[Day 3, EM] Scouting the Hounds Lair

[Blai Frayus]

Galen had followed Blai into the oasis.

"That's a good find. We may be able to use it when we return." he said. "Hopefully, we can find a way to whatever is behind this without having to fight through the hounds. But, we can't stay here long. They'll probably pick up our scent pretty quickly."

"Maybe if we set up a Lure elsewhere?" He looked at the cave. "I guess.... we really shouldn't investigate this now, should we...?"

He pretty much knows they shouldn't. But he seems curious...

"We should at least get the coordinates of this location properly so we can relocate it when we return..."

[Galen Sol]

He nodded. "Setting a few snares with lures out there when we return would be a good idea. Distract the hounds while we see what's in there. But, not now."

[Blai Frayus]

He looks one last time at the cave, curiosity still shining there, but he finally acquiesces with a nod. "You're right... we should come prepared when we return. And given what this might be... preferably soon, I'd say?"

[Galen Sol]

"Agreed." He input a few things into his datapad. "Let's go."

[Blai Frayus]

Blai nodded to Galen, then to Elur, and off they went.

[Desilijic Keyhote]

Hovering along as they retreat
"What an odd hunt, but it still had its moments! And the size of those creatures, they will make a worthy opponent when we return."

[Aurilie Alde]

After the kerfuffle with the explosion that bought them time, Aurilie walked alongside everyone at a brisk pace. She would shoot a glance behind them every now and then with her rifle in her hands. That was close, to say the least. "I didn't envision walking away from an explosion either, Ser Keyhote. Unfortunately, I don't think we can call that a victory anytime soon. On the plus side, this pack seems almost big enough to involve everyone in the meeting."

[Galen Sol]

"It's definitely going to be a challenge." Galen nodded as they reached the transport.

[Aurilie Alde]

"I'd say it might be an equal challenge when it comes to taking these hounds alive if half of the group gets their way. They don't look exactly natural and I wouldn't say they quite belong in the wild with how much carnage they're doing with the locals. Quite invasive from the looks of it," she said as she gave a glance to Keyhote and Blai for their opinions.

[Galen Sol]

"They would definitely need to be removed." he agreed. "And, from what I saw of the mutations, it wouldn't surprise me if some of them were in pain. Black Tooth is the other issue. If that's what we saw entering the ruins when we arrived, he's much larger than the others. He won't go down easily."

[Desilijic Keyhote]

"We will be doing Alderaan a favour by slaying such monsters. But I suppose we should make sure only those prepared to do battle with house sized abominations join us. We would not want any amateurs on this expedition."

[Blai Frayus]

Blai was still wondering whether culling the creatures would be the only way to go. It definitely seemed that way, but if that *darkness* was what was causing this, maybe...

"Ser Keyhote, we do have a cave to investigate now. I mean... the hounds are dangerous, indeed. But... maybe if we discover what made them that way, there's a chance they can get back to their normal shape?"

He seemed unsure.

"Perhaps I'm being too hopeful in this, but maybe..."

[Galen Sol]

"If we can capture any to relocate, we will." Galen assured him. "But, if something is controlling them, we may not have much choice. We're certain to be attacked and we'll need to defend ourselves. I'll talk to Jedi Zyn. Maybe she can build something."

[Blai Frayus]

"If we can capture any to relocate, we will." Galen assured him. "But, if something is controlling them, we may not have much choice. We're certain to be attacked and we'll need to defend ourselves. I'll talk to Jedi Zyn. Maybe she can build something."

"If by going through the cave we manage to reach whoever is controlling them while avoiding the hounds... maybe we can still help them. We'll see..."

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie raised a brow and looked over in Blai's direction at the suggestion of there being some sort of mutation curse to be broken. "Honestly, the cave seems like a rather dangerous ambush spot to me if the hounds aren't taken care of first. If we do one before the other, then there's going to be a lot of prolonged danger keeping them preoccupied, even if traps are involved."

[Blai Frayus]

Aurilie raised a brow and looked over in Blai's direction at the suggestion of there being some sort of mutation curse to be broken. "Honestly, the cave seems like a rather dangerous ambush spot to me if the hounds aren't taken care of first. If we do one before the other, then there's going to be a lot of prolonged danger keeping them preoccupied, even if traps are involved."

He looked at Aurilie a bit frustrated, but nodded. "Ah... I suppose you're right. Unless we can guarantee they don't track us there. But that could be too dangerous..."

"Maybe if part of us keep them occupied... the problem is us not knowing what to expect down there."

[Aurilie Alde]

She got on their transport if they were prepared to take their leave and her rifle would rest on her lap at the ready in case the hounds made a quick comeback.

Aurilie perhaps did feel a little bad for making Blai relent on his point. She glanced around at first before sighing. "I'm just saying that we might not get everything we want, even in my case. I imagine that investigating would give us fewer resorts to deal with the hounds. Of course, dealing with the hounds would leave later options moot. We do have brave individuals like Ser Keyhote and apparently a few Jedi Knights who might have some solutions up for discussion. We'll really have to see once we make our return. With so many unknown variables, I can imagine that the situation might make the choices for us, whether we like it or not."