Stormbolt, Aeldred, Lucee, Smith, Froing determined that they would establish a city at the site of the Stag Lord’s camp. To that end, the party set out to explore the territory between that site and Oleg’s, as well as the area around it.
Quick Skirmish
They traveled for a day and made camp in the plains. On the second watch, Lucee and Smith spotted something lurking in the distance. Smith cast a light spell on an arrow and prepared to illuminate the intruders, but they closed before he could fire. Lucee shouted and charged to meet them. Froing and Stormbolt were awakened by Lucee’s cry.
Froing grabbed a weapon. Smith fired at one of the hyena-dog-like creatures. Stormbolt breathed lightning and hit another. The creatures attacked Froing and Smith. Froing was mauled. Smith got bitten once. Lucee attacked another one but missed.
Froing retreated behind Lucee and cast Sanctuary. Smith attempted to retreat but was hit anyway. Smith shot an arrow with an embedded scorching ray and killed one. Another attacked Lucee and bit it. Another missed Stormbolt. Lucee hit her opponent. Stormbolt shredded his attacker.
Froing cured Lucee. Smith activated rapid shot on his bow, embedded energy missile on the arrows, killed one and missed the other. The survivor missed Lucee. Stormbolt awakened Aeldred. Lucee missed her foe. Froing cured himself. Aeldred prepared his bow. Smith shot the last one and killed it.
Froing cured Smith. Stormbolt identified the creatures as thylacines. The rest of the night passed uneventfully.
The Temple of Erastil
In the morning, they continued into the forest to the Temple of Erastil, and stopped at the former bandit camp. Lucee, Smith, and Stormbolt climbed into the trees. The others raised tents. The night passed uneventfully.
By mid-afternoon, they arrived at the Temple of Erastil. Aeldred beseeched the cleric to come with them and bless the site of the Staglord’s fort. He agreed to accompany them, but insisted that they stay at the temple for the night, which passed without incident.
After morning devotions and a nice breakfast, they returned to the former bandit camp. The cleric blessed the camp to dispel the lingering sense of death from all the previous battles. After that, the party had restful night.
Exploring The Region
Passing through the undocumented territory, the party explored the area for two days. On the third watch of the second night, Stormbolt and the cleric were outside in the rain when Stormbolt noticed something approaching. It had been attempting to sneak, but once spotted, charged the camp.
Stormbolt moved to the front and sent the cleric to awaken the others. All but Froing woke up. The creature teleported into Stormbolt’s face.
Smith rose and exited the tent. He realized that the creature was a barghest. Aeldred rose, left the tent, and nearly bumped into Smith. Stormbolt clawed and gored, but did little damage. The cleric shot a bow, but missed. The barghest attacked Stormbolt to no effect. Froing rose, left the tent, and took position at the rear. Lucee left the tent and drew her weapon.
Smith shot a scorching ray arrow at the barghest. It pieced deeply and exploded. The barghest was hurt. Aeldred shot and missed. Stormbolt bit, clawed, and gored. The cleric shot and hit it. The barghest started to blink and then bit and clawed Stormbolt. Froing cast Light to illuminate the scene. Lucee activated Smite Evil, flanked the barghest, and hit it cleanly.
Smith activated rapidshot and fired twice with an embedded energy missile. One shot hit. Aeldred missed with his rapier. Stormbolt clawed and gored the barghest and killed it.