Korliss remains mostly submerged near the boats, with the top of his head and tip of his tail just poking out of the water. He tries to listen more than look, and keeps Grunsch near to smell any danger approaching.
Jediah sees nuthink!
There is a cry in the mist filled night.
You can tell is some way into the village, it could be the far gate facing the woods
Valerie was already on edge. She walked the dock, slowly looking everything over as her hand tapped her handle of Coldfyre. When the roar wrang out, Valerie drew her blade and sought the direction of the sound.
AGHHHH!!!! The pigs are attacking! Jediah quakes.
That was way to the north. There's probably others guarding there. I should wait a bit longer since if I lead them there the boats are unguarded.
I'm still not completely sure I even want to get involved...
Oh WhiteTip, where are you when I REALLY need advice?
Rei shoots off towards the center of the village to see if she can identify what is going on while she debates her options
Ok movement is going to be hard the mist gets thicker to the point you can only see 10' ahead of you. So you can move at 10' a round OR try rolling acrobatics which will give you 20' of speed. DC18
'NO, NO NO!!!"
This time from the east.
Confused, Rei stops in place and looks towards the north, then the east, then back south towards her friends. She slowly heads back towards the group while deciding if it is time to listed to WhiteTip or get involved with the village defense. Her thought process is slow as usual but she takes the time to decide exactly what she wants to say and do.
Before arriving at the group, she changes back to human form and then appears out of the mist at the boats, acting much more mature and composed than the others are used to. "There's something happening both to the north and the east. You were asked to guard the boats so you need to decide...remain here or leave your post unguarded to help elsewhere." She looks directly at Val who has seemed to take charge of the others. "I can hide well, so I could scout the village and either report back or send an animal friend back to you if you wish." She continues to stare right at Val, hoping that she'll take the reins and let Rei just be Rei. Directing others isn't really her thing.
"I will watch the boats, and the shoreline. This was our task, and I will complete it."
Korliss flexes his claws and his tail lashes back and forth just under the water.
Alyssa nods to Korliss, "I'll leave little bit with you. She can understand your words and I'll know if she gets upset or scared. Everyone else that wants to go, let's check it out. I'm going to the north."
"OK I'll scout the east if you're heading north. If I find something and can't sneak back to you I'll send a fox, OK?" Without hesitation, Rei jogs off into the mist and immediately resumes fox form when she is no longer in sight of the others.
"This is our task." Valerie reminded the others. "What will we say if they find that we've left our post?" She asked. "They have put their trust in us, unless we are sent for I think we should all remain here.... Even if I wish to know what is going on... But the adults would have to split their attention between what ever is happening and protecting us! We could become their death if we are not careful!"
Berold nods and even speaks up, "I-I-I agree, f-f-for what it's w-w-worth."
Alyssa is obviously split, but after thinking for a bit nods. "OK. But I'm going to send Little Bit to the north and see if she can see what is wrong. She's really smart for a bird...."
Rei realizes the others are staying so she heads towards the east, using her ears and nose to try and pinpoint anything.
(15 for scents)
After scouting a bit she returns towards the group and keeps watch for anything that might be approaching.
Staying here does sound like a good idea.
In the mist a voice calls out some distance close to the where house near the docs.
"HELP, SOMEONE HELP ME! HELP!! NO! NO! keep off ITS TAKING ME ATRRRRR!!!! HELP!"
Its sound like a child's.
(33 for scents)
Alyssa looks to Valerie to see how she responds to the call for help....
perception
"That sounded close. Like a youngling near the warehouse. We should investigate, that is close to our assignment anyways.
Korliss emerges dripping from the water and begins to prowl towards the sound of distress.
"Children trump all else!" Valerie declared as she bolted with great speed towards the place the scream came from. "Forget the docks!" She called back. "Save the children, spread out in pairs but always keep line of sight to someone!"
Try as you might you don't smell anything other then you all and the docs as they here. Who ever this is they have no sent that you can detect
A fox (perhaps the one Reimaka had mentioned) comes in out of the fog and starts moving along at the front of the group, sniffing at the air as they head towards the sound.