[Completed] - Varas/Watchtowers - 8 March, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

Is the idea to spend an hour or so observing the lizard men before heading off to set up camp for the night?

[Keehnelf]

CraP I apologize--I had a huge brain melt this weekend. The reported location of the second tower was WEsT of the first, and I'm assuming that's the way you went. I completely missed giving you the wrong direction--but if on course you're now one hex northwest and one hex west of vaul.

[Zhym]

That makes sense. If we were two hexes NW, we should be in forest.

I agree with getting away with the tower, looking for anything else in this hex, then heading SW, which should put us two hexes west of Vaul.

[AleBelly]

Is the idea to spend an hour or so observing the lizard men before heading off to set up camp for the night?

Varas favors this, if he thinks the party can do so undetected.

[Keehnelf]

The group around the cooking fire don't seem to be on guard at all.

[AleBelly]

Varas suggests their next move in a low voice. "The boy is crazy, wanting to take on those lizard men, but his suggestion of observation is a good one. Let's sit tight for awhile and see if we can figure out how many there are and their intentions. We might even be able to intercept or question a small sortie if they send out scouts" he says hopefully.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall

I don't mean we should run in there and attack! I was just thinking that, with the right plan in place, we might be able to outsmart a small group of them. I agree that it wouldn't hurt to sit tight, preferably down wind, and observe for a while.

Oh, and Varas? You carry weapons but that doesn't necessarily make you an evil person that attacks everything in sight though......right? Maybe we should be less quick to judge until we know for sure?

[Keehnelf]

I'm holding off on narrating anything else here until I hear from either dorvar or Harold that observation works for them, unless you two plan to stick around regardless of their wishes.

[Zhym]

Harold is okay with anything that doesn't involve combat with the scaly green lizard men.

[Keehnelf]

March 10, 1 VC - 4:10pm

The group patiently observes the lizard-man camp. After a few minutes, two of the move to a nearby tent and enter. A few minutes later, a large hulking reptilian with yellow-orange coloration on its underside emerges from a second tent with a large wrought iron cauldron brimming with some kind of stew. It bends down and hooks the cauldron above the cook fire while exchanging guttural comments with the axe-wielding one, then starts stirring the contents, occasionally darting its long tongue to the surface.

After a half-hour has passed in similar fashion, the group feel discouraged about discovering anything of value. As they begin gathering themselves to move on, a small black rabbit hops out from behind a hummock perhaps ten feet from where Dorvar rests and, in a deep basso voice it inquires, "Learn anything useful?", its ears twitching with alertness and curiosity.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall

NO! Not really. They just keep doing the same.......wha..........wha.....

Wendalls jaw drops open and he thinks of nothing else to say.

[AleBelly]

"You're a rabbit!" exclaims Varas, mastering the obvious. "What kind of magical enchantment is this!?" he asks, color draining from his face. He backs up several steps.

[Zhym]

Harold looks at the others. "I'm uh, new here. Do all rabbits talk up north?"

[Keehnelf]

"No,"'replies the rabbit. "In fact, I'm not a rabbit at all, but this was a convenient form to get close and observe you while you observed them. So, I repeat, since the skinny one's answer was incoherent: have you learned anything useful?"

[OGRE MAGE]

what.........who..........you can assume different forms?

Oh, I'm sorry. No we haven't noticed anything at all yet. We can't tell much other than they are lizard like men........OH! And that they eat soup!

Do you live out here? In the moors?

[Keehnelf]

"Yes, I live out here. Yes, they are lizard men. And yes, I can assume other forms."

The rabbit turns toward the rest of the group. "Are any of you more effective communicators or observers than this one?" The deep basso voice, rumbling and gravelly almost to the point of sounding like a growl, is disconcerting coming from such a small, cute rabbit.

[Zhym]

"I guess we haven't been introduced, have we? I'm Harold Willoughby, priest of Branwyn. We haven't actually seen much. When we got here, the tower was burning and these tents were set up. Since then, not much has happened."

"And who are you?"

[Scott308]

Dorvar

The only really useful information we have learned is what I am assuming to be their leader has different coloration. Whether that is meaningless or it means he is of a different type of lizard-person, possibly more powerful, I do not know. They do not seem to be worried about intruders, as they have not posted any kind of watch, which can mean a few different things. They have such overwhelming strength that they know nothing is stupid enough to pick a fight with them, or they are familiar with this area and know there is nothing they need worry about.

The dwarf glares at the rabbit. I would prefer to speak with you in your true form. We have answered your question. We deserve to know who and what we are dealing with.

[Keehnelf]

The rabbit flattens its ears, a bit peeved.

"First, let me correct a mistaken impression: the larger and brightly colored one is a female, only brought along on long-term operations. So, clearly they intend to be here for some time.

"Second, I owe you nothing, whether you were honest or not. If I prefer to remain in this form to make continued stealth easier, that is my business and mine alone. My true name is next to impossible for your kind to pronounce, but you may address me as Mograthondyximurast if you require such a thing."

The rabbit makes a kind of quick bow. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. What brings you this far into the wilds?"

[AleBelly]

"We're out to eradicate a goblin threat" says Varas. He face looks exactly you would expect a man's face to look who can't believe he's talking to a rabbit. "I'm not sure I want to tell you more. How do we know you're not a spy or an enemy? I ask with all due respect, I'm sure you realize one can't be too cautious in the wilds."