Makari frowned in sympathy that first night and gave a nod. "Of course. Rest. We'll keep watch." And he took the first watch himself having so offered that.

He smiled at Gorm when she offered the goodberries. "Amazing. I'm glad you're with us, Gorm." To the people he said, "If you're never had one before, only eat one - but they are delicious and it's enough to keep you going for a full day! I know, they're so small and that seems impossible but...magic." He let out a chuckle.

The next day, he had little to offer the free people other than conversation if desired and alertness as they traveled.

Zeb appreciated the rest, not only for the sake of their wards but because his own short legs required considerably more exertion from him to keep pace with the others, especially the great bear. He was glad to see Gorm provide the berries to the exhausted people and wished he had more to offer himself. Freedom and protection would have to be enough, but in the face of such need, it did not feel like enough.

The prisoners look much more alert after devouring a goodberry or two, and the group continues on their two day journey south.

The sky brightens somewhat as the day progresses, and the temperature rises to an almost comfortable level. As the sun passes its zenith however, odd calls from a seemingly large bird  can be heard across the rolling hills. Though none of the creatures shows itself during the groups travels, the refugees begin looking around nervously again, sharing frightened glances whenever the call sounds again.

As the sun sinks along the western horizon, the group of prisoners again look weary and ready to seek shelter for the night.

---

I've updated the group's location on the Dessarin Valley map, just about halfway to Bargewright Inn. If there's anything folks want to do in prepping for camp, etc., now's the time to post it ;).

Once the path is decided, Ehrendil walks ahead of the main group, scouting for any threats, cultists or otherwise.

When camp is set, he will find a quiet place where he can meditate for four hours, and will then the spend the rest of the time keeping watch.

---

Like the others, Ehrendil attention is captured by the odd-sounding birds heard in the distance.

"Morg, didn't you mention that you ran into some Air Cultists that rode massive birds? Is that their call?" The ranger's eyes scan the air, watching for anything.

---

Sorry for being tardy, computer problems. Didn't the original group end up riding on massive vultures on some kind of hunt?

"Maybe. I'd like to avoid the Feathergale knights if at all possible." Morg says. "I'm not much use against long range airborne fighters like them."

"I am a friend to all animals," Zeb declared. "Unfortunately, that sentiment is not always reciprocated. Which presents a particular problem when they are larger than me, as they so often are. It's nigh time to make camp anyway - let's see if we can't find somewhere out of sight to do so."

---

I suppose it's not trivial to conceal a group of this size, but Zeb will ideally Help someone more skilled than himself to find a suitable location, to grant advantage on a Survival check?

When the sun falls and it is time to find a camp Gorm returns from her intermittent roving around the forest to lead the group to a reasonably flat clearing they can do whatever kind of fire or tent stuff they need to.

Makari looked over at Zeb and then grinned suddenly, eyes narrowing a bit as he mockingly sized up the gnome. "Yep. You, my friend, are a deliciously-sized morsel to a large bird of prey. We shall have to guard you, along with the camp, to make sure no hungry beast swoops down and carries you off!"

He let out a chuckle as he went about helping set up the camp.

Ehrendil laughs at Makari's joke. "Luckily for Zeb, any bird taking a bite of him will find him stringy, gristly, and bad-tasting!" the elf again laughs as he teases his old friend.

Abruptly a scream is heard from the huddle of refugees, as a large feathered shape dives out of the overcast skies, sporting large antlers as if it had the head of a deer.

Swooping down into the midst of the forming camp, it grabs one of the refugees in its claws before flapping its wings furiously back into the air, ascending as it heads west. The beast struggles for a moment in the air with its victim before dropping the body from its claws to the ground below.

---

The creature is currently about 30' away and perhaps 20' feet off the ground, still heading west away from the campsite.

Not initially seeing who was taken, but the 'joke' still fresh in his mind, Makari turned and screamed, "ZEB!" Then seeing it wasn't Zeb he tried to recover, "oh, er! Still, NO!"

He let out a growl, "TELL YOUR FRIENDS WE'RE OFF THE MENU, YOU BASTARD!" And he let loose with a pair of Eldritch Blasts at the creature.

15:38, Today: Makari rolled 21,10,18,15 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 13,5,10,10.  Eldritch Blasts vs big bird.

Ehrendil's laughter was cut off by the scream. His bow was out and an arrow nocked as he turned to survey the situation.

"Bloody hell! A demon?" he asked rhetorically as he drew and loosed two arrows in the wake of Makari's magic bolts.

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 13, for 21 damage with Longbow Sharpshot.
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 14, for 5 damage with Longbow.
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 3 for Planar Warrior force damage (if either of the arrows hits).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Sun 22 Oct 2023.

Morg takes out his maul and runs towards the dropped refugee.

---

Move: 25'.
If not within 5', then
  action: dash;
otherwise
  action: try to stabilize dropped refugee if they need it.

14:51, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d20+1 ((2)).

Not much more useful against flying targets than a maul Gorm moves into a position as centered as possible among the ranged combatants that she can offer them some close protection if the thing comes back.

Zeb's first thought was for the well-being of the refugee who'd been so unceremoniously tossed about. Seeing that Morg was already running to that unfortunate soul, however, the gnome joined Ehrendil in chasing after the beast, firing an arrow from his tiny bow as he ran.

20 to hit for 8 damage. Can't think of any reason why SA would apply here but of course please let me know if Zeb has advantage for some reason!

Zeb rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4.  damage.
Zeb rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  attack.

Faith was torn between her old friend, and in defending against the beast. the thing was airborne, so her rapier was of little use. Seeing the bear protect the captives, she also stood by and looked up. "What the hell is that, some ugly turkey trying to get a meal?"

---

<OOC: Action - Cast Visious mockery at the flying enemy

Faith rolled 5 using 2d4 with rolls of 2,3.

Wisdom save DC 15 or take 5 psychic damage and takes disadvantage on next attack>

The group's attacks quickly fell the flying beast, who crashes to the ground some 50 feet away from the campground. The prisoners look to the skies nervously, some wailing over the fate of their deceased fellow.

Morg reaches the dead victim and finds its chest cavity ripped open, its heart apparently ripped out.

---

Loot thread updated with XP gain.


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Wed 25 Oct 2023.

Ehrendil moves toward the strange beast, ready to send more arrows at it, if it stirred.

[If it is dead] He moves closer to it, and examines it, wondering if it is a demon, or simply a strange creature he has never seen before.

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 8 for Nature (INT).

Faith grimaces, but looks around the body for anything useful to tell where they came from, who they were or any valuables.

---

<OOC:  Faith rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4. investigation check.>

Gorm accompanies anyone who approaches the giant flying creature, and spends a while examining it, pushing its head into different positions, bumping the wings to make them spread out into a flatter and wider stance.  All the while sniffing at various parts of the creature to try and understand it better.

Once he was convinced no further beasts threatened, Zeb sat with the folk they had freed from the cult. "It seems there is no end to the horror these cultists will inflict. No end until we end them. For now, we offer you what safety we can provide." His lip quivered, first with sadness, then with anger. "Eventually, we offer you vengeance. If any of you wish to speak of the dead man, or of others you have lost, I would be glad to hear of them."

Makari didn't move towards the beast. He pulled his eyes away from the corpses of both beast and person, and put them back towards the sky. He watched for any more of the creatures and then made sure to lower his gaze some as well to make sure nothing was coming for them on the ground too. Apparently, they couldn't let their guard up at all.

"We should see to the man's burial quickly." He didn't direct that at anyone in particular.

As Gorm and Ehrendil approach the fallen creature, it becomes apparent this was no mere beast. While it has the body and wings of a giant bird of prey, its head is that of a stag complete with large, razor-sharp antlers.

Faith doesn't find anything around the corpse, who like the rest of the refugees had little to no belongings on their person.

---

Ehrendil doesn't recognize the creature, though it is clearly some sort of monstrosity and not a natural beast.

Faith suspected there would be nothing of real use, and then began to make a grave for the fallen man. She had no words - she had seen much death and knew that the ears of the dead were beyond her.

Ehrendil studies the strange creature for a few minutes, and then says to Gorm, "I not seen anything like this. Likely not a demon, but certainly not a natural beast."

The ranger leaves the creature where it lies, and returns the main group, helping Faith in preparing a grave or cairn for the hapless former prisoner.