The morning sun has turned from yellow to white when the party arrives at the edge of the Shrieken Mire, not far from the spot where the fishermen had been killed a few days earlier. There is no one in sight and, apart from the buzzing of marsh insects, the area is quiet.

As the group arrives, Lucien takes out the map supplies and spreads the paper out on his leg. At one edge he marks their current location as well as the place where the fishermen had been killed and the edge of the Mire. "I've marked our starting location. I think I will take one flank and I imagine Lathan will take the other. Does anyone else feel confident moving quietly and unseen?"

"Hah!" Karon exclaims with a grin on his face, and by way of an answer rattles the scabbard of his sword against his chain armor. "I can sneak up on a rock pretty good. Assuming it's a deaf rock, of course. I guess that puts me in the center of the line, ready to be ambushed and eaten by a giant, dragon or whatever else we can find out here," he says, still smiling.

"I do think we might need to try to speak to the lizard-folk that live here. Assuming they'd want to talk. They didn't seem to keen on speaking to me, but then they have that in common with more civilized folk so let's not read too much into that," the bulky half-orc continues.

"Yes, if we can, we should try to talk to the lizardfolk and see what they know," Lathan agrees. "Let's spread out. Lucien you take the right flank and I'll take the left. Everyone else can space out in the middle between us. Let's go slowly and cautiously. If you see something, signal to Lucien or me and we'll come check it out."

Lathan then takes up his position on the left flank of the party and waits for everyone else to spread out before beginning the trek through the marshlands, keeping his eyes and ears alert for any signs of danger or clues as to where they might find the giants.

Theron quickly picks and moves to a spot immediately next to the half-orc, his own chain mail jingling as much, if not more than the large warrior's. "I believe I am in the same position as Karon. That, and if there's any need for a cleric, it will most likely be in the center of the group", he reasons, his gauntlet-clad hand balling into a fist,  one segmented finger after another, its steel clinking quietly.

Before the march forward begins, he unslings his shield from his back, strapping it to his left arm. With his remaining, gauntleted hand, he pulls out some beef jerky from among his rations and begins to chew on it methodically as he walks alongside his companions across the marshy land. His eyes dart from the damp ground to the horizon, from left to right and, with quick glances, up to the sky before returning to what's beneath his booted feet again.

Quite aware of his inability to keep his steps quiet, he calls over to the half-orc in a tone hushed enough not to be considered loud, but audible enough to carry the distance that separates them. "So, you have seen these lizard-folk before? Can they really speak and understand us? What I have heard about them is little, and focused on their beastly aspects...", his voice trails off, but he quickly catches himself. He looks forward more attentively as he speaks his next line in a quieter, somber voice. "I suppose I should refrain from passing judgment before seeing them for myself, shouldn't I."

Viola nods. "I'm small, and don't have much equipment on me. I think that I could remain hidden if necessary."

She lifts an arm and removes her bracelet, stowing it safely within her clothes.

After about an hour of exploring the Shrieken Mire, the party spots a group of three lizardmen approaching from the south. The lizardmen are about 400 feet away when they come up over a hill. They stop upon seeing the approaching adventurers, apparently watching for the party's reaction.

Lucien stops and doesn't move when he sees the lizardmen, but lets out a low whistle to call the others' attention to their presence. Once everyone has noticed the lizardmen, he offers his thoughts in a low voice. "We haven't figured out how to get them to talk yet. Someone want to trying communicating?"

"Didn't work so well when I tried to speak to them last time," Karon says sheepishly. "Perhaps someone less ... threatening should try this time?"

Arixos is nearer to the middle of the line while searching the swamp, calling across any landmarks that could be used for navigation to the mapmaker. He notices the lizardmen on top of the hill and stops in his tracks, not sure what the rest of the party wanted to do. ”I could try and speak to them. I look the most like a lizard here, who knows, maybe Draconic might be similar to what they speak.” He said, gesturing towards his scales. He steps forwards from the line and holds his hands up in a non-threatening way, waving to the lizardmen. [Language unknown: “Wiliouund somillwas! Ar loll m us. Wh rutsettha ro ent ti cemen.”]

Lathan stops, then nods at Arixos to proceed. He remains ready to spring into action if necessary, but takes on a non-threatening stance, with his swords lowered. He watches the lizardmen to see how they react to Arixos.

The lizardmen watch Arixos carefully, apparently talking to each other as he steps forward. When he calls out to them, they stop talking to each other for a moment. Then one of them takes a few steps forward, his weapon at his side. He motions for Arixos to come closer then continues to move forward. The other two lizardmen remain behind as the first one approaches Arixos.

Lucien resist the urge to reach for his own weapon and contents himself with keeping a wary eye on the group's surroundings.

Once alerted to the lizardfolk figures in the distance, Theron, too, takes pause. He doesn't even dare reach for another strip of jerky out of his bag, in fear that it may be taken for an aggressive gesture. He resorts to chewing on his lower lip, instead, and almost absent-mindedly stroking his gauntlet with his other hand. Curious and with a measure of uncertainty, he watches the events unfold.

The lizardman continues to approach Arixos until he is about 50 yards away, at which point he stops and says in a loud voice, [Language unknown: Oneiv nghou ect? Com li the rom?]

Viola step forward, slightly behind Arixos. "What are they saying?" she whispered behind him.

Arixos nods towards the lizardman, before turning his head slightly to whisper to everyone behind him. "They want to know who we are." He turns back towards to the lizardman, and gestures to the party. [Language unknown: "Ei are arhat an he whpre wedi dinortrut. Fi ati houstiiou conus ou lar paof p ioueensta n reaevente illasewhil."] He said, pointing to how everyone was spread out along a thin line.

The lizardman eyes Arixos suspiciously. [Language unknown: "Anden e sssom ncons m thoho ne mansomtic? Hat ol nc oul, waain miwica. Ereticstr ereec ionlarout os."]

Not understanding the conversation between Arixos and the lizardman, Lathan watches the lizardman's body language in an attempt to detect his intentions, while keeping an eye on the position of the other two lizardmen and remaining ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.

Arixos nods reassuringly to lizardman. [Language unknown: "Singul ti il k thu, yin si rutartcom eebut trho ivfor er nihi ine. Ar risti k t eipo ss."] Arixos turns his head slightly to the party, whispering to them. "They aren't being very welcoming. They don't want us here."

Lucien nods, having expected this from the lizardmen. "We don't want to intrude on their territory, but we have to investigate the giant attacks. Ask if they know anything about giants."

Karon watches the exchange. The language the lizards speak is guttural and alien to his ears so he concentrates on looking non-threatening and staying out of the way.

Lathan nods at Arixos to continue talking with the lizardmen. He is now curious to know if there is any connection between the lizardmen and the alleged dragon, but he waits to see what they tell Arixos about the giants.

The lizardman snarls at Arixos, [Language unknown: "Lin anla ei paame? O laith ha sirili nt larwa ratev kor strerater. Es a kor butourain ivestrday ol."]

At least they didn't attack them straight away, Theron thinks to himself, watching on as the lizardmen start to look none too pleased. He makes quick glances at the other team members around him, trying to come up with a contingency plan in case the situation steered further in the direction of a metaphorical outhouse.

"Can you offer them something in return for passing through their land, if not for their help? Is there anything they might want that we have?" He says quietly down the line towards the dragonborn.

Arixos puts his hands up in the air, nodding to his comrades that it is alright. [Language unknown: "Sta. Fi inicen eststrame i ersovethi an prand utprom, rat u daylo k wilthiing ul wer. Tinereeen, Ul ntinan ri virntende m os etekwa ugh t entme. Osdi laess wi men fooul, te ol thont ndet hiev o ous, meun di acbeec eind prosoneve llndon. Nabear en nt sand?] He asked the lizardman, giving him a friendly smile.

Since Arixos has made progress well beyond what anyone else has accomplished in regards to the lizardmen, Lucien decides to leave well enough alone. He decides to take the opportunity to test out his new familiar. His eyes glaze over as he gazes through the eyes of his owl familiar to survey the surrounding area from above as the creature circles.

The lizardman takes a step back, apparently surprised by Arixos's response. [Language unknown: "Onsionrat? Waei? K veneauwas atceul stattien ithevelin atetioher."] He glances over his shoulder at the other two lizardmen, who shrug at him. [Language unknown: "Lat at n hefi ouous latearort enc heek e whikornti?"] he asks. [Language unknown: "Ndiv virandder i cecate fo?"]

Lathan continues to observe the interaction between Arixos and the lizardman. He slowly moves forward a few steps when the lizardman snarls at Arixos, raising his weapons slightly.

Arixos shrugs at the lizardman. [Language unknown: "Ntat iein resie le ng dayhi k Ai u. T ithintbut maesdi ing tinicaica, e no saal reaice anica prpent si went bleun."] He goes to his neck, where there is a symbol of Bahamut hanging. He takes it in his hand and shows the lizardman. [Language unknown: "Tr ilivng di Lesoveshe plla utekmo wh thaverare. Iloslo heta wh li ruteenear, red on tratinain ss ur out o thiwe eklin ut pl a. Os oul ave haal ek k plson omll, a newit te kor lihi'beei in o ionom a strma outma k whe p moivectr."]

The lizardman nods at Arixos and says, [Language unknown: "We daysonnde et dereenvorwil atecon usha ilanhi, diwh nt ck ss toti ted ce sti undhisher, p eaurutant stiei ofmi."] He motions for Arixos and his companions to proceed and begins to withdraw with the other two lizardmen. [Language unknown: "Ndeoutere a lonaou ro setingany inee be yin, m ncstof evave mionulie."]

Though he doesn't relax as the lizardmen move off, Lucien is surprised. He raises an eyebrow and looks to Arixos for an explanation. "Any useful information?"

[Language unknown: "Hisintnot eaumo sall nail wilounughartndeout! E icame eest ckprho plit anydinnot'strain herticore has a foch, et an es mo estai ulour we ous el ive ioenhi ametheere."] Arixos calls after them as they leave. He turns to the party, and begins to explain what happened. "They said we are trespassing in their land, so I explained we were only here to hunt down the giants, and they said as long as we left after that we should have no issues." He shook his head to Lucien's question. "They hadn't heard of any giants in the area. However if any do show up I have asked that they tell us so that we can be done sooner."

"And did they know anything about the dragon?" Lathan asks Arixos, his eyes still fixed on the lizardmen in the distance.

"They wouldn't be able to provide us with a map of the swamp or something, would they? I mean, wouldn't they know this place the best?"

Viola pipes up, looking at Arixos. "Perhaps we could, like, pay them? In gold, or in kind?"

Karon has held his tongue while Ariox talked with the strange lizard-people, but now that they are leaving he gets a bit closer. "I'm a little surprised they claim not to know anything about any giants. I mean, giants are, well, huge. They are not exactly easy to miss. I think that perhaps we might be missing something. Who could have something to gain by spreading stories about giants? I mean, who has actually reported seeing them? What if it's a cover for something else, a reason to keep people out of the swamp, or to cover up killing some people?"

"They didn't mention anything about a dragon, most of the conversation was about them telling us to leave their land, and me trying to convince them to let us go unhindered." He tells Lathan. "I have a feeling they don't have a map, they just know the land." He said to Viola. He turned to Karon after his point, thinking about it. "Now that you mention it, it is a bit strange. You would think the lizardmen would know what's going on in their swamp, especially as they found us so soon after we started exploring."

"Well, thanks for convincing them of that," Lathan says to Arixos. "Let's spread out again and continue our search. Stay on guard. Even if the lizardmen keep their word and leave us alone, we still have to potentially contend with giants, a dragon, and whatever else calls this muck home."

Lucien nods in agreement, but his expression is dark as he is clearly in agreement that it seems improbable that the lizardmen haven't noticed strange goings on in their own swamp. As therories swirls through his head, he resumes his position on the periphery of the group and begins the search anew.

With the indigenous creatures of the swamp leaving without further incident, Theron breathes a sigh of relief; he leads them away with his muddy brown eyes, aware of the group slowly reforming their comb line while discussing their run-in with the tribeslizards.

"Or maybe someone embellished their story to match their fear; how many times have you heard someone speak of a vicious killer wolf, when in reality the creature turned out to be an old and mangy hound looking for scraps?" He responds to Karon's musings before heading back over to his designated spot in the line, ready to pick up their search again. The idea of the story being mostly built on falsehood and possible misunderstandings reaffirmed in his head, his gait through the muck seems more confident, making his chainmail jingle with the spring in his step.

"Could be that. A really tall bandit, perhaps," Karon, who like Theron is rather tall himself, says with a grin. "I guess it's more swamp-patrol," the massive half-orc continues, as he sets off into the swamp again in the same line formation as before.

"Except that we saw the footprints at the site of the attack," Lathan says. "They were much too large to be from even the tallest bandits. I'm inclined to believe that there really are giants somewhere out here, even if the lizardmen aren't being overly forthcoming about their whereabouts."

"Heh, I'm no tracker, but I suppose tracks can be faked, by magic or mundane ways," Karon muses. "But we have no idea if the scaly ones were telling the truth or not, so this is all speculation at this stage."

Mapping the Shrieken Mire is slow going. The rest of the day passes without incident. As the sun starts to get low in the sky, the party finds some relatively dry, higher ground which would make for a decent spot to camp for the night.

As the group makes camp, Lucien emerges from the shadows and takes a seat on a mossy stump. "A good start for the first day. There will be more days like today, I'm sure. Lathan, would you prefer the first watch or the second?" Lucien has been quiet since earlier in the day. Turning to face his other companions he voices his thoughts. "Something Karon said earlier has been pulling at my mind. We have seen considerable evidence of something with nefarious purpose happening in the area. Those same agents may have reason to convince locals that there are giants about. We still have no idea as to why, but we may need to consider that what we aren't looking for actual giants."

"Yeah, I'm sort of thinking along the same lines," Karon agrees. "But then, I'm new to the area and don't really know who would want to do that, or why. It's not like someone wants to keep people out. It's a swamp. Nobody that doesn't have to be here wants to come anyway. You can't really mine a swamp, the forest is not good for logging. If there is something of value here, I sure can't see it," the half-orc says, swatting at a large red and yellow flying bug that just landed on his arm.

"I'll take first watch, Lucien."

The party makes camp and rests for the night. Early in the morning, as the first light is just starting to break over the horizon, Lucien, who is keeping watch, spots four lizardmen approaching the campsite from the southeast.

"Let's hope they want another chat, not breakfast," Karon says quietly. "Perhaps they want to share something about giants or people pretending they are giants."

Arixos had rested well, and was chewing on some breakfast when more lizardmen were spotted in the distance. He stood up, putting his food back in the pack and walked up to where Lucien was keeping watch. "Looks like I am up again. I wonder what they want this time?" He said as an open-ended question. He walked a little bit down the hill towards them, stopping a little bit away from them, still fairly close to the rest of the party.[Language unknown: "Inolas menionsom!"] He called out to them.  [Language unknown: "Rom mawh ri wa to saort? U a ntel po olleofpl en p allousbutlin ingnt ceoulo?"]

After alerting his companions to the presence of the lizardmen, Lucien doesn't move from the spot where he is posted keeping watch. He watches Arixos pass and nods to the dragonborn. "With luck they want to be helpful. I'll stay right here and watch your back." The woodelf keeps his hands off his weapons and stays reclined in the crook of the tree branch that he had chosen for his watch stand. In the branches above, his familiar takes flight and begins to circle the area in a wide arc.

When the lizardmen see Arixos, they quicken their approach. They are armed but do not have their weapons readied. [Language unknown: "Tadi, daynotdaysheyintin..."] the apparent leader of the quartet says as he gets within talking distance of Arixos.

Arixos makes the sign of Bahamut, [Language unknown: "Ithatetho iv thpo ingredpro."] He turns back round to the rest of the party. "This solves one debate for us, there are definitely giants. They attacked the lizardman village last night." He turned back to the lizardman in charge. [Language unknown: "Li ousil lar i staesshisast ckec e tha.]

Lathan walks up alongside Arixos, adjusting his sword belt. "Find out what exactly happened. We need to know how many giants and if they have any idea where they went afterward."

"If we join forces with the lizardmen, we might have a chance against the giants," Viola muses, still tucking into her share of breakfast rations. "Especially with their knowledge of the marshlands. We might be able to set up an ambush or trap against them."

The lizardman nods at Arixos. [Language unknown: "Atwasi aril. N icnd rolotr k whiv'selech siwer ovewasingith ca inth omtossel, ate of isur butrearut caanti evre, m il llhapothof a les thufi ac. Onnt out om se vir nt ati wheeareen?"]

Arixos nods to his friends, before turning to the lizardmen. [Language unknown: K ri host. P vor any are hi t ulse lanami ch po si ckloon ckcafi is virma waar te hasac massfi. Nc mo itbe le, ersectred alman nota pl ati lo onethiugh? Ol meund attist, ca te koraveresenc?] He asks the lizardman.

The lizardman shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Ic. Ee tatepe teing ec n houtr reaareent. Sanal p undic ol neers oreithrom one ati resstaund,"] he says.

Arixos nods to the lizardman. [Language unknown: “Alnt str rea ni ndolel arofmibeec.”] He said. He turned back to his party. ”Four giants attacked the lizardmen village. Two adults and two children. They were armed with clubs, and also some sort of psychic magic.” He translates the lizardman’s information to them. ”They will do one better than tell us the direction, they will help us track them down. I suggest we get moving, don’t want to waste any time.” He said.

Lathan nods. That there were two adult and two young giants was no surprise to him; he had seen the tracks, after all. However, that they used "psychic magic" was not previously known and is quite disconcerting. It seems like they may be even further in over their heads than he had thought. He makes haste in gathering his things and cleaning up their campsite.

"Arixos," he says when they are about ready to move. "Ask them if they know anything about a dragon that lives in the Mire. We heard that one of the local kids saw one recently."

With the news that the lizardmen will be helping the group hunt down the giants, Lucien begins to climb down out of the tree where he has been perched. He descends only a few branches before lithely jumping to the ground with a soft thud. He straightens up and gets another look at the lizardmen. While he's still not completely willing to trust the swamp dwellers, he's more than willing to look past his misgivings if it means finally having a lead. "We should start trying to think of a plan. Dealing with four giants won't be an easy task even if the locals agree to help."

"That's why I want to know about the dragon," Lathan says.

Arixos nods as he shoulders his pack, having cleared his stuff away. "Indeed, that is important to know. Perhaps, if we are lucky, it may even join our side against the giants, if Bahamut pleases." He said, holding his amulet quickly. He walked over to the lizardmen. [Language unknown: "Her hietnditou ch ble thnipe, omdiev mi. Iv ivle mahaer ni u ol i eeispe ur arteenestere. P tha setrutble at ardven-earnte lar yinainour ce ll u is hertheith, is plos fiofos undoer-ortare orehisenc u nepopo?"] He asked them.

The lizardman looks over his shoulder at the others, then back at Arixos. [Language unknown: "Ee stel Ourhatoneven, tin Ureeno t ic Roles? Tedmi weat nd hackasfiwe el eenno? Str enchisure wilcomers iv steisi mool tope an om ekndst, les, lo alad?"] The lizardmen look especially worried now.

Arixos sees the worried look on his face and puts his hands out to reassure him. [Language unknown: "As omeverwer usol!] He said rather hurriedly. [Language unknown: "Ll atni ntese inribe, allounwil t Ioioolunhe sontioset. Elpeil Ss triviv envir mi thfo ne ionll verla. Nc I me ourou enttr he it toli anywaseau, libe p con eeain his for arhiur tha manioncomave ng p eaund."] He turns around to Lathan, "The Dragon is with them, I expect no trouble from her, at least not while the lizardmen are at peace with the village."

Lucien raises an eyebrow when Arixos reveals that the dragon is 'with' the lizardmen. Despite the many possible interpretations and nuances of that wording, it was not what he was expecting. "That potentially presents interesting possibilities."

"Interesting indeed," Lathan says with a puzzled expression. "If the dragon is with the lizardmen, why are they coming to us for help? Surely a dragon is more capable of dealing with giants than we are."

"Dragons may not be the most cooperative of friends or allies. Perhaps it might need a bit of convincing if we are to rally it to our cause," Viola says with a slightly forced grin - or perhaps a grimace at the thought of having to persuade a dragon.

"Or maybe the dragon is less of an ally and more of a master? Kobold tribes often serve dragons, perhaps this is something similar."

[Language unknown: "Moiv, onsthawil wh ersortstr sa a t untewa Ecoflous, me ospont ck tefor itheveant"] the lizardman says to Arixos. [Language unknown: "Ithek thihisrom wa chitai m el ort iorea, ant whtrce ouhata lo oulticera ch."]

[Language unknown: "Adecio hatoutrom na set bleectshe weekha el se thonneouol statrated."] He said to the lizardman with a smile. [Language unknown: "Ek mitoli stastiiou, sta lesndeive n es vereveany m ratwerardere prnari hohase."] He asked him. He turned back around to the group. "I think we are ready to head off now, they will help us hunt down these giants." He said.

Lathan doesn't move. "While I appreciate their help in tracking down these giants, I would prefer to find out more about this dragon and why it isn't helping them with this problem. As it stands, I doubt we would be able to take down a group of giants on our own."

Karon glowers at the elf. His initial reaction is to accuse his new friend of cowardice, but he thinks better of it. Mostly because the elf happens to be right. Which is very annoying. "Yeah, having a dragon buddy that doesn't help against a bunch of giants seems weird to me too," he says, mostly just to say something. "Can you ask why it didn't help?"

Ever suspicious, Lucien remains where he is: leaning against the tree as a sign of solidarity with Lathan. "Not to put too much pressure on our new found translator, but some assurance that we aren't being brought to be dragon food would be nice. After that, we can plan as we march, but more reconnaissance will be needed before taking action I think."

Arixos stops and thinks, before nodding in agreement. "Perhaps the dragon does not see hunting down the giants as worth her time. But I will ask nonetheless, if it will put you at ease with these lizardmen. I believe them to be trustworthy." He said, giving his thoughts on the matter before heading back towards the lizardmen. [Language unknown: "Ha lawiit U icanotstr nturni avencetha ill lat, ur hat N icathaany'derica ereoneday. Le io Usessa Omplouar, ne Laronstho Untepe witproion. T n arli k fo ul.] He said to the main lizardman he had been talking to. [Language unknown: "Na te Thiillanyrescom Wa rat encsetthihistic, ca k ounresain, he butei o m wheestest, enfoer o rutastsom hasblewer ntito alone hououl'ticearhasave ic ati ndeatieve."] He said, gesturing to where Lathan and Lucien stood back in the campsite. [Language unknown: "Iveit ardcomkor oneer ri ill ast saure eau inma alssse whe romta un fithwa prwi ri, der ore essonsing she wit ec pant t ss plal menle."]

The lizardman nods his head and raises a hand in greeting at Arixos. [Language unknown: "Wa ta ut Stiersany. Ol e mitho tra, Alecwa."] He looks back at the others when Arixos asks his next question, then turns back to the dragonborn and shrugs. [Language unknown: "Om comainich een. Evit virsanfor red tiotharut fich yin Ion, resnt Ardanykornde utekfo i ss a asouma. Usss erethentelin plhipr oswi rinepe ersen io."]

Arixos turns to his friends, "The giants are new, so the dragon might not know about them yet. And if she thinks the lizardmen can deal with them on their own, she probably won't act. I will ask anyway though, a dragon on our side would make things a lot easier." He said. He turned back towards the main lizardman. [Language unknown: "The il lin fiivho alolit at, era anse t oulhoularion? Acall coniouany i iveorttedntelesati ortundwil sa i artblevir ilus un sa di elce hatoreeve."]

Draxt shrugs again. [Language unknown: "Neheti. A oneartame ect thiomerat la onsvirout t der. Ac maasti ev a miweus mo oretinundica u weio o we ceek ate."]

"Yes. Definitely."

Under his breath so that only those close to him can hear, Lucien whispers. "That sounds like the attitude one might expect from a dragon. If we do get her assistance, we should make sure the agreement is made with care."

[Language unknown: "Thiouskor ourun ur dinc m urons is moss later. Fiunwa liul an iothna te hoaiic Manlinnceenc?"] He asked Draxt. He turned back towards the party, "She may help us, but it is worth the journey to see her and ask." He told them. "I have asked the lizardman, Draxt by the way, if he will lead us to her so we can talk."

Though he doesn't look particularly pleased about it, Lucien moves forward to join the others as an indication that he is ready to follow to lizardmen to their camp. He keeps a careful eye on the surroundings by shifting once more to using his owl familiar's sight in the air high above the camp in the hopes of spotting any traps or ambushes.

"Thank Draxt for us," Lathan tells Arixos. "And find out if there is anything else we should know about this dragon and how far away its lair is."

Draxt is silent for a moment, apparently thinking. Then he says to Arixos, [Language unknown: "O oliou er ncsi viresttinavelat os Llutevalol traherive, utdi t ers ck mele-osom ove te rat wil nanepe. As oreersith red ei m meroacie, la redie ndint ithan thwil ni erfomo th osles t nc di no ven."]

Arixos smiles, [Language unknown: "Na lesapa nemaerom ol nesa art st erprma ughvirble tiothewas p ortoreenc whe but, osur i eauoreere ati."] He said to Draxt. He went and got the map from where it had been kept in the camp, before bringing it to Draxt. "They said something about perhaps bringing her an offering to make it worth her while, so perhaps if we can hunt something on the way there. I'll get directions to her lair, but they said they wouldn't come with us, they have to go back to their village." He told the party. He turned back to Draxt. [Language unknown: "Pekor ss th noce n mo acelek ce redsa onted to undli erseauiou, entsonder te ouad m ck ha eve pe? Te sanos towahi as o n pr wimath, ri he estr ei onentirea sheencratwil. Ticac E latentestdaysta iling atiwasast maast t son fieitrwa i ineut iehees, pl tr ieaspl staounredles fi ith elie'behe etin loenmi onspl utalal ilndhess sewit vorortthi i leha ectwherut."]

"I wonder what kind of offering is appropriate for a swamp dragon," Lathan thinks aloud as they prepare to leave. "I hope we're not the offering."

Draxt makes a mark on Arixos' map, in the far southeastern corner of the Shrieken Mire. [Language unknown: "Rone nt enprou miera reais men Anyinethiiouall thiillwhi. Ofll amema oussi sanaekma waolne aiadwe lobe at. Eetael si hang. K ilel seesicfo, ntestaati thno ecpand ne ollong iou ieleie. Un prome."] Draxt and the other lizardmen then turn and head back the way they came, leaving the party alone in the swamp again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:13, Mon 02 Apr 2018.

Arixos nods when Draxt makes the mark, looking at where they are on the map and thinking about how long the journey to the dragon would take. [Language unknown: "Utbeek bleno sese an icun Acniat. K os un are urtron staortder Antenase, ro tait ivom ear lat ngchpl amepreset. Vir wi ta mi niecsapr."] He said, waving them off. Arixos turns to the others with his newly edited map, showing them where the dragon lived. "This is where Draxt tells me Inzeldrin's mound is, where she lives. We can go and talk to her, maybe gain her aid. Then we return back towards here, they will find us again, hopefully with the location of the giants, and we go and solve the problem." He explains his plan, happy that the meeting with Draxt has made it simpler than searching the entirety of the swamp.

Under his breath and more to himself than anyone else, Lucien says: "Assuming we aren't the dragon's next meal of course." He seems to have resigned himself to at least trying to gain the dragon's assistance in the otherwise nearly insurmountable task of dealing with the giants. His next words are spoken at his more normal, if still somewhat quiet tone. "Very well. We had best not waste any more of the day then."

Lathan looks at the map and spends some time orienting himself while everyone prepares to leave. He then heads off in the direction of the mark indicating the dragon's lair.

After traveling the rest of the morning, the party spots a large mound in the distance. As they approach, they can see a green dragon resting on top of the mound. When they are about 200 feet away, the old dragon flaps her wings twice, stretches, and perks her head up slightly but makes no other movement.

Karon keeps his opinions about chatting to a dragon to himself. If the others feel confident in their abilities to keep the dragon from eating them all he decides not to undermine their confidence by voicing his concerns. As they finally see the dragon he stops for a moment. Until now he's been thinking about how to fight the dragon, should it come to that, but as he sees the beast he realizes how futile that would be. Lucien's silver tongue had better work, he thinks, as he tries to stick to the back of the group. Should the dragon be prejudiced towards Half-Orcs there is no reason to aggravate the monster just now.

From so relatively close, Lucien decides against any last minute group conferences to discuss how to approach the dragon. Not only is she likely able to hear them perfectly from this distance, but she is clearly already aware of the group and it is a bad idea to keep a dragon waiting. With one more glance at the others, he begins to approach the mound at a pace which he feels is a good compromise between not so fast as to appear aggressive and not so slow as to try the dragon's patience.

Once he is perhaps 50 feet from the base of the mound, Lucien bows low to the dragon. As he rises from the bow, he is wearing the trademark smile and easy demeanor of Seliar Silversong instead of his typically dour countenance. "Greetings great and mighty Inzeldrin! We visitors to your domain beg an audience with your auspicious person."

Lathan stays back as Lucien approaches the dragon. He keeps his weapons sheathed and focuses on observing the dragon's response to Lucien.

Inzeldrin raises her head further when Lucien speaks. "Who are you? And why should I grant you an audience?" she asks, watching Lucien and the rest of the party carefully.

Lucien plays up acting nervous by loudly clearing his throat and standing a little too still. Of course it's only half acting as any sane person would be deathly nervous in such a situation. "My name is Seliar, Seliar Silversong. We are visitors from the town at the edge of the mire and we have been asked by the people there to help them stop giant attacks that originate from the mire. We spoke with the lizardfolk of the mire and they too have had troubles with the giants. We have come before you now to ask for your assistance in removing the giant threat in whatever way seems best to you." As he delivers the explanation, Lucien appears for all the world like someone trying his best to be confident and supplicant at the same time.

"Giant attacks?" Inzeldrin asks skeptically. "I've heard nothing of the sort. What makes you so sure these giants attacks are coming from the Mire anyway?"

Lucien has the presence of mind to look sheepish as he replies. "They do appear to be a recent development. It was the local villagers at the edge of the Mire who first reported the attacks. We observed the site where one was reported ourselves. However as we have traveled through the Mire in search of the giants, the lizardfolk who live in the swamp itself have also told us of an attack. They say they know where to find the giants' camp as well."

"If you know where these giants live, why don't you go take care of them yourselves?" Inzeldrin asks. "None of this concerns me anyway."

Lucien clears his throat in a clearly self-conscious manner. "We had intended to simply investigate at first. Even before we knew their numbers we doubted that giants were something we could handle on our own. When we learned of your presence, we thought you might in your benevolence see fit to rid the Mire of the interlopers. The lizardfolk also suffer from the actions of these giants and they too hoped you might be willing to grant a boon to help rid them of the threat."

Karon watches the exchange silently. The dragon has a point. Why would he... or was it it? Why would it care about a group of giants that don't threaten it at all? The half-orc doesn't know much about dragons. Only that they are immensely powerful, vain and wrathful. Perhaps he could use one of those attributes against it? Assuming the fairy tales he's heard about them are even true.

"See, Seliar? I told you the dragon wouldn't help. What can a single dragon do against a group of powerful giants anyway? No, we need to seek a more powerful ally," he whispers to Lucien. Well, whispers might be an overstatement. His voice is loud enough for the others to hear, and presumably the dragon as well, the voice of someone who learned how to whisper in the middle of a raging storm.

OOC: Karon is trying to use a bit of reverse psychology to get the dragon to do what he wants. In a fairly naive way, since all he knows about dragons is from exaggerated stories told to youngsters around a campfire.

I'll throw in a Persuasion check, in case it is needed:
14:14, Today: Karon rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  Persuasion speaking to dragon.

Holy smoke, not a bad roll. Not bad at all.

Inzeldrin listens to Lucien and Karon. She is silent for a moment before speaking again. "What is in it for me if I take care of your giant problem for you?"

Lucien resists the urge to flinch when Karon baits the dragon and instead lets out an exaggerated sigh in appearent agreement with the half-orc's assessment. When Inzeldrin asks her question, he looks back up at the dragon with a doubtful expression. "Well, apart from reasserting your claim over your dominion, you will prove to my friend here and the surrounding lands that there is really no comparison between dragons and giants. Not to mention claiming whatever loot the giants have claimed in their raids."

Arixos watches the green dragon with interest through the exchange, staying quiet for the most part. He steps forward and bows towards the dragon, speaking in a language that would hopefully inspire trust in the dragon. [Language unknown: "Is Wa ndear rutveneracon beosat, Oveshehat u finte Ione. I t Ortureant Seteraessers, m Ndestaith erastasan entionnce. K ss hiica pr thssev ho iv wi antbutson i Thoviriou, undle topani ni ou eeeereit mandayany u it fipenc ivpour men wersi fo. Pro aiunol cekor celat pa elpl fo ho ev, sa tin reaoveder dius virughate. Atean peadpl el arivlonc elheplce onseausheart wearri somratati pa terintasting inhoil ielias, pl ill priona er asis."]

Inzeldrin snorts. "My dominion is not threatened by some giants. It sounds like it is the lands of the humans and the lizardmen that are in danger."

She cracks a smile when Arixos addresses her in Draconic. "If you think simply speaking Draconic will earn you my support, you are wrong. I don't know who this Draxt is, but he is wise to respect me." She pauses for a moment, thinking. "What do you or the lizardmen have to offer me were I to dispose of these giants for you?"

"We are simple mercenaries, your mightyness," Karon replies, trying to recall all the fancy titles used when talking to a dragon from the stories he was told as a child. "And from the looks of it, the lizardmen weren't laden with valuables either. All we can offer is our service in the pursuit of a worthy goal," he says, careful to add a clause to make it clear that he is not committing to anything, not yet.

Lathan's eyes light up as he is struck with an idea. He steps forward and clears his throat before addressing Inzeldrin. "I think I have an idea," he begins. "Neither we nor the lizardmen have much to offer you, but I bet the townsfolk do, and they are ultimately the reason we are here--they asked us to stop the giants.

"Your majesty, I'm assuming there isn't much tasty food for you in this mire and that you might have to travel some distance for a good meal. What if we could arrange for the townsfolk to provide you with regular food in exchange for you ridding this land of the giants? We know a very wealthy lord who could surely arrange for a fat cow or sheep to be left out for you at regular intervals.

"I can't guarantee that he'll agree to this but I suspect he would be amenable to this deal, as it would take care of the giants and also ensure that there is no conflict between you and the townsfolk in the future.

"If this sounds like a fair plan, let us know and we will approach him and propose it."

Inzeldrin nods at Lathan. "I like how this one thinks," she says, contemplating the proposal. She licks her lips then continues, "Yes, I think your proposal would suit me quite well. Talk to this wealthy lord and return to me with the terms of the deal. If everything is suitable, I will dispose of the giants for you." She then waves the party away with a long claw and a flap of her wings.

After some negotiations and much travel, Inzeldrin agrees to the terms: She will wipe out the giants (which is easy for her) and the townsfolk will leave tethered livestock for her every other week. Additionally, Inzeldrin agrees to use her abilities during the summer peak-growing time to help the farmers increase their yield of animal feed.

When the party arrives at Parlfray's Keep after finally securing the agreement, they hear that a group of pilgrims had been expected to arrive at the Keep while they were gone but has not been heard from or seen. The Count is sending search parties out on Howler's Moor and asks the party to join them for their help in finding the missing pilgrims. He can only pay a minimal rate (5 gold pieces per person per day) at this time for their service.

Rissa's funds aren't running low, but five gold a day is simply too good an offer to turn down.  Besides, she needs to be in the Count's good graces, and finding missing pilgrims seems like a good place to start.  She stands in the courtyard, assiduously cleaning a strange twisting rod of black and gold metal, as she waits for more searchers to arrive.  She assumes she can't be the only one lured in by the offer of wealth.

She is, as always, a strange looking creature.  The purple flesh of her face heavily marred with intricate tattoo work.  It bears no form or easily discernible meaning, at least to those who lack the lorecraft to read Celestial and Infernal, repeating geometric shapes that strange symbols that begin at her cheeks and travel down at least as far as the high collar of her studded leather jerkin.  Her ears and horns are heavily pierced and adorned with jewelry and rings, with some trinkets of real value mixed in among the cheap costume jewelry.  The armor looked new, solid quality, though lacking the embellishments that the upper classes might bear.  It looks functional, a dull grey with black studs at regular intervals.  A knife wrests at each hip, though those appear to be her only visible weapons.  Under the leathers she wears simple traveler's clothes, the heavy backpack over her shoulders and good knee high boots on her feet making it clear that she is ready to travel.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Mon 23 Apr 2018.

During the negotiations, Lucien does his best to stay out of lime light as he has no particular desire to stick out in the memory of a dragon. Upon returning and learning about the new problems, he decides that a search and rescue mission is far more in his comfort zone than hunting giants. He votes to continue the relationship with Count Palfrey despite his personal distaste for the man.

As the group exits the count's keep to the courtyard, he spots the new arrival at once and sizes her up. The telltale signs of a magic user pique his interest and he puts on a winning smile as he approaches. In voice that is loud enough to be heard by the others following behind, he greets the stranger. "Hello there! I hope I don't presume too much by guessing that you are here to join the search for the missing pilgrims. Seliar Silversong is my name. What can we call you?" He extends a hand as he approaches.

"Rissa."

She says with a slight flourish of the rod in her grip, before passing it to the left to clasp his extended hand.  Is she has a surname, she keeps it to herself.

"And you guess well, Seliar.  Are these your companions?"

Her eyes have no scalera, instead just two orbs of molten purple within her face.  They survey the others who exit with Seliar, the expression on her unreadable.

Lathan nods at Rissa, his hands resting on the hilts of the swords he wears on his hips. "Lathan Swiftstrider. Nice to meet you, Rissa." He looks around the area. "Count Parlfray said there were others who would be joining us in looking for these missing pilgrims..."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

If one is observant, they may notice a lone gnome in the corner of the courtyard poring over a scroll. After scribbling a few notes on it, he rolls it up and puts it back into its case. He then takes a look around.

The gnome is a curious sight. With his brown robes, bark brown skin and light brown hair and beard they could easily hide next to the right tree. They wield a shield adorned by a circle of seven stars, yet in their other hand they hold a staff too asymmetrical to be of use in a melee fight. And when he turns towards you, his grey eyes have a knowing gleam to them.

He quickly finds the largest group in sight, and approaches you. Next to your gathering, he whispers a few words, taps the ground softly with his staff and the earth below you slightly tremors, easily gathering attention. "Excuse me. I'm known as Gerbo of clan Ivnung, servant of Mystra. Are you by any chance planning to join the search for the missing pilgrims?" he asks you.

Sitting nearby and oiling a longsword sat a large, muscular dragonborn. A vibrant red, he worked methodically on the blade before carefully placing it back in its scabbard. His chain mail was well-worn, and his scaly hide was covered in scars.

His blade stowed, he turned his green, reptilian eyes to a leather-bound tome which he began to leaf through, muttering to himself and hissing discontentedly, a curved talon on his finger tracing the writing and shapes as he studied them.

At the tremor from the gnome, he hissed loudly and swelled, his eyes narrowing at the gnome whom had disturbed his reading. "I am Terminax. I will be finding the pilgrims." was all he said before going back to his book.

"I'd guess these two."

She says with a smile towards Lathan.

"Shall we be about it then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

The brutish-looking half orc watches Lucien chat to the new people, mindful of the fact that many look down on someone of mixed race such as himself. Once a few of them have made their intentions clear, he walks closer, the smell of worn leather, oily mail armor and fried breakfast accompanying him. "Name's Karon," he says by the way of greeting, giving the large dragonborn a queer look. "If you are so confident that you will find the pilgrims, we would be fools not to go with you. But tell me, what makes you so certain you will succeed?"

Lucien lets the others introduce themselves as he sizes up the gnome and the new dragonborn. He gives the gnome a wide grin and doesn't falter at the tremor or at the brusk tone of the dragonborn as he introduces himself. "A pleasure, I'm sure! I'm certainly keen to hear what everyone brings to the table in this effort, but there's no reason not to do so as we walk." He begins to lead the way out of the courtyard.

"I have some small skill with healing magics."

Rissa said as she began to walk, not taking the lead, but not following either.  She had placed the strange twisted rod in a harness at her back, so that it jutted off of one shoulder within easy reach.  If she followed the path of any god, she bore no symbol of it upon her utilitarian armor.

"I like to be useful."

Terminax stows his book and rises to walk with the others. "I am confident, because if I fail, I will not deserve the gold." he replies, matter of factly, placing a hand on his sword hilt as he walks. "What I do is fight, and not get killed. I intend to master magic... but a sword through a belly will kill someone as fast as a fireball. And afterwards... I still have my sword. And the other guy's too. So... I figure why not learn both?"

As the group made introductions and began to move out of the courtyard, there was a bright flash of light before them. When their eyes cleared they saw a young man looking around in bewilderment. He had dark skin and jet black hair, with clothes made of light linens and accented with brightly colored sashes. Clutched in his arms was a tome bound in cracked black leather and on it's face a skull with green glowing eyes that darted back and forth. He wore a traveler's pack and had a blade on his hip.

"Damn it Uncle! Bring me back! For the last time, I'm not paying your debts!"

With his head raised he may as well have been shouting to the sky...

Lathan raises his eyebrow at the new arrival and nudges Lucien to get his attention. He says nothing, though, waiting to see what the dark-skinned man will do.

Lucien's mouth is a thin line, a stark departure from the jovial expression he had worn up until the newest arrival appeared so suddenly. He blinks to clear his vision from the flash and it takes him several moments before he has his wits about him enough to greet the latest stranger. "Hello there. I sympathize with whatever difficulties you may be having, but I'm afraid we're on our way out." He shifts to move around the man and continue out of the courtyard.

Volani looked down from his skyward rant, feeling a bit sheepish.

“I’m so sorry about that. I was mid-argument with my uncle when he teleported me here...he tends to do that when he’s frustrated with me.”

The young man shook his head, removed his hat and wiped his shaved head.

“Apparently my uncle owed some local lord a boon from years past. The lord recently contacted him to call in the debt. Rather than leave Port Nyanzaru himself he sent me. I’m supposed to meet up with a group to investigate his lordships will.”

"Put him in the middle if you insist on bringing it along." the armored Dragonborn says, it's voice flat and filled with irritation as it slams it's sword back into it's scabbard.

"Can you fight?"

Rissa asks with a raised eyebrow, clearly more open to the idea of the strange new comer than the Dragonborn is.

“I’m handy with a blade and a few other tricks up my sleeve...”

He produced a long wooden flute with a bulbous end, not dissimilar to those used in snake charming. With a few quick notes, a green spectral hand appeared floating near him. Volani flicked the flute to the right and the hand picked a nearby flower and brought it daintly to Rissa.

In reply to Volani O'Tamu (msg # 126):

"How absolutely fearsome." the Dragonborn muttered in a dry monotone.

"We're looking for missing pilgrims on Howler's Moor," Lathan says with a frown. "If you're joining us, you best hurry up." He then turns back to the road out of Parlfray Keep and continues walking with the others.

"He may be useful," Karon whispers to Lathan and Lucien, again displaying a lack of talent for whispering that might suggest there is something wrong with the half-orc's hearing. "If only as a fodder in case our benefactor runs out of cattle or sheep for the dragon," he whispers, grinning.

"We had best get going or we're liable to pick up even more strays," he says. Not that he minds. Not really. They are paying each person the same, so the more the merrier, he feels. And if this new guy has a flute and a talent for music it might help pass the time at camp.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Thu 03 May 2018.

Lucien simply grunts in response to the various displays and Karon's words, but continues out the gate with Lathan. He simply waves for everyone else to follow.

Terminax follows, his eyes scanning the path before them.

After a long day of exploring the Howler's Moor and looking for the missing pilgrims without any success--the handful of shepherds the party came across during the day had seen nothing--the sun begins to set and the party must make camp for the night.

"I suppose we need to set watches out here," Karon says as they look for a good spot to camp. He's already started to pick up dry branches that might be used to make fire as he walks along. "I don't mind which one I'll take, although the first or last is easiest since it takes time to get out of my armor and to put it back on. Oh, and with the numbers we have I suppose it might make sense to have two awake at a time."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 03 May 2018.

"I'll stand first watch with you."

Rissa offers, her hands resting comfortably on the pommels of her two blades.

"How sharp are your eyes in the dark, will you need light?"

From the way she asks the question, it is clear she does not.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Wed 02 May 2018.

Karon tries hard not to show how creepy he thinks Rissa really is, but it is clear he isn't much of an actor. "That, eh, would be fine. Good. Yes. Very good," he stammers, before recovering. "And no, darkness has never bothered me much. Something I inherited from my father's side, I suppose."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 03 May 2018.

Arixos places his pack on the ground, setting up a bedroll for himself. "I'll need some light to be able to see, perhaps I should go for the last shift so I can catch the sunlight as it rises." He offers up, before sitting down to perform some basic maintenance on his swords. "And if the lizardman seek us out again, I should be the one to talk to them again. They know me already, and hopefully they will be grateful to us for getting Inzeldrin to solve their giant problem."

"Lizardmen?"

Rissa asks with an arched brow over her tattooed cheek, ignoring Karon's dirty looks.

Terminax sets up a place for himself, saying, "Wake me for my watch." and promptly falls asleep.

Lucien walks slowly around the perimeter of the camp, familiarizing himself with the surrounding in features before the light fades completely. "I will take the middle and last watch. I'll only need a few hours to trance." The comes back to the center of the camp after his circuit. "We had met some of the lizardmen who live in the marsh not far from here. I doubt they will venture this far afield though."

"I can take a shift somewhere in the middle", Gerbo says, before retiring to read his scrolls in candle light. The color of the flame occasionally changes following a few gestures and muttered words from him.

"Yeah, it seems pretty unlikely they'd leave the Mire," Lathan says. "I only need four hours and prefer to be up early anyway, so if I can get some rest early, I will take the remainder of the night."

About an hour and a half after the party settles, when the last light in the sky is starting to fade completely, Karon and Rissa, who are keeping watch while the others sleep, notice a group of five medium humanoids approaching about 150 feet away from the northeast. The five are crouched low to the ground but are moving relatively quickly; it is apparent that they are armed with spears and carry shields. Due to the crouching, the darkness, and the distance Karon and Rissa cannot tell what race of humanoid they are.

Rissa moves quickly and quietly to roust the others, wasting no time discerning if the approaching humanoids were friend or foe.

"We are not alone, it seems."

She whispers to each as she wakes them, staying low but moving swiftly.

Volani scrambled out of his tent, where he previously lay shivering. The young man snatched up his rapier as he rose. Wiping sleep from his eyes he scanned the darkness, hoping for a favorable moon.

While Rissa wakes up the others, Karon slips his shield onto his left arm and hefts his pick in the other. He takes a few steps closer to the beings, hoping there aren't others approaching from a different direction.

"Who approaches a man's campfire in the middle of the night?" he challenges the armed beings in a loud voice, hoping to draw attention to himself and allow his companions time to arm themselves, and at the same time give them information as they wake up.

Terminal, upon being awoke rolled to his feet, donning his shield and grabbing an axe handle bas he looks around, motioning to form a ring around the new companion he had been reluctant to include in the center, nearest the campfire.

Lathan perks up and reaches for his swords. No time to don my armor, he thinks as he scans the area, trying to locate the potential threat.

Lucien grips his bow, and, trusting his companions to hold the front line, allows his vision to pass to the owl that launches from his shoulder into the night sky. From above, he uses his familiar to try and get a closer look at the approaching shapes in the darkness.

The five humanoids continue to stay low to the ground as they move. When Karon calls out, they straighten up slightly and quicken their pace, readying their spears and shields for combat.

The mist in front of Lucien's eyes clears and he leads to his feet with his bow in hand. "These are no friends! They're gnolls, be ready for a fight!" He knocks an arrow and takes aim at one of the creatures.

Terminax hisses, puffing himself up as he prepares to launch himself at the enemy.

As the intent of the skulking creatures, as well as their nature, becomes clear, Karon rolls his shoulders in anticipation for a fight. "Form a line, on me," he shouts at his companions in his deep baritone voice, taking a few steps closer to the charging Gnolls to create more space for Lucien and other archers to operate.

"Lucien, make sure we aren't being flanked," he shouts, trusting the elven eyes of his companion to spot any more attackers out there.

After waking up, Gerbo quickly dons his shield. After Lucien confirms it's an attack, he starts to pray: "Oh Lady Mystra, may these companions of mine benefit from thine Blessing, keeping them safe and their aim true." During this prayer he keeps his hands crossed, and at the end he points first at Karon, then Lucien and finally at Terminax.

OOC: Bless at Karon, Lucien and Terminax: for the next minute, they can add 1d4 to their attack rolls and saving throws.

Begin combat. Roll initiative and post your action(s) for the first round (if you haven't already). The gnolls are currently about 90 feet away from the camp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:32, Fri 04 May 2018.

Rissa pulls a clear glass orb from a pouch at her side.  A swirling mass of bright radiant light bursts forth from the orb, illuminating her face as it flickers.  Yet there is shadow there too, dark purple energy that crackles and twists around the ball of radiant flame she now holds.  She reaches down with her right hand, seeming to grasp at the smooth surface of the glass, and as she does she draws the dark corruption forth from behind its prison.  She hisses...

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

... but there is another voice there underneath her own.  While her voice is usually amiable and concise, this voice was oozing with promise and temptation.  There is power dripping from every syllable, there for the taking.  It was that power that streaks forth in an angry buzz of dark energy, rippling through the air to fly at the first of the gnolls.  Whatever it was, it goes wide, missing the leader by a solid foot and buzzing off into the darkness.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Fri 04 May 2018.

Terminax posts up by Karon, knees bent, his shield set in front of him, his longsword pointing forward, resting on top of his shield. The stance is a cross between a gladiator's pose and what a soldier in a phalanx might hold.

Karon is focused on the enemy, but realizes that charging alone would be folly. "We hold them here," he shouts, readying his shield for the charge, his pick held ready for attack.

OOC: 20:50, Today: Karon rolled 13 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 14.  Initiative.

Action is to hold, waiting for the gnolls to attack. If any of them come within range he will attack with his pick.
22:52, Today: Karon rolled 13,4 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 8,1.  Attack and damage, in case someone comes within range.

EDIT: Since Gerbo casts Bless before Karon takes his turn I'll roll a D4 and add to the attack roll.
09:56, Today: Karon rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4.  Bless adds 1d4 to attack roll.

The attack would hit AC 17 and do a paltry 4 piercing damage, should it hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:56, Sat 05 May 2018.

Seeing the burly types forming a front line against the advancing gnolls, Volani spins around to ensure no additional gnolls are advancing from behind them. As he hears the creatures to their front grow closer, he turns his head with a sneer...

“We have plenty of stray dogs like you in the jungles. Come on doggies, come get a treat!”

---

Move - Keep the front line between me and the obvious pack of gnolls. Keep watch on the rear for surprises.
Action - Ready action: if a gnoll comes within 60’, cast vicious mockery. DC 13 Wisdom save or take 1 psychic damage and disadvantaged on next attack
Reaction - used by ready
18:18, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 1 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery damage.
18:18, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Initiative .

05:03, Today: Gerbo rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

After finishing his prayer, Gerbo grabs his crossbow in his free hand. He decides to stay behind the melee fighters, especially as he only had time to put on his shield.

Action: Bless on Karon, Lucien and Terminax, as done in my previous post.
Free: Grab Light Crossbow.
Move: Stay 15ft behind the front line.

Lucien looses an arrow that flies past Karon's ear and towards the lead Gnoll. Without so much as watching to see if his arrow impacts, Lucien darts away from the flashes of armor and magic that mark his companions' responses to the approaching Gnolls. Out in the dark, he does his best to blend into the surroundings and flank the attackers.

Lucien Nailo rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

Attack: Hits AC 26 for 10 damage.
Move: 35ft laterally into the grass.
Bonus: Use Cunning Action to Hide in the grass (Stealth: 18).

Lucien Nailo rolled 22,4,10 using 1d20+5,1d4,1d8+3.  Longbow Attack + Bless, Damage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Stealth to hide.

Lathan moves to the front line, on the opposite flank as Lucien. He readies himself for the gnolls' attack and lashes out with his blades as soon as one is within reach.

09:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
09:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
09:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative (advantage).
09:01, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Arixos woke up to the noises and grabbed his sword, which lay close by to him. As he got up and realised how far the gnolls were from them, he instead grabbed his crossbow, aiming a few shots while he still had time.

Wait for the gnolls to come a bit closer (80ft which is my crossbow range) and then fire at the same gnoll Lucien shot at. Hitting on 19 for 8 damage.
16:09, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 17 using 1d20.  Iniative.
16:10, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 19,8 using 1d20+2,1d8.  Crossbow attack.
Move closer to the front line, so he can charge in when they reach.

Rissa's eldritch blast streaks across the moor but misses the incoming gnolls. As the gnolls rush forward, Arixos fires his crossbow at the one in the lead, striking him in the shoulder. Volani's vicious mockery distracts the same gnoll. Lucien's arrow also hits the lead gnoll, seriously injuring him; Lucien then sneaks away under the cover of night to a more advantageous position. Gerbo blesses Karon, Terminax, and Lathan.

The rest of the party holds the line against the rushing gnolls, who fan out, keeping about 10 to 15 feet between each of them.

Next round. The lead gnoll is now 30 feet away. The others are farther away and are attempting to surround the party.

Gnoll 1: severely injured (-19)
Gnoll 2: uninjured
Gnoll 3: uninjured
Gnoll 4: uninjured
Gnoll 5: uninjured
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:11, Sat 05 May 2018.

Terminal switches his longsword for a handaxe, muttering, "Stupid mutts can't count." as he readies to throw it at the leader when he gets in range.

Rissa backs up, keeping the warriors of the group between her and the oncoming charge.  Again she concentrates on the orb in her left hand, within which still swirls the  conflicting glow of the two seemingly opposed energies.  A second time she whispers the strange words, and a second time another voice mirrors her own.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

It is lower and deeper than her own, vibrating with the same buzzing energy that the dark purple force does as she draws it out of the focusing orb.  She throws this one at the lead Gnoll, but again sends it buzzing by him without effect.

"Shit."

She adds, her voice returned to its normal self.

13:30, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

"Come on then, you ugly dogs," Karon shouts at the Gnolls, unwilling to break the defensive line and charge in just yet. "Spread out a little, don't let them flank us," he shouts at the others, waiting for the onslaught. Clearly he's been in a scrap before and is used to directing others.

OOC: Karon will keep waiting for the attack. When an enemy comes within reach he will hit him with his pick.
20:30, Today: Karon rolled 23 using 1d20+2+1d4 with rolls of 17,4.  Attack with bless in case something comes within reach.
20:31, Today: Karon rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage.

I accidentally put my attack bonus as +2 and not +5 as it is, but it makes no difference. The attack hits AC 26 and does 8 piercing damage.

As the gnolls fan out around the party, Lucien also recognizes the attempted flanking maneuver. In an attempt to draw off some of the enemies, he crouches down in the grass, draws some fleece from a pouch at his side, moves his hand over it in a complex gesture, and finally shouts the command word to cast the spell. A second version of Lucian appears next to him, but standing erect with his bow drawn. Hoping that the shout and apparent threat on their own flank will split the gnolls, Lucien darts off again and keeps low in the grass.

Action: Cast Silent Image to make a illusion of Lucien standing with his bow drawn.
Bonus: Use Cunning Action to Hide in the grass (Stealth: 18).
Move: 35ft to begin to circle behind the gnolls.

Lucien Nailo rolled 18 using 1d20+7. Stealth to hide.

Not having much else to do, Gerbo shoots the left-most gnoll with his crossbow.


07:50, Today: Gerbo rolled 22,4 using d20+4,d8+2.  Attack with crossbow.

His rapier at the ready, Volani slides closer to Karon, trying to stay in the center of the defensive ring.

“You’re doing great big fella. Let them come to us.”

Popping his head out from behind the warrior’s shield, he whistles loudly at an uninjured gnoll.

“Come on puppy, come get your din-din.”

---

Move - stay inside defensive ring
Action - Cast vicious mockery on uninjured gnoll. DC 13 wisdom save or take 1 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack
Bonus - Bardic inspiration to Karon, add a 1d6 to a roll, lasts 10 minutes.

Arixos smiles as his bolt hits the lead gnoll. He puts his crossbow away, and draws his longsword from where it sat on his back. He goes to join the defensive line, both hands gripping the hilt of longsword, ready to strike out at any gnoll foolish enough to get close to him. "Come and get some. I'm ready for you!" He calls out at the gnolls, baring his teeth at them.

Ready an attack for when a gnoll enters my range. Hits on 15 for 10 damage.
15:10, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 15,10 using 1d20+4,1d10+2 with rolls of 11,8.  Longsword Attack.

Lathan holds his position on the party's flank, waiting for one of the gnolls to come within reach of his blades.

Rissa's eldritch blast misses the lead gnoll again. Volani's viscious mockery distracts the gnoll to left of the lead gnoll.

Arixos cuts down the first gnoll as soon as he gets within reach. The remaining gnolls continue to close in on the party. One of them turns to go after Lucien's silent image.

Terminax hurls his handaxe at the closest gnoll, striking it in the arm. Gerbo's bolt hits the gnoll that broke off from the others.

Next round. Gnolls 2-4 will be in melee range of the party next round. Gnoll 5 is going after Lucien's illusion.

Gnoll 1: dying
Gnoll 2: injured (-6 hp)
Gnoll 3: uninjured
Gnoll 4: uninjured
Gnoll 5: slightly injured (-4 hp)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:01, Mon 07 May 2018.

Terminal cooly drew his longsword, flourishing it casually as he waited for the gnolls to approach, his stance loose and relaxed as he waited for the last possible moment to strike.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Mon 07 May 2018.

More of the strange double speak, more muttered chanting.  Another buzzing streak of angry purple, flying through the night.  Unlike the others, this found its mark, striking the second Gnoll squarely in the chest.  Rissa kept moving, ensuring always that at least one of her more martially inclined companions stood between her and the beasts.

Attacking Gnoll 2.
08:19, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
08:19, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 1d10.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Mon 07 May 2018.

"Look out, Lucien," Karon shouts, completely oblivious to the fact that the gnoll is about to hack an illusion apart, not Lucien himself. Although his instincts scream at him to charge out of the line and help Lucien, he figures the crafty elf might have a trick or two up his sleeve. He continues to hold the line, waiting for the Gnolls to charge the small line he and his new friends have formed.

OOC: Karon will keep waiting for the attack. When an enemy comes within reach he will hit him with his pick.
15:44, Today: Karon rolled 19 using 1d20+1d4+5 with rolls of 10,4.  Attack against gnoll.
15:44, Today: Karon rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage

So that hits AC 19 doing 7 piercing damage at the first gnoll to get within attack range.

Lathan waits for a gnoll to come within reach, then attacks it.

15:47, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
15:47, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
11:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
11:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:48, Mon 07 May 2018.

“Oh no! One of your litter mates?!”

Volani snaps sarcastically at one of the uninjured gnolls as it’s companion falls dead.

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on an uninjured gnoll. DC 13 wisdom save or take 2 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack
12:01, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 2 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery damage .

Arixos grins as his sword cuts through the gnoll, leaving it on the floor. "Anyone else wanna go at this?" He shouts at the gnolls as he readies for another swing.

Readying another swing for whenever a gnoll enters my range, hits on 20 for 5 damage.
22:36, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 20,5 using 1d20+4,1d10+2 with rolls of 16,3.  Longsword Attack.

Lucien completes his circuit behind the gnolls in an impressive burst of speed, he slides to a stop with one knee on the ground to provide better stability for his shot and looses an arrow at the back of one of the unsuspecting creatures. The arrow flies true and finds its mark deep in the neck of the gnoll.

Bonus Action: Use Cunning Action to Dash.
Move: 70ft to completely circle behind the gnolls.
Action: Attack with advantage for Hide hits. Critical sneak attack for 33 damage against gnoll 4.

Lucien Nailo rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only. Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10,23 using 2d8+3,4d6, ((2,5,6,5,6,6)). Critical sneak attack damage.

A quick reload, and another bolt flies towards the gnoll Gerbo attacked previously. Unfortunately, this one misses its target.

09:19, Today: Gerbo rolled 7,10 using d20+4,d8+2 ((3,8)).  Attack with crossbow.

Rissa's eldritch blast hits connects with its target, delivering a powerful blow to the gnoll. Arixos slashes that gnoll with his sword, leaving it barely standing. It retaliates, but Arixos's armor protects him from any harm. Karon finishes it off with a strike of his pick.

Volani's vicious mockery affects a different gnoll, who grits his teeth from the psychic damage.

Lathan attacks a gnoll on the party's flank but fails to penetrate the humanoid's defenses. The gnoll nearly fumbles his weapon. Lucien's well-aimed shot from behind takes down the gnoll in a splatter of blood.

Terminax slashes the other gnoll engaged with the party, while the remaining gnoll attacks Lucien's illusion, then looks around in confusion upon realizing that his target was not real.

Next round. Gnoll 3 is in melee with the party. Gnoll 5 is off to the side where Lucien's illusion was.

Gnoll 1: dying
Gnoll 2: dying
Gnoll 3: injured (-12 hp)
Gnoll 4: dying
Gnoll 5: slightly injured (-4 hp)

Terminax follows up with another attack.

“Another puppy goes to sleep. Better run back to your mommy little doggie.”

Volani’s words carry a heavy resonance as he continues to berate the embattled gnolls. He then looks to Gerbo and speaks reassuringly.

“You got him dialed in this time! Get him right in the snout.”

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on gnoll 5. DC 13 wisdom save or take 3 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack.
Bonus - Gerbo gets bardic inspiration. Add a d6 to a roll in the next 10 minutes.
21:18, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery damage .

It had never been a fair fight.  The Gnolls were two few, and had taken too much damage as they had attempted to draw close.  If their ambush had worked, it might have been another story.  It didn't matter.  For what she guessed would be the final time that night, Rissa drew the inky darkness from within the spinning sphere of shadow and light, hurling it the farther of the two.

---

Gerbo takes a deep breath, letting the power given by Volanis words course through him, and then he shoots yet again at the gnoll fooled by Luciens illusion.

08:02, Today: Gerbo rolled 19,5 using d20+d6+4,d8+2 ((13,2;3)). Attack with crossbow.
Attacking Gnoll 5 (if it's still alive). Hits AC 19, does 5 damage.

The massive half-orc puts one foot on the chest of the gnoll he just downed and yanks out his pick with a squelching sound before looking for a new target. The Gnolls probably didn't anticipate such a strong resistance and their numbers are dwindling fast. Of course, there might be more of them out there.

He remembers seeing Lucien in danger on the flank, but where he stood he can only see a confused-looking gnoll. Hopefully that means the crafty elf got away. Roaring a battle cry, Karon charges the gnoll, his bloody pick raised above his head in anticipation for the kill.

OOC: 07:49, Today: Karon rolled 25 using 1d20+1d4+1d6+5 with rolls of 11,3,6.  Attack with bless and inspiration.
07:49, Today: Karon rolled 5 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage.

The attack hits AC 25 and inflicts 5 piercing damage.

Lathan stays with the group, attacking the closest gnoll, though he struggles to mount an effective offense.

12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Arixos readies his blade for a counter attack on the gnoll but the blow to his armour threw him off guard, his next attack not as effective as his last few.

Hitting on 11 for 5 damage, which doesn't hit.
22:48, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 11,5 using 1d20+4,1d10+2.  Longsword Attack.

Lucien turns and fires another shaft at the confused gnoll that had gone after his illusion. The arrow finds it's Mark, but the wound is less grave than his previous shot. He takes a few additional steps back in case the gnoll manages to continue the fight.

Attack: Hits AC 24 for 4 damage.
Move: Away from the confused gnoll.

Lucien Nailo rolled 24,4 using 1d20+5,1d8+3.  Longbow Attack + Damage.

Rissa's eldritch blast hits the confused gnoll and Volani's vicious mockery assaults its mind. Lucien's arrow hits the gnoll, who begins to retreat from the battle. Karon begins to give chase, but Gerbo shoots the gnoll down before the half-orc can reach him.

Arixos swings his sword at the other gnoll but fails to connect. Lathan, likewise, is unable to hit him. Terminax, however, strikes the gnoll down with a powerful swipe of his longsword.

Everything falls quiet again, with the five gnolls now lying dead, scattered around the campsite.

End combat.

Lathan scans the area, swords still ready, in case there are more gnolls lurking nearby. "Is everyone okay?"

Rissa nods, confirming that she is unharmed.

"That was a foolhardy charge."

She says, moving towards the nearest gnoll and checking it for a pulse.

"Suicidal.  What purpose did it serve?"

"Hey, nobody ever accused gnolls of being smart," the half-orc says, completely ignoring the fact that the intellectual capacity of his own kind isn't exactly renowned. "Perhaps they didn't scout this properly, I spotted them pretty far out. They might have thought we were traveling merchants with a guard or two and thought they could overwhelm us. And they were seemingly just crazy enough to keep going even when they saw what they were up against."

He walks around, kicking each of the gnolls to make sure they are dead, casually using the tunic one of them is wearing to clean the blood off his pick. "Well, I think we had better move our campsite. This could have been an over-eager scouting party for a larger group. I'd rather not find out the hard way."

Lucien moves around the battlefield collecting his arrows and inspecting them for damage. As he nears the rest of the group, he adds his own thoughts to the debate. "They likely rely on stealth. No doubt the technique of getting as close as possible in the dark before charging in has worked on many merchants in the past. As Karon said, I doubt they were able to improvise once their only tactic failed." As the half-orc cleans his pick, Lucien considers his suggestion to move their campsite. "I certainly have no desire to stay in close proximity to dead bodies, but we are as a likely to move towards a larger group as away from one if it exists. I suggest we move far enough to escape the smell and no more."

"A strange tactic indeed, however I can't say I know much about gnoll psychology."

Volani aids in searching the fallen gnolls.

---

Perception check to search enemies? Or we just find what we find?

There do not appear to be any more gnolls in the area.

Apart from their old hide armor, shields, and spears, the gnolls collectively have 73 silver pieces on them.

"I say we take their heads, set them on spikes, and go back to sleep. If we do that as part of our perimeter, it might make the next group leary about facing us... or it could make them attack us immediately rather than waiting for reinforcements. Either way..." Terminax shrugs, "seems like we should make a decision and stick to it."

"I second Seliar.  Not all eyes can see well in this darkness, and stumbling around in the dark is as sure a way as ever to find a larger force.  If we waste half the night moving camp, we don't even know which direction is safety.  Let's settle on the next hill over, and leave it at that."

Lathan nods. "Agreed. Let's get the camp moved quickly then." He resheathes his swords and gathers his things up.

Volani hurriedly starts the process of breaking down his tent and packing his belongings.

“I’m not one for head chopping but whatever floats your boat I suppose. Grung often remove trophies from their victims, perhaps it’s a cold blooded trait.”

Looking twice over the gnolls, he ensures someone grabs the silver coins before they head out.

Terminax will shrug and go to remove the heads. "I don't know about that, but I know I'm less likely to bother a camp in the middle of the night if I see some heads on spikes. Even gnolls should be able to take that hint."

Lucien inclines his head to Rissa in acknowledgement. "In that spirit, I will make sure we don't stumble onto another fight. Give me just a moment." The elf's eyes glaze over as he allows his vision to pass to the owl circling overhead. From above, he looks for a suitable place to move camp.

Karon sighs. These people are soft. Apparently, traveling in the dark frightens them. It's no use pushing them, he thinks. "Fine, we move a little at least. They stink," he says. He gives Terminax a quizzical look as he starts hacking off the heads of the dead gnolls. "I'm not sure this serves any purpose whatsoever," he says with a disgusted tone as he shoulders his pack and sets off to find a new campsite with Lucien.

Lucien is able to locate another suitable spot for the party to make camp not far from their current campsite.

The rest of the night passes without event.

"So... where too?"

Rissa says as she begins lacing into her armor.

"On our times of need, may Lady Mystra guide us, as we put our faith on our knowledge," goes a soft prayer for Guidance from Gerbos lips. He then tries to figure out where one would most likely get lost in an environment like this.

Casting Guidance on self, then doing a Nature check with it's help.
21:56, Today: Gerbo rolled 17 using d20+d4+7 ((9,1)). Nature with Guidance.

In the dawn's light, Lucien surveys the surrounding countryside. "It's always possible that the gnolls are the source of the pilgrims disappearing. If we track them to where they came from, we might find answers. Equally likely that we'd find more gnolls though. The other option, as I see it, is to backtrack along the most likely route that the pilgrims would have taken to see if we can find any clues along it." He watches Gerbo cast the spell and allows his eyes to go distant for a moment as though remembering something.

“Finding and eliminating the gnoll threat is a good idea. It seems likely that an organized force of gnolls may have harassed the pilgrims. Hopefully they’re occupying some ancient ruin we can explore...”

Volani trailed off, looking wistfully to the horizon.

In reply to Volani O'Tamu (msg # 208):

"Unless we think the giants tamed these puppies, I don't really see the point. Suppose we should have kept one of them alive." Terminax says regretfully. "So, did we have a lead to follow on these giants or what?"

Arixos gets up, and starts to sharpen his blade for the day ahead, as he did every day. "It does seem likely, missing travellers and gnolls attacking bands of people does not seem like simply a coincidence to me." He says in response to Lucien, agreeing with him.

"Inzeldrin said she would take care of the giants, I am one to trust she will upkeep her end of the bargain." He said to Terminax as he finished with his blade, putting it back in his scabbard on his back as he stood up.

He started to walk towards the direction the gnolls came from last night, to look around and see if he could find any tracks that would suggest as to where they came from.

19:39, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Track Gnolls.
Not sure what modifier I would use, but my Nature is +2 and my Survival and Perception are both +3. Not that it matters with my 5 :(

Karon puts on his armor before breaking his fast on dry bread and cured meat. "I agree about the gnolls, we should at least try to see if they are a part of a bigger group or just a rowing band."

"Fine, then let's find their trail." Terminax says as he begins to look around.

Volani assisted those looking for tracks, offering encouragement when needed.

Help action on a survival check. Or bardic inspiration if I can’t do a help.

The party sets off again, following the gnolls' tracks the best they can. After about an hour and a half of travel further into the moor, the part hears a faint howling from the north.

Terminax takes out an axe and heads towards the sound of the howling.

At the faint howl Lucien bears off onto the flank of the group, though he takes care to keep them in sight. He does his best to move quietly and keep an eye out for danger as he heads towards the sound.

Rissa does her best to stay in the middle of the group, her hands cupping the crystal orb that she had drawn shadow and light from before.

Lathan draws his swords and follows the others toward the howling sound, taking up a position near the back of the party where he can easily observe everyone else's location.

Sticking to the back of the group, Volani slowly spun a dagger in his hand and followed the others.

Arixos takes the longsword out of it's sheath on his back and starts to head towards the sounds of what he assumed to be more gnolls, heading towards the front of the group with the other Dragonborn.

Gerbo stays by the middle of the group, sending a quick prayer in the name of Arixos, Terminax and Karon as they advance. "Oh Mystra, Our Lady of Spells, may these three be Blessed in all their endeavors, led by your knowledge," he whispers the prayer.

Bless on Arixos, Terminax and Karon (+1d4 to Attack rolls and Saving rolls)

Karon readies his pick and advances cautiously, giving Lucien time to get into position on the flank. That elf seems exceedingly good at killing people that aren't looking. But then, killing people is pretty easy, of they aren't looking. The trick is to get them to look at someone else. In this case, a burly half-orc and some weird dragonborn.

"We advance together," the half-orc says quietly. "People who go in alone tend to die alone."

"Sure, I'll keep you safe big guy." Terminax replies in a quiet deadpan, his eyes never ceasing scanning as he grips his axe handle and holds his shield at the ready.

"I feel safer already," the massive half-orc replies, his tone not at all annoyed and perhaps a little amused. Banter like this had been very common in the bandit group, and while he hadn't been very good at it, it had been better then to play along and build camaraderie than to take offense. People watch the backs of friends who share jokes, not prickly bastards who take everything personally.

As the party heads north, the howling gets louder. As they crest a small hill, they see a few hundred yards away what looks like two bodies lying around an outcropping of rocks.

"Is it just me that smells a trap?" Karon mutters to the others. He keeps a sharp eye out for any possible ambush, but doesn't slow down much. Time to see what the gnolls can do when they aren't expecting their pray to be sleeping.

OOC: I'll roll a Perception check as Karon approaches the bodies, just in case it is called for. If not, please ignore the check.

14:34, Today: Karon rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  Perception check approaching the two bodies.

Volani quietly played a low, short note on his flute. Popping out of thin air was a small brown owl with large bushy eye brows. The bird landed on his shoulder and spun its head side to side before gently preening its feathers.

“Eblis, my friend, we may need your eyes.”

Volani greets his familiar as he walks along with the others.

Terminax too looks around, muttering, "Oh, I'm sure it's not so much a trap as it is abso-fucking-lutely a trap." Terminax says, looking around suspiciously.

Lathan continues to approach with the others, maintaining his position at the rear of the party and scanning the area in an attempt to locate the source of the howling.

Lucien pauses at the top of the hill as Karon approaches. His own familiar launches itself from his shoulder and up into the sky. His eyes glaze over as he looks through the owl's eyes at the surrounding area looking for anyone or anything lying in wait.

Karon frowns as the birds take wing. "What's with the damn owl infestation anyway?" he mutters, mostly to himself as he walks towards the two bodies, waiting for the trap to be sprung.

“Well don’t be shy Eblis. Go make friends.”

The owl buried its head into its wing.

“Oh fine be that way. You can stay here with me. Two of you may look suspicious anyway”

He scratched the bird’s head affectionately.

As the party comes upon the two bodies, both clothed in chainmail and wearing holy symbols of Ilmater, a pack of eight two-headed, howling wild dogs rushes upon the party from over a small hill. One of the two bodies, horribly mangled, moves, reaching a hand toward Karon. The man whispers something to the half-orc before breathing his last, strangled breath.

Begin combat. Roll initiative and post your actions for the first round. The dogs are currently about 150 feet away.

Lucien snaps back to his own body as soon as he spots the dogs, but it takes him a moment to reorient himself as his first arrow flies wide of the creatures. He repositions himself so as to keep away from the rabid animals as he knocks another arrow. "I must say, I wasn't expecting actual dogs."

Lucien Nailo rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Action: Attack with longbow hits AC 8 for 4 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 4 using 1d8+3.  Damage.

“Fly now, time to work.”

Volani urged the owl off his shoulder and into the air. The familiar began to circle over head, looking for additional danger.

While the owl rose higher the chultan man held his schwam flute in one hand and a dagger in the other. He called to Lucien...

“You’ll get the next one, no worries.”

---

Move - none
Action - dodge
Bonus - bardic inspiration to Lucien. Add 1d6 after making a single roll (lasts ten minutes).

Familiar flies up and looks for addition dangers.

22:18, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 9 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Perception with advantage (familiar)
22:15, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative .

Karon gets to the two men, but as he tries to see how badly wounded the conscious one is the man expires in his hands. But not before whispering a few almost inaudible words, as the blood gushes out of a nasty wound on his throat. "We're too late, there is nothing we can do for them," Karon tells the others. He is about to say something else when the two-headed dogs appear.

"Now we're talking," Karon says with a grin, a bloodthirsty tone creeping into his voice as he gets up, adjusts his shield and grabs his pick again. He hadn't been able to save the two soldiers, but he would at least avenge them and make sure the dogs won't hurt other travelers.

"Come on, boys, let's take the fight to them!" he says to the others, leading the way towards the two-headed dogs at a jog, his pick at the ready and shield ready to repel any rabid curs that think biting a massive half-orc clad in metal armor is a good idea.

OOC: Karon's initiative is a massive 12:
07:52, Today: Karon rolled 12 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 13.  Initiative.

He will move  30' towards the dogs and then use his action to dash another 30', closing the distance by a total of 60'. Hopefully the others can keep up!

Upon seeing the dogs, Lathan quickens his pace, dashing towards them, swords ready.

03:18, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Initiative (advantage).
03:17, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

As he sees others dashing ahead, Gerbo decides to move a bit slower himself. He moves 25 feet towards the dogs, and then tries to shoot the nearest one, but they are still too far away to hit easily.

11:58, Today: Gerbo rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
12:08, Today: Gerbo rolled 10 using 2d20+4, dropping the highest dice only. Crossbow (disadvantage).

How long did it take from us hearing the dogs to seeing the dogs? Bless only has a duration of one minute.

Rissa waits until the dogs draw closer, then fires off a blast of twisting purple energy with that strange double speak of hers.  As before, her first shot goes wide.  She mvoes to keep her companions between herself and their foes.

08:30, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

08:31, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Arixos sees the dogs heading towards them, and draws his longsword at charges at them alongside Karon. "Sounds like a good idea to me!" He shouts as he runs alongside the half-orc.

21:34, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 18 using 1d20.  Initiative.
Movement and Dash as an action to close the distance, also 60' distance.

The two-headed dogs and the party rush across the moor at each other.

Next round. Arixos, Karon, Lathan, and Terminax will be in melee range.

Dog 1: uninjured
Dog 2: uninjured
Dog 3: uninjured
Dog 4: uninjured
Dog 5: uninjured
Dog 6: uninjured
Dog 7: uninjured
Dog 8: uninjured

Another blast of eldritch power, buzzing out into the night.  This one found its mark, one of the lead dogs, though it only grazed the beast's flesh in a searing line before flying off into nothingness.

12:05, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

12:05, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 2 using 1d10.

Walking forward, Volani played a low mesmerizing tune on his long bulbous flute. The notes carried across the moor toward the oncoming dogs.

---

Move - 30’ toward combat
Action - cast sleep on as many dogs as possible. 24 hp worth in a 20’ radius (I’ll set the spell to avoid party members)
 14:12, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 24 using 5d8.  Sleep.

Familiar - my owl will perform the “help” action on Lathan’s target and use fly by attack to move back out of danger.

Gerbo moves close enough he can trust his aim (within 80 feet of the dogs), and shoots at one that didn't fall asleep do to Volanis song. It seems to be a hit.

23:23, Today: Gerbo rolled 15,8 using d20+4,d8+2.  Attack with crossbow.
Hits AC 15, does 8 damage.

Would I need to use an action if I wanted to try and see if I know anything about two-headed dogs like these? I'll do an roll just in case it'll be a free action.
23:30, Today: Gerbo rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge about enemy.
19 if it's Nature or Arcana, 17 if History or Religion.

Lathan clenches his jaw and leaps into the fray, attacking the first dog to come within reach.

Attack 1: Hits AC 14 for 5 damage; Attack 2: Hits AC 12 for 4 damage.

19:56, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Attack (advantage).
15:40, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:40, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:40, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
15:39, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Mon 28 May 2018.

Karon increases his pace as he gets closer to the dogs, charging the beasts and swinging his pick at the lead dog.

20:47, Today: Karon rolled 21,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 16,7.  Attack and damage on doggie.

Terminax hurls an axe and then steps forward, drawing his sword. "Great. More dogs."

Lucien looses an arrow at a dog as it closes with the large dragonborn. He finds himself humming a tune along with his new Chultan companion's flute playing. He also shifts his position to keep as much distance as possible between himself and the attacking pack.

Action: Longbow attack against a dog hits AC 17 for 14 damage.
Move: Maintain safe distance if necessary.

Lucien Nailo rolled 14,11,3 using 1d20+5,1d8+3,2d6. Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 3 using 1d6.  Bardic inspiration.

Arixos charged towards the dogs, hefting his longsword and letting out a roar as he closed in on them, jumping into the fray with a large swing of his sword.

20:45, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 15,12 using 1d20+4,1d10+2 with rolls of 11,10.  Longsword Attack hitting on 15 for 12 damage.
Trying to get a flank, round the side of the dogs as much as possible to contain them.

Arixos gets the first blow in, slashing one of the dogs with his longsword. Both of the dog's heads snap at Arixos in retaliation; one of them gets past the dragonborn's armor, leaving a deep, bloody wound. A second dog lunges at Arixos but is (barely) deflected by his chain mail. Karon receives a fierce bite from a different dog, then stabs the hound with his pick. Lathan is also bitten, though his wound is less serious than those of his comrades; he stabs the dog twice in response. Lucien's arrow strikes the dog that Arixos slashed, as does Gerbo's bolt and Terminax's handaxe; the dog is battered and bloody but remains standing. Rissa's eldritch blast comes to Karon's aid, glancing off the flank of the dog he is fighting.

Volani's sleep spell has no effect on the ravenous, two-headed dogs.

Next round. All eight dogs will be within melee range of the front line.

Dog 1 (Arixos): severely injured (-36 hp)
Dog 2 (Arixos): uninjured
Dog 3 (Karon): injured (-9 hp)
Dog 4 (Lathan): injured (-9 hp)
Dog 5: uninjured
Dog 6: uninjured
Dog 7: uninjured
Dog 8: uninjured

Terminax moved into position, unleashing a cone of flame at the hounds as he tries to catch them all.

Seeing the melee fighters in danger of being outnumbered and surrounded by the pack of dogs, Lucien pulls some fleece from the pouch on his hip, waves his hand over it and speaks the words. As he does so, a giant hole appears to open in the ground behind and on the flanks of the line of fighters. When he finishes his spell, he shouts down to them: "It's just an illusion to fool the dogs." At the same time, his owl familiar dives down into the pack of dogs and graps at one of their tails before swooping up and out of danger again.

Action: Cast Silent Image to make a long pit appear around the melee fighters to protect their backs and flanks.

Familiar Action: Use Help to provide advantage against Karon's dog.
Familiar Move: Use Flyby to get out of reach without provoking AoOs.

As Karon's pick impacts solidly into one of the dogs he is surprised to find the creature still snarling and biting. Any remotely normal dog would have gone down to a hit like that. To make matters worse, he only manages to get his shield up far enough to block one of the heads snapping at him. The other bites solidly into his leg. His armor takes the edge off the hit, but he can feel the sharp teeth penetrating through the links of his chain armor, drawing blood.

For the first time he starts wondering if perhaps he and his new friends might be in over their heads. He looks around, trying to see if there is a defensive position nearby, trees or something to fall back to, and is surprised when what looks like a pit opens up behind him. He thinks he hears Lucien shout something about an illusion and hopes the pit what the elf is referring to.

Undeterred he batters the dog away with his shield. The dog snarls viciously and dodges a swing from Karon's pick. Suddenly something swoops down ad the creature, pecking at it's tail. Both heads look to see what's happening, snapping at an owl that has rather corageously tried to take a bite out of the dog's tail. Seeing his opening, Karon roars and raises his pick high, putting all his considerable strength behind a blow into the dog's back. The pick sinks up to the head into the torso of the animal and rather than trying to yank it out, the half-orc simply leaves it in and draws his longsword.

OOC: Karon will attack the same doggie with advantage from the distracting owl:
13:08, Today: Karon rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 12,20.  Attack with advantage thanks to the owl infestation.
13:14, Today: Karon rolled 18 using 3d8+3 with rolls of 8,3,4.  Damage for a critical, 3x thanks to the Half-Orc Savage Attacks ability.

Owl will get a tasty meal for this later since it allowed Karon to score a critical hit with a natural 20. The damage is 18 Piercing.

Rissa's orb flickers with the conflicting dance of radiant gold and darkest purple energies.  Again the strange double speak, the twined words.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

The first her regular tones, the other something different, something darker.  The words drew forth another inky orb of buzzing energy, which she sends buzzing out towards one of the wounded hounds.  It flies wide, missing the beast by mere inches.

Yet her voice was not silenced.  Another word rings out, no another twined word, one speaking on top of the other.

"Ar'Hannoran
Ar'Hannoran"

Yet it is not the same second voice that lends power to her words, not the same seductive thrill of promises of power in the dark.  This new voice was glorious, ringing out into the air about her like a triumphant and beautiful song.  As she sings, a cascade of the golden energy bursts forth from within her orb, settling like a mantle upon Arixos' shoulders.

07:24, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Miss.

07:30, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 3 using 2d6.  Healing Light.

Arixos heals for 3 damage.

Dice roller is not my friend today.

Lathan does his best to shrug off the pain of the bite wound and presses the attack, stabbing the dog twice more.

Attack 1: Hits AC 18 for 9 hp. Attack 2: Hits AC 22 for 3 hp.

09:43, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
09:42, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Arixos growls as two dog heads bite at him, grimacing at the wound that they left in his side. Two more heads try the same but Arixos barely manages to move out of the grasp of their teeth, tearing a few links in his chainmail instead. A golden glow floats down over his body, and he feels some of his strength returning, the wound in his side not bleeding as heavily anymore.

Out of the corner of his eye he sees Terminax breathing flame over the dogs, and a small grin breaks out on his face. "A sound plan! He shouts across the fray, before unleashing his own roar at the dogs, an icy blast of energy roaring across them.

17:19, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 6 using 2d6.  Ice Breath.
15ft cone, trying to hit as many of them as possible. DC 11 Con save, 6 on fail, 3 on success.

"...Shit. These are Death Dogs! Everyone bitten, you have most likely already caught the disease they carry. And it's no common cold either. I say we run," Gerbo relays what he remembered of the two-headed beasts. He then moves 15 feet forward to send a fast prayer at Karon: "Under duress, Faith is our Shield." He then backs away 10 feet, does a few gestures towards his left, and a dears death rattle can be heard from the same direction.

Movement: 15 feet forward (To be within 60 feet of Karon).
Bonus action: Shield of Faith to Karon (+2 AC for 10 mins).
Movement: 10 feet backwards.
Action: Minor Illusion 30 feet to his left (sound of a dears death rattle)
(Hoping to trick at least some of the Dogs away from us to ease our escape)

Karon can feel a strange warmth coming over him as Gerbo shouts something about disease-ridden dogs. The strange fellow does make a good point about retreating. Too bad the dogs would quickly run them down. "You got a plan for that? These bastards can run us all down," he shous back at the gnome, too busy trying to keep multiple snapping dog-mouths from ripping his throat out to checking the surroundings and trying to formulate a plan for some sort of a retreat.

OOC: Just incidental talking

“A solid plan, we can outthink these beasts.”

Volani called to Lucien, his words carrying weight. He then turned to the dogs with a deep resonant tone.

“Foolish cur, we’ll chop you into stew.”

His owl familiar continued to swoop down, harassing and distracting Lathan’s target.

---

Move - stay close to the others
Action - cast vicious mockery. Dog in melee must make a DC 13 WIS save or take 1 damage and have disadvantage on next attack.
Bonus - bardic inspiration to Lucien, add a d6 to a roll in the next ten minutes

Familiar- help action for Lathan. Advantage on next attack
11:00, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 1 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery.

Arixos releases a blast of ice breath at the dogs, dropping one of them and injuring a couple more. The rest of the dogs close in on the party. Lathan is bitten again by one of the dogs; he retaliates, stabbing the dog twice with two quick jabs of his shortsword. Karon, with assistance from Lucien's familiar, delivers a powerful blow to the back of one of the dogs with his pick, nearly ripping the dog in half. Terminax unleashes his fire breath on the dogs, carefully aiming to catch them all in the blast. Rissa's eldritch blast misses its target but her healing light provides some healing aid to Arixos.

Next round.

Dog 1: dying
Dog 2 (Arixos): injured (-8 hp)
Dog 3 (Karon): badly injured (-35 hp)
Dog 4 (Lathan): injured (-27 hp)
Dog 5 (Arixos): injured (-8 hp)
Dog 6 (Karon): slightly injured (-5 hp)
Dog 7 (Lathan): injured (-10 hp)
Dog 8: slightly injured (-5 hp)

Seeing the two dragonborn breath first ice and then fire on the two-headed dogs, Karon begins to think that perhaps they won't all die to the creatures. Not yet anyway. With his pick stuck in the back of the dog he was fighting he now has his longsword in his hand, swinging wildly at the creatures without connecting any solid blows. “Scram, you hear?” he shouts at the dogs. “Git, you mangy curs,” he shouts, hoping the ones still burning from the fiery breath of his companion might break and flee, now that they see that the group of travelers is far from defenseless.

OOC: Karon attacks the wounded dog he’s been fighting, unless someone kills it before it’s Karon’s turn, in which case he’ll attack some other dog. I rolled a second D20 just in case Lucien’s owl is still feeling brave, but the result was even worse. Karon misses his attack either way.

14:46, Today: Karon rolled 8,8 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 3,5.  Attack and damage against wounded hound.
14:47, Today: Karon rolled 7 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 2.  Second attack roll, in case Karon gets an advantage.

Seeing Lathan be bitten again by the dogs as Karon strikes a mighty blow, Lucien decides to leave the gravely injured dog to the half-orc and refocuses his efforts on downing the animal harrying his fellow wood elf. A sharp whistle redirects the owl above to dive at the more badly injured of the two beasts attacking Lathan and grab one of four ears in its sharp talons before once again flying up and out of reach. At almost the same instant, an arrow from Lucien's bow lodges itself in the dog's throat.

Familiar Action: Perform Help action against Dog 4.
Familiar Move: Dive in and out of engaged range with the dog using Flyby.
Action: Attack against Dog 4 hits AC 19 for 18 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 14,13. Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 9,9 using 2d6,1d8+3 with rolls of 5,4,6.  Damage.

Terminax too moves in with his sword, but frowns as he stumbles moving forward.

Lathan is grateful for Lucien's assistance. He turns his focus to the other dog attacking him, stabbing at it twice.

Attack 1 (on Dog 7): Hits AC 12 for 16 damage. Attack 2: Hits AC 11 for 5 damage.

15:52, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer bonus.
15:52, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:52, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:51, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
15:51, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Arixos swings his sword again, slicing down towards the dog closest to him.

22:48, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 11,6 using 1d20+4,1d8+4.  Longsword Attack.
Hitting on 11 for 6 damage.

The radiant light within her orb of power has all but died, but the dark purple eldritch power still glows from within.  She barks out a laugh in that sensuous double speech of hers, and it flares once in her hand, black glyphs of power encircling it as she casts.

"Menil Katharis."
"Menil Katharis."

Matching runes of shadow and arcane power settle around one of the wounded dogs.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."


And another streak of buzzing power strikes it solidly in the flank.


Bonus action to cast Hex, action to cast Eldritch Blast, Movement to reposition so that I stay away from the dogs.


09:32, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

09:32, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 1 using 1d6.  Hex.  (necrotic damage, disadvantage to STR checks)

09:32, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d10.  Eldritch Blast.

Volani continued his barrage of insults on the dogs. His familiar swooped again, assisting the elf fighting for his life.

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on dog 8. DC 13 Wis save or take 3 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack.

Familiar - Help action and flyby to give Lathan advantage on next attack
20:39, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery .

The others don't seem to be running, but the dogs do seem to start dying. And Karon rises a good point, the dogs are probably fast, or can at least run longer then them. No alternative then but to fight. Lets see, the wisest thing to do would probably be to help Karon. So Gerbo shoots once again with his crossbow, aiming at one of the dogs attacking Karon.

Attacking Dog 3, hits AC 16, does 10 damage.
23:40, Today: Gerbo rolled 16,10 using d20+4,d8+2.  Attack with crossbow.

Arixos swings at one of the dogs near him but misses; the dog sinks its teeth into the dragonborn, bypassing his armor. Volani's vicious mockery doesn't seem to distract its target. Despite the shield of faith protecting him, Karon is bitten by one of the dogs again. He swipes at it with his sword but misses. One of the dogs attacking Lathan bites him twice, once with each head. Lucien's arrow finds its mark, piercing both throats of the dog that bit Lathan, dropping it. Lathan turns to the other dog near him, stabbing it twice (thanks in part to the assistance of Volani's familiar). Gerbo fires a bolt at one of the dogs in front of Karon, killing it. Terminax moves in to melee range but fails to hit his target. Rissa's eldritch blast hits one of the dogs attacking Arixos.

Next round.

Dog 1: dying
Dog 2 (Arixos): injured (-17 hp); hex
Dog 3: dying
Dog 4: dying
Dog 5 (Arixos): injured (-8 hp)
Dog 6 (Karon): slightly injured (-5 hp)
Dog 7 (Lathan): severely injured (-31 hp)
Dog 8 (Terminax): slightly injured (-5 hp)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Mon 04 June 2018.

Rissa's next bit of spellcraft went wide, striking the dirt at the dog's feet.

---

14:44, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

Arixos grits his teeth through the pain of the dog biting him, letting out a roar as he swung down at the dog biting him. "These things are dying, lets help speed it up for the rest of them!" He shouted to the rest of his allies as he sees some of the dogs falling.

22:48, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 3 using 1d10+1.  Second Wind. 3HP healing.
22:50, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 7,7 using 1d20+4,1d8+4.  Longsword Attack.
Wow. Dice Roller. Not sure if I can swear in this game, but there's a verb I can think of that would easily describe what dice roller just did to me.

Karon screams savagely when one of the seemingly endless number of heads gets past his shield, ripping into his throat. The chain coif blunts the attack, but the sharp teeth penetrate through the armor, drawing blood from his throat. The massive half-orc is pushed down to one knee by the weight of the dog before he can get the edge of his shield to push against the beast's throat causing it to let go of Karon's neck. He can feel his blows slowing down and his vision become blurry, and realizes he doesn't have long left in this world unless those dogs are put down, and fast.

He forces himself to his feet again, roaring a battlecry. "Run little guy," he shouts, seemingly randomly, not really sure if Gerbo understands, not focused enough to make any sense. "I'll hold them off, Lucien, you have to run," he shouts, his thoughts as scattered as his words, but the sentiment is clear as he feels the fight will soon be lost.

The dog comes in for another attack, but the half-orc is ready for him and swings at the beast with his sword, slicing deep into the flank of the dog. "Die you bastard, die!" he shouts at it, feeling his strength leaving him.

OOC: Karon is determined to go down swinging. Not like he can outrun the dogs, after all! He attacks dog number 6 and hits AC 15 even with the disadvantage. The damage is 10 slashing.

22:05, Today: Karon rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack with disadvantage on doggy number 6.
22:05, Today: Karon rolled 10 using 1d8+3.  Damage for attack on dog 6.

Terminax sees the Half-Or get bit, and it seems to distract him as he swings once again at the snarling beasts.

OOC: Dude, like... I can't hit jack.

Lathan is in really bad shape but he knows the dogs are hurting, too. He figures if they can quickly take out a couple more the dogs, they have a chance of survival. He fights through the pain, stabbing viciously at the dog in front of him with his shortswords.

Attack 1 (Dog 7): Hits AC 17 for 11 hp. Attack 2 (Dog 7, or if Dog 7 is dead, whichever dog is closest): Hits AC 24 for 10 hp.

20:32, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer bonus.
20:31, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Damage (critical).
20:31, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
20:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
20:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

From a considerable distance, Lucien lets fly a fresh arrow at the beast that has nearly managed to take down Karon just as his owl dives in to try and distract the animal anew. He elects to ignore the warrior's opinion that he should abandon the fight not least because the creatures are finally beginning to fall.

Familiar Action: Perform Help action against Dog 6.
Familiar Move: Dive in and out of engaged range with the dog using Flyby.
Action: Attack against Dog 6 hits AC 16 for 17 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 2d20+5 with rolls of 5,11. Attack w/ advantage. Forgot to tell it to drop, but that's 16 to hit.
Lucien Nailo rolled 9,8 using 2d6,1d8+3 with rolls of 6,3,5.  Damage.

As the first dog attacking Karon goes down, Gerbo shoots at the next one.

Attacking Dog 6, hits AC 14, does 5 damage.
14:37, Today: Gerbo rolled 14,5 using d20+4,d8+2.  Attack with crossbow.

Now looking somewhat desperate, as his new companions began to be seriously injured, Volani kept up his stream of magically infused insults. The chultan swiveled his head from side to side, his magic at the ready in case any fell from their injuries.

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on dog 8. DC 13 wis save or 4 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack.
Bonus - I’ll cast healing word if one of my companions is knocked unconscious (6 healing of cast)

Familiar - help action on Terminax’s target with flyby attack

09:43, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  Potential healing word.
09:42, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 4 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery.

Arixos attempts to bring his sword down on one of the dogs attacking him but, perhaps due to his injuries, misses badly. The dog bites Arixos with one of its mouths, dropping the dragonborn. Volani sees Arixos fall and calls out a healing word reviving his comrade. Volani's vicious mockery distracts the dog attacking Terminax, and his familiar works on further distracting it; the distractions pay off and Terminax slashes the dog with his longsword while avoiding getting hit himself. Lucien, assisted by his familiar, hits the dog attacking Karon, leaving a serious wound in its side. Karon cuts deep into the dog, wounding it even further, and Gerbo shoots it with his crossbow; the dog barely remains standing. Lathan cuts down the dog in front of him, then turns and finishes off Karon's opponent.

Next round.

Dog 1: dying
Dog 2 (Arixos): injured (-17 hp); hex
Dog 3: dying
Dog 4: dying
Dog 5 (Arixos): injured (-8 hp)
Dog 6: dying
Dog 7: dying
Dog 8 (Terminax): injured (-22 hp)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Thu 07 June 2018.

Terminax barely bats an eye at narrowly averting death, and follows up with another swing at the attacking hound heads.

Even seeing double, Karon is still in the fight. He can feel his blood tricking down from the wound on his neck, but he ignores it. The pain is just a remainder that he isn't dead yet. He swings his sword madly at the dogs, as if trying to use up what remains of his strength before falling to the onslaught. Again his sword connects with the hound, inflicting a deep wound on the beast.

OOC: Karon keeps up the attack despite being poisoned and having a disadvantage on his rolls. He attacks the same dog, and hits AC 14 and does 7 damage.

16:17, Today: Karon rolled 14 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 11,9.  Attack with disad
16:20, Today: Karon rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage on dog 6.vantage on doggy number 6.


This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Thu 07 June 2018.

Another orb of twisting purple shadow buzzed angrily past the death dog that Arixos was fighting, barely skimming the beast's shoulder before skittering off into the distance.

---

10:33, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  EB.

10:58, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 1 using 1d6.  Necrotic damage.

10:58, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 2 using 1d10.  Force damage.

Arixos sees black and falls to the ground as another dog bit him again, the bleeding and biting too much for him to bear. However as he falls he hears Volani's voice call out, and suddenly he catches himself on his knees. He gets back up and roars, slicing down at the dog with a fury. "I'm not that easy to kill!" He screams as his sword sliced into the dog.

23:03, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 24,12 using 1d20+4,1d8+4 with rolls of 20,8.  Longsword Attack.
23:04, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.

CRIT on the dog, for 13 damage.

Lucien barely has to pivot, as both the dogs attacking Karon are downed, to send his next arrow flying at the beast that is still engaged with the beleaguered Arixos. The shaft flies true and buries itself in the animal's exposed flank in perfect synchronization with the swooping owl causing it to turn just slightly.

Familiar Action: Perform Help action against Dog 5.
Familiar Move: Dive in and out of engaged range with the dog using Flyby.
Action: Attack against Dog 5 hits AC 22 for 12 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 22 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 17,4. Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10,2 using 1d8+3,2d6 with rolls of 7,1,1.  Damage.

Seeing they are almost done, Gerbo shoots at one of the remaining dogs, but in his excitement he pulls the trigger a bit early.

12:09, Today: Gerbo rolled 5,8 using d20+4,d8+2.  Attack with crossbow.
That's a natural 1, do with it as you may.

Volani sighed in relief as Arixos rose again after being nearly pulled down. He collected himself and continued his barrage of magically imbued insults on the remaining dogs. His familiar swooped down again, continuing to harass Terminax’s attacker.

---

Move - none
Action - Cast vicious mockery on dog 8. DC 13 Wis save or take 2 damage and disadvantage on next attack.

Familiar - help action to give terminax advantage. Fly by attack
10:08, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 2 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery .

Lathan turns to assist Arixos, attempting to take out another dog as quickly as possible.

Attack 1: Hits AC 17 for 8 damage. Attack 2: Miss.

15:33, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
15:32, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:32, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
15:32, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

After nearly being taken down, Arixos rallies and slices the dog that bit him, leaving it gravely injured. The dog retaliates, biting Arixos again; the dragonborn barely remains standing. Volani's vicious mockery and his familiar continue to distract the dog attacking Terminax but the dog still manages to bite Terminax. Terminax swings at the dog but his new injury causes him to miss. Lucien fires an arrow into the fray, hitting one of the remaining dogs in the side. Karon slashes the same dog with his longsword. Lathan moves to attack the dog that bit Arixos, stabbing it once; Rissa's eldritch blast finishes it off. Gerbo attempts to fire his crossbow but it jams on him.

The remaining two dogs are both badly injured but show no intention to back down.

Next round.

Dog 1: dying
Dog 2: dying
Dog 3: dying
Dog 4: dying
Dog 5 (Karon): injured (-27 hp)
Dog 6: dying
Dog 7: dying
Dog 8 (Terminax): injured (-24 hp)

Terminax looks bad, but undaunted as he swings his blade once more at the hound in front of him. His swing shows his skill, but it lacks the strength behind it that the warrior normally can bring to bear.

Arixos sways on his feet as the dog bites him, barely able to remain standing. He makes an attempt to move forwards to attack the last two dogs, but doesn't have enough strength to swing his sword, falling down onto his knees, only just able to remain conscious.

15:55, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 6 using 2d20+4, dropping the highest dice only.  Longsword Attack.

Karon is getting increasingly unsteady on his feet, but the stubbornness ha has always associated with his father's side of his heritage keeps him standing and swinging his sword. His roars are incoherent by now, exhausted outrage more than words. He sees one of the dogs locking its teeth around Arixos. Or is that Terminax? Karon's vision is too blurry to be sure. He simply wades forward and impales the two-headed beast in the torso, yanking his sword out with a roar and preparing to decapitate the dog. Even if he has to do it twice.

15:17, Today: Karon rolled 27 using 2d20+5 with rolls of 13,9.  Attack with disadvantage on dogg number 5.
15:18, Today: Karon rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage on dog 5.
Apparently I'm too stupid to use the dice roller properly, but this time I remembered ticking the box to display each die. The attack hits AC 14 and does 7 damage.

Fearing the the dog he just shot will get wise to the swooping owl, Lucien redirects both the owl and his next attack against the dog which is still attacking Terminax. Another loosed arrow finds its target as the dog is distracted by the familiar's arrival. He takes the opportunity, as their opponents are whittled down to two, to rise from his kneeling position and begin approaching the pitched melee.

Familiar Action: Perform Help action against Dog 8.
Familiar Move: Dive in and out of engaged range with the dog using Flyby.
Action: Attack against Dog 8 hits AC 20 for 10 damage.
Move: Begin approaching the combat.

Lucien Nailo rolled 20 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,15. Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 5,5 using 1d8+3,2d6 with rolls of 2,3,2.

With a final burst of magic, Rissa transfered her Hex and finished off one of the wounded dogs.


10:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 3 using 1d6.  Necrotic.

10:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 4 using 1d10.  Force.

10:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  EB.

Lathan continues to fight, though he is starting to show signs of fatigue and injury.

Attack 1: Miss. Attack 2 (Dog 5, or Dog 8, if Dog 5 is already dead): Hits AC 17 for 5 hp.

15:13, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
15:13, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
15:13, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
15:13, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Volani looked very concerned. The dog were steadily being withered away but his new companions were in bad shape and they still had no idea what killed the two men. He continued his torrent magical charged insult, hoping to save the dragonborn further injury.

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on dog 8. DC 13 wis save or take 3 psychic damage and disadvantage on the next attack.

Familiar - help action and flyby attack on Terminax’s target.
18:44, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery .

"[Language unknown: Stistiess andnceson le hisfo meund]," Gerbo mutters to himself in Gnomish while trying to unjam his crossbow.

Arixos fights to stay on his feet. Volani's vicious mockery appears to have no effect on its target. One of the two remaining dogs bites Karon, who nearly falls from the wound. Karon retaliates, nearly dropping his attacker, as well. Lathan stabs the dog but is unable to finish it off. Thankfully, an eldritch blast from Rissa kills it. Lucien's arrow finds its mark, hitting the dog attacking Terminax and leaving it severely wounded. Terminax slashes the dog, leaving it barely able to stand. The dog continues to snap at the dragonborn with both heads, though it fails to connect.

Gerbo manages to get his crossbow unjammed.

Next round.

Dog 1: dying
Dog 2: dying
Dog 3: dying
Dog 4: dying
Dog 5: dying
Dog 6: dying
Dog 7: dying
Dog 8 (Terminax): gravely injured (-38 hp)

Terminax holds his cool, grunting through the pain and swings his sword.

Lathan moves to help finish off the last dog.

Attack 1: miss. Attack 2: hits AC 20 for 13 damage.

16:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
16:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
16:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
16:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Rissa runs up to Arixos, her orb humming with silver light as she did.  She taps him on the shoulder, whispering...

"Ari'Judiantu."
"Ari'Judiantu."

The light pulses within her hands, flowing into him in a surging storm of radiant energy.

---

15:01, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 7 using 1d8.  Cure Wounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Sun 10 June 2018.

Lucien continues to approach, firing an arrow at the last dog for good measure as his owl swoops in for a final distraction.

Familiar Action: Perform Help action against Dog 8.
Familiar Move: Dive in and out of engaged range with the dog using Flyby.
Action: Attack against Dog 8 hits AC 24 for 8 damage.
Move: Continue approaching.

Lucien Nailo rolled 24 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,19. Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 3,5 using 2d6,1d8+3. Damage.

Arixos stands up strong as Rissa heals him, feeling strength flow back into his body. He charged at the last standing dog swinging, however the healing still wasn't enough to make him hit his attack, his longsword swinging wide.

23:47, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 8 using 2d20+4, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 6,4.  Longsword Attack.
I swear Dice Roller has it out for me. I have hit like 3 swings the entire combat.

Volani charged forward with his rapier, attempting to finish off the last of the beasts.

---

Move - into melee and draw rapier
Action - attack with rapier, miss
21:37, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Rapier attack.

With his strength leaving him, Karon finds it increasingly hard to keep the ferocious beasts off him. His shield seems to weigh as much as an anvil and the fingers of his sword hand feel numb. Dimly he realizes that the two-headed dogs must have some sort of venom that is affecting him.

Karon stumbles when one of the two remaining creatures gets past his shield and rips into his throat again, this time latching on and shaking the massive half-orc like a doll. Although his companions might think this is the end for Karon, he manages to cling to consciousness with sheer force of will, getting to his feet again and pushing the dog away, hacking at it with wild swings.

When the remaining dogs finally go down under the combined onslaught from Karon and his companions, the half-orc finally allows himself to stumble away and fall to the ground. His head is pounding and he is sure that he can't go on much longer.

As he closes his eyes, he hears a soft voice in his head. "Let him save you. Ask for his mercy and it will be yours," the strangely androgynous voice tells him. "The poison is in your veins, you don't have long. Let his burning light purge it from you."

"Yes," Karon mumbles out loud. "Let him purge the poison," he says, unsure who he's even talking about, his eyes closed as he falls on his back. His companions see how a soft, yellow glow spreads from the palm of his hands, up his arms and through his entire body. The half-orc yells and then sits up, his eyes wide open.

He gingerly feels his wounds with his fingers. They are serious, without a doubt, but he's pretty sure he'll live. Strangely, the poison seems to have left his system completely, leaving him feeling drained, wounded but surprisingly good. He slowly gets up, picking up his weapon and shield.

OOC: Good call on Relentless Endurance, GM, I will always use that if the situation arises. Also, I assume the others finish off the doggy before Karon can get a swing in and thus do something else entirely!


This message was last edited by the player at 09:51, Mon 11 June 2018.

Arixos and Volani move in to try to finish off the last dog but fail to hit the beast as it fights for its life. It snaps its jaws violently at Terminax before Lucien's arrow drops it, ending the fight. The moor is quiet, apart from the heavy breathing of the adventurers and the rhythmic flapping of the owls' wings overhead.

End combat.

Terminax collapses onto the ground and groans in pain. "Decent spot of violence. Would NOT do that again... almost dying makes me cranky."

Karon slowly gets up, surprised to find that his vision has returned to normal after the strange glow. "Nasty critters," is his only comment as he limps to the pile of dead dogs, his sword in hand, not commenting at all on what just happened.

"You dragon-people are tough, standing against that," he says to Terminax and Arixos. He nods to Lathan, having developed a newfound respect for the elf, who stood with him and the dragonborn despite looking like he could be blown over by a stiff wind.

The half-orc kicks the dead beasts to make sure they are dead, moving a few around until he finds the one with his pick buried in its back. He needs two attempts to rip out the bloody weapon, and then proceeds to wipe off most of the blood from the pick and his sword on the fur of the two-headed dogs.

"Mangy curs," he says, delivering one final savage kick to one of the dogs before walking away. "But it wasn't the doggies that did the soldiers over there in," he says, pointing at the two men. "I got to them just as one of them croaked. I think he said something about pilgrims having been taken. And something something about a read-headed man. I'm not sure if that was one of the attackers or one of the pilgrims. But he did say that they were alive. So whatever killed the two soldiers seems to have taken the missing pilgrims alive. Could be some tracks worth following there, I guess?"

Arixos puts his sword in it's sheath and takes a moment to catch his breath. "Almost dying? Pretty sure I did then for a bit. I wouldn't be here if not for you two." He said, talking to Volani and Rissa as he goes over to pat them on the back. "And if someone has a spare shield, I might be able to stop getting bitten so much next time." He said to the group.

He walks over to the two dead bodies, having forgotten about them with the intensity of the combat. "So if it wasn't the dogs, what killed them?" He asked, stooping down to look at the bodies.

Not joking about the shield, if someone has one to spare it would be greatly appreciated.
20:47, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 13 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 10.  Perception.
Perception roll to see if I can figure out what killed the two guys.

"One time saw a priest get a corpse to name its murderer. Maybe someone back at the village could pull that off. Beyond that, I say we strip the corpses of anything of value, bury the bodies, find a trail, and once we know where it leads maybe head back to town with the bodies for a proper burial and to be interrogated by whatever clergy-member happens to be available."

As Terminax speaks, he examines his wound, hissing in pain before getting up and unceremoniously pulling his axe out of the hound he threw it at before moving over to one of the bodies and tearing one of the clothes they were wearing to form a sort of makeshift bandage. "Could probably use a healer myself."

"I'm tapped out."

Rissa says, and indeed the radiant energy within the orb she holds had gone dark.  There are still swirling motes of purple within it, though even those are less than what had been there when she had first clutched the sphere to her chest.  As she speaks, those fade away as well, leaving only the translucent shard of circular crystal.

"I doubt we want to make camp, but a breather is all I'll need to have at least some of my craft back."

Without waiting for a response, she finds a good place to sit and begins mediating over the sphere.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Mon 11 June 2018.

Lucien also regards his companions with newfound respect. The two recent fights had shown them to be capable warriors at least. He takes a moment to collect his arrows from the bodies of the dead dogs. From up close the beasts smell considerably worse and he grimaces as he goes about the unpleasant work. "There is no harm in taking some time to catch our breath after a battle like that. I suggest that you all take a breather while I take a look around the area and see if there are any clues to who might have taken the pilgrims or where they might have gone. It might be worth burning the bodies of the dogs. I would not be surprised if they carried some disease and we wouldn't want it to spread." He takes several steps upwind of the battle site in order to catch his breath.

Summoning his familiar to him, he gives the creature directions in a low voice. The owl takes flight once more and begins to make ever widening circles of the area. Meanwhile, Lucien begins to pick through the area, though he seems strangely unwilling to be too thorough as though he wants to be perceived as not knowing what he's doing. He hums to himself and wears the too big smile that is so often pasted on his face when interacting with others.

Investigation: 6
Perception: 6

Lucien Nailo rolled 6 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,3.  Familiar perception w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 5,1 using 1d20+3,1d6 with rolls of 2,1. Investigation w/ Bardic Inspiration.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Tue 12 June 2018.

"You may have missed it in the clash of combat, but I did mention they were Death Dogs, and that they do indeed carry a disease most foul. I vote for burning the bodies as well," Gerbo utters in. He then starts looking around, searching for fallen branches and the like to use in the mentioned burning of bodies.

Kneeling, Volani took the arcane tome from his bag. The green eyes of the skull that adorned the book’s exterior darted back and forth. Opening the book he thumbed through it’s pages.

“My healing magic is exhausted but I can perform a ritual to scour the area for magical clues.”

---

Cast detect magic as a ritual (10 minutes). Then check the immediate area and all bodies for anything magical.

"We can burn the dogs if you want to spend that much time here, but we shouldn't burn the bodies of the men. They weren't killed by the dogs, and so don't carry the disease," Karon says, while he waits for Lucien and possibly Lathan to scout for tracks. In his experience, elf make excellent trackers and he doesn't really consider the possibility of elves not having been trained as trackers. "I don't think it's a good idea to spend the time to burn them. We don't know what else lives here. There could be more of the damn things for all we know."

He gives Rissa an incredulous look as she sits down and seems to meditate. "This is no time to rest, we need to find out what we can, burn the carcases of the dogs if you guys insist and then get out of here."

"And go where?"

Rissa asked, not opening her eyes.

"What reason for haste?  Are we any less likely to find trouble out there then we are here?"

"It's been my experience that noise and the smell of blood can draw unwanted attention in the wild. It might draw wildlife, or even bandits. I'm not suggesting we do a 10-mile hike. I certainly don't feel up to that," the bloody half-orc replies. "I'm just saying that perhaps relocating a mile or so back to where we came from might be safer than resting here."

"Why not use that bird of yours to find someplace a bit more defensible close by then? If we're going to spend 15 minutes hiking, we might as well have an idea of where we're going." the dragonborn says as he slowly begins to examine the equipment on the bodies, seeing what could be salvaged.

"Not my bird, but I like the idea. Perhaps the birds can see if there is anything unhealthy in the vicinity? If there isn't anything coming, we might as well take a breather here, right?" Karon replies, not really sure if the owl duo can do that.

Lucien whistles sharply and the owl that is still circling in the air above dips closer to the elf for a moment before flying off. "He'll keep an eye out for anything dangerous approaching. Take some time to rest. That was a hard fought battle. Don't worry I'll keep an eye out while I see if I can't find enough wood to get a fire going to burn these bodies. We won't light it until we're ready to leave." He gives a wink to the rest of the party as he strolls off to the top of a hill for a better view. The return of the elf's jaunty demeanor might seem strange in the wake of the battle, but he seems not to notice if it attracts strange looks.

The party manages to rest for an hour on the moor.

Short rest.

Lathan uses the time to tend to his wounds and meditate. He looks much better when the party is ready to move again.

Spent 2 HD to recover 15 hit points.

08:40, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 1d10+1.  Short Rest.
08:39, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d10+1.  Short Rest.

Terminax seems back to his old self after his rest, even removing the makeshift bandage he had used to staunch the bleeding.

"Some small amount of my healing magic is restored, should any still need it."

Rissa says, rising from where she had been seated.

"Though using it now closes other doors we might need opened in the near future."

After his ritual produced no new findings, Volani took a look around for any tracks that could lead them to their quarry.

16:12, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Survival.

With Lucien's assurances that his owl would warn them if anyone tried to sneak up on them, Karon finally allows himself to relax. He dresses his wounds and lies down for a while, eating some of his rations and drinking water from his skin. When the others are ready to go he gets up again, shouldering his pick and grabbing his shield.

"Without a track to follow, we don't know who took the pilgrims or why," he says to the others. "So what's the plan now?" he asks, looking at Lucien as he speaks, feeling confident the elf will make the right call. "Are we going to bring them back and see if a priest can speak with them? It would be the right thing to do as well. Give them a proper burial and all that."

"They do have Holy Symbols... so I'm guessing there's got to be a Cleric around that can do it. Right?" Terminax says, munching on a ration.

"Let's head back to Parlfray Keep with the bodies and let the count know what we found. He will probably know of anyone capable of speaking to the dead."

"Perhaps we can find saplings we can cut down and use blankets to make stretchers or something we can drag behind us? Carrying the bodies of two full-grown men for that distance won't be easy," Karon says. "Too bad we don't have a few spears we can use," he says, looking around to see if there are any clumps of trees nearby they could use to make carrying the two bodies a little easier.

OOC: I'll try a Survival check to see if Karon can think of something. Of course, if there is no material nearby, just ignore the check.
10:19, Today: Karon rolled 1 using 1d20.  Survival to make stretchers.
Wow. Never mind. Karon is not a carpenter, that much is clear!

"I have a bedroll, some rope and a few torches in my backpack, would those be of use?" Gerbo answers to Karons idea of stretchers.

Lucien returns from his efforts to find firewood to the conversation about how to transport the bodies. "You'll be wanting a new bedroll when we get to town Gerbo, but otherwise I think some rope, a bedroll, and a torch handle should do well enough. I don't think they'll complain about having to share."

Terminax's comment about the men's holy symbols, draws Lucien's attention to them. "Interesting. We were sent out searching for pilgrims. These soldiers might well have been more than escorts. Based on what Karon overheard, our missing people have been taken off somewhere and these two are the best lead."

He sets about tying the torch to the bottom of Gerbo's bedroll for some rigidity. He then runs the rope up the length of the bedroll and ties it in place with some string as he goes. He leaves a length of rope for pulling at the end before repeating the process on the opposite side. "There. We can use the rest of the rope to hold the bodies in place as we travel. Any volunteers to pull?"

Rissa is light and lithe, clearly without much muscle on her.  She starts to raise a hand, then lowers it looking at the towering hulks about her.

Karon watches Lucien set up the bedroll and rope wondering why he didn't think of doing this. He is quick to volunteer when Lucien asks for people to pull. "I will help pulling them. It's the least I can do since I was too late to save this one," he says, pointing at the human who was still alive when he arrived. "We should rotate the stronger people here who can pull this contraption, leaving one free to rest at all times but the rest of us pulling. That way we'll also have one of us ready to act if we come under attack again."

Arixos helps Lucien with the building of the makeshift stretcher, and then goes to help move the bodies onto it and tie them on. "I can take a shift pulling, I feel back on form thanks to Rissa's healing and that rest." He said, nodding to Rissa. "How long will it take to get back to the town anyway?" He asks, not as good as maps than other members of the group.

"Same - I'm as good as new and ready for another round... but preferably not with those things." he says, eyeing the dead hounds with what could only be described as a distasteful expression.

The party travels across Howler's Moor back towards Parlfray's Keep. They are still several hours away when the sun begins to set for the day.

"I suppose we should make camp for the night," Lathan says to his companions. "Unless you are up for traveling in the dark."

"It's just a few hours more, no?"

Rissa asked the more wood crafty among them.

"Plenty of us with night eyes to guide the rest, unless we are worried about getting lost."

Arixos takes note of the setting sun and sets down the stretcher which he had been carrying at the time. "I cannot see in the dark, however I am up for travelling for longer if you are confident at leading us in the dark." He says, wiping some sweat from his brow.