"We should return his map to him." Stringfellow shrugs with a grin, "It was his after all."

In reply to Stringfellow Hill (msg # 131):

"Well, really, if someone took the map from you and then went and got the treasure, would you behave differently?"

"Hey, speak for yourself," Danos said, grinning. "I'm happy to go with Stringfellow's plan. The return of the map, and the medical services rendered, should be enough to compensate this assassin who hired demons and mercenaries to hunt us like animals and is now appealing to our sense of decency."

In reply to Danos (msg # 133):

Except we must return it to the guild member who gave it to us, it is his to give, not ours. Correct Oren?

In reply to Syvanus (msg # 134):

"Maps change hands. A ranking guild member presented us with this, and we are under a binding magical contract to return this to him, and to divide our shares according to our original agreement. If any of you choose to do something to this effect upon our return, go for it, but we are bound by our compact."

In reply to Oren (msg # 135):

"The money he fronted me for the expedition is something I do owe him, but that may be where it stops."

In reply to Snorri Roslovich (msg # 136):

"Oren has a good point. We made a magical agreement, and since you were not on the mission, at least not assisting us, you should take up your claim of ownership through the normal legal channels. Until then, let us fulfill our legal obligations and return to Northport, as per our contract."

With that, he does start to return.

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 137):

You get through the next day without incident; both prisoners have lasting injuries that require the Travois. The night passes uneventfully as well,
But come morning, you can hear the tramping of feet...

Syvanus quickly gathers his things and moves to scout the noise.



[Private to GM:  10:56, Today: Syvanus rolled 7 using 3d6.  Observation. by 5
10:56, Today: Syvanus rolled 7 using 3d6.  Stealth. by 9]

Danos sticks with the main group, but readies his bow and an arrow, and scans the horizon in the direction of the noise.

In reply to Danos (msg # 140):

Kirpich listens very carefully for the approaching footsteps, to determine how many, and where from. He calls out to Grom quietly in prayer for assistance, just in case.

[Private to GM: Typical, roll the crit when not needed! Natural 4 for perception, and 7, 13 under skill, to summon earth elemental.]

Stringfellow readies his bow and backs up Syvanus.

The tramping is being caused by nine dog like humanoids marching in formation.
Unlike the previous batches of gnolls you had met, these seem well organized, and are wearing matching (if garishly painted) leather armor and carry spears and bucklers. They seem like they might have been capable of stealth, but wanted you to see them coming.

Their leader barks for a halt just out of bowshot and they beat their shields with their spears twice, then assume a fixed stance with the butts of their spears on the ground.

In reply to Spotted Howler (msg # 143):

"In the name of Grom, how can we help you?" Kirpich calls out.

[Private to GM: Has summoned earth elemental arrived?]

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 144):

Their leader calls back "We hunt the skinchanger lion. His scent is strong on you."

The earth elemental will arrive in 25 seconds...

He ran off badly injured, did he not?   Or is he one of us?
 

In reply to Syvanus (msg # 146):

"We hunted him as well, and captured one of his companions. If he is with us, we don't know it. Why don't you check our party, and we will try to identify if he is here, and if so what happened to the person he replaced."

"When last we saw the skin changer he was sorely injured. This man was a companion of his. Feel free to take him and extract what information you can from him, as long as my companions will accept it. I don't see how the skinchanger could replace us, but you may know more about him than us."

Danos is nervous about the Earth elemental...

"Kalvo may have a valid grievance against the guild. We might need to take him with us. Questioning him is reasonable though."

In reply to Stringfellow Hill (msg # 149):

Two of the heyena legionaires approach and sniff you, one at a time. They linger over Kalvo and the other of his gang. One barks several short words, and their yeader makes a sharp sound, and they fall back into rank.

In reply to Spotted Howler (msg # 150):

"My bouda say only those two wounded ones smell strongly of him we seek. Word of his predations on us reached Northport and we came to finish him."

In reply to Harou (msg # 151):

"We wish you good hunting. We have dealt with many of his companions, and we take these two back to Northport to face justice. If you have charges to add to ours, feel free to travel with us. Otherwise, we wish you luck in your hunting."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 152):

The wounded man calls out from the travois.

"Good luck, but you need silver to finish him. He heals anything else quickly...and he can't stand anything from a peach tree."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Sat 05 May 2018.

"What about beheading and then burning the seperate parts. Followed by spreading the ashes across moving water?"  Stringfellow asks curiously, thinking of an old poem.

In reply to Stringfellow Hill (msg # 154):

Pierre shudders. " I think that kind of treatment would do for anybody, even a vampire. This guy is just a part time lion."