Taking Umbrage with a Hill

Killed my first manticore. Which almost killed our noble cleric, who, nobly, ran out to attack it, and nobly, took a tail spike to the chest and fell over. The mage was muttering in the bushes and was pretty worthless as far as I can tell, while Blithe and I alternately shot it with our arrows and, ignobly (but perhaps more wisely), ran away for cover for our next shot. A dwarf happened by who threw some sticks at the manticore, which was a nice gesture all things considered. Still not sure I trust him completely, but he threw in with our lot, and, frankly, we could use the extra muscle. And truly, he doesn't seem a bad sort per say; i'm just naturally distrustful. I don't distrust him more than usual, I guess.

When all was said and done, the cleric managed to not quite die, and we did meet up with the quirky herbalist Attabra, who, after being rescued from the manticore (and, admittedly, giving the cleric a potion to get him on his feet), offered to sell us additional potions for... 50gp. Rescues don't pay like they used to.

She elected to not come back to town, but the cleric did secure a note to that effect which we took back to the brave town master, and we got paid, so there's that. We did take the time to do some repairs to her house so she would be that little bit safer, but it wouldn't withstand any real onslaught. Maybe she can throw a potion and some herbs at the next raiding monster. I'm probably being too critical, and in the end, she *did* give us a couple healing potions, which was appreciated. She's close enough to town that I might just sneak over there from time to time to make sure I don't see evidence of anything prowling around the area.

We managed to salvage some bits off the manticore, including a wing which I'd really like to fashion into a cloak for Blithe, time and skill permitting. I've heard that it may hold some properties that would make it more useful than just something to shed water. I want to research that more.

Back in town, the cleric busied himself with various religious recruiting while he healed, and I fletched a couple arrows to replenish the quiver and tended to the hide from the wing so it won't rot. The party is agreed to take on the next job for the town master, which will be a return back to the mining community the dwarf just came from. Of note, there are rumors of orc raids from the mountain in that area, and secretly I am hoping we come upon them when we are in the area. Suppose you gotta be careful what you wish for, but there it is. Also worth noting that Attabra's explanation of why the Manticore ventured this far out of the wild may lend credence to the idea of a dragon in the area. I will be watching the skies.