(@Lerus: Nerd: *Adjusts glasses, and in nasally voice says*: Um actually, as a kobold he should have advantage on any food based saves, considering the type of places and foodstuff in general that are a regular diet of kobolds. Especially those that dwell in city sewers.)
(J/k, j/k! Knowing my luck anyways, Hun was bound to pay the piper. And with Kobolds normally having a -2 Con mod, the above may seem even more silly. :P Though, I am so preparing Purify Food and Drink again from now on. XD)
Hun is fairly out of comission for the rest of the night, to say the least. Perhaps if Rhogal suggests his collection might help with his current gut problems, then the Kobold could perhaps be convinced to share in it. Otherwise, with what little shred of pride the kobold had left, he digs into his own rations... assuming his stomach would allow for it following his most recent ordeal. Strangely enough, Hun actually goes about collecting the rest of the bug carcasses as well with a strained look of determination on his face.
If anyone gives him funny looks for it, Hun put on a confident face and says, "It just needs Paprika, some soot, and a splash of lemon dizzle. Mark my words."Then its back to shoveling corpses into the satchel of holding, treating them some weak cooling agent left over from his more potent batch prepared earlier that day. After all of that, unless asked to by Yulmiath, Hun definitely had plans to sit out taking any watch to give his gut more time to recover.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Since we all have darkvision, it seems fire is not even necessary?)
It did not need to take long for five four strong men to clear up enough space to sleep. Kairus was slowly getting used to the idea of sleeping (walking, living) on the surface that did not sway and with some good imagination, one could turn the sounds of the jungle into the sounds of the sea... Actually, no, the last one was not possible. But it was interesting to listen to all this rustling in the thicket around with the occasional call of a night bird or an animal.
Kairus woul agree to any shift - morning or midnight did not matter. And try his best to be attentive:
Watching Hun dive for the undergrowth after his culinary experiment, Yul allows himself a wry smile. Getting a whiff of the aftermath wipes that smile away quickly and makes him thankful for a vegetable based dinner to come.
Busying himself with the building of a small fire for the party, Yulmiath stashes some of the kindling he's found to help with creating another tomorrow night. Happy to take any watch, Yul settles round the fire, feeling a little smug.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
1914
Despite the somewhat embarrassing ordeal, Hun speaks quite unapologetically about his plans for the remaining stirges. The others are not especially convinced of the tiny beasts' value as a suitable meal. Giving the kobold the time he needs to recover, the other group members each volunteer for a watch. That is not to start until after the party enjoys an all vegetable dinner and some entertaining conversation among themselves.
Already tending to the fire, Yulmiath claims the evening shift. The thought of extinguishing the flame crosses his mind, but he gathers this would also force the group into a disadvantage when it comes to keeping an eye out over the camp. Hence, the fire burns on. By the end of his watch, the dragonborn has little to report.
Kairus wakes up for the late night shift and expresses similar doubts about the fire. It is not a cold night, though the extra light can be helpful and the heat could keep some dangers away. Well, not all dangers, judging from all the jungle noises the triton hears over the next two hours. Despite any concerns the bard may have had, he is quite sure nothing of interest approached the camp during his watch.
Rhogal is shaken awake for the deep night shift, but cannot hide his grogginess. At points, the druid can't help but close his eye momentarily, which make for a poor watch. Despite all of that, by the time the dwarf completes his shift he is happy to report that no undue risk befell the camp. He wakes Krodhen up and goes to catch some more sleep before the rooster crows.
(OOC: I'll wait a bit longer to see if we get a roll for Krodhen's watch.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Somewhat belatedly (just spent the day in hospital) Krodhen first goes for his sword, but when he finds himself dodging the falling beasts he turns to Kairus and acknowledges the quick thinking action "Way to go, Kairus!"
Acceding to groups intent to rest for the night, and happily taking some of the offered foraging, and whilst eyeing Hun a little empathetically, Krodhen beds down for the night and wakes when roused, obviously a little too groggy to pay much attention to the surroundings as he sets to watch in the early hours
While Rhogal was a bit sleepy during his watch, Krodhen's inattention takes the cake. There are large chunks of his early morning shift that the ex-pirate cannot recall. That said, by the time he is schedule to wake the rest of the group up, a cursory look over camp reveals no unexpectedly misplaced items or signs of mischievousness.
The group went to bed early, so they are now all waking up before sunrise. It is still dark out but the sun will be rising by the time camp is packed and the party is ready to go. You may complete your long rest, though that means your temp HP from the mud bath are forfeit.
(OOC: Following Yulmiath's planned trajectory, the group aims to head straight north through hex {D-5}. Let's get a survival check and let me know what the group is doing during this morning stroll as well.)
Kairus woke up in the perfect mood (not that someone saw him in another one recently) whistling "One More Day" while stretching, packing camp, and (if they did not eat all the fruits yesterday) helping to organize a simple breakfast.
"How do you feel, grandpa?" He glanced at Hun with genuine concern. "Ready to brave the rest of the way? Looks like we can make it today to the wrecks, right, Yulmiath? Of course, depends on how many more locals will come to try to make breakfast from us." Kairus looked up and smiled at the sun rays coming through the green jungle roof. "Nah, who can be so rude on such a perfect morning! Let's just pack and go!"
Like yesterday, he let those with tracking skills track, helping if the help was needed, like taking his turns in cutting the vines on the way or watching for suspicious activity in the underbrash.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Yulmiath takes sight of the map and the local features before offering to lead the party once more. Provided he keeps the sun on the correct side of the party, they should be fine heading north towards High Horn. Keeping a hand axe in hand to deal with any troublesome undergrowth. What could go wrong?
That morning, apart from Hun's usual tinkering and maintenance of gear, the Kobold had remained determined to proving everyone wrong in making a meal of another couple of chilled Stirge corpses. He also still very much looked somewhat haggered, having awoken at least once in the night to clear out the tubes, as it were. But that wouldn't be enough to stop him! By the time his turn came up to add to the cook fire, the stirges pulled from his bag looked more like stuffed turkeys covered in some kind of glossy or greasy substance that, as they are (ritual cast)cooked over the fire, turned black over time and flaked off, taking any other impurities with it.
"Yes... yes... excellent, mmmn... Huh?"He glances up to Kairus. "Bah! I'm fine, young blue. I've survived far worse. And like I told ya well before, goblins aren't the only tenacious species." He expresses, cracking a half-smile before turning back to his meal. What it lacked in powerful scents, it seemed to more than make up for it taste, judging by the broad smile Hun wore while devouring the meal. But soon enough, it was time to pack up and follow after the others, offering assistance in much the same way as last time by way of discerning local fauna and how they might aid or restrict their progress.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Not trusting the jungle now they've been attacked by the local wildlife twice. Rhogal keeps an eye out for anything else that want to make a meal of them.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
1488
(OOC: I have some internet outages in my area so today’s post will have to be brief/simple - I’m on mobile without access to my desktop tools.)
Either being stubborn or persistent, Hun enjoys a properly cooked and psedo-magically cleansed meal and feels validated in his choice. Kairus is in a good mood too, but alongside Rhogal, is now more aware of the dangers that inhabit the jungle they find themselves in.
Once camp is packed and all are ready, Yulmiath leads them north with the peripheral assistance from the other party members. The prior day's techniques pay dividend once more. Soon enough the group spots a solitary mountain that rises well above the canopy, from the deep portions of the northern jungles (you can see it on the map, at the bottom of hex {D-5}.)
The mountain is a bit to the east from where the party is passing. Should they want to approach it, explore it, or investigate it for whatever reason, it would certainly cost them some time and take them out of the purely north route they have been following.
@Rhogal: For now, you have spotted no new danger.
(OOC: Will the group keep moving north or deviate somewhat to explore this landmark. It is worth saying that you do not recall the tortles mentioning this specific mountain when you were gathering information in Ahoyhoy.)
"Impressive mountain," noted Kairus regarding the peak. "I bet we can see the whole island from the top. Not sure I would want to climb all the way up, though."He turned away from that landmark and squinted towards their destination. "I think I can hear the sea already. We must be close to the wreckage. I trust everyone can swim?" Kairus did not add "underwater" - did not expect it either - but on the map, the mark was placed in the sea, not the shore and it was better to be prepared.
Bristling slightly at the suggestion that he can't swim, Yulmiath crosses his arms.
"You don't spend as long aboard ships without learning how to swim. Knowing how to not drown in the water is the first lesson you get taught if your shipmates like you at all."
Glancing up at the mountain and then at the position of the sun in the sky.
"We're burning daylight, so if we're going climbing instead of swimming, best decide now. Mountain isn't going anywhere but neither is the sea."
"I mostly meant our dwarven friend," calmingly noted Kairus (after all, Rhogal's mushroom collection was definitely acquired on land(s)). "And I totally agree that the mountain can wait, while wrecks become more "wreckag-y" with every passing hour. I'm for getting to our target first." He also would not mind seeing the open water and preferably dive for ... um... some time, but Kairus did not say that out loud.
Hun, having gotten caught upy running numbers and considering the possibility of his scale mail's possibly interfering weight, perked up at Yulmiath's assertions. He then spares the mountain a glance, before simply shaking his head and marking it on the map. "There. Marked it on the map. Might take us up to an hour to "find" the mountain again. But, so long as we keep to the relatively same path as before, we should be golden. Now! Let's see about that wreckage!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Well, I was thrown off my ship out at sea and made it to the beach okay, so no problems here. I agree with Hun's sentiment, mark the mountain for later, let's keep heading to the wrecks"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
1663
The group has a very brief discussion and quickly decides to simply mark the mountain on the map and move onward. Kairus, Yulmiath, and Krodhen seem proud of their ability to swim, while Rhogal seems to rely on a few other tricks if need be. Hun's ability to swim remains a mystery, but the kobold has been on boats plenty, so there is that.
The rest of the morning trek due north goes by fairly pleasantly. Well, as pleasantly as a long walk through a dense jungle can be. As long as no wildlife is threatening the group, though, they seem to accept their ordeal well. By late morning the party spots a hill in the distance. Looking at the map, they recognize that it simultaneously marks the end of the jungle patch and the arrival of the cliff that would deliver them onto the sea (northern part of hex {D-5}.)
Many other smaller hills lead northeast from this point. The group walks up the first, larger hill and can see much farther then when traversing the dense jungle. Looking toward the sea, they see the vast blue that many of them are well acquainted with. The air smells saltier up here, and the sound of waves crashing against rock can be heard in the distance. The northern tip of the island is not far now, though it is still a couple hours away. The grassy hills lead into the northern tip of the island, so the trek won't necessarily and easy/flat one. Maybe the hills and the island's tip together form the basis of the name for this area: High Horn.
An hour into your trip through the hilly area, the group sees some commotion ahead of them. It is hard to tell exactly what is happening at first, but soon you can make up the silhouette of several long-legged birds approaching you by land with some speed. As they get closer, the party notices that the birds are quite tall (some 8ft) and are pecking at the ground as they move. Yulmiath spots a couple of lizards running for their lives, while Krodhen sees one of the birds successfully pinch a lizard with its beak before throwing it in the air and swallowing it. It is not long until the birds themselves notice the party on the open hills, and that encounter brings the hunt to an end. The birds tilt their heads to the side as if examining the group. They walk more cautiously now, but still toward the party. There are five of them.
Once the birds are some 40 feet away from the party, one of them opens its beak to speak! "Who goes there?" it says in Common in an incredibly nasally voice for a creature with no distinct nose. A second crane-like creature repeats the question in Aquan, but only Kairus understands it.
(@Lerus: Nerd: *Adjusts glasses, and in nasally voice says*: Um actually, as a kobold he should have advantage on any food based saves, considering the type of places and foodstuff in general that are a regular diet of kobolds. Especially those that dwell in city sewers.)
(J/k, j/k! Knowing my luck anyways, Hun was bound to pay the piper. And with Kobolds normally having a -2 Con mod, the above may seem even more silly. :P Though, I am so preparing Purify Food and Drink again from now on. XD)
Hun is fairly out of comission for the rest of the night, to say the least. Perhaps if Rhogal suggests his collection might help with his current gut problems, then the Kobold could perhaps be convinced to share in it. Otherwise, with what little shred of pride the kobold had left, he digs into his own rations... assuming his stomach would allow for it following his most recent ordeal. Strangely enough, Hun actually goes about collecting the rest of the bug carcasses as well with a strained look of determination on his face.
If anyone gives him funny looks for it, Hun put on a confident face and says, "It just needs Paprika, some soot, and a splash of lemon dizzle. Mark my words." Then its back to shoveling corpses into the satchel of holding, treating them some weak cooling agent left over from his more potent batch prepared earlier that day. After all of that, unless asked to by Yulmiath, Hun definitely had plans to sit out taking any watch to give his gut more time to recover.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Since we all have darkvision, it seems fire is not even necessary?)
It did not need to take long for
fivefour strong men to clear up enough space to sleep. Kairus was slowly getting used to the idea of sleeping (walking, living) on the surface that did not sway and with some good imagination, one could turn the sounds of the jungle into the sounds of the sea... Actually, no, the last one was not possible. But it was interesting to listen to all this rustling in the thicket around with the occasional call of a night bird or an animal.Kairus woul agree to any shift - morning or midnight did not matter. And try his best to be attentive:
Perception: 18
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Watching Hun dive for the undergrowth after his culinary experiment, Yul allows himself a wry smile. Getting a whiff of the aftermath wipes that smile away quickly and makes him thankful for a vegetable based dinner to come.
Busying himself with the building of a small fire for the party, Yulmiath stashes some of the kindling he's found to help with creating another tomorrow night. Happy to take any watch, Yul settles round the fire, feeling a little smug.
Perception - 12
(OOC We could extinguish the fire come watch time? My thinking is that some things in the night won't like the fire, others might be attracted to it.)
(True, and it's hard to say what is worse. But I suspect our darkvision works better than usual+fire)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Rhogal is content with any watch.
Perception: 11
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
19 14
Despite the somewhat embarrassing ordeal, Hun speaks quite unapologetically about his plans for the remaining stirges. The others are not especially convinced of the tiny beasts' value as a suitable meal. Giving the kobold the time he needs to recover, the other group members each volunteer for a watch. That is not to start until after the party enjoys an all vegetable dinner and some entertaining conversation among themselves.
Already tending to the fire, Yulmiath claims the evening shift. The thought of extinguishing the flame crosses his mind, but he gathers this would also force the group into a disadvantage when it comes to keeping an eye out over the camp. Hence, the fire burns on. By the end of his watch, the dragonborn has little to report.
Kairus wakes up for the late night shift and expresses similar doubts about the fire. It is not a cold night, though the extra light can be helpful and the heat could keep some dangers away. Well, not all dangers, judging from all the jungle noises the triton hears over the next two hours. Despite any concerns the bard may have had, he is quite sure nothing of interest approached the camp during his watch.
Rhogal is shaken awake for the deep night shift, but cannot hide his grogginess. At points, the druid can't help but close his eye momentarily, which make for a poor watch. Despite all of that, by the time the dwarf completes his shift he is happy to report that no undue risk befell the camp. He wakes Krodhen up and goes to catch some more sleep before the rooster crows.
(OOC: I'll wait a bit longer to see if we get a roll for Krodhen's watch.)
Somewhat belatedly (just spent the day in hospital) Krodhen first goes for his sword, but when he finds himself dodging the falling beasts he turns to Kairus and acknowledges the quick thinking action "Way to go, Kairus!"
Acceding to groups intent to rest for the night, and happily taking some of the offered foraging, and whilst eyeing Hun a little empathetically, Krodhen beds down for the night and wakes when roused, obviously a little too groggy to pay much attention to the surroundings as he sets to watch in the early hours
Perception: 5
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
(@MuggsHill: I hope all is well.)
While Rhogal was a bit sleepy during his watch, Krodhen's inattention takes the cake. There are large chunks of his early morning shift that the ex-pirate cannot recall. That said, by the time he is schedule to wake the rest of the group up, a cursory look over camp reveals no unexpectedly misplaced items or signs of mischievousness.
The group went to bed early, so they are now all waking up before sunrise. It is still dark out but the sun will be rising by the time camp is packed and the party is ready to go. You may complete your long rest, though that means your temp HP from the mud bath are forfeit.
(OOC: Following Yulmiath's planned trajectory, the group aims to head straight north through hex {D-5}. Let's get a survival check and let me know what the group is doing during this morning stroll as well.)
(Do we keep our Temp HP?)
Kairus woke up in the perfect mood (not that someone saw him in another one recently) whistling "One More Day" while stretching, packing camp, and (if they did not eat all the fruits yesterday) helping to organize a simple breakfast.
"How do you feel, grandpa?" He glanced at Hun with genuine concern. "Ready to brave the rest of the way? Looks like we can make it today to the wrecks, right, Yulmiath? Of course, depends on how many more locals will come to try to make breakfast from us." Kairus looked up and smiled at the sun rays coming through the green jungle roof. "Nah, who can be so rude on such a perfect morning! Let's just pack and go!"
Like yesterday, he let those with tracking skills track, helping if the help was needed, like taking his turns in cutting the vines on the way or watching for suspicious activity in the underbrash.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Yulmiath takes sight of the map and the local features before offering to lead the party once more. Provided he keeps the sun on the correct side of the party, they should be fine heading north towards High Horn. Keeping a hand axe in hand to deal with any troublesome undergrowth. What could go wrong?
Survival - 17
That morning, apart from Hun's usual tinkering and maintenance of gear, the Kobold had remained determined to proving everyone wrong in making a meal of another couple of chilled Stirge corpses. He also still very much looked somewhat haggered, having awoken at least once in the night to clear out the tubes, as it were. But that wouldn't be enough to stop him! By the time his turn came up to add to the cook fire, the stirges pulled from his bag looked more like stuffed turkeys covered in some kind of glossy or greasy substance that, as they are (ritual cast)cooked over the fire, turned black over time and flaked off, taking any other impurities with it.
"Yes... yes... excellent, mmmn... Huh?"He glances up to Kairus. "Bah! I'm fine, young blue. I've survived far worse. And like I told ya well before, goblins aren't the only tenacious species." He expresses, cracking a half-smile before turning back to his meal. What it lacked in powerful scents, it seemed to more than make up for it taste, judging by the broad smile Hun wore while devouring the meal. But soon enough, it was time to pack up and follow after the others, offering assistance in much the same way as last time by way of discerning local fauna and how they might aid or restrict their progress.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Not trusting the jungle now they've been attacked by the local wildlife twice. Rhogal keeps an eye out for anything else that want to make a meal of them.
Perception: 14
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
14 88
(OOC: I have some internet outages in my area so today’s post will have to be brief/simple - I’m on mobile without access to my desktop tools.)
Either being stubborn or persistent, Hun enjoys a properly cooked and psedo-magically cleansed meal and feels validated in his choice. Kairus is in a good mood too, but alongside Rhogal, is now more aware of the dangers that inhabit the jungle they find themselves in.
Once camp is packed and all are ready, Yulmiath leads them north with the peripheral assistance from the other party members. The prior day's techniques pay dividend once more. Soon enough the group spots a solitary mountain that rises well above the canopy, from the deep portions of the northern jungles (you can see it on the map, at the bottom of hex {D-5}.)
The mountain is a bit to the east from where the party is passing. Should they want to approach it, explore it, or investigate it for whatever reason, it would certainly cost them some time and take them out of the purely north route they have been following.
@Rhogal: For now, you have spotted no new danger.
(OOC: Will the group keep moving north or deviate somewhat to explore this landmark. It is worth saying that you do not recall the tortles mentioning this specific mountain when you were gathering information in Ahoyhoy.)
"Impressive mountain," noted Kairus regarding the peak. "I bet we can see the whole island from the top. Not sure I would want to climb all the way up, though." He turned away from that landmark and squinted towards their destination. "I think I can hear the sea already. We must be close to the wreckage. I trust everyone can swim?" Kairus did not add "underwater" - did not expect it either - but on the map, the mark was placed in the sea, not the shore and it was better to be prepared.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Bristling slightly at the suggestion that he can't swim, Yulmiath crosses his arms.
"You don't spend as long aboard ships without learning how to swim. Knowing how to not drown in the water is the first lesson you get taught if your shipmates like you at all."
Glancing up at the mountain and then at the position of the sun in the sky.
"We're burning daylight, so if we're going climbing instead of swimming, best decide now. Mountain isn't going anywhere but neither is the sea."
"I mostly meant our dwarven friend," calmingly noted Kairus (after all, Rhogal's mushroom collection was definitely acquired on land(s)). "And I totally agree that the mountain can wait, while wrecks become more "wreckag-y" with every passing hour. I'm for getting to our target first." He also would not mind seeing the open water and preferably dive for ... um... some time, but Kairus did not say that out loud.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Hun, having gotten caught upy running numbers and considering the possibility of his scale mail's possibly interfering weight, perked up at Yulmiath's assertions. He then spares the mountain a glance, before simply shaking his head and marking it on the map. "There. Marked it on the map. Might take us up to an hour to "find" the mountain again. But, so long as we keep to the relatively same path as before, we should be golden. Now! Let's see about that wreckage!"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"If by 'swimmin' ' ya mean frantically flailing tryin' ta get some semeblance of floating... Yeah, I can do that." Rhogal responds.
"I have me some o' this as well." He says taking out his bag of desiccating spores.
Extended Signature
"Well, I was thrown off my ship out at sea and made it to the beach okay, so no problems here. I agree with Hun's sentiment, mark the mountain for later, let's keep heading to the wrecks"
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
DM's Screen:
1 66 3
The group has a very brief discussion and quickly decides to simply mark the mountain on the map and move onward. Kairus, Yulmiath, and Krodhen seem proud of their ability to swim, while Rhogal seems to rely on a few other tricks if need be. Hun's ability to swim remains a mystery, but the kobold has been on boats plenty, so there is that.
The rest of the morning trek due north goes by fairly pleasantly. Well, as pleasantly as a long walk through a dense jungle can be. As long as no wildlife is threatening the group, though, they seem to accept their ordeal well. By late morning the party spots a hill in the distance. Looking at the map, they recognize that it simultaneously marks the end of the jungle patch and the arrival of the cliff that would deliver them onto the sea (northern part of hex {D-5}.)
Many other smaller hills lead northeast from this point. The group walks up the first, larger hill and can see much farther then when traversing the dense jungle. Looking toward the sea, they see the vast blue that many of them are well acquainted with. The air smells saltier up here, and the sound of waves crashing against rock can be heard in the distance. The northern tip of the island is not far now, though it is still a couple hours away. The grassy hills lead into the northern tip of the island, so the trek won't necessarily and easy/flat one. Maybe the hills and the island's tip together form the basis of the name for this area: High Horn.
An hour into your trip through the hilly area, the group sees some commotion ahead of them. It is hard to tell exactly what is happening at first, but soon you can make up the silhouette of several long-legged birds approaching you by land with some speed. As they get closer, the party notices that the birds are quite tall (some 8ft) and are pecking at the ground as they move. Yulmiath spots a couple of lizards running for their lives, while Krodhen sees one of the birds successfully pinch a lizard with its beak before throwing it in the air and swallowing it. It is not long until the birds themselves notice the party on the open hills, and that encounter brings the hunt to an end. The birds tilt their heads to the side as if examining the group. They walk more cautiously now, but still toward the party. There are five of them.
Once the birds are some 40 feet away from the party, one of them opens its beak to speak! "Who goes there?" it says in Common in an incredibly nasally voice for a creature with no distinct nose. A second crane-like creature repeats the question in Aquan, but only Kairus understands it.