Philip thinks for a momnet. "Anybody got some rope? I can climb down to the riverbed, back up the other side, and create a rope bridge you can use to cross."
Looking down at the creature moving down there, adds "Although, something has to be done about that thing first."
"I have no rope. And as for 'that thing...' well, I could fire acid darts at it, or better still, fire sling bullets at it, and even cast a spell on those sling bullets to make them work better. If it turns out that slithering thing can fly, I could make it really angry at us so that it will kill us."
"I say we hurt it so it kills us." Says Aerian as he prepares for battle.
"Ummm, should we hurt it BEFORE it kills us?" as he takes out his bow.
Obviously still trying to grasp the notion he is dead
"Well, it is possible that thing might be peaceful unless provoked..."
"Well, the only thing I was able to determine is its Large and its an Animal of some kind. Attacking it may just piss it off, but its right down there so no way to sneak past it, I don't see any way around it. I wonder if it eats bones?"
"Nalaliel," asks Aerian, "you know this part of the terrain better than we do, can you tell us anything about this creature? If not, we're going to attempt to kill it or die trying."
An alligator? Maybe we can lure it away with some food, since we are just bones to it, right? he asks uncertainly.
"Well, it's not like we have many directions to walk towards, it's either right or left, which way?"
We have plenty of time, so lets go left first, and if that doesn't help, then we backtrack.
"Let's go then, hopefully we'll find a place to cross before it gets dark..."
Perception:
Philip sees the skeletal being and wonders if he (she, it?) was like Filleox and Aerian when they were reanimated.
Hello there, what is your name? We won't hurt you."
"Wait! We're just like you! We are not going to hurt you!"
Aerian goes after the skeleton, trying to close the distance quickly.
Filleox goes with Aerian, just in case the stranger gets violent. (Filleox doesn't draw his weapon, however.)
Philip brings up the rear, just to make sure its not an ambush.
"It's all right," says Filleox. "We won't hurt you. We just want to talk."
aid another:
"We're not going to eat you. Tell me, what's your name?"
What do you mean, eat your fanily? Where are they at?"
"Get a grip of yourself!" Says Aerian as he bends down to be at eye level with the boy, "The world as you know it is gone. I am sorry that your family is gone, but we are here to help you. Now tell us what happened, slowly..."
"Shhh, everything will be ok, now. Can you tell us how long ago this was?" He replies in hopefully soothing tone.
"It's all right, it's all right," is all Filleox says, as he motions the others to be quiet for a moment and let the boy cry.
"I recommend giving the boy to the care of Nalaliel, she's probably better at this kind of stuff than we are."
"You guys feel that? Nalaliel! Take that kid and get away from here!"
Philip feels the strange sense overcoming his senses, but he can't figure out why. "What's happening, Aerian?"
Philip hears the whispers invading his mind and it takes all of his self-control not to run screaming in panic. He turns to Aerian, and Filleox, and says "I don't know what that is, but I'm really scared. Do you think we can outrun...whatever it is?"
"Yes, but that's all the more reason to stand our ground until we KNOW we need to run. We're already dead; the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"I propose that we get our missile weapons ready. Let me cast a spell on three of my stones to help fight it. When it finds us, at least we'll know what we're up against. If it proves too tough for us, THEN we'll run to the riverbed, and hope that whatever's down there will prove a match for the mouther. What do you say?"
Philip stares at Filleox, trying to think of any better idea. unfirtunately, nothing better comes to mind.
He sighs "OK at least we should be able to allow Natalial and the boy to get away."