Items, checking in and TAR
Subject Items
No, Harp is having this conversation quietly with Ran the following morning. He knows that of all the members of the party, only he would have any interest in the double axe, but since Harp is a follower of Heironious, his diety prefers that he use the longsword. He will let Ran decide to make the offer.
From: Karl
Subject Items
He will let Ran decide to make the offer." LOL! Was there suppose to be a "whether" in there somewhere, or is that a "you can do whatever you want as long as you do what I want" kind of thing?
From: Mark
Subject Items
Harp is just "Suggesting" to Ran that he might want to do things his way. OR else. :)
From: Mark
Subject Checking In
If any one does not want to do anything please just give me a check in and say ready to go. That way I know you got the turn and are not waiting on me to do something.
Thanks
From: Karl
Subject Checking in
Ready to go.
From: Kevin
Subject Items
Remember, Harp only has a 10 INT score - his gramar is not the best. Look for the meaning - the deeper meaning behind what he is saying.
Harp is having simple thoughts - Ran seems to trust these newcomers, they are looking for magical items, our group has some magical items we know very little about, these folks may be able to help us in exchange for one of the items if it will help them. I am sure that Ran has already thought this all the way through, including how excited he will be when the Keno twins tell him his items are worth 5,000-6,000 gp at auction, but that he should insure them for 10,000.
From: Rob
Subject Checking In
Mark, I thought of something to say, but don't have time before work to type it up...I will send it tonight when I get home, ok?
From: Mark
Subject Checking in
Not a problem.
From: Randy
Subject Items
Ran listens to Harp, nodding in agreement, and calls Fal over to the discussion.
"Fal, I am not well versed in the spells that you might need to use to identify our magical items here. If you can make an offer to our new friends here you might be able to gain some new words for your spell book. Also, we might request that they trade a more minor magical item in addition to identifying our amulet for us."
From: Josh
Subject Checking in
Ready to go
From: Josh
Subject Items
OOC: Kal Pouts.
From: Derrell
Subject Items
Fal politely declines Althea's offer explaining that he's saving himself for that special someone. He further explains that he'd like to be friends with Althea, but isn't ready for an intimate relationship. If she's OK with this, Fal asks her how she came to study the magic arts. He then sets up his tent and asks Lenore to perch atop it to keep watch.
From: Mark
Subject TAR
This is very premature but I thought I would give every one plenty of lead time in case it happens.
I am in the process of filling out an application to be on The Amazing Race 9, which will problaby film in Nov. of this year. My best friend and I both love the show and think it would be great to participate. We are filling out the applications as I speak and will send them in in the next few weeks.
If we get approved for the show I will disappear, probably with out much notice, for the most part of a month.
My game would be put on hold and, depending on the character situation, I might have my brother take over any character I have in Ty's game.
Thanks
From: Derrell
Subject TAR
Good luck. I hope you get accepted.
From: Derrell
Subject Items
Fal listens with interest. "I'm willing to make the offer. Who should I approach? I don't think talking to Althea would be the best thing to do right now. She's a little unhappy with me at the moment."
From: Mark
Subject Offer
I never said that she was unhappy with you. :)
It was only business.
In the morning
Subject Turn
I will try and get a turn out tonight.
From: Rob
Subject Items
Bel says" Just be careful about how you approch them about this. They may try to take advantage of the fact we don't know what the amulet does.
Considering how fast the Half-Orc moved after us, and his fierce attacks, I would not be surprised if the amulet improved his speed in some way. It just wasn't antural for him to move that fast, I think.
But I am not sure, as my magical talents lie elsewhere."
From: Jason
Subject Items
Hmm I sent something yesterday to the Kalevan address...
OK I see now that it didn't make it. Hopefully this one fares better.
Cai remains a little suspicious of the new party. Although she will remain cordial at all times, she is deliberately vague about the details of their mission, or any specifics of her own past. In the morning she will (if Ran gives the OK) slip off to forage / scout their route, as well as keeping her eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.
From: Jake
Subject Items
Hm. Nothing at this point, although I'm sure that Surin will have plenty to chime in with once the haggling begins over the axe.
From: Mark
Subject In the morning
Fal and Althea
Fal is a bit shocked by Althea's offer. ?I thank you for the offer? he stumbles out, ?but I am saving myself for that someone special. I mean no offense and would like to remain friends. With all the traveling that I am doing and will probably be doing in the near future I would not like to be tied down in a relationship.? Althea laughs at this comment. ?I was only talking about the night, not the rest of our lives. Be that as it may, no harm done.? She truly does not seem upset at his rejection. Fal is a bit shocked at her attitude and wonders how the elves on her world could allow members of the race to turn to that type of profession.
In the morning.
As the sky brightens slightly Cai and Shatra wake their parties. The three rangers go out hunting and Salix goes out to find some veggies or wild fruit. They all find some food, at least enough for all of them to eat a nice hot meal. Harp approaches Ran. ?"Sir, after we killed Dargrak, 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?"
Ran nods at this idea and calls Fal over. ?Fal, I am not well versed in the spells that you might need to use to identify our magical items here. If you can make an offer to our new friends here you might be able to gain some new words for your spell book. Also, we might request that they trade a more minor magical item in addition to identifying our amulet for us."
"I'm willing to make the offer.? Fal replies. ?Who should I approach? I don't think talking to Althea would be the best thing to do right now. She's a little unhappy with me at the moment." Ran thinks about this and says ?Talk to Shatra, she seems to be in charge. Take Salix with you and let him do the talking.? With that Fal heads over to Salix. He lets Salix know what Ran has asked. The Druid nods and the two of them walk over to talk with Shatra. Behind them Surin's ears pick up a bit as he eavesdrops on their conversation and he works his way over to where they are talking to Shatra.
OODM: Ok Karl and Derrell go a head and let me know how you want to do this.
Since you want something of material value from them this is a time to use the Diplomacy skill. You can tell me the basic words you want to use and I will use your skill against them.
Items and spells
Subject Items
As Fal and Salix walk toward Shatra, Fal says " I think he is right. You should do the talking. I'm not very good at communicating my thoughts clearly and concisely."
From: Josh
Subject Camp
Kal has been keeping to himself all night. He hasn't said anything to anyone unless approached.
From: Karl
Subject Items
Salix follows Fal to where Shatra is preparing to break camp. "Good Morning to you." He says brightly. "We've been thinking about your efforts to get back to your home, and we have a proposition that might help you. We have recently acquired a weapon none in our group has immediate use for, and believe it might have some magic properties. Our mage friend Fal, here, has been studying the magic nature of items but has not yet mastered the procedure for identifying such objects. We were hoping that you might be able to perform your identifying procedure on this object, as a lesson for Fal, and in exchange we will give you the weapon to hopefully assist you in your return to your homeworld. Of course, we don't know if the weapon is magic, but we will give it to you no matter the result in exchange for the lesson. How do you feel about this offer?" (diplomacy check)
(OOC - I have family visiting. I will most likely be unable to add more until this weekend or perhaps Monday. I'll try to respond further if I can.
From: Mark
Subject Items
"We are always interested in magic items, as you know." She then turns and calls Althea over.
"They say that they have a weapon that might be magical in nature. They are offering to trade it in return for learning how to identify magical items. Does this sound fair to you?"
Althea thinks for a moment. "It is more than fair. The spell itself is not hard to learn but the components are expensive. It requires a fine pearl per casting and each casting can only identify one item. The problem is with learning the spell. It takes a day of study to learn and transcribe a new spell. We would have to spend another day here. Not that I mind. Maybe Fal and I can compare spell lists and see if there are any other spells we can exchange?"
OODM: How about the amulet?
From: Karl
Subject Item and spells
Without further consultation from Ran, Salix doesn't want to mention the amulet. He will explain the time needed to learn the spell to Ran and see what he says. He will suggest that after Fal learns the spell they offer to purchase a pearl or two from the group, if we can afford it and if they can spare one or two, then Fal can learn about the amulet himself and not risk having the strange group learn of some valuable or powerful item they might be willing to kill for. (Indeed the dwarf seems willing to kill us all just for the hell of it. No need to give him an actual reason.)
He will also suggest to Ran that if the Axe proves to be worthless (in magical terms) that they offer to pay half the cost of the pearl that was wasted.
From: Mark
Subject Axe
Fal was able to determine that the axe was magical in some way.
From: Karl
Subject Axe
Ok, then nevermind to the applicable parts.
From: Josh
Subject Spells
AFAIK, Kal's not around to hear this. But if he gets wind of spell trading going on, he's gonna try to jump in.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
It is not really being kept a secret.
I will write a turn on Saturday.
From: Rob
Subject Spells
Bel would be interested to learn about this as well, even though he knows it won't do anything for him as his "talent" lies down another path (he doesn't "learn" spells that way).
He would also like to make sure the other party isn't trying to swindle them, so he is glad that the party has left out the part about already knowing the axe is magical.
If they are truthful, and Fal is unable to master the spell, he might suggest having the amulet tested by them, but probably not, as he feels it might be worth a lot to the other party.
Ran makes a choice
Subject spells and the axe
Ran replies to Salix, "I don't really want to spend another day here as I think we should make haste in getting Rochelle to her home. I am sure we can find someone there to assist us in identifying the properties of the axe. I do wish to help these good people but I don't believe it is a good idea to delay our responsibilities."
Ran thinks for a moment and then adds, "Do you think we can trust them to join us on this leg of our trip? Perhaps Heronin may be able to offer them some assistance. I feel that they are good people but I may be a little too trusting. I would appreciate your advice in this Salix."
Negotiations
Subject Negotiations
?This sounds like a fair trade to me but let me return to my companions and see what they say? Salix replies. With that he and Fal return to the others to discuss what they want to do. Ran listens to the offer but is not happy. ?I don't really want to spend another day here as I think we should make haste in getting Rochelle to her home. I am sure we can find someone there to assist us in identifying the properties of the axe. I do wish to help these good people but I don't believe it is a good idea to delay our responsibilities."
Ran thinks for a moment and then adds, "Do you think we can trust them to join us on this leg of our trip? Perhaps Heronin may be able to offer them some assistance. I feel that they are good people but I may be a little too trusting. I would appreciate your advice in this Salix." Salix shrugs ?It would not hurt to ask.? With that Salix and Fal return to Shatra with their offer.
Shatra frowns when she hears their offer. ?Nothing personal my friends but we too have a quest that has some urgency, and it lies in another direction. I do not think we can accompany you.? Althea speaks up then. ?Shatra, I think I may have a solution. When we were back in town I made up several scrolls with the identify spell on them. I could identify the item and if it is worthwhile we could trade them some of the scrolls. Fal here should be able to transcribe the spell into his book at his leisure and both parties could be on their way.? Shatra looks at Salix with a questioning look. Salix looks to Fal, seeking to confirm what Althea has said.
Fal nods. ?Yes we could do that. We would still need to get the proper type of pearl once I inscribed the spell, but it could work.? ?Let us take your offer back to our companions and see what they say.? Salix replies and the two head back to Ran and the others. When Ran hears of this plan he approves. ?It gets us what we need and keeps us on the road.? Kal also is in favor of it. ?I would also like to be able to get a copy of this spell, if I may.? Ran nods and motions for Harp to get the axe and follow Salix and Fal. The three approach Shatra and Althea. The dwarf Bear is also there.
?Let Bear see the axe if you don't mind, while Althea prepares herself.? Shatra asks. Harp looks at Salix who nods. Harp hands the axe over to the dwarf and Bear starts looking at it with a critical eye. ?Hmmm, orc double axe style but not orc make. Look at the balance. Damn filthy orcs never made anything this nice. This is dwarf work. Must have been a prisoner. Look at how the haft is joined to the two heads. You don't see that type of work from the lesser races, only the dwarves. Even the sissy elves don't make this type of weapon. All right let's see what the sissy elf can tell us.? He then drops the axe in front of Althea and stomps away.
Althea sits cross legged on the ground, a small mortar and pestle in front of her. She takes out a necklace made of fine pearls from her back pack and unties one. She places in in the mortar and grinds it to a fine dust. She adds this to a goblet that she had and adds a bit of wine. She takes a feather out of the pouch at her side and stirs the mixture. She then drinks it, lays her hands on the axe and starts to chant. ?It will take an hour or so? Shatra tells them, ?you can stay and watch if you want, but we are going to start breaking camp. Fal and Kal offer to stay, since they are the most interested in how this spell works. The rest of the party starts breaking camp as well.
When the hour is up both parties gather around Althea. She snaps out of her meditation and takes a few seconds to come back to herself. ?The axe has a medium enchantment to it, making it easier to use and a bit sharper but no other special features.(OODM:+2 orc double axe). Bear what do you think?? ?What do I think? I already told you what I think you dumb elf. It is a fine weapon, if one is able to use it. That there is the problem. Not much market for a weapon like that. If I had my say...? Shatra quickly claps her hand over Bear's mouth, obviously to keep the dwarf from saying something insulting.
?How much?'she asks the dwarf. He starts to mumble through her hand and she says ?Fingers?. He holds up two fingers. ?Hundreds?? Shatra asks. Bear shakes his head. ?Thousands?? Bear nods. With that Shatra makes an exaggerated gesture of Bear keeping his mouth shut and pushes him towards their wagon. ?Well it seems as if we are at a bit of trouble. What we have offered is not nearly enough to cover for the value of the axe. How about this? We give you two scrolls with the identify spell on them and 10 pearls. Would that make us even??
OODM: Any responses?
From: Karl
Subject Trade
Salix simply nods to Ran, indicating that this would be a fine trade, all things considered.
From: Jake
Subject Trade
OOC:
Well, that's remarkably fair. When I saw Salix's bargining technique I wondered if we'd be getting the deed to some swampland in FL in exchange for the axe. :)
A deal is struck, back on the road again
Subject Negotiations
Well, see, Salix's "technique" was to be disarmingly naive and hope they are trustworthy. :P Worked, didn't it?
From: Shatra
Subject Negotiations
Ran, seeing the nod from Salix accepts the offer and asks that Shatra speak with him privately for a moment.
When they are appropriately secluded Ran begins to speak.
"Shatra, I am very pleased that our paths have crossed here. I have been struggling of late with many personal issues and I find myself in need of further adventure. I must complete this quest I am on right now as a duty to a friend and I must also settle some matters with my father but when that is complete, if it is possible, I would like to assist you and your friends with your troubles. That is, if you haven't had the good fortune of returning to your home before my time is available. What I ask is, would you take me on as a travelling companion if our paths cross again?"
From: Mark
Subject On the road again
Shatra and Ran shake hands and the deal is sealed. Shatra nods to Althea and she and Fal walk off to her horse to trade goods. Ran gestures to Shatra to walk a bit.
"Shatra, I am very pleased that our paths have crossed here. I have been struggling of late with many personal issues and I find myself in need of further adventure. I must complete this quest I am on right now as a duty to a friend and I must also settle some matters with my father but when that is complete, if it is possible, I would like to assist you and your friends with your troubles. That is, if you haven't had the good fortune of returning to your home before my time is available. What I ask is, would you take me on as a traveling companion if our paths cross again?"
Shatra looks a bit stunned at this admission and request. ?Friend Ran, I do not know if you know what you ask. Our quest is to return to our home world. Do you intend to go with us?? Ran stands silent under her stare, saying nothing. Shatra laughs and claps Ran on the back. ?Let me make you this offer instead. If our paths cross again and you would still like to join my party in our quest, I will say yes. If the gods of these lands see fit to make it so that we meet again, then I will agree that it was meant to be. Is that good enough for you?? Shatra holds out her hand. Ran gives a wan smile and takes her hand. ?Here is to the future.? he says.
The exchange is quickly made and farewells are said. All except Bear. He stands off alone, muttering that they might as well set up camp again, considering how little distance they would make that day. The party heads off east again, watching as Shatra and her party head north in to the mountains. It is another two days when they reach the bridge of the Dango River. There is a solid stone bridge and a small garrison. As the party approaches one of the guards moves out from the small keep that guards the bridge. Crossbowmen can be seen on top of the small fort, covering the man. When the party is about 50 yards away he shouts ?Halt, identify yourselves and your purpose.? Ran shouts back ?I am Ran-Ell, of Gorn and these are my friends. We travel to Gorn.? The man gestures Ran forward.
Ran rides forward and the man inspects him. ?Nine people and 10 horses? That would be 9 gold then.? Ran winces at the price, but digs out the gold. According to Salix and the rangers the nearest crossing over the river is almost a weeks journey down river. When Ran hands over the money, the man hands him a receipt that shows that they have paid. ?That is good for today, if you need to come back across? the man tells them. With that he waves the party across the bridge. As the cross they see that while the bridge is not all that far across, it is very high above the raging water below. The spring thaw in the mountains and the rains the past week have swollen the river into a raging torrent. There would be no way to ford this river this far north.
The next two days pass with out incident. On the first night Fal uses one of the scroll and identifies the amulet. ?It offers some protection from damage but nothing else? (OODM:Amulet of natural armor +1) The party is starting to head northeast now. They are still in the rough terrain at the base of the mountains that are now to their west. As they are starting to look for camp the second afternoon Bel comes back and reports that there is a very nice spot up ahead but that there are already 5 people there.
OODM: Two things. First who gets the amulet. Second what do you want to do about the people.
From: Jake
Subject On the road again
Surin looks longingly at the amulet, but says nothing. A little extra protection would be nice, but he isn't one of those that slew the half-orc, and given that he knows that the item rightfully belongs to one of the others. Besides, he was pretty quick on his feet, unlike the magic users. Better, he thinks, that one of them has it.
Hearing Bel's report, Surin pipes up. "Might not be a bad idea to send someone ahead, have 'em check out the group--maybe make sure there ain't an ambush laid, while I'm at it."
From: Kevin
Subject On the road again
Harp looks with wonder at the amulet. Such a small thing could act like armor? How was that possible? But he was forgetting that with the grace of his lord Heironious, he was able to make himself more difficult to damage, so inbuing a piece of jewlery with such an blessing would not be beyond his dieties abilities. While he desires any additional benefit he can get, he realizes that he is better prepared than may of the troop - granted it is because he is usually the first one to jump in harms way, but he had to live with what life had given him.
Upon hearing about the group ahead, Harp is concerned. Their last encounted had gone well enought, but to run into 2 parties on this path, just as they were looking to settle in was too much to ignore. Upon hearing Surin's offer to scout ahead and try to find something out about the one's ahead, Harp will give his complete agreement. If there is anyway that Harp can help Surin, he will offer it, though he knows that he is no match for the little halfling. Even if it means going only half way, so if Surin runs into trouble, Harp can come to his aid as best he can, he will offer such assistance.
From:Jake
Subject Scouting
Surin grins up at the half-orc. "That comin' along halfway sounds like a good idea--wouldn't mind havin' you to hide behind if something big is after me," he says with a laugh, then turns to the others. "Any chance them as have birds could have them help the two of us out, same as they did when I was scouting out the goblin camp?"
An item is given, scouting ahead
Subject On the road
Salix looks at the amulet and shrugs. "I say give it to the wizard or sell it and split the profits," he says quietly to Ran. "I really don't care either way. The money isn't that important to me, personally, so if Fal wants it, I won't object."
Salix waits for the others to offer the assistance of their avian companions (or familiars as the case may be). Since it's still daylight, and Noctis is still dozing on the pommel of his saddle, Salix is loath to wake him when there are others that can do the job and are better suited to the light.
If no one offers to send any of the other birds, Salix will point out that they are perhaps better suited for daylight work. If still no one offers, Salix will nudge Noctis and send him out to cover Surin and Harp.
From: Kevin
Subject On the road
Harp laughs with the little halfling. "If we have to run, I can always carry you on my back, and you can throw rocks at them while I run."
Harp's concern is that he will give the quiet little halfling away by making some untimely noise. He will suggest that Bel join them since he is more familiar with where the new group is located, and he has better skills with a ranged weapon.
From: Derrell
Subject deal
Fal considers the offer. "I think it's fair."
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I have heard back from Kevin, Karl, Jake and Derrell. Any one else?
From: Josh
Subject Amulet
Kal suggests that the amulet would be best worn by Cai.
OOC: Isn't it funny how hard you try to come up with a good in-character reason why YOUR character should get whatever magic item is dancing around? :-D
OCC2: I had sent this out before, I accidentally sent it out only to Surin.
From: Randy
Subject Scouting and amulet
"I agree that Fal should keep the amulet. He will gain the most from its added protection."
Ran turns to Surin and says "Be careful. We don't know when our 'test' will be."
From: Kevin
Subject On the beach
Mark, as I told you last week, I will be leaving town Thursday morming and will be gone until late Monday night. You can either let someone else run Harp, or you can run him as you think I would - you have the best chance of that seeing as we are twins and you know how I think. If I can get access to a free computer where I am going, I will try to check in, but I will not go very far out of my way as my spouse will frown upon my doing that while we are on vacation.
Surin checks out, reports
Subject Strangers
Bel offers to send Ebon up ahead looking for trouble, and agrees that is makes sense for him to come at least half way with the scouting party.
He also would have suggested Fal have the amulet, or one of the other spellcasters.
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
Ok I have heard from every one except Jason so I will write the death scene, I mean encounter at lunch or tonight.
Fal gets the amulet it sounds like, while Bel, Surin and Harp are going to go scouting while Ebon takes to the air.
Hmm taste like chicken. :)
From: Jason
Subject Strangers
Cai agrees about giving Fal the amulet. She volunteers to scout their more immediate surroundings (not up where Bel & co. are going) to get a feel for their surroundings and make sure no one is sneaking up on them as well.
From: Mark
Subject Spellcasters
All spell casters need to go to SakeRiver and update your spell list, if you want. You should take off all used spells and update the spells you have available for the day.
Fal now has the amulet of natural armor +1 and still has one identify scroll. However, he is not able to transcribe it to his spell book while on the road, or at least while the party is moving. If the party made camp for more than a day he might have a very good chance of copying it over. The same with Kal.
Here are the rules for copying spells into spell books.
Spells Copied from Another?'s Spellbook or a Scroll: A wizard can also add a spell to her book whenever she encounters one on a magic scroll or in another wizard?'s spellbook. No matter what the spell?'s source, the wizard must first decipher the magical writing (see Arcane Magical Writings, above). Next, she must spend a day studying the spell. At the end of the day, she must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell?'s level). A wizard who has specialized in a school of spells gains a +2 bonus on the Spellcraft check if the new spell is from her specialty school. She cannot, however, learn any spells from her prohibited schools. If the check succeeds, the wizard understands the spell and can copy it into her spellbook (see Writing a New Spell into a Spellbook, below). The process leaves a spellbook that was copied from unharmed, but a spell successfully copied from a magic scroll disappears from the parchment.
If the check fails, the wizard cannot understand or copy the spell. She cannot attempt to learn or copy that spell again until she gains another rank in Spellcraft. A spell that was being copied from a scroll does not vanish from the scroll.
In most cases, wizards charge a fee for the privilege of copying spells from their spellbooks. This fee is usually equal to the spell?'s level x?n50 gp.
Independent Research: A wizard also can research a spell independently, duplicating an existing spell or creating an entirely new one.
Writing a New Spell into a Spellbook
Once a wizard understands a new spell, she can record it into her spellbook.
Time: The process takes 24 hours, regardless of the spell?'s level.
Space in the Spellbook: A spell takes up one page of the spellbook per spell level. Even a 0-level spell (cantrip) takes one page. A spellbook has one hundred pages. Materials and Costs: Materials for writing the spell cost 100 gp per page. Note that a wizard does not have to pay these costs in time or gold for the spells she gains for free at each new level.
So it will take several days for the two of them to get this spell into their books. One or the other would have to do the prep work and copy it into their book. Then the other would have to copy it from the spell book of the first. I am assuming that they would take 20 on the skill and so there would be no problems with the copying.
They hope that there will be time when they get back to town.
From: Kevin
Subject Spells
OOC: Spell list updated and Harp is ready to "help" scout.
From: Mark
Subject Scouting
I expect he will make a wonderful diversion, sort of like Batman having Robin dress up in yellow so that Batman can hide.
From: Kevin
Subject Therapy
You are always so full of good cheer and happy thoughts.
You need therapy. Lots and lots of therapy. Preferably the electro-shock type of therapy, though a good run of aversion therapy might be usefull as well.
From: Karl
Subject Spells
Spell list updated for Salix.
From: Mark
Subject Surin takes a look
Everyone dismounts while Bel, Surin and Harp make ready to scout ahead. Bel talks to Ebon, letting him know what he wants the bird to do. The hawk takes wing and flies in the direction of the camping site. Surin checks Harp and Bel, looking for anything that might make noise. He straps down a few things on Harps back but knows that there is not much he can do for the ? orc. Bel is in better shape, his fine chain shirt little more than a rustle when he is trying to be careful. Bel leads them off to where he found the camp area.
He leads the other two to the top of a small rise. As they approach the top he gestures for them to crawl to the top so that they are not seen. As their heads break the top of the rise, they can see the camp below. The camp is about 250 feet away, down the slight slope. They can clearly see that there are 5 people moving about, setting up camp. It is hard to tell from this distance but there is something vaguely wrong about the people. They are all man-sized, around 6? tall. Even from this distance the colors of their clothes and armor stand out. There are 7 horses staked out around the camp and it looks like they are mostly done with setting up camp. The tents are pitched and there is a fire going.
The tents have the same wild color scheme as their clothes, yellows and oranges and reds. The camp is situated next to a small stream that they must be using for fresh water. While they are in a clearing there are trees of various sizes scattered all around. There is also much natural grass and occasional undergrowth. None of the three can hear anything from the camp. ?Damn wind is blowing towards them. That is going to make it harder to sneak up on them if any of them have a good sense of smell.? Surin says. ?Either of you two recognize what they might be?? Both Harp and Bel shake their heads no. (Knowledge check, DC?, Surin 9, Harp 9, Bel 15, all fail). With that Surin says ?Ok, let me see what I can find out. If they catch me I will make a big stink and you two come running, ok??
Surin slips into the undergrowth. He takes his time. There are still a couple of hours until dark and he is able to find a fairly easy path towards the encampment. It takes him about 5 minutes to work his way to with in 50 feet of the camp, making sure that he is not upwind of them. He finds a nice place under a scrub bush. It gives him a nice line of site and he can hear them fairly well. At this distance the clothing and armor really stand out. Two of the men are dressed in full plate armor, gaudy with colors and decorations. One of them has a long sword at his side and the other has a morning star. The one in charge is wearing a chain shirt, but it also has extremely colorful and gaudy designs on it. He has a sickle at his side and is using a trident to point at things as he commands the others. The other two have no armor and have no visible weapons.
Surin does not recognize the language but the tone is unmistakable. They are setting up camp, with all the joking and talking that this entails. They do not seem to be hiding anything or hiding their presence.
After about 20 minutes Surin decides to head back. It does look like an ideal place for a camp. He takes his time getting to Harp and Bel and the three report back.
OODM: OK you three can make your own reports but I need to know what the party wants to do.
From: Karl
Subject Hearing
"Salix shakes his head"??? WOW! What kind of a roll did I make on THAT listen check?
From: Kevin
Subject Horses
OOC: Mark, were our guys able to determine from the barding if the extra 2 horses were set up as pack animals or riding animals?
Would Surin have been able to tell when he got closer?
From: Mark
Subject Hearing
OK that should have been Harp and Bel, not Salix.
From: Randy
Subject Strangers
Ran awaits the report. After he has received it (assuming the information is pretty much as is) he considers the alternatives and lays them out as he sees them.
"We can approach them as we did Shatra and her friends; we can camp here and keep a solid watch to see if they do anything; or we can go another route. I would really like to avoid taking another route. If they have 7 horses and only 5 of them, then they probably already have a scout out who knows about us so I think we should probably approach cautiously. If anyone has any other suggestions, by all means bring them forward."
From: Mark
Subject Horses
Some one had asked earlier about if the two horses were pack horses.
Yes they were. They obviously had pack saddles and supplies on them.
From: Kevin
Subject Horses
Thank you. It was Harp. It does make a difference in our report.
From: Karl
Subject Strangers
Salix has no objections to approaching them cautiously.
From: Jake
Subject Strangers
[OOC--did Surin see any emblems, holy symbols, heraldic devices, or the like that he could reproduce for those that might have a chance of recognizing what they were?]
From: Jake
Subject Report
After the scouts have returned to the party, Surin relates all that he was able to observe. [OOC--including the answers to my question to Mark, and somebody else's questions about how the horses were equipped. Mark, did all of the horses seem equally tired? I'm trying to figure out if they were ridden, or if a couple of these guys are just in the habit of keeping a string of fresh horses to spell the one they're riding on now and then, like the Mongols].
From: Jake
SubjectReport
OOC--Ah, okay, nix my last question in my last email then.
Slow day
Subject Scouting report
Nothing that you were able to make out.
Strangers
Subject Turn
So I guess the consensus is to approach the new people cautiously?
I will have Ran, Salix, Bel and Cai in the front, with Kal, Fal and Surin in the second row with Harp bringing up the rear.
From: Randy
Subject Strangers
Yep, sounds good to me.
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
Rochelle is in the second row as well.
From: Karl
Subject Strangers
I'm good with that.
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
The three intrepid scouts report back to the party. ?They seem ok to me? Surin reports. ?I dinna understand what they were saying, but they looked to be travelers setting up for the night.? Ran nods. "We can approach them as we did Shatra and her friends; we can camp here and keep a solid watch to see if they do anything; or we can go another route. I would really like to avoid taking another route. If they have 7 horses and only 5 of them, then they probably already have a scout out who knows about us so I think we should probably approach cautiously. If anyone has any other suggestions, by all means bring them forward."
Surin pipes up. ?I dinna think they had a scout out. T?me the extra horses looked like pack animals. All I ken, is that I wouldna want to ride in the saddle that was on that horse.? A quick vote is taken and it comes up for them to approach the strangers cautiously and see if they could share the camp site. Salix notes ?You know if there is conflict do we want to be mounted? Remember what happened with the ogres?? There are a few chagrined faces and the party agrees that maybe they should approach on foot. Cai and Bel hobble the horses.
The party puts on their packs and starts to move towards the hill. Bel, Salix, Ran and Cai take the front row, with about 5 feet separating each them. Kal, Rochelle, Fal and Surin take up about 10 feet back and Harp is in the middle another 10 feet back, bringing up the rear. Every one has their weapons loosed in their sheaths. The crossbows are loaded but safed, but not carried in the hand. Bel and Cai have their bows in their hands but no arrows nocked. Bel, Cai and Fal send their birds into the air, having them keep watch from above. The party trudges up the small hill and finally crests the top. They can see the strangers still setting up camp. The party starts moving down the hill slowly.
They get about 150 feet from the strangers when they get noticed. The strangers form up ranks with the three in armor standing in front. The two with out armor stand a few feet behind. A small hawk wings its way down and lands on the shoulder of one of the unarmored men in the back. The man in chain is in between the two in plate and has a short bow out but no arrow in it. One of the men in the back has a loaded crossbow in his hand but it is aimed at the ground. They are alert but not overly so, cautious and prepared. The party continues its approach until they are within about 50 feet. The man in chain speaks out, in barely understandable common ?Hie there strangers. I be Kendrick Ashenheart and this my kreel. What be you intentions?? With that he stands there, his bow in his left hand, his right hand free.
OODM: What do you do? I will try and send a map tomorrow.
From: Josh
SubjectStrangers
Can we guess what race he is?
From: Karl
Subject Strangers
Salix waits for Ran's lead.
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
Guess away.
From: Josh
Subject Strangers
The DM thinks he's funny! :-D
Is Kal able to tell what race these guys are?
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
I actually did a knowledge check and every one failed. They have no idea what these guys are. All everyone knows is that they are not from around these parts. Or from any parts any one in the party has been too or from or through.