26th Day of Last Rain (wet season). Food 9.1. Normal Movement (30MP).
Encounter 3 in 6 (Day and Night). 3, 6. Day.
Event 3 in 8 (Terrain, Weather and Tide). 7, 5. No.
Feature 1 in 10 (Natural and Construct). 2, 4. No.
The PCs are interested in scouting more hexes and looping south back to town. They spot that the forest and plains both extend to the east, so they head that way looking to fully map out some more land. While exploring the grassy plains, they encounter 3 Giant Bees. Party Very Likely to ignore = Yes, and will not antagonise. Bees aggressive? Very Unlikely = No, But will follow for a while. PCs do not engage so the Bees eventually leave. As dusk approaches, the PCs finish their search and declare the area clear.
27th Day of Last Rain (wet season). Food 8.1. Normal Movement (30MP).
Encounter 1 in 6 (Day and Night). 5, 5. No.
Event 4 in 8 (Terrain, Weather and Tide). 8, 4. Tide and Weather.
Feature 2 in 10 (Natural and Construct). n/a.
The PCs head South West into the heavy forest and are grateful for the cover of the trees as respite to the persistent rain. Due to the rain, the forest canopy and dense mist, unfortunately they lose their way whilst exploring the hex (Weather event - lost - move in a random direction - NW) and waste the whole day backtracking to the forest.
There is a Tide Event: Whispering Demon : Demon. Bored in the saddle after a fruitless day’s ride, intrusive thoughts worm their way into Five’s brain. “Ghost - what do you really know about her? She’s a half blood, can she really be trusted? There’s a reason she never fit in back in Managal … she is probably corrupted by the Tide Demons!” Perhaps Ghost feels the Elf’s eyes on her, as she turns round in her saddle to look back. For the briefest moment Five fancies he sees a demon head on her shoulders, and he reaches a hand down to his crossbow. Ahead of him, the half orc gives a smirk and a flippant salute, before turning away. Five raises his fist … but it is the one without the crossbow, and he gives a brief wave of acknowledgement, although it is not seen by Ghost. And just like that, the memory of the voice is gone.
28th Day of Last Rain (wet season). Food 7.1. Normal Movement (30MP).
Encounter 2 in 6 (Day and Night). 3, 1. Night.
Event 1 in 8 (Terrain, Weather and Tide). 7, 1. Weather.
Feature 2 in 10 (Natural and Construct). 3, 5. No.
Weather Event = Raging Torrent, must move back next turn. They won’t have to move exactly back, but will have to move NE, NW or W (as they came from the NW)
Encounter = Giant Hawks (again) - a quick Google says they don’t see especially well at night so this will be flavour unless the PCs decide they want to engage.
The group endures another day of ear-splitting rain pounding on the forest canopy while they search fruitlessly for places of interest. A swollen river to the south-east finally bursts its banks and prevents the heroes from their original plan of heading in that direction, and they decide to split the remaining daylight into foraging and scouting - they are able to catch some game birds that have been forced under the canopy, and Naki reports that he can see high peaks to the south west through breaks in the Tide mist. Just before dark falls, there is a large crash in the trees as a pair of Giant Hawks land and shake out their feathers.
Ghost and Morgan have had a positive encounter with these creatures by feeding them before, so will be disinclined to be aggressive. However, Giant Hawks have been known to carry off Halflings (!) so Naki will be extremely keen to slay them. He does his best to convince the group that they should at least scare away the birds (Ghost/Morgan 50-50, the rest “Likely” to attack, Naki persuades all but Ghost easily, so the group attack).
Giant Hawk - AC14, HD4, Att Bite/Claw 1-6, Move 150, Save F4, ML8, XP240
Special: 4-6 feet long, wingspan 12+ feet, can carry off Halfling size creatures.
The Hawks may simply leave upon aggression, check Morale 2d6=8 pass.
The group will use fire arrows, which will trigger another Morale check (10, fail)
Birds are surprised, but win 2nd round initiative so 1 round of fire only.
HP 29!, 22.
Naki (crit!), Ghost, Morgan and Holland all connect (3d4 slings +1d6 fire +(1d6x2 crit)) = 22.
The avians are pelted with stones and flaming arrows, and Naki’s arrow goes straight into the smaller bird’s skull, bringing it down. The other screeches and flies away, while Naki jumps up and down in triumph, lifting his bow up high. The meat will feed the party for a whole day, and they smoke it slowly overnight (+1 Food).