A marauding dragon has laid waste to numerous villages, devouring some residents while displacing others. It strikes without mercy. No one knows where it came from, where it lairs, or how long it intends to terrorize the realm.

But there is hope. Long ago, a werewolf knight of great valor used her wealth to raise a bastion at the edge of the wilderness. This castle had the power to generate a lightning shield around itself—a shield powerful enough to break sieges and keep monsters at bay. The castle was abandoned shortly after the knight passed away. By then, peace had settled across the land, making the stronghold unnecessary.

Villagers displaced by the dragon ask you to travel to Lightning Keep and rid it of any threats. Rumor has it the lightning shield is powered by six magical lightning rods. If you can find these rods, perhaps the lightning shield could be reactivated, allowing refugees fleeing the dragon to use the keep as a sanctuary.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓼

It's been mostly uneventful as the group heads towards the Lightning Keep with its mission ahead. Here and there a large shadow passes overhead only to turn out benign. Squirrels moving large branches. Birds ahead. There a peaceful quiet as you travel through the woods along the path. In the distance you can see the Keep. It seems you're almost there, perhaps another 20 minutes, as the midday sun shines through the leaves of the forest.

As you continue your journey you come across a clearing in the woods, but something feels off. Branches lay around broken off. The leaves of a fallen tree are still green though wilting. In the middle of this clearing you can see the carcasses of three deer. By now most of the meat is gone and some bones are strewn around the ground, cracked off. There's a dead quiet in the air.

What do you?

“Well…” Kyren sighs “this totally isn’t disturbing at all” he says with thick sarcasm

Kpp'ar walks to the head of the group and says, "Somethin' feels off. Let me check around, everyone."

Perception: 17

Lysander has been enjoying the walk before this. “I have to agree. But cut the sarcasm, spell boy.”

“You can cast spells too twinkle toes” Kyren strikes back

“Mmmph.” While Kpp’ar looks around, Lysander inspects the mess for clues. Investigation: 7

Kyren is also looking around, though he seems to be a lot less worrisome than a kid SHOULD be *pov: you have a sassy elf child in your party*
Perception: 13

Quote from AgateElk8337 >>

Kpp'ar walks to the head of the group and says, "Something feels off. Let me check around, everyone."

Perception: 18

Quote from NoiSilverheart >>

Kyren is also looking around, though he seems to be a lot less worrisome than a kid SHOULD be *pov: you have a sassy elf child in your party*
Perception: 13

Together, Kpp'ar and Kyren are able to get a good grasp of the clearing. The find various tracks that could perhaps be further investigated with survival and can see the damage seems to be limited to the clearing in particular.

They also get a whiff of some medium*-sized animals in the distance approaching the clearing. Laying low to the ground and making use of the foliage for cover.

*medium as in the DND-term 

Quote from Bananer28046 >>

“Mmmph.” While Kpp’ar looks around, Lysander inspects the mess for clues. Investigation: 7

Lysander isn't able to tell much but he gets a sense from the marks and cracks on the bones that they were caused by a large** creature.

**large as in the generic term

Kpp'ar turns to the party and whisper yells, "Everyone hide! Something's comin' this way!"

He then readies his longbow.

 Harmir whispers over, "where?!" while pulling out a small chunk of crystal attached to a fine chain.

"I dunno! But they're hidin' in the brush, so be careful!"

(Just to let you guys know, Kpp'ar has a faint Scottish accent.)

Lysander hides behind a tree. Stealth: 23

Kpp'ar attempts to hide in some bushes while his bow is at full draw.

Stealth: 6

(Well s***.)

That’s why you leave the sneaky stuff to the rogue >:)

Kyren investigates a little more partially to make his teammates worry even if they don’t, and partially to see wth is in the græss 

Survival: 8

Kpp'ar, who appears to be lying on the ground in plain sight but thinks he's hiding, whisper-yells to Kyren and says, "Kyren! Get back o'er here, somethin's comin' this way!"

“Quitcha whinin, I’m checking it out. Think it’s a swamp puppy?”

"Whatever can rip the flesh from three different deer bodies is definitely not a puppy!"

“It’ll be fine”