Enter Sandman

[Toliudar]

Yolande

The girl is yelling now, hoping with the sheer force of ululating sound to discourage this ravenous horde. Yolande tries desperately to control her horse, keeping him in between the cart and the bugs.

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Are the bugs moving faster than the cart? Any way to tell if they're acting on hunger, or being driven by an outside force?

[Neon Knight]

The insectoid aggressor's numbers are not easily counted, given both their tendency to shift back and forth into one another's places and the fact that all share identical markings. Somewhere between 10-17 individuals seem present, the majority on the slope behind them with only 4 in close proximity to the cart, 2 on the left and 2 on the right.

Raze put himself firmly between the cart and the two flankers. One moved to directly engage raze, the other continued its attempts to move in front of the cart.

However, the insects cannot quite keep up with the horses. Slowly but surely, the distance between the insects and the cart would widen. The pursuing foes were making every effort to keep up but were losing ground.

If they were hungry, why were the guards and horses, perfectly fresh and and easily available, lying in plain sight unfeasted upon? No plains scavenger was of sufficient size to be worth luring. It seemed as if they had some ulterior motive.

[Toliudar]

Yolande

Puzzling even as they pounded away from the swarm, Yolande thought to herself. There must be something ON the cart they want. Curious.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jarzel

Continues onward, content to wait until the group is a safe distance away before stopping to think.

[Proven_Paradox]

Raze continues onward as well, dropping back a bit to make sure he's able to intercept any bugs that show signs of catching up.

[Mephibosheth]

Saaya

Saaya, perched on the back of the cart with his shortbow drawn and ready, begins to slow his breathing as the bugs receed into the distance. As he does so, he looks around, taking stock of his surroundings.

OOC:

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Sorry for not posting for so long. I lost track of the game for a while.

Quick question: is the cart we're using one we found at the caravan wreck or one we brought with us?

Either way, Search and Spot checks to find anything unusual on the cart or in the general area: 21/12 respectively.

[Neon Knight]

At about the time the hit the trade road, they had gotten enough of a lead so as to stop and catch their breath for a minute or two.

All of the horses were jittery or panicky, and the cart horse looked like it was about to collapse. It could not keep up this pace for long with all this weight upon it, the added 2 mad guard, lone comatose guard, and two scavengers being more than it could properly bear for a great distance.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jarzel

"Well, that was quite the diversion," Jarzel says in his usual calm manner of hiding exactly what he means. "Let's all take a breather and then we can figure out what to do from here on once we get back to camp."

[Proven_Paradox]

Raze nods to Jarzel. "Aye... I'll keep watch for 'em as well." He dismounts and begins pacing around the outer perimeter of the area while the others take a break, resting his axe on his shoulder.

[Toliudar]

Yolande

Pulling her horse close to the wagon, Yolande quickly examines the unconscious guard captain to see if the jolts and starts of their escape had worsened his condition.

What in the world could they be after? Clearly, they're not acting out of simple hunger, or the swarm would have simply risen up and attacked a horse.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jarzel

"Doesn't mean it wasn't just hunger. Maybe they just don't like horsemeat." He gives a sardonic smile. "Though they did have three perfectly good human meals nearby..."