Round 2
Now having flanking from her friend Eyeball Lilly tries to stab the beast again.
Flanking Spear attack
Doubtful Damage
Eyeball Dives in trying to snap at the beast.
Bite attack...fighting defensively.
Bite damage
Kystra maneuvers to the side of the beast and strikes out again.
A chill runs through Dantes as he sees the snake snap at Kystra. His hands now empty (yes, he was just discarding those shurikens to free his hands), Dantes steps forward to wrestle with the snake, hoping to draw its ire solely to him.
Step to I12, grapple attempt.
To hit
Relaxing his second arrow, Kythas turns his attention from the snake and looks carefully around the trees and what he can see of the skies through the leafy foliage overhead to make sure that the sounds of the battle hasn't drawn the attentions of more dangerous predators.
With the fight going so well, Avarthiel sees no need to expend any of his limited prepared spells. The wizard turns to a simple but effective cantrip that has already been used successfully on the island.
A line of shimmering blue energy crosses the gap between elf and reptile.
Eyeball and Kystra's assault together brings a swift end to the Fer-de-Lance's life. As the song of battle slowly ceases, there is a silence that grows tenser and tenser. It feel as though every eye in the jungle is veered in your direction...
"It would be wise to take our spoils and make our way back to the coast." the elf suggests, nervously observing the suddenly still jungle.
Placing a booted foot on the dead snakes head and withdrawing the sharp dagger within, Kythas swiftly decapitates the serpent and lifts its body so that the blood begins to drain out onto the matted leaves and soil of the jungle floor. "It's not enough to fill us all, but it will surely accent a meal of dried meat and water." he whispers to his companions as he finishes squeezing the snake of its lifeblood.
Once he is satisfied that the corpse is properly exsanguinated and won't leak out all over the trail back, he coils it like a rope and hefts it over his shoulder. Sticking the dagger back into his boot he nods to Lilly, "Lead us back, I'll be just behind you."
As they begin to make their way back, the elf tries to shake the spooked feeling he is getting from the uncomfortable silence surrounding them... But is unable to do so.
If the snake is heavy enough that it takes more than one of us to carry comfortably, then Dantes will help Kythas. Otherwise, he'll resume his post as a rear guard for the group.
"Well done indeed everyone! To dispatch such a dangerous foe with no injuries; well that augurs very well indeed."
The snake is emptied of all blood within minutes, though the bloodletting seems to have multiplied the hungry eyes that judge you all carefully as potential meals... or so the sensation tingles. Yet as you make your way out of the jungle onto the sand of the coast, only insects were a bother...
"We should bring this back to camp." Kythas advises the others, hefting the snake for emphasis. "Then maybe head east and investigate the coast further in that direction."
He casts his eyes back towards the dark shadows of the jungle, nodding towards the ominous place. "It is funny, for almost sixty years I grew up in a place very similar to this. But something about this place seems off. Especially in there. The elf pauses for a moment and then looses a short sigh and nervous laugh. "But then maybe I've just spent too many years in luxury."
Kythas stops talking, but can't push away the notion that the entire island is bloodthirsty.
I agree. Finding this dangerous snake so close to our camp is somewhat alarming. Before we go further along this coastline, I agree we should check the other way to make sure nothing lurks close by in that direction. We can stop at camp to drop off the snake, let the others know of the change in plans, and wait out the midday heat.
Kystra follows the group wherever they go.
"We are agreed then. Back to camp to share our spoils!"
Lilly and Eyeball follow the group back. Lilly rewards Eyeball with the treat of a few internal snake organs for his part in the attack.
When you return to the camp, you find it halfway empty - Sasha and Ishirou are not there. Gelik is sitting next to the firepit, scribbling in a malformed notebook. Jask is wandering around the sleeping shelters. When he first spots you, his face brightens up - and then the he looks a little concerned when he spots the decapitated snake around Kythas's shoulders.
"Ah, you are back already? Sasha and Ishirou should be somewhere nearby, in the close jungle. Ishirou wanted to familiarise himself with the camp area and its close environment, and Sasha joined to forage. They were here only minutes ago."
"We just came back to deliver this." the elf smiled as he dropped the dead serpent unceremoniously onto the sand near the firepit. "We found it in the jungle not very far west of here and thought it best to kill it lest it find our camp and bite someone. The breed is quite aggressive."
Kythas drops to his butt on the ground beside the reptile and withdraws his boot dagger and begins the work of cleaning the serpent for eating.
Waving the gore-covered blade casually around, he adds, "Plus it will make a nice addition to tonight's meal." The elf nods to the others in the hunting party as he continues gutting the big snake. "This won't take long, and we can be back on the hoof. We should have a good few more hours before it starts to get really hot."
The wild elf makes short work of preparing the snake, despite the occasional "assistance" provided by a certain nosy winged reptile. Once finished he makes a quick game of "Name that innard" with the pesky pteradon as he tosses various sloppy organs in the air for it to snatch up before giving Lilly the particularly tasty heart and liver to deliver via sling.
Dantes will take 10 to aid another for Kythas. That really should do it.
Yes, we'll head back out shortly. I'm glad Ishirou and Sasha went out to scout nearby. Did they go together? I suppose they are capable, but I was admit being concerned about any of us going too far by ourselves.
Dantes will take 10 to aid another for Kythas. That really should do it.
Kythas wonders silently to himself if it would be a good idea to throw the dead snake onto the sleeping Aerys and yell "POISONOUS SNAKE!"... but prudently decides against doing so.
Avarthiel's takes a quick look round the nearly deserted campsite, and is relieved to hear that Sasha and Ishirou are nearby. "I'm sure they'll be fine... and we do need their help finding food. Jask, as you can see we found a little excitement. Has everything been peaceful here?"
It isn't particularly difficult to harvest food from the dead snake, though the total amount can scarcely last for the day. Jask smiles faintly as he bows his head in Avarthiel's direction.
"Yes, it is peaceful for the time being. The day is young, however. I wonder if we will experience great heat today, or if the skies will grant us respite with a rainstorm."
Jask peers up betwixt the great leaves and stares at the great blue heaven above...
With the rest of you hard at work, I think it is clear we should move along, keep checking the area around for other threats, or opportunities. When the others return, Jask, would you mind letting them know of our encounter with the snake, and which way we've moved off this time? I would be appreciative.
Kythas quickly washes his hands in the sea and is back on his feet and ready to start the exploration anew.
"Be on your toes Jask," he says to Jask before setting back work, "It probably was nothing, but I felt a rather strong sensation of being watched from the shadows after we killed this serpent. When the others return, see that they don't wander too far into the jungle. Especially not alone."
Kystra looks anxious to continue their exploration.