When his final arrow punctures the wolf's eye, Zyphen drops his fourth, half-drawn arrow back into his quiver.  He glides forward to inspect the wolf.  "I saw no sign of pack-mates; it appears this one was a lone hunter."

Zyphen will do whatever is good to do with dead wolf bodies in the wild.  He will then resume his scouting routine.

Cuaglar twirled his rapier around a bit before sliding it back into its sheath, marvelling at the great speed the spell had given him.  But eventually he had to move on, reminding himself to try to keep more alert, if events like these were likely to occur.

Good work, friends. It is most fortunate we were able to down this beast and prevent possible harm to other travelers.

He pauses a moment, a thoughtful look on his face.

Hmm, now that I think of it, this seems most sinister. A creature of the forest so maddened and hostile that a skilled woodsmen such a Zyphen was unable to calm it...

Perhaps there is more to this encounter than meets the eye. Could it be that some vile foe might be driving the wildlife into such a killing frenzy? He looks to the others, with a serious and determined look in his eye.

Zyphen continues his work hiding/burying/whatever the wolf body, not looking up.  "It was hungry after a lean winter.  You can see its ribs, here," Zyphen points.  "However," he continues dryly, "don't let that stop your conspiracy theories, paladin.  After all, the dire wolf could have been driven to a state of hunger deliberately.  Perhaps the Zhentarum have plotted to massacre all the deer within 20 miles, forcing the local dire wolf population to attack passers-by for sustenance.  As I scout, you should ask Corven about any local druid sects that might be involved in the plot--the Zhents must be getting their information from somewhere.  Perhaps you can discover another nest of 'evil' to smite on our return trip, no?"

"Just remember," he murmurs, turning from his work to look up at the paladin, face impassive, wind whipping his long hair, "as you chase your wild geese:  To the east wind in the town of Llork, you have a deflowered lady and a lawfully-elected mayor both praying for your swift return."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Wed 07 Nov 2007.

"Zhents?  W...where?", the young man swallows the bacon (Cured!) he was chewing.  He almost chokes.  He then starts biting his nails.

"We should hurry.  We shouldn't linger.  Let's g...go.", he hurries his horse along.

-K

Much as Kanir would like to be away, Cuaglar's pack horse is not going anywhere just now.  The injury from the dire wolf's bite may not be immediately life threatening but in fairness it should either be healed or put down.  Otherwise the pain will make it difficult to handle and carrying a load will almost certainly send it lame.

As Cuaglar untied his horse (who should really have a name,) he said,
"Corven, could you help him, please?  That wolf gave him a terrible bite."

"Of course, just be on the lookout for more of those large wolves.  They travel in packs, so where there is one, there is bound to be many more."



OOC:  Hmm, can healing spells work on animals?  I don't remember in 3e - IIRC, in 2nd edition you had to have specific animal healing spells ...

Corven will bend over Cuaglar's horse, calming him with a touch.  A quick and simple prayer to Chauntea delivers a dull glow to the wound, which closes rapidly.



17:32, Today: Corven rolled 11 using 1d8+3. CLW on the Horse!.

Under Corven's ministrations the horse's wound is soon much improved.  As a group you spend a few minutes collecting and re-arranging the goods that spilled when the horse fell and Corven uses the time to settle the horse.  In short order you are ready to leave.

Unless anything is being done with the wolf carcass?

The rest of your journey to the trail-fork is uneventful.  It may be that the hills are peaceful or perhaps any other bandits or predators think better of attacking such a well-armed party.  From here the Keep is only a mile or two away but the trail is uphill all the way and quite steep.  Also, the spring afternoon is rapidly drawing to a close.  A decision needs to be made about when to approach the Keep.

Zyphen will do SOMETHING with the wolf carcass.  As I mentioned above, I am not sure what--I am not as woodsy as my ranger.  What is the best thing to do?  If the pelt is valuable I suppose we could skin it.  Otherwise, I am just thinking along the lines of burning it, burying it, or otherwise.

As to when to approach--as he scouts Zyphen will look for a secluded, hidden campsite.  Something where we would hopefully not be noticed and that might be easy to defend.  If we find something, Zyphen would recommend setting camp and approaching the keep in the morning (for the benefit of the humans).  Otherwise, we could press on.  Any comments?

Well, if this area is known for the walking dead, Corven would suggest burning the body if you aren't going to eat the meat.  Undead are scary enough - undead dire wolves are super scary!

"U...u...undead dire wolf???", the young man panicks when undead dire wolf is mentioned.  He immediately starts creating a bonfire to burn the wolf carcass.

OOC: Yeah, lets burn...

-K

Zyphen searches for a campsite....

10:29, Today: Zyphen rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Survival.

The area isn't known for the walking dead at least as far as I know, but since the mere mention of an undead beast is enough to startle Kanir, it's decided to burn the wolf's carcass - whole, since Zyphen decides the pelt is in such poor condition as to be worthless.

Setting the fire is easy enough but it takes a while to make sure the carcass is fully burnt and to be sure the fire isn't going to spread.  As a result it's evening by the time you reach the turn-off.

Zyphen finds a good campsite, screened from the track by a grove of trees and sheltered, almost enclosed, by the folds of the hillside.  It looks like it's going to be a chilly night, I hope you've all got extra blankets.

Zyphen goes about his normal routine of setting up camp:

Zyphen generally strings twine around the area of the camp, hanging it with small bells if there is no wind.  Anyone entering may snap the twine and ring the bells.  Also, if appropriate, Zyphen has earth-toned canvas to be used as a makeshift lean-to or tent that will provide at least some camouflage.  Zyphen has taught his owl how to guard the camp.  Snow is suited to guard duty, since owls are nocturnal anyway, and she has excellent low-light vision, the ability to move from perch to perch in near silence for better vantage points, a great listen score, and an excellent spot score in low light.  Whenever Zyphen sets up camp for the evening, after Snow has hunted for her supper, Zyphen sets her to watch the camp (taking 10 on his Animal Handling check).  She sits in some tree branch or other good vantage point, and whenever anything not recognized as a “friend” comes in sight, she hoots loudly enough to wake Zyphen.  If the creature comes too far into camp, Snow attacks, though hopefully she will break off if she gets injured.  If Snow wakes Zyphen, he immediately seeks a hiding place from which to watch or ambush any approaching creature.

Atalakis will begin his evening ritual of polishing his armor and cleaning up as he prepares for rest. I will take the first watch. Zyphen, second, Cuaglar, third.

Do druids need 8 hours of sleep or just rest? If they need sleep, he will leave it at that, if it's just rest and they can still get spells, he'll suggest Corven take the 4th watch.

He will leave his weapons in close reach, tend his horse, and make certain he and it are covered well enough to ward off the cold for the evening.

Sleep well, my comrades, for we have good works to do on the morrow.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Thu 15 Nov 2007.

Corven yawns, "I can take the fourth watch if you want.  You need not worry - Tacky and I will keep us all safe!", as he pats his trusty horse down.

PM
[Private to Zyphen: In the early part of your watch, you hear Snow give a loud hoot.  Having attracted your attention she wings silently to a perch on the downhill side of the camp.  Looking in that direction you see the cause for her alarm.  Your superior night vision easily picks out six humanoid shapes pushing through the screen of trees.  Once they are through they fan out, two heading towards the higher ground on either side of your campsite and two blocking the lower end of the gully.  It's obvious that most are human or similar.  They're trying to move steathily but they can't see very well.]

The young wizard get ready to sleep in the warm fur coat, in the cold night.  Right before he goes to bed, he opens his book, and flips through a few pages, mumbling something.  He then casts 3 spells.  First spell glows all around him faintly blue.  Second spell momentarily changes his eyes to all black, almost dragonic.  After the third spell, he yawns long, and he bids good night to the campers.

[Private to DM Fletch: OK, finally got some time to post...sorry about being late a bit.

First, he prepares two spells into his un-prepared slots.  One is Vigilant Slumber, and the other one is Extended Mage Armor.  Then, he casts Extended Mage Armor first, then Vision of Omniscient Eye second.  This second spell will activate his Insightful Divination ability and increases his saving throw and initiative.  Third, he casts Vigilant Slumber, with "When someone in the camp is attacked" as a waking up condition, and he goes off to sleep...]

-K

Cuaglar takes his rest willingly, lying down and sliding into the Trance, and when awoken for his watch, he constantly walks around the encampment, within the line of bells, keeping his eyes away from the fire so his night vision wouldn't be dulled.

During the second watch, you are woken (hopefully) to Zyphen's yell.  "Foes, awake!  Awake!  Six of them.  Humanoid.  Fanning out to flank us."  He moves and draws his bow as he speaks, heading towards a position of cover with line of sight on the attackers attempting to gain the high ground.  When he reaches the location, he hisses a melodic word in the tongue of the genies.  Silver mist spills from his mithril armor, concealing the genasi.  [Swift action; grants concealment; does not interfere with my vision.]

He will then strike first, if he can.  In the genasi's mind, anyone sneaking up on his camp in the dead of night is an enemy.  Drawing his iridescent bow, he pulls a purple fletched arrow to his cheek and draws a bead on an attacker attempting to gain the high ground.

- Move to cover, with LoS to high ground (tree, rock, something).  Move

Initiative:  9

Swift Action:  Activate Mithralmist Armor.  Fills space with silver mist (7/day, Swift). Mist lasts 1 min., grants concealment, does not interfere with user's vision, does not move.

Standard or Full Round Action:  Attack.

If Ambush round (just a Standard action):  1 arrow; Attack roll 26; damage 8.
If full round:  Rapid Shot.  Arrow 1, attack roll 24, damage 8; Arrow 2, attack roll 26 (did not confirm crit), damage 7.

In either case, Zyphen will shoot at one of the (presumably archers) moving to the high ground on either side of the camp.

Effects:  Concealment (1 minute, mist); possibly Cover.

10:16, Today: Zyphen rolled 30 using 1d20+10. Hide.
10:16, Today: Zyphen rolled 19 using 1d20+10. MS.
10:15, Today: Zyphen rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Init.
10:15, Today: Zyphen rolled 7 using 1d8+4. Arrow 2.
10:15, Today: Zyphen rolled 8 using 1d8+4. Arrow 1.
10:14, Today: Zyphen rolled 7 using 1d20+6. Confirm crit, 2nd arrow.
10:14, Today: Zyphen rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Second arrow, if full round.
10:13, Today: Zyphen rolled 26 using 1d20+8. Single arrow, ambush round?.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:48, Mon 19 Nov 2007.

Atalakis stands, wrapping his cloak around him and grabbing his sword and lance. Not having time to don his armor, he is clad in a warm, pastel tunic and thick woolen breeches. He moves quickly to untie and mount up on his horse.

Hail! The knight begins, with his trademark sparkling smile and a stylish flourish of his cloak, revealing his readied weapons. Tis a cold night and I could think of nothing more pleasant than hearing of the adventures of the Pastel Paladin by a warm fire. However, you have disguised your approach, which makes me wary. Be you friend or foe?

Atalakis will position himself within the light of the fire, not attempting to disguise himself. He would like to draw attention to himself and away from any of his companions.

If possible Atalakis will detect evil, and look around for a potential target to attack. If he could manage to position his horse for a charge, that would be ideal. If not that, positioning his horse near a tree so he could not be flanked so easily would be his next strategy.

11:06, Today: Atalakis rolled 10 using 1d20. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Mon 19 Nov 2007.

OOC: 11:20, Today: Kanir rolled 20 using 1d20+12. Initiative.

OK, so I'm not sure exactly what the status is (Woke up, not woke up, etcs), but I assume the Vigilant Slumber didn't kick in, but I got woken up by someone...push my action later if I didn't wake up until later)  Also, assume my bat familiar is flying around somewhere nearby as a good nocternal bat should be...

"Huh?  What?  Who?  Where's my Shadow?, K jumps up to wake when shaken by the elf.  He looks around to see what's going on, and where everyone is.

[Private to DM Fletch: Wake up, have the familiar back to get back as soon as possible, and listen and spot checks to see where everyone is and what's going on...Listen at +10 and Spot at +9, if actual rolls are needed.]

-K

Just noting that Zyphen does not wait for Atalakis to Diplomacize before he starts firing arrows; in fact, Zyphen doesn't even wait for Atalakis to wake up before he starts firing arrows.  He yells a warning as he moves to cover, activates his armor and starts firing.

When Atalakis finally gets around to hailing the enemy, Zyphen will hiss, "These men sought trouble this night, Paladin--give it to them!"  He punctuates this statement by firing an arrow at another humanoid.

Thinking quickly as he fires, Zyphen deems it likely these are the bandits we seek in the keep.  He adds in a low voice (pitched so that his opponents cannot hear), "Leave none alive to carry warning!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Mon 19 Nov 2007.