Hollow's Last Hope [IC]

[YeOldeAlbatross]

With the moment of conflict passed, Hakkara and Jared turn back to the pitiful fox whose plaintive cries began the whole encounter. The animal has a distinctive appearance, with large ears and wispy patches of flame-colored fur around its paws. The jaws of the steel trap are strong, but with teamwork (Jared calming the animal, and Hakkara applying her muscle to the trap's jaws), the animal is soon free. Jared utters a prayer to Sarenrae, and the minor curative magic helps staunch the fox's bleeding. Although its blood loss has stopped, the fox still limps. It seems clear that the animal will need to be nursed back to help over a period of time to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, Cyryn, after making sure all the flames from Loricallior's breath attack are out, turns the hobgoblin over to search the body. Cyryn can't help but notice the gray-skinned hunter has a prodigious cleft palate, marking him as one truly ugly brute. A search turns up the hobgoblin's longsword and shortbow, as well as a suit of studded leather armor, and a light shield. All of the gear appears to have been well cared for.

OOC: I leave it to you whether anyone wished to take the fox along and try to nurse it back to full health. Also, if anyone wishes to claim any of the hobgoblin's equipment, please say so. For any loot that remains unclaimed, I will assume that you wish to sell it when you return to the town. The standard rate for selling loot is 50 percent of PHB value, to be divided equally among the PCs. Let me know what else you want to do here, and when ready, I'll advance you onwards.

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Jebbo walks up to the fox, tears welling up in his eyes. "Poor l'il critter... Y'know, I was never a good hunter, couldn't bear t'harm somethin' that'd done me no wrong. Would y'all mind if I brought the l'il critter along with me, least 'till he gets better? He can ride along on m'shoulder, I don't mind t'all!" Jebbo squats down, giving the injured fox a warm smile. Without even waiting for an answer, he gingerly picks up the fox and holds it in his arms. "Cute l'il fella! I was never good with namin' names... Anybody got any idears f'names f'the l'il critter?"

[sblock=OOC]Yeah, that's Jebbo's nature for you. He'd probably say that a baby Carrion Crawler was cute... I guess he has a soft spot for animals. Oh, and I'll cast a quick Detect Magic on the gear, to see if any of it's magic. You never know, right? I'll leave it up to you guys if we load it onto the horse or not.[/sblock]

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

Jebbo, the fox perched contentedly on his shoulder, intones the words to a detect magic incantation, but none of the hobgoblin's gear radiates as magical.

 

[Azgulor]

"I'll say this for you, you're one ugly bastard,"Cyryn says to the corpse as he pats down the body in search of belt pouch or purse concealed in hobgoblin's clothing.

Moving to pat down the hobgoblins lower legs in search of a hidden blade or loose coin or two stuffed into his shoe, he glances over to his companions huddled around the injured fox. Shaking his head in bewilderment, he mutters "You'd think they found a babe in the woods. Last night they'd have named him Dinner."

Finding no coin on the hobgoblin, Cyryn drops the foot he's holding in disgust. Shouldering the hobgoblin's bow and arrows, Cyryn peers in the direction the goblinoid tried to flee.

Turning to his companions as Jebbo approaches, Cyryn says "If you ladies are done petting your new friend, does anyone know how to track? He might have been heading in that direction for a reason. Like to find some friends maybe. Or a camp where he's stashed his ill gotten gains. Who knows, maybe he's got a whole litter of kittens tucked away for his next trap. We could free them and then train them to attack crows for us."

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Jebbo's eyes light up as he gives a wide grin to Cyryn. "Say now... trainin' the l'il critters t'fight birdies, now THERE'S an idear! Good thinkin', Cyryn! As f'findin' the brute's camp, d'we have the time? The longer we dilly-dally about, the more people meet a narsty end... but, if'n it ain't TOO far away, might be worth a shot!"

[sblock=OOC]Is he sarcastic or just oblivious? I'll let you be the judge of that. [/sblock]

 

[Insight]

"I believe this was nothing more than a diversion," Hakkara says. She starts again down the path the group had originally taken. "We've no more time to waste on diversions. We have a village to save, don't we?"

 

[Azgulor]

Hakkara's comment catches Cyryn before he can respond to Jebbo's retort. Closing his mouth and dropping his upraised arm (which was still pointed in the direction the hobgoblin attempted to flee) he begins striding back towards the path the party had been following.

"Says the woman who almost got an arrow through her skull for trying to free a fox!" he mutters. Stopping and turning back to Jebbo, Cyryn smiles "Name him Foolsbait. Maybe Desna will bless our group of fools."

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Jebbo, hearing Cyryn's suggestion, turns his head to the fox and scratches him behind the ears. "Huh, seems like as good a name as any! And y'never know, sometimes names can bring luck 'n fortune, 'n all that. Well, Foolsbait, seems we're off again! Who knows, maybe you're a lucky l'il critter. Wouldn't that be somethin'?" Jebbo quickens his pace to catch up with Hakkara, trusting the warrior's judgement.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

With Hakkara's words of reminder about the plague in town weighing heavily on everyone's minds (not to mention the lack of anyone in the group with skill at tracking), the decision is made to press on in an effort to gather the ingredients for Laurel's brew as quickly as possible. Jebbo happily gathers up his new pet, Foolsbait, while Jared says a prayer to Sarenrae that heals up the ugly scratch dealt to the priest by the nasty crow (Cure Minor Wounds, Jared back up to 9/9 hp). At this point, everyone gathers 'round and discusses the best course to take. Based on Milon Rhodam's map, it seems best to skirt the edge of the lake, then proceed in a generally northwest direction to make for the largest tree of the vale. As it is now past midday, lunch seems in good order. It's only then that the party realizes Hakkara's pony is nowhere to be seen. A search is called, and only after several minutes of retracing steps, is the beast of burden found, contentedly munching on some grass in a small clearing back within the woods.

After a hasty lunch, the hobgoblin hunter's armaments are strapped to the pony, then the group sets out once more, eager to make up for lost time. The trip around the lake is quite pleasant, as the warm sunlight glitters prettily upon the water's surface, and a cooling breeze offers sweet relief from the afternoon heat. After proceeding in this manner for an hour, the time comes to leave the grassy sloping lakeshore behind, and the group plunges back into the darkwood forest.

The going is not nearly so pleasant in this part of the woods. The pleasant breeze falls still now, leaving the group feeling stifled and hot. The ground, too, is uneven and littered with large branches and twisting roots. The pace slows considerably now, as the pony stumbles several times over the forest floor debris. As the afternoon wears on, the mood grows more sullen and weary.

Then, Cyryn takes notice of something on the ground as the party passes by...a set of deep, goat-like tracks which crosses a patch of bare earth just a few feet from where the party currently walks.

 

[Azgulor]

Cyryn signals the others, crouches by the track and says, "What in the Abyss made that?"

After studying it for a moment he stands so that the others can get a better look if they wish. He begins scanning the woods around the party, seeking any sign of a threat.