With Normont taking exceptional care of the vehicles and Lokilia minding the animals expertly they made great progress along the Parchwood Way. Indeed it is Lokilias close relationship with their steeds and draught animals that allos them to avoid a Ravager trap set upon the road ahead of time giving Quinn and the others time to move the obstacles set up to block the way and Normont time to shear up the axles to clear the potholes dug......because of this they are well on their way before the spotters return with the raiding party left far behind on the road.
Making excellent time the group are more than half-way to Turst Fields as the third day draws to a close, as they set up camp for the night once again their mounts warn them of danger on the wind......
Lokilia-
" A herd of plainscow are passing us over the next hill....we can smell them....but something is hunting them....like a cat....maybe two cats....plainscows are very big....."
Lokilia informs the others. "The animals report a herd of plainscow moving over the next hill. That's not really a danger, but they sense something hunting them. Perhaps a cat or two. Pretty big ones probably too disturb plainscow."
She takes a moment to survey the terrain. (Survival: 6; trying to estimate likely paths for the cats) "Maybe we'd be better off finding them before they find us?"
"This could prove interesting, hopefully they are just big cats and nothing more dangerous, especially if they view us as easier food than the plainscows." Magnus comments as he looks around for a possible defensive position, preferably a higher plateau around with a more advantageous view of the surrounding area.
Survival w/ Guidance: 12
[OOC: Don't forget all, out of combat just assume I will be casting Guidance when you need to roll, unless the DM says otherwise, tense situation or what not. :) ]
Normont listens to Lokilia's warning with interest, and to Magnus as well.
"We would be a mere snack to anything hunting Plainscow, be it cats or something else. But worth being cautious and finding out more. I agree with Magnus, there are worse things we can come across", he says before whispering to Amber in Gnomish.
"Fly up and see what you can see over the next hill. See if you can spot a herd of four legged creatures and see what is hunting them. Be stealthy in case it is not merely cats we need to worry about", he instructs her.
With that, Amber leaps into the air and flies off.
Lokilia informs the others. "The animals report a herd of plainscow moving over the next hill. That's not really a danger, but they sense something hunting them. Perhaps a cat or two. Pretty big ones probably too disturb plainscow."
She takes a moment to survey the terrain. (Survival: 6; trying to estimate likely paths for the cats) "Maybe we'd be better off finding them before they find us?"
Lokilia is familiar with Crag Cats, Lynx and Snow Leopards from her homeland but that is very different terrain and very different animals to the rolling hills and plains to their south.
"This could prove interesting, hopefully they are just big cats and nothing more dangerous, especially if they view us as easier food than the plainscows." Magnus comments as he looks around for a possible defensive position, preferably a higher plateau around with a more advantageous view of the surrounding area.
Survival w/ Guidance: 12
[OOC: Don't forget all, out of combat just assume I will be casting Guidance when you need to roll, unless the DM says otherwise, tense situation or what not. :) ]
Magnus locates a low hill nearby but it offers little vantage over the others surrounding them.
Normont listens to Lokilia's warning with interest, and to Magnus as well.
"We would be a mere snack to anything hunting Plainscow, be it cats or something else. But worth being cautious and finding out more. I agree with Magnus, there are worse things we can come across", he says before whispering to Amber in Gnomish.
"Fly up and see what you can see over the next hill. See if you can spot a herd of four legged creatures and see what is hunting them. Be stealthy in case it is not merely cats we need to worry about", he instructs her.
With that, Amber leaps into the air and flies off returning after a couple of minutes and informs Normont ( it doesn't state whether the Homonculus can speak but lets say Normont can understand regardless) that there are a half dozen elephant sized bovines nearby with one smaller one being trailed by two cats the size of the wagon.......they are about 900' away currently though one of the cats is tending toward the camp slowly.
Normont converses with Amber on her return before turning to the others.
"Cats it is, as large as our wagon", he starts. "Two that Amber could see that are following a herd of Plainscows, trying to pick off a smaller one at the back. One of the cats is angling towards us. About 900 feet away".
He pats Amber on the head appreciatively.
"I concur with Lokilia's original assessment, we should try and scare them off before they turn their attention to our mounts, and us. And just because Amber only saw two, doesn't mean there won't be more, I expect these cats hunt using stealth as well as speed", he advises.
Having little idea what the big cats look like or are capable of but imagining the worst, Dev, the young bard, loads a bolt into his hand crossbow. He tries not to let the others see that his fingers are trembling.
And then, Dev remembers something he saw once at the lake. A young lynx had been plucked from the ground by a very large hawk. Quietly at first, he experiments creating the screeching sound the bird had made.
"I ma not exactly sure what we should do, just be on our guard I guess. We could also probably make as much noise as we can and maybe start a fire to scare the cat away or make us seem more dangerous than it is worth. I will see what I can do about scaring it away if it starts to approach, but other than that, we should move thew wagon and horses so we are between the creatures and them. Hopefully we seem more of a threat than the plainscows." Magus suggests.
There is a deep low cough-like sound from out in the dark, the companions feeling the low frequency sound in their bones for a moment.....that certainly sounded closer than Amber had indicated.
Another cough-rumble but this time off to the nor-west, further away than the last....
“I guess it’s too late to scare them away?,” Dev moans in an undertone to no one in particular.
His trembling fingers now start tapping on his pan pipes, and almost despite himself, he brings music into existence around the campfire: a terse rhythmic motif that circles itself with nervous energy. The teen tiefling’s breaths come short and fast, and his wide eyes peer into the shadows trying to spot whatever made that noise.
"I do not believe the plainscows will be able to move in the dark, due to a lack of vision. They are likely settling for the night. Whether the cats will carry on the hunt I am not sure", Normontmuses as he unstraps his shield and takes out his pistol.
"Purely for defence, Lokilia, do not worry", he says with a smile as he can't help but bob his head up and down to the beat of Dev's music.
Nature (with Guidance - to figure out his pondering above): 4+3+1=8
Lokilia uses her Speak with Animals to try to communicate to what she presumes are the large cat-like creatures nearby. "Hunters in the grass," she begins, trying to refer to the cats in terms they understand, "we are not prey. You will find us vicious predators if you attack. Persue other prey and we will leave you at peace." (Animal Handling? - 14)
Lokilia uses her Speak with Animals to try to communicate to what she presumes are the large cat-like creatures nearby. "Hunters in the grass," she begins, trying to refer to the cats in terms they understand, "we are not prey. You will find us vicious predators if you attack. Persue other prey and we will leave you at peace." (Animal Handling? - 14)
The others hear a lood low rumble that seems the shake ones teeth in ones jaw in response.
" If not prey, why smell like prey. We eat prey shapes, ape shapes can run away."'
One the edge of camp a dark shape suddenly resolved from the shadows regarding them silently the huge spotted lion, some 5'' high at the shoulder and 9' long moved around the boundary of the fire light whilst the other conversed with Lokilia.
Dev’s whisper is louder than intended. But the bone-chilling growling coming from Lokilia frightens the wits out of him. Then when the second lion steps out of the darkness, the hairs on Dev’s arms stand up straight and tingly. Think, Dev!
If any of the palfrey or mule start to lose their composure, Dev will try in vain to becalm them. (Animal Handling: 2+2=4)
Lokilia responds to the lion. "Prey here belongs to ape shapes. We will not give them to you. There is other prey for you. I warn you, we are ferocious." (Animal Handling again: 5)
Normont is also a little taken aback as Lokilia starts to communicate using the same sounds they could hear from the darkness, and even more so at the appearance of the two cats.
"Lokilia?", he whispers. "You need to tell us what to do. We will act on your signal if we have to".
He stands very still, with his shield in front of him and pistol in his hand by his side, ready to be called into action.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
With Normont taking exceptional care of the vehicles and Lokilia minding the animals expertly they made great progress along the Parchwood Way. Indeed it is Lokilias close relationship with their steeds and draught animals that allos them to avoid a Ravager trap set upon the road ahead of time giving Quinn and the others time to move the obstacles set up to block the way and Normont time to shear up the axles to clear the potholes dug......because of this they are well on their way before the spotters return with the raiding party left far behind on the road.
Making excellent time the group are more than half-way to Turst Fields as the third day draws to a close, as they set up camp for the night once again their mounts warn them of danger on the wind......
Lokilia-
" A herd of plainscow are passing us over the next hill....we can smell them....but something is hunting them....like a cat....maybe two cats....plainscows are very big....."
Lokilia informs the others. "The animals report a herd of plainscow moving over the next hill. That's not really a danger, but they sense something hunting them. Perhaps a cat or two. Pretty big ones probably too disturb plainscow."
She takes a moment to survey the terrain. (Survival: 6; trying to estimate likely paths for the cats) "Maybe we'd be better off finding them before they find us?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"This could prove interesting, hopefully they are just big cats and nothing more dangerous, especially if they view us as easier food than the plainscows." Magnus comments as he looks around for a possible defensive position, preferably a higher plateau around with a more advantageous view of the surrounding area.
Survival w/ Guidance: 12
[OOC: Don't forget all, out of combat just assume I will be casting Guidance when you need to roll, unless the DM says otherwise, tense situation or what not. :) ]
Normont listens to Lokilia's warning with interest, and to Magnus as well.
"We would be a mere snack to anything hunting Plainscow, be it cats or something else. But worth being cautious and finding out more. I agree with Magnus, there are worse things we can come across", he says before whispering to Amber in Gnomish.
"Fly up and see what you can see over the next hill. See if you can spot a herd of four legged creatures and see what is hunting them. Be stealthy in case it is not merely cats we need to worry about", he instructs her.
With that, Amber leaps into the air and flies off.
Amber
Stealth: 14+4=18
Perception: 5+4=9 (Passive: 14)
Lokilia is familiar with Crag Cats, Lynx and Snow Leopards from her homeland but that is very different terrain and very different animals to the rolling hills and plains to their south.
Magnus locates a low hill nearby but it offers little vantage over the others surrounding them.
Quinn will say, “what shall we do now”
Normont converses with Amber on her return before turning to the others.
"Cats it is, as large as our wagon", he starts. "Two that Amber could see that are following a herd of Plainscows, trying to pick off a smaller one at the back. One of the cats is angling towards us. About 900 feet away".
He pats Amber on the head appreciatively.
"I concur with Lokilia's original assessment, we should try and scare them off before they turn their attention to our mounts, and us. And just because Amber only saw two, doesn't mean there won't be more, I expect these cats hunt using stealth as well as speed", he advises.
Having little idea what the big cats look like or are capable of but imagining the worst, Dev, the young bard, loads a bolt into his hand crossbow. He tries not to let the others see that his fingers are trembling.
And then, Dev remembers something he saw once at the lake. A young lynx had been plucked from the ground by a very large hawk. Quietly at first, he experiments creating the screeching sound the bird had made.
(OOC:
minor illusion. Sound of… a giant hawk.)
“Will that scare it?,” he asks the others.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"I ma not exactly sure what we should do, just be on our guard I guess. We could also probably make as much noise as we can and maybe start a fire to scare the cat away or make us seem more dangerous than it is worth. I will see what I can do about scaring it away if it starts to approach, but other than that, we should move thew wagon and horses so we are between the creatures and them. Hopefully we seem more of a threat than the plainscows." Magus suggests.
There is a deep low cough-like sound from out in the dark, the companions feeling the low frequency sound in their bones for a moment.....that certainly sounded closer than Amber had indicated.
Another cough-rumble but this time off to the nor-west, further away than the last....
“I guess it’s too late to scare them away?,” Dev moans in an undertone to no one in particular.
His trembling fingers now start tapping on his pan pipes, and almost despite himself, he brings music into existence around the campfire: a terse rhythmic motif that circles itself with nervous energy. The teen tiefling’s breaths come short and fast, and his wide eyes peer into the shadows trying to spot whatever made that noise.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn readies himself in a defensive pose
Lokilia tries to see if she recognizes the sound. (Nature: 5)
(Any chance Speak with Animals is still active - has duration of 10 minutes.)
In a lowered voice, she tells the others, "I'd prefer to avoid a confrontation if we can, unless it becomes unavoidable."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
( There's probably a few minutes left.)
"I do not believe the plainscows will be able to move in the dark, due to a lack of vision. They are likely settling for the night. Whether the cats will carry on the hunt I am not sure", Normont muses as he unstraps his shield and takes out his pistol.
"Purely for defence, Lokilia, do not worry", he says with a smile as he can't help but bob his head up and down to the beat of Dev's music.
Nature (with Guidance - to figure out his pondering above): 4+3+1=8
Lokilia uses her Speak with Animals to try to communicate to what she presumes are the large cat-like creatures nearby. "Hunters in the grass," she begins, trying to refer to the cats in terms they understand, "we are not prey. You will find us vicious predators if you attack. Persue other prey and we will leave you at peace." (Animal Handling? - 14)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The others hear a lood low rumble that seems the shake ones teeth in ones jaw in response.
" If not prey, why smell like prey. We eat prey shapes, ape shapes can run away."'
One the edge of camp a dark shape suddenly resolved from the shadows regarding them silently the huge spotted lion, some 5'' high at the shoulder and 9' long moved around the boundary of the fire light whilst the other conversed with Lokilia.
“You’re talking with it???”
Dev’s whisper is louder than intended. But the bone-chilling growling coming from Lokilia frightens the wits out of him. Then when the second lion steps out of the darkness, the hairs on Dev’s arms stand up straight and tingly. Think, Dev!
If any of the palfrey or mule start to lose their composure, Dev will try in vain to becalm them. (Animal Handling: 2+2=4)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia responds to the lion. "Prey here belongs to ape shapes. We will not give them to you. There is other prey for you. I warn you, we are ferocious." (Animal Handling again: 5)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont is also a little taken aback as Lokilia starts to communicate using the same sounds they could hear from the darkness, and even more so at the appearance of the two cats.
"Lokilia?", he whispers. "You need to tell us what to do. We will act on your signal if we have to".
He stands very still, with his shield in front of him and pistol in his hand by his side, ready to be called into action.