Pharast 17th – Miro loves a Bear Hug

During the night Vaneer dreamt of a strange looking temple and a bear with a human face roaring in a courtyard with a large pool, whilst the rest of the group slept uneventfully.

Once the group was ready in the morning they gathered their gear and headed to the south west.

Following the directions that the fey creatures had given them the group come across a forested area with a wall of overgrown brambles.

After some hacking the thick tangle of brambles gives way into a large clearing in the woods, the western face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, upthrust ridge of rock and on carved into the side of the towering boulder facing the clearing is the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers drooping down from its weathered face to frame a 50-foot-wide cave entrance. The elks face feel quite old and is thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A 50-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae.

As the group approach the temple a large brown bear roams out of the cave mouth and roars at the group before charging towards them.

With a large fuzz-ball rushing towards them, Vaneer holds up his holy symbol and announces his presence under the mighty Erastil and that the group mean no harm only to have the bear swipe at him and luckily miss him.

Vaneer decides to take his Morningstar and smacks the bear across his muzzle.

Miro attempts to creep up on the bear but misses landing a successful blow against the creature.

The bear swipes at Miro and manages to pin the rogue to the ground just as the rest of the party enter the fray.

Kyrander shoots at the bear managing to lodge an arrow into the animal's back.

Miro manages to wiggle free of the bear's embrace.

The bear swipes at Miro and catches him enough to knock him unconscious allowing the bear to pin the defenceless rogue again.

Kyrander shoots at the bear, lodging a second arrow into the creature, providing an opening for Vaneer to finish off the bear with a final blow from his morningstar.

The group take a minute to catch their breath from the fight before Vaneer focuses on healing the downed rogue.

Whilst Vaneer deals with Miro, Otto looks at the pool and discovers that it has changed from brackish colour water to crystal pure water that heals wounds when drunk.

Otto places some fruit at the entrance to the temple in offering to Erastil before the group set up camp for the evening.