Quest #16 "What's On The Other Side Of The River?"

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes stands next Gwen. "A youngster do you think? I don't know if lizards have maternal instincts..."

"Anyway, better safe than sorry". Wes calls on the power granted by Obad-Hai to render his friend invisible to the animal's vision, just as he is.

[Karaunios]

Galanthas the Wise

A male elf comes out of the bushes with bow and arrow at the ready. He wears a chainmail and walks in a half squat, trying not to make any noise. "What the-!" As he sees the lizard's carcass he starts and then begins to look around on the alert, trying to see who or what has killed his prey. He walks slowly towards the lizard as he does so, in order to examine the animal...

[tomlowshang]

Gwethglersinwen Larendirina

Gwen is relieved when Wes drives his spear into the monster's neck, and actually has a closer look at the location, as if taking notes. Then she notices her hands are trembling, and grins. "Fuck yeah! Survived the first battle without a safety net. Achievement unlocked!"

Her elation ends abruptly when she hears the sounds of something else approaching. "Fuck! Guess we're not done yet!"

Gwen pulls her sword from the monster's neck. A flick of the sword leaves a line of blood in the sand. She brandishes the sword in the direction of the sounds as she tries to appear more dangerous than her small size suggests.

She gets a little nervous when Wes starts casting a spell on her. A warning beforehand would be appropriate.

Seeing the Elf approach cautiously, Gwen says, "Oy! This one's ours! Hands off!"

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes decides to take a slightly more diplomatic approach than his hunting partner. "Well met, stranger! I see we may have a common interest in this magnificent beast. You're a brave man to be hunting this alone, and so late in the day".

"My name is Waesfaren Rhey, or Wes if you prefer. My friend here, who's name I shall not attempt to mangle, and I were also out here on the hunt. It seems our paths have crossed with yours."

Just to avoid confusion, Wes cast Invisibility To Animals, so Galanthas can still see him and Gwen.

[tomlowshang]

Gwethglersinwen Larendirina

Gwen calms down as the effects of adrenaline and bloodlust diminish.

"My name is Gwethglersinwen Larendirina, but Gwen will do. I apologize for my rudeness but appearing out of the jungle right after a battle, isn't the best way introduce yourself. There's a lot a bad people out there."

[Karaunios]

For an instant, Galanthas seems annoyed by Gwen's reaction, but he quickly gets distracted by Wes' response and, after lowering his bow, relaxing, and clearing his throat, he answers: "Didn't expect to find other members of my folk around here. People in my land call me Galanthas the Wise... But you may spare the title, if you wish." He says this last part in an obviously rehearsed courteous manner.

Then he goes on: "I was tracking this beast since awhile ago... It is a huge one indeed, now that I can see it closer... Anyways, what are you planning to do with it?" He asks with an inquiring expression.

[Jernau35]

Wes

"Well our purpose out here today was to find something we could take back and feed all those hungry folk back in Beachtown" Wes explains to Galanthas. "Though we weren't counting on something this big". He grins ruefully, shaking his head.

"Since Gwen and I couldn't possibly carry much of the meat back, and I didn't want to leave it to rot, I had proposed burying it in the sand until we could return tomorrow with help".

"However",says Wes, fixing Galanthas with a smile, "if you are willing to forgive us for bagging your intended target, you may be able to help us salvage much more meat for the folks of Beachtown right now"

[Karaunios]

Galanthas

Waving his hand with a patronizing gesture in his face, he says:"No need to apologize, really."

After thinking for an instant he goes on:"It seems Boccob always puts things in balance, then. You may not believe me, but my purpose was exactly that. I wanted precisely to hunt something down for those poor people in town too. I will gladly help you bringing it back."

"A pleasure to meet you by the way." He puts the arrow back in the quiver and extends his right hand.

[OGRE MAGE]

Some really great role playing here, guys! I almost hate to intervene.

Heading Home
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Evening, Hot, Muggy, Very Buggy

Much to their surprise, the pair of hunters finds another kindred spirit out here on the beach. After a bit of an uncomfortable introduction, the three elf-kin start to hit it off fairly well, all things considered.

The newcomer, Galanthas, isn't even all that upset about the pair taking down the target of his own hunt. Especially since they all had the same intentions of feeding the townspeople with it anyway. He mentions that he has been trailing this thing for miles, and for nearly this entire day. He first found signs of the beast to the west of town and has chased it all the way here.

Once Wes suggests getting it cleaned and dressed as best they can here on the beach, all three of them get to work. Gutting a huge animal out in the open isn't the smartest thing to do, but the chore luckily goes by without interruption from anything bigger.....or hungrier. After a bit of washing in the salt water, the trio ends up with over 300 pounds of good, edible meat. Leaving a rather large gut pile behind, the men start dragging the lizard through the sand on their way back to town as Gwen keeps watch all around. The onslaught of the insects only intensifies once the party has fresh blood on them and the swatting and shooing becomes nearly constant.

Actions?

I will stop here just in case there is something you would like to do before leaving this area. After this delay, it will now be getting dark about an hour before you reach Beachtown.

Wes D2 16/16 2/4 first 3/3 second
Gwen 8/8 0/1 first
Galanthas 8/8 1/1 first

[OGRE MAGE]

Heading Home
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Evening, Hot, Muggy, Very Buggy

The three new friends work out a good system of moving the large carcass up the beach and are soon well on their way back to town. Watching another amazingly beautiful sunset along their walk, it is just starting to get dark when they get about a mile from town. The insects are painstakingly brutal now and their constant buzzing in your ears almost makes you miss another rustling noise coming from the jungle.

Looking around nervously for the dreaded flying lizard that frequents this area of the beach, you soon spot the disturbance coming from about 20 feet up in the trees. It is there that you meet the gaze of several fuzzy faced, halfling sized creatures. They are watching you with some interest as you walk along.

IMG_2004.JPG (101.83 KiB) Viewed 986 times

Actions?

Wes D2 16/16 2/4 first 3/3 second
Gwen 8/8 0/1 first
Galanthas 8/8 1/1 first

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes takes the opportunity to take a quick break from hauling the 300lb corpse and delivers a mini-lecture. "Ah! Those are Monkoons! exclaims the druid. "They live all through the jungle around here. Randall at the tavern will tell you that they are baby-eating killers, but I believe they are peaceful enough. And intelligent too. At least, so Monocar and some of the others have told me."

He wipes the sweat from his brow. "Shall we wait a moment? Perhaps they are just curious, or maybe they want to talk to us. I could try to use my magic to speak with them, but that's probably not a good idea without their permission". Wes looks at Gwen for a moment, sheepishly.

[tomlowshang]

Gwethglersinwen Larendirina

"Lets rest a moment."

Gwen is equally interested in the Monkoons, and observes them in return while she speaks. She notes if their attention is on a particular adventurer, and how they react when the adventurers speak.

Noting Wes' sheepish look, Gwen says, "If you are thinking about the spell you cast on me earlier, we'll discuss that another time. For me, the issues include more than just permission."

"In this case, from whom do you need permission? If I recall correctly, your spell is cast upon yourself. You need the spell to ask their permission to use the spell, which is a curious conundrum with no solution. They have proven themselves quite civilized so I doubt they will react badly, assuming the spell works at all."

"I suggest you try the spell. However, the time and place is not ideal, so I think unanimous party agreement is required."

[Jernau35]

Wes

No doubt it's the lateness of the hour, lack of sleep, the bugs, and the effort of dragging a 300lb dead lizard through sand that causes the normally jovial Wes to give such a sour response to Gwen's presumed knowledge of druidical magic...

"No. The spell is cast on them, not me. So if not permission, I'll at least need to not piss them off by casting it."

"But you are right that this is a bad time and place. The only good news I can give you is that the whole thing will last less than 5 minutes".

[Karaunios]

Galanthas

Seeing that the situation is growing somewhat tense between his new companions, Galanthas searches for something in his backpack and says "Well, maybe we can gain their trust first and then you cast that spell without the possibility of it angering them...". Then he produces some dried fruit from one of his iron rations and shows it to the Monkoons, trying to look as harmless as possible.

I'll risk losing one day of my iron rations if the DM deems it appropriate

[tomlowshang]

Gwethglersinwen Larendirina

Gwen is disappointed that her trivial prodding angered Wes so easily. She waits for the reaction of the Monkoons to the food that Galanthas offers.

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes carefully and slowly lays his spear and club on the sand at his feet where the monkoons can see them. He waits to see their reaction to Galanthas' gift. He also keeps his hands palms-open in front of him.

[OGRE MAGE]

Heading Home
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Evening, Hot, Muggy, Very Buggy

The phanaton, as some prefer to call them, don't seem to be acting aggressive at all. They point at the group with their long fingers, though mostly at the lizard carcass. 6 members of their group climb lower in the branches, to about ten feet from the ground. They squawk and chirp at each other excitedly, still pointing at the huge lizard. The few left above watch the proceedings closely, screeching loudly to those below periodically.

Actions?

Wes D2 16/16 2/4 first 3/3 second
Gwen 8/8 0/1 first
Galanthas 8/8 1/1 first

[Jernau35]

Wes

"Looks like we've impressed them", says Wes, quietly. "Maybe we've done them a favor by getting rid of this beast".

As he waits to see how the phanaton's react to Galanthas' offer of food, Wes tries a simple talk-slowly-with-gestures routine to try and warm up and gain their confidence. "Hello! We're friends. We talk with you. You talk with us?"

[Karaunios]

Galanthas

Seeing that the phanaton seem excited about the lizard, Galanthas in his turn doesn't know what to make out of it. Are the phanaton ignoring his offer of dried fruit? He holds it still, waiting for a reaction and letting Wes do the talking.

[OGRE MAGE]

The furry tree dwellers come no closer than their current 10 foot buffer.

They ignore the offer of dried fruit completely.

One of them watches Wes intently as he tries to speak to them. The monkoon screeches back a few unintelligible phrases of his own.