Chapter Three: On the Road

The stag seems to be watching the caravan members, but doesn't run. Mryio extends his senses out toward the stag, but doesn't sense anything wrong with it. it turns to face Mryio directly and he can see that it's not merely some dumb animal.

The other guards seem to be ignoring Bughu, though a few roll their eyes at him. Notably, the guards on the cult's wagons don't seem like they intend to leave their cargo behind.

Jon thinks hard, but isn't able to remember ever hearing of something like this.

Mryio speaks to the great creature, which tilts its head to the side as if listening. As it finishes listening, it takes a cautious step forward. Before it can do anything else, an arrow flies out from one of the wagons, slicing through the air and striking the stag right in the flank.

It rears back on its hind legs and slams down, sending small tremors through the ground. It spins and leaps away, disappearing into the forest. There is a trail of blood and a number of the guards jump down and begin to give chase.

Mryio takes off after the others into the trees, following the trail of the stag. He finds himself following with two others after a couple of people gave up quickly. It turns out that one of them is an expert tracker and you make good time in following it. As you follow the trail, you hear an awful sort of scream from an animal ahead.

Rushing forward, you see that the stag's leg is broken, having been caught in a long-forgotten bear trap. It stares at the three of you and you can tell that it is afraid. The two others smile and get ready to kill it.

---

Back at the camp, the noise of the pursuit quickly disappears in the distance. The cultists stick with the wagon, using this time to make some small repairs to their wagon or play dice. They chat quietly among themselves about nothing of real importance. Knowing what they are, it almost feels like they're trying too hard to remain out of everyone's notice.

As Mryio makes his way to the stag, he hears a sigh and a thump behind him. Turning around, he sees that the man who was the expert tracker is standing over the sleeping body of the other man. He holds a wand toward you, "No, the pelt is mine," he says with a sad smile, "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but..." he shrugs and...

Round One: Enemy
The man, who goes by the name of Devin, utters the command word for his wand and you feel a sudden lethargy wash over you. Your eyes begin to close, but you are barely able to keep your eyes open and shake off the drowsy feeling.

Devin gasps, "Damn!" he curses, and draws a rapier.

Round Two: Devin
Devin shakes his head, "Sorry, friend, that money is mine!" he says as he lunges forward. His blade scrapes along Mryio's arm as he stabs at him (Crit vs AC. Damage: 10). Mryio manages to barely avoid being impaled on the blade.

Round Two: Mryio
Mryio's pole hits the man in the ribs, but he just shrugs off the minor hit and keeps fighting.

Devin -6 HP

Round Three: Devin
He curses under his breath, "Just back down and I won't kill you!" he shouts as he stabs again. Mryio is able to avoid the attack with ease.

Devin -6 HP