"Nature, red in tooth and claw, eh? Nothing like being reminded there are other predators about, up close and personal. "
Dargu keeps his shield held close and scans for threats with a new vigilance.
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Reassured at seeing the leopard focus only on its prey, Radjiik lowers his bow as well. They were lucky that this boar had found itself on the wild cat's way: a group of five humans was enough of a threat to make even such a strong predator hesitate, but if no other preys were available and hunger was gnawing at its stomach...
He keeps his position at the back of the group as they advance, keeping his senses alert in case something more dangerous than a leopard might lurk in the marsh.
The party continued along the Lone Coast Road; their gaze ever-vigilant for possible threats. Apart from a small supply wagon passing them, the road was quiet and clear for the remainder of the way to the Old Fish Trail. The sun was still warm overhead by the end of it.
Turning your gaze to the start/top of the old trail, you see that it isn't as well kept as the new trail; it looks quite overgrown with weeds, grass and reeds, yet it is wide enough for a human to move down single file. There is a decent shoulder, broad enough to make a camp just off the main road.
Zyren looks around and says
Well, looks like a good place to camp--I don't see any leopards.
She smiles at everyone, assuming they are stopping since that's what they decided earlier, but she looks around at everyone to make sure that is still the plan. She waits to see if anyone wants to discuss, and then, unless someone objects, she gets started setting up camp.
Thats a good idea Zyren. We can set off in first light to have a whole day ahead." Flori starts helping organise the party to set up a camp, large enough for all of them, but not too large as to be a danger.
No Leopards is definitely a plus to making camp here, Dominic says, grinning. Maybe we could even find some fresh food here? the cleric adds, dropping his pack to the ground against a tree. He then carefully checks his crossbow placing it on the ground next to him before he leans against the pack.
It looks like a nice place. However, it's still early... We got at least another six hours all around. We could do some scouting around and maybe some hunting before truly stopping here. - says Akatsu, getting himself ready for the tasks he suggested.
We could also try to keep pushing the road and make camp in some hours. We will probably have a similar shoulder all the way around, or we could stop in case we don't. - he finally completes, looking forward to getting more accomplished.
"Camp and foraging sounds like a good plan to me. We have a decent amount of supplies already, but a decent success on hunting or gathering would stretch them nicely. "
"I agree, camping and foraging now sounds great. Brother, feel like finding a hearty boar? Anyone else enjoy a good hunt?"
Sure, Radjiik. I can't track, but I can shoot.
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==
1=duck
2=grouse
(1 grouse)
(wild animals: 1 white-tailed deer)
==
vs Akatsu's Perception of 20
vs 21 - he is noticed.
(noticed them)
(noticed them)
(noticed them)
Having setup a makeshift camp in a shaded clearing several feet from the entrance to the Old Fish Trail, Dominic, Dargu and Radjiik set out to hunt/forage for some extra/fresh food for the party. Zyren, with her trusted archery talent, also joined them. Flori stayed behind at the camp, for her thoughts were preoccupied with other matters and her concentration was scattered to be useful for tracking in tis moment. The small hunting party concentrated on the edges of the swampland and across the other side of the Lone Coast Road - moving into the fringes of the hinterland searching for quarry. Within two hours of keen tracking, the foursome managed to find and successfully take down one fat grouse and a white-tailed deer/buck before returning to their camp.
Leaving the others to hunt, Akatsu began to scout the surrounding area and fringes of the swampland - keenly surveilling the long grasses and muddy ground, as well as the general landscape. He also kept an ear out for any unusual sounds coming from deeper in the swampland. After thirty minutes, Akatsu managed to find a group of small footprints in the wet ground on the edges of Brinestump - animal tracks - small heel pads with three toed impressions - and more than one set - making him believe there may be a pack of these animals somewhere nearby. Akatsu continued scouting - endeavouring to ensure the area was safe for he and his fellow adventurers. His own undertakings brought him to his hunting companions and together they returned to camp.
The smell of fresh kill was in the air, especially as the hunters began preparing/cleaning/quartering the meat for cooking.
You notice two creatures/animals (mangy canines - around 5 feet long, weighing more than 70 pounds - their face has the same flat nose, beady eyes, and protruding teeth as a rat grown grotesquely large) twenty feet down the Old Fish Trail. They see you, as well. You believe the smell of fresh kill has drawn them. They don't move, although they sniff at the air now. Then you catch a horrendous, sickly scent in the air - coming as the breeze picks up and from the direction of the trail.
These are goblin dogs - ugly, stinking, craven and foul-tempered - and favoured guardians/mounts of goblins. They are afflicted with a species-wide mange exacerbated by prolific dander, making them appear sickly and starved. Goblin dogs are in fact not dogs but a species of rodent grown monstrously large. Their long-legged shape and proclivity to hunt and run in packs has earned them their popular name. Contact with a goblin dog’s infested, mangy hide causes most other creatures to break out into hives, a condition known as “goblin rash.”
Sitting around the campfire, getting ready to cook some of the dinner they had brought back, Zyren notes something watching, and then catches the smell.
She remains calm but alerts the group in a conversational tone (trying not to show fear to the enemy or scare anyone):
Smell that? There are a couple of what look like really smelly, mangy dogs watching us. Not sure if they are planning to attack, or just looking for handouts from the kill, but we shouldn't expect them to be tame. Please be sure your weapons are handy in case they are needed.
She places her bow in her lap, keeping an eye on the "dogs" while she continues to finish preparing the deer steaks, setting aside the entrails and scraps in case anyone wants to try and use them to placate the smelly creatures approaching.
Wow, that smell, oh... Dominic sees immediately what Zyren is talking about, and quietly fishes his crossbow over to him. Those things are as ugly as they smell, hopefully there are just a couple of them and our numbers will keep them away.
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Radjiik spots the two monstrosities a little before Zyren points them to the group. They looked like dogs -in the same way that a rabid, diseased and half-starving sewer rat might look like a mouse.
Mirroring the blue-skinned archer, he carefully places his bow on his lap, nervously peeking over his shoulder to check if the canines are moving towards them.
Agreed. Be ready... with only two of them, hopefully they’ll be smart enough to keep their distance. - says Akatsu, sledgehammer in hands, stepping backwards as if suggesting his team to keep the distance.
Akatsu tries to warn the siblings about the smelly skinny animals.
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"Just y'all stay really still. They're goblin dogs, favored mounts of goblins. They're actually rodents, but that's besides the point. Don't touch them, theyr'e mangy. Problem is, it probably means that there are more around as they're usually in packs."
Flori tries to move naturally towards her Nodachi that is leaning up against the log she is sat on.
"Move slowly, and be ready to move the second they move closer. If you can see them, give the warning." Flori makes an effort not to turn around to look at what is going on.
"Goblin dogs means goblins, right? I can't see anyone but that just means they're being extra sneaky. Try and funnel them into our blades if you can, keep from getting swarmed."
Dargu rises from his meal prep and draws both shield and javelin, looking out where he's been told the foes remain.
Ohhhh... that's a goblin dog? I thought it was a couple really ugly coyotes... Camil stretches to his feet, not wanting to be caught on his rear should the goblin dogs, and maybe their goblins? approach.
Seeing that people were ready to fight, Zyren placed the last of the deer steaks aside, cast prestidigitation to clean her hands, and then stood up with the rest of the group, moving so that she has a good line of sight to the goblin dogs.
She asks Flori
So, should we shoot now, before they have a chance to join up with the rest of their group? Would they go away if we threw them some food?
"Its very doubtful that they are just going to go away." Flori sighs in admission. "Right, I am going to count to 3. On 3, we all go. 1...2...3!"
Flori leaps up, Nodachi in hand.
Dominic fires his crossbow at the nearest goblin dog, Eeey yah! Get Outta here!
Zyren fires at Flori's signal.
Unfortunately missing.
Akatsu gets ready with his sledgehammer, adopting a strange posture similar to the one he did at the halfling's house earlier - the shikigami style. His hands on the weapon slide to two different positions, fingers pointing up, the legs spread swiftly and he lets his companions attack with ranged weapons as he readies himself for the creatures if they approach, trying to intercept their movement.
With warnings given to Dargu and Flori on the creature's sudden presence (and smell) on the trail hear the camp, Zyren placed her bow in her lap in ready, as did Radjiik with his bow and Dominic with his crossbow. Akatsu, took a step back, sledgehmamer in hand and focused for impending attack, and Flori and Dargu stood up from the meat preparation, with weapons in hand; Flori pronouncing the creatures to be goblin dogs and warning of their mange.
The goblin dogs continue to stand still, watch and sniff at the air.
====
====
Round 1: PCS
Radjiik and Zyren nocked their arrows and shot at the nearest goblin dog (#1) and unfortunately missed their mark.
Dominic loaded a bolt into his crossbow and fired at the nearest goblin dog (#1) and it hit true, wounding the creature in its forechest for 3 pts of damage.
Akatsu readied his stance and weapon for when the creatures drew nearer to make their own attack.
Hold your positions. Spread a bit, if you feel it helps... And if you have anything to shoot, do so now. - says the monk, turning his head around - Let's keep an eye... Like Flori said, if they do move in packs, we might have others hidden around here just waiting to jump us. Let them come.
Akatsu stays ready to attack if any enemies come closer.
Dargu looses his held javelin at the closer of the creatures, preparing to grab another shaft or his sword as appropriate for the situation.
to hit, for damage
"Watch out for the little greenskins, too! No telling where they're gonna pop up, with all this swamp and plant stuff to hide in."
Dargu threw the javelin at goblin dog #1, however the sudden pick up of wind ensured the throwing spear moved slightly to the left and slid off the mangy hide of the creature without injuring it. .
===
Round 1: Goblin Dogs' turn
Goblin Dog #1 moved over the littered trail, reaching Akatsu's side. The monk's readied attack was triggered, yet Akatsu could not find quarry in its mangy hide. It opens its dirty maw and tries to bite him,
Unfortunately, its teeth could not pierce Akatsu's honed flesh and muscle and the monk remained unscathed.
Goblin Dog # 2 made a double move to stand beside its companion, protecting its side from attack.
===
Dargu draws his blade and steps past Akatsu, heedless of the creature's snapping jaws. As he comes around to the side, he strikes at the goblin dog with his longsword.
to hit, for damage.
"Use the flank! Come around and slay them quickly!"
Akatsu stays in his Shikigami style, targeting the goblin dog, but trying to still keep an eye on the road - would other animals such as these be around? Or maybe goblins? Regardless, the tries to flurry his weapon against the creature, but unfortunately his lack of full attention seems to affect his aim as his swings barely blow wind on its short fur.
Dominic reloads his crossbow, attempting to get a clear shot at the further goblin dog, Damn thing!
And fires through the melee, trying to target the dog
As Dargu moved around the goblin dog, its teeth could not find quarry in the fighter's flesh as he positioned himself to flank it.
As he swung his long sword at the creature (dog #1), it went wide and struck the ground and dropped to the ground by the fighter's feet.
Akatsu could not see any other goblin dogs approaching the group and his attention certainly waivered and he failed to hit his mark.
Dominic loaded a new bolt, took a step and shot and the creature across from him. However, the second goblin dog's position/cover and its mangy hide unfortunately left the attack unsuccessful.
Radjiik, taking the advantage to move downward, onto the trail itself, aimed and shot at goblin dog #2. Unfortunately, the attack missed.
===
Round 2: Goblin Dogs
Goblin Dog #1 opened its mouth and attempted to bite at Akatsu, again.
However, the monk's honed body prevented its teeth from piercing flesh.
Goblin Dog #2 opened its mouth and attempted to bite Dargu.
It, too, could not draw blood as its teeth struck the fighter's armour and found no purchase.
===
Akatsu does a sidestep to flank with his companion, and again he tries to flurry his immense sledgehammer against the ugly rodent.
Fellas, look out! Fire again.
Dominic calmly reloads his crossbow and fires at the closest goblin dog, even though his companions have it engaged in melee
Flanking with Dargu, Akatsu swung his sledgehammer in the Shikigami style at the large, injured rodent before him. The fury of the first blow instantly killed it.
Dominic loaded a new bolt into his crossbow and fired at the second (and remaining) goblin dog. The bolt's path was true and pierced through the rodent's mangy hide, wounding it deeply.
===
Dargu snarls as his longsword falls from his grip, then turns his attention towards the overgrown rodent before him again.
"Showing me up there, Akatsu! I'm supposed to be the big dumb fighter, eh?"
With heavy steps, he stalks to the east, drawing his Gladius and leveling a heavy stab at the foe once its flanked.
tonhit, for damage
tonhit, for damage
"That one felt better! Maybe I should stick with the lighter blades."
With one mighty thrust of the gladius, Dargu struck the remaining goblin dog hard in the forechest; deeply piercing through to the bone and killing it.
Do not touch/move goblin dog bodies with bare hands or come into contact with their skin as a goblin dog's dander is highly irritating to all creatures except goblins.
If one does come into contact with the dander, Fort Save is required (DC 12) to not break out in an itching rash. An infected creature takes a -2 penalty to Dexterity and Charisma for 1 day. Remove disease or any magical healing removes the rash instantly.