The spoils of war
Subject Turn
Ok I still have not heard from Nate or Ami, but as things will probably be quite for the next game day or so, I will go ahead and write up a turn this afternoon.
From: Mark
Subject The spoils of war
The afternoon quickly becomes dusk, the mountains making an early evening of the day. The party has decided to give change the watch a bit so that those who need sleep can get it. Cai, Surin and Ran offer to take the watches so that the others who need to mend can and so that those who need rest to prepare spell can as well. Fal says that he can help with either the early watch or the last watch, and his offer is taken up.
The ogre alternates between wakefulness and unconsciousness. Every time it wakes up, it struggles so much that it passes out again. Harp checks the bandages every time the creature passes out again, just to make sure that it has not hurt itself more than it is already. He also takes the time to make a gag so that the creatures screaming and yelling does not attract too much attention.
While they eat, the several of the party study the scroll case. Bel, who has taken off his armor approaches and says ?Can I look at that? I have a pretty good eye for magical stuff.? First Surin says ?Let me check it over for traps.? The halfling does so. (Find Trap, DC?, 1+10=11) He takes a quick look at the case and does not find anything unusual. With that, the case is gently handed over to Bel. Bel gently opens the case and pulls out a couple of scrolls. Before he unrolls them he says a couple of words and passes his hands over them.
He holds out the first scroll and says ?It is magical but I can not tell anything about (Spellcraft check DC17, 2+6=7, fail) it with out doing a Read Magic. The second is some type transmutation spell (Spellcraft check DC17, 17+6=23, success). With out asking the party, Bel pulls a small prism from his pocket and starts another spell. After a few minutes he hands the first scroll to Fal and says ?This one will detect thoughts.? Another few minutes pass and he hands the second one to Fal and says ?This one will give you Dark Vision.? Fal is excited to have a couple of new spells that he might be able to copy into his spell book when he has time.
While this has been going on Surin has been over by himself, holding one of the gold coins in his hand and talking to himself. He has been pacing and doing small tricks with the coin as he thinks. He walks it across the back of his knuckles and then flips it in the air and catches it with the other hand. He makes it disappear from one hand, only to reappear in the other. He does not even seem to notice what he is doing. All of a sudden he shouts ?I got it.? He then hurries to the where everyone else is sitting around the fire, eating.
OODM: I will let Jake tell you what he found.
From: Jake
Subject The coin
As he enters the firelight, Surin flips the coin to Ran. "Notice anything unusual about that coin?" he asks. "Take a look at the back. See that coiled serpent? They've all got 'em. New or old, makes no difference--every last one of those coins was minted in the Bandit Kingdoms. What are the chances of *that* happening by accident, eh? Not good, I'd wager."
He pauses, spearing a hunk of roasting meat with a knife that hadn't been in his hand a moment ago and bringing it to his lips. He recoils from it with an indrawn hiss, and then laughs sheepishly. "Hot," he says, blowing on the meat.
"Anyway," he says, waving the skwered chunk of meat for emphasis, "I think we know who hired our large friend over there. Or possibly who someone wanted us to think had hired him, I suppose."
Camp, Gold and Spells
Subject Spells
If Fal has time, he'll copy the new spells into his spell book. Fal will take whichever watch he is asked to take.
OOC: Mark, what level are the new spells ? Should I go ahead and add them to my character sheet, or will you do that?
From: Kevin
Subject Gold
OOC: Mark, would our characters know if this gold was usable outside of the Bandit Kingdoms? Or do the Bandit Kingdoms have a reputation for false gold coins or that their area is so bad that no one wil traffic in their coins (I am thinking of the bad rep Krugerrands got during the Aparthied era).
From: Mark
subject: Gold
Depending on the city and country it might cause problems, but gold is gold. It can always be melted down and used for something else.
For the most part what is surprising is the number of the coins here, not that they exists.
From: Randy
Subject Gold
Ran sees the coin and turns it over in his hand. Seeing the serpent, his brow furrows with concern.
"Whoever gave this to these ogres is obviously a very wealthy and determined adversary. I feel that we may be in a little over our heads here. We need to find a way to send word back to Heronin. Can any of your birds make the trip? Or do any of you have the ability to send a message through magic or god favors?"
Ran pauses, trying to clear his head of the panic that he feels rising in him. What could make Lady Rochelle so valuable? And to who? Someone with those resources would have strong defences. The group would need strength, skill, and most of all luck to accomplish the task before them. 'No, not luck.' Ran thinks to himself, 'blessings of the gods.'
"If there is no way to communicate back to Heronin, we must keep our eyes out for those friendly to him that they may convey a message for us. For now we must continue our pursuit and keep gathering more information while we attempt to rescue Lady Rochelle. Let us not waste any time in the morning. We will need to make haste as we have lost much time today."
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
Harp, having lived a relatively sheltered life, looks on amazed at the amount of wealth on display. He has always had a few coins to rub together, but nothing close to what is in front of the group now. With that much gold, Captain Angelwing could recruit scores of new men. Harp grows concerned about whomever they are chasing - if they are willing to part with that much gold to stop any pursuers, then what might they do if they were to be caught and cornered?
Harp grunts - all this thinking was hurting his head. Of course, it could be his recently dislocated collar bone that was still throbbing slightly. He will let any conversation take its course, but when it seems to him that it has drug on too long, he will say "Come, let us sleep as we may. No matter what the source of this gold, it does not change our task - to find the Lady Rochelle. The morning will be here soon enough and we need to be ready to face it."
With that, he will turn in for the night.
Kevin
From: Karl
Subject Camp
Salix has nothing to add. He has spent the evening unusually quiet. He performed terribly in the fight today, essentially doing nothing. His prayer was answered. . . well at least the flaming sphere appeared when and where he asked, but he had failed to hit the creatures. Big lumbering creatures the size of great bears and he couldn't hit them to save his life. He sits around the fire nursing his arm and brooding about his failure. He is aware of the conversation, but is unimpressed by the gold. Sure it's a lot, but money has never been all that important to him. He supposes it might mean someone in the Bandit Kingdoms was behind the abduction, but that would hardly be surprising. There were any number of reasons some faction of bandits might want to kidnap someone with wealth and importance.
Eventually, Noctis flies over and lands nearby giving a series of low, concerned hoots. Salix just sends him off to hunt for the night and keep watch on the camp, then turns in himself.
From: Jake
Subject Gold and camp
So how much would 1000 gp weigh, anyway? Can we take the full amount with us?
Surin will retire to his bedroll, taking whatever watch the party thinks best.
From: Mark
Subject Gold
According to the PHB coins weigh approx. 1/3 oz., or 50 to the pound. So 1000 gp would weigh, I think, about 20 pounds.
It used to be 10 gp to a pound, way back in 1st edition.
From: Jake
Subject Gold
Inflation.
From: Nate
Subject Camp
Alatyr sits off on his own, something obviously weighing heavily onhis mind. He got like this once in a while, feeling like he was the one to fix things, but never could. In this time as a youth he composed some ballads, many of them he burned later on, even though they were decent enough for campfire tales. Instinctively, he begane to mutter one about the color of sleeves, and wished for a guitar (OOC: or whatever the heck musical instruments they have) to lose himself in with the playing.
Where are you, Rochelle. Many of our foes will be searching for you. I pray I find you first.
Morning, the ogre and additions
Subject Turn
Waiting on Rob and Ami.
From: Rob
Subjet: Camp
Bel once again offers to take a double watch to allow the others to heal better, as he is unhurt.
He also refills his quiver, using the spare arrows he brought with him.
Before his watch, Bel goes to Ran and says " I have a question....aren't we a little outmanned by this? If the people behind Rochelle's kidnapping can afford to pay this much money to Ogres, what else will they have in store for us? I think we should try to let Quarion know about this, he might have an idea of how to deal with them.
However, I don't think Ebon can find him, and I have no other way of contacting him magically.
From: Mark
Subject Spells and scrolls
Derrell had asked about getting the spells on the scrolls into his spell book.
Here is the process from the PHB.
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.
This is the comments about the actual copying of the spell.
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 would take a couple of days per spell to do this. I am guessing that the party would not be willing to wait for this.
Derrell, I know from my past playing experience, adding spells to spell books has always been a town activity done between gaming sessions. In this game, when we are done with this part of the adventure and the party has a little free time in a town before the next adventure starts, this would be when you would scribe the spells into your book.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
Oh yeah, Derrell had asked about spell level. Both spells are 2nd Level, and on the scroll as a 3rd level caster.
Derrell, let me know if this does not make any sense to you.
By the way, Fal can still cast the spells from the scrolls, if he wants to use them but not learn them.
From: Karl
Subject Gold
Actually, it's the opposite. They've obviously started mixing the gold with lighter metals which means each gold piece (which presumably buys the same amount as before) actually contains less gold. So, same value for less gold equals deflation, no?
From: Derrell
Subject spells
OOC: OK, I'll wait until we have some free time.
From: Randy
Subject Plan
Ran takes a breath and rolls his eyes. 'Is he not even listening to me?' he thinks to himself. 'I just said we were outmanned and I wanted to send word.' Ran regains his composure and reminds himself to be patient. Everyone has a lot on their minds and he shouldn't be so quick to anger.
Once rationality is restored Ran replies.
"As I said, I think we are in over our heads a little and I want to send word to Heronin himself since we know where he is. I wasn't told where Quarion would be for his part of this quest. If any of you can contact Quarion, by all means do. We need all the help we can get. Though, at the same time it might be easier for a small force to infiltrate these adversaries."
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok I have heard from every one except Ami so I will go ahead with the next turn, hopefully this afternoon or early tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Ami
Has any one else heard from Ami in the past couple of weeks? Her last e-mail implied that she would be gone for a few days but I have had no communication from her for two weeks now. I have sent her a couple of e-mails directly as well as the mailing list but have not heard anything.
Does any one want to take control of Cai until I hear from her or I get someone else to control her?
From: Derrell
Subject Ami
Mark, I sent her an email asking if it was alright for Fal to keep flirting with Cai and haven't gotten a reply.
From: Mark
Subject The night and the next morning
The party settles in for an early night, knowing that they will be up on the road early tomorrow. Surin takes the first watch with Bel, while Ran and Cai handle the second watch. Noctis, at Salix's instructions, keeps an over watch from high on one of the trees. The night passes quietly if a bit quickly for those who are recovering from their wounds from the previous day. Only the grunting of the ogre disturbs the night, and even it seems content with getting its beauty sleep. (All who are injured get 4 HP back. Alatyr is at full, Harp is at 34/37 and Salix is at 24/27. Let me know if anyone wants to use any healing before traveling.)
The next morning Ran gets the party up before the sun peaks over the mountains. Of course in this part of the mountains the sun does not peak over until well after mid morning. While Harp and Salix do their devotions and Fal studies his spell book, the others break camp. Ran and Salix confer for a few minutes, talking about maps they have seen, and figure with a good days riding they will be able to get clear of the mountains and the pass today. Then it is time to deal with the ogre.
The party surrounds the creature, weapons drawn. The ogre stares up at them, shouting at them again. Harp, about 5 feet away, holds his holy symbol in his hands and says the prayer he learned so long ago. As he chants, the ogre's ravings slowly become understandable. The ogre is yelling things like how he is going to eat them when he gets loose, how bad his leg hurts, what cowards they are, 8 against 1, and how that would not matter if his leg was not broken, cursing Gnasher for agreeing to do this, cursing the ogre gods for betraying them this way, back to promising to eat the party if he ever gets the chance.
Harp relays this info to the party and says ?Unfortunately, my gods grace does not let me talk to the creature, only understand its ravings. I wish there was some way I could ask it questions.? All of a sudden Surin's head pops up and he says ?I have an idea.? With that the little halfling runs over to the packs and gets out the gold that the ogre's had been carrying. He takes the sack, which weighs half as much as he does, and comes back to with in 5 feet of the ogre. He opens the sack and shows the ogre the gold. At that the ogre starts cursing anew and this time Harp gets a bit of what he was looking for. Calling the party thieves and bandits, he says ?big, ugly half orc gives us that money. That money ours if we do what bastard wants. We do it. That my money. Give it back your thieving bastards.? There is more like that but Harp is not sure if the ? orc referred to is him or another ? orc.? After a while the ogre starts repeating himself and the prayer ends.
With that the harp gently tries to rap the ogre on the head to knock him out. He cracks the ogre a good one, but almost breaks his hand on the hard bony skull. The ogre falls unconscious again and the party mounts up and heads south.
OODM: Let me know if there are any other plans or discussion. If you just want to keep moving just say keep moving.
From: Mark
Subject Addendum
Before they head off Harp offers to take a look at Salix's shield and Alatyr's armor. Knowing that the Battle lord likes to have armor in as good of shape as possible, Harp uses his mending prayer on those two items. The hole in Salix's shield closes and it looks as good as new. The dents in Alatyr's armor flow like they were over a hot forge and are quickly gone. Harp does the same with his own armor and it is almost as good as new.
From: Derrell
Subject Plan
Fal wants to keep moving. He does, however think that the group should discuss what to do when we finally find the enemy considering that they're probably well armed.
From: Karl
Subject The ogre
"We aren't going to just leave it tied up here are we?" Salix asks. "We should just kill it outright if we're going to kill it at all, and you're fooling yourself if you think that's not what we're doing if we leave it tied up in these woods in the condition it is in now."
(OOC - In response to Ran's suggestion about notifying Angelwing, Salix would have mentioned that he can call an animal messenger and send it back. However, the spell will only last for 4 days and Salix doesn't think that is long enough to get back, let alone wait around for anyone to get the message. Also, we didn't arrange for anyone to be expecting a message so it's likely that even if the messenger arrived, it would be ignored until well after the spell had worn off.)
From: Randy
Subject Weight
Ran looks to the group and says "If nobody has any way of contacting Quarion or Heronin then I say keep moving, otherwise lets send the message first."
"Harp, can you handle the extra weight of the gold or should we divide it among us?"
From: Kevin
Subject Ogre
Harp, if given approval, will stay behind to end the creatures suffering. He will offer up a prayer to the Battle Lord for the fight put up by the creature and its companions and honoring the glory of the group victory. He will then pull his sword and stab the creature through the neck, severing its windpipe and spinal colum, if possible. He will then push Stupid to catch up witht he others.
From: Kevin
Subjet: Gold
Harp resonds " Between Alatyr and myself, I am sure we can handle a few extra pounds. I wish they were extra pounds of arrows for the rangers, but at least we might be able to buy somemore if we cross a town of any size."
From: Jake
Subject Gold
Yeah, I was just being silly.
From: Jake
Subject Ogre
"We're not just going to leave that thing here to free itself are we? If we do it'll either come after us or worse yet get word to whoever hired it that we got away. I say we slit it's throat before we ride."
From: Ami
Subject Ami
Sorry it took so long, but I guess I have some good reason.
It will take me a little bit to get caught up, hoping to read through it all tomorrow.
sorry, the link is www.vcode.com/christopher
From: Mark
Subject Looking like an ass
Ok Ami, I am a little behind on personal stuff. Did you have a baby? Congrats.
If only I had known. Take a few days.
From: Rob
Subject Additions and gold
Either that or someone swallowed a watermelon seed....
Gratz!
OOC...About the coins...they could just be smaller coins than in the 1st and 2nd Edition, you know.....
From: Jake
Subject Ami
That's a good excuse!
Congratulations!
Ami and Questions
Subject Ami
Congratulations on the new baby.
From: Karl
Subject Gold
Yeah, me too.
From: Karl
Subject Ami
Yes, congrats!
From: Kevin
Subject Ami
I think she should get some extra XP's for this.
Congratulations, Ami, on your new addition. He does know that he will have to start as a first level baby.
From: Rob
Subject Ami
Yes, but is drool has a natural +3 bonus for being so damn cute. His grip is +5, for being born 5 months old....
From: Mark
Subject Questions
While I am swamped at work today, does any one have any questions that I have not answered. I try and keep up but know that there might be times where I forget to answer some.
If there are any questions or concerns still out there please let me know and I will do my best to clear them up.
From: Karl
Subject Questions
I didn't really ask, but Salix mused that they were too far away for animal messenger to do any good. ON that note, how far, exactly, are they from their starting point? (How many days journey? How far as the crow flies?)
The ogre, a map, the chase, a city
Subject Status
Ok guys.
Just curious as to where we are? Has a decision been made on what to do with the ogre? That is the only major thing I think I need. Any comments from any one about what they want to do before I write up the next turn.
Just give me a "I am ready to go" and I will write the next turn.
Just to let everyone know, last night my oldest and I scripted out the rest of this adventure and set the basic story line for at least two more. I hope every one plans on staying around for a while. :)
From: Karl
Subject Status
If it's still an open question, Salix votes for the coup de grace.
From: Kevin
Subject Status
Harp agrees. We have what we want from the creature. It is time to end it and move on.
From: Randy
Subject Status
Ran looks to Harp and nods in agreement. "Harp, will you please do as you have said and end this creatures suffering?"
Ran will turn away before the killing blow is issued and offer a prayer that the Ogre will die quickly.
From: Kevin
Subject Ogre
Harp nods, and will suggest again that the rest of the group head down the path aways and that he will catch up after he has done the deed.
From: Karl
Subject Ogre
Salix will follow the group, though he thinks Harp is shielding them unnecessarily. They have all seen and been responsible for death before. This type of action shouldn't be scapegoated to one of the group as they all share responsibility here, too. But Harp seems willing to take the action upon himself, asking no one else to share the responsibility as witnesses, so Salix will keep his peace on the matter. At the start of the journey, he might have suspected Harp's volunteering to be born of eagerness and bloodlust, but after spending time with Harp he is sure the cleric's motivation is pure. He even admires Harp's self sacrifice. He will tell him so, quietly, once the Half Orc rejoins the group.
From: Mark
Subject Map
I am attaching a map of the country you are in now. I have not had a chance to colorize this one.
You will probably need to rotate the map 90 degrees CCW to get the proper orientation. You should be able to see where this is in realitionship to the larg world map I sent out a few months ago. You can see that at this link, http://www.sakeriver.com/kalevan/viewdigest.php'select=10 , at the bottom of the post.
The pass should be obvious and your party is about half way through it. The scale on this map is 1 Hex =4 leagues, which is 12 miles.
I hope this helps.
From: Karl
Subject Map
Are we heading NNE or SSW? (I.E. towards Bhyo or towards the spot marked "Impact") And what is "impact"?
From: Mark
Subject Map
The party was on the north side of the mountains heading west. The pass goes through the mountains and the party is heading south through the pass. Towards Undulant. Impact is the "Capital" of Undulant.
From: Mark
Subject The chase continues
As the party gets ready to ride, Salix coughs to get everyone's attention. ?We aren't going to just leave it tied up here are we? We should just kill it outright if we are going to kill it at all, and you?re fooling yourselves if you think that's not what we?re doing if we leave it tied up in these woods in the condition it is in.?
The party looks at each other with a few embarrassed glances. Harp then speaks up. ?Lt. Ran, if you would get the rest of the party moving, I will take care of what needs to be done and catch up.? Ran, not happy with killing the creature in cold blood, but seeing no alternative, nods his approval and starts the group on its way. A few minutes later Harp catches up with the group, silent. Harp has killed many times before, usually in battle. Once before he was required to perform the coup de grace, and it was no easier this second time. Even though he knew it had to be done. He would have preferred defeating the creature in combat.
The day drags into monotony. The two rangers scout ahead looking for signs of the passage of the goblins. Between the two of them they keep the trail fairly easily. About the third hour of the day, Cai tells Ran ?I think that they are moving a bit slower than before. Maybe they think the ogres would deal with any pursuit. We may be able to catch up a bit quicker. At the rate they are going now, and from what I remember of the maps of the area, I would guess four days or so to catch them.? Ran seems relieved to hear that they are closing on the goblins.
There are several times during the day where the trail fades out, but since the goblins have been heading in the same direction for the past 4 days, the rangers discount that. They eventually pick up the trail again and keep moving. Bel is amazed at how easily Cai is able to track. (For info purposes only, on 9 track rolls, Cai had 7 rolls over 15 and Bel had 3. This includes the survival skill bonus.) They push on for another hour after they would normally stop, trying to close the distance faster. At that point Salix tells Ran that they need to rest the horses. Ran aggress, comforted that they are gaining ground.
As they make camp for the night, Cai points out the hills that mark the boundary of these mountains. ?We should be at the foot hills by tomorrow night and able to move on to the plains the day after. Then we will see how quickly our horses can catch up.? Salix, who has been in the part of the world a while ago, speaks up. ?If they keep heading southwest they will end up in Impact. That could cause some complications. However, we should be able to re-supply there as well. Impact is what we might call a lawless town, but it does have its rules. The first rule is ?Don't get caught?. The second rule is ?See rule 1??. He smiles grimly, remembering the time he passed through. Only Noctis's sharp eyes and his ability to move with out leaving any trace had gotten him out of that.
Again the night passes quickly. (OODM: Every one is back to full hit points.) The moon is waxing towards the full and the sky is clear. Fal thinks, ?Say what you must about the creatures and people from this country, they do have some wonderful scenery. The party is up before dawn the next morning and off again. It is another day of stunning vistas but boring riding. The rangers continue tracking the goblins, who do not seem to be trying to hide their passage. Cai comments ?If the weather had been worse we probably would have lost their trail in the mountains. Let's hope that the rain holds for at least one more day. We should be able to follow them in a bit of rain once we are close enough. (Track rolls over 15, Cai 7, Bel 4)
Since the rangers have spent all their time tracking, there has not been as much fresh food to eat. Salix does his best at finding some wild vegetables to freshen up the meals, but the party is starting to get down to eating the trail rations they all brought along. Ran is glad that there is a city that might be on their way so that they can re-supply. He starts to think on how they can do that and still keep up with the goblins.
The second night is spent talking about how they might handle the goblins when the party closes with them. Alatyr is all for a head long charge and Harp nods in agreement. Surin and Fal take a dim view of this. Nothing is decided since they have no idea what the situation will be when they finally run the goblins to ground.
The third day dawns and the party is off again. The mountains are behind them now and they are heading south west out of the foot hills and into the plains. They can see a smear far in the distance in the clear air, southwest from where they left the mountains. The goblins seem to be heading in a straight line, almost for the city. The party should be able to make Impact today. As the party follows the trail it leads them to the north of the city.(Track rolls over 15, Cai 5, Bel 4) As night falls the party finds itself just north of the city.(OODM: Right now the party is in the hex just to the north of the city of Impact.) Cai and Bel are fairly sure, baring unforeseen things; the party should be able to overtake the goblins late tomorrow.
OODM: Ok do you folks want to do anything?
From: Kevin
Subject The chase continues
OOC: Mark, the description shows plains in this area - would this be basically grassland with the occaisional tree? Basically, sufficient vegetation for Salix's entangle spell to work should we need it?
FYI, I am going to update my spell list prior to our turning in this evening.
Also, my understanding from the turn was that the goblins did not stop in the town but went north of it as we are so far.
From: Mark
Subject Map
Yes this is plains area, basically grassland, although it is still early to mid spring so the grass is not all that tall yet. There is the occasional tree. Since it is magic, there is enough vegatation for Salix's entangle.
As far as the rangers can tell the goblins have passed north of the city. They have not been able to tell if any one left the goblins and went to the city. Either becuase no one did, or becuase they failed their track rolls.
From: Kevin
Subject The goblins
Fine, but a few may have headed in, but the group as a whole stayed out of the town/city, right?
From: Mark
Subject The goblins
It is within the realm of possiblitly. I wil neither confirm or deny.
From: Kevin
Subject The chase
Harp, some time during their travels, will acknowledge Salix's comments regarding the dispatching of the ogre. "I seem to become unreasonable only when I encounter orcs. My 1/2 brothers could become so much more if only they would try to see a better way. But centuries and centuries of taking the easy way and years of the illusion of power through threats and intimidation are hard to overcome. It is one of the area in which I continue to strive to make improvement, but one where I still fall short."
Harp is torn between getting to the goblins as quickly as possible, and tyring to supplement their group by stopping in the town. He sees the nearly empty quivers of the two rangers and thinks what a great assett a couple dozen more arrows might be in a fight, especially with small creatures like goblins. A couple of well placed arrows might not bring down the ogres they just faced, but they would certainly bring down almost any goblin they encountered. Food was not really a concern, yet, as if they were able to overtake the goblins tomorrow, they could return to Impact and reprovision then. He ponders the possibility of one or two of the group breaking off to head in to town to get some arrows and some provisions and then catching up with the rest of the group the following morning.
He is pretty sure that Surin would be capable of doing do - in fact, he would probably feel right at home. However, Harp is uncomfortable suggesting that one person go into the town alone, but is also uncomfortable with splitting the group anymore than needed. He is glad that Ran will have to make this decision. Harp will add what he can to the discussion, but will go with what ever Ran decides. When he gets a chance, he will ask Ran to explain how he came to his decision, so the Harp may learn more about command.
Harp will suggest as appropriate that Salix's ability to bring the surrounding plants to life to entangle their opponents might be very usefull, especially on the wide open plains.
From: Rob
Subject The City
OOC: Mark, when we first began I was having trouble with accessing
Sakeriver, my character in particular. I remember having a discussion about arrows, but that was during the time I was having problems, so I don't think I got a chance to edit my character sheet at that time, and then I forgot about it.
I seem to remember asking if I could have brought more arrows, and could have put it on my horse, and I think you said yes.....but it isn't on the character sheets...would you rather have us buy more now, or can it still be added....I even referenced the extra arrows in a couple of my turns, I think.
Your call, it shouldn't matter since we are close to a town now. Either way I think I would suggest stopping, at least for an hour of two, to resupply.
From: Jake
Subject ogre
I've got a pile of mail to go through after this, so it may not matter, but Surin, who votes for slitting the ogre's throat, is ready to go. After the ogre's throat has been cut.
From: Jake
Subject Ogre
Surin shakes his head. He will watch as the blow is delivered.
From: Derrell
Subject Ogre
Fal is ready to go. I agree we can't take the ogre with us, but what do we do with him?
From: Derrell
Subject City
Fal would like to stock up on crossbow bolts and supplies for his spells in town in the morning. He also thinks the group should come up with a plan for dealing with the enemy once we catch up to them. He is against the idea of charging blindly into the enemy without a plan. What if they outnumber us by a considerable margin? Once we get close, it might be wise to have the birds scout ahead to see what we're facing.
The town and supplies
Subject Supplies
Surin doesn't need any supplies, assuming that he retrieved the weapons that he threw in combat. He's interested in getting a good meal and doing a little exploring in town, while keeping an ear out for anything interesting. He is accutely aware of how little use he was in the combat with the ogres, and would very much like to arrive at some sort of a plan before heading out after their quarry.
From: Mark
Subject Supplies
You have 30 extra arrows on your horse. But you are down about 5-6 and Cai is down 10 at least. With your and her rapid shot feat, you can go through 4 arrows per round. Even 20 arrows will be gone in 5 rounds of combat.
From: Randy
Subject Supplies
"I think it would be prudent for us to enter the town and resupply. Salix, since you are more familiar with this area, I would like you to take the lead until we are done in Impact. I would like us to only spend an hour or two there if possible. I don't want to lose our chance at catching up with the enemy." Ran pauses a moment and adds "Salix, do you think it would be wise for two of our group to enter Impact in the night to acquire supplies? I would prefer not to lose daylight hours of our pursuit if possible."
From: Karl
Subject Supplies
"I would advise against a night time excursion. We would be safest during the day. Impact is not a friendly city on the brightest day, but I wouldn't stay within it's walls after dark unless I had no other choice. And even then I wouldn't be wandering the streets. Not to mention that it will be difficult to find suppliers open after dark. We could get food and water at a tavern, I suppose, but those are the least of our worries. In fact if it weren't for the need of arrows, I'd suggest skipping the town altogether." He thinks a minute and adds, "I could probably make useable arrows, but not until morning. Even then they wouldn't be the quality you could purchase at a good weapons dealer."
(OOC - Salix has "Shape Wood" which could make arrows, but Mark would have to tell you what penalty using them would give the archers. FYI - he has "goodberry" and "Purify water", too, which can be used in a pinch, but he has to prepare for them and they take up spell slots he'd rather use for offensive spells.)
From: Randy
Subject Supplies
"I think we should probably acquire the best quality arrows that we can as this may be a quite formidable force we are going up against. I will defer to your judgment about a nighttime excursion. We should head into town early on the morrow and get our supplies quickly. I don't want to split up our group as we are already vastly outnumbered from the looks of things. A couple of hours more between us will not make enough difference unless," at this he looks to the rangers, "unless we are in danger of losing the tracks."
Ran waits for the rangers to comment and will evaluate splitting up based on their response.
From: Kevin
Subject Supplies
When he gets a chance, Harp will mention to Ran that to get arrows and some basic food stuffs, the whole group does not need to go into town. He will suggest that if he and Surin, taking just a basic amount of money, head into town at first light, they could get 3-4 dozen arrows, some food, and some additional trail rations and get out of town before it really starts to come to life. A large group of 8 travellers (most of whom are elves or 1/2 elves) are more likely to draw attention to themselves. A 1/2 Orc and a Halfling might not draw as much attention and Harp can easily carry anything they buy. Harp is uncomfortable with the whole group walking into a town like this with as much Bandit Kingdom gold as they have. If they don't take it into town, it cannot be stolen. He is not so much worried about the loss of the funds as he is the questions its presence might raise.
However, if Ran decides that the whole group will go, then Harp will agree.
From: Randy
Subject Supplies
Ran considers Harps advice. "You make a lot of sense my friend. The rest of the group will stay put in the morning while the two of you, and Salix if he wants to go as well, will get the supplies. The rangers and the birds can do some basic scouting while the rest of us hold the camp."
From: Kevin
Subject Supplies
Harp nods his appreciation and says " Surin and I can (and Salix if he wishes it and it is safe for him) can head into town at the start of the last full watch, so we can arrive just after the sun starts to rise. Most of the drunks and theives should still be sleeping things off at that hour. We find a store, but 3-4 dozen arrows, find the markets, buy some fresh food, trail rations, and some fodder for the horses, and we wil be on our way. If things go well, we can be back to camp just after lunch and we can still make a few miles before the end of the day."
Harp will ask if there are any other special needs that any of the spell caster might need.
Fron: Kevin
Subject Supplies
Harp has additional thoughts. He will say to Salix:
"Friend Salix, I have seen you converse with our companion's winged friends numerous times (and it has helped us many of those times). With their masters permission, would you be able to tell them exactly what we are looking for (the goblin band) and would you be able to understand what they say when they return? My god will allow me to understand other languages, as I did with the ogres, but you seem to have a much greater affinity with our animal friends. Given a full day to fly, the birds could cover a great amount of ground "as the crow (or Raven) flies".
From: Kevin
Subject Supplies
OOC: I know, I know, how does this guy get this much time to write up all this. My boss is gone and I had to pick someone up (for work) at the airport this am at 5:45. I will try to make this the last one today.
IC: Harp will also ask Salix the following " Salix, you are familiar with this area. Is there somewhere the rest of the group can move to during the day so that we can make a little forward progress after the goblins? Those of us going to town can ride in one side of town, buy what we want, ride out the other, making like a big triangle. That way, we do not have the rest of the group just sitting when we can make a little bit of progress. Any suggestions of where we could meet or a particular spot that seems to be on the general direction that the goblins are taking?"
From: Rob
Subject Supplies
Bel turns to Ran and says " That sounds like a plan, as long as we keep enough people here to guard the gold and our horses. I can ask Ebon to fly ahead, if they can let him know what to look for ahead.
Try and get some more rope if possible, as well."
The gate and the Guard
Subject The chase
As Harp studies the map they have, he begins to wonder, speaking aloud to Ran
"Sir, what if, while Surin and I are in town, the rest of the group rides around the outskirts of town, waiting for us on the other side. It looks as though the goblins are heading for the Greenwood, and this way we would not loose time waiting for us to go into town and come back. We keep the same level of safety with just the two of us going into town, and we keep relatively close to the goblins."
From: Karl
Subject The birds
"I can tell them exactly what we are looking for within the limits a bird can understand. I can usually interpret their meanings well enough when they respond. However, when I petition my god for this grace, it only lasts a short while. I would need to petition this favor twice, and I'm afraid, Obad-Hai grows weary quickly of his humbler servants. If I petition too much, he will be reluctant if we need his grace for other things this day.
"However, I could explain to them what we are looking for and ask them to reply in a code I can understand without the intervention of my god. I would need to explain the code to them as well as explain what we are looking for. This would take time, so both the code and the requirements would need to be brief."
From: Kevin
Subject The chase
"I understand completely about not abusing the favor of your god. I have had occaision to make the same trangression, and have had that same empty feeling.
Your plan is sound. With Ran's permission, let us try to come up with the basics of what we would like the birds to look for and a code for them to communicate back to us."
From: Karl
Subject The chase
"I will go with Harp and Surin, if you think it wise," Salix says to Ran. "I was in the town before, but only briefly so I can't really act effectively as guide. However, I do know that there is safety in numbers so one more might help. Also, I have some skill in dealing with sticky situations (diplomacy skill) which undoubtedly got me out of there safely last time."
From: Randy
Subject The chase
Yes, Salix, I would like you to accompany Surin and Harp on the foray into town. If you have time tonight you can also work on the code for communicating with the birds. The information we need most is location and approximate numbers if possible."
From: Mark
Subject The chase
As the party settles in for the night, the party discusses what they are going to do. They need arrows and some other supplies but don't want to loose the track of the goblins. Each member of the party lets it be known what they can add to the solution and after several hours of discussion they come up with a plan.
Harp, Surin and Salix will head south to the town. Since the goblins seem to be heading SW these three plan on getting the needed supplies, leaving town by either the west or south gate and trying to intercept the party as it follows the goblins. Salix uses his speak with animals prayer to talk to Cai's companion, Grey, and tells the bird what he would like it to do. The bird seems to understand, at least as well as an animal can. Salix then talks to Lenore and Ebon, knowing that the familiars can understand him. In particular, he talks to Ebon about keeping Grey on task. Ebon bobs his head, showing that he understands.
Salix gets a free pass at taking a watch that night. However, Noctis takes his turn, keeping an eye out in the dark. Harp rouses his two companions before dawn the next morning, and they quickly ride off, saying their farewells to Ran, who is on final watch.
As the three close the distance to the city they start to see more signs of inhabitants. Small farmsteads dot the countryside. It looks a lot like Schon, except that the farm stead all look like they are small keeps. There are high fences with strong gates. The houses themselves have iron shutters on the windows and arrow slits on the second floors or the attics. There are large cleared areas around all the buildings. The farmers are up and working, but not very friendly.
About 9AM the three ride of to the northern gate. They get into the line of people being admitted through the gate and wait for their turn with the gate guards. As they watch, the see most of the people being passed through easily. When their turn comes, they face one of the guards. He looks up at them and says ?What are your names and for what reason do you come to the mighty city of Impact??
OODM: I am going to let Karl, Kevin and Jake take it from here. For those of you with the rest of the party please note that you have no idea what is going on and so can not come to the rescue. The birds are keeping a general eye out but you are at least 3 hours ride from the town and so would be unable to help them in any less time than 4 hours or so.
From: Karl
Subject Impact
(OOC - Can I assume we've taken some of the gold with us to buy supplies? Salix would have suggested the three split the gold in case any one of us got pick-pocketed, though Surin probably would have beat him to the suggestion. If I can go on that assumption, my turn is as follows:)
As their small party nears the queue to the city gate, Salix raises the hood of his cloak enough at least to cover his ears. As they stand in line, he takes stock of the mix of people, none of them appearing friendly, and wonders what on earth would keep someone in this land. More than ever on this trip, he felt glad of his vocation that it didn't lock him into one place like a farmer or smith or shopkeeper. At what point for these people did the need for stability bow to the need for basic safety? When did all the bars, gates, locks, weapons, and other fortifications overwhelm any reason to stay here simply by the sheer bother of it all. Perhaps he never would understand certain types of people.
As he ends his musing, he notices they have reached the front of the line. "What are your names and for what reason do you come to the mighty city of Impact?" a guard asks.
Salix steps forward, "I am Salix and this is Surin and Harp. We come to Impact to buy supplies. We are hunting and have run low on feed for our horses and rations for ourselves." As he answers he checks discreetly to see if any other guards are watching. If not, he turns one hand just enough so the guard can see a single gold coin palmed there. If the guard shows any eagerness for the implied bribe, Salix will extend that hand as if to shake hands, passing the guard the coin. (Diplomacy skill for this whole exchange)
From: Kevin
Subject Impact
Harp, knowing that he is along for his strong back and "intimidating" presence, will say nothing unless spoken to and will follow Salix's lead.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
Damn you Jennings, you beat me to it. :)
I had this whole thing planned with the guard spending hours "inspecting" your gear while waiting for one of you to bribe him. :)
From: Karl
Subject Guard
This was one of those character leading the writer things. I had him just introducing themselves and waiting for your response and Salix said "Last time I was here I had to bribe him."
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
OOC: Let no one question the wisdom of Druids. For all of his dislike of towns, he seems very familiar with how they work. Harp was clueless as to that. He would have spent the hours haggling witht he guy.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
I would have expected Surin to figure it out first.
Harp would never have gotten it. I thought it was going to be fun to watch him seeth a bit at the delay.
From: Karl
Subject Guard
Well, Quarion has sent him to some surprisingly shady places over the past year or so. He even ate lunch in a shady tavern with an ex-pickpocket once.
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
True, true. And now he is bribing his way into a town with the same ex-pick pocket and the bastard son of an orc raider. What a great influence Quarion has been in his life.
I was very glad to see you short circuited Marks plans. I have been trying to do so for a really long time, though usually to little avail.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
The guard nods at Salix, reaches his hand out and shakes, palming the gold coin, and says "I see you have been to our city before. You know the rules then." He hands each person a small piece of pottery with a symbol on it. "This is the day pass. You must present it to any of the city watch or malitia when asked. Faliure to do so will result in immediate arrest and jail time. Report to the city garrison headquarters each morning to get your new day pass. Go on with you now before I change my mind." With that he turns to the other guards and yells at them to get back to work.
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
Harp, upon hearing the exchange, will whisper to Salix, after they are out of earshot of the guard, "If we are in this town more than 2 hours, I would be surprised. If we are here longer than that, we got troubles."
Harp will lead Stupid along, his shield tied to the horse, reins in his left hand, the right free and able to draw if needed.
In the city buying supplies
Subject Impact
OOC: Hey guys, I'm alive. I've had some stuff come up with work (yes, they finally decided to call me back after slacking for a month and a half... yay) and have been out of town some other stuff. I should be able to continue now. Sorry about that.
Also, I have craft as one of my abilities, and was noticing that I could make arrows, with the right amount of supplies and time and such. Could someone explain it to me just to make sure I have things correct in my head?
From: Mark
Subject Crafting
I have sent Nate the Open source rules for craft, but basically it takes a week with the proper equipment to make something. Craft is not usually something done on the road.
From: Kevin
Subject Crafting
OOC: We have sufficient money. Lets buy what we need and move on.
From: Rob
Subject Arrows
How many arrows are we going to buy, anyway? I am use to the old rules where you were able to recover arrows occasionally, even if they hit, so I am a little out of touch with how many we need under these newer rules.....
From: Nate
Subject Crafting
Ok, thats what I was thinking (that it's not something to be done on the roads).
From: Mark
Subject Arrows
In 3.5 edition, any arrow that hit is destroyed. Any that miss have a 50/50 chance of being found if you do a search for them.
Like a said before, the two rangers can go through 4 arrrows a round. Even with 30 arrows that is only 7 rounds of shooting.
From: Kevin
Subject Arrows
Arrows are not that expensive. We can buy 100 arrows (5 packs of 20) for 2 or 3 gp.
The rations and fodder for the horses will cost the most.
From: Karl
Subject Arrows
"Agreed" Salix says to Harp. He will then enter the city and look for a weaponsmith or some such where he can buy arrows, and a market for food and rations and horse feed. (Was there anything else we needed to buy?)
From: Kevin
Subject Supplies
OOC: Some rope if it can be found, and some basic spell casting items.
From: Randy
Subject Supplies
OOC: I am going to be away until Tuesday, so I probably won't be able to offer a turn until then (unless there is something for Ran to do before 4:30 Mountain Time today).
From: Mark
Subject In the country, in the City
Meanwhile back at the ranch.
Ran watches the three companions head off south towards the city. If all goes well they will meet back up before the end of the day. Ran finishes his watch and a couple of hours later and gets the remaining party members up. After another cold breakfast the five companions are off again. As they start on their way, the two hawks take wing on their assigned task, Grey to overtake Salix, Surin and Harp and Ebon flying ahead and trying to find the goblins. Lenore stays closer to the group, keeping a watchful eye out.
After about 3 hours of travel Cai and Bel both look a little worried. Until now the goblins have been going almost as straight as an arrow for the Greenwood forest. And here they were, just under the eaves of the forest and the path fades out. Both rangers get off their horses and start looking over the ground. They consult and finally determine, that they think the goblins have headed south along the border of the forest. The party starts off south.
Meanwhile back in the big city.
Harp, Salix and Surin wander through the streets of Impact. In the early morning mist they can see what is left over from the night before. People who have been mugged and left in the streets litter the roads... Drunks passed out in the ally ways. Street harlots stagger home for a days sleep before plying their trade again the next night. As they wander along, the pass the temple district. Harp has to grips the hilt of his sword as he sees the insignia on one of the temples. It is to Hextor. The sworn enemy of his god. Harp knows, however, that this is not the time or the place. He does hope, however, that he might meet a cleric of Hextor in the streets and have an ?accident?.
The three companions finally make it to the business district. It is about half way through the morning and the shops are just opening. They find one armor/fletcher/weapons shop by the name of The Broken Shield. The three enter the shop and find a large man working in the shop. There are all types of basic weapons and armor in the shop. Nothing exotic or fancy. The owner looks up when the three enters and scowls at them. ?What can I do for you three today?? he asks, obviously not happy to be taken away from his chore.
Salix's reply is smooth and soothing. ?Good shopkeeper, we are just travelers, passing through your town, looking for some basic supplies. I see some of what we need over there?, pointing to the arrows stacked in the corner, ?and I was hoping you might be able to guide us as to where we can pick up the rest of our needs. We can pay for it.?(Diplomacy roll, 11+7=18, Attitude change from unfriendly to indifferent) With that Salix jingles the coin purse at his waist. It makes a small clinking sound, showing some coin but not an amazing amount. The shop keeper's eyes light up at the thought of a sale this early in the day and he says ?If that's gold you?ve in there then I think we can do business.? Clearly the thought of gold in the morning has improved the attitude of the man.
?So what can I get for you this morning? A new suite of armor? A fine long sword? Maybe a new crossbow?? The man's eyes glitter in anticipation of a large sale, maybe one so big he can take the rest of the day off and visit the pleasure palace. Salix tells him, ?No nothing so grandiose. First we need some arrows. We plan to do some hunting and teach my big friend here how to shoot. I think 5 score would do. We also need some rope and some rations. Do you happen to carry any of those items?? The man's smile diminishes a bit, realizing that this will not be the big sale he was hoping for but still willing to do business.
Arrows are two gold per score. I have both silk rope and hemp. The silk rope is 20 gold and the hemp is 2. How many sections will you need? The hard tack is 1gp for a days worth. How much do you need??
OODM: Let me know if you want to do anything.
From: Randy
Subject Trail
"We had better leave a trail for our friends to follow when they are done their business." Ran says, leaving it up to the Rangers to leave some signs for Salix, Surin, and Harp.
From: Karl
Subject Supplies
(OOC - I assume they would have hashed out the quantities prior to meeting the shopkeeper. Guys, how many of each do you think we need? )
From: Kevin
Subject Supplies
OOC: Karl, I think a couple of 50' sections of hemp rope and 15 sets of hard tack will work. Some of us already have some silk rope (2 or 3) and we probably do not want to carrry a week worth of hard tack for 8 people - it will raise questions. 3 people, 5 days worth, 15 sets will seem reasonable. Total cost prior to negotiation, would be 31 gp. I say start him off at 15 and go up to 25.
IC: Harp will let Surin and Salix do most of the talking. He will instead keep an eye by the door to see if they have been followed at all. He will also ask Surin to bring him a couple of the arrows so he can inspect their workmanship.
From: Rob
Subject Arrows
Mark, I have no question about it, and no problem with it....it is just diofferent than what we did years ago so I need to get use to it, that is all...:D
You told us from the beginning how it would be, so it is all me and my old AD&D rules that are stuck in my head from 20 years ago.
The return of the three, the encampment
Subject Arrows
Oh me too. I started playing in about 1979-80 and had one of the original 1st edition books. In fact a kid I went to HS with helped Gygax write the first DM guide. The kid did the naval section.
From: Karl
Subject Supplies
"We'll take 2 sections of the hemp rope and 15 rations of the hard tack, as well as the arrows we mentioned," Salix says. (OOC - how do you want to do the negotiation, Mark? Do we need to play it out or can we just give you a low bid and a settle price and see what happens from there? If the latter, take Kevin's prices below and use Salix's diplomacy skill for the negotiation, if possible. Assuming all goes well, Salix will continue as follows, /OOC)
"We thank you for assisting us so early this morning. If we're back this way we'll give you our business again." He pauses then asks "Oh, can you tell us where we can find the market? This hard tack is fine for travel, but since we're here we might as well pick up something fresh." He will listen to the shopkeeper's answer, then casually mention, "While we were hunting, we came across the remains of a caravan. Looked like it was attacked by goblins. Has there been any talk about such raids lately? We'd like to steer clear of them, you know."
Depending on the answer, the group should go to the market quickly and buy an assortment of fresh goods. (veggies, bread, apples, maybe some salt or spices. Anything they can get quickly and depart the city as soon as possible. To that end, Salix will seek out the friendliest looking grocer at the market, use his diplomacy skill to get quality and speed and pay whatever reasonable price, not wanting to waste too much time haggling.) The party should also listen to the general converstations around them for any talk about goblins or recent raids. Not that Salix expects to get any hard info, but it never hurts to try. ;)
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok I would like to hear from Derrell, Jake and Ami if at all possible before I write up the next turn.
From: Mark
Subject The encampment
With Salix's first offer of 15 gold for the supplies, the man's face takes on a pained expression. ?What do you have against an honest, hard working man? 15 gold? Do you want me to end up in the Dukes debtors? prison? I thought you were honorable people. I could not part with that for less than 29.? And at that the negotiations start in earnest. In the end Salix is able to get the merchant down to 24 gold for the lot. He knows that this is more than he would pay most other places, but feels that it is not spending more time over and that this is Impact.
When asked about the market the keep replies ?Two streets over is Bakers Row. The next road over from there is Meat Street. You will have to head over near the West Gate to find the find the closest market, The Indiril Square market. ?When asked about the goblins, the man laughs. ?Talk about goblin raids? Hell, the little buggers are in here all the time bragging about how they just wiped out some army. Bunch of liars and braggarts. I tell you, the goblins are worse then the Kobolds. Stinking, dirty, thieving little buggers. If a goblin ever did anything right, it was because he got lucky.? The man continues on his little rant about goblins and it becomes obvious that goblins, as well as many other evil humanoids, are common shoppers at this store as well as the city.
Salix, Harp and Surin thank the merchant and head out to get the rest of their supplies. They know that time is very important and that they are on a tight schedule. The quickly make their way to the needed shops and get the needed supplies, especially some fruits and vegetables. (Spend 5 gp for enough supplies for a week) They also stuff themselves with fresh baked bread and a few sweets. The local crowd is starting to show up for the daily shopping so the three decide that it is time to leave. There is no word on the street about the goblins. The three of them then head for the west gate.
It is just around noon when the three exit the city. They start looking skyward and after a few minutes Grey swoops down and flies around them and then heads off in a north easterly direction. The three change course and follow after the bird. After about an hour of travel, they see another hawk fly up. Ebon glides down and circles them a couple of times and then head off in a more easterly direction. They shift course and a couple of hours latter they see Ebon and Grey flying off and then coming back about 10 minutes later. Eventually the three are able to follow the birds to where the rest of the party is taking a small break.
Welcomes are made and supplies are redistributed among the horses. Cai in particular is happy to refill her quiver. Bel and Cai are fairly sure that party is catching up with the goblins and that they should be able to be with in sight by tonight. Both Ran and Alatyr are excited by this news and hurry people along so that the party can resume its travels. Another hours passes. It is now about 4 in the afternoon when Ebon comes flying back and does not even take the time to circle the party first. He flys right to Bel's shoulder and starts hoping up and down. The bird is obviously excited. The party pulls up and dismounts, listening as Salix talks to Ebon. (Speak with Animals.)
OOD: I will let Karl inform the group of what Ebon and found out.
From: Karl
Subject Ebon
What have you seen?
(I assume the party we seek, so follow up questions are:)
Did you see the lady (female human)? Is she alive? How many goblins? Do they look alert? Seem to know they are pursued? Any other non goblins can you describe?
If there is time I may have followup questions to those.
From: Mark
Subject Ebon
Nature person
The ugly ground things we follow. I followed them up ahead. Maybe a half hour as I fly, twice that as you slow people move. But they have stopped moving. They have entered a walled area with many more ugly things like them. There is a wall of wood around where they live.
How many? Well there was the large group we have been following, more than one score but less than 2 score. And there was the big brute leading them and I did see a female two legged like you. However there are lots of ugly things in the walled area but they are all women and brats.
The big ugly thing that leads them is a bit bigger than that one over there but uglier.(He motions to Harp.)
From: Karl
Subject Ebon
Did you notice how they guard the walled area? How many? How they are placed?
Did they seem to know they are being pursued?
From: Mark
Subject Ebon
No guards but much milling around. Lots of wailing from females and children.
Did not seem to act persued.
OODM: One more set of questions.
From: Karl
Subject Ebon
How was the land? Any cover? Any ravine or stream bed or sewer exit that might be accessible to a man-sized creature?
And thank you for your diligence. You are a credit to your kind. We appreciate what you do for us.
From: Karl
Subject Ebon
Salix shrieks and clicks in what appears to be furious conversation with the hawk. This goes on for a couple of minutes when Salix turns back to the group.
"The goblin party has reached a fortification of some sort - probably their village or camp. The party we were following is between 20 and 40 goblin males. They are being led by what is probably an Orc. The village has many other goblins in it but they all seem to be she-goblins and spawn. The village is surrounded by a wooden wall and backs up to the forest. There is a stream about 50 yards from the camp, and Ebon only saw one entrance, which was in the east wall. Ebon did see a female human but had no information about her condition.
"Most importantly, Ebon did not seem to think that the goblins were aware they are being pursued. They did not seem particularly on guard, and seemed to be milling around as could be expected with their men returning from a long expedition. We are clearly outnumbered, but we do appear to have the element of surprise."
With that he looks expectantly at Ran.
From: Derrell
Subject The encampment
Fal is glad to see that the others have returned safely from town. He frowns upon hearing of the fort. How will we handle getting into the fort? Is it possible to draw them out of the fort?
Harp muses and Kevin out of town
Subject Harp muses, Kevin out of town
Harp is fascinated by Salix's ability to talk with animals. As he hears about the goblin camp, questions spring to his mind
"Salix, were you able to glean how far from here the camp is? About how large is it, and how close to the edge of the woods is it."
Harp is jumping the gun a bit, but he wants to put some the "strategic" training he had received to use.
OOC: Guys, I know that we have not seen the fort yet, but I have a couple of thoughts. I am going to be gone watching the US soccer team play Guatemala next Wednesday, so I do not know my availability to give comments next week.
My first feeling is that we will need a major distraction to make this work. If the set up lends itself to this, imagine this: Early morning, when most of the goblins are still sleeping, we sneak along the first blush of the woods to the rear of the fort.
If there is less than say 50 feet from the forest to the back of the fort, Harp can cast Obscuring mist. We sneak up on the back of the fort, friend Salix requests the ability to shape wood, causing a small hole to open in the wooden structure large enough for us (even Harp) to get through, he then summons a "Natures ally" say a hippogriff, that can fly to the front of the fort creating the distraction. It only lasts for 4 rounds (24 seconds) but it should be enough to get their attention. Harp casts a bless on the whole group, Protection from evil on someone and Shield of Faith on Alatyr. Cai, Ran, Alatyr and Harp head to take out what goblins they see, Fal, Bel, Salix and Surin try to find Rochelle (we might have already found that out through study of the camp) or the non-goblin leader. Or we can switch Harp for Bel - we are both 2nd level combantants. Either way, we are inside the camp without trying to assualt the gate.
I know that this is crude, but I am sure that between us we can tweek this plan. I am also very open to other suggestions - I was just thinking of a way to use the woods and our spell abilities to get us into that fort. I am guessing that our illustrious DM has someone more difficult than group of goblins for us to worry about if we do not move quickly. These goblins did not spend 1000 gold to hire those trolls we met a way back - I am sure they were paid to do this part of the job.
If I am unavailable and the group decides on another course of action, Harp wil gladlyl do what is asked of him.
Happy Easter to all. I look forward to seeing how this works out.
Kevin