CH. 9: Road to Tu'Valie

[JadedDM]

Baeros sneaks forward, but accidentally steps on a dry branch that had fallen off the tree. It causes a very audible snap, but miraculously, the flying snake doesn't seem to notice. It continues to move from flower to flower, apparently oblivious to the ranger or his dog.

[BishGada]

Baeros feels he is in trouble. Obviously with the current surrounding he won't be able to sneak silently from the snake. The only solution comes to his mind is to use the element of surprise to wound the snake hopefully hard enough to give himself an edge when running to the camp to get the others help. Baeros knocks an arrow in his bow and stretches the string.
Suddenly another thought occurs to him. 'Normal snakes are deaf, they sense the vibrations of the ground to catch their prey. Maybe this creature is also deaf... But if I'm wrong I'll lose the element of surprise...'
Uncertain this is the best choice, he returns the arrow to the quiver and tries again to step slowly one step towards the cover while watching carefully the flying snake.

[JadedDM]

Baeros takes a step back toward his cover, but the snake doesn't visibly react in any way.

[BishGada]

Baeros continues to sneak towards the cover, there he waits few minutes hoping to see the creatures floating away. After few minutes he starts his way back to the camp trying to avoid positions with clear line of sight to the place where he saw the snake. Even so, he glances behind his back every now and then.

[JadedDM]

Eventually, the flying snake moves on, heading deeper into the forest. Baeros and Takit then return to the campsite, where the others have been waiting.

"Well, where's breakfast?" asks Areilon, noticing he isn't carrying any dead animals with him.

[BishGada]

Baeros scowls at Arei comment then says to the others, "I believe I know why game is so difficult to find these last few days. I just came accross a huge feathered and winged snake. It didn't seem hostile, but maybe all the animals prefer to keep distance. Anyway, we can continue and hope to catch something on the evening, or I can lead us to the creature and if we kill it together, there is a plenty of food we can carve from it's body. What do you think?"

[HorizonsDream]

"A flying snake?" Jocelyn asks. "I think it is best that we don't seek out more trouble," she says. "Let's just continue, and you can hunt in the evening when we stop."

[Breila]

"I agree" Ouragana secunds. "Let's not seek trouble, but push on." She shoulders her backpack.
(Same spells as before)

[BishGada]

Baeros releases his breath with relief. "I'm glad you feel that way. This creature is about tweleve feet long... And last time we almost got killed by mousqitos." He loads his backpack and equipment on his back and then says to Val. "Val, you are the slowest here. Hand your two waterskins to Andar now and if that's not enough let him carry your battle-axe and stay close to him in case we are engaged in battle. Now let's move on quickly."

[JadedDM]

"A flying snake?" asks Andar, intrigued. "With feathers? Like the statue? I wonder what that could mean."

"Oh, I had forgotten about that," admits Areilon. "Didn't you say the ancient humans worshiped them as spirit guides? I didn't think there were any left on the island."

[Breila]

"We could try to find someone in Tu'Valie who knows about that worship. I don't think we should go look for the animal. We can't be sure it's not dangerous" Ouragana sounds worried.

[BishGada]

Baeros scratches his head... "You are right... it did look like the statue. Hmm... air spirit... interesting... But since the animals are running away from it, maybe we should do the same... Let's continue on our way."

[HorizonsDream]

"It could mean anything really," Jocelyn says. "What was it doing when you saw it, Baeros?"

[BishGada]

"Well... it was sniffing flowers... and it was ignorant to the noises I made trying to hide in the bush. I think it might be deaf. But if I recall correctly, that spirit was to guide the 'lost'. Guide them where? Maybe he guided 'lost souls' to their death... Let's not seek troubles, until now they could find us without our help... if we stumble on this creature again, maybe we could try communicate with it, but for now, let's continue with our journey."

[Nuke]

Val hands over her excess weight, hoping to move a little faster. "I agree, let's keep moving. Enough trouble has found us, we don't need to seek it."