EPILOGUE

[admin]

The creature is dead, fallen on the cavern floor...
(and cannot be revived)

What do you do?
(You can assume you have no issue traversing the Hasard, as you make sure you roughen it up enough to avoid the fall!)

[Jinxs-3d]

Mazer will use his 'Lay on Hands' on Falas to recover 6 hp's.

“Let's recover a bit and explore the rest of this cave. ”

Assuming the others agree. Mazer will take 10 minutes to refocus and pray to his god.

[Silverstone]

Falas nods to Mazer "Thanks, yes let's explore but carefully, maybe it's mate is finding here somewhere. I think we need to bring back its body as proof".

Falas will try to id the creature while Mazer is short rest, not sure what to roll.

Falas will be in search mode when we do look around.

[JellyBrains]

Van briefly, and then in a moment of rare self awareness, deeply gives thanks to the Dawnflower. He says to all in earshot,

I have one heal left. Most of us can use a little heal 'cause we're banged up. Let me know when everyone is near and I can heal everyone a little.

[admin]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Falas will try to id the creature while Mazer is short rest, not sure what to roll. Arcana Check! admin

 

[Silverstone]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Falas Arcana check looking at the creature 23. [NOW I roll great AFTER all the combat is over]

 

[admin]

Falas examines the creature more carefully. He finally recognises it as a Tatzlwyrm, a smaller and less intelligent cousin to true dragons that favors stealth and ambush tactics. Such creatures are known to speak Draconic.

[JellyBrains]

When all are within 30' of Van he casts heal as for +7 HP for everyone.

[Silverstone]

After we are healed up, and we search the current area & monster in case its carrying anything “Lets see what else is here...Lets explore that bottom section (to right of dead monster area) first (since closest to exit), then keep circling counter clockwise?”

[admin]

The Tatzlwyrm does not have any possessions on it.
You explore the cavern and do not find anything else then a few other icy hazards - most likely created by the Tatzlwyrm. It seems to have formed naturally when large ice sheets bumped into one another. Your dog sleds are still outside with most of the dogs resting.

[Silverstone]

“Sigh - nothing interesting to be found and we are broke. IF we can get back before nightfall/bitter cold - lets secure the carcass to the sleds and head back?? But lets keep an eye out for that other group who maybe following and perhaps on foot.. they may start out friendly but net cause issues if we run into them. IF we need to stay here until tomorrow am to head out safely, lets bring the dogs/sleds inside to keep em warmer, setup a fire inside the cave/out of wind and make a defensible position, posting guards just in case.... Thoughts?”

[Jinxs-3d]

“Agreed, this cavern is the best shelter we are likely to find. If there isn't time to get back our best bet is to stay here overnight.”

[JellyBrains]

I agree.

[admin]

As you used Dog sleds, you took half of the day to come here - and would need the same amount of time to return, should you decide to do so. The return trip would be slightly easier, as you have a bit more experience on the route to use and you would arrive in the evening, when the sun start to set.

[Jinxs-3d]

Mazer mirror's Falas concern regarding the overnight stay.

“That's of course assuming nothing happens on the way back. Should we run into that other group and they delay us, or anything really. We just missed falling into that crevice on the way here. Do we want to be caught outside? Staying here for the night might be our best option. We can secure the dogs and sleds and set up a fire to keep us warm.”

[ElectroZman]

Siril says, “If we leave now, we can be back in time for a hot meal and a beer.”

[admin]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Here is the Map of the cavern systems. Note that there are 2x other exits.

 

[Silverstone]

“hot meal sounds nice, and i would rather find that other group in open setting where maybe we can see them from a distance, then maybe completely avoid them with our faster speed. If we stay we have 3x openings to the caverns but we could camp/gaurd just one chokepoint so can't be confronted on multiple fronts. ”

OUT OF CHARACTER

how cold is it inside this cave? If they snuck in, could they last the night without making a fire that would alert us?

 

[admin]

After discussing it, you come to the conclusion that it would be best - and safest - to not chance the trip back with a tight scheduled and possibly with another group incoming to the same area. You get the sleds in the cavern - strategically placing them to prevent the dogs from accessing the dead Tatzlwyrm - and untie the dogs to let them sniff around. The cavern offers an excellent protection from the biting wind, but remains a bit cold. While you are debating the feasibility of building a fire on the icy ground, one of the dogs start growling suddenly... As you draw your weapons, a large form squeezes directly into the cavern you have invested... A large POLAR BEAR growls its dominance over this territory... perhaps drawn by the small of blood!?

Continue HERE!