Cool and/or Explanatory Names Are Overrated - In Character

[Tjallen]

Looking at the bones for a moment Sperr looks back to Aeris: "Also whoever made that nice little ward promises death to everyone entering, we are not welcome here by any definition of the word. Leaving would be my advise."

[Archmage1]

Aeris shrugs.
"Move on to another area, and see if there is anything interesting there. I'm mostly trying to see the world, so I don't have any destination in mind."
As he finishes saying this, he comes across the trees, with the dangling bones.
"Well, that's certainly interesting. It looks like someone certainly lives here, and isn't too particular about visitors. Unfortunate, really, assuming this path really does go to the lighthouse, since whomever made this display is probably going to be there as well. If you want to turn back, feel free, but I'm going to continue on, as this becomes more interesting with every new discovery.

[Tjallen]

Sperr just shakes his head: "Splitting up would probably be a worse idea, besides I am sure our resident hero and hero-in-training are sure to be able to keep us safe. Ish."

[Archmage1]

Aeris just laughs at that.
"You believe that boaster?"

[Tjallen]

Sperr smirks at the comment: "I believe that forcing him to prove himself has it's merits. Especially since it seems to keep Hellen entertained."

[Archmage1]

"Entertained? I suppose that's one way to describe that harpy."

[Tjallen]

"Well I just don't see how she ever reached adulthood with that personality, don't you have thinning of your young?"

[Archmage1]

Aeris shakes his head.
"No, my people don't, each child is precious. I think she's here because no one where she came from could stand her, and the villagers were planning on lynching her at their first opportunity."

[Tjallen]

"Each child? Don't you mean each useful child is precious? Hah, sounds like it might still happen, hopefully she runs across some of your royalty." Sperr looks around the area as he speaks, looking for any signs of living things.

Spoiler: Spot!

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(1d20+6)[22]

[Archmage1]

Aeris shakes his head again.
"No, each child. My people live for centuries, but children are rare, and precious."

[rweird]

Sperr:

Spoiler

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A pair of owls, one perched in the branches of each tree, peer down at you. A third owl flies up through the canopy, westward, a bit further beyond the bone trees.

[Tjallen]

"You do have a point, low lifespans makes children more valuable. So owls in the middle of the day, that's not ominous or anything." Sperr gestures towards the birds.

[Archmage1]

"It is a bit unusual, but owls need to sleep as well. Curious, aren't they? Regardless, they don't seem to be attacking, so let's just leave them alone."
Aeris continues up the trail, keeping alert for signs of danger.

[drack]

Hellen, meanwhile, continues to take the right flank... She hoped magnus had taken the left, after all it'd be kind of silly for them both to be on the same flank right? =p

[Tjallen]

"Training owls is not that hard, if time consuming, so we are most likely going to be walking into a trap. Thorns, the road is most likely the second least safe place on this island."

[Archmage1]

"If we leave it, we're almost certain to get lost. If we're careful, and alert, the risk should be manageable. If the owls are trained, well, perhaps their trainer might be interesting to talk to."

[Tjallen]

"Actually I should be able to find my way around, I AM a druid after all. But I thought I would warn you. Meeting a hostile animal tamer does not sound too fun, but interesting might be the right word. Best of luck in the coming battle."

[Archmage1]

"What makes you assume the tamer is hostile?"
Aeris pauses for a moment, thinking.
"Do you think you can tell if these owls have been trained?"

[Tjallen]

"The bones of both humanoids and animals, you don't usually make that kind of decorations to tell people to waltz in, you make it to scare them off, a warning sign if you will."
Sperr looks at the birds again, trying to figure out if they act natural or not.

Spoiler: Know: nature?

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Nature: (1d20+7)[15]
Survival if applicable: (1d20+6)[17]

[Archmage1]

Aeris shakes his head, disagreeing with Sperr's conclusions.
"It could also be a shrine. I'll admit, it's a good reason to be cautious, but it's quite possible that the bones were found, not made."

[Tjallen]

"A bit strange for a shrine to be in the middle of the road though."

[Archmage1]

"Not really. Paths lead somewhere, and this might be the where."

Aeris investigates the shrine, trying to see waht he can learn about it.

Spoiler

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(1d20+8)[27] know: Arcana
(1d20+8)[12] spellcraft

[Tjallen]

"Well, betcha a drink when we get back to the inn that whomever made this is hostile, with a chance of trying to kill us." Sperr jokes as he looks at the warning-sign-that-is-not-a-shrine-in-the-least.

[Archmage1]

"And that's why we'll be proceeding cautiously."

[rweird]

Sperr:

Spoiler

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The owl flying in the day is abnormal, as are owls living so closely too each other, especially by a path, that presumably is frequented more commonly than other places. All together, not something natural.

((OoC: What was that Survival check for?))

Aeris:

Spoiler

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Your spellcraft reveals no magic about this, just bones, some broken, being hung from trees, it seems mundane, abet ominous, or if there is magic, it is not obvious.

You do know, however, that magic related to bones exists, especially skulls, some being able to hold magic, based on skull size. Various rituals to Orcus, and other evil powers involve bones, although this is often thematic, while the power within is debated. Magic can create undead out of bones (skeletons, although they require mainly intact bodies), along with a few constructs. Various talismans exist throughout the world including bones (typically animal ones) that are supposed to ward off misfortune, bring luck, or other useful things, the actual benefit of such talismans is debated by mages, as is the magic. Bones, in all these capacities, often have writing or engravings on them

While these things all are possible, hanging bones on a tree is uncommon for any of these besides being used as a warning or decoration.

[Tjallen]

"Yeah, trained or magical owls, bad omen. Careful is wise. Maybe we should tell the two 'heroes' that too."

Spoiler: Survival is for:

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Same thing as with the knowledge check, survival is rarely used and it's a shame, so decided to throw in a survival check.

[Archmage1]

"Interesting. Well, perhaps it's time to just head to the lighthouse, assuming you can take us north. We might learn more about this there. Or maybe not."

[Tjallen]

"Well both are pretty likely to be dangerous, so either or has a chance of imminent death."

[Archmage1]

Aeris shakes his head.
"All right then. Why don't you start up the path again, and then the rest of us will follow nearby. Try not to start any fights."
With that, he heads into the underbrush, paralleling the path.
(1d20+11)[29] hide
(1d20+11)[14] move silently

[Tjallen]

Sperr looks a bit perplexed: "I am very very much against this idea, hopefully it is another druid and this can be resolved peacefully." He does continue on down the path though.