Blackened Forest: Surveys & Survivors.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

"That's good brother Symeon. I didn't think the dog bit the hand that feeds it. Like Cara and Squirrel were thinking we had some stuff in crates to barter with they gnolls might like. That's how prehistoric man tamed dogs I heard about. Let's not toss it out...Parleying that is. We've got something to offer for the kids and while it might not be a big chat it might work the crates for the kids..Maybe. If everyone thinks that is a waist we go in swinging."

[Spearmint]

Surveys and Scouting.

Blackened Forest, north west of Helix.

June 30th 1066

Durgo: 19/19hp
Fydmar: 16/16hp
Bro Symeon: 10/10hp
Genaromes: 4/4hp

Cara Crow: 15/15hp
Squirrel: 4/4hp

BabeRuth:

A new day dawns. Outside the Ettin cave, the pyre smoulders. No intrusion into its former domain and after hearty meals and prayers, the group are renewed in body and mind to continue their effort to trace any whereabouts of two lost orphans, hoping against hope that they remain alive.

Testimony from the Mercenary Guild suggests the Gnolls have abused previous captives though the steward to the adventuring guild suggests that children might be treated differently. If, a big if, they have been taken into the tribe's community.

Only one way to find out. Finding the Gnolls.

Gnoll ranger vs 1-2 [1d6]=4 Forest Encounters vs 1 [1d6]=2 Searching 1-2 [1d6]=4

Searching is an art, a skill, instinctive or just plain luck. Whichever, neither are in great supply and though you make the top of the Sinkhole, you have few recent signs of Gnolls passing.

Orb weaver encounter: vs 1-2 [1d6]=3 Silk success vs 25% [1d100]=52

Even Orb Weavers are few and far between meaning the gathering of silk is limited. Here is a description of the top platform area from before:

advance of the lip of the shaft and into a walled platform. At the back a rickety looking wooden platform, no more than several logs nailed together and bound in thick coils of strong creeper vines. It is secured to a pulley system and a log installed to a winch which when wound, raises or lowers the platform to the ground.

Prudently you can check the area around the stone platform out and the mechanism. On a casual check, the raft like platform seems solid and free of rotten wood or loosened planks. Not sure how effective communication can be between those at the top and bottom. On a very crude level, scribbling on a parchment and wrapping it around an arrow or rock to drop works as long as heads don't get in the way.

You also see that the surrounding area has been recently trespassed judging by a number of dung piles which look rather canine in production. Hyenas or wolves rather than humanoid Gnolls, but the presence can be taken as a forewarning of a cautious trek.

You can scribble a note of some kind if you wish, just to let the Svirfneblin that you have passed by and will return later in the season. None are physically about to communicate with though you note the cargo hemp rope has been refurbished, so that indicates some traversing of this entrance at least.

It can be discouraging. Sure, the top of the Chalk Cliff is surveyed, notes made in the Cartography scrap book. The Ettin Cave added to the Ogre Cave and other 'mine entrance' noted, the Sinkhole triangulated so folk can orient themselves, the extending ridge and forest described. Particular trees, 'Pine tree, stripped of branches, points to North Star', 'hollowed Eucalyptus', 'black Willow, covered in poison ivy and trench-moss.'

Surveys base group Wisdom check vs 12 [4d6]=11

It is then folk begin to remember various tavern gossip and the ranger Cara Crow recalling rumours alluded to in the Campaign Setting forum.

15. Ancient Ruins. An ancient white marble ruin, perhaps once a temple, can be found in the Blackened Forest about fifteen miles northwest of Helix. The ruins were rumoured to be covered in the same giant spiderwebs that dominate the wood.

The Quarry and Sinkhole are 'North-Northwest' of Helix, the rumoured ruins must be West of your current position. The ranger admits she has never been there. It might seem a logical place to become a lair or home. With no other suggestion, the group head west.

Sinkhole to Ruin encounters: vs 1 [1d6]=2[1d6]=3[1d6]=3Lost vs 1-2 [1d6]=1 Gnoll ranger vs 1-2 [1d6]=3

The forest is dense, thick; trees wide of trunk growing tall, masses of shrubbery and broad leafed ferns. Light filters down even at midday in streaky rays of sunlight. It is easy to get disoriented for few specific features of the forest stick out. After a few hours you come to some boulders but you have no way to know if they are four miles, four and a half, even five West of the Sinkhole. Are you even West?

You know at the very least by the path of the sun that 'south' and the trade route from Helix is 'somewhere that way' but this portion of forest has not been travelled widely and your progress is slow and uncertain.

Cara Crow: ranger skills check [1d100]=63Boulder encounter: 1-2 [1d6]=4

Even the hired hand does not find any sign, sight or smell of either Gnoll or Hyena. Even regular denizens of the forest deep have little interest in pursuing you.

so with a number of encounter checks abd search checks turning up a blank, the only 'success' is actually being 'lost'.

While you consider options, Squirrel makes lunch.

Actions you have trekked a few miles in a westerly direction but exact locations are only guesswork. post any actions, questions and skill rolls you feel appropriate.

Actions specifically, can Genaromes make a [4d6] intelligence check please.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo comments softly, "Man..what a forest...St. Ygg bless our journey. Show us a sign. Praise be to St. Ygg. If we can see the sun and I think moss grows on certain sides of the Tree my father taught me. We should be able to orient west from that. We just need to make sure which way the sun is going."

Durgo helps Squirrel out while the team sorts themselves out. He'll stay out of Squirrel's way and offer to get firewood or whatever they need.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Well, I agree that the ruins would be a good place to look....if we could find the bloody place.
Do we try heading towards where we think the sinkhole is, or where Helix is? So we can re-orient ourselves, then try again to find the ruins?
Open to other ideas if anyone has any.

[DrRenfield]

Brother Symeon

I concur. The ruins are likely our best opportunity. I have faith that between the expertise of Cara and Gen that we will manage to locate them.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo says, "With Squirrel fixing a small snack we can break bread while we figure this out. I find I do some of my best thinking while eating. A person marches on their stomach I think my dad said."

[kwll]

Genromes helps make the map as accurate as possible, while taking time to look around as closely as possible for possible clues on where the gnolls are and where to go next.

Intelligence check: [4d6]=15

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo attempting to assist Gen with the Cartography either helps or detracts from Gens efforts.

[4d6]=17 vs Int 9

[Spearmint]

Blackened Forest Wanderings.

Blackened Forest: random encounter vs 1 [1d6]=3 Gnoll rangers 1-2 [1d6]=3 [1d6]=1

After a mini-break and consolidation if the trek, the group do a sweep of the current, walking a few yards apart but abreast rather than in single file, advancing a few hundreds yards before pivoting to one direction then another. You look for things that might be out of the ordinary, old ruins buried, caves, signs of humanoid passage.

You hear them before you see them. Snarling, howling, a series of resonating whoops. Looking for gnolls, finding hyenas. You group up and consider running not an option. Climbing might be better and could each take to a bough except for BabeRuth.

So a defensive ring, striking of firebrands and bracing for conflict.

A number of hyenas emerge from the dense trees. Comfortable in the forest surrounds yet wary. They don't rush upon you, certainly not in a direct assault but circle the group, nipping and yapping at ankles, gnashing at the point of bared weapons.

You note too that each creature has some adornment, a collar of leather or fur, ankle bands fitted with a spur, one even as a studded hood.

You expect the pack's masters not to be too far behind.

Actions everyone please

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo says forcefully in common, Orc and Ogre, "I will kill these creatures, or you can call them off so we may talk. We're looking for 2 human kids. We have food for trade."

Durgo looks to the others for their approval or disapproval on fight or talk. He puts shield and sword in hand stowing his bow.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Will count hyenas as long as they continue not attacking. He will also look for a likely tree(s) to put his back to if it comes to desperate measures.
If the hyenas are too close, he will be ready with axe and sword in hand. If there is a little distance he will have his X-bow loaded in hand. I hope this doesn't go the way I think it will, he mutters.

[DrRenfield]

Brother Symeon

Symeon wards the hyenas with his shield and morning star.

Stand tall, friends. The only way the gnolls will parley is if we appear to be capable of butchering their beasts

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo shield Squirrel and Baberuth with his sword and shield making sure they are in the center of the group and by a tree. Any attack will be dealt with skill and focus. He searches the forest for the pack leader by sound and movement.

"Attack with skill and focus to defend yourself. Kill quickly as you can. Perhaps they will consider a more favorable option and talk. Everyone stay alert and be ready."

Durgo spoke in common so should the master hear him they know a fight will be bloody and death a possibility for their pack and themselves.

[Spearmint]

Blackened Forest.

Squirrel skips away from the fang toothed pack, climbing a tree ably. Squirrel by name and nature and the canine kin are enticed to follow her, two hyenas scratching and clawing at the trunk if the tree she has shinned upon. The ranger instinctively looses a volley of arrows towards the barking and whooping creatures but her shafts thud harmlessly into trunks not the spotted, furry bodies.

BabeRuth stands her ground. Bucking furiously and kicking one Hyena with such violence it somersaults backwards into the bushes with a yelp.

Squirrel: Climb [1d100]=63 Hide [1d100]=37Cara Crow: [1d20]=4[1d6]=3 [1d20]=7[1d6]=5
BabeRuth [1d20]=20

Characters ward themselves, you can use the spider-wrangling lances too in order to keep the beasts at arms length.

Genaromes decides to 'give the dog a bone' reaching into a pouch to take a trinket token, casting not a spell but a finger bone upon the ground in front of him.

It immediately animates, rising from the earth as a fully grown skeleton, an ancient replicant summoned through some necromantic arts. The animated bone-warrior clutches a rust sword and shield, interposing itself between the snarling beasts and the mage.

The meaty bone proves an able provocation and distraction, becoming the focus for the baying quartet.



Hyenas: [1d20]=18[1d20]=13[1d20]=8[1d20]=11

The hyenas pounce upon it, each grab an arm, a leg. Crunching upon bone and savaging the skeleton apart. With a snatched morsel in their mouths, a flavour of rotted flesh still lingering on the bone, the hyenas withdraw a few yards to nibble upon these treats.

A round later you hear a round of clapping from the undergrowth. Two Gnolls emerge, tall and lean, well over six feet in height but gaunt rather than broad. They carry bows, arrows nocked but not aimed. One has a brace of giant skunk hung around his waist, a paltry return for a hunt success.

"Bravo." one speaks in hoarse common. He whistles and the two circling the tree below Squirrel come to heel. The other checks the bushes, assessing the kicked hyena. You hear a sharp yelp and the Gnoll returns, wiping a bloodied blade over his sleeve. "Broken leg." he comments.

"I will kill these creatures, or you can call them off so we may talk. We're looking for 2 human kids. We have food for trade." Durgo says to break the ice and introduce the group.

Gnoll rangers: reactions [1d100]=32

The initial reaction, while not openly hostile, is not openly friendly either. They are uncertain regarding your presence in the forest, clearly you are not lumberjacks or hunters. You mention trade and can gesture to goods taken from the Ettin's cave. You mention children too but it is difficult to know if their blunt snout faces betray sny knowledge of the Paterson kids.

So, while some mutual but wary 'peace' remains, next actions please.

[Cwreando]

Drugo

Durgo says privately to the group, "Perhaps someone with better speaking skills might earn favor from the gnolls, more so than I. While I grab a sample from the Ettin's food crate."

Durgo says, "I'll grab a few samples we can offer to trade while some of my companions discuss things with you."

Durgo goes to Baberuth and tries to be reassuring to BabeRuth while he gathers the food sample for the gnolls with some small pieces for the hyenas should the gnolls wish to give them a snack.

Durgo offers the items to the gnolls.

[kwll]

Considering the scattered bones of the undead skeleton he summoned a while ago, Genaromes shivers. Half because of the magic behind the summoning itself, half because of the menacing hyenas.

Turning to the gnolls, he says in an appeasing tone: "We do not come to fight or to steal. We are looking for young children of our kin who might have gone this way. Are you keen to parley?". The young magician does not move forward just yet though.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Will not aim at the hyenas or gnolls directly, but will be ready should the situation deteriorate. He keeps scans in the direction in which the 2 gnolls came, wondering if there are more nearby.

[DrRenfield]

Brother Symeon

Symeon will attempt to look menacing, quietly reciting scripture to himself.

"He hath sent his messenger, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me"

[Spearmint]

The Blackened Forest Gnolls.

The encounter is no laughing matter despite the gleeful whoops and hideous sniggering of the hyenas, content to ravage the summoned skeleton of whatever meat and flesh it still had upon its gnawed upon bones.

Squirrel stays upon her perch, Cara Crow nocks another arrow. The two Gnolls have an uncertain reaction. Their hunting pack have found you, one has had to be put out of its misery. In this forest you do appear as lost and out of your depth but visibly appear more than capable of defending yourselves.

Gnoll rangers: reactions [1d100]=36

"Let us not poke the bear in each other." one suggests, shouldering his bow and walking over to Durgo.

Durgo goes to Baberuth and tries to be reassuring to BabeRuth while he gathers the food sample for the gnolls with some small pieces for the hyenas should the gnolls wish to give them a snack.

Durgo offers the items to the gnolls.

These are portions taken from the Ettin's stocks. A veritable food haul (Ettin's must eat a lot)

It has three large Large utensils and stores, crates of seasonal 'forest fayre', harvested in various forages such as root vegetables, wild herbs, bull rushes, barrels of water, stolen ale kegs, strips of edible fungi. Bushmeat; 'skewered rat, centipedes, vulture carcasses hung up to tenderise, portions of rent apart deer, other indistinguishable meat but of humanoid origins ...

plus six rolled up bearskins.

"Trade is good." the one finally speaks. His common is poor but basic. He has a higher ability using Kobold which Fydmar speaks so the dwarf can be the 'de facto' interpretor.

Gnoll rangers: reactions: post trade of Ettin goods [1d100+10]=42+10=52

You can speak of journeying from Helix, tell of initiating trade with the Svirfneblin, boast of killing the Ettin; whatever advances a cordial parlay. These two Gnolls names themselves Hrasa the elder and Gnuru.

Finally the subject of the lost Paterson's is broached.

"We do not come to fight or to steal. We are looking for young children of our kin who might have gone this way. Are you keen to parley?".

The two shuffle feet, bark a muttering between themselves and then say,

"They are with us. But they are not as they were. It is best for you to forget them now. I am sorry."

The last sentence, 'I am sorry' should be taken as them expressing you take a pragmatic regret, almost the same as when one slew the critically injured hyena. You are not sure 'they are not as they were' means entirely and Hrasa does not elaborate.

They give you a moment to discuss between yourselves what that might mean.

Actions & any other questions please.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
To his companions: Methinks he is saying they are raising them as gnolls. Perhaps I am misunderstanding. We could ask that they let us see them, but then again, I don't like the idea of putting ourselves amongst the whole band.