Quest #14 "Hidden Fortress of the Poison Spider Monsters"

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Wotever dey are, der's a lot of 'em," says Maag, stating the obvious. " 'opefully de've all moved on an' ders no more comin' through."

The half-orc turns to Avaala. "Do yer fink dey are der kind dat eats grass, or der kind dat eats other fings?". The fact that there are two kinds of rural animals is about as far as Maag's knowledge of the country goes, and pretty impressive for a born-and-bred city dweller.

Maag keeps an eye open for the nearest climbable tree, in case the herd turns out to be dangerous.

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

"I have no idea, Maag," answers Avaala, with a soft laugh. "I can tell you about the wood in any of these trees, but almost nothing about what lives in them. Next time around, maybe I'll be a taxidermist in my youth instead of a woodworker." He looks down at the tracks, but doesn't stop moving. "But I'm with you: I hope they've come and gone for the day. Even the plant eaters have claws and teeth."

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax looks at the tracks, wondering if there was a class in tracking at the monastery that he missed somehow. He doesn't think so, but tries to set it into his mind to have them add such a thing if he ever returns. In the meantime, all he can do is wonder if they go on two legs or four, and if there is any way to get a count of the creatures that made them.

[Storm11]

Saracen is eager to follow the beach trail back to town, just in case these things are planning to attack the villagers

If I had my fill powers recovered I might be able to talk with these animals, if they are animals. Let’s hope we can avoid unnecessary blood shed on the way back. I fear the townsfolk may soon need our unique band of help. He doesn’t delay long, setting off along the trail to Beachtown once again, cautiously watching the surrounding begeatation for an attack, or the trail
For an ambush point or pit trap.

[wolfpack]

If there is a chance they are attacking the town we must get moving.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

Do keep moving, then. He does look at the tracks, in case he might have seen similar ones near the family farm.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Long Walk Back
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

The trail continues to meander through the jungle, sometimes heading due south, and other times splitting off into several different trails that head out in every direction. The travelers become so confused by the multiple lanes through the jungle, that they eventually become lost. Don't freak out, this is just another one of my time warps in an attempt to smooth out the scattered timelines a bit. No random checks for wandering monsters will be made during these warps.

Camp must be set up and 2 full days are spent searching for the correct path home. Rest is not easy to come by in the bug infested jungle, so no natural healing and no spells are recovered. (though none are lost, either) Eventually, after a long trod through the bush, the adventurers finally break the tree line of the jungle and find themselves on the sandy beach again, due west of Beachtown. In a few hours, the party will finally be back to what little civilization this island has to offer.

At the waters edge, the group spots several dozen huge lizards the size of full grown horses but lower to the ground. These are obviously the same creatures who made all the tracks along the trail. They seem to be cooling off in the shallows and drinking their fill of water. The lizards appear docile when none of them charges or takes offense of the groups presence.

Actions?

map:
You are currently at the spot where the maze trail meets the beach, about 3.5 miles away from town.
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

Marching Order:
Jaxsen 10/10
Gramble 10/10
Jeevus 3/3
Brother Gilbert 8/8 1/3 first
Avaala 10/12 CL DM RM 2/2 first 1/1 second
Saracen 21/25 1/4 first 0/1 second
Maag 9/9

[Jernau35]

Maag

The half-orc is suitably impressed by the size of the lizards and by the number of them. As he stands there gazing at them, his stomach growls. His calls out to his fellow half-breed.

"Oi! Saracen! Didn't you say you could talk to dese fings? 'ow about askin' 'em wot dey taste like." Maag guffaws heartily.

[Storm11]

Saracen laughs at his fellow half-orc. With some proper rest and access to my most powerful magic I bet I could. I bet the Druid could befriend one of them, if he yet lives. My but it’s good to be back at the beach! the holy champion sighs happily.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

Ah, such a pleasure to see open water and sky. He pauses, lifts his face to the sky, and stretches his arms out in joy.

FYI: Brother Gilbert is -very- loosely modeled on St. Francis of Assisi.

[wolfpack]

I wonder if you could ride one.....

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen notes the lizards, turns and wordlessly begins carrying his heavy load towards Beachtown.

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala, exhausted from 2 days in the heat, damp and swarms, looks over to the large lizards. "So, those are the tracks and trails that cost us two days? I'll be happy to help you turn them into meat and hides.... later. I know some of you are true powerhouses, but most of us are already carrying as much as we can. We know where they bathe and drink now. Let's come back later with a hunting party."

[OGRE MAGE]

The Long Walk Back
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

Almost always hungry, Maag suggests the priest go talk to the lizards. Saracen declines under the current circumstances, still distraught over the death of his friend Storm.

Brother Gilbert is just glad to see the horizon again, stretching himself out wide in the hot sunshine. Jaxsen the workaholic sees the creatures as a sign to keep moving. He immediately takes off up the beach towards town. Avaala seems to be in agreement to leave the things alone for now.

The stoic fighter Gramble, great in a fight but never all that much on conversation, suddenly makes a beachside epiphany. He suggests using the lizards as mounts. Sure, they aren't horses, but even riding a lizard has to be better than spending so much time walking from place to place on this large island. Jeevus writes the idea down so it isn't forgotten about after a few drinks in the tavern later.

A short walk up the beach reminds the party that there is still no trail on this end of town, so the next few hours of trudging through the deep, soft sand will be torturous with their overloaded packs. Another short distance away from the giant lizards, a soft, soothing sound begins to tickle your ears. It is coming from the direction of the jungle, and it sounds like a flute or pan pipes of some kind. The soft notes are quite pleasant to hear after such an arduous mission.

Actions?

map:
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

Marching Order:
Jaxsen 10/10
Gramble 10/10
Jeevus 3/3
Brother Gilbert 8/8 1/3 first
Avaala 10/12 CL DM RM 2/2 first 1/1 second
Saracen 21/25 1/4 first 0/1 second
Maag 9/9

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen stops momentarily. He looks at the landmarks, and the shape of the shore here for future reference. Then he trudges on.

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

"Music coming from out of sight is the way a lot of really sad stories start," says the Mage. "And while I am all for investigating a good mystery, I prefer to start such investigations healed, fed, and well-rested. Maybe later, what say ye all?" While Avaala's inquiry sounds sincere enough, he doesn't actually stop moving while he asks.

[Jernau35]

Maag

The uncouth half-orc is more used to the kind of bawdy choruses sung in backstreet drinking pits. But this music reminds him of a traveling show he once saw performed in the town square by a bard and a troupe of actors.

Maag stops for a moment or two and reminces. "If music be der food of love", he mutters finally, glancing with suspicion towards the trees , "den go play wiv yourself ".

He continues on with the others.

[Storm11]

Saracen listens and starts to jig. No doubt the mysterious piper not seen for a while, charming all the children. Another time perhaps. he agrees and keeps on walking.

[wolfpack]

Do we check it out or keep moving?

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

We should keep going, and leave the musician to find a different audience. He continues to plod along; while contemplating what he has seen.