Elven Navy Delta Squad: Hunters

[GruTheWanderer]

Leopard leads you along the trail for another mile before signaling a halt. You can see a break in the trees ahead made by a huge rocky mound. The noise of jungle wildlife is as strong as ever, but you think you here the sounds of splashing ahead.

 

[Keia]

Does the trail lead over or around the rocky mound? I will look around to see if I spot anything.

How old is the trail?

 

[GruTheWanderer]

The trail leads toward the rocky mound, which appears to create a opening in the tree cover. You are still about a hundred feet from the edge of the clearing. The trail is about sixteen hours old. The hunters would have arrived here around sunset yesterday.

 

[perivas]

Amanu, following Marcus' lead, heads towards the mound as quietly as he can. Hopefully, the splashing sounds will remain constant to indicate that we were not spotted as we approach.

 

[novyet]

Erenal will follow Marcus's example, and quietly stalk his way to the mound, and carefully check around, trying to gain a view of whatever is nearby.

OOC ---> I'll be trying to hide and move silently as Erenal closes on the mound.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

*clatter of dice* Knowing her hiding skills aren't quite on par with Erenal's, Leopard unslings her huge composite longbow and readies an arrow as Erenal creeps by. Marcus passes by on the other side, followed by Amanu.

Although he is being careful, Erenal brushes against a small fungus-like growth on the side of a tree. The growth lets out a shriek, and suddenly the area near the rocky outcropping is filled with small howling noises.

 

[perivas]

Amanu backs away from the various fungus-invested trees and crouches down to reduce the obviousness of his presence. Then his rapid intellect immediately begins to search for references to creatures like the fungus on the tree and to those likely to make such howls in his memory.

 

[Crowe9107]

Arramor readies his crossbow and approaches the outcropping, trying to identify the howling, and taking as much advantage of the cover as possible.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Amanu's memory links the current howling to that made by terrestrial primates. The analysis is confirmed as small humanoid shapes begin leaping into the trees, then climbing and jumping away from the party. Some of them set off additional fungus patches as they flee.

A closer look at the fleeing creatures reveals that something is a little off, however. The monkey-like creatures have a mix of scales and fur, and their eyes are slitted like snakes. A sinking feeling in your stomachs suggest they might be the product of yuan-ti experimentation.

From cover Arramor now has a good view of the clearing and the outcropping. What once may have been a campsite now looks like a disaster zone, tossed and torn by small invaders. Pieces of tents and other materials lay on the rocks, hang from low branches, and float in the spring-fed pool now visible at one end of the rock. The sounds of splashing are gone, and there is no sign of occupants or bodies.

Alerted to Erenal's brush with trouble, Amanu is able to spot the fungus patches on many trees bordering the clearing.

 

[Keia]

As things quiet down, I'll ask Leopard to check the area for tracks (other than the small ones) to see if the hunting party left and hasn't returned, or if there was a struggle here. I understand it will be tough but Leopard should look for tracks before we search the campsite in-depth.

Otherwise, Marcus will be alert for anyone drawn to the sounds and he will be on watch for anyone approaching while Leopard has her look around.