CH 1: You All Meet in a Tavern

[Jenara]

Arei leads on, coming to the marker she regards it with casual interest.

"A marker of somekind. This was no doubt an old road..."

[Breila]

"It's like a lighthouse, but on land" Ouragana remarks and looks around. Is it in a prominent place that can be seen from afar, or does it mark a junction? Or is there something unusual in the area that one might miss if not prompted to look closely in this area?

[Jenara]

"A Lighthouse?" She rubs her chin.

[JadedDM]

The party appears completely baffled at what this marker could mean, until all of them at once suddenly remember that Chester had told them the birdmen used stone markers to mark their territory (not once, not twice, but in fact three times).

"This must mean we're getting close," Jocelyn surmises. "We're on the right track."

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Jocelyn makes an INT check (1d20): 6, pass. She remembers what Chester said.
Ouragana makes an INT check (1d20): 16, pass. She remembers what Chester said.
Areilon makes an INT check (1d20): 12, pass. She remembers what Chester said.
Val makes an INT check (1d20): 4, pass. She remembers what Chester said.
Dahn makes an INT check (1d20): 5, pass. He remembers what Chester said.

(OOC: Chester told you guys about the stone markers here, here and here.)

[Breila]

(OOC: Oh, Ouragana knew what it probably was, but she wanted to make sure it was not marking anything else as well)

[Nuke]

Val stops for a bit at the marker, and looks to the sky, wondering what these birdmen will look like.

"We are being watched" the Amazon says.

[JadedDM]

As far as Ouragana can determine, the marker holds no other purpose other than to mark territory.

[Jenara]

"Yes, it must." gripping her sword hilt tightly she nods to Val, "And I suspect as much, keep an eye out people." She says glancing around cautiously..

[Breila]

"I wonder why the territory begins or ends just here" Ouragana muses aloud, but then shrugs. After marking the spot on her map, she says "Let's move on."

[Jenara]

"Indeed, keep watch on the skies." She warns. "Lets move, Mr Grey.." She motions to the Gnome.

[JadedDM]

The party continues on, maintaining their pre-established marching order. Every now and again, someone will glance skyward to be sure no aerial attacks are coming. Val and Areilon especially keep a close eye on the sky.

However, they don't see much. Every now and again a hawk or other bird will fly by and screech, causing everyone to tense up and then chuckle nervously when they realize there is no attack, just a raptor on the hunt for mice.

They continue along the trail for another two and a half hours without incident. Fortunately it is summer, so the sun is still shining brightly at this hour and will continue to do so for another few. The trail becomes increasingly twisty and at some parts is a little steeper than normal. Walking on an incline is tiring, especially after several hours.

Just as they are turning a bend, they hear two animals suddenly. One is obviously the roar of a large cat. The other is a hawk-like screech. Dahn, who is scouting ahead by twenty feet, is the first to turn the corner and see the source of the commotion. It is a jaguar and a birdman fighting each other!

Jaguar.jpg (11.81 KiB) Viewed 5126 times

Birdman.jpg (102.16 KiB) Viewed 5126 times

The jaguar has its back toward the party and has not noticed their arrival. The birdman appears wounded--one of his arms/wings hangs limply to his side, preventing him from flying away. The birdman is about five feet tall with red plumage and taloned hands and feet. In its good hand it holds a javelin, which it uses to keep the jaguar at bay.

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The party travels through 1 mile of low mountains on a trail in 2 hours, 24 minutes, using up 2 points of movement. They have 7 points remaining. It is now 6:00 PM.

[Jenara]

"I am tempted to take this one alive..." Arei grins, drawing her blade, "Val, take it down. How do we frighten this cat? Fire?" She asks, moving nearer to the group.

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn reaches for her sling, but frowns. "Wait...it's using a weapon? They're intelligent? Octhanus doesn't want us killing intelligent beings...especially not for money," she says. She had thought, based on Chester's descriptions, they were simply pests. She hesitates, not sure what to do now.

[Jenara]

"I'm not suggesting we kill it, I am suggesting we bring it down, and find out what is going on here." Arei says, as she moves near the group.

[xelphyn]

"Hmm, I suspected this might be the case, perhaps there's hope of finding a way to communicate with it, if we can keep it alive, and preferably, with minimal injuries." At that, dahn attemps to fade into the background and move toward the creatures while hiding behind rocks, brush, and whatever else there is, dagger still in hand, he draws a second one.