Continuing from yesterday's abrupt ending, the shuffling sound becomes more defined as the party moves closer, with tearing and gnashing noises mixed in. The opposed Stealth-Perception checks made at the edge of the clearing show two manticores feasting on the fresh kill of a huge bear. They are absorbed in their feeding frenzy as you approach, and don't notice the party unless they are very poor at stealth.
If the party wishes to avoid an encounter with the manticores, they can slip back away with successful stealth checks. If not, the manticores will turn and come after them. I almost think it better to allow the party to get away. I think the monsters will content themselves with their kill until they are sated, then hours later, they will be interested in going on the hunt again, and will discover the scent of the party from earlier in the day. They will track the party along the trail, before taking to the air once they know their direction, and stalk them from above.
This way, the party can know of them and their danger, but the attack can come later in the day as they make camp for the night. It also allows the opportunity to draw in additional creatures... perhaps a hill giant, or a band of orcs, that hunt with the manticores.
I think this makes for a good, brief encounter.
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