((Or, perhaps even better, to provoke an attack from the monsters responsible))
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((Or, perhaps even better, to provoke an attack from the monsters responsible))
Everyone gears up for the excursion to the forest, purchasing whatever supplies they need before heading out. The trip is not terribly long or difficult, the rutted logging road being fairly well maintained, and you soon arrive in the forest. The trees, tall pines and spruces with groves of aspens spread through out, seem tranquil for a place where so much trouble has origionated.
Using the map, you are able to locate the nearest place where one of the forester teams was killed. The area shows the signs of long work. Tree stumps dot the clearing, and the ground has been rutted and packed hard by the wheels of timber wagons. Here and there, however, one can find signs of a struggle. Tools scattered in haste and not recovered lie here and there next to partialy cut trees, and dotted about the clearing can be seen evidence of bloodstains.
Liam
Liam looks over the area of the struggle, searching for footprints of whatever made the attacks. If he finds anything he will alert the others to it's presence.
Spoiler
[roll0]
Felonius is going to prowl around the perimeter of site, shield and morning star out, keeping his eyes looking out to spot any advancing trouble.
Zerkz is on guard.
Axes out, examining the area for anything suspicious.
Spot:
[roll0]
After a few minutes searching the ground for tracks, Liam doesn't find any distinctive footprints. The ground is covered with wheel ruts and plenty of human footprints, but finding any other sort of tracks will take either more time or alot of luck.
Meanwhile, the only thing visible in the woods beside the trees is the occasional bird or squirrel.
Zerkz
Well, either we scour the area with a fine-toothed comb or try to make ourselves a bit more conspicuous. Whatdya say?
"If we head in the general direction of the caves, making loud noises, that will probably do it. We will, of course, need to post a guard tonight."
Liam
"As good as patience is, I doubt it will get us far here. Let's continue eastward. However, if we plan to provoke them, let's stay close together." Liam concentrates for a split second on protecting his allies, and a weak protective aura begins to emit from him.
((Activating toughness aura, the group gains DR 1/magic while within 30 feet of Liam.))
Felonius shrugs and spits, burning a small hole into the ground.
"Yeah, this was really eventful, lets head towards those caves and see what we can see."
Zerkz
As we head toward the caves, Zerkz sings loudly (and badly) a rowdy bar song.
In the city of Reach
Where the girls are so pretty
I found one to teach
me the way of the city
She showed me the uptown
She showed me the slums
She showed me the downtown
Then she showed me her bum!
...it goes on.
The party treks eastward towards the cave entrances. The forest seems fairly normal, with the simple sounds of chirping birds and chattering squirrels and chipmunks. Everyone make a Spot check.
Spoiler
Spot Check: [roll0]
Felonius rolls his eyes at Zerks
"If yer gonna sing that badly, could you at least ruin a better song?"
Kardrak attempts to counter Zerkz's song by humming a tune of his own-
"...It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se,
But the girls in the city are oh so pretty..."
((OOC- cookie for the reference))
Spoiler
Spot Check
[roll0]
OOC: Avatar, the Last Airbender, sung by Uncle Iroh during the first season I believe. Possibly second season. I believe he was playing a mandolin like instrument at the time.
((OOC- you are correct, sir! A cookie for this man! I think it was the first time he and Zuko were alone during the second season- "Nothing like a fat man dancing for his dinner!" Been keeping up with season 3?))
OOC:
Spoiler
Yeah, pretty much. I can't wait for Zuko to start teaching Aeng firebending. That seems what the series is setting up for right now.
Lets move further conversation to the OOC thread.
Spot:
[roll0]
SpoilerNice! Oh, and that episode is from season 2, not 1.
[roll0]
Liam
"As enjoyable as songs may be, I'd prefer songs by somebody other than the tonedeff giant who only knows the songs he learned in bars." Notes Liam, covering his ears as he speaks. "I think you may be trying to irritate the wrong people."
Edit: Can I have that be a listen check instead? [/joking]
Zerkz
Spoiler
You spot a small mole burrowing up from underground in the brush. It looks fairly normal, until you see its beady little eyes take on a silvery glow.
Everyone can now make Listen checks if they want (although you may want to fail them to try and block out Zerkz singing).
Spoiler
Listen = [roll0] Minus any negatives for the singing.
The dwarf reaches into his pack, and comes out with a small ball of cotton, which he separates and shoves into his ears to block out the singing.
I'm going to intentionally fail that one. Humming to myself to keep that awful tune out of my head.
Spoiler
[roll0] Plus whatever probably nonexistant bonuses I get for trying to concentrate on any sound other than Zerkz singing.
Zerkz
The big warrior stops singing and holds up a large, gnarled fist signaling silence and caution.
Mark that creature... We're being watched, gents, and I think I was right before- there is something more than meets the eye going on here. Some sorcery...
He indicates the strange mole in the bushes.
Quickly, somebody smarter and faster than me, snag it before it gets away and reports to its master.
Kardrak stops his humming and stands ready, bringing his arm back to throw his handaxe if he so needs.
"A mole? Overly suspicious there, friend. Still, better safe than sorry. I don't qualify as "fast", by any means, so someone else should do that.
Zerkz
No mere mole, I'm positive on this one.
Now that Zerkz has pointed it out, the mole is readily apparent. The little animal is sitting inside its hole with only its head and shoulders above ground. It looks rather ordinary, except for the silvery glow coming from its beady little eyes.
"Wish I were a gnome right about now. Heard they had some weird thing with burrowers. Do we want to try and surround it?"
Kardrak'll gradually move to get behind the mole, and cautiously motions with his axes for the others to do the same.