Subject Pinch typist

Ok guys I am still not up to 100% but my oldest son, Geoff, is willing to help me out by doing my typing for me. I will try and get a turn out today and maybe one every other day after that until the Docs determine what they are going to do about my neck.

Subject Up in to the hills

OODM: Hi this is Geoff. I'm writing today for an irritable and crippled DM who is standing behind me griping. Any errors are not my fault. I am hoping that he can manage to get an encounter of his own devising straight, instead of thoroughly messing my own up. Remember to look on the positive side: your next characters will have their first major role playing experience when they find the corpses of your current ones.

To recap, the party is now 4 weeks out of Gorn, two weeks on the waves and two weeks on the road. They have another two weeks to get to the head waters of the Rushing River. Mund has been leading them along the path of the river, never more than several miles from the banks. As they head towards the mountains the river channel becomes steeper and more dangerous to be near, so the party stays a bit away, but the river can easily be heard. The terrain has been getting generally rougher, with trees becoming more dense and with more undergrowth, the path becoming harder and harder to find.

Because of the thickening trees they are having to lead their mounts more and more often, making less and lees progress every day. The air also becomes less hospitable as they progress, getting cooler in the day and closer to a frost each night. However, Mund is able to find marginally more comfortable and sheltered areas in which to spend the night.

The weather ranges between bright and crisp and overcast and cloudy but with very little rain. As the day progresses Salix begins to get an odd felling but he cannot place its source. For the next several hours Salix is distracted, trying to find the source of his disquiet. As it approaches early evening, while the party is searching for a place to bed for the night, Salix approaches Mund to discuss the odd felling he's had all day. (Spot check DC20, 19+7=26 success)

"Mund," Salix says "Would you mind if I spoke with you for a few minutes?" Mund nods, and Salix continues. "Something has been bothering me for the past couple of hours, and I have finally realized what it is. I have not seen any large animals, predator or prey, all day. I know I am not from this area, but that strikes me as odd. What is your opinion?" Mund nods, surprised that this outlander had picked up on the very same thing that had been bothering him. "Yep," he replies "haven't heard any either." (Listen check DC25, 19+9=28, success)

"Oh, so what do you think we should do about this?" Salix inquires. Mund grunts in resignation. "Not much we can do about it. Just keep movin' and keep our eyes peeled. Tell the rest of 'em to do the same." As they make camp for the night, Salix and Mund tell the others about their worries, Harp first.

OODM: Ok guys let me know what the party wants to do? They are in a small clearing about a mile from the river. It is early evening, but night is coming on fast.

Subject Up in to the hills

Harp will listen to Salix's concerns, and will take those concerns seriously. He has come to respect the Druid, especially when it comes to being out in the open. When Salix is done discussing his concerns, Harp will ask Mund to join them.

" Mund, I am glad that you and Salix have brought this to my attention. I think this is cause to start a double watch. With Ran's help, I would like to set a watch schedule that takes use of our inborn skills."

OOC: Mark and Geoff, I am thinking that Ragnar and Harp will take the deep night shifts, since they have dark vision. Ran and Salix would take first and last shift as their lowlight vision should suffice. I will suggest Alastair take the first watch and have Surin and Mund split with Harp and Ragnar since they will have better skills at hearing something. Maybe Mund with Harp and Surin with Ragnar. You get the gist, and have approval to play with it some.

IC: "Salix, I hestitate to ask this of you, but would you mind asking Noctis if he would do us the favor helping to help keep patrol at night? I have come to learn that he is a valuable member of our team. If you could give him some simple signals so that if he sees something, he can give us a basic warning. I miss our feathered friends from our first adventure.

Mund, Salix, have either of you ever heard of anything that might drive off the large predators?"

Harp will also ask this of the larger group. Mund and Salix are the most knowledgable in this area, but you never know who might remember something.

OOC: Welcome Geoff. Keep up the good work and I will not whine at you too much.