Knowing at least one aurochs is needed for the next evening's dinner service, you take your leave of Lydan and cut southeast towards the Whispering Plains. Not sticking to the roads takes you away from the farmlands after a few hours and you have naught but open fields ahead. You both know aurochs wander these fields, some remaining relatively close to the city. The knee-high grasses stretch out before you like an emerald sea rippling in the warm, gentle breeze. The sight is peaceful, but also empty of your quarry.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:30, Sat 27 Aug 2022.

As they wandered the fields the ranger tried to remember what she had learned about the animals they were looking for. Unfortunately all she came up with was them being herbivores and preferring grasses and herbs, which wasn't really helpful.

Looking at the ground, however, she found something that might be helpful...

ooc:
16:41, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Knowl.Nature: Where to find aurochs?
16:46, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Search for auroch tracks.

Drevor being a cook, does not really know much about the animals before he butchers them in the appropriate cuts and has them ready to cook.  But, he does search his mind to see if there is any other information he may have heard.
Meanwhile, he follows Lauranthalasa, a javelin in his hand ready to throw at a charging animal.

12:03, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Nature.

Lauranthalasa, you aren't very familiar with the beasts. You know they're similar to large, wild cattle but not much else can be called to memory. Drevor, while you may not have much direct experience with the creatures, you've managed to pick on several tidbits here and there from the butchers and hunters you've gotten your meat from in the past. Aurochs were powerful wild beasts, sometimes revered and used as war mounts by the more wild types. They're usually brown to black with a grey streak along the back and are at least as tall to the shoulder as a human, and have large, intricate horns. A time or two, you've heard stories of their danger singly, and even more so in groups. But they do have ample meats of all type and quality in their large frames.

It's not long before Lauranthalasa notices a large swath of ground which has been trampled by hundreds of hooves. The path looks to have lead west less than a day ago. But the hooved tracks are the only ones she notices. Following the same path, she also sees another type. These have two loves in the main pad and toes fit close together and nail tips. The size and weight distribution gives them away almost immediately though as gnoll tracks to her trained eyes.

"Look!" the ranger called over to where Drevor was moving along with her. "As far as I am concerned these aurochs move in herds and the trampled down grass here tells me a herd has passed through not a day ago." she said, seeming excited. Then her eyes seemed to notice something else. Walking a few steps away from the trail forged by the animals the elf found more disconcerting tracks "Damn." she muttered then gestured for the cook to come over "Gnolls. It appears they are tracking the same prey." she told him, not believing she needed to explain more.

Sitting in the seat of the wagon, the horse grazes quietly at the side of the road as they await the elven ranger's assessment of the track she found.  Could be they're a warband lookin' ta tame them some war-beasts.  Or, they could be huntin', like us.
He pauses a moment.  Mebbe we could use that ta our advantage.

The elf wondered for a moment at the possibility for the aurochs to be trained into war mounts, frowning. She did not know enough if that was a possibility but in general she had never heard of gnolls using other creatures for that purpose. "I cannot say if that is the case. The implication would be them getting ready for raids or even a war. Not looking forward to either option." she replied and looked up in the direction where the tracks were leading.

Standing she took a deep breath "I suggest we catch up with them and I try to figure out what their intentions are. Do not worry, I will not go and ask, but there is a lot to be learned by observing them." Lauranthalasa said, turning to face Drevor. "If they are merely hunting, we follow and wait until they have what they came for, then proceed with our plan. If they actually catch them for war, we will have to warn the city and the farms as they will not be safe anymore."

ooc: How much does Laura know about gnolls, tribe size, hunter party size, raider party size, etc.
11:24, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Knowl.Nature: Gnolls.

You count their number at a half-dozen, which is good and bad. They outnumber you three to one, but you know this is likely just a hunting party, not a normal war band. You know there are two types of gnolls that have come to evolve in the world. Those given life by Indala which, though quite formidable and territorial, are more to act on need for survival. And then there are those warped by dark and demonic magics. They are the harbingers of death which travel in the company of demons and seek only to consume and destroy. Their bands typically number in the dozens.

Based on the number you count and the fact there are only gnoll tracks, you're confident this is likely a hunting party of the former ilk. Typically, any packs that split from the main group still contain a commander to lead them. But crossing them, even being spotted by them, can still leave one to feed the scavengers of the Whispering Plains.

[Private to GM:
Hunting party, Albino gnolls
1 Gnoll Pack Lord
2 Gnoll Hunters
3 Gnolls]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

The ranger looked into the distance, thinking about the information she had, then turned back to the cook "Do not worry, based on what I know gnoll warbands are much larger in number than the six creatures that left the tracks you see here." she told her friend.

"Do you agree to follow them and wait until they got what they came for, then hunt for the inn? Or do you want to hunt down our competitors? I do advise against the latter course of action, but I am not alone in this undertaking." Lauranthalasa asked, laying out their options.

Nah.  I don' wanna fight 'em.  Too much chance we don' survive ta get wha' we came fer.  He shrugs.  Mebbe if it seems too hard to take the aurochs, we ken work t'gether.

The ranger merely nodded, all the necessary things seemed to have been said, then moved forth to follow the herbavores trail...

You follow the trail for about an hour when you spot them in the distance. A herd of at least a hundred or so aurochs grazing about. They seem on edge and alert to some unseen thing, many facing out and standing upright with their gnarled horns on full display. Looking about, you don't see the gnolls but you're sure they shouldn't be far.

Make a Stealth check if you're trying to stay unseen as you approach.

The ranger was very focused on the tracks, and not just the easy ones from the cattle. She was a little surprised to find the herd not too far away but the more important thing was them apparently sensing the gnoll hunters somewhere. Probably a change of wind direction brought the smell to the animals' attention. Lauranthalasa hoped the gnolls would not scare the herd as a stampede was the last thing they needed.

She looked about, trying to find where they were, perhaps both parties could get what they wanted without making the animals go mad...

ooc: Looking for the gnolls and sneaking up...
11:15, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Perception check.
11:13, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Stealth check.

Leaving Drevor under the cover of the grasses, Lauranthalasa moves forward. Slipping into the deep grass and moving like a lion stalking prey, she disappears from her companion's view. Judging the aurochs' tracks it looks like they've been roving about this area for some time as they graze. Watching them and where they seem most alert, after moving about fifty feet forward, she's able to spot the subtle colorations of the gnolls' fur standing out from the surrounding grass. All six can be seen spread out in a 80-foot-long shallow arc about 70 feet from the aurochs and 100 feet from where Drevor waits. None seem to be aware of either of you.

Drevor had left the horses and wagon parked at the last copse of trees before the grassland, giving them a chance to graze a bit while the wagon remains under the shade of one of the trees.
He moves a lot slower forward than Lauranthalasa, being more careful in his stealth because of his lack of practice at stealth, and his desire not to set off the herd.

02:54, Today: Drevor Jemmson rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:56, Wed 07 Sept 2022.

Drevor trails behind Lauranthalasa, catching up to where she settles a minute after her. The aurochs continue grazing and scanning the area where the gnolls are hidden, neither yet spotting you.

The elf pondered on how to proceed. They could just wait until the gnolls went through with whatever was their plan, or attempt to scare the predators away but both did not guarantee the animals would not be scared and run off. One thing that could help with that would be the direct approach. The ranger chewed on her lip while considering the conundrum, then sighed as she reached a decision.

Sneaking away from her position, Lauranthalasa circled the herd and approached the gnolls from the rear. Doing her best not to startle the aurochs she used a pebble and threw it at one of the anthropomorphic hyeanas. Just strong enough to make him notice, not hard enough so it could be considered an attack.

As the attention turned to her the elf held up her hands in a non-threatening manner "I am not here to attack you, but we seem to have the same goal. Perhaps combining our efforts will benefit the both of us?" she suggested.

ooc: Very sorry it took me so long to make another post. I really had no idea where to go with the situation. Hence, to make up for lost time, this post assumes she wasn't noticed earlier, but since this is meant to inspire cooperation, I hope that can be forgiven.

No apology needed. You're not the only one on the thread.[Private to Drevor Jemmson: I mean no offense by that.] If you're not sure of the options or what to do, let me know and I can more directly outline the options (I can think of), or maybe just have you make a roll to help or hinder in some way to make things clearer.

Lauranthalasa, make a Persuasion check.

[Private to DM: DC18 to not immediately attack, DC22 to cooperate]

ooc: Just my luck...
11:56, Today: Lauranthalasa rolled 7 using 1d20.  Persuasion.

Jemson watches intently at the elven woman's actions.  She appears to be trying to get their attention, perhaps to ally with them for the hunt.  Under the circumstances, he would not be opposed.

The gnoll turns at the striking of the pebble. It yips a sound and the others turn. Bows are drawn up and weapons are unsheathed, the aurochs forgotten and their focus now wholly on Lauranthalasa. The leader of their group stands and takes a step towards the elf with sword ready as they look about for Drevor and any others. As they speak, their words cackle and yip, causing some difficulty in understanding, "We need not you efforts. This our kill, our territory. Be you challenger or meal?" The strings of the bows strain as they are pulled tight with arrows pointed at Lauranthalasa.

The aurochs, now spooked begin to position in defense, the larger beasts outside and shoulder to shoulder with horns displayed threateningly.

Why does it always have to be either or? - The elf thought at that really silly question. "I am not a challenger and definitely not a meal. I had expected you would see the benefit for both sides to work together, but if you say you do not need my assistance I shall leave you to your hunt." the ranger said, quietly thinking it was their funeral.

It was obvious she would be no match for the gnolls, however, the elf did not plan to fight them. Instead, should things turn hostile, well more hostile than already, she would attempt to provoke the herd into a stampede. Although she was still working on the 'how'...

ooc: Slowly back away, hands still up.