Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[jp1885]

“Old Lepus will do his best,” intones the hedge wizard.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The loyal Russian obtains the elixir. During the brief time this requires, the bear continues to head into the surrounding forest; in no great hurry, it seems, as it rambles along on all fours, pausing oft to sniff at the burrow of a badger or to scratch its back upon upon a tree.

"Cautiously, my friends, cautiously," advises the slowly recovering tinkerer. "One must be neither too close nor too far to make use of the Attractant properly!"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry follows the bear carefully, from a safe distance. "Lepus, would you like to use the Attractant?" he asks. "The bear will probably respond better to you than to the rest of us."

[jp1885]

“Aye, ‘tis done. Make ready with your pistol, lest this go awry.”

Carefully opening the jar, so as not to attract other animals, Lepus makes gentle meeping noises in the manner such folk as he have been taught to tame wild beasts.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

CHA 12 + 1 + 1 for the Attractant and for inherent skill of Animal Husbandry = 14d20

Try as he might, aided by the fragrant-smelling fumes that emerge from the attractant, Lepus is unable to have an effect upon the bear, who pays no mind. (Perhaps it is still under the influence of the Repellent, which may be neutralizing the Attractant? In that case, a good bath with plenty of scrubbing would be in order; but this is not a task suggested even to the bravest!)

Let's see if any of the Attractant spills out. DEX = 15d20

Try as he might to steady his hand, Lepus is unable to prevent a small amount of the volatile liquid from falling to he ground, where it has its effect.

random animal, disregarding those not normally found in this area. d20

In point of fact, a wolf rushes out of its hiding place in the deeper part of the woods, its intent as yet unknown.

[jp1885]

Torn between a currently placid bear and the unknown quantity of the wolf, Lepus turns his attention to the lupine creature.

Continuing to mewl and whistle, he attempts to calm and then shoo the beast away.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry keeps his pistol trained on the wolf, in case it should prove hostile.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Same 18 for Lepusd20

The animal proves more tractable than the bear, who continues to calmly walk off. As if aware of its close resemblance to the domestic canine, the wolf settles by the side of Lepus in an attentive mood, appearing to be tame. The sight causes no little consternation amongst the onlookers, who have faced one rapacious beast, and fear that another has arrived.

[jp1885]

While pleased to have tamed the wild wolf, Lepus, not normally known for his adherence of social norms, knows how the presence of the animal is unsettling folk.

"Mayhap we should distance ourselves, yesno? Lepus and Lupus!" he declares, cackling at his own joke.

He turns to the others.

"Mayhap yon wolf can lead us to where it came from? 'twould be the source of these beasts I'll wager."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that is a good thought," says Henry. "At least the bear is docile now, and it can be tamed later. First we need to stop more creatures that don't belong here from arriving. They could cause untold damage."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Directed to lead the adventurers forward, much as hounds are sent to track game, the wolf follows the same path as the bear, the two creatures maintaining no small distance between them, although otherwise acting as if each is unaware of the other. Following this motley group with a slight limp, the tinkerer proves eager to investigate this curious phenomenon of unusual faunal behavior.

After meandering through woodland, at some distance from the city, the journey arrives at a clearing, at the center of which is a pond, no doubt spring-fed. Gathered about this spot is a remarkable menagerie, consisting of single representatives of crawling, walking, and flying animals, some very familiar, others rarely or never encountered hereabouts. The tinker, curiosity excited by the sight, rushes ahead with as much speed as is possible in his injured state.

[jp1885]

Rolling his eyes, Lepus starts after the tinkerer, lest he throw himself into the bestial throng.

“Hold, foolish man!” He hisses.

[Mr. Handy]

"Careful," says Henry. "Don't get too close. Some of them may be dangerous. I think the pond may be the source of the phenomenon. All of the animals are around it."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Unable to overcome the strength of those holding him back, the tinkerer is satisfied with producing bits of parchment, a quill, and a sealed vessel of ink from the pockets of his coat, using these implements to make notes and sketches.

"I must have a sample of the water in that pond! It must possess extraordinary properties!"

Although not all the beasts currently present at said body of water are visible from this distance, it can be seen that among the avian tribe are representatives of many varieties of songbirds, as well as a raven and an albatross; those of the crawling sort include many serpents and lizards, as well as toads and the like; and the vast kingdom of walking creatures are here, in form ranging from the shyest mole to, as has been noted, the greatest bear. (It may be noted that certain very exotic or very large animals are not present, such as the beasts that famously crossed the Alps under the command of Hannibal, or that curious creature known to the ancients as the camelopard.) At present, they seem to take no notice of the newcomers.

[Mr. Handy]

"Fetching the water could be a job for Britches," Henry says to Lepus.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The unseen servant being dispatched with a vessel proper to conveying liquids, the tinkerer is astonished.

"A remarkable demonstration of levity," he observes, using the technical term for the force that opposes gravity. "What is the nature of the invention that allows application of the anti-gravitic force?"

d20

In addition to arousing the fellow's curiosity, the sight of a floating vessel draws the attention of a boar.

d20

It swipes at the object with its tusks, knocking it upon the ground. Boars being infamous for their aggressive temperaments, it seems likely that the beast will continue to interfere with the unseen servant's errand.

[jp1885]

“Gah! The spirits continue to look upon us unkindly!” spits Lepus.

“If there be something needs doing…” he mutters, striding towards the boar to shoo it away.

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps the boar can be tamed as well," suggests Henry. "Britches isn't an invention as such, though I have produced several inventions that I can show you," he adds to the tinkerer. "He simply has the ability to remain unseen. A device to counter the effects of gravity would be a highly useful invention, though." He is already thinking of ways to implement it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Making it a little more difficult to tame the Boar, and assuming the Attractant is used up now, I'll say Lepus has to roll below 14 and the boar has to roll above its WIS of 15.2d20 Double failure, so . . .

Proving to be far more aggressive than the wolf, the boar launches itself at Lepus and his new companion, obviously intent on battle.

Let's see if the wolf can rush at it quickly enough DEX = 15d20

Loyal to its new master, the wolf blocks the attack.

boar attack dex = 15d20damage

The boar drives its tusks deep into the wolf. Although severely wounded, the wolf fights back.

dex = 15 also, but the boar has an armor of 4 (!) unlike the wolf's armor of 0. It's hard to hurt, so DEx = 11

No doubt due to its greatly weakened state, the wolf fails to draw blood from its opponent.

[jp1885]

Emboldened by his new companion’s selfless act, Lepus draws his dagger to strike out at the boar.