The gnolls watch intently as you back away as though weighting for you to flee. Just before you fall out of sight, one of the bowmen raises their aim and lets loose their arrow at you. The shot is far too high and soars over you, but it signals their hunt. The gnolls begin yipping and chattering about as they start to give chase. Their focus is now completely on Lauranthalasa, unaware of Drevor and undesiring of the aurochs. The aurochs, however, are well aware and wary of the gnolls and immediately go on edge, ready to bolt or charge.

Drevor stays hidden while Lauranthalasa tries her communication.  Now that they have decided to hint her, he believes surprise to be his best weapon.  He can try to take them out one at a time.  Or, he can cause the herd to charge.  Decisions, decisions, decisions....
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:23, Sun 25 Sept 2022.

The ranger was convinced that she and Drevor could not take down the gnolls, since they outnumbered them significantly. Which meant they needed help. The only help in reach was the herd of aurochs.

Light on her feet, not bogged down by the difficult terrain of the forest, the elf moved away quickly. But rather than doing it in a straight line, she tried to circle back to the animals, hoping to provoke them into a stampede... right after she had safely passed them by...

Drevor remains hidden and watching the scene unfold before him. The gnolls pound against the ground after Lauranthalasa. You hear wet snarls with manic laughter. Out of the corner of her eyes, she can see them spreading out, working to box her in and close off paths. The aurochs become restless at the movement and a couple charge out. One rushes a pair of gnolls that got too close. One yelps and is sent flying back and crumples hard on the ground. The other manages to avoid the aurochs, leaving the injured gnoll to try to quickly, and painfully return to its feet before it can be gored. The other gnolls are surprised by the sound of the gnoll being hit and hang a bit further back and away from the aurochs for fear of being charged themselves.

Lauranthalasa: Make a DC15 Strength or Dexterity Save (your choice) for or take 9 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.

This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:42, Tue 27 Sept 2022.

At least one part of her plan seemed to work out, the elf realized as she cast a quick glance over her should to confirm visually what her ears had picked up already. With some dread Lauranthalasa realized that she was risking the same fate, dashing past the aurochs...

ooc: Thank you Mr. Diceroller. :)
17:02, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Dexterity save.

With the gnolls distracted, first by Lauranthalasa, then by the aurochs, Drevor pops up to launch a javelin at the apparent leader of the gnolls.  He then ducks back down and moves to his own left.


Move 15 feet.

13:07, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.

13:06, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 5 using 1d6+2.  Javelin Damage.

13:06, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Javelin attack.

Lauranthalasa narrowly sidesteps the charging aurochs as it throws its head to try and ram the elf. When it stops, it looks about and finds the gnolls approaching so it squares off to them. They scatter wide but not before a javelin slices across the gnolls ribs and lands just before it. It causes the leader to stumble and pause, and make itself a prime target for the aurochs. The leader takes the hit and shoves it off to the side as it moves in the opposite direction. As the aurochs charges away to return to the herd which is no w beginning to stampede, the gnoll scans the area around Drevor. For a moment, it seems the gnoll's gaze falls on the human but moves past. It calls to the others in the yips and barking language they speak and they all pause, looking about and putting some distance between the aurochs and themselves.

The stampede moves off and away, trying to move away from the dangerous gnolls and threatening Lauranthalasa. Dirt is flung into the air and the fine grains begin to fill the air in a soft, growing haze.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:27, Mon 03 Oct 2022.

Not that he would take insult, but Drevor is NOT a dwarf.

Lauranthalasa gasps as the animals almost hit her, thanking her nimbleness she turns around and whips out her bow. A malevolent smile creeps onto her hips when she sees the javelin injure the gnoll, realizing that Drevor had not been idle. The ranger plucks her bow like a bard would pluck a mandoline, releasing the arrow with deadly accuracy at the gnoll leader. "How does it feel when the hunter becomes the hunted?" she comments, obviously only to herself but she needed that frustration off her chest...

ooc: Thanks again, Mr. Diceroller :D
13:13, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Arrow vs. Gnoll.
13:14, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 14 using 2d8+5.  Crit damage.

Drevor pops up from the grass again, to throw another javelin at the lead gnoll.  He then drops back down and tries to stealthily move back to where he had been before.  Basically, he is trying to get them to believe they are outnumbered.

12:10, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.  Natural 20.  Ninja Barbarian Vanish!

12:09, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 3 using 1d6+2.  Javelin damage.

12:09, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Javelin attack. 

Lauranthalasa's arrow bites into the leader's ribs as they try to avoid another of Drevor's javelins, though it still grazes them and they briefly fall to a knee. With a yelp of pain it snaps the shaft of the arrow and makes some command. The two bow-carrying gnolls fire, one at each of you as the it and the others retreat to their unconscious companion. The two firing, retreat as they do so and remain wary of the aurochs even though the beasts seem to be moving away. With distracted aiming, neither finds you as the target, one arrow falling short of Lauranthalasa and the other heard somewhere to Drevor's right but not near enough to even be seen.

The uninjured gnolls with the leader grab the one hit by the aurochs and begin dragging them to their feet.

Drevor, I corrected the dwarf-thing. Kept wanting to picture you that way but maybe being called out will finally fix that.
Also, since you don't have anything that would let you hide as a bonus action, and I didn't want to waste your nat20, I put them at disadvantage for attacking a hidden you but assumed they estimated correctly where you are. Also, don't forget you get advantage on an attack from being hidden.

14:53, Today: Omni rolled 7 using 2d20+4, keeping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,19.  Gholl Hunter Longbow Attack vs Drevor (Hidden).
14:52, Today: Omni rolled 9,4 using 1d20+4,1d8+2.  Gholl Hunter Longbow Attack/Piercing Damage vs Lauranthalasa.

Elves were very well known to hold grudges for centuries, if gnolls would live that long, they would probably be the same. So in order to avoid any repercussions at a later time, the ranger thought it would be better to bring the message across to never mess with her again. Once more she drew breath as she plucked the yew and sent the arrow flying with deadly accuracy...

ooc:
21:54, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 13 using 2d8+5.  Crit damage .
21:54, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Arrow vs gnoll.

Drevor launches another javelin at the leader, his last small spear flying towards his opponent.
03:05, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 6 using 1d6+2.  Javelin damage. – [roll=1665039922.75198.367291]

03:04, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 21 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Last Javelin thrown. 

Lauranthalasa's arrow strikes the gnoll in the back, causing it to spin and fall. Drevor's javelin comes seconds after and pins the gnoll to the ground, ensuring its death is certain.. The other gnolls yip and snarl as they abandon their companion and scatter into the plains. A couple vanish into the tall grasses while the other either failingly try to hide and escape from any further ranged attacks or full out run to get away.

You each gain 300 xp.

The ranger breathed a deep sigh of relief, that could have become truly ugly. Thanking Indala for guiding the flight of her arrows, the elf closed in with Drevor. She was not intent on following the gnolls, they might return with more or decide to hunt elsewhere, it didn't matter because she would leave soon enough.

Once she caught up with the cook the elf gave him a big grin "Excellent throws, you are definitely more than just a cook." she commended him. "So, perhaps we just hunt down one of the aurochs and skip catching more. I cannot be sure but I'd rather be elsewhere should these guys decide to return with more of their tribe." she told him, not exactly sure if the gnolls would be willing to share the embarassing tale how one elf and one human managed to kill the raid leader and sent the rest of them running. "What do you think?" she asked, open to Drevor's suggestions.

ooc: Yay, level up!!
This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Fri 14 Oct 2022.

I think one will have to for now, Drevor agrees.  A bunch more o' those bastidges willna' be fun ta deal wit'.
He scans towards the herd.  We git one, we ken use ropes ta git it inta tha wagon, field dress it, an' git it back ta the tavern fer butcherin'.
He moves to retrieve his javelins and check the body of their fallen foe....

"Agreed, let us do it that way." the ranger agreed, nodding. She began searching for a suitable animal, one that was injured or a bit slower than the rest of the herd. One that would otherwise fall to the fangs of other predators, perhaps one had injured a leg during the stampede?

ooc: Looking for easy prey.
21:40, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

Trailing the stampede, you find those that can't keep up as well. Most appear to be more of the older aurochs but one seems to have been injured in the stampede, it's left flank bleeding from a likely unintended goring.

The elf bit her lip when she noticed the wounded animal, feeling at least partially responsible for the auroch's misery. But death was inevitable for every living being and putting an end to the suffering was probably the best they could do. The ranger looked over her shoulder and waited until Drevor had finished searching the body and retrieved his javelins so he could help bring the animal down swiftly.

She waved him over and explained her intention with a couple of hushed words. Carefully they approached against the wind and until in close throwing distance for a javelin. Lauranthalasa readied her bow and motioned for the cook to do the same.

ooc: Trying to make this as quick and easy for everyone. The auroch, Drevor, Lauranthalasa and our GM ;)

Drevor retrieves his javelins and finds no coins but a few interesting items, a couple with some value to them. In a pocket, he finds a two unrefined gems: a small piece of amber and a moderately sized chunk of lapis lazuli. Along with them is a small whittling knife and a bone statuette of a great tree that's mostly finished. Among the gnolls weapons, which consist of a heavy spear and dagger tucked into its belt over a chain shirt, is a piece of wood that's somewhere between a rod and a wand that's cracked along its sides lengthwise and glows faintly from within. It conjures images of trees that have been struck by lightning and burn from the inside.

When he rejoins Lauranthalasa, you coordinate your ranged attacks to take down the injured aurochs and keep wary of any return of the other gnolls. The rest of the herd put more distance between you both, the injured beast, and themselves and letting the weak be culled from the rest. With your cooperation and making sure to keep your distance, it's not difficult to bring the creature down.

[Private to GM:
Small Amber (15g)
Large Lapis Lazuli (20g)
Carved Bone Statuette (25g)
Imbued Wood Focus (Fernian Ash Wand)
]

"Thank you for your sacrifice." the elf whispers as she kills the aurochs as efficiently as possible for her. It was a fact, that those would have been hunted down by other predators of the wild if she and the human had not, yet she still felt remorse for taking from the wild without giving anything in return.

The ranger helped Drevor recovering the slain animals, dragging them on the wagon while suggesting "What you cannot serve before it spoils, you may want to smoke or sell. There is no need to let anything go to waste that nature blessed us with."

The young cook smiles.  "Waste not, want not," my old gran used ta say, Drevor respo ds as he begins to field dress the animal.  I gen'rally sell the hide an' brains ta a tanner, an' tha bones an' horns ta a carver, or ta a smith fer makin weapon handles.  I use tha entrells ta make sausages.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

The ranger nodded with a slight smile, it was good to know that some people treated nature's gifts with respect. With all said and done, she was ready to return to town. "We better get going, we do not want to be here when the gnolls return."

No, we dinna wan' tha', he says when he is done.  Entrails in a sack, brain in a sack, hide still on until he gets to the butcher station at the tavern to finish the job, he makes sure everything is loaded into the wagon so they can head back.  He clucks his tongue and snaps the reins to get the horses to moving towards town.

The journey back is simple, though a bit bumpy but by late afternoon you find yourselves back a the gates into the city. The magical lanterns hanging by the gates have been lit though none of those elsewhere have yet been ignited. As you return to the streets, you notice an arrow sunk into the carcass of the aurochs, one you know wasn't there when you left and that looks to be from the gnolls. When they shot it, you can't be sure but you see none now and are safely within the city's protection as you reach The Predator's Cove.