The way east

[harknail]

Vadania answers, I don't follow you because you are the most unwise person I've ever met, not that I've met many people. You plan for any encounter seems to be to run away. That works well for you, but would get the rest of us killed. As it is, I can't count on you to help in a fight because you'll always by running away, and then maybe come back to help, if you aren't too busy trying to burn down a town. Still, you have saved my life more than once, and sometimes you plans are good."

[at]

Garrot notices that he can no longer hear the wolves, but the elfs wolf Ylva still stands alert - the shadow creatures are doubtless waiting for their opportunity, whatever the group chooses to do splitting up before sunrise would seem unwise.

The fire seen earlier was still some distance away and would likely be hard to find in the dark but if it was another camp then the numbers would at least decrease the chance of further attack.

[sageaqua]

"The most unwise person you've ever met? Really? I avoid fights when I can. Sounds pretty wise to me. And from what I've seen - I seem to have the same wisdom as most people. I'm sure they'd agree with me that if you can avoid fights. It's a wise idea to do so. My strength is in speed and intelligence - so it's my way of dealing with those enemies that are stronger then I am.

Most barbarians figure if they hit it - they can kill it. But fighting any creature that is stronger, faster, healthier, smarter, wiser or harder to hit then you are is a gamble. I like a loaded deck in my favor. Don't you? Or are you to wise to use one? I offered to train you as a barbarian to help you improve your strength, health and speed. I extend my offer to our new recruit.

As far as burning down the church and a few houses in that village that was under attack by a assassin wizard that was loading the place with glyphs and summoned creatures. It was the smart option. And when it turned out that I made a mistake checking the dead in the church. I risked death to get the old women out alive. But everyone else in the village was dead. The assassin wizard was turning the village into a death trap for anyone that stopped by including the children that would explore the place and you know it.

And on two levels in that fight - I won. The first is I drove off the assassin. None of you did. You couldn't even hit or see him. The second I nearly killed his horse and if I had we would of won the fight. He would of never been able to out run me or your guard.

So far where you prefer to fight at the worst possible times - It has been me that managed to get us out alive. Every time. So I suggest you stop thinking about avoiding fights as a bad plain. Because it's a good one. And in many ways it is better then armor." insists Ka'lion

[harknail]

Vadania answers, "Avoiding fights is good and I will do so whenever I can, but some fights can't be avoided. Running and scattering from an enemy that is faster than you isn't avoiding a fight, it's giving up what advantage you have in numbers, and sacrificing one person so that the rest can get away."

"You're right, fighting is a gamble. And I'd like to have the best chance I can of wining a fight. You running away consistently has been making it harder then it needed to be to win fights we had to fight."

"The buildings you tried to burn down didn't inconvenience the wizard at all, though it did make things harder for the survivors who weren't in town. Yes, you risked your life to save the person still alive in the church you ignited, but it was your lack of wisdom that put her in danger in the first place. The rest of us were either going after the wizard or trying to keep you from burning the town down. And it wasn't you that drove off the Wizard killer, it was the rest of us pressing the attack. When he feared for his life, he fled. You were more a distraction than a help in that fight."

"I prefer to fight when I must, when the alternative is to either fight the enemy alone or to abandon one of my companions to that fate. I would rather see the enemy first and avoid them completely. That's why we took the long way around the valley to avoid as many fights as we could."

"As for it being you that gets us out alive, sometimes. Other times you were no help at all, and still others it was us getting you out alive."

"As for running being better than armor, it seems to me that you've been needing healing more than anyone else."

[rhinobullet]

Garrot looks at the elf and human who are fighting with each other in the midst of a shadow wolf attack. He thinks to himself "I should have stayed and explored the mirror realm alone."

Aloud he says "Figthing about this now makes no sense big people! We need to move before the wolves attack again!"

Garrot picks up his torch and seems ready to go.

[harknail]

Vadania answers, "I think the shadow wolves of learned that they cannot take us while we are all awake and together. But I don't think it's safe to try to go back to sleep, and anyone of us who wanders out on their own is very likely to be attacked. Though I suppose Ka'lion would be safe if he can really sleep standing up in a tree."

"Since we need to stay awake anyway, we might as well start heading in the direction of that campfire. If we can find it in the dark, we may be able to determine whether those who set the campfire or friend or foe from the cover of darkness. If foe, we can continue on without a fight. If friend, we can announce our self to whoever they have on watch."

"But even if we can't find the fire, we'll at least be making progress towards Burr town, since we need to be awake to keep the shadow wolves away anyway."

[sageaqua]

Ka'lion ties the book outside his pack for light and picks up his ax and hammer and ties his shield on to his back to protect the book and the back of his neck and feeling a little like a peacock of light. He knows that the touches will go out in about 15 minutes or less. He also knows the rest of the party pressed their attacks and never even came close to hitting the assassin. If the elf needed to believe he mattered in the fight with the wizard. Ka'lion knew better.

He figures the others are just going to have to learn the hard way again. "I'm running the next time the shadow wolves attack. So don't carry anymore then you can to run away with easily. In the meantime captain I suggest you shoot them when you see them." says Ka'lion testing two weapon fighting with the hammer and ax. -2 style+1 magic+1 str+2 lvl= +2 over all to hit
+1 magic+1 str to damage = hammer d4+2 (x2 crit) and ax d6+2 (x3 crit)

[harknail]

Vadania commented, "Run if you like, but I suggest you stay with us. You already know you can't outrun them, and if you're off alone then you're the easiest target. And yes, if I see one I plan to put an arrow in it."

OOC: Real torches last for an hour, burning logs pulled from a fire not so long. In any case Vadania can see in the dark somewhat.

[at]

Ka'lion straps the glowing book to his back, the blue glow casting both light and shadow around the party from the barbarians head and shield.

Testing the weight of the ax head in his hand he notices that the carvings appear to have changed, now showing five wolves, a two bears, and a single deer.

The hammer is bulkier and must be held in Ka'lions stronger hand. As before it glows with a soft golden light when held forth, enough to mark Ka'lions position but not enough to see any distance.


The group gathers up their possessions and torches and begin in what they believe is the correct direction. An occasional sound or shifting shadow indicates the wolves remain, hidden from view.

(survival check by anyone)

[rhinobullet]

[dice=20]
Survival check[rand=717640360886525600543694884369261359539321807664560574842024283605]

[sageaqua]

Ka'lion survival check
+5 skill+2 knowledge nature bonus+roll[dice=20]=[rand=863810560433194552678657462820476495950110256675672910157591105]

[at]

The group are experienced outdoorsmen and soon catch the sight of smoke against the moon, less than an hours walk away.

(how do you want to march/approach the camp - in darkness and stealth or openly? And any other considerations such as spells, potions, equipment, etc?)

[rhinobullet]

OOC: Garrot has the ability to move silently if you all wish to approach in that manner, but moving stealthily may be a problem as we are carrying torches. Dropping torches may mean a wolf problem.

[harknail]

Vadania would like to know just what is at that campfire before revealing the group's presence. The last thing they need to do is alert some hungry humanoid monsters to their presence!

But the continued presence of the shadow wolves makes this difficult. They can't extinguish their lights, at least not completely, nor can they send someone ahead to scout.

What Vadania will do is use her keen eyesight to try and see what manner of creature is standing watch at the campfire. Their own campfire should provide enough light for Vadania to see who is on watch, hopefully before their own light becomes obvious.

Spot:[dice=20]+12=17[rand=190077703446149838799191459547728208625063300132754882390289567411]

[sageaqua]

Ka'lion just going to approach the camp openly - he's expecting goblins or monsters but the rest of the party insisted they go. Besides he looks like a light framed peacock. He couldn't hide himself at night if he wanted to.

[rhinobullet]

Garrot watches the human blunder towards the camp and decides he will hide in the shadows to see if the human is murdered or not.

hide roll:
[dice=20]
+15 for total of 27[rand=5539638028311445454379893040441643862232800694986561315869823636]

[at]

As Ka'lion steps towards the camp he can see a single figure standing in the fire light, back towards him, but he is unsure of how many more are there. It would appear to be a small travelling group of warriors.

Ylva growls and turns, Vadania seeing the reason for her concern - Ka'lion had stepped away from the group and Garrot too had backed into the shadows. The wolves have their chance at last -


[Tag Vadania - one action]

[harknail]

No chance now of seeing who they are before anouncing themselves. Vadania called out load enough for all to hear, "Stay together or the shadow wolves will get you!"

[rhinobullet]

Garrot, in watching the human blunder forward, had quite forgotten the threat in the woods. Upon hearing the elf, he realized his dilemma and rushed forward, thinking to himself "out of the frying pan...."

[sageaqua]

Ka'lion well back up towards the group, weapons out and ready.