Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Present:
Angus
Arnulf
Hellebore
Hyde
Yenny
Dandelion
Galan
The retinue is ready. 4 dignitaries, each with a pair of guards, prepare to set off. There is some small talk, but Alleborg's upper crust seem both slightly intimidated and aloof from our adventurers.
As the party knows, it's a long day of travel to the Sambord fort. They leave at first light. Billows of smoke are seen from the chimney of distant houses as they make their way straight for the fort. After an hour of travel, one of the leather-clad mounted guards holds up her hand. A dozen bats fly from the southwest sky, 40' above the party. They dive to and fro, make a U-turn above the party, and begin heading southwest again.
Hellebore sees nothing to suggest that these are anything other than normal bats...
Actions?
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 07:00
Conditions: 39F, light drizzle, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun
Intended Direction of Travel: To the Sambord fort, 1.8 miles traveled, 1.8 mph
Injury Status: None
Angus
Arnulf
Hellebore
Hyde
Yenny
Dandelion
Galan
The retinue is ready. 4 dignitaries, each with a pair of guards, prepare to set off. There is some small talk, but Alleborg's upper crust seem both slightly intimidated and aloof from our adventurers.
As the party knows, it's a long day of travel to the Sambord fort. They leave at first light. Billows of smoke are seen from the chimney of distant houses as they make their way straight for the fort. After an hour of travel, one of the leather-clad mounted guards holds up her hand. A dozen bats fly from the southwest sky, 40' above the party. They dive to and fro, make a U-turn above the party, and begin heading southwest again.
Hellebore sees nothing to suggest that these are anything other than normal bats...
Actions?
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 07:00
Conditions: 39F, light drizzle, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun
Intended Direction of Travel: To the Sambord fort, 1.8 miles traveled, 1.8 mph
Injury Status: None
Last edited by AleBelly on Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Dandelion has her trident secured and her bow out, ready to protect the dignitaries.
She doesnt shoot at the bats, but she does become more focused in case another attack is coming.
She doesnt shoot at the bats, but she does become more focused in case another attack is coming.
Dandelion - female half-orc beautyqueen in training (The Lone City in the Wildlands) OSRIC
Halfpint - female halfling badgirl wannabe (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
Mark'd - charismatic human fighter (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
Halfpint - female halfling badgirl wannabe (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
Mark'd - charismatic human fighter (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Careful to avoid being overheard by the hoity-toity, Yenny says to Hellebore, "Necromancers might use bats. Don't know about orcs."
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Angus scowls at the bats overhead. "Least they ain't batquitos," he says.
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
"That's about what I figure my animal spies look like to others," sighs Hellebore. "No harm in being a little proactive, anyway. Perhaps now that our course is potentially marked, we veer south once at the treeline and approach from a different angle. Not straight into ambush."
- Zorroroaster
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3567
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:47 pm
- Location: Toronto
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
"Maybe they're from someone at Sambords? Seeing that we are on our way? Speaking of which... Angus, are you wearing cologne?!?"
Arnulf stifles a smirk.
Arnulf stifles a smirk.
()==[:::::::::::::>
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
The leather-clad scouts bring their mounts over to Hellebore. "We'll take your advice. But do you think we'll reach our objective today if we change course? We want to reach it by nightfall, and the speed of some of your friends may make that difficult" they say, nodding towards Galan and Yenny.Marullus wrote:"That's about what I figure my animal spies look like to others," sighs Hellebore. "No harm in being a little proactive, anyway. Perhaps now that our course is potentially marked, we veer south once at the treeline and approach from a different angle. Not straight into ambush."
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
We don't have any insight into movement rates as a group... how much slower ARE Galen and Yenny? Do they have gear that could be shifted to Sucks and Beezelbub, and if so how much of a difference would that make?
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Does Sucks have a saddle? Maybe we could put Yenny and Galen on Beelzebub and Sucks?
- Zorroroaster
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3567
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:47 pm
- Location: Toronto
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
OK, that'll bump you up to 90'/round, or 1.8 mph (2.7 through the safe zone but 1.35 mph through the forest).
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Loads are rearranged, and Yenny and Galan are given Beelzebub and Sucks to ride. Beelzebub seems particularly unhappy, but does not seem to be slowed by the group. Trying to have good manners, several of the retinue fail to completely stifle giggles at the ridiculous sight of the tiny demi-humans atop such large mounts.
After watching the bats fly off, they continue on a beeline to the Sambords. Upon reaching the forested perimeter, they turn directly south, traveling 5.5 miles before spying a large lake. It's a great place to lunch, though they must eat in the forest. The mucky ground and now a light rain beat down on them. All are cold, boots and leggings caked in snowy mud. Spring cannot come soon enough.
The envoys say little, clearly nervous traveling outside the patrolled area around Alleborg, but after a couple of hours relax a little. Snippets of phrases such as "for shame, no roads out here" and "this is really quite delightful, we are real pioneers" are heard in conversation.
Direction?
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 13:10
Conditions: 43F, light rain, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, light until 17:45
Intended Direction of Travel: South from the perimeter (180 deg bearing), 12.3 miles traveled, 1.35 mph currently
Injury Status: None
After watching the bats fly off, they continue on a beeline to the Sambords. Upon reaching the forested perimeter, they turn directly south, traveling 5.5 miles before spying a large lake. It's a great place to lunch, though they must eat in the forest. The mucky ground and now a light rain beat down on them. All are cold, boots and leggings caked in snowy mud. Spring cannot come soon enough.
The envoys say little, clearly nervous traveling outside the patrolled area around Alleborg, but after a couple of hours relax a little. Snippets of phrases such as "for shame, no roads out here" and "this is really quite delightful, we are real pioneers" are heard in conversation.
Direction?
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 13:10
Conditions: 43F, light rain, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, light until 17:45
Intended Direction of Travel: South from the perimeter (180 deg bearing), 12.3 miles traveled, 1.35 mph currently
Injury Status: None
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
"You reckon we're about due east yet?" Angus asks Hellebore. "Could be a good time to send recon up to point us toward the fort. Might be an idea for you to vanish and scout ahead, too."
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Hellebore wrinkles her nose in disgust as she overhears the blithe comments of the sightseeing city folk. She signals the eagle.
With a shrill cry, the eagle dives from the sky, his ten-foot wingspan temporarily blotting our the sun as it snatches at the fancy, plumed hat atop of the man who said "pioneers" and them buffets the group with wind as it pushes back to the sky.
"Does that have your attention? He may be the biggest bird you've seen but there are far bigger things. A dragon scooped up a full-size buck like it was a baby chick, just one lake over. You aren't on holiday. You are protected, pampered people and going to meet those who fight every day to keep the orcs off you." she looks like she's trying to find more words but just makes a noise of disgust.
She calls to the eagle, who begins leading west to the fort, sends the Raven flapping up to scout for ambushes, and disappears into the foliage ahead of them, the bushes shifting to conceal where she went.
With a shrill cry, the eagle dives from the sky, his ten-foot wingspan temporarily blotting our the sun as it snatches at the fancy, plumed hat atop of the man who said "pioneers" and them buffets the group with wind as it pushes back to the sky.
"Does that have your attention? He may be the biggest bird you've seen but there are far bigger things. A dragon scooped up a full-size buck like it was a baby chick, just one lake over. You aren't on holiday. You are protected, pampered people and going to meet those who fight every day to keep the orcs off you." she looks like she's trying to find more words but just makes a noise of disgust.
She calls to the eagle, who begins leading west to the fort, sends the Raven flapping up to scout for ambushes, and disappears into the foliage ahead of them, the bushes shifting to conceal where she went.
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Hyde giggles. He's been dying to stick some needles in the Dainties all morning. And then there be Her who Runs With Bears, or is it Her Who Eats Bears, not that, no, what is it? Anyway, she does things with bears. We ain't met her yet, no. Some of them Sambords be rough customers, too, hah? Make me look like yous, some of 'em, yeahh. His smile threatens to crack his head in half.
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
"Hellebore, these folks may be uncomfortable in the woods, although they seem to be doing just fine. If they can talk with the Sambords and figure out a way to help them, they'll have succeeded where we failed. Do you think you could keep a civil tongue for the rest of the day?" Yenny says this lightly but not without some degree of seriousness.
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
Hellebore harrumphs, responding more quietly to Yenny. "They are too comfortable." She accedes to silence, though, and clamps her mouth shut pointedly as she heads off into the brush westward.
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
DM rolls dice
Seeing the eagle swoop down, the guards with bows fumble for their weapons, but are unable to muster them before the eagle grabs the hat. They aim at the eagle as it flies off, but do not fire.
The aggrieved diplomat sits incredulous on his mount. Wisps of grey hair shoot from his scalp in several directions, well conveying his mood. A small trickle of blood appears on the side of his face. The paladin is first to speak. "Godless witch!"
Those carefully watching see one member of the retinue smirk slightly, and the diplomat eventually finds his voice. "The High Constable will hear about this!" he rages. "And damn that Castleman for foisting these ruffians upon us!" His voice carries anger...and fading terror. His breeches may be wet even were it not for the rain.
One of the bowman turns to the diplomat. "Apologies, my lord. We were taken quite by surprise. Are you hurt?"
Another speaks. "Lords, we know the way near enough. We don't need them."
There is general agreement amongst the envoys, and after Hellebore heads off, they take their leave of the group, heading in a more southerly direction.
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 13:20
Conditions: 43F, light rain, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, light until 17:45
Intended Direction of Travel: South from the perimeter (180 deg bearing), 12.3 miles traveled, 1.35 mph currently
Injury Status: None
Seeing the eagle swoop down, the guards with bows fumble for their weapons, but are unable to muster them before the eagle grabs the hat. They aim at the eagle as it flies off, but do not fire.
The aggrieved diplomat sits incredulous on his mount. Wisps of grey hair shoot from his scalp in several directions, well conveying his mood. A small trickle of blood appears on the side of his face. The paladin is first to speak. "Godless witch!"
Those carefully watching see one member of the retinue smirk slightly, and the diplomat eventually finds his voice. "The High Constable will hear about this!" he rages. "And damn that Castleman for foisting these ruffians upon us!" His voice carries anger...and fading terror. His breeches may be wet even were it not for the rain.
One of the bowman turns to the diplomat. "Apologies, my lord. We were taken quite by surprise. Are you hurt?"
Another speaks. "Lords, we know the way near enough. We don't need them."
There is general agreement amongst the envoys, and after Hellebore heads off, they take their leave of the group, heading in a more southerly direction.
Date: 1 Culling, Year 42
Time: 13:20
Conditions: 43F, light rain, slight breeze, 2 inches of mushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, light until 17:45
Intended Direction of Travel: South from the perimeter (180 deg bearing), 12.3 miles traveled, 1.35 mph currently
Injury Status: None
- AleBelly
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 9029
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
- Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
How long will Hellebore head west before turning back if she doesn't locate the fort?
Re: Chapter 10 (for reals) - Alleborg Escort Service
The plan isn't "go west," it was: use Speak with Animals with the eagle so he understands we want him to show us the way back to the fort, then follow the eagle.
Hellebore was only scouting the necessary distance in font of the group, as she had each expedition... if nobody is following her, she doesn't keep going.
Hellebore was only scouting the necessary distance in font of the group, as she had each expedition... if nobody is following her, she doesn't keep going.