Problem Salving

## Synopsis

In Season 2, Chapter 31: Problem Salving, the cockatrices poured forth from the area by the watering hole and descended upon us – a frenzied flock of hybrid creatures fluttering furiously to defend their nest.

The oil of slipperiness did a good job dividing their ranks, keeping about half of the birds scrambling to stand back up as the others leapt at the closest target – but their speed was not to be underestimated, and we quickly found ourselves forced to turn and fight rather than be subjected to the nipping at our heels.

Luckily, these animals weren't smart enough to avoid clumping up, which presented ample opportunities to utilize area of effect spells such as slow, ice knife and burning hands.  It was strange, however, that even when our attacks found their mark, they didn't quite pack the punch we hoped… a lot of glancing blows rather than direct hits.

This meant that the skirmish dragged on a little longer than it probably should have – and more than once we had to resist the petrifying poison of the cockatrice bites – but even with one close call, we kept ourselves protected enough to eliminate the threat and regroup.

Our experienced hunters did an excellent job harvesting glands from the slain fowl, but mixing the salve that could reverse petrification proved a more delicate task – and three chances produced just one viable sample.  This left us with the unenviable task of having to choose which victim to cure; a decision that was ultimately left up to chance as we selected the woman seated in prayer.

The salve worked quickly and a woman named Barbara Marlowe was released from her stone prison.  When the shock wore off, she explained that the two of them were trying to find their way to the ruined Temple of Heptactor – a journey of divine purpose following a brush with death in which they believed the god of order had heard their cries and spared them.

She was desperate to complete her quest, but the still-statuesque dwarf was clutching a book of prayer that she needed to finish it – so she'd reached an impasse where she had to either find more cockatrices to harvest or wait for the petrification to subside.

Even though it felt like there was something off about her story, without getting a look at the book or talking to the dwarf we were missing a big piece of the puzzle. Steadfast in her unwillingness to go home to safety, we told her we'd circle back after poking around at the bandit camp in the lanes – looking for a potential cure, or at the very least some weapons so they could defend themselves.

Nobody was about to do any ransacking in our exhausted state, however, so we made camp beside an abandoned structure and waited for the early morning hours when activity might be limited at the fort.  During this time, Erland found that his septic condition might be worsening – his fingernails starting to shed and his skin showing signs of deformity.

It was certainly something to monitor going forward, but for now – we had a date with a reclaimed outpost.  Deep into the canyon-like lanes, we found the area lightly guarded but in a strong defensive position on the hill.  A lookout and evidence of an alarm spell had us thinking that climbing was our best bet – but despite managing to dispatch one guard very quickly, the one that came to relieve him was more cautious in his approach.

Some snapping branches gave away our position as we tried to close in on our target and we readied ourselves to start our day with a nice violent confrontation.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: thirteen natural ones were rolled in this Chapter. 2 each by Anthony and Jordan, and 3 each by John, Riley and Matt. This marks the first time a double-digit count of natural ones was achieved in a single session.