"I think you're right, Flores. Lead on." replies Tendilius as he saddles Snowbell.

As day moves onto twilight, the three of you, plus Crow, make your way further down the road toward the sickly smoke. After about a mile or two of travel you see not fire but some type of wooden creatures moving in the field.

Please roll perception

(If you roll higher than DC 10 then, please see the text box below.)

(If you rolled higher than DC 13 then, please open the next text box below;  You also see the following:)

Perception: 17+2 = 19

Tendilius says what he sees, "There's a dead person with wood in them. And two kids hanging on the door of a home. I pray they're doing so to hide and not because they've been hung there." he says with rage bubbling into his words, "I'm of a mind to attack first and ask questions later. What about the rest of you?"

Perception: 21

"It's definitely getting weirder by the moment," Flores adds, "but as to who to attack and why, I'm less sure. What if we reach the bodies and someone attacks us because they assumed we were the perpetrators? I see we proceed with prejudice - but wait to act until we're really sure who did what?" The last part of her sentence was said more as a question than a statement.

Perception check: 18

Tristen gets lost looking at the fire as they travel looking at his companions to see if they see it as well "Agreed, approach with weapons drawn and caution, but hope for peaceful resolution." he says drawing his shield and sword.

As you approach you see what appear to be plant mater or upon reflection, bare (no foliage)  sticks and twigs and small branches formed in humanoid shapes moving across the field. They seem to be about their business, what ever that may be, and pay you no heed. They diligently continue their work of spraying something on the plants as they move across the field. 

With your great perception rolls you see that the plant life, after being sprayed, goes from a healthy green color to showing the beginning signs of the the disease you have seen before. 

"If they're causing this pestilence then I'm not sure a peaceful solution can be found, Tristan. Those bodies on the ground don't seem like the work of peace-minded beings. Approaching them openly may well give up an element of surprise." says Tendilius. To Flores he says, "If someone attacks us, we can deal with that as seems fit. We were hired by the queen afterall so Crow's words could back us up if there's a question as to what we did. As for who did what, I think the wood sticking out of that body is an indication of who attacked who. My guess? They were ruining the farmer's fields so he tried to stop them. And even if he attacked without provocation, I don't believe it excuses hanging the children on the door."

"That said, if you want to try a more conciliatory approach, I am willing to do so. I expect things will come to blows, but perhaps we might learn something if they're capable of speech."

[[how far from the treeline are the creatues; thinking in terms of shortbow and eldritch blast range. How far from the hung children are the creatures? And are there any signs the children are alive?]]

Crow Perception: 25

Crow, looking at the foliage where they had sprayed, he surmises that this is probably a, if not the, cause of the disease. 

Seeing the person, after having it pointed out, agrees. "I think they are not friendly and are causing harm to foliage and residents who get in their way. We must act."

Flores nods, the look on her face suggests she hoped it would not come to this. "I agree, we have to act now as it is obvious they are the perpetrators." She considers her bow but instead draws her blade. "If anyone can conjure fire, now would be a good time, if not, we'll have to get up close and personal."

Tristan just grips tighter on the sword "Fighting it is I guess. Do any of you have fire like our friend suggests?"

Crow says "I do not. But when this is done I remembered a spell I have to purify food and drink. I can test it once we are done stopping them."

Tendilius hears the question about conjuring fire and nods his heads, "Aye, I've got a spell to make a bonfire." says Tendilius, "Though it only has a range of 60ft. So depending on the speed of those things, we may still be looking at a melee." He draws out his wand and a dagger into his hands. "Anyone have a preference to lead on?"

Stealth: 20+3 //for the approach

"Let's see how close we can get without being spotted - and hopefully get within your range Tendilius. And ideally we don't get so close you can't use your fire without risking hitting one of us."

Stealth:  24

Crow Stealth: 14

Tristan begins to try and move as quietly as possible.

OOC:

stealth  check: 2

From what you can see they do not deviate from their tasks.

"Shall we attack?" asks Tendilius. "I think an opening volley followed by whatever skills we have could be quite useful." 

Initiative: 20+3 = 23