"There is an eerie feeling in the air, that much seems to be true - after living here so many years, looking back it does seem strange I never walked this path..." - Hegron adds as they continue down the path - "Yet it is time we followed it, yes?"
The path is cobblestone for a while and then turns to dirt again. At that point you look around and see the trees are filled with crows.
In the middle of the road you see mist slowly forming around a bloated cow that is on the road. It is being picked by the crows around it. There is enough room for you to go around it.
As Urdrsk travels down the dirty path, he notices; just as everyone else, the large number of crows in the trees. The dwarf does nothing because the crows have not been aggressive toward the ground.
Coming upon the dead cow in the path, Urdrsk silently goes around the carcass.
Urdrsk you go around the dead cow first, you see on the other side much of its innards are on the ground with a small pool of blood around it. The crows are here as well feasting. The crows jump out of your way and continue to enjoy their feast. As the rest of the group soon sees too.
Maqan face twisted a bit at the sight of the dead cow as she followed Urdrsk. She had butchered animals before. It was a necessity to cook after all, but this didn't feel right. "There are just so many crows..." She mentioned as she looked around at the sheer amount around them. "We should leave quickly..."
Jade walks casually past the dead cow with the group, she visibly shudders at the blood and gore. She quickly averts her eyes and follows.
Along the path as the mist blocks your view of the dead cow if you looked back you come upon a body. It appears to have been nearly severed in half by a very large blade. No crows are here, which is by far stranger. The corpse has a draconic head but the body is hmanoid. The skin is leathery and black. The body appears to have already been looted as no weapons or gear is on it. Only cut leather armor, boots, and pants.
"Ì bèt thìs wàs òne òf thé slávérs. Ìf hè wàs, IÌm glàd hè's déád!" Urdrsk commented grimly.
"But what manner of creature is this?" - Hegron adds, moving slightly closer to inspect it.
"Ìt lóóks lìke ònè òf thòsè dràgònmèn whò hèlpèd sàck Sánctuáry", explained Urdrsk, who spat on the corpse when all were done examining it.
This time Maqan knelt down beside the body looking it over. "This wound isn't from a simply blade." Maqan said "It had to be huge..."
Looking around she bit her bottom lip as she looked at the woods around them "Hey... what if the stone wasn't the only thing protecting us?" She asked.
"Wèll. Thàt's à còmfòrtìng thòùght", mused Urdrsk.
Following the path you come upon several more of the black dragon men sliced nearly in half, then you come upon a massacre. At the massacre crows are feasting on nearly a dozen bodies.
"Were it not for the fact the dead bodies are supposed to be our enemies, this would be a scenario of horror" - Hegron comments - "The cows are feasting on corpses...?"
"This place is carnage." Maqan said as she looked around slightly nervously. "Maybe we should keep moving." She said as she motioned for the others to keep going, and started walking herself.
Amelia tells her siblings to keep safe, that she is going to go out again and that she will return soon. She keeps a smile on her face, but as she and the others leave once again, it turns into a furrowed frown.
---
Amelia keeps her face snug behind Maqan's leg, forcing herself not to look at the grisly scene around them as they walk, trusting her to lead entirely. She remains silent.
Leaving the bodies behind, you hear horses in the distance. Also the sounds of battle. There are screams and people yelling for help!
You can see about 50 feet ahead of you into the mist. In 210 feet you see the cage and a few bodies on the ground. Further in you see a halfling with a greatsword three times his height attacking men in leathers.
Maqan gladly held Amelia close to keep her from seeing the rest of the grisly scene. The moment she head the sounds however she gently push Amelia to the side and said "Wait here, I'll be right back!" She promised before she turned and ran towards the sound of combat.
Watching Maqan quickly advance to scout the battle, Urdrsk exclaims, "Máqán! Wáìt! Whàt thè?!" Sighing with consternation, the dwarf looks to the half-orc, "Hégròn, wàtch thè òthèrs. Wè'll bè rìght bàck." The dwarven hero runs to catch up to the missing magus.
"Go! I have Amelia covered! Amelia what is wrong?" She tells Hegron then once he is gone she turns on the halfling.
"What..?" - Hegron grunts as Maqan and Urdrsk take off - "We must stand together! It is a risk to split up in this unknown place!" - he adds, following after them after a delayed look at JAde and Amelia - "Hide off the road!"
She nods to Hegron, she then picks up Amelia and stays 30 feet behind him. Keeping Hegron in sight she does her best to get cover when near the fight.
The halfling looks winded but keeps up his guard as the three scruffy looking men circle him. He smiles as Maqan comes into view and sighs in relief, stating, "Support! Its good to see friendly faces, you boys are in trouble now! Saronis Maqan is here!"
In the coming round you hear screams and bodies hitting the ground with a wet splatter.
"Don't tease, you have already used that on me twice," the elf yells back.
"What is it they say? First time shame on you, second time shame on me?" Maqan asked with a small smile as she came into the fight.
three men with weapons circle the halfling.
Besides this fight there is a cage on wheels with a dozen people inside. They wail to be set free. There could be other enemies but you dont see them.
Maqan moved into combat next to Saronis and swung the blade he had given her. If they cleared this up getting the people out wouldn't be a problem.
Urdrsk stands with the halfing. "Bàck òff, ùglìès!" the dwarf roars.
Frightful Presence Will DC 13
I adjusted Maqan's action to get into flanking position with Amris. Saronis is not within sight. Next round you can see him far off being surrounded too.
+2
Only the one being flanked stays, the other two flee from Urdrsk, provoking AoO from Amris.
Round 1
Amris swings at the last fool between him and Maqan. Slicing off a leg and then moving towards Saronis.
Seeing Amris take down the one between them Maqan moved foreword and stopped beside the cage of people. "We'll get you all out, just hold on!" She told them before looked around for a way to get them out.
Hegron moves to stand protectively between two of their opponents, Jade and Amelia.
Maqan you can see the back door of the cage appears to be locked by a chain with a lock on it. You also see many of your fellow villagers faces including your mother. You also see a strange humanoid just within your view 40 feet away beyond the cage. It seems to have two tentacles coming out of its back, large black eyes, and a mouth filled with fangs.
Round 1
Saronis brings his curved blade down and slices off an arm of the dragon headed humanoid.
AoO ~ Before I drop!
Then he slices into the belly of another one dropping him.
Round 1
Urdrsk runs up to the slave wagon, locating the chained lock.
Round 2
The dwarf will attempt to sunder the lock.
Round 1
The three around Saronis aren't looking so confident after he dropped another of their party.
They drop him and then move away. But not before Saronis gets an AoO on the dragon dude carrying the greataxe.
Urdrsk hits the lock and it breaks.
The dwarf hero pulls on the slack chain around the wagon to open the cage so the prisoners can escape.
Maqan narrowed her eyes as she tried to make out the form of the creature she was seeing. "Urdrsk... We have more company." She told him.
"Over there look!" She said as she pointed to a creature just over 40ft away on the opposite side of the of the cage from where she was at. "We need to get out of here fast. You want to go help Saronis and Amris? Or tend to the people?"
"Hèlp thèm!" Urdrsk bellows.
The dwarf double moves to flank the latest big bad.
Maqan nodded in agreement that Urdrsk would go and help them, after all he was the better fighter, and moved to help her mother and the rest of those who had been taken. "Come on! This way." She waved them out of the cage as she moved to keep herself between the side of the area where saw the creature and the people.
Amris takes his attack of opportunity as the one near him tries to move away.
Round 2
Then he charges after the same fool that he missed. Hitting him but not downing the bandit.
AC -2...
The two withdraw from Amris and Urdrsk. As they move faster than the two of you, you will have to run to catch up.
Round2
Hegron takes chase, and attacks one of the fleeing bandits.
Round 2
Hegron you can't see the two guys who ran off from Urdrsk. You can't even hear them very well over the sounds of battle. But moving towards the fight you see the two bandits retreating. Then coming up to him you miss.
Amelia is being carried by Jade. Jade moves over to be on the far side of the prisoners with Maqan.
The creature slowly walks up towards Maqan, stepping to one side and then the other. Then when 5 feet away the tentacles lash out and the monster cries out showing its maw filled with sharp teeth. "Craaaaa!" One of the tentacles scratches across Maqan's shoulder.
Round 3
The two bandits near Amris and Hegron disengage and withdraw from battle. Leaving no AoO and they enter the mist with little to follow.
Amris follows them but can't catch up.
Maqan let out a surprised cry of pain, though it was only a little blood it was more the shock that got to her. She spun and stepped away from the beast, holding out her hand in defense only for a burst of fire to come from it.
Round 3
The creature dodges and takes half of
It screams in pain at the burn and then runs into the woods.
"Are you well friend" - Hegron nods at the halfling (Amris?), then he shouts out to his dwarven companion - "Master Stoneward, shall we follow Maqan?!"
Urdrsk nods and follow in Maqan's wake along with the prisoners.
"Yes I am fine, a bit of healing would be great! We should go back though, no need to run after bandits in this darned mist." He quickly points out as he turns around away from where the bandits were just running. He gets back to the battle field and stops at Saronis. He waits and in a few rounds he comes to, then Amris offers his hand and helps the elf up. In the mean time he began to loot the bodies.
Hegron and Urdrsk quickly catch up to the prisoners, Maqan, Amelia, and Jade. It seems that nearly all the villagers are accounted for but you won't be for sure until you get these ones home.
Maqan looked over the prisoners they set free till she found her mother and embraced her. "I'm so glad we found you." Maqan said as she pushed back the tears. "Pa will be so relieved! As will Maqej! We found them both! Saronis was able to save father." She explained.
Maqan's mother embraced her with tears streaming down her face. Her voice is hoarse from likely lots of screaming, "My dear Maqan, I am so glad you got here in time there is no telling what would have happened to us. That is so great to hear!" She and the other prisoners follow and stay with you.