Everasil - Game thread

Ozyre doesn't talk much along the walk back. He seems perfectly content to listen to the singing of the birds and his friends as he ambles along, taking in the new world that he had only just begun to explore.

Perception: 18 (19 - 1)

Cork mimics lyrics sung by both Thurodim and Ember, playing them back slightly behind Thurodim's own singing as a sort of backup vocal. 

As they walk, his rolling chest bounces and rattles along the uneven ground as he pulls it behind them.

Ember is in high spirits. Snacking on pocket jerky. Singing funny songs. Traveling with her new and bestest friends with the hope of finding her Grandpa perched high in her chest. Aggie takes turns riding upon different shoulders, sometimes even scurrying off to run up a tree or two.

The events of the past day are already a distant memory, though more than once the wizard takes out the framed portrait of the farmers, growing quiet as she looks down at their smiling faces. But the moment it’s stowed again, her jovial mood resumes. 

((Perception: 3+2 5 pffttt))

As the party is following the trail alongside the river as they did the day before, the silence is disrupted by a sound. Ozyre and Thurodim are able to perceive a barely audible howl, but Ozyre is able determine that whatever is making this sound is in pain.

It seems to be coming from the south of the trail, away from the river and into some fairly dense woods.

Nature to determine what kind of creature is howling: 0

(Nevermind :-P)

His gnomish ears perking up at the strange sound, Ozyre stops walking for a moment. "Hang on... something is hurt." With, as he decides, sufficient exposition out of the way, he heads off into the thicket to find whatever is there, giving a hand motion for the rest of the party to follow his diversion from the path.

"Maybe it can be dinner," Ember whispers with, as if on cue, a hopeful grumble from her stomach. 

Just in case it could be future pocket jerky, Ember sticks to the shadows of the thicket, her bare feet light across the detritus.


((Stealth with Help from Aggie who points out the crunchy leaves and sticks to avoid (if that's okay!): 15))

Thurodim grunts and nods to the diminutive giant, following him with relatively light steps, giving the little one a small smile at the mention of dinner. He expected them to reach Dawn Point before nightfall but maybe they would do so with a nice catch to feast upon.

Stealth: 10

[Sound of Cork Popping] is momentarily confused when the others stop and begin listening.  Then, upon being cued in to the sound, he tenses with excitement, and joins the others as they creep into the bush.  He does his best to remain silent, though his exuberance is palpable.

Stealth:  13

It's take you a couple moment of walking through branches and leaves, making sure not to trip on some outgrowing roots or rocks. All the while, you keep hearing the howls and use this sound to help guide you to your destination. You know you're going the right way because their getting progressively louder. As you get near the destination, you begin hearing voices. At first, their words are imperceptible, but upon closing in, you can hear several people talking in the common tongue.

You reach a slope giving you a view of a clearing where seven humanoids of various lineage are standing. They are armed with crossbows and spears for the most part. What stands out the most however, is the creature that they've trapped using a large bear trap-like contraption and barbed chains hanging in the trees. It looks like it is properly restrained as the chain restrict its movement and pin it to the ground.

This creature is massively large, probably towering a good 5 feet above Thurodim if it were standing upright. Its features are reminiscent of a large wolf with an emerald-green mane with silvery white highlights. On its head, it bears two large antlers, which at first seem to be made out of wood. It looks distraught and whines in pain as the bard look to be piercing its skin whenever it tries to free itself.

Two of the humanoids are standing over the creature, currently busy trying to saw off one of its antlers. Because they are on an unstable surface, they struggle to complete their task. Three other are pointing their crossbows at the creature, while another stands near the trap-like contraption. Another one, probably the leader, calls out to his collegues.

"Watch it, you oafs! If you're not careful you'll damage the merchandise, and then Boss-man will have all are arses for that.", he orders the two.

"You wanna pick up a saw and do it instead? Be my guest. This bugger keeps squirming. I don't want to cut my own hand either.", one the man replies.

"You're not paid for making excuses, Trent. Pick up the pace, we're on a timeline here.", responds the leader.

(They don't seem to have noticed you approach, but I will require you to make a stealth check if you wish to remain hidden.)

The blonde bearded warrior huffs, not agreeing with the treatment of the horned beast, glancing over at his smaller companions for agreement to intrevene.

New nature to determine what kind of beast this is: 7

Ember, quite taken by the appearance of this beast--something straight out of the fairytales Grandpa used to read to her. But when she sees the trap, a growl rumbles up from deep in her belly. She herself had been caught in her fair share as she scavenged the forest for food back home. And seen the devastation poaching causes. 

Her stride doesn't pause as she stomps through the thicket, heading straight for the group of poachers. 


((Happy to give someone a chance to stop her! Otherwise she's gonna go give them a piece of her mind lol!
Also, just curious if she can make any sense of how the trap works as they catch sight of it? Any release mechanism? Or would she need to be closer to tell?))

Thurodim is not about to stop the little fiery-tempered one from approaching, but he strides quickly to the forefront, making his presence known to the hunters with a disapproving glare.

[Sound of Cork Popping]'s beak hangs open, but in shock this time instead of in mimicry.  Before him stands a peculiar and stunning creature.  He is so taken aback in his own thoughts about what this creature might be, he is a step slow in recognizing that Ember and Thurodim have charged into the fray.

Nature:  23

Mostly going with the flow, Ozyre follows after Ember and Thurodim, who had gotten ahead of him by being quicker to react upon seeing the scene. He says "Hail!" towards the hunting party as he walks towards them, loud enough to let them notice his presence and capability of speech but hopefully not loud enough to alarm any giant emerald antlered wolves in the vicinity.

He makes a point not to hold any weapons, since the last thing he wants is to escalate matters, but it would be difficult for him to try to hide the two large axes at his hips and the massive hammer on his back. From a distance, he looks like weapons with a side of gnome, and the part of his hammer that peeks above his head is where the eyes naturally go before they try a bit lower and see his face. It is, without a doubt, a confusing sight.

Thurodim and [Cork] are quite positive that this creature, who looks to have come out of a madman’s dreams, is something that they have never seen before. In fact, [Cork], with his encyclopedic knowledge of creatures, cannot recall ever seeing something like this in a book.

As the party approaches and hails the group of hunters, the leader turns around, surprised. It’s clear he didn’t expect to meet another group, especially as ragtag as yours, in these parts. His companions armed with crossbows turn around and aim their weapons at you instinctively. The leader, trying to reassure them, make a sign to lower them…for now.

"Hail, to you.", he replies. "You seem to have gotten a little lost there. I suggest you turn around where you came from, strangers."

(It’s a bit too far to see how the trap works. You’d have to get closer to inspect it.)

"We are not lost and we need no suggestions on where to go." The massive blonde bearded warrior huffs as he walks up to the hunter that spoke. "You, what kind of beast is this, and why would you put it in such agony by sawing off it's horns like that?" He says with a demanding voice.

The leader looks not pleased with your response and even less so by your questioning.

"That doesn’t concern you. I’ve asked politely and now I demand: move along!", he says sternly.

Ember knows very well when her age can help or hinder. Usually she doesn't pay much mind either way, but in this case, she tries to use it to their advantage.

Hugging Aggie like a teddy bear to her chest, she comes out from behind the others and puts on big puppy-dog eyes as she moves closer, her tone innocent and awe-filled. "Wooow! You must be the strongest hunters in all the land!" she says in excited admiration as she approaches. "You're like the heroes in my bed time fairytales. Catching the big bad monsters! Was it hard? Were you scared? I bet you weren't scared at all 'cause you all seem really, really brave!" 

((She's trying to get close enough to inspect the trap if possible! Specifically for any means to release it))