"Shall we venture into the plains looking for signs of centaurs?" He asks simply.
Quince looks about the landscape. "Well I think we need to shift our thinking. We have been trying to chase clues with little reward. If there is another lead. We certainly should run it down. But I think we need to settle into the realization that this might be a longer mission. If we have no trail." He looks to the others. "We need to begin learning of the region these folks tried to settle. Exploration. Perhaps that slower searching will yield more results. When a quarry goes to ground you have to beat the brush."
Quince pulls out his map and gathers everyone together. "We are here." He points to a point east of the mountains and South East of Varnhold . We rode through foothills here " He moves his finger back toward Varnhold.
"Let's set camp here. Give this area a solid searching tomorrow. After that we can head west" He points to more foothills to the west before the mountains . "From there we can turn north follow the foot hills back toward Varnhold. Then north up the trail to Nivakta's Crossing and see if there has been any word of the people. Or a wider ring around Varnhold. Whatever we do I am open I think that we need to start turning over every stone. What do you think?"
"It seems we have little choice at this point but to simply search, or give up. I dislike giving up. Giving up does not lead to personal growth and enlightenment. Sadly, personal hardship and self-denial seem common on that road." He shrugs.
St. John nods and says "I agree. We need to search unless we know where the centaur camp is."
"Well do not forget that we have two things going for us. If these lands are that of the centaur it is possible we'll run into a scouting party. Though if we keep moving that is less likely to happen, yet I cannot advise sitting still either." Cleonora stated simply. "Just let us make camp a respectable distance from here. I'd like not to be caught here if the centaurs come upon us."
The group sets up camp, if following all the suggestions, you set up camp so that the giant bones are visible but far from you. No signs of any shrikes!
After the camp is setup and some of you begin to think to snooze, you hear in the distance a great trumpet!
The Elf volunteers for 1st watch.
"Ahhh Company....Angry too..." he remarks.
St. John says to the group "I can take what ever watch is needed. I don't know if some of you need rest to prepare any spells or not. We should probably have a standard watch rota."
He looks in the direction of the sound and sees the creature.
1. Stand and take out bow.
2. Fire two shots and drop bow.
3. Draw blade and prepare to attack.
Quince hears the trumpet, "Some sort of stork sound."
He turns toward the sound his face blanches.
Quince stands removes his Delequisent Gloves tucks them into his belt and grabs his bow speaking twice in to very different languages.
He had been getting comfortable in his bedroll. His weapons laid out beside him and his handy haversack near his head. Hearing the beast charge he would have gotten free and collected his quiver and longbow.
The next round he stands his ground as he unleashes two arrows into the air.
Round 4
He roars out a warning to St. John, at the last possible moment St. John with the warning is able to avoid the gore of the wholly elephant.
Counter
Make an opposing Diplomacy check to negate an enemy’s attack on a nearby ally.
Readied
He also lets two more arrows fly.
Round 4
As most of you prepare or attack the great whooly beast, it charges at you! the beast charges into St. John as he positioned himself for melee. You can see that the beast has many arrows and a few other wounds upon its huge hide!
Jorne
Quince
St. John
Lykan
Dinenen
Cleo
Mastodon
Seeing St. John prep to receive the charge. Quince rushes to his side and puts a hand on his shoulder muttering a spell. A subtle bark quality marks his skin.
Quince moves to the side to spread out the group. As he does so he begins to cast a spell.
He fires a bow toward the charging best.
St. John shouts his thanks to Jorne and then engages the beast in melee.
With no ranged attacks and others raising the alarm, Dinenen has no reason to do more than move up wit St john Smythe. Once he can see the obvious injuries, though, he comments "Poor thing's fleeing death. Sure we shouldn't just let it go by?"
Once the battle is engaged, though, he doesn't hesitate to accept the risk.
Quince keeps moving with the hopes of getting another shot in. He looks toward the monk and speaks.
As the beast goes for another gore it collapses. Reflex DC 15 for St. John or squish...
End of combat.
[ooc]Oh come on! LOL[/dice]
With things calming down. Quince nods to the others, he starts in Celestial, starts again in Sylvan and finally speaks common, "St. John you alright. Anybody else."
He looks off in the direction the beast came and then at the Mastodon. "Anyone ever skin a mammoth."
Quince pulls out a dagger and begins to field dress the elephant.
He narrowly evades the bulk of the elephant but arises unharmed.
He puts away his bow over his shoulder draws a dagger. Then he walks over and help Quince with dressing the elephant. He adds, "Up until now I have only seen gray elephants. It is strange to see so much fur on them!"
As he is helping Quince he quietly asks, "Do you notice the figure in the grass? How should we approach it?"
Jorne
Quince
St. John
Lykan
Dinenen
Cleo
Looking in the direction of where the beast came from you can see several humanoids stalking this way through the tall grass.
St. John exhales and lets a whistle go "Man that was close."
"I do now. Doesn't look centaur Does it."
"Nope, too small. I will go make contact..." he quietly whispers to Quince as he cleans his blade. Then sheathing it he walks over to the other side of the hulk of the beast offering in common, We didn't mean to take your kill, we are happy to share most of the meat with you."
---
"All will be forgiven, do you know where the centaurs make their camp?" He asks hoping for information.
The first figure that was hiding in the tall grass stands up. It has feline features. Then three more stand up behind it. They each have a javelin in one hand, a bone sword in their other hand, and more javelins on their backs.
"We would be most thankful for such an offer. We are sorry for tagging the mastodon and making it charge to your camp." The catfolk says graciously with an off accent in her feminine voice.
---
The speaking catfolk enters past the tall grass line, sheathing her sword. "The Nomen centaurs travel as we do. There is no certain place they will be... well except the land shark's grotto! Yes, they are likely there. If not there they may well be on their way to this location. If you travel mostly East you will find the land shark's grotto in four days."
"Well meet, your news of the centaurs is most helpful. I started dressing the beast. My guess is you have hunted them before. We could never use the meat. Come give us a hand getting it ready. I will ask many questions though. I am new in these lands though some of our company are from hereabouts. We are seeking answers to what may have happened to the people of the settlement called Varnhold. It was built on the ford before the pass through the mountains."
"Do your people have good relations with the Centaur?"
The catfolk all sheath their swords, put their javelins away and pull out carving knives. They come over and help with the dressing.
"Your questions are fine, I will answer them the best I can. Ahh 'the' settlement. We have a neutral relationship, we don't fight, also we share kills if needed. Centaurs are not so keen on humans due to 'the' settlement." She replies as they continue working on the meat.
The elf moves himself out of hiding as well. With a nod to everyone else.
He too moves to help dress the animal....
His knife in hand he makes sure to remove the entrails and drain the blood properly.
Quince nods to Lykan. A look of relief on his face.
He looks back to the catfolk, "Please don't fear to speak frankly. I am called Quince Medvyed, a leader, of the people west of here across the plains on the far side of the mountains. Our lands are now called the Greenwatch now among our peoples before our efforts the Greenbelt. We were tasked to come here to find out what went wrong. That would include if the folk of the settlement were poor neighbors to those who have lived here. In the west we have made many ties not just among humans, and elves but among the Fey of the Narlmarches, and tribes of other sorts."
Quince smiles, "Let's get at this creature, so it is not wasted. There is more here than we can eat. Frankly my hope was to share it with those who hunted it. I saw the javelin. I am glad you were close by. We can share a meal and a fire. You can tell us of these lands, of yourselves and if you think well of us. Perhaps you can introduce us to the centaur."
"I think I hear some displeasure when you refer to THE settlement. Have they expanded into areas where they are unwanted?"
Having no real training at preparing a carcass, Dinenen defaults to the role of untrained labor through-out time, holding things, walking away with skin as it is separated from the meat, and so on.
Answering Dinenen's question she offers, "They think they can take everything. But these lands don't just belong to them. We tribes have been here for generations."
She nods at Quince's words but replies with a straight face, "Our chieftain would need to make that choice."
The female speaker makes a few moewling noises and the others nod in agreement. "It is settled we will trust you. I will put a light into the sky and our tribe will join you." If you agree then she takes her bow, casts a strange spell over it and shoots it straight up. The arrow bursts into a cloud of smoke and little pieces that looks like a swarm of fireflies for a few moments.
Within the next 10 to 20 minutes catfolk come and join the camp. Some with their own kills, some with tents, others with children. The mammoth is slowly cut apart, bled, and the feast of meat starts to appear. Some small fires with javelins over them start to make smoking stations. As large chunks are carved and put on spits to begin to cook and turn.
Quince nods and watches the signal. "We would be honored."
As the flare goes up Quince looks at the catfolk, "Please tell us everything. So we can better understand." Quince closes his eyes a moment nothing the centaur hide on the tanning rack.
"This is strange. Last to my knowledge the tribes though competitive do not expand into each other's hunting grounds for the land is vast enough to feed them all. What has changed? Is it related to teh recent disappearances?" The red haired elf asks his companions.
To Lykan's question she replies with, "There have been undead giants walking in the plains. The spriggans have also been a lot more active. It is true we have our own hunting grounds but until the undead menace is dealt with we are trying to stay as for North East as possible. This is the lowest we have traveled recently. Next we will likely head North East again."
Quince you realize there is much to say, too much, so questions help with them giving you more information.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-catfolk/
Quince you realize there is much to say, too much, so questions help with them giving you more information.
Quince smiles, "The high priestess of our lands Katrina Dewtree is . . . was a catfolk. Her devotion to Erastil has turned into something more."
The catfolk talk about Varnhold as 'the' settlement in a sour way. Though it merely is the difference of living between them and the civilized folk.
Though you do gather the centaurs and the humans have had many worse interactions, they are openly hostile to each other.
The catfolk looks at Quince with amazement, "We know of Katrina, we hope she comes back one day. It was bad what happened to her husband but it wasn't her fault. Though him being the chieftan's son made things worse for her."
The catfolk looks at Quince with amazement, "We know of Katrina, we hope she comes back one day. It was bad what happened to her husband but it wasn't her fault. Though him being the chieftan's son made things worse for her."
Quince nods processing the news, "Is that how the chieftan sees it? I do not wish to bring more pain if there has been loss."
"Yes, so don't bring up Katrina. But do speak with her and tell her to visit when she can." The catfolk relays nervously.
----
The other catfolk arrive and help with the meat. The night passes and a barrel of ale is opened, bowls get passed around too. You all have a good time. Guards are set to watch outside of the camp. The catfolk setup their hide tents around your camp.
The next morning the chieftain has a conversation with you during breakfast.
Quince settles into a strange host but still a guest diplomatic dance.
Throughout the night he speaks with the expedition members. "Our new friends are just that. New. We should keep watch, but casually."
Quince seeks out the catfolk that mentioned a 'land shark' figuring there is a story there. "So a land shark, what sort of creature is that?"
In the morning Quince rises early and prays. He checks on Scram and the Elk chattering with the animals in what apparently is their own language. As breakfast is prepared Quince checks if any help is needed before sitting with the chieftain and the others.
"We have enjoyed the company of your kin. They have made us feel welcome. I am Quince Medvyed of the Greenwatch. This is Cleonara Petalouda the Headmistress of the Sciencia Academy, Jorne Fyrestone, Dinenen an evangelist of Irori, Lycan Deliss the Winter Hunter, and St. John Smythe. Our efforts here are hoping to find out what happen to the people of Varnhold the Settlement on the, our people call it the, Kiravoy River ford Northwest of here. It seems that the entire population has disappeared." As he speaks he lays out his map of the region pointing to Varnhold. "We know they have had dealings with the centaur of the region and sought to meet some here knowing that they sometimes attend the Linorm Skull. Your hunters mentioned the centaur might be easier to find at the Land Shark's Grotto. To the east. We know the centaur have met the folk of Varnhold, though I believe there is bad blood between them. We do not wish to see further hostilities, quite the opposite. In the West in Greenwatch we have learned to live alongside many of the residents of the Narlmarch Forest who were here before we came. Our hope would be to see that continue in these lands."
"Our first hope is to find and see the people of Varnhold safe. I would ask that you or one you trust of your kin to venture to the Centaur with us. To introduce us, in the hopes of peace."
Cleonora gave a respectful nod when introduced and simply added "As the safety of the people of Varnhold is our main interest, not having to war with the Centaurs of these lands would come as a great boon."
The catfolk would tell about the amazing silver creatures, the land sharks, they burrow through the ground and literally swim in it! They have heard stories of sharks in the ocean but they have never seen that.
The chieftain listens to your words and talks in feline with the other elders. "We have decided to help you, that there will hopefully be no more blood shed between our nations. Sabine, Treailian, and Elk Heart shall accompany you. May your travels be fruitful!"
The chieftain and elders help with the map pointing out a few places. To the North among the hills of the mountain is the Spriggan's lands. To the West is the Ghost Stone. To the South West is the Valley of the Dead, no one goes there and the undead are likely coming from that dreaded land. The Blood Furrows, also known as the land sharks grotto, is two days East and one day North.
The chieftain listens to your words and talks in feline with the other elders. "We have decided to help you, that there will hopefully be no more blood shed between our nations. Sabine, Treailian, and Elk Heart shall accompany you. May your travels be fruitful!"
Quince smiles and tilts his head, "Elk Heart? The capital of our lands to the west bears the name Elkheart." He looks to the other catfolk mentioned. "It is good to meet you all."
The chieftain and elders help with the map pointing out a few places. To the North among the hills of the mountain is the Spriggan's lands. To the West is the Ghost Stone. To the South West is the Valley of the Dead, no one goes there and the undead are likely coming from that dreaded land. The Blood Furrows, also known as the land sharks grotto, is two days East and one day North.
"Obviously, you made a good impressions. I hope our behavior improves on it."
The elf stays mostly to himself as the others mingle around.
Having not found any trace of his quarry, he is morose as he had always prided himself on his hunting skills and rare was one who had evaded him and still lived.
He had to admit, meeting all manner of other folk was interesting but none of them had any news of what he hunted..
Of course he was now part of a peace party to open negotiations. These centaurs better have better news......
Quince thanks the chieftain for all their help, "We thank you. I must ask have your heard anything recently about the settlement. Were you aware it was empty. Anything in these lands that would explain so complete a disappearance?"
Later as the meal and the meeting wind down. Quince approaches the chieftain, "Let us talk a moment away from other ears." He walks a wide circle speaking quietly, "I have one more question. I trust as a leader you understand. Varnhold and its people were not under my authority. Though I have been asked to look to what happened. If the people of the settlement have wronged you or your people I would wish to know. I hope that such acts would not be repeated and if necessary see justice done."