Adir, in one fowl swoop, slices out at the creature that has its attention dead set on Mezdav. Adir's blade slices into the neck and shoulder of the creature and passes through and stops in its chest. The beast falls dead to the ground.
The sound of battle falls and you hear the sound of the caravan's wheels creaking away, and your fast breaths due to adrenaline.
Slowly walking up from behind the party, Findal speaks up; "Well done! I am not sure what all we will face out here, but if you can handle an Owlbear like that we are in good hands." Kneeling down examining the strange creature; Findal speaks under his breath not really for anyone in particular. "They say these creatures were made by a powerful wizard that bred a giant owl and a bear. Finding a young one could yield a small fortune, they can be trained over time..." Standing up a look of shock comes over his face; "Oh my, it looks as if we are being left behind." as he says that, Findal begins to take off towards the caravan.
|
Ercio lets Bumi feast on the flesh of the Owlbear as he thinks. Finally he says "As I first thought, the creature... owlbear?... would only be aggressive against a superior force if protecting her offspring. I think we might be able to save a few cubs" Ercio ventures into the woods where he and Pash saw the owlbear wake up, looking for cubs.
Yalyaane looks for tracks that the owlbear may have left.
Pash reloads his crossbow and nods at the druid. "Thank you for taking me seriously." Without further pretense, the halfling jogs back into position around the caravan, keeping his eyes open for any other threats.
Mezdav relaxes, inhaling deeply. "Nice hit Adir, nice hit. Thank you.". Turning to Ercio, before he goes into the woods, he asks, "You're saying it's a her, and there might be cubs. Does that not imply big daddy as well?"
He'll have a good look at the carcass,
and he has a think about if he can recall owlbear parts being used in alchemy:
He will also ask "Does anyone think we could sell Owlbear claws or somesuch?"
Not a problem Adir picks up his stuff. sheathes his sword. not a problem, it was easy enough. Now what's this about Cubs? you want to to raise them?
Yalyaane shrugs at Ercio. "That druid isn't one to discuss things before running off," she says, then grins. "Oh well! And I'm sure this can be sold. Are you any good at skinning things, though? I can give it a try, but someone should run up and tell the caravan to slow down and wait for us."
She pulls out a dagger and makes her way to the owlbear.
... "... Are you any good at skinning things, though? ..."
She pulls out a dagger and makes her way to the owlbear.
"I'm a pretty fair hand at surgery, so if we need to pull out the gall bladder, I'm your guy"
Ercio takes off into the woods. Track are easy to follow as the Owlbear was dragging its paws as it was making its way into the clearing. You follow the tracks to a burrow that is under some large rocks that is being taken over by the underbrush of this forest. Listening from the outside, you do not hear anything within. The opening is large enough that you can get into, but you would be hunched over not quite crawling.
You make your way into the burrow and it opens up into a rough dug out dirt packed cave. It isn’t large enough for the Owlbear to have had cubs, and there is no sign of this being the home to more than one Owlbear.
Pash catches up to the caravan with ease. Loaded crossbow in hand, he continues to keep an eye out for what could attack the caravan
Mezdav and Yalyaane begin to examine the Owlbear that is currently being eaten on by Bumi. Mezdav knows that he could use things like the owlbears feathers, whole and the ash from them, and the eyes of the creature in different alchemical recipes. The claws of this creature are large and could be fashioned into handheld claws that one could use in hand to hand combat. The last thing that could be used is the hide, but currently Bumi is digging into. The meaty part of the creature which is not good if you want to try to skin it and save the hide.
Mezdav will harvest a selection of owlbear feathers. He asks, "Adir, do you want a claw as a trophy?"
Assuming he has preservation ability, he then he cuts out the eyeballs and stores them.
Finally, as Ercio has called off Bumi, he ask Yalyaane, [b]"Do you want a hand with skinning what Bumi has left?"[b]
No thank you, i don't collect trophies. Though harvest what you can, could be useful for crafting Adir speaks up, attempting to clean up after the encounter
"Yes, please! This was a big animal!" says Yalyaane, her hands already bloody.
"Ok, what do you want me to do?"
Mezdav steps up and helps Yalyaane with the skinning.
"Well, help me roll it over on its back, and see, I started cutting here..." Yalyaane points at the owlbear's groin. "Ahem. You cut down the legs and I'll go up the belly..."
"Alright, but let's get a move on, Dugal's hauling ass already..."
Mezdav starts cutting, following Yalyaane's directions...
Yalyaane hustles with the hide and carries it with Mezdav's help back to the caravan, creating water at various times to sluice blood off the skin, and her hands, and everything else. "Whew, that felt like it took a week!" she exclaims.
Pash looks back as it is clear that the others have not caught up yet. What is taking so long?
Rushing forward to Dugal, he clears his throat to get the dwarf's attention.
"Boss. Might want to slow down a bit. The others were checking to see if there were more of them. I might be somewhat capable with this crossbow, but I ain't gonna be able to defend the whole caravan by my lonesome if bandits decide to take advantage of the confusion."
After downing a large bear like creature, the gnome Findal tells everyone that this beast is something created by a powerful wizard. It is an Owlbear. Ercio goes to look and see if there are any cubs back where it came from, but its den was empty.
Mezdav, being the alchemist that he is, begins to part out what he could use in alchemical ingredients. With your skill roll you are able to collect both eyes, and as big of a bag full of feathers that Mezdav would like to pluck.
Mezdav and Yalyaane work together to skin the Owlbear. They are able to get a decent sized area of the creatures skin, but it does look rough due to Bumi snacking on it. Now all that is left is finding a way for the tanning process to take place on the road.
This has been one month long morning, but the group is able to catch up with the caravan as it is already making its way down the road.
The people on the caravan are talking and many of them are on edge. First a Worg attacked and killed one of the travelers, then this ‘Owlbear’ creature comes out of the woods after being stuck in the water previously. You all get the sense of unrest in this caravan.
|
|
Ercio, not being a 'people' person, decides he shouldn't really try to talk smoothly. Instead, he thinks that giving them the sensation of security should be more productive. Before resuming his scouting post, the young druid reinspects the flanks and marching posts to make sure that they're doing the best that they can do.
Yalyaane decides to take some time, when on breaks, to speak with the people walking alongside the wagons (and those sitting on them), in a social-butterfly manner. "Well, we took care of the owlbear," she says cheerfully. "Listen," she says earnestly to a woman on foot,"I know it can be dangerous, but that's why we are here. If there's something that attacks, get behind the wagons, and we will dispatch it quickly. We haven't lost a caravan yet!" She flashes a huge grin and waves her crossbow.
Pash just shrugs at the sense of dread among his fellow travelers. What, were they expecting this trip to be easy? Caravans have been having issues on this road for a bit now... though I guess I was expecting more bandits and less extrapowerful creatures.
Keeping his thoughts to himself, the rogue focuses more on the things outside the caravan, instead of within it.
Mezdave puts his bag of feathers on his mule, and says to Amara "See, the pretty ladies are well protected on this trip. " Waving his stick of owlbear eyeballs he continues "D'you mind if I attach this to the outside of you wagon so these will dry out?"
he will put his eyeballs on stick on the outside of her wagon, to one of the mid-ribs with some twine, and then pick up his patrol spot, keeping a sharp eye out.
why exactly are you keeping those eyeballs? Not grossed out, just curious Adir watches the others during the travel, maybe a bit more paranoid than he was before the owlbear attack
why exactly are you keeping those eyeballs? Not grossed out, just curious Adir watches the others during the travel, maybe a bit more paranoid than he was before the owlbear attack
"Dried and powdered owlbear eyeballs are ingredients in several concoctions in Dr. Voldemyr's 'Research into Ocular Transformations', and also Dr. Tramowitz's 'Properties of Uncommon Beasts'"
"I...think he just offered them as a gift to Adara, Adir. Hey Mezdav! Where I come from, girls like sweets, or silks, or books, or if you really want to impress them, a horse!"
Yalyaane sighs. "mmmm...or mare's milk cheese made with camel rennet! That's the best a man can give!"
Pash shrugs. "Takes all kinds of gifts. Keep an eye out... no telling what else the gods will send our way."
"...was that a pun?" Yalyaane looks perplexed.
The halfling looks equally perplexed. "Pun? Oh. I see. No, sorry, not that funny. At least not on purpose." Pash gives Yalyaane a quick smile before turning back toward the dreary woods they are passing by.
Alchemy and magic ingredients? Useful and practical, show me sometime, we can trade teachings
Alchemy and magic ingredients? Useful and practical, show me sometime, we can trade teachings
Adir's mention of trading teachings promptly grabs Mezdav's attention: "You have an interest in the arts alchemical? Let us talk tonight, by the fire, perhaps you can teach me something."