Erolith’s jovial demeanor quickly vanishes as he hears strange noises resembling reptilian voices somewhere ahead. He turns to the other members of the party and flashes them a concerned look of warning while attempting to make non-verbal signals.

After signaling to the group he attempts to stealthily find a vantage point to see what the source of the sounds are and if they pose a threat to the group.

Investigation = 4

Seeing nothing and completely misses the visual sign from Erolith, into the heart of the clearing, The Black Rose strode purposefully. “I guess we are gonna stop her for while?”

With a graceful sweep of his hand, The Black Rose began the ritual of setting up his alchemist supplies. Bottles clinked softly as they found their places, and vials were carefully arranged like precious jewels on a jeweler's display.

Seeing Erolith's sudden change in behavior and silent signals, Tarton quietly heads to where he first heard the gurgling noises from the river to see if he can find any signs of what was there on the bank and listening for what has caught Erolith's attention. On his way he comes close to The Black Rose and puts a finger to his lips and points the direction of the river where he is heading. His hopes that whatever he heard earlier was something that was scared away by them replaced with regret for not investigating it right away.

Stealth: 20
Perception (listening for sounds): natural 20, 25 total

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Do you want Investigation or Survival for looking for signs of what was on the shore near where the gurgling came from, or do you just want to use the Perception check for everything?

The Black Rose registers Tarton's sign as he gets close enough for his other senses to pick up on it. Quickly packing his belongings, he stealthily follows Tarton, staying vigilant.

———

stealth: 13
perception: 10 

As Tarton pokes his head stealthily through the reeds, he catches a tangy musk on the air that warns him to move with even more caution.  And the five giant lizards he sees sluggishly oozing their way northwards along the muddy riverbank are ample confirmation of the evidence of his nose.  He doesn't think they've detected the party at this point, but their course upriver from the south will bring them to the clearing you are in within the next ten to fifteen minutes if they continue their current rate of progress and then you will certainly be seen.  On the other hand, the northern opening leading out of the clearing is as far from the river as possible ... at least in Tarton's hurried memories ... and the path leading thence seemed to bear steadily inland.

The Black Rose, too, smells the creatures' musk, though he seems unable for the moment to place it in his memory.

=====

(it depends.  in this case the cause was obvious enough once the concealment was gone that PER was plenty.  Picking out one voice from numerous  mixed whispers from across the river on a windy day?   thaaaaaat's 'nother story)

Tarton turns to the group and says, "Five giant lizards are making their way up the river and will be here in about ten minutes. Do we want to wait and kill them or move on before they come?" He then returns to closer to the center of the clearing. After a pause he adds, "I suddenly have a strong desire for a lizard skin cloak. Just think how good that would blend into the environment."

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Would help if I would read correctly. Edited to correct Tarton's reaction.

Hello is this still open? if not, you might want to add a closed tag.

Sure is!  You can either post applications here or PM them to me (with:

• Ability scores: (4d6, drop lowest; take standard array if you hate what you get)**
• Character name:
• Character race, class/subclass*:
• (Background) Backstory: )

and then I'll PM you if selected about writing an intro scene for your character into the thread

-------------------
In case you didn't notice, I corrected response above.

"So, that is the cause of that smell," The Black Rose remarked, wispering the realization that had dawned upon him. With a sudden gesture, he brought his finger to his lips and then lifted it gracefully into the air. The intention was clear – to discern the direction of the wind. His eyes narrowed in concentration, tracking the subtle shifts in air currents that carried the olfactory tapestry of the surroundings.

The thought lingered unspoken, the unsaid question hanging in the air: Does the wind carry our scent to the giant lizard? 

————

Nature: 6

To The Black Rose's relief, and the wrinkled noses of anyone else as near as he and Tarton to the southern edge, the wind is blowing upriver.  It is the lizards who are having their scent carried to you.

Erolith ponders the predicament the group finds themselves in and verbalizes his thoughts aloud.

”Are these lizards naturally found in this area or are they an invasive species? Are they an evilly inclined creature? Do they pose a threat to us or should we simply let them be?”

He glances towards the direction of the incoming lizards. “Evil should be stood up to in the world but I would prefer not to become a merchant of death when it is not warranted.”

"I'm inclined to agree. Large though they may be, the lizards present neither an entertaining challenge, nor a worthwhile reward. Better to save our strength."

Gwrgi peers through the reeds before replying, "They're native.  I'd swear the lizardfolk couldn't have brought them into the area.  If they were domesticated they'd bear signs of having worn either saddle girth or pack harness before ... even the lizardfolk need some means of guiding the creatures.  These lizards more likely hatched within five miles of here and have been foraging up and down the same stretch of river ever since."

Having not tested his skills against Gwrgi in two days of travel, Tarton relents to the seemingly crushing impulse and tries to hide a pebble somewhere on Gwrgi. He does not try to hide his actions from anyone else in the group, only trying to avoid Gwrgi's notice.

Slight of Hand in log: 18

Gwrgi gives absolutely no sign of having noticed Tarton's actions.  She looks at the lizards through the reeds again, and scratches the scales of her jaw.  "Ten minutes at least until they get here.  Plenty of time to head inland if that's what you want to do.  Then we could come back for the boats after they've passed.  They're not great swimmers, so we wouldn't have any trouble getting by them again."

Erolith nods in agreement. “Let’s make sure we stay downwind of the beasts and wait for them to pass. I’ll take point.”

Erolith checks the wind and searches for the most secure path to take the party out of the way of the oncoming lizards.

Tarton walks away from Gwrgi, towards the middle of the clearing and gives a loud, long sigh of relief. "That's comforting to hear, Gwrgi. Lets be off."

----------------------------------------------------
Has Moon137 expressed more interest in joining, or have they not replied yet?

The realization, that the wind was not a traitorous messenger carrying their scent to the giant lizards, washed over The Black Rose and a released breath, held unconsciously, escaped with newfound ease.

"We are looking for a campsite, right? Is indland the best option?" 

Gwrgi nods, then remembers The Black Rose cannot see her gesture and says aloud, "Yes.  Half their food they find in the water and much of the rest among the oozy muds and weedy grasses of the near riverbank.   Left to their own devices, a lizard pack that has once taken to hunting a river very seldom drifts back inland."

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(not unless my inbox is on the fritz)