Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Pushing this along.))

After the party mingled for a bit, they would begin to move forward into their new territory. As the party past through the veil of the fog, their eyesight becomes limited to only seeing what is twenty feet ahead. Anything beyond that is just the faded white background of the fog's constant impediment on their vision. The land around them constantly rises and sinks into the waters of the slow-moving creek that they lie in. The deepest depth that the waters will go is four feet, and the occasional fish or turtle will pass by in the murky waters. Only the carefully watching would see them. However, a sudden shiver runs along the characters' spines, goosebumps creep along their skin, and the sense of impending doom ravishes their minds as the fog acted as a conduit of the evil that was spreading through this bayou.

Keeping forward, the party will suddenly spot a large alligator sitting on a lone island out in the water. The alligator has a length of seven feet, though horns are located on the back of its neck. In addition, it seems to have a more monstrous snout. Fifteen feet separates it from the shore, and another fifteen feet separates the island from the other side, where more land was present. The animal was currently asleep, its eyes closed off.

Current Location On the Bayou Map: D5

Alligator Appearance:

Iopurl had been walking at the lead of the group, smelling the air periodically for anything strange, or hoping that if something came running out of the fog at the group, he would at least have the advantage of knowing that something was coming, so that it wouldn't be a total surprise.

Finally the group came to the edge of their island, where on the furthest island a large alligator was resting. Iopurl drew to a stop, and immediately scanned the waters around their island, and out as far as he could see, taking a deep inhalation of the air. Where there was one animal, there was more than likely more.

"There is danger up ahead, whatever path we take from this point, we shouldn't take to the water directly ahead of us. This beast's natural domain is the water, it would take us apart."

Iopurl turned to the group and with an open invitation for others to talk he addressed them

"Does anyone have any suggestions about what we should do?"

"Yes." The frogkind spoke in a hushed tone, "Ze enemy iz likely using zee fog to hide zere numbers. Now, we may be able to do zee same."

Webbed finger pointed up to the trees over the river, and then nodded to the others.

"Iopurl, he iz right. Even I will be, ummmm, outmatched in zee water against such a beast." But there was a glorious gleam to the frog's dark eyes and moved his point from tree to tree, "However! I beleive I can take to zee trees, move with zee haste, and assault from above. Zat way zee monster, it weel underestimate us."

Then he nodded in the direction of Iopurl, still keeping his voice low.

"Perhaps you have zee way to sneak up also?" Then a look to Reyin, "And zees may work with zee rope plan?"

((I'll wait to see if your friends will allow that before I make a post.))

Iopurl turned his head swiftly to watch the woman grab his arm. The fur would have had enough give that he could have still thrown the rock if he had chosen, but instead he simply relinquished the rock, causing it to drop to the ground with a thud.

"This beast has been changed, can you not see it in his appearance? There is something foul about his looks, his harmony with nature has been disturbed. His existence only a cruel mockery of his previous life. I cannot in good conscience allow him to continue to live."

Iopurl made this point clear, looking at each and every one of the group. He lowered his hood at this point, allowing each member to finally look back into his face for the first time. His animal features crumpling into a frown after searching every party member's gaze for a response.

"No matter what happens we are going to have to cross water, as Reyin said, do you trust this twisted creature to not sit there and pretend to rest? Suppose his act is simply a farce, and the moment we step in the water he strikes, or half way through wading he moves. I guarantee one of us will not be able to exit the water fast enough. Do you truly wish that upon your conscience?

It would be better to provoke the beast, and draw him to us. It will give us ample time to strike from a distance, and if worst comes to worst and melee combat is engaged, at least we will be on solid land, and able to see the beast clearly, more importantly."

Iopurl turned again to look at the alligator, his face a mixture of distrust and displeasure. There was something wrong about this, he didn't like the demonic nature of the beast, nor did he trust its corrupt mind.

Renshia was in the rear when the group abruptly stopped and Iopurl pointed out concern about a large alligator not too far from where they were. With their numbers surely they could take on one of them but as Jurie pointed out, wasting a few minutes going around the best would be a more prudent option than picking a fight for what may be a trap.

While they argued over what to do, Renshia was in favor of the frogman's idea of using the trees scattered about the marsh. She stepped away from the group and walked to the edge of dry land and looked for the nearest tree, swishing her tail about curiously. Her crimson eyes locked onto one that seemed sturdy enough to support her weight but it was a ways off. Figuring the best way to reach it was to use momentum to thrust herself into the air, Renshia started taking steps backwards, eyes glued onto the tree.

Unfortunately the patch of land was too small and muddy from where she stood so she decided to start several feet back the way they came from and run in an arc. Whether this would work or not, she'd find out in a few as she planted her feet down, one ahead of the other and arching forward, her tail stiffening like a hound dog. And then she was off, arms and legs moving and swinging vigorously.