Soren charges the last non-Gundak minotaur, a grimace on his face. 

Attack: 25 Damage: 7

Callaphe's arrow pierces the minotaur as Tisto's warbling balls of energy smash the ground next to the minotaur.  A moment later Soren steps in and drives his blade into its chest and the creature falls dead.

You all stand (or float) quiet for a moment catching your breath.  Gundak starts to search the bags and packs that are strewn around the small camp.   After several minutes of increasing frustration he declares that he cannot find it and fears it is lost.  As you look around you notice there are additional minotaur tracks that lead off deeper into the plains.  "I fear others of the Felhide family have left and have the relic with them." he says 

"Then I suppose that we will have to pursue them." says Areus to Gundak. The Akronian then looks around noticing the wounds on the minotaur and on his companions "You have been hurt badly, maybe we should rest for a while to tend to your wounds before continuing our march."

Saya studies the tracks to have a better sense of the direction they went, and how fresh they are. (Survival: 14)

Gundak sits down on the ground, blood seeping from wounds.  "Perhaps you are right.  I am too weak to fight the Felhide family again.  Rest would do me good.  If the others have left this place would be safe to rest. We can continue the hunt after we rest." he says, clearly frustrated yet resigned to rest for the moment.

Saya follows the tracks a short ways and can tell that they move deeper into the plains and that they are at least a few hours old.

"We all could use some rest, but we should set out soon while the tracks are still fresh." Recommends Saya.

(OOC: Short Rest?)

Areus nods in agreement "We should not rest more than one hour or two. The Felhide family has already a few hours of advantage on us, but they do not know that we are pursuing them."
The hoplite sits down and starts cleaning his spear while keeping an eye on his surrounding.

Tisto descends from his vantage point in time to hear the party decide to take a short rest. As the party sits around recovering he entertains them with stories and jokes - functioning as a Song of Rest - unusually for  Tisto he shows a level of respect and does not tell any jokes about how the first Minotaurs are alleged to have come into existence.

Saya rests a little listening to Tisto's stories. (Saya regains 10 HP (2d8+1d6))

Areus chuckles a bit as Tisto tells his stories.

(OOC I did not get hit so I do not heal up, but I regain the use of my Superiority dices and action surge)

You take an hour or so to rest, collect your thoughts and even laugh a bit at the jokes Tisto tells.  You then gather your things and make your way south, following the tracks of the Felhide minotaurs.  About a half hour later as you round a bend in a canyon you can see several Minotaurs approaching.  As they see you they raise their hands in welcome.  You can see that while armed, they have no weapons bared and appear to not be hostile at the moment. 

"They are not Felhide" Gundak says, "I know the name of the one that leads them, they are of the Mocid family.  That is Nalke that leads.  A reasonable one to deal with.  Let us see what they want."

"If you say so Gundak" replies Areus as the minotaurs approach the group "Let's be prepared anyway in case they turn hostile." says to the rest of the group.
The Akronian walks then next to Gundak, taking a neutral, not aggressive, stance as he waits for the minotaurs.

Saya raises her lance, pointing up, while holding her shield close to her body. She goes to the other side of Gundak.

(Saya tries to remember if she ever heard of the Mocid minotaur family. History: 13)

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

Saya raises her lance, pointing up, while holding her shield close to her body. She goes to the other side of Gundak.

(Saya tries to remember if she ever heard of the Mocid minotaur family. History: 12)

 Not much is known, but you have heard they are generally peaceful and care for the land.

Nalke raises a hand and those with him stop,

"Gundak,  what is goin on here?  We heard Felhide camped within our land and came to investigate.  Why are you here and who are these outsiders with you?"

Before Gundak can respond Nalke sees Areus,

"What business do the Akroan have here in the plains?"

Areus, still keeping a non-aggressive stance, replies to Nalke, "The Gods have brought me and my companions here, we are looking for an item hidden in the plains. We stumbled upon Gundak while he was fighting a Chimera and joined force with him as we believe that maybe the Felhide family may have some information about the item we seek."

Nalke looks concerned.  "Indeed.  Has Gundak told what is occurring here at this time?"

Nalke eyes Gundak who seems a bit embarrassed, or concerned at the moment.

"Mogis wants a powerful artifact, but is making the minotaur families fight each other for the glory of presenting it to him. During this competition no one can leave the plains, or they will get smitten by powerful red lightning. Since this fighting has started the other families have been destroying the plains.  This is where we, the Mocid family live.  So the Felhide has the artifact eh, or you think they do?  That is not good.  I am worried the Felhide leader, Dakun will be a problem for all of Theros if he gains and keeps the artifact.  I do not know where their main camp is though.  Mogis is supposed to come the day after tomorrow.  We must ensure the Felhide do not have the artifact when Mogis comes to claim it."

You all know Mogis is the god of slaughter, violence, and war. He is hatred unrestrained, empathy denied, and mercy forgotten, an entity whose very presence incites mortals to violence. Soldiers fear succumbing to his blood lust lest they dishonor themselves, but the vengeful and forsaken call to him for the gift of his rage. He is the brother of Iroas, god of victory, and his antithesis in matters of warfare.

Mogis, like his brother, governs the sphere of warfare. But while Iroas thrives on the glory of honorable victory, Mogis revels in sadism, destruction, and the utter humiliation of the vanquished. He drives warriors to acts of cruelty and malice in their pursuit of victory. Only those who have experienced the terror and violence of war truly understand the seductive nature of Mogis’s power. To feel rage, to be an instrument of wrath—these emotions override the fear of battle. In hatred there is strength, and Mogis revels in this fact. But mortals must beware, for the price he exacts in exchange for this strength is the sacrifice of decency, honor, and compassion.

Saya steps forward. "How may we aid you? I have a feeling that our destines are entwined somehow."

"I agree Saya, I too feel that the Gods brought us here for stopping this Dakun." says Areus "Will you accept the aid of an Akroan, Nalke? If Mogis is supposed to visit the day after tomorrow, we do not have time to waste in past quarrels between our people. "

Callaphe seems more interested in finding her arrows, but she eventually speaks up, "I have no issues with working togeather."

"Well, we must certainly ensure that Dakun does not have the item.  If he does we must get it from him.  He cannot be the one to posses it when Mogis comes.  We must find it and hide it until that time." Looking up at the sun which is falling into the west he continues.  "Come, night comes soon.  I know of a good place to camp not far form here.  Tomorrow you can seek the Felhide and recover the artifact from him."

Looking to Gundak.  "Tell your family what has happened and let them know they must prepare to stop Dakun if he has the artifact. He cannot be the one to present it to Mogis."

Gundak nods in a agreement and prepares to leave.

If there is anything you wish to say to, or question Gundak about, feel free to do before he leaves.