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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 9769542" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Aerikoth believed Hamish’s grief and anger were misplaced, which his companions agreed with, although Darrow and Lloria observed it was understandable. The companions finished up their meal and decided it was best to go complete their task of re-homing Old Scratch. Outside the cabin, they found the hermit kneeling and petting his dog fiercely. Old Hamish stood up as they came over and, appearing to make a decision, he motioned for Dermot to accompany him away from the cabin, saying he had something for the ranger.The two were gone for a little while, and upon their return Hamish bid his visitors farewell, observing their ranger knew the way to Old Scratch’s territory. The hermit said he would be fine, now that the forest was quieter and the trolls gone, although he would leave the traps out just in case. He also asked the group to give Ian Gryphonhawk his regards, if they passed through the Giant’s Folly in Reddansyr. Brief goodbyes and well-wishes were exchanged, as Old Hamish went back into his cabin. (It seems that whatever was provided to Dermot was not discussed further at the time, although it apparently was important to the hermit. Perhaps some useful token of the wilderness, that would help the ranger's future endeavors? --C)After about an hour of travel, the group reached a point close to the polymorphed bear’s home. As they surveyed the terrain, Aerikoth explained that the spell to return the beast to its original form had a significant range, so they did not have to be close. Dermot agreed wholeheartedly with this idea, while Darrow opened the kitten’s box and slid a ration tin with some beer in, closing the lid afterwards and placing it on the ground. Purring could be heard from inside the box as the dwarf patted the lid affectionately, wiping a tear as he said goodbye to his animal companion.As his four companions started backing away - Rosten wagering twenty gold with Dermot that things would go wrong - Aerikoth went over to the box and stared down at it, evidently contemplating the casting of the spell. The wizard the bent down to open the box, revealing the hissing black kitten inside. It started following the wizard as he retreated, but it stopped at the bank of a shallow stream, while Aerikoth continued across. He explained to the others that he had to be able to see the feline to cast the spell, so it could not remain inside the box. This made Rosten even more pessimistic, although he hin chuckled darkly as he stretched his legs, and Dermot advised them to get ready to run as the wizard advised them to back up. Lloria helpfully observed that she was sure she could patch up anyone who got caught by the bear.Narrowing his eyes at the kitten, Aerikoth began casting. Separated from them, it began mewing in a plaintive manner, drawing sympathy from Darrow. The wizard then finished the spell, holding up what appeared to be a cocoon as he spoke the final word. Instantly the black kitten was replaced by a large, angry bear with outsized claws that had no trouble immediately crossing the stream and charging the group, who immediately turned tail and ran through the dense forest, Rosten sprinting desperately to keep up with his bigger companions. They ran for perhaps several hundred yards until apparently reaching a point outside of Old Scratch's territory, where the bear stopped chasing them and then headed back to its normal range.The party was exhausted but relieved, Darrow wheezing that he should have saved some beer with which to distract the bear. Rosten brought up the rear, bursting out of the forest to join the others, his face covered in sweat as he doubled over and leaned on his knees, coughing horribly. Dermot politely offered a waterskin to the alcoholic hin, which was taken gratefully and drank from. Aerikoth, after catching his breath, observed that it could have gone better, but the beast was returned to his form, and they now had the tactics to do so against a more appropriate creature, if that was desired. Lloria ended their discussion by helpfully observing that nobody got chomped up.</blockquote>

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