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Largo looks at his crossbow, then at Bertram, then back at the crossbow. He shrugs and, lowering the crossbow, turns and wanders back to where the dogs are cowering.

Pleased with the answer, Numen bows cordially to the great beast, and continues following the others at the back of the group.

Abi resumes her place in the marching order.

Sounds like we're all onboard with misleading the wolf. Are we still in the hex NE of Vaul? Eastward seems to be the plan.

While the group continues on, Bertram tries to explain the whole scenario to Largo (well, well out of earshot of our last encounter). But he's losing patience after the third or fourth time, "No, we're not really killing any dwarves...at least I don't think we are. We just lied to the wolf so he would let us go. Good rule of thumb. If they're not trying to kill you, don't try to kill them. Just follow our lead."

Good job during the negotiations by the way Sulldawga. The lead on this dwarven settlement has opened up quite a few opportunities for us.

Bertram wrote:"Good rule of thumb. If they're not trying to kill you, don't try to kill them."

Rhodri gives a glum nod. "Wise words. There are plenty enough things that want to kill us, without giving anything else a reason to."

He pulls his hood up a bit more and peers back over his shoulder toward the standing stones, with a wary look. "Can't say as I trust that furry brute. I've no particular love for Durin's folk, but they don't upset my liver, either. But an offer of 'go kill some fellows for me, and in return I won't kill you for traipsing across the countryside' isn't much of a bargain, you ask me."

Turning to Numen, he adds, "I believe I owe your dog an apology. I think I know what a canine demon looks like, now."

For my part, I say we head east, see what we can see, investigate these dwarves. If they seem like unsavory types, we can sort them out and maybe curry some favor with the wolf-demon. If they seem like decent guys, we can maybe ally with them, exchange information, whatever...and then swing wide south on our return trip.
But I'm with King...if this guy's gonna start chasing humans out of the eastern territory, let's get a good look at it while we can. Minimum, I want to find this crystal lake he mentioned.

On that note--in the spirit of staying out for a good long expedition--what say we stay alert for game as we travel? We have quite a few bows, so we may well be able to bring down something to supplement our rations.
DM, consider Rhodri to be hunting as we go.

Spartakos wrote:On that note--in the spirit of staying out for a good long expedition--what say we stay alert for game as we travel? We have quite a few bows, so we may well be able to bring down something to supplement our rations.
DM, consider Rhodri to be hunting as we go.[/color]

Good idea. Quirin will be open to bagging any game that presents itself along our path.

Numen and Mammon will be alert for game as well as potential threats.

Abi marches eastward with her companions, pondering this supposed agreement between Vaul and the wolves. And what of the dwarves? The dwarves are probably just trying to survive like anyone else! she thinks to herself.

March 23, 1 VC - 1:00am

The party heads east from the circle of standing stones, deeper into the moor. The party sees no viable game to hunt throughout the day, but neither do they encounter any difficulties.

Random Wilderness Encounter [1d6] = 3

Just before dusk, the party spots a smallish tower on the horizon north from their intended path. They are forced by the darkness to make camp still several miles distant from the knoll on which the tower stands, but it beckons, dark and silent, and visits everyone's dreams during the night.

In the middle of the night, while Quirin is on watch, a sharp wind drives over the moor suddenly, catching his breath away. He looks up and sees heavy cloud cover driving fiercely across the sky, followed by the heavy distant rumble of thunder. Within fifteen minutes, a driving rain has begun to lash the party's unprotected position and douses the remains of the campfire. Camping in this kind of weather is simply impossible.

Random Wilderness Encounter [1d6] = 1

The party has moved one hex to the east. Please deduct one day's rations.

The rain is coming down so hard it's threatening to wash out your campsite completely. A fire can't stay lit, and nobody has a tent.

There may be shelter in a cave or similar edifice somewhere, but you'd be searching fairly blindly having none identified in advance and in the dark and downpour.

That means the only "visible" source of shelter appears to be the tower, but you might have other creative ideas.

To further clarify: this is hurricane style rainfall, if not wind speed. There's liable to be spot flooding soon given how the land is folded up and how rocky it is.

Abi says, "We should head for that tower. It seems to be our only option."

Numen gathers up his soaked belongings and calls Mammon to him, following the others to the tower in the distance.

1 day rations deducted

With water dripping from his cloak, Rhodri says "Typical. I was just getting comfortable when the gods decided to drown us all. None of us has been struck by lightning thought, that's a mercy." He gathers his belongings. "May as well head for that tower, before we need to start swimming. Whatever lives there will no doubt mean us ill, but mayhaps we'll die warm and dry."

Bertram gathers up his soaked belongings in a foul mood, not only is he wet, cold, and tired; The quick change in weather is making his newly-healed leg ache all the more.

He answers Abi's suggestion in a low grumble, "Yes, we'll take shelter there. But we'll need to take preparations before making camp again to be sure it's safe". Something about how the weather changed so quickly when they got near the tower does not sit well with him, and then there was that dream...

The party has moved one hex to the east. Please deduct one day's rations.

Finally some unexplored territory. High fives all around.

Quirin says, We'll at least be warmer moving than sitting still in this rain.