In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 35):

So far so good comments Myll as the group move to the last beast and attack it.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 36):

The party moves up to finish the last centipede! This time it is Bram and Runa who fail to get through the centipede's carapace, and Dridi and Oski lay the finishing blow on the slumbering centipede. (Every character in the party gains 100 XP each)

"Phew, I guess we won't have to worry about centipedes sneaking up the tree and biting us when we are asleep!" Dridi remarks.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 37):

Certainly is, the fewer beasties about to threatened us and our kin, the better the world be. beamed Myll. Glancing in towards the spot the the jet of moist vapour emerged f rt om. Do you think that's  anything to be concerned about she asks pointing in its direction.

ooc yay
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 38):

"I dunno, the ground doesn't normally give off steam does it?" Bram too scratches his head, puzzled. The rest shrug in response. As you speak another gentle jet of steam bursts froth from a tiny hole in the ground a short distance away from the dead centipedes covering the soil.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 39):

I've an idea declares Myll before flying to a spot near the hole. HALLO BE ANYONE THERE she calls out then listens for possible reply or any sounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 40):

There is no reply, except for more clouds of moist, steamy fog emanating from the hole. But now that you are much closer to it, you make out a tiny glint as the moonlight above shines its rays upon the hole.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 41):

Keeping clear of the close Myll squats and attempts to work out what is catching the moonlight. After a short time she picks up a pebble and flicks it into the hole.

In reply to Myll (msg # 42):

It seems quite shiny indeed, and as you drop a tiny pebble into the hole, it collides with the shiny object with a small "Ping!" sound, and now obscures the light. You imagine the hole is quite shallow and whatever is down there can probably be dug up.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 43):

Hey folks there's something shiney and pingie in this hole. Myll points out. Shall we try and fish or dig it out?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 44):

"Shiny you say?" Bram speaks as the others come to take a look.

Runa places her hand above the jet of fog and remarks, "Doesn't feel that hot, just a little wet"

Oski then whips out her shovel and begins digging out the object. After a few minutes of digging, it is revealed to the party that it is some strange metallic orb the size of pixie's head from which fog perpetually billows out of. The fog feels like raw moisture which condenses easily on your skin leaving it slightly wet.

"Not sure how this is useful, but certainly a strange thing I must say!" Dridi speaks.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 45):

Myll helps Oski went the digging by pushing the dirt away from the area. When the the item is uncovered Myll is a s curious as her companions about it. It certainly is an oddity. she agrees. This may also create a mist that could obscure us from sight when we're resting. Myll suggested, eyeing the item. Let's find  a spot we can make temporary nest for the night.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 46):

"The top of that tree has a hollow where we can rest, I took a peek a while ago and it looks like its empty," Oski says as she taps her shovel rhythmically on her shoulders.

Runa collects the misty orb and holds it in her hands, after which everyone follows Oski who leads you to a a tight tree hollow.

"I'll stay up and keep watch for now, go ahead and rest," Runa says as she sets the orb outside of the hollow and seats outside the hollow keeping watch.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 47):

<Aqua>You'll be needing sleep as well Master Runa. We'll each watch for half the sleep.</aq> she follows the others to the tree hollow and climbs inside after the others this will allow Runa to wake her without disturbing the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 48):

Thankfully, unlike what Dridi or Runa expected, the night was rather peaceful. The only thing that seemed to be slightly of a threat stayed a safe distance down from the top of the tree you slept in. It appears that there was a solitary wandering grouse, which might have fed on you if you had slept on the forest floor.

Waking at dawn, you set off again following Bram's lead towards your destination to the barren rocky lands where the rhino beetles were thought to have moved to. (It is now Day 2)

You travel for a few hours, before you hear the loud voices of humans. There is a lot of laughing and gleeful voices followed by the sounds of the rustling of leaves - likely the sound of footsteps upon fallen leaves on the forest floor.

In the distance you see planly dressed small children - 3 in number - wielding large bug nets and a large wicker basket slung around their shoulders. Some of them are bent over towards the ground digging in the dirt with small spades, while others are looking at the trunks of trees, occasionally slapping their nets against those trunks.

After a few moments you notice one exclaim, "Hey! Look I caught a big one!"

With a large toothy grin, a girl with a ponytail retrieves a large fist-sized rhino beetle from her net and shows it off to the other two children who exclaim in excitement and glee.

"Thats astounding! I want to catch one too!"

"Where did you find it? Where did you find it?"

The children chatter as the ponytailed girl shows off her catch smugly.

"Looks like we are nearing our destination...." Runa remarks at the scene.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:43, Tue 25 May 2021.

With humans hunting beetles their expedition may have a little hitch. Making an hasty huddle. Oh my, these long legged's may prove a problem. Do you think we either avoid this area; or persuade these to assist us to locate more Rhino Beetles? Myll quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 50):

"I don't know, they look like younglings to me, who knows - they might even thinking of catching us should we reveal ourselves to them!" Dridi says.

"I say we press on. Doesn't look like there are many rhino beetles here..." Bram responds.

"As long as the taller ones aren't the ones hunting the beetles, I think we don't have too much to worry about," Oski says as she folds her arms.

Runa just shrugs and looks towards you.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 51):

True it's likely that a gaggle of young long legged's are probably more intent on catching things than bring persuade to help. We best avoid them for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 52):

The other pixies nod at your decision and you press on.

After a few more hours of travelling from treetop to tree top, you can now clearly see the gradual fall in the number of trees in the area, and the terrain clearly becomes much more rocky.

Soon in the distance you see a strange circle of dried up trees at the center of which stands a tall pole-like rock weathered by wind and rain.
And to your surprise, you hear a single hissing squeak of a Rhino beetle, which appears to be coming from the ground.

Reflecting the reddening evening sun is the glossy chitinous back of a giant rhino beetle, which appears to be surrounded by three large vinegaroons. The giant rhino beetle is still very much larger but appears to be quite weakened.

"There it is! Looks like they really went in this direction!" Oski exclaims.

Oh my the poor Rhino Beetles it be at the mercy of those beastly big Vinegaroons. I'd I hover just right I many be able to Sleep one or two of the bullies  Myll proposes fluttering into position she focuses and casts her Sleep spell trying catching two of the brutes

ooc I'm hopeful the Vinegaroons don't have more than 4hd.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 54):

Fortunately, your spell manages to overwhelm two of the vinegaroons, and they slump onto the sandy ground weakly.

Swiftly, your four pixie companions charge at the Vinegaroon still awake and attempt to disengage it from the weak Rhino beetle!

As the vinegaroon was completely caught off guard, the pixies with their combined attacks manage to subdue the vinegaroon, and it collapses weakly to one side with one of its claws ripped off by Runa's large dagger.

The Rhino beetle, still quite agitate, continues its hissing squeaks as it switches its attention to the two other sleeping vinegaroons - perhaps unaware that they have fallen asleep.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 55):

Myll glides forward, motioning for the others to assist her try and dispatch the vinegroon the Rhino isn't dealing with. When the beasties have been neutralized she'll motion for them to stay clear of the Hugh Rhino Beetle and try to calm it using the sounds they've practised.

In reply to Myll (msg # 56):

Your pixie companions nod at your instructions and proceed to the next slumbering vinegaroon. Though Bram, Oski and Runa now have trouble getting through the Vinegaroon's carapace, Dridi ultimately manages to land a lethal hit at an unprotected area of the creature and slays it!

As you try to make the hissing squeaks, you notice the Rhino beetle getting more agitated, and suddenly it charges forth at the last slumbering Vinegaroon, flinging it far into the distance and slaying it with its long horn!

Each member of the party gains 120 XP!

As you continue your hissing squeaks, the Rhino beetle just looks to you wordlessly.

"Uuuh.... You think we did it right...?" Bram mutters.

I'm not quite sure... Perhaps we try finding food for it and listening to the sounds it may make when we feed it. Myll suggests. Recalling what  Stablemaster Tylif said about the food Rhino Beetles ate.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 58):

You recall that the Rhino beetles eat the nectar of flowers, tree-sap, rotting wood, and fruits. And as you recall, the only cries of the Rhino Beetle that Tylfi told you about are the mating calls of Female Rhino Beetles, and the intimidating hissing squeaks that Rhino beetles make when they are disturbed. Another thing you recall is that they are attracted by female bug musk which Tylfi gave you a bottle of. Furthermore, you recall that the way to lead them is by tying a rope to their horn and pulling them along.

"Uhhh... I think thet eat treesap right? There isn't much trees here though..." Bram scratches his chin while speaking.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 59):

Myll looks in the direction they had come.  If two of us fly back to the trees, and grab some bark. The others could tie a rope to it's horn and using the Beetle Musk lead it back the way we came. Hopefully it won't get too tired before we meet with the bark; and What we collect will be sufficient to help it continue moving to the trees.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Thu 29 July 2021.