Perhaps it is the peaceful lands that you are riding through that lull you, or perhaps the fact that there is no ranger in the party, but you are all taken by surprise when suddenly two large, eight-legged reptilian creatures stick their snouts out of the bushes and gaze upon you.
Gonzo's pony is turned to stone, and the dwarf is thrown to the ground.
Orlon glances away just in time to prevent himself from getting stoned as well.
Using his superior speed, Lo leaps off his steed and veers left towards the left basilisk. Keeping his eyes closed, he uses his strength and speed to kick at the lizard with his right foot and then to spin around and kick it with his left foot.
Lo sails past the basilisk, missing completely. As he flies by the monster snaps at him, biting him for 7 hit points.
Emm keeps his eyes on the ground and strikes at the creature's feet with Bubba. He uses his shield more to block his view of anything above foot level than for defense.
"Whoa!" says Bubba to the basilisk, as he digs deep, "You taste like a Big Mac!"
The basilisk, meanwhile, lunges forward under Emm's shield and bites him in the shin for 1 hit point.
Robert launches himself off his horse and runs at the right basilisk, trying to avoid its gaze.
Attacking, the warrior hits hard with his defender, badly injuring the monster.
While looking away, Orlon fumbles for his Protection from Petrification scroll.
Recovering, Lo charges again. This time he connects, kicking the basilisk in the flank as he avoids its bite.
Emm fans next with Bubba, as the monster bites him again for 8 hit points. Robert helps out, landing a quick hit which kills the monster.
"Fraggin lizard daws first blood, that's fine, because you are going down, Oh, what I would pay for a Glock right now!" Lo utters as he kicks at the basilisk.
Lo is bitten for 8 hit points on the foot as he kicks it in the mouth. His right jab also connects.
Emm dives into the bushes and moves to get behind the remaining creature. He listens intently in case there are other nasties about the underbrush.
Drandar uses his blindfighting ability and his sword, jumping to attack the last basilisk.
Darian uses his shield to avoid seeing the eyes of the remaining basilisk while he fires magic missiles into it until it is dead.
His first spell blows the basilisk to bits before the dwarf can arrive at the scene.
Searching the area, you find no other nasties or any treasure either, for that matter.
You continue on to Westmarish, Gonzo hitching a ride with Robert, arriving in time for a late lunch.
Westmarish is a halfling village located on the western border of Milkland. It straddles the Great Western Road and lies on the east bank of a small river. You are recommended to eat at The Bounty, and you are rewarded with one of the finest meals you have ever eaten anywhere: an enormous joint of pork coated in spices and crackling, accompanied by new potatoes and spring cabbage, along with copious quantities of fine and potent halfling ale.
Robert buys a keg of ale to bring along.
It is midafternoon before you waddle out of the restaurant and regard the signpost outside -
The Great Western Road: Southeast: To Hambol Hollow, Bilboburgh and Hobbitown.
West: To Trader Nest, Durbash and Many Ways.
South: To Globola and the Diamondmere.
You next visit a stable and purchase a new pony for Gonzo (15gp).
You ride west on The Great Western Road, crossing the bridge out of Westmarish and enter the wilderness.
You make good time for the balance of the day, riding up the narrowing valley of the West River, which cuts deep into the Rocky Mountains.