Quest #39 "Lizards And Lovebirds"

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

The cleric will remain close to the knight.

[OGRE MAGE]

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

Keyon moves the party-on-a-rug closer to the battered green beasts in the middle of the clearing the paladin was trying to tame earlier. Though the situation doesn't change with the other lizards, when Narramore waves around the delicious ferns at the 2 stragglers, the pair of huge lizards slowly draw nearer to him. They move ever so slowly and cautiously, but after a bit of convincing, the paladin soon has the lizards eating right out of his huge hands. The nearby lizards witness the nonviolent feeding, causing them to get a little closer to the human as well. Before long, Narramore has a half dozen abused giant lizards either watching him intently or eating his ferns.

The weird feeling of being observed does not subside for the others in the party.

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

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Not saying a lot, but keeping her eyes scanning the horizon, trying to peer into the jungle beyond. "Keep your eyes open whatever it is could appear at any moment."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Elnaerel feels joy overcoming her when the lizards approach the paladin. She's distracted for a few seconds watching him feeding the mistreated animals before she snaps out of it and remembers that weird sensation, that someone or something is observing them.

She starts looking the jungle again, trying to see what could it be that is looking at them.

[Paladin]

Keyon and Narramore

"Good boy," Narramore says softly and takes a few steps back to see if they'll follow. He keeps some of the ferns in reserve to tempt the beasts to follow along.

From the carpet, Keyon calls softly--"Mate...you're doing a fine job with your lizard-whispering, but I can't shake the feeling that something is watching our every move. If we try to drive them to the trail and back home, we'll be sitting ducks for an ambush. Let's see if we can out our observers before we do anything else. At least we've discovered how to lure the beasts to us."

The knight sighs. "They're good-natured animals," he remarks. "I'd hate to draw them into more trouble." He backs toward the carpet and climbs aboard, then Keyon commands it to rise.

"Lead the way, ladies," Keyon says. "Let us investigate this oddity."

[OGRE MAGE]

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

Though the progress enticing the lizards to follow him around is productive initially, it is soon suggested that Narramore leave these creatures alone to investigate the rest of the clearing. The paladin climbs back aboard the rug and Keyon takes her up, asking the pair of female elves where they want to search first.

The sad eyes of the battered lizards can only watch as the group leaves the area, but there are still no signs of danger to be found anywhere at the edge of the jungle.

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

"This is strange. How is it possible that I have the feeling we're being watched, but I can't, for the life of me, see anything, dwarf or beast, anywhere, apart from those poor lizards?" She looks down at the animals with sadness im her eyes.

"Sir William, you were quite gentle down there. I mean, down there. On land. With the lizards." The cleric blushes for a second and covers her face, right after that she clears her throat, trying to regain her composure and focusing her attention on the problem at hand, attempting to discern any living being in the jungle, among any underbrush around the fences and anywhere around them in general.

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Well...we know there are Stoneguts somewhere close. We know there are natives around who are likely experts with camoflauge. And tree folk. Not to mention the myriad other nasties which abide here. Question is...which one is eyeballing us? It's an eerie chill down the back of my neck."

He scans the treetops, the ground, and the clearing and comes up empty once more, growling his frustration. Are there any holes or signs of animal activity in the clearing? Or any sort of droppings that might be attributed to something other than the lizards?

Any signs of a path trampled through the jungle that the lizards, or something larger, might have made?

Narramore

"We also know there are folk cloaked in invisibility roaming the island, so we could be dealing with that." He frowns, wondering once more why the animals have clustered in the center of the clearing. "I feel like the answer is obvious and I'm just missing something," he mutters to himself. "It's either a natural predator or the dwarves, I should think. And I don't care to meet either one." He sighs again. "I see nothing for it but to try and tempt the poor beasts back to the head of the trail and see if any will follow. Failing that, we can still try to rope a couple to avoid going home empty handed. There are still the beetles to deal with, too. I'm always open to better ideas, if you ladies see anything we missed."

Once their search is complete, if nothing interesting turns up and the ladies offer no alternative options, Keyon will put the knight's plan into action and head back to the lizards. Narramore is glad for the beard stubble growing on his cheeks, for it hides the flush of crimson at Elnaerel's comment. He clears his throat and nods once, looking straight ahead. Keyon glances over his shoulder and winks broadly.

If you've already answered these questions regarding the terrain and critter sign elsewhere, my apologies. I'm struggling hard lately. Harder than usual, even.

[OGRE MAGE]

If you've already answered these questions regarding the terrain and critter sign elsewhere, my apologies. I'm struggling hard lately. Harder than usual, even.

Nope, you're good......this time.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Yes. I agree with Sir William. Let's try it. If a superior force comes against us, we can always fly away... Just try not to be too close to the forest line, so we can have some visibility..."

Man, you were supposed to start being a human being again with the new job!

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Yes we might as well try to lead or herd some out. Just keep an eye out for trouble."

[OGRE MAGE]

Not sure how I missed updating here.

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

Keyon does see a wide swath of jungle that has been badly trampled leading from the pens at the north end of the clearing into the jungle towards the north. He doesn't spot any other signs of animals or monsters around.

After a bit of uncomfortable hormonal tension between Elnaerel and Narramore, the group decides to stop searching for something they cant see and move back to the lizards in the central area, noticing that they have started to migrate towards the north now as well.

Once there, Narramore convinces two of the beasts to follow him to the south instead, lightly tossing rope loops around their necks, glad they aren't angered by it......yet. With a little more coaxing and a few more handfuls of ferns, they start ambling along to the paladin's lead.

Actions?

I would take a [4d6] Wis check from each of you with your next 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

"I'm with you, Sir William, in case things go awry. Let's not be too greedy and be content with two for now.

I just hope there are enough ferns to keep them happy for a short while and then get out of here.

Feanol, please, can you keep an eye out? I'm sure those dwarves aren't that careless..."

Hard Skill Check [4d6]=13 vs WIS 17.

[Paladin]

Keyon and Narramore

"It looks like the lizards made their own path to the North," Keyon remarks. He keeps his sharp eyes peeled as they move, alternately searching the sky, the trees, and the ground for enemies.

Narramore spends his time rationing the ferns to make them last, keeping an eye out for any others he might pluck along the way to prolong the supply. He speaks softly to the creatures and, if they allow it, strokes them gently across their broad necks. He pauses every few seconds to gaze around them with a suspicious eye.

Narramore: [4d6]=11 vs. WIS 13

Keyon: [4d6]=12 vs WIS 10

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Focuses on watching the surrounding areas leaving the flying to Keyon, and the Lizard rambling to Narramore and Elnaerel.


Wisdom Check: [4d6]=21

[OGRE MAGE]

On The Lookout For Danger
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Clearing, Warm, Buggy

It is slow going, but the paladin is able to get the lizards moving at a steady pace towards the trail leading back to the beach and beyond. He eventually runs out of the ferns they like, but they follow his calm voice anyway, making a painstakingly slow march across the open grasslands.

By the time they make it to the trail leading into the jungle, a few hours have passed since they left Clifftown, and the cloudy skies are starting to clear again. Elnaerel and Narramore are the first to notice a slight movement at the very edges of the clearing. At first they think it is merely a trick of the breeze, but both of them are eventually certain that they saw something move just past the edge of the foliage.

The jungle trail is only a few hundred feet in front of them when the lizards both abruptly stop walking, unwilling to move any closer to the clearings edge.

Actions?

E55945B0-0793-4F94-A4C6-1E4A3B636933 (2).jpeg (35.15 KiB) Viewed 620 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
overall map: viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Paladin]

I have a post mostly typed, but my brain is stuttering. I'll do my best to get it done in the morning. We've been working late to finish a job before Thanksgiving.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Sir William, something's moving behind bushes over there..." What if we tie the lizards with ropes? I happen to have one. Maybe you could do it while I mount guard, since they have taken a looking to you..." She also signals to Keyon and Feanol with the head. Have one of those sleep spells ready, Feanol!" She says to the mage in Elvish.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Seeing Elnaerel's motioning she looks to the area indicated. "Don't worry dear I keep that at the ready", she replies.

[Paladin]

Keyon and Narramore

"There's something in the jungle," Narramore says quietly. "I can't think it's anything good, if the lizards refuse to approach it." As they are a good distance from the treeline, I don't know if tying the beasts off is possible. If it is, he'll do so and join investigating. If not, he'll wait in position, standing protectively near his newly-befriended beasts. Though he'll keep an eye on them in case they spook, lest they trample him.

Keyon examines the treeline once more, his keen elven eyes stymied. "Where?" He asks. Narramore points out exactly where he saw the flicker of movement.

The elf sighs. "Well. The lizards obviously know something we don't. We must investigate yet again and try to suss out who's laying in wait." He frowns slightly. "I do get tired of perpetual ambushes. And...frontal assaults." He grins. "Then again--what did I come here for, after all?"

"Hold my beer, god-botherers," he says and points the carpet toward the treeline. "Who's coming along?"