Making camp, guests
Subject Making camp, guests
The party is about a week out of Halburg. It is later afternoon and the rangers have begun looking for a place for the party to camp for the night. ?There is a hollow off to the south a bit up ahead. There is a small stream running through it and it has a small stand of trees that will shelter us from the wind.? Bel reports. Ran nods and the party heads the direction the rangers had pointed out.
The party is surprised when they top the small rise leading to the hollow. There is a group of people already making camp. A tall human points to the party and the rest of them stop what they are doing. Several of them quickly ready weapons but make no other move. One of them, a female dressed in plain traveling clothes holds up her hands and moves toward the party, slowly. A couple of the other people in the party have crossbows at the ready and a couple have longbows. ?Hail friends? the lady shouts at them from about 100 feet away, ?what can we help you with??
OODM: The party at the bottom of the hollow is clearly visible to all of you. There are 7 of them. The lady in plain clothes who is approaching you. There are two humans, a male and a female dressed in leather who have light crossbows out. There is a dwarf in a fine chain shirt whose face is covered by the cowl of his cloak. There is a female elf dress in a fairly revealing outfit. There is a half elf with two sword strapped across his back and there is another human male dressed in studded leather with a longbow.
How to treat strangers, The Order of the Stick
Subject Making camp
Mark, how far away are the other members of the other party? The lady is about 100 ft. from us - how far are the rest of them from her?
From: Mark
Subject Making Camp
They are about 20 feet behind, spread out among the 30-50 feet around area the camp is taking up.
From: Mark
Subject Exp points
Exp points are up through the 1/2 orc.
From: Josh
Subject Making camp
Kal says to Ran: "Let's two or three of us go up and see their intentions. Leave the lady Rochelle back here with the rest of us, ready to flee if something goes wrong. I don't think we have anything to fear from this group, but let's err on the side of caution."
Kal will do nothing until Ran gives the OK.
From: Kevin
Subject Making camp
Harp will stay toward the back of the group, keeping an eye out behind and around the group for anyone trying to sneak up behind them.
From: Karl
Subject Making camp
Salix will remain quiet and near the Lady Rochelle. He will await any word or direction from Ran.
From: Mark
Subject The order of the Stick
I do not know how many of you read The Order of the Stick but this one fits this group.
http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript?SK=154
Parley and introductions
Subject Turn
I have heard from Kevin, Karl and Josh. Do the rest of you want to do anything?
From: Randy
Subject Camping
OOC: Sorry, yesterday was a holiday here and I had family over. I didn't get a chance to check this email all weekend.
IC: Ran replies in agreement with Kal. "Kal and I will make the approach. Archers, keep your bows down but ready in case anything goes wrong. I don't anticipate trouble, but we must protect Rochelle at all costs.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Damn Canadians. :)
From: Rob
Subject Camping
Bel sends Ebon up to watch over the party, (out of bowshot, you evil DM) if he is not already doing so.
He also keeps his bow at the ready, but not raised, in case of problems.
From: Jake
Subject Camping
Surin eyes the woman warily. It's too late to slip off into the brush that borders the road--they've been seen, and doing so would only cast suspicion on the party. He waits, ready to act if necessary.
From: Kevin
Subject NHL
Probably a holiday celebrating the end of the NHL as it has been known.
Not that any one in the States ever watched, but it is sorry to see the sport from the north go from the heyday of Wayne and Mario to what it is today.
From: Mark
Subject Making Camp
Ran and Kal nudge their horses forward until there is about 50 feet between them and the lady. As they approach they notice more about the people in front of them.
The lady who had called to them is about 5'6" with a medium build. While she does not look that old her hair is grey. She has a staff in one hand and a wierd bladed object tucked into her belt at her waist.
The half elf with the two swords is not all that tall but powerfully built. He stands a few inches shorter than the lady but looks to be about 200 lbs. He is wearing a chain shirt and has two swords strapped to his back.
The dwarf is wearing studded leather and he stands by an odd looking cart. He is actually taller then the 1/2 elf and looks to weigh the same. He does have a dwarven war axe leaning against the cart. Next to him, in studded leather is a tall human with green hair. He is wearing a green cloak and has a short bow in his hand, with a light mace and short sword at his side.
The female elf is about 5' and looks to weigh around 100lbs. Her body seems out of proportion in certain places and she is dressed very provocativly. She does ahve a cloak, but it's hood is thrown back, revealing a large mass of orange hair.
The other two humans are both clad in leather. Each have a crossbow and short sword. The female is about 5'6" and 125 lbs, skinny with dark brown hair. The male is about 5'10" and 150 lbs, also with dark hair.
As Ran and Kal approach the lady speaks again. "Hail again, friends. Again I ask you, what can we help you with? Please come no closer."
From: Mark
Subject Dwarf
I thought I had sent out an updated description of the dwarf. He is 4'8" and 200lbs not 5'8". So he is a foot shorter than the 1/2 elf.
From: Mark
Subject Dwarf
Sorry about that. The dwarf is 4'8" not 5'8". Damn my fat fingers.
From: Josh
Subject Camping
Kal stops moving forward and waits for Ran to respond. He keeps his hand away from his rapier.
From: Randy
Subject Camping
"Hail to you my friends. We are merely passing through the area and are in the process of looking for a place to camp. We mean no harm and will be pleased to pass your camp and make ours further along."
Ran, not wanting to give out too much information, will wait for a reply.
FRom: Kevin
Subject Spot checks
Mark, have you done any Spot checks for our guys to see if we see anything that might give us any hints (i.e. a symbol on a sheild, an amulet at someones throat, etc.?) Just checking.
From: Mark
Subject Spot checks
Yes and you have seen nothing.
From: Mark
Subject Parley
"Why move along? There is plenty of room here. Join us for some food and tales." she replies.
From: Kevin
Subject Bad Hair
OOC: Mark, would the fact that these folks seem to be having a bad hair day make any of us uncomfortable? How common is it for a human to have green hair and an elf orange hair? Our character would know this, wouldn't they?
From: Mark
Subject Bad Hair
Maybe, maybe not. None of you have ever seen any one with hair like that, but it is a nice shade of green, it goes with his eyes, and the orange is along the lines of Lucille Ball. :)
From: Josh
Subject Gold
OOC: Isn't our party carrying a ton of gold?
From: Mark
Subject Gold
I don't know about a ton but IIRC it was about 1000 gp from the Ogres, not that Kal would know about that.
From: Josh
Subject Parley
Assuming we're still 50 feet away from the other party, Kal will say to Ran quietly "I think we should take them up on their offer. I don't think we have anything to fear from this group, but if we do, it will be easier to keep an eye on them when we're camped with them."
From: Derrell
Subject Parley
Fal is wary of the strangers, but will go along with what the majority decides to do. He mentally prepares his Magic Missile spell in case the strangers prove to be hostile. If they're friendly, he'll take direction from Harp and Ran. If not, he'll use the spell.
From: Karl
Subject Sense Motive
Can Salix get any kind of 'sense motive? check or something?
Assuming he doesn't sense anything hostile he?ll be fine with their sharing camp tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Sense Motive
Actually, since only Kal and Ran are up there only they could do a sense motive, since she is talking just to them.
However I will check that when I get home.
From: Mark
Subject Sense Motive
And just to let everyone know that no one in your party has any ranks in sense motive. The only have their ability mod, the highest of which is +3. Some of you have +0, which means that any one with a decent bluff roll or ability will be able to BS the whole party six ways to Sunday.
If they wanted to.;)
From: Josh
Subject Sense Motive
OOC: Since we're all naive trusting fools, I say we mow these people down just to be safe. Any buyers? :-D
From: Jake
Subject Camp
"Don't come any closer--sit and have a bite? Something changed her mind in a hurry." Surin thinks to himself. He has his reservations--these people could be anyone, including the test the dream man had referred to--but he wasn't about to start jumping at shadows.
"I could put away a spot of something," he calls. "What have you got there as smells so good?"
He gestures toward the strangers with his head and mutters to the rest of the party "Come on, best way to learn what they're about is to talk to 'em."
From: Mark
Subject Parley
Sense motive checks by Ran and Kal, she seems to be telling the truth.
"We have a stew made from some squirrles that one of our members caught. We had made enough for our party, but we have some supplie left over. We have just started making camp, so it should not be too much trouble to make some more." She look at the tall human with the green hair. "Amaril can you go find some more squirrles or rabbits so that we can make more stew?" The young man nods and heads off into the brush.
The lady turns back to Kal and Ran. "I am Shatra. My friends are Amaril" pointing to the young man who had just left, " Jeral and Felix, scribes on our world, "she points to the two humans in leather, Jeral being the female and Felix the male, "Bear", pointing to the dwarf, "Alarion" pointing to the large half elf, "and Altheameryl." pointing to the elf.
"And you are?"
From: Jake
Subject Intros
Not waiting for Ran's introduction, Surin pipes up. "I'm Surin. Did you say that those two over yonder were scribes 'on your world'? 'Cause I must admit, if I heard you right, that's passin' strange."
From: Mark
Subject Intros
Well met, Master Surin. Strange how?" She has a quizical look on her face.
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
OOC: Mark, if Harp heard and/or saw Shatra's request to Amaril, he will try to keep an eye to see which way he heads. Can you give me an idea of what type of room there is around us (i.e. is there space that he could easily work his way around us).
Harp will try to keep an eye on the groups rear. He will move slowly over to Bel and/or Cai and suggest quietly that they keep an eye out on the flanks. Harp is distrustful of the one who just moved into the forest. He would rather be able to keep an eye on him than have him wondering in the woods.
From: Jason
Subject Camp
Cai, having seen that Ran and Kal would handle the conversation with the lady, begins to scan the area around them. When the unknown man leaves into the forest, she begins to search (warily, but not suspiciously) for any sign of him especially. Noting with approval that Harp has his eyes on the area behind them, she will watch their flanks.
Making Camp and work problems
Subject Making Camp
Well, strange in more than one way, now that you ask. I've never met anyone says they're from another world...well, 'cept for a few crazys, maybe. And then there was Jael, but she was a con man with the circus. None of you folk look to be crazy, and you've got an honest look to you. Course, the best con artists do, but you don't strike me as the type anyway."
"Second thing as is a might strange--no accents to you. Most people," he says, taking on the thick accent of the highlands, "you can tell where they're from just from their voice. Or where they ain't from, anyway. But you folks sound pretty normal from what I hear."
From: Mark
Subject Game
sorry I have not been doing much on the game. I have been slammed at work. Hopefully it will taper off in the next day or so and I will be able to get back full steam.
From: Kevin
Subject Game
All work and no play makes Mark a grumpy DM.
The nerve of these employers now days. They expect you to work for them when you are on the clock.
At least new runs of your favorite shows are over now, so you can do some of this work at home and at a reasonable hour.
From: Mark
Subject Game
So sayth the banker.
From: Karl
Subject Camp
Salix again just keeps his peace, letting the others do the talking. He will silently observe each member of the group and if anyone makes eye contact with him he will return a friendly smile (diplomacy skill if this applies).
Shatra's story
Subject Camp
Agreeing with Kal, Ran replies "A kind invitation. We have been long on the road and are in need of rest. We thank you for your hospitality. Please, allow our friends here," Ran indicates Bel and Cai, "to assist in the hunting and gathering. They are accomplished rangers."
Ran beckons the group to come forward and as they do he speaks, "Please do not be alarmed by our companion Harp here. He is not one to be judged by his appearance. He is a loyal, honest, brave and compasionate man who cannot be held accountable for the nature of his birth."
Ran continues to introduce the group other than Surin who did a fine job of introducing himself.
From: Karl
Subject Camp
Salix bows politely at his introduction. After the introductions he will ask politely of the lady who appears to be leading the group, "To what end are you journeying in this part of the land? Are you on a specific quest or simply passing through?" (Diplomacy skill if it applies).
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
Harp, somewhat embarrassed by Ran's introduction, will nod his head in the direction of the other group as he is introduced. He will co-ordinate setting up camp, keeping his eyes out for any indication that this group is not what they have presented themselves as (i.e. a brief glimpse of the insignia of Hextor showing from under a robe or on an brooch somewhere.). He is cautious as he is concerned that this might be some type of trap set up by the man in their dreams, a follower of Hextor. Harp is familiar with the enmity between the followers of the two gods and will be suspicious of "chance" encounters until (and if) he completes this mission. He will suggest to Ran that they keep a two person watch, suggesting those with the best night vision (Harp especially) take the deep night watch. He will also tell Ran quietly that he will asks Heironious' guidance on the motives of these new "companions".
OOC: Mark I am going to update my spell/prayer list on Sakeriver to include a Detect Evil spell. If we make it through the night without an encounter, after Harp prays in the morning, he will do a detect evil on the members of other group as unobtrusively as possible. If he can make it look like he is just praying, then he will do so. My understanding is that the spell lasts for 10 minutes per caster level (so Harp would last for 20 minutes).That should give him enough time to cover most of the other group. If he gets a hit on any of the others, he will spend the extra rounds trying to determine the level of evil.
Make sense?
From: Mark
Subject Camp
Makes sense. However if the other party has a cleric of any sort they will get a chance to do a spellcraft check to know that you are casting a spell and not praying for one. It is considered bad form to cast spells with out telling others.
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
In that case, Harp will ask Ran's permission to undertake the prayer. If Ran decides no, then I will not change the spell list. If Ran decides yer, Harp will do as I previously sent. Harp will know before he spends the night if he will need to change the spell list.
Clear as mud?
From: Mark
Subject camp
Yes you are kicking it up the chain of command so that you will not be responsible when the shit hit the fan. Way to go jarhead.
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
I am simply offering a service that the head of our group may or may not want to avail himself of. Harp will mention to Ran that there is a chance that an opposing cleric will pick up on what he is doing.
From: Randy
Subject Camp
"I think that if these people mean us any harm we will know before morning. I don't believe it will be necessary to risk offence in the morning if they have been hospitable to us through the night." Ran replies to Harp, making sure they will not be overheard. "As for the watch, we will match whatever they use for the watch. If they provide one person, so will we."
From: Mark
Subject Shatra's story
OODM:Ok all the shows have had their finales this week or last so I have some free time in the evenings. Lets get caught up. I hope no one has a problem with a long turn.
At Ran's gesture the party moves forward and starts to make camp in their own little area close by. They take their usual jobs, but things seem to take a little longer. On both sides. Every one is eying everyone else. Jobs that are usually done in 10 minutes take 30. The other party seems to be what they say they are. So far only Shatra has spoken, but the others can be heard whispering to each other. (Listen check, Bel=21, Cai = 18, Fal =22, Harp = 12, Kal = 3, Ran = 23, Salix = 23, Surin = 21, any thing over 20 success).
The whispering mainly concerns whether or not Shatra's group can trust the newcomers. The dwarf is all for killing them now, but no one seems to take him seriously. Shatra and Felix and Jeral are all for seeing how things go. They mention that maybe they can get some information out of them. Amaril shows back up at camp then with some more rabbits and squirrels for the stew. At Ran's request Cai, Bel and Salix go foraging as well. Since it is close to dark they do not have much time and are only able to collect a few things.
However the additions seem welcome. Except for the dwarf, who is exceeding rude when approached, everyone in Shatra's party seems to be making some effort. Amaril seems a little shy, but that may be due to his age. He seems young for a ranger, for that is obviously what he is. However, Bel is able to get him to open up a bit when he talks about hunting. Cai listens in but it is obvious that the young man is uncomfortable around her. Surprisingly enough Harp and Jeral seem to hit it off, as they both seem to have some religious calling.
Surin and Felix hit it off as well and Alarion and Ran fall into conversation about combat styles. Alarion favors two long swords and demonstrates a bit before dark. Fal ends up talking to Althea. It turns out that she is also a magic user and they discuss magical things. When it is closer to bed time Althea makes a suggestion that Fal spend the night in her tent, for a price.
In response to Surin's question from earlier about their accent and being from ?another world? Shatra tells them the party's story. ?About six months ago we were hired by the daughter of a man we had done some work for. We were to find her father, who was missing. The man was a merchant who often traveled between cities with his goods in his wagon. He was several weeks past due and his daughter was worried. We found him, or what was left of him and brought back a magic item that he had hidden before his death.?
When we got back to the daughter, she was telling us about the item. It was an artifact for controlling dragons. Somehow, while we where in her house a red dragon showed up and started torching the place.?At this point the dwarf, Bear, starts cursing and shouting names out. Really ugly names. Rochelle turns away in disgust and even Amaril looks a bit green. Shatra and Jeral both tell Bear to shut up. He does so, still grumbling to himself.
?Well? Shatra continues ? our employer escorted us downstairs and to a room with a magic box. The box was a portal. She had us step through it before the house burned down. We all found ourselves here. The only problem is that the box requires magic items to work and sending all of us here used up all of its reserve power. Now we are questing to find magic items to power this portal so that we can return home. We have set up shop in Garlin, since that was the closest city to where the portal sent us and are now on quests to find magic items that we can use to power the portal to return home.?
Many other stories are told that night. Several hours after dark both parties decide to turn in for the night. They decide that one member of each party will share the watch. Bear, Shatra, Alarion and Amaril volunteer. At Ran's suggestion, Harp teams up with Amaril for the first watch, Alarion teams up with Surin for the second watch, Ran takes the third watch with Bear, and Cai takes the last watch with Shatra.
OODM: If any of you want to ask questions of the person you are spending the watch with let me know. If you have any questions you want to ask before bedding down for the night let me know.
From: Kevin
Subject Offer
OOC: I have a question - is Althea's offer open to everyone - players as well?
Just kidding.
Shatra's party
Subject ?
No one wants to ask any one anything?
At all?
From: Karl
Subject Shatra's party
Well it doesn't appear that Salix has hit it off with anyone in particular so he will spend this relatively quiet time listening to the others and lavishing some attention on the recently somewhat neglected Noctis.
Actually, on second thought at some point he will approach the ranger in the strangers' party and ask some questions about flora and fauna on their world, especially about anything remarkably different from the flora and fauna they've encountered here. He will also ask if there is any counterpart to the Druid order on their world and to what deity they attribute the natural workings of their world, if any.
From: Jake
Subject Shatra's party
Surin is curious about what kind of magical items the party needs in order to fuel their magical box, and how they intend to go about getting them. He'll ask the person he's gotten friendly with about that.
From: Josh
Subject Shatra's party
Kal will try to find out if any magic item will do, and if they're just destroying them anyway, would they be willing to trade items of equal power.
From: Kevin
Subject Shatra's party
Sorry, Samantha graduates highschool tomorrow ( I hope) and I have been conscripted into performing fatherly duties this whole weekend.
Harp will try to make some basic conversation with Amaril, focusing mainly on any differences between the two worlds. Harp will volunteer some basic information about our world, but will try to keep specifics to a minimum. He will not divulge anything about their mission unless given approval from Ran.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend. Remember why we celebrate this one.
Night time Conversations
Subject Night time discussions
These are various conversations that occurred while traveling or when camping and spending a watch with Shatra's party.
While traveling with Rochelle
?Master Salix, I do miss it, and I do not know when I will see it again. I miss the hustle and bustle of Cnom, with the river flowing by. I have seen the sun rise over the Ard Desert in the morning and the sand burn like fire. I have rafted down the Great North River with my family and camped in the foothills of the mountains. But tell me what you know of Schon. I hear it has beaches and you that you can see the ocean. I have never seen the ocean. What is it like?
First watch, Harp and Amaril
For the first hour of the watch the two say nothing to each other. Amaril moves with a quite grace that Harp admires. It is obvious that Amaril is uncomfortable around Harp, but Harp is not sure if it is just natural reluctance or Harp's background. After a while though the two do engage in a little conversation. Harp picks up that the dwarf, Bear, is also a ranger from the dwarven homeland on the world that Shatra's party comes from. It seems that this world and theirs are very similar. Almost all of the same races exists and it also seems most of the same plants, although often with different names. One of the biggest differences is the way elves are named.
Second Watch, Alarion and Surin.
Surin starts talking with the ? elf Alarion right away. ?So what is this with the magic items and such. How do ye be goin about getin such items?? ?We do research in the cities? Alarion responds, ?trying to find references to lost treasures and such. Lydecca, our employer, says that to get all of us back will require many items. So far we only have a couple of items and we are keeping those under guard at her house so that we do not loose them. We occasionally keep and use a magic item if it will assist the group, such as this sword I carry.? With that he holds out a fine longsword. Surin looks at it and gives a shrug. ?Ill take ye word for it. Weapons like that are more along the lines of what Ran and Harp use, not me.
Ran and Bear, Third watch
Ran tries to start up a conversation with Bear several times. Eventually the dwarf looks at him, his face still shadowed by the cowl of his cloak, ?Listen laddie, if I wanted to be flappin me gums with you I would. So if you ain't to stupid to get the hint, I donna wanna talk. I find that half breed elven voices grate on my ears, so shut your gob and do what you are supposed to be doing, with is watching and not runnin your lips.? Ran looks abashed at the insult and walks off. An hour or so later Ran looks over an catches a glimpse of Bears face. He almost looses his dinner. The dwarf's face is a hideous collection of scars. His nose is almost gone and the lips and teeth do not match up in proper alignment. It is surprising that the dwarf can talk at all. All of a sudden Bear glances up and sees Ran watching. He quickly turns and covers his face with his cloak.
Cai and Shatra, Fourth watch.
Cai and Shatra just talk about small things, such as the names of animals and plants. They also talk a bit about local geography, with Shatra asking most of the questions and Cai supplying the answers. Cai also fills them in on what the party has been up to the past month or so.
OODM: I will write more about the next morning tomorrow. Any thing else any one wants to do, or ask, please let me know.
From: Rob
Subject Computer
I am back online, after a period of really messed up email.
Sorry I wasn't around for most of this new stuff.
Identifing items and a slow day
Subject Magic items
In the morning, Harp will talk to Ran. "Sir, after we kiledl Dagrak, Fal mentioned that there was a spell that might help provided some information about that beast of an axe of his and that amulet he was wearing, but that Fal did not know the spell. Since this group is actively searching for magical items, maybe they would be able to identify these objects. I don't know if either of our two items might be of use to them, but we could probably work out some sort of trade. I don't know about the amulet, but I do know that we will have little market for that orc axe back in Schon. If these folks are able to use it to help themselves return home, and it helps us identify the amulet, then what do we have to loose?"
From: Jake
Subject Magic Items
OOC: For a second I thought that Harp was saying this to the people we've met up with, and I about had a heart attack. If we do trade the axe or the amulet to them, the magic users should take to opportunity to talk as many spells out of them as possible.