The party was invited to stay overnight in the shav'arvani village. They were treated like guests, as hospitality dictates, and given good food and and drink. Stories were shared about the wolf pack they'd been dealing with. A plan is set and the party strikes out to the south in the morning, the most likely place the wolves have been known to range. Also, the direction the hunting parties were sent and never returned.

Vitalis ranges ahead and left, his horse picking its way through the growth and minding their forward progress while Vitalis trains his senses on the environs, he's been silent most of the morning which is not unusual, particularly, having traveled with him for some time now. But he might not have said a word in arvani today.

The evening in the village feels strange. Harlex has a look which permeates his cold, bright gaze. As if he's in brief moments lost in memories. In the past. The laughter, the food, the hospitality seems to unnerve him at times. So he focuses then on what he can control and try to get ahead of--the future.

In the midst of the fireside talks he approaches Drake. He asks him about the wolves. The size of the pack. He asks them for tools. A few spears. For pit traps and other snares to hinder the beasts. A direct head to head fight is I'll advised. Especially with what he knows of the abyssal creatures. Their tainted presence.

Once this is done he removes himself, he sleeps, wakes at the brisk choke of dawn and prepares to depart. Preparing his saddle and his horse for the trek as the party sets out.

Reese is along with the others while adorned for winter. She was polite and accepted the offered hospitality. She seems all ready to head south a well and is following Miranda' lead.

Having spent the evening accetping the hospitality and mingling among the hosts, but not taking too much, Fecundo is up and ready to go early. He keeps and eye about for anything odd on the trail, one axe always in hand.

When one is a Guest, one should offer a gift to the Host. Since this was unexpected, the gift must be spontaneous and so, once everyone's had the information, Miranda offers a story. It's an old tale, probably Lycene, and is about unexpected adventurers who struggle but win in the end. There's mystery and deceit within it, but ultimately, it's a fun story, nothing too dark.

Like her brother, Miranda only eats and drinks a little, for hospitality purposes, enough to be polite yet not take what they can't afford. She is up early, tending to her horse and checking on others. Harlex probably beat her as far as timing goes, but no matter. Once out on the horses, again, she looks about, even gives a bit of a sniff in the air.

Vitalis checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Fecundo has rolled a critical success!
Fecundo checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Harlex checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Reese checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Miranda checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 24 higher.

It's not long before the party easily picks up the trail of the wolves. Their paw prints are nearly as large as a bear's, and the ground in the forest is softer than the craggy fields and plains they were traveling before. There's also broken branches and mashed vegetation that show other signs of their passing. The trail continues south for some time before it turns to the west.

Reese follows along with the tracks and seems to be trying to pay them close attention. She continues toward the west. The girl looks to the others, trying to get a feel for what they think. She still seems to be interested in follow Miranda's lead.

"Anyone fought a pack in the wild before? I've only faced these with human handlers." Vitalis speaks! He casts this question over his shoulder as he rides, seems there's something on his mind, but as the signs become more and more clear, his attention sharpens.

Reese looks over to Vitalis. "I have, more than once actually." She says toward him in a softly somber tone. "Abyssal wolves and abyss dogs both are super dangerous."

Miranda purses her lips as they ride, frowning slightly as they go. "So if there are more than the injured one, we need a somewhat long-term plan to remove this problem. Otherwise, we're going to be back here again and again to help these people." She nods to Vitalis, "We had those wardogs but they weren't tainted, far as I recall." She makes a face, "Assuming we're talking the same thing here."

While looking about, Fecundo pauses and gives a hushed, "Stop...stop. Shhh." He hods up a hand and gestures to some mashed vegetation off to one side..a specific area as he turns his horse....wolf possibly...there."

Harlex remains in the saddle. As capable a rider as he is an on the ground troop. Once they're far enough from the village, the swordsman follows the trail with the others. Up until they begin to head west. "No way to know if they have handlers or not," he offers grimly. "But I've only faced normal wolves. Dire wolves too." He looks ahead. "Keep your eyes open for their den. We'll want to set up our snares and traps close. Lure them out to us. No sense runnin in at a pack like that--" He pauses and looks in the direction Fecundo indicates.

Reese looks over to Miranda, sucking in a soft breath and giving her a nod. "It was abyss tainted dogs who killed Lord Killian." She says, sounding sorrowful and a bit unsettled as she thinks of her past battles. She then looks over to Ferunda and finally falls silent, looking over to where he gestured.

Vitalis nods at the various recountings of clashes with these creatures and returns to his silent appraisal of the wilds. When Fecundo calls a stop, he halts immediately and turns his head towards the vegetation, not looking directly at it, rather to the side, letting his peripheral vision detect anomalous movements.

Miranda stops her horse and looks to where Fecundo points and to the area around it. She gives a faint nod to Reese and murmurs, "Pack animals, not solitary." She looks about to see if there might be more, a change in shadows or rustling of leaves that might be odd.

There does not seem to be a change in the forest. The birds that are awake this time of year are still singing, and everything seems well. There is a light breeze that ruffles the fur of the animal that Fecundo has pointed out, but there's no indication that the wolf on the ground is stirring.

Vitalis grunts, "Think that might be the one Drake and the others wounded." He lifts his eyes to scan ahead in there direction of travel, eventually racking on Miranda, expectant. He sniffs, has the thing begun to putrefy, beyond whatever was putrified before. "How DOES a wild thing become attainted? A person chooses, as I understand it." He spits, signalling his consideration of those who make such choices.

Reese looks over to Vitalis. "I don't know how it happens. But I know that it does happen. After Brand came through the Gray Forest was filled with tainted land and tainted animals. Maybe when the land becomes tainted? Or maybe they come across taint or have tainted handlers?" She say softly, but does not sound completely certain.

Harlex listens to the others as he studies the wolf, one hand on the reins while the other grips at the sheathed sword on his side. "Something of the wild is inherit of the earth. If one becomes tainted, likely both will feel corruption. We may have to find the source. But for now, suppose we ought to dust up this beast."

Noting the birdsong still in the air and the lack of silence, Miranda says, "Nothing to do but check it out, I suppose." She dismounts and draws her sword, just in case, and moves towards the wolf in question to see if it is, indeed, dead.

Fecundo can't very well let Miranda go alone, so he dismounts as well, drawing his other axe to make sure she is covered.

Miranda has rolled a critical success!
Miranda checked intellect + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 65 higher.

Vitalis urges his horse closer, choosing to remain mounted, but wary of the surroundings - however chipper the birds. Maybe they're attainted birds. He won't assume. He makes a sound in the back of his throat, "Why have I never taken up archery." It's a grunt, meant mostly for himself. He is keeping a watch out while others investigate the presumptive wolf corpse.

"Oh, look," Miranda dead pans. "Green goop." She crouches near the wolf, not atop it, just near enough to look at it. "I think Lord Mazetti is right, Drake and crew got this one." She mms, "Not dead long, either, but Rigor-mortis has set in." She stands back up and eyes her brother, offering him a smirk as she murmurs to him before heading back to her horse. "How does one bury tainted things without tainting the land. Do we burn it instead?"

Fecundo smirks and comments back to his sister before offering more aloud, "I would think burning could be bettter...but we'd have to pull it out first."

"Yes," Harlex comments as he rides up just a bit. "Burnin is always safest. But it'll attract attention."

Miranda mms, "We could make a firepit around the creature. It'd cure the land it's on, too. If we move it, could spread."

Reese looks to Harlex, nodding and seeming to agree with him. She then turns to Miranda. "Yeah, moving it I think would be bad."

Harlex climbs down from his saddle and hitches the horse to the nearest tree. He fiddles with his supplies, removing a spade. "Someone fetch some kindlin', everyone else ought to make a perimeter. Don't need the whole pack catchin' us by surprise."

Vitalis nods to Harlex and establishes that perimeter, keeping attention focused in the direction of their travel, but making passes to cover other avenues of approach, particularly minding the area down wind of them, hunters know not to let the breeze carry their scent to prey.

Miranda sheathes her sword and lets the others form the perimeter as she goes to hunt down some kindling. She's careful to look for any tracks that might indicate wolves moving through here, their numbers, or any recent activity other than the two wolves, both now dead, that they know about.

Reese looks over to Harlex. "Alright, I can gather the wood." She says and goes to start doing such. She looks about for good kindling and will travel out a bit if needed.

Fecundo helps to set up a perimeter, but still keeps his eyes on Miranda to make sure the doesn't get out of sight.

Harlex checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Miranda checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Vitalis checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Fecundo checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Reese has rolled a critical success!
Reese checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

The fire is starting to catch and the sound of wolves howling reaches Vitalis' ears. He calls attention to it and looks between the fire, the others, and the howling. "We've begun this and should see it done. I'll stay and find you later. Gods go with you." He wheels his horse to the ring of stone and flame beginning to turn the creature into a stinking pyre with a look like 'you owe me' to Miranda as his nose wrinkles.

Reese sucks in a sharp breath of concern and then murmurs softly to those nearby. "I hear something, coming rom the southwest, howling."

In the midst of digging that fire pit, Harlex didn't catch the howling until Vitalis brought it to their attention. He leaves the spade behind in the dirt and moves toward his horse. A boot hooked in the stirrup before he swings into the saddle. "Stay safe," he tells the Lord, volunteering to do the burning. A hand moves toward the sword at his side, drawing it loose. The red-steel gleaming with a blood hue. "Lead on," the sellsword directs toward Miranda.

Glancing off towards the distance, Miranda furrows her brows. "I hear it, too." She looks around, "Anyone know where it's coming from?" She looks over at Vitalis as he gives her that look. Both of her brows lift, she smiles at him and then tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement. "Don't get yourself dead. We need you -alive-." She swings herself up onto her horse as Reese provides a direction. She removes her blade, it's white-blue blade gleaming, "Southwest it is." She uses her knees again to give her horse the nudge it needs and a moment later, hurrying off towards the howls.

When the howling is mentioned, Fecundo also gets back astride his steed, taking out his axes to look towards where the sound comes from, seeing what he can note in that direction.

Reese starts after Miranda, heading to the southwest even as she reaches for her silvery pink blade. The girl seems somber and maybe even fearful.

The party, minus Vitalis who stays behind, goes back to the path. It travels to the west a bit, and then goes south again. The path is more traveled in this area, and there are paw prints everywhere the further they go. Then it gets quiet. So, so very quiet. No bugs chirp, no birds sing. The forest is very, very still. Not far ahead there is a craggy hill in the woods, where there might be caves. At least, the party can see rocky outcroppings.

Reese has her blade drawn. She tries to be quiet, but might not be fully successful at that. The girl sucks in a sharp breath upon noticing the quiet forest. "The Gray forest gets like this in areas where it is tainted." She says in a soft near whisper.

Harlex wields Fang, a wolfish red-steel sword.

Miranda wields Razz, a diamondplate scimitar.

The ride began with Miranda looking determined to meet this challenge, tainted or not, head on. As they grew closer and closer to the wolves, her expression shifts a bit. It's not of digust, but there is a sense of discomfort about her expression. Her hand actually moves to rub at her stomach briefly and then she shakes her head as if to clear it. To Reese's words, she offers, her voice clear and soft, "They're here. Ahead.. close."

Harlex draws back the reins on his horse. It turns, shaking its head contemptuously as they reach the perimeter of corruption. Its evident enough and by his expression; he's seen its like before. The swordsman keeps his blade at the ready, listening in that vast silence for the sounds of their prey--or would-be predators. He asks Miranda something, riding up beside her to murmur.

Harlex mutters, "How close?"

At the burn site, stinking smoke curls into the sky, stinging the eyes. Vitalis keeps his distance, stamping out the sparks of any embers that fall still burning into the brush. It's a grim duty, and he keeps as well-clear of the tainted smoke looking off to where the others disappeared. The wolves have gone silent and though he's not there, his hand falls to Enigma's handle.

Miranda shakes her head to Harlex as she responds softly. She doesn't look sick, just -really- uncomfortable. Her eyes flit about, as if expecting to see.. something. Anything, really. "We should leave the horses here, I think. They'll get spooked or eaten. I don't fancy either."

Miranda checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

Harlex gives a nod and swings off the saddle. "As you say." This poor horse. He hitches it up nearby though, so it can't flee on its own accord. On his feet, he draws his curved rubicund knife in his off hand. Both weapons turned in reverse grips. "Stay together," he murmurs as they prepare to advance.

Harlex checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Reese checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

There is a rustling of leaves, something moving through the brush. It's probably 50 yards away. It stops and sniffs the air and as it does the party can see the head of a wolf. It's huge. Almost bear-sized, but it is a wolf, bright as day. Its eyes are are tinted green and there's a green foam around it's mouth. It snorts, then turns and heads back toward the rocky craggy area. For now, it doesn't notice the party. Though, the party notices movement of other leafy things following after it, and maybe the tip of a tail. The wolves are out and about, and moving around, and the party must be downwind if they haven't been smelled by now.

Harlex turns his sword over with a twist and lowers a bit toward the ground. He makes a signal with his hand, since they have the element of surprise. Although he follows Miranda's lead; he indicates that its her call if she wants to follow or wait.

Miranda ties her own horse's reins up, using a nearby tree to hold it. She gives it a pat as her own sword is drawn. She turns to rejoin the others and spots the wolf ahead. She crouches, watching it a moment. She also watches it go, exhaling softly after a moment. She glances to the others and then nods towards the wolfs. She starts to head forwards towards the retreating figures. She mutters to Harlex a moment as she does.

Reese has her silvery blade drawn and her cheeks are pale with nervous concern. She looks off after the wolves, but does not draw close to them yet. "Should we go after them?" She softly asks of Miranda.

Harlex mutters, "Need to ... ... ... See ... ... ... get ... a number, then we ... bushwhack them. Start at the ... ... ... ... to ... ... of the pack."

Harlex tongues his tooth as he considers their options. He mutters something to Miranda in response.

Miranda nods to Harlex, apparently in agreement with his words. "Ribbons," she offers, "Can you get us a count of them?"

Miranda is speaking softly, don't want wolves to hear.

Reese checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Reese nods in response to Miranda's words. "Oh, I certainly can, Lady Miranda" She murmurs softly. She then tries to sneak closer to the wolves so she can count them. She is pretty quiet, but not super quiet. The girl is a pink princess after all! She makes enough noise where the wolves might possibly hear.

Lou GM Roll checked perception(4) at difficulty 10, rolling 9 higher.

The pink princess does try to sneak a head, and then of a sudden there's a distinct SNAP of a twig, where the forest was so, so very quiet before. A single head pops up and looks around. It is then followed by four other heads that pop up in various directions all around it. Five heads total. All big as a bear, but all wolfy in nature. They simultaneously sniff the air - though each in their own way. Not to be confused with linked animals. These are not them! And, it must have been that the wind caught in just the right way for one of the howls like he's found something exciting, and stats charging in Reese's direction.

Reese starts counting the wolves. She is going to bring back this information to Miranda. She mouths to herself. "One, two..." The girl then realizes that the wolves noticed her and are charging. "Oh, eep, by Tehom's balls, I need to sneak better!" She says and then lifts up her weapon, trying to get ready to fight back and defend herself.

"Well shit," Harlex says in a loud whisper as the wolves turn on Reese and barrel toward her intent to chew. He looks to Miranda and Fecundo. "At least we got our count," the swordsman offers.

"These things -never- go as planned." Miranda says evenly, not at all deterred by this change of events. She looks to Harlex and gestures with her sword, "Flank it, watch for its buddies. Let's see if we can't kill it before its friends join in, hmm?"

Harlex gives a nod and darts forward, a dark and swift figure aside that rubicund cleaver in his hand. He moves right toward the charging wolf's flank and if he can, he'll barrel right into it with claw and steel.

"Brother, watch his back, start distracting newcomers." She darts off to go help Reese as well, just behind Harlex with her own sword out and ready to go.

Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 15 higher.

While he doesn't look like he likes Miranda's order, instinct leaning him towards protecting his sister, he understands the tactics of splitting cover and does as she asks, getting Harlex's back.

Harlex is dashing full tilt at that princess-seeking hell wolf. His sword gripped in hand to smash it toward the flank of the bear-sized beast and push his full, impressive strength into the blow. If he can, of course. He wants to kill it as fast as possible, before the rest of the pack joins the fray.

The wolf charging after Reese opens his large wolfy maw to take a big bite out of her, but she is able to dodge out of the way just in time before she gets there. However, now that the others have seen the first go after prey, they start to notice the other bits of prey out in the woods too. There's a glint in their eyes, and it's saying.... mmmmmmm TASTY. Or, something like that. So they start charging too. That first wolf doesn't take long to turn around though, and the party can see that he's super fast. He's coming back for another attempt at biting her. Those that are close to Reese, and of course Reese, have an opportunity to attack it as it makes its next pass.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 11 higher.

Miranda is also coming up to help Reese, moving as swiftly as she can to take up arms against the nasty wolf that dares to shred Ribbons to ribbons! Her diamondplate blade gives off a pretty glint as she swings it.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Lou has rolled 1 4-sided dice: 1

Reese seems frightened, but she leaps to the side and away from the attacking wolf. The girl tries to swing her blade in his direction, hoping to take down the beast or at least slow him down. "Not today.." She says in his direction.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Harlex burrows the sharp cleaver into the side of the beast. He pushes it, physically, before he slashes to the side to tear open the flank. His claws unfurl in his free hand, shifting toward the front of the wolf. Honestly, the mercenary doesn't fight very differently than the creature. Although there are hints of that elegance of form and expert swordsmanship in his steps and his handling of that blade.

Fecundo does his best to coordinate with Harlex on strikes, bringing his axes to bear on a quick pass of the wolf.

Miranda misses entirely and there is a grunt of irritation as the beast slides frr of her sword.

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 37 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 40 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 24 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 59 higher.

Lou has rolled 1 4-sided dice: 4

The group manages to seriously wound the first wolf. But he's a wily one and doesn't take all of the damage that comes for him, narrowly escaping Miranda's hit. As he makes a pass he tries for Reese again, but she's quite the wily one herself, managing to duck out of the way. Their distraction with the first wolf, however, leaves room for the other wolves to attack. But, they come in to hot and too fast, and manage to miss everyone to a tee. One of them even stumbles over their own foot. Each gives their own howl of frustration and then they all spin back to make other attacks.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 36 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Reese is quite nimble and she manages to dart to the side once more. She keeps focused on the fight, trying to take another swing at the wolf attacking her. Her face is pale and her slender body is drawn tense. She seems even possibly a bit frightened. "Go bad to the abyss you spawned from and don't come back here!" She says while swinging her blade.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 15 lower.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Harlex jumps out of the way at the last second as one of the other wolves darts toward him. Jaws snapping. He raises his sword and slams it downward to try and crack its skull, before moving to try and catch the wily wounded wolf and finish it off. This likely does not go the way he hoped it would.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Lou has rolled 1 4-sided dice: 2

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 27 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 30 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 26 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 1 lower.

Light on her feet, Miranda spots the wolves coming at her and jumps out of its way. Still, she makes a snicker-snack attempt at the wolf trying to eat her Ribbons and she gives it a one-two slash, hoping to significantly harm the bugger.

Fecundo is pretty nimble as he avoids getting hit, bringing both axes to bear now as more wolves join the fray. His eyes beneath his helm are the epitome of focus.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Reese takes two power blows against the wolf who is attacking her. The animal is left with two large gapping wounds in his stomach and falls to the ground. After a few moments he is not even breathing. The girl looks down at the animal and sighs softly, before looking about to see if there is another beast close.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 73 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

There is a sense of satisfaction as Miranda feels her blade cut through her dog and she hisses between her teeth as she misses with the second hit.

Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 35 higher.

A pair of wolves on him, Harlex is blocked from his pursuit of the wounded beast. Of course, it looks like Reese has that under control. His rubicund sword finds purchase in the first of his attackers, blood flowing freely from the wound he caused on its head. But the other snaps at him, disorienting his second assault. He reels back, swinging about to meet them, and he moves to use the wounded one as cover while also slashing at its throat attempting to keep distance between himself and both at once. His bright, green eyes burn with a focused fire.

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 33 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

10 inflicted and Harlex is harmed for minor damage.

50 inflicted and Fecundo is harmed for moderate damage.

Humans and wolves attack each other. Reese's wolf dies. That leaves four total. Harlex gets in a good hit against his wolf, and it's pretty seriously injured. But, he's unable to dodge one of the attacks. The wolf goes to bite him, and clanks against his armor. But it's not the bite that hurts him. It's the saliva that drops onto an exposed part of his arm between his gauntlets and gloves. Fecundo is able to hit his dog once, but the thick fur of the wolf is natural armor, and so he looks uninjured to the naked eye. Meanwhile, Miranda is able to hit her dog, and he looks somewhat injured. Dogs and humans fight. One is dead, four are alive. Looking for an easier target, the one that Harlex missed goes after Reese now. (Everyone roll combat and dodge rolls together please.)

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 33 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Harlex has rolled a critical success!
Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 73 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 12 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 8 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 6 lower.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 3 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

The fangs snap down on his arm and his armor catches the impact, leaving just that acidic saliva to burn. Harlex grits his teeth, snarling like a beast himself, and slams his sword into the ground. With one arm held by the wolf's jaws, the other unfurls those claw tips on his gauntlet. He slams it forward, grabbing the side of it's head before he yanks it back with such strength that the wolf's eye pops loose and dangles from the socket as it reels backwards with a bloody cry.

His rubicund blade is pulled loose from the dirt in the same moment and slashed in a wide arc. The flow of red steel slices clean through the upturned snout as the wolf thrashes backward. The whole front of its face in fact, is gone, as it falls to the ground in a puddle of gore.

Harlex pivots as if so set in the fluidity of combat he doesn't realize it until he's turned completely around and sees the wolf lying dead, faceless, at his feet.

Reese draws back her now blood-stained pink sword and swings it hard against the wolf on her. The animal takes a pretty serous injury and is bleeding from the stomach, but is still standing. She manages to slip past his claws. The girl keeps fighting, getting ready to take another blow against him.

Continuing to work both axes, Fecundo 's axe manages to gain purchase on his dog this time, though his tactuics help as he goes for the foreleg, the action causing the dog to do more damage to itself as it crashes down from the lack of balance caused by the strike. After the pass, Fecundo spins , readying for the next.

A light dance allows Miranda to dodge her wolf as it tries to snap its jaws onto her soft flesh, encased in a myriad of armor. She comes at it, and her sword finds a nice, soft, kooshy spot to slide into, gutting the creature and making it yowl in pain. She spins, following up on the up stroke to open that wound further, blood.. or green goop perhaps flowing out of her wolf. It's clearly a grave injury and the wolf is unsteady on its feet as a result, but no less pissed off.

There is a series of yelps as the intrepid party goes into combat with the wolves. The wolves yelping of course, not the party members. Well, except those that aren't slobbered with acid, maybe. Teeth are bared and jaws snap, most of it going missing. Harlex's dog is dead, in his heroic display. But the other three are still standing and still trying to get at their prey. It's like a dog with a bone - they don't want to let it go. Not when there might be fresh meat available. Some might notice that both Reese and Miranda seem to be having an easier time dispatching the dogs. It might be something to do with the diamondplate and alaricite weapons.

(Please attack and dodge again. 2nd attack at 50 if wanted.)

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 17 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 3 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 29 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 16 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 48 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 16 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 29 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 20 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 45, rolling 0 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 45, rolling 8 lower.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Reese once again is able to dodge the wolf's attack. The pink princess can be rather loud, but she is hard to as well. She continues to focus on the wolf she is fighting, hitting once and then again. The wounds are serious and the beast falls at her feet. Her sword is left soaked in canine blood. She looks somber and trouble, despite the victories.

Fecundo's dance continues, but this time his axes do not find purchase as he moves with the wolf. At least with his movements, he does not take a hit, either, perhaps both man and wolf coming away disappointed.

Harlex launches himself at the wolf presently tangling with Fecundo, since he caught that nasty bite the prince received. He aims for a back leg, swinging hard at the wolf's limb, causing it to stumble, before turning the sword and drawing it upward in a vicious second strike. Its a minor injury, but it gets the swordsman's point across--he's not a predator to turn your back on.

The wolf snaps his jaws and reaches out to claw at Miranda, but she is still too swift. She turns her dodge into a graceful move, twirling about in her rubicund and diamondplate and leather armor and waits for that moment. Then she strikes and her sword sweeps up across the beasts throat, then down hard to strike it a death blow. The beast falls to its side, unmoving and very dead. Miranda comes out of her movements to prepare to strike again, only to find her beast done in. She looks about, seeing Reese's go down. Harlex's down. Her brother's.. not so much. She growls and begins to head that way, to aid in the death of the last one!

Lou has rolled 1 4-sided dice: 3

Seeing its packmates down, the lone wolf lets out a howl, and then starts to frenzy. His eyes glow a bright green color, and saliva drops from his mouth. He flings his head and that saliva splatters everywhere. Then he lunges quick as a flash for the first person he sees, which is Fecundo. (Everyone: @check dexterity + dodge at 40 - Fecundo dodge twice. One attack each.)

Harlex checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 41 higher.

Miranda has rolled a critical success!
Miranda checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 45 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Harlex checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 39 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 12 higher.

Fecundo checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 37 higher.

Lou GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(3) at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

12 inflicted and Fecundo is harmed for moderate damage.

Practicing moves via the Telmar Gauntlet must come in handy! Miranda runs forward, dives into a summersault to avoid some saliva, and comes up on her feet. She sees her brother get splattered and blood showing previous injury and she growls, looking quite enraged at the beast. It was, before, merely something that needed to be killed. Now? It NEEDS TO BE DEAD. She comes in with her sword and guts the wolf like a fish, snarling as she does.

When that piercing howl fills the woods, there isn't much time left as the wolf lunges toward Fecundo. Harlex is close enough, he moves easily away from the flinging spit that drips from the tainted creature's jaws, before he swings with enough force to slice the sailing beast's back leg right in half; dismembering the limb. They are just really killing this wolf.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 73 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

Fecundo is paying for keeping a Champions set of armor, taking his second clawed hit in this combat, though his own axe finds the back of the wolf even as Harlex cripples it. He stubles backwards from the combat and looks down at himself, shaking his head, "Maybe she won't see the blood...I am in black and red." He's probably taken more harm in the ring.

Reese continues to fight, not backing down until she feels the wolves are fully taken down. She charges at the still standing one, swinging her blade into such and hitting once again. The princes seems quite focused, but grimly focused. She is not having a good time and is clearly worried. "This might be just wave one." She says holding her blood stained blood.

The last wolf goes down in a massive effort between everyone, showing that his natural armor cannot hold out forever. But, not before he manages to bite Fecundo and do further damage to that which he's already taken. Oooh. That's going to leave a nasty scar! There's massive carnage everywhere, with green tainted blood soaking into the ground. The party does what it does best, learning from the example of the first wolf they managed, and they build another pyre and set things on fire. When the last of the embers die down, the birds start singing in this part of the forest again. All is right. It still leaves the question of what tainted the wolves in the first place. But, it seems, the pack has been dealt with for now. A quick search of the caves shows some human remains; presumably from the hunting parties the shav'arvani sent out to try and deal with the wolves. However, they were not as well armed and armored as the Compact citizens, no steelsilk, no rubicund, no diamondpate, no alaricite. Simple leather goods, and steel weapons at most. The party turns back and is able to get the village they took shelter in the evening before without incident, and as they do the village elders greet them. Ashala is among them Drake's mother. They wait to see what news the party brings with them.

Fecundo looks for anything that might be identifiable to return to the village as far as marked weapons or similar things, but nothing...gory. He's have to answer to his wife about the scar, but he can now chow proof of having been there and survived.

Miranda would at least see to Fecundo and Harlex's injuries before the pyre - something simple to keep them from bleeding too much. Simple bandages. Upon arriving, she inquires about a healer, someone who can better tend to Harlex's and Fecundo's injuries. "Isidora is going to have my head later, Brother. You idiot. Now she'll know you fought." Then she'll tell them about the wolves and their nasty demise - that they're dead and burned and the birds are singing once more to the southwest.

When the sanctifying flames are dead, ashes remain. Harlex reclaims his horse with the rest of the party and rides back to the village. He lets Miranda do all the talking, or someone else. His injuries are light (for him). On his forearm is evidence of burn wounds. Likely to leave a minor scar, a twist of flesh. Nothing to the other myriad of injuries on his body. But he doesn't refuse care, at all. He's use to it.

After letting Miranda tend to him some, Fecundo smiles, "Oh...this might prompt me getting better armor...can''t be running around in the Champion's garb for serious stuff like this." He finds Ashala and offers her a small white rock, "I am sorry....the hunters...what was left could not be brought back, but I did find this....a keepsake." He frowns softly.

Ashala watches with a solemn expression as the party arrives. She takes note of those who are injured and how seriously they are injured. She calls for the healers to come forward, and they do the best they can. Some of the injuries are not so easily healed, given they are burns from the saliva. Those will just take time. She turns to Miranda and the others and says, "Thank you, for helping us. I know that our people and yours do not always see eye to eye. These are but a few of the dangers that we run into out in the woods, but we try to endure as best we can and not make waves with the Compact." This is some of the same from the evening of course. "This is not the first pack of wolves we've seen like this, usually they just pass through. We're not sure why these decided to stick about." she says in her broken Arvani. "But, I think everyone here will be safe for a time." She pauses, and she scans the group, eyes hopeful. "Did you find any of our hunting parties while you were searching for the wolves? We sent one not long before you arrived."

"Unfortunately, we found remains in the caves. I'm assuming they are your people, but there was little to identify them with." Miranda looks to her brother as he offers the white stone, a brow lifting in curiosity. "We'll talk to those in Alexandri and see if something can't be arranged, should this happen again before we can do more. Now that we know about this, that it's happened before, I'll be back. I'll be bringing a different group so we can find out what's going on here and end it, if possible."

Harlex studies the bandages over his forearm and nods his thanks to the healers. Once they depart, he joins with the others. "If you want to reclaim the bodies, we'll mark where we found the den. Give them a proper goodbye. The wolves are all burned down. Area should be safe for a while. The smell will keep trouble away."

Ashala gently takes the white stone from Fecundo and carefully turns it over in her hands. She's very, very quiet as she does this. Drake steps up to his mother's side to see what she was given and his eyes widen. "Isn't that....?" he starts to ask, and she immediately nods. "It is," she confirms. She looks up at Fecundo with carefully contained emotion. "This belonged to my nephew. Thank you for finding it, and for bringing it back." She swallows back whatever emotion she might be feeling. She nods tightly at Harlex and says, "We would appreciate that. Yes." Her Arvani accent is thicker now with that spread of emotion moving through her. She turns her attention to Miranda. "Even if you do speak with the village, there isn't much to be done. Your Compact's laws forbid it. We may not trade with each other, or technically help each other. We are not Compact." Her words, though, are sad when she says that. "But, we do thank you for the help you have given, all the same."

Miranda nods, "I understand. I feel poorly that you're so far from help." She looks at her brother thoughtfully, then back to Ashala. "Well, you're most welcome. The help for you helps everyone, Compact and non-Compact alike."

There's a look on Harlex's face that says he's well aware of those laws. But he's a sellsword, first and foremost, and his work here is done. He eases against a home nearby, folding his arms across his chest.

After handing over the rock and nodding with sympathy, he lets the others speak, listens to something his sister mentions and then looks to Ashala, "You may not be of the compact, but...with the issues the wolves caused....you and your village could be. Knowing what we saw and that you say this is not the first time....the village and your group may be stronger together than apart. Winter may be coming to an end, but the loss of food and resources may impact both for some time."

Fecundo's words stir the villagers in the meeting green to whisper amongst one another. Some of them have hope in their eyes, though others are warily watching, not sure what his words might mean for them. Ashala studies him for a long moment, as well as Miranda, and two others come up to stand beside her. When they do, Drake steps back to make room for them, giving deference to them. They each speak quietly to her a moment, and she nods. She then sets her eyes on both Miranda and Fecundo. "It's possible then, to join?" she asks, keeping that same calm as she has before. "At what cost?" she asks, looking to her people, then back to the brother-sister combo. "And what would be expected?"

"Fealty," Harlex comments at their questions. He observed their murmurs with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Taxes. You bend the knee, the Compact takes care of you and your people. Protects you. In exchange, you ain't who you once were. You're beholden to the Compact. The laws of the land you live on as dictated by its ruler." He doesn't mince his words. "If you can give up your way of life for the ways of the Compact, they will have you."

Fecundo nods, softly, "It is certainly possible to join. THere are costs and there are benefits. It may not be a fast thing. THe cost is having someone else govern you...as for a part of what yo u produce...farm...mine...and such. THe benefit is protection above what just happened. We came t o the call of the aid from th e willage. You could then call on those like us in such times of need. Protection....sharing what can be shared so all prosper and none starve. It would mean settling and no migrating...stability...but not travelling."

Miranda nods to Harlex's words and her brother's. "It means that you are not alone, forced to struggle and figure it all out on your own. You're on Rubino-Zaffria lands. We will have an obligation to you and you to us." She smiles at the group, "Security."

The two who came up to Ashala speak quietly with her again. Drake watches in in the background, as do the others. Some of them look to Harlex and give his words some serious consideration. Others look to Fecundo and Miranda. Some look like they are eager for this opportunity, though not all are quite as eager. Those, they watch Ashala carefully, as they weigh their options. Not all may follow Ashala's leadership, but it looks like a majority may - if she choses this option. Once the three elders have finished talking, Ashala being eldest among them, she turns to Fecundo and Miranda. "If this is a valid offer, we will take it. This is the first time the wolves have come during the winter. We would not survive another like it. So, we will bend to you, Lady Miranda Rubino, as you have proven that you and yours can protect us, and those you serve. And, perhaps then, no more of my nephews will go to their death trying to combat something we cannot combat on our own."

Harlex looks as unconvinced as the more skeptical members of the village. Though at their decision, he doesn't guilt them. He says, instead, "Lady Miranda will do right by you and yours. If nothin else, you can count on that."

Fecundo nods softly, "We would not offer if we were not sincere. Miranda hs more say in the Rubino house than I do, having married out, but I will add m y voice to hers if it is your desire to join the Duchy.", hethen looks to Miranda with a gentle smile, stepping back and deferring to her.

Miranda nods to Ashala when she asks if the offer is valid. When the offer is accepted, Miranda looks pleased. She glances over to Harlex, a smile of appreciation to him is given, before she looks back to Ashala and her people. "Then, Ashala, those who wish to go should prepare to do so. In the meantime, your representatives can come with us to Alexandri. We can settle their concerns and then our Duchesses can finalize things."