Shrek belatedly runs up to the group, and out of breath pants "S'rry!  Shrek had to relieve last nights ale!  What'd youse guys find?  Shrek sure smells the..." he trails off when he notices the lovely firbolg standing amongst the group.  Used to looking down at everyone he encounters, this is the first time he can look eye-to-eye at someone!  And boy, is he smitten.  His mouth hangs open agape, in awe at the newcomer.  Stammering, "Oi!  M'lady!" he manages to squeak out before doffing his hat and bowing to honor their new visitor.  Fingering his hat in his hands, he quickly extends one hand out to shake the visitor's hand.  "Name's Shrek!" he proffers, his cheeks rapidly blushing.

Finally realizing he's interrupting the conversation under way, he quickly slinks back, and quietly pads over to the fresh graves, kneels down, and inspects them.

Perception: 22

OOC: Ha!  He's obviously got his mind elsewhere...

Ankita listens to Randall, her eyes growing larger as his story grows taller.  As he sketches the symbol in the sand, she shakes her head, "No, I'm sorry, I do not recognize that, but I'm here to help if that's alright."

As the large man runs up to join them, he startles her, but she recovers quickly with all that is obviously at stake.  After he fumbles a bit, she takes his hand, smiling and says, "My name is Ankita." then asks, "Why are you flushed? are you hot?"  as Shrek slinks away to check the graves, she follows him and looks to see if she can find anything.

Investigation  7

You have a good view of the surrounding hills from this vantage point. Several miles to the west you can make out the tiny outline of Red Larch, and the thin dark line marking the Long Road. Several miles to the north, you see a slender old tower circled by large birds. Nothing else is around here.

"That's Feathergale Spire over there. Bunch of Knights from Waterdeep come and go, usually flying around on bloody birds or monsters."

As you investigate the graves, you find one male dwarf dressed in artisan robes, one female human warrior dressed in a black surcoat with a red axe (Randall, you recognize this as the symbol of Mirabar’s army), one male human warrior dressed in a black cloak with strange stony armor, bearing the symbol you have seen Larrakh's men use, and one male human in a white robe with black feathers at the shoulders with the following symbol on his robe. They all appear to have died from crushing blows or arrow wounds.

Nearby, you see a a jumbled collection of tracks, some broken arrows, a discarded javelin, and a bunch of feathers.

Limping up from behind, Melchor eventually reaches the rest of the group. A slender half-elf, dressed in robes of dark blue, leaning heavily on a walking cane, he sweeps his cold silver eyes around the group. 'Perhaps a slightly slower pace would be welcome...' he says sharply, noticing the newcomer as he mops a sweaty brow with a damp cloth. 'Do we know who this is? It's a little suspicious to find someone lurking around the graves...'

Shrek yells over his shoulder as he inspects the graves to Randall - "Want use their robes for diss-guise?"

Ankita regards the half-elf and responds in kind, "Lurking?  I was going for a walk and detected the scent of death.  Odd in this area so I came to investigate.  Interesting that you would come to the conclusion that I was doing anything suspicious." 

Randall laughs.  "Melchor is suspicious by nature.  And its for the best.  Without his cautious warnings the rest of us would likely have marched into a deathtrap or two already."

Shrek laughs at Melchor & Ankita's conversation...not understanding half the words they said, he chuckles and responds back with "Shrek agree, Master Melchor.  New friend is good lurking!"

He then repeats his question to Randall - "Want use their robes for diss-guise?  Robes too small for big Shrek, but little friends could use."

“Melchor, are any of these items magical?  Perhaps we should head towards Feathergale Spire and have a look.”  Olaerys unceremoniously starts searching the cultists, looking for any clues.  He seems very focused and angry with seeing the symbol.  

Eyeing the firbolg somewhat askance, he turns his attention to Olaerys. ‘Give me a minute and I’ll check…’

(Melchor will cast Detect Magic as a ritual. He’s also wondering if he recognises the symbol?)

Nothing appears magical. You do not recognize the symbols, although Randall would recognize the new symbol as part of the floating sigil he saw in the Necromancer's cave, much like the symbol you have seen on the cultists you defeated.

“Ah, thanks Randall, that’s good to know.” Ankita then smiles at Shrek’s comment, not exactly sure what he means.  She then looks at the symbol that appears to have everyone worried, “is this symbol familiar to the rest of you then?  Have anything to do with the necromancer you mentioned earlier?”

‘Nothing magical here.’ Melchor says, moving over to examine the scene more closely for any missing clues…

(Investigation: 20)

Shrek adds hopefully "I this the...uhhhh....del-uh-gation they tells us is missin'?  Are these poor souls del-uh-gations?"

Quote from JorvikDave >>

‘Nothing magical here.’ Melchor says, moving over to examine the scene more closely for any missing clues…

(Investigation: 13)

The feathers appear to be Hippogriff feathers, and have blood on them. 

As you investigate the area, a strange, croaking cry from somewhere above catches your attention. You spot a trio of huge, winged shapes gliding toward you — giant vultures! Each bird carries on its back a warrior in dull blue armor with a dirty white cloak.

Randall looks over the feathers and cultist corpses.  "Hmmn.  It looks like we aren't the only ones killing them.  That's... good, right?  Someone else is fighting them already?"

When the vulture riders appear, Randall stands, looking up at them.  Unsure of their intentions, he tries a friendly wave.

Shrek warily eyes the oncoming vulture riders...not too sure of their intent.  Are they here making a friendly social call, or with mal intent?  Insight: 13

They do not appear threatening, but they are difficult to read. The three vultures swoop in with enough speed that the wind force knocks you back a bit. The lead rider dismounts, and approaches Randall.

"Have you committed this crime? When Doli and Karl did not return last week I feared this was their fate. Speak true for I will know a lie."

"Whoa, sir.  No.  We only just arrived, having heard about these cairns back in Red Larch.  The good shepherd here led us this far to investigate.  We have disturbed the cairns, yes, but only to determine who lays here, who killed them, and why."

Ankita watches with trepidation.  What sort of band rides in on vultures?  She doubts any good will come of this and while listening to the conversation, she checks over the leader, looking for a symbol that matches those in the graves.

Perception  18