Ithelion grimaces and tries to avoid the splatter from Garnets blow, the moves to get a clear shot of the remaining ant.

Attack: 13 Damage: 6

Quote from Ereshion >>

Ithelion grimaces and tries to avoid the splatter from Garnets blow, the moves to get a clear shot of the remaining ant.

Attack: 15 Damage: 10

 Ithelion's arrow pierces the last ant and it falls, dead.

End of combat.

The dead ants lie before you, their carcasses of hardened chitin gleaming in the waning light.

The peasants edge out from behind the farmhouse..."H-h-hello?  Th-thank you.  I-I'm not sure we'd have lasted for much longer," a middle-aged man squeaks from near the front of the house, barely loud enough to be heard.  They, all three, are shaken but miraculously only received some scratches from the ordeal.  Your timing seemed impeccable.  The man gathers his wheelbarrow and begins working on the carcass.  "Normally, Karakas would lead us out and help us with the game," he begins, the other two (presumably wife and child) begin to help him as well.  "But she disappeared a while ago lookin' for them silly twins.  Hopefully this'll last us a while.  We learned a lesson not to come out so far from town."  He looks up, a bit mortified.  "Apologies!  My name's Horn, and this is my boy Jake, and my wife Lishel.  Sorry, strangers, but if you could wait for us to finish up - or maybe there's one of you that's really good at this?"  He points to the deer carcass.  [does anyone want to make a sleight of hand/DEX check?  one person or two people or one person with advantage] 

If you'd like to do anything in this area, now's the time, as Daemyar's warning from earlier echoes in your minds...

Ithelion takes one step back from the carcass, and smiles weakly at Horn, "Not...not really something I know much about..."

To take her mind from the grisly scene, she makes note of the area, the house and the direction from which the ants came, planning to update her map and notes. Her mind quickly settles into the familiar routine and she turns back to Horn, then turns away from the butchery and addresses Lishel and Jake instead.

"Is there a nest of ants nearby? Do you know why they attacked?"

(( Edit: Also: how far from town are we? ))

@ithelion - They look at each other in confusion before the woman goes back to carving the carcass with the older man, who gives a nod to the youngster, who looks teenager-aged.  "Not sure, ma'am.  Well, probably, somewhere in there but we'll take what we can here and follow you back to town, if you're okay with that.  Umm, well, I guess they attacked because they wanted the deer....and us I s'pose.  Karakas told us the animals are just doin' what they s'posed to, even if they look different."  He looks back down at his parents and helps them continue to load the rest of the deer into the wheelbarrow.

[you're maybe an hour or two from Oakhurst.  The man will be as slow as Daemyar, who has a corpse strapped to his back]

Ithelion nods and smiles at the boy, "Thank you", she says. Was there more to this than meets the eye?

Surveying the lines of bodies with a depressing sense of waste and futility, she goes about the task of retrieving her arrows. As she does so, she checks the ants for signs of civilization: body adornments, tools, or other items. When done, she meditates briefly to clear her mind and calm her nerves.

Krom tugs on his beard as he says to Daemyar, "Well, this is a wee bit awkward. Let's be off fer any more beasties come crawling out from the trees."

Quote from Ereshion >>

Ithelion nods and smiles at the boy, "Thank you", she says. Was there more to this than meets the eye?

Surveying the lines of bodies with a depressing sense of waste and futility, she goes about the task of retrieving her arrows. As she does so, she checks the ants for signs of civilization: body adornments, tools, or other items. When done, she meditates briefly to clear her mind and calm her nerves.

You're able to find half your arrows that you fired.

You don't find any adornment or any type.  When searching, you use your foot to move the ant body.  Its body is protected by hard, durable chitin...you can't help but wonder what a talented smith might do with such material...

@all - time to leave?  With the peasants or do you want to leave them to their fate?  

Daemyar cares little. These people knew what they got into. The risk is on them now

 (( I'd vote to wait for them, but perhaps someone might help them? ))

Ithelion tries to drag one of the ants to the corral, but soon gives up. "Armour -- or a shield -- made of this chitin might be interesting" she says to the group.

She eyes Krom speculatively, trying to imagine him in shiny ant-armour. "Perhaps a little gaudy, though." 

 If it looks like Krom and Daemyar are preparing to leave, Ithelion will say to Horn, "It's important we get back before any more ants come, take the best and leave the rest...it may delay any pursuit."

Ithelion's thought about a shield actually sounds like a good idea. Garnet taps on the ant shell, maybe she can bring a piece back.If possible she could grab a piece of chitin to bring back to town hopefully large enough to get a shield out of it, or at least be able to trade for one.
Watching the humans struggle with the deer and her companions warnings about more ants. Garnet is feeling uneasy. " I think we should go."
Garnet will offer to push the wheel barrow. If it is possible to keep the chitin piece she will if not she will leave it behind for now.

(I have no idea what to roll for this and I'm a bit sleep delirious so here's a few rolls.)
Strength: 9
Dexterity: 7
Persuasion:12

@garnet - your DEX check (sleight of hand) was what was requested, so I will use that.    Garnet uses her long sword, expertly cutting off the large piece of chitin on the back of the ant.  You think that you might be able to use it for a breast plate or possibly bracers; if you'd like to take enough to fashion bra cers, breast plate, shin guards (ARMOR SET) just let me know.  

The boy and the man trade off pushing the wheelbarrow, looking grimly at Daemyar's dripping, oozing parcel strapped to his back.  You encounter no other obstacles from this point on into Oakhurst,.  Between Garnet, Daemyar, and the family you all make slower time then normal, and arrive after sunset.  Here is the map of Oakhurst, as a way of a reminder.  You come back into town via the Old Road, FYI.  (ignore the arrows, they were from before).

What would you like to do?

As they near the town, Ithelion will run ahead to warn of the imminent gruesome arrival. It's after dark, so she hopes the streets are less busy, and heads to the temple. If she sees Felosial on the way, she will pause and take a moment to collect her thoughts ((I'll need to think!)), but if she gets to the temple, she will enter and ask to speak to the priest, and explain the situation and ask where the body might be brought for proper respect...

@ithelion - you don't see Felosial around but being the constable/sheriff, she's likely to be found in a couple of spots.  Since you don't say you're going to her, I'll assume you're going to Corkie at the temple.

The temple is dark but you see a light inside.  You decide to go in to see Corkie.  She is not there but one of her acolytes are.  After a brief conversation, he disappears for a moment and Corkie comes out.  "Ah, a newcomer!  Sit child, have some tea," Corkie says to you.  Despite her small stature she is quite insistent and strong.  As you explain the situation to her, she looks confused.  "Well, child, have you not spoken with Karakas' love?  It would not be my place to say one way or another, though I understand the ways of elves and counted Karakas as a dear friend.  Perhaps you should seek his mate?  She's likely at the barracks, the jail, or at the inn."  She raises an eyebrow, clearly a bit surprised that you are asking her what to do with the remains...

(( I don't think Ithelion knows what Karakis does, but she has heard of Corkie IIRC, and local priests serve many needs, at least in theory ))

Ithelion looks a little awkward, "I was not sure how Karakas would react, nor was I thinking that the sight of the body in it's current state would be ... easy."

"As a local spiritual leader...I felt you might have some suggestions, or skills, or perhaps be able to support Felosial. If not, then I shall bow to the warrior instincts of Daemyar. These ways are foreign to me...so perhaps a glorious return, however gruesome, is the most appropriate."

Ithelion turns slowly to leave, shaking her head slightly. Clearly I have much to learn. She gives Corkie a moment to consider, then walks slowly back to the bulk of the party, deciding to defer to the insights of Daemyar and Krom, more detached now, and interested to see how the scene plays out, once more becoming an observer rather than participant, confused by the ways of humans in general, and dwarven priests in particular.

Corkie smiles at you. “Rest your thoughts, daughter. It is not my intention to make your thoughts move to doubt, nor do I dismiss your intentions. Karakas was a beloved part of this town and she saved many of us. She was a dreamer, a thinker and a child of nature. She came to me often and would write everything down. Did you find her notebook?”  She shakes her head, thinking better of it. “Never the mind. Find Felosial. The two shared a deep bond and despite her reaction, I’m sure she would be relieved to know one way or another.”  She looks curiously at the mention of Daemyar. “Ah, the hobgoblin with you. Felosial told me of him. We all are looking for something but warriors tend to be rough around the edges. You would be wise to remember the softer lines of action - not every problem can be smashed to reveal an answer.  Find Felosial, relieve her burden from your brow and do what you were meant to do.”  She smiles at you warmly. “Is there anything else an old halfling can do for you?”

(( lol, thought she was a dorff ))

Ithelion shakes her head at Corkies question, thanks her, and departs. When she rejoins the party, she will leave the talking to Daemyar.

Krom walks in pace with Garnet, "Do ye still need a shield, lass? I can make ye one if ye want."

Garnet looks suprised at Krom's comment. "You can do that?" She knew the dwarf was a cleric of Moradin the Soul Forger,but she knew little otherwise. "I mean, yes! " She quickly added in answer to his question. " I would be honored."

Krom nods, "Aye, I can. Just need 'bout an hour and some extra metal to work with. We still got any spare equipment that we found?"