Signs Of Trouble (AT)

Signs Of Trouble Prerequisites: "Based" at Outpost Location  Timeframe: 1 IC, Desnus Rewards: Item Requesition Form (up To 500gp)  Something stirred in the darkness outside of town to the north .. Lumberjacks had reported pairs of red eyes in the edge of the woods and a half elf among the lumberjacks saw that they were like children who looked like lizards.  They wore armor and held weapons in their hands.  We wouldn't have even seen them but we just got lucky.  We approached the edge of the woods, the creatures hissed and yelled in a strange langauge.  The lumberjacks turned to run .. but Farcus was too slow.  When the rest turned back he was being dragged into the woods kicking and screaming.  When the lumberjacks went to get help, guards came out to investigate and they were gone.  The only thing they found were small reptilian tracks and the dead body of Farcus.  Agela called a meeting in the town hall .. and arranged for trackers to investigate ..   We must find out who these creatures are and what they want.  We cannot live under fear!  I will reward anyone who solves this mystery with an item requisition form worth up to 500 gp.  The benefactor will ship these items to you by the end of Desnus!  Whose worthy!  Let the Inheritor guide them on this important mission! Arriving at the edge of the woods, the town's finest adventurers gathered to find out what was going on.  

The explorers ran away, seeking new lands to see, too busy in their wonderlust to notice that the outskirts of their own outpost weren't really safe. This had to be stopped, too many people dead in too little time... It was time to claim the surroundings and push their enemies away, and create a buffer zone. Prytania left her room with that determination in her mind... Plus, a requisition is always nice! Álmos had spent little time with Prytania, but he already saw her main skills: Since she wasn't too good with swords, and there were enough wanna-be swordsmen, he was instead determined to turn her into what this city needed: a leader. Twice she went on a mission, and twice she failed... The last one had far worse consequences. That couldn't happen again, as good as it is for the business, failure wasn't an option this time. Álmos spoke in terms familiar to her: " You see, we are a flock of sheep. We have some dogs guarding us, but without a leash, they scatter and the wolves eat us, you get me girl? You need to be the shepard, you need to guide the dogs " - The idea of Azariah being put on a leash crossed her mind for a second before embarrasingly shaking it off her head. Yet, she got the idea, and left home decided to lead, she had her course of action. She joined the team at the edge of the woods, her eyes were already shining, and inmediately asked to the scouts with her confident voice: " Ok guys, d o we have any tracks to follow? "

" I'm no good with tracks, but I'm sure someone nearby can help. They couldn't have gotten far." Kellen stands alert, next to prytania. Keeping his eyes on the woods.

Eilife preternaturally sidles up alongside Kellen as he concentrated his gaze on the wood.  "I see I managed to catch up. The guards told me where to find you. We'll have much to talk about after this is over. In the meantime, what is our course of action? Do we have a plan, or are we 'winging it', as they say?" She knew she needed to make sure this was a success. Eventually she gets run out of every town for one reason or another. She better make sure it's as safe as possible when she has to flee.

" ah excellent excellent, it's good your here. There are some strange er... Lizard children.... Stalking about. We're trying to get a lead on them but I personally have no skill with tracks, and neither does prytania." Kellen gestures to the woods and then to prytania as he speaks. 

"Let me see what I can see..." Eilife kneels down and splays her hands on the ground. It looks like she is about to engage in some sort of tracking ritual, but she just remains like that for a few moments, scanning the ground before her. Then she stands up to reveal what she's found... // Rolled a 16 on survival

(" Come on, you have to do this... He told you the plan ") -Prytania's voice lacked the former confidence, and her eyes had stopped shining - (" Let's see ") - " We'll wait a bit until some more people join, yea... We still need at least one that can find the tracks " -She scratched her head a bit- " When that happens, we will send scouts to the... - (" What was the word... ")- Flanks! Yea, to the flanks of the main group just in case they ambush us. Then we will have to adapt " Prytania managed to deliver most of Álmos's discourse, and she didn't flicker too much (" Not doing bad... ") 

Azariah arrived alongside Prytania, he didn't go exploring all too often, taking his duties as a carpenter and establishing his home seriously. Now however, he still considered the duty to keep people safe very important. The wolf man walked up, one hand in his pocket, the other stroking absently along one of his backward sweeping horns. The carpenter was silent, but nodded to Prytania as he made his entry into the group.

"Thats an excellent idea, I do hope more arrive soon, I want to catch up to those little creatures. Nobody scares my townsfolk and gets away with it." Kellen looks excited, and now splits his attention between the woods and the town behind us. 

     Ren had tagged along with every, staying quite mainly because he wasn't the resident expert of tracking. On his way there he walked while reading a book, "New Advances in the Medical Field --- Minor Miracles v2". As they near it seemed that Prytania was talking strategy or something, Ren bookmarked his page before lifting his head. So, let's see who has a good plan. 

As Issachar comes striding up, his eyes are on the ground.  He walks almost halfway to the woods, Kizzak keeping pace.  They occasionally stop and kneel, talking about something in hushed tones.  After spending more than a minute talking about something, Issachar picks something up and begins walking back.   We found their tracks (Survival 20) , and this oddly marked arrow, but we don't know what they are (Know (Nature) 6) .  Maybe Will or Pezzack will have an idea.

"Well whatever they are, they're intelligent enough to use weapons. It seems like we're dealing with more than just animals this time." Kellen looks concerned at his own statement. "We should get moving now, with you at the lead of the main group, I can keep off to one side a little bit ahead, and keep an eye out for an ambush."  He looks around the group for other ideas.

Kellen was taking the lead... Old Álmos would be disappointed... Prytania casted guidance to get her confidence back. Her voice almost had a martial cadence to it, and her eyes burned with determination. She spoke: " Let's send another one on the other flank, and don't wander too far off, if you see something weird, come towards the main group and tell us... -She turned to the group and yelled: We got this, let's get moving boys! "

Kellen was surprised. He had heard a bit about the old man, but this was incredible. "I'll be sure to share anything I find." He said, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He hid a smile as he quietly slipped into the trees.

By searching the area, they easily found the tracks that the others had mentioned.  They were small and in the muddy area at the edge of the woods they could be easily seen.  As they led into the woods it became harder to follow but Issachar led the way spotting a track here and there.  Everyone searched their memory for lizardtype creatures and they came up with the idea of kobolds, lizardfold, or something else entirely.  They talked quietly, uncertain if any of these creatures could be close by.  Coming to a large tree, Issachar stopped.  The tracks seemed to split here heading both east and west.  The majority of the tracks head west.   Knowledge (local) [11] can identify the tracks as kobold for sure Which way do you think you should go? Record a perception check and survival if you can after deciding which way to go.

Viggo kept to the back hoping no one would notice him. His new form may help, lots of other dwarves have arrived to town.  OOC: 18 survival and 15 perception. Viggo only speaks up if no one else notices...unless it's a monster.

Fizziwik was busy learning his way around his newly inherited forge and working with Rodger when he heard some of the locals talking about a death as they walked past the shop.  Poking his head out the window, he inquired what they were talking about and they spoke of a death and lizardytype creatures.  Apparently the days work would need to wait, a death must be avenged!!  With Rodger's help he donned his armor and saddled up Gerty.   Hey Poppy, I'll be out for a bit, don't wait up.   Hopping on Gerty, he asks someone for directions and heads out to help.  He sees the group starting to head out as he rides up.  Seeing a young dwarf hanging back a little he rides up beside him and says Hey there youngun, you mind telling me who's running this operation? 

Kellen returns to the main group after seeing them stop, "What are we....oh... this is a predicament. If they are planning to ambush us, then they probably expect us to follow the main force. But if we choose to chase the smaller group, then the main force escapes. The main force probably wont return to their lair, wherever it may be, at least until they know we've stopped tracking them"  Kellen takes a moment to look around and then begins again "They're not trying to hide their tracks, and they made themselves visible to us. Were walking into a trap no matter which way we chase them. I think the worst thing we can do right now is split up." He looks to prytania, again barely hiding a smile. ((OOC Kellen got a 29 perception to see if were being watched))

Prytania took a while to think... Everyone was watching her, waiting for her decision, she just asked for a little time with her hand while she tought... Álmos warned her about ambushes... It was better to outmanouver them. Outmanouver them where? It seems there were two ambushes on their way, so that doesn't help... Does it? She came with a solution just as the group was starting to get impatient. Her eyes turned purple again: " We aren't in a hurry, that villager is already dead... Let's pick off the smaller group and capture one of these creatures. It'll tell us where their lair is, and we will ambush the rest of the force there "

Oh great...wait I don't know him...OK, I can do this.   "Nice..hat,... Prytania is leading, If you have any skills that help. You should Keep a look out for any trouble"

Kyros approaches the gathering. "What's going on?" Listening to the story, he keeps glancing over his shoulder, looking for any new movement. "Whatever, look. We aren't big enough to take on new invaders, so I say we get the smaller force, get some information from them. If we're careful, we'll be fine, no ambusher will get us, just keep your eyes and ears peeled, unless you want to end up like the villager." Listening to Prytania he nods to everyone else "That's the best idea, yes."

"I can handle knocking one out, especially if i can get the jump on it. Ill head back out to the "flank" and keep a little ahead of you."  When he says flank he glances back to prytania.  ((OOC kellen is going to be sneaking a bit ahead of the party, to warn them if were getting too close or if she sees an ambush))

Deciding to take the path of less tracks, the party headed east for a ways before turning north towards a giant rock sticking out of the earth near a small stream flowing south.   The rock had some strange makings on it.    Knowledge (dungeoneering/geography) [14] determines these rocks are old gneiss that often form fault lines.  Knowledge (planes)/ linguistics [20] determines these markings are a coded language from no known resident species or native of Golarion and are not ancient thassilon or osiriani.   Let me have Kellens passive (take 10) perception.   Include number for traps and for not traps anyone else who is going to scout ahead pleas give me that information  anyone can still join this AT just post yourself catching up or having been with the exploration  party all along.  

((Kellen didn't figure out anything about the markings, and has a passive of 22 (non traps), and 23 (traps) and a passive stealth of 25))

Viggo follows along, saying little. Nothing can be done for the noise the main force is making, but I see no need to add to it. OOC: Knowledge Dungeioneering 22 (-2 included from neg levels)

Kyros waits for the rest of the group to catch up, trying to keep quiet. "Be careful around here, watch your footing. Don't want you to fall into anything, we don't have the time to fish anyone out. And be quiet, will you?!" before he sets off again, ahead of the main group, looking for any ambushes or anything of the kind. ((OOC Knowledge Geography 16, Perception 23 and Stealth 24, looking ahead for ambushes or traps.))

I need Kyros passive (take10) perception and passive stealth or verify that what you gave me was passive.

((No, those were rolls. Sorry, thought you meant only for Kellen. Passive stealth 17, passive perception 15))

Thanks!  Fizziwik adjusts his hat as he guides Gerty towards the lady in charge.  Quiet the discerning young dwarf to take note of how amazing his hat was.  Approaching Prytania, Greetings Lady Prytania, I am Fizziwik, and I am new to the Island of Iss.  I have come to aid as I may, I've heard you've had some trouble with lizardlings.  

So are Kellen and Kryos the two up front .. everyone else is behind .. I assume so.

Issachar is out front also.  Passive perception is 23, passive Stealth 22.

Azariah and his niece were following along behind the party in quiet conversation. However upon noticing the strange markings. Azariah nodded to them, asking his niece if she knew anything about them, admitting she had greater expertise in such things than he. "This is no language of this plane. It's something else. We may have outsiders around, but  I don't recognise it as infernal..." She told the party

// Eilife is behind anyone she can put between her and incoming attacks. :p

Prytania stayed with the main group, trying to act like a leader, when a... Colourful gnome came, mounting a giant lizard and introduced himself:  Greetings Lady Prytania, I am Fizziwik, and I am new to the Island of Iss. I have come to aid as I may, I've heard you've had some trouble with lizardlings  - (" Already new and you know about the dino- oh wait, he must be referring to THESE lizardlings "). This leader thing sure is exhausting, everyone keeps trying to push you down...Still annoyed at herself, she responded with all the confidence she could muster: " Uh.. yea, we are following their tracks. And speaking of lizards... That cousin of theirs you have there...You'll probably be better staying here with the main group... It might tell our position" -Prytania turned to watch the scouts, before turning back-  "Oh, I almost forget, pleased to meet you!" After the a while, the initial confusion faded and Álmos's words came back to her... Outmanouver ... " Hey, Mr Fizzwick, how fast would you say that lizard of yours can run? "

Ah, ole Gerty here can run a bit faster than one of you elfs without any armor on. ((OOC: 40 ft movement))

The scouting group stops after heading a-ways north .. they stop at the edge where the trail appears odd.  It appears as if piles of leaves have been laid out on branches across the path here.  Those scouting can easily see a camouflaged pit trap [20]  

" Well, let's hope she runs to earn her meat today... I may have a job for her " - Prytania explained the whole plan to Fizzwick while the explorers came back - Would you mind cutting their retreat and force them to surrender, or at least capture one?

  Kellen points the trap out too TRceni, and then moves past it off of the trail, looking for any lizardlings hiding in wait. If he doesn't see any he tells TRceni to warn the others about it, and then makes a marking on a nearby tree for reference.

Sounds like a plan to me.  You've got a head for this stuff. Reminds of this time I met this other elf, Reginald was his name, think he was a son of a duke or something, anyway, Reginald was telling me about this time that he was hanging out with this evil mermaid, well, he wasn't really sure if the mermaid was evil but he was hanging out with her anyway but she did seem like she sometimes wanted to take over the world but other times just seemed like she was joking about it and he was always really confused about it and what were we talking about?  Oh yeah, your plan should work out just fine. 

Kyros nods and goes back t the main group, warning them of the spike trap, walking beside them to be sure. "This isn't a social event, keep the chatter down!" he says, staring at Fizziwik and Prytania.

Issachar, not trusting the new arrival or Prytania, Why in the new world is a teenage girl trying to tell experienced fighters and woodsmen what to do?  We'll call on you when we need healing... circled ahead to cut off the creatures.  Climbing up into the top of a big oak (Climb 19 with Barnacle Grips on both hands), Issachar took a look around the area (Perception 33) and spotted the little creatures.   Kobolds (Know (Nature) 18) ... There will probably be a ton of them  Best if we take out this group quickly and quietly.   Hiding among the leaves 20 feet up a tree (Stealth 15 + whatever mods you think I should get for being this far out of line of sight), Issachar nocked an arrow and prepared to ambush the ambushers.

Kellen, spotting them as well, quickly begins stealthing forward, opposite Issachar's position.  He draws 2 saps as he moves forward, ready to jump the most lightly armored one he can find. ((OOC stealth 31, and Kellen cant not spot them with passive))

Azariah and his niece alike ready themselves, glowing scales of magic spread as a neck guard around aliiszha's throat, as Azariah readied the incantations in his mind to bring forth his wolf head, expending some of his mental energy to summon the claws that aided him so greatly in a fight - 4 power points spent to increase claws damage to 1d8. Azariah and his niece swept up closer to the group, both making great use of their natural affinity for stealth as they glided through the underbrush  (17 Azariah 20 Aliiszha)

After looking around the area of the camouflaged pit trap .. they find no sign of kobolds (except the trap itself).. the tracks do not seem to continue past the trap.  The party has not yet attempted to "disarm" the trap by removing the covering to investigate the pit below but they prepare for a combat that has not arrived for them .. yet.  //OOC I'm not sure what I posted that made you think you saw kobolds .. I did not post anything about them being seen yet.  But you DO see a camouflaged pit trap which you have not dealt with.

After half an hour of watching the Kobolds, Issachar realized he had been staring at moss çovered stumps.   What a dang fool I am.  Better get back and deal with that put trap before Prytania falls in.   He climbed down with a sheepish look on his face and returned to the party.   I didn't see nothing off that way.  They must have doubled back and rejoined the main group.

Prytania was unsure of what to do, and the troop was already starting to act on its own... She looked at Kyros, who had told them earlier to lower the volume of the conversation, and asked him: " Well, you saw what's up there better than us, what do you suggest we should do? "

We should do something about that pit trap you guys were talking about.  No sense leaving that laying around for some other unsuspecting gnome to go stumbling into.

Kellen Sighs and looks over as issachar " you got me all hyped up over nothing, here let me deal with this pit. it might not be what we think it is." Kellen goes to disarm the pit trap with a 23 taking a 10. expecting to find a tunnel hidden under the pit he lifts the cover.

Lifting the pit covering does indeed reveal at least a 30 foot deep pit .. the pit is 10 ft by 10 ft.  At the bottom of the pit is a pool of water.  To the north, south, east and west along the bottom of the pit are holes about the size of a small creature leading away from the pit room.  There are no handholds or ways to easily traverse the walls of the pit to climb down.  Looks like you could jump or climb down but there is some strange black material along the inner walls of the pit where it has been dug into the stone.  [30 climb]

I motion issachar down and wait for the larger group to catch up. "take a look down there, but your not gonna like what you see. The tracks end here, and i think im the only person that wont have trouble down in those tunnels. I'd go myself, but we dont know where it leads, or how many there are down there."

Fizziwik turns to Prytania.   Gerty here is good at climbing.  We can run down and take a closer look if you'd like.  It would be nice if a few of those archers over there covered us though, in case a kobold poked it's head out.  Your call though.