Chapter 2: High Road to Krusk

Stealth +6

The member 'Ezythyr Coalthane' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 9

Stealth +3

The member 'downwarddawn' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 6

Stealth +1

The member 'Mikegld561' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 14

(Nice)

The member 'lord8track' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 6

[Thokk and Ezythyr successfully Stealth check, but Cordial and Eledriar do not... I think that's how I say that? - DM]

As Thokk and Ezythyr duck into nearby brush twenty feet away from the creature, Eledriar and Cordial move to a small cluster of bushes in the opposite direction to flank. This does not go as planned; as they crouch down, they inadvertently disturb a pair of squirrels hiding in proximity. Startled, the tiny rodents jump up and run away, rustling leaves and cracking small twigs as they flee from the area.

The creature, very threateningly, hears the disturbance and rises to its four feet quickly, whipping around to look in the direction of Eledriar and Cordial's hiding place. It's looking in your direction, so you two can make out more of its head and body features: it is large and a somewhat imposing beast, with gray fur and long, sharp claws. You both notice that as it takes small, measured steps towards you--away from the small cave mouth--and it appears to be favoring its right side. In the faint evening light, you can see small amounts of blood dripping from its left neck.

It still does not seem certain of your presence though, you see its head roving to the left and right, fangs bared and salivating as though it were indeed hungry and ready for a wayward traveler meal. But instead of a intimidating growl, you hear it mumble sternly, as though it was speaking in a tongue that all four of you can hear but don't understand.

"D...... duun't daagaan, tuul ogaal'daan......"

OOC: What do I roll to find out what it is?

Seeing that the creature is injured, Cordial immediately feels sympathy towards it. Before she speaks or approaches it, however, she attempts to determine more about it.

Nature +2

The member 'downwarddawn' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 5

[Nature check of 7 is not quite high enough. - DM]

Cordial, despite your experience as a druid, all you can recognize is that this creature is injured, but still very lethal if angered. You have not previously encountered anything similar, a gray beast that looks like a really fierce, undomesticated dog.

(OOC: Stupid? Question? Maybe I'm too much of a noob. Can we assume that if the animal speaks at all, that it must be an animal form of a "person?" Or, should I imagine that animals each speak in their own tongue... in a way... If I were to cast "speak with animals," and if it turns out not to be an actual animal, I would waste a spell slot. I'm like Jenkins. I want to save them if I can.)

With her desire to please others, Cordial couldn't help herself, she whispered "zalqfy ao kyiwzw" and made a few quick motions with her hands. She stood slowly and spoke to the creature, "Friend, you look injured. I mean you no harm, and if you'll let me, I may be able to heal your wound." She gestured toward the beast with her hands open, palms up, showing she was not wielding a weapon.

(OOC: Not sure if I should roll persuasion or animal handling here. Animal Handling is higher, so I'll give that a go)

Animal Handling +4

The member 'downwarddawn' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 18

[A successful Animal Handling check here means that you don't get attacked by this creature... for now. - DM]

The animal backs up slowly, but does not push against its back feet as though preparing to strike. It does post up, cautiously, and looks directly into Cordial's eyes. The animal grumbles again.

"Maach gha... gharaar... no no no... help master... help master."

It turns its head towards the cave. You see the back of the creature's head, revealing multiple lacerations; this is likely another source of the bleeding you noted previously.

(Oops, yes, I intended to cast Speak to Animals)

Cordial takes a step toward the creature and asks, "is your master nearby? Will you let me look at your wounds?"

The creature stands fully erect, and begins slowly walking towards the cave. It does not get more than a few feet before having to stop, pausing mid-stride and breathing heavily. Blood continues to drip from its neck.

Cordial, you hear the beast say, "Please... help master."

The rest of you continue to hear the foreign, strange grunting and muttering. "Haaraan... maach gharaar..."

It does not appear to want any healing or help, and seems insistant that you follow its request.

[Cordial, you can still do what you want at this point (i.e. attempt to heal the creature), but your results may vary. A lot. Might be good to see what the others would want to do, they've been watching the events unfold but do not understand the speech of the beast like you do. - DM]

OOC: Nature +3 it is.