Quest #39 "Lizards And Lovebirds"

[Paladin]

Keyon and Sir William Narramore

Dex check vs 11 for Narramore: [3d6]=11

Int check vs 15 for Keyon:
[3d6]=11

Keyon and Narramore clamber aboard the carpet, both men reaching out to assist the ladies if/as necessary should they stumble.

The elf wastes no time in giving the command to levitate and get away from the beetles once all are aboard. If the girls are unable to make it, Narramore will kneel and attempt to grab either/both of them by the arms and use his prodigious strength to haul them bodily aboard as the carpet rises, leaning back with the effort to ensure good balance.

If you need him to roll something, lemme know.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Elnaerel tries to get into the carpet as fast as possible.

Normal Skill Check [3d6]=11 vs DEX15

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

3d6 vs Dex 11 - [3d6]=14

Struggling to get aboard the carpet she contemplates if a sleep spell will work on these creatures.

[OGRE MAGE]

On The Lookout For Lizards
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Overcast, Warm, Buggy

Everyone but Feanol is able to leap back aboard the rug as Keyon starts lifting it up into the air again. As they rise off the ground, Narramore reaches over the edge and grabs ahold of Feanol, pulling her aboard with his immense strength just as the beetles start to spray, escaping the menace in the nick of time.

Keyon zips above the trees again for an areal view of their surroundings, easily spotting the lizard clearing to the northwest. When he doesn't see any dangerous flying monsters ready to chase them, the elf decides to take a cross country route to save time and the punishment of the encroaching underbrush.

Once they get close, the herd of huge lizards are spotted on the opposite side of the clearing, gathered together in one area. The elves don't spot any other hazards in the clearing, but there are obvious signs of manmade structures and fencing close to where the lizards are gathered.

Actions?

E69DEAC7-4191-4EC0-9917-CDC460F846A2.jpeg (23.22 KiB) Viewed 524 times

Keyon AC:4 12/12
Feanol (MU2) AC:10 8/8 RM, CL, DM 2/2
Sir Narramore AC:3 12/12 LoH
Elnaerel (CL2) AC:3 18/18 1st:4/4

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"So Narramore, Thanks for the assist back there. Are these the dwarves pens or some other settlers?"

[Paladin]

Keyon and Narramore

Keyon scours the area, noting the fence and manmade structures with a faint grimace. "Well, that complicates things," he mutters. "It'll be difficult enough finding a way to cut the herd without the interference of those dwarves. And once we do, where will we drive them? If we go back down the trail, those beetles will need dealing with."

Narramore examines the beasts in view to see if any bear sign of a harness or saddle. If they look fit and well-fed or starved and beaten down. About how many are in the herd? "I'm glad it worked," he replies to Feanol. "Those beetles are awful creatures." He narrows his eyes. "And I don't know. But I'm sure we'll find out, one way or another."

Once everyone has had a look, Keyon directs the carpet lower until they're just above the treetops to ensure they aren't visible for as great a distance, then turns to confer with his companions.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Elnaerel takes a look behind her at the beetles first and then at her companions, impressed by the herculean strength of the paladin. "Thank you for rescuing my dear Feanol, Sir William."

Once they arrive where the zilas are, she looks for any alternative they might take advantage of. "I wasn't expecting this, although it makes all sense. But I was imagining that we would have to fight mounted dwarves and get their mounts. Dealing with so many lizards at once is going to be complicated, and heard for sure. There must be a way we can drive them without being seen. Maybe they have guards that we can take care of. That will make the job easier. Or there is a way we can take them through the forest."

[Paladin]

Keyon

"And something else to consider," Keyon adds. "Do we really want to poke the bear by taking something the dwarves have claimed? I see no way to drive them home without leaving a clear trail. And we know the Stoneguts will try to avenge their loss. Perhaps there are other herds they have yet to catch."

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Keyon, sadly I agree with your analysis. I'd love to strike those dwarves hard, but I don't think we're ready yet. So leaving these be and finding something else that will profit us for future conflict is probably the best course."

[OGRE MAGE]

On The Lookout For Dwarves
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Overcast, Warm, Buggy

Keyon tries to keep a low profile as he, the two female elves, and one huge human clad in glinting armor race over the bright green tree tops on his colorful flying carpet.

As they close in on the clearing, they see the distant corrals that pen several of the huge lizards, but upon closer inspection, the group also spot a few dozen lizards still roaming free across the massive open grasslands. The only areas that look altered by the dwarves is along the northern edge of the clearing. (red circle on last map)

They don't spot any dwarves in the clearing, nearby or around the pens, but someone was definitely working here who intends to do something with the corralled animals.

Actions?

Keyon AC:4 12/12
Feanol (MU2) AC:10 8/8 RM, CL, DM 2/2
Sir Narramore AC:3 12/12 LoH
Elnaerel (CL2) AC:3 18/18 1st:4/4

[Paladin]

For some reason, I assumed we paused when we saw the critters in the distance so we could observe before approaching. I realize upon rereading that I only mentioned the lowering part. My fingers sometimes fail to type what my brain says. I intend for them to stop and form a plan of sorts before going any closer now, either way! Don't want to rush into this too quickly.

I'll get an actual post up quick as I can. My boss is being an ass and I'm about to turn in my keys and truck and get loose from this place!

[OGRE MAGE]

Enjoy that feeling!

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

With questions pounding her mind almost constantly about topics that aren't entirely related with this quest, the cleric tries to focus on the current situation. "Do you think the dwarves brought the lizards with them? If not, where do they get them from? I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about them except in relation to the dwarves. And those there," she points to the dozens that walk free, "look wilder then the rest. Or are some for meat and others for mounting?

They have many of them. Taking just for of the animals won't make any difference to them but... What about causing a stampede in the direction of the dwarves camp?" She thinks for a moment. "But we don't know about it's layout or if they have anything outdoors or they all are in a mine. Besides, they have thralls and they might get harmed...

What to do?"

[Paladin]

Keyon and Narramore

Keyon commands the carpet to halt and hovers near the treetops, examining the scene before them. "Perhaps we approach the group farthest from the pen and try to cut them from the others," he muses. "If any dwarves see and attempt to discourage us, we'll be far enough from them to make an escape. Or so we hope," he adds with a slight frown.

Narramore takes a length of rope and works it in his hands. "Perhaps I could slip off the carpet and mount one of the beasts, using the rope to control it enough to guide it home...if it doesn't kill me first." He chuckles and recalls the princess leading her lizard like a puppy with treats. "I wish our princess were here. She has a way with these beasts."

"If we try to run them with the carpet like a sheepdog," Keyon mutters, "it'll only work till we hit jungle, if it works at all. We may have to each mount one of the beasts, or somehow tie a few to a lead creature and ride it out. Just ideas. What do you all think?"

While they confer, he slowly approaches the lizards most distant from the pens, eyes open for signs of discovery or enemies.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"True. We just can drive so many of the beasts with us... They are too many for just four people, and it will drive the attention of the dwarves really easily. So taking one each of us looks the best we can do... That is, if you, Keyon are willing to change your means of transport and risk carrying the carpet...

We could also try to ride one lizard each drive another one behind. That way we could get eight."

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Well lets see if we can get one under control, and then we'll decide how many we think we can get."

[OGRE MAGE]

On The Lookout For Dwarves
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Overcast, Warm, Buggy

Elnaerel seems to have more questions than answers about these lizards, wondering if the dwarves brought the entire herd here on their ship. She points out a few that are on their own in the clearing, thinking about somehow setting the entire herd against the dwarves.

Keyon slips the rug under the trees and into the clearing, looking around for danger while Narramore ties up a makeshift bridle. They single out one pair of distant lizards far away from the pens and head towards them. Before they ever land in the grasslands that make up this clearing, they can already tell that both of these animals have been abused. They have recent wounds on their heads and faces, likely from being hit or whipped. They dont run away from the approaching foursome, but they dont seem as friendly as the lizards that were brought back to town earlier.

As of yet, there are no signs that the group has been spotted.

Actions?

Keyon AC:4 12/12
Feanol (MU2) AC:10 8/8 RM, CL, DM 2/2
Sir Narramore AC:3 12/12 LoH
Elnaerel (CL2) AC:3 18/18 1st:4/4
overall map: viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Feanol, can you perhaps keep an eye out in case any... unwanted guests make their apparition?" She takes a rope from her backpack and looks at it wondering how easy (or difficult) will it be to tie it up around one of the lizards' snout. I'm assuming they aren't wearing bridles?
She feels tremendously bad when she sees marks from their mistreatment.

[OGRE MAGE]

The lizards you can see aren't clad in any kind of tack.

[Paladin]

I'm coming...promise! Will have one by this evening.