[Continued] - Lug/A Rescue Mission - 28 April, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

This expedition departed Vaul through the main gate on the morning of April 28, 1 VC in order to locate and rescue a number of companions presumed captured by the orcs living near the west side of the Finger of Doom on an ill-fated prior expedition.

It was organized and led by Lug, the half-giant hero of song and legend and wielder of the mighty bow Smurfgrill, and included the following members:

PCs:
Valorei the elf scholar
Varas the thief
Nihilius the arrogant young wizard
Ruwyn the rhymesmith halfling
Dorvar the doughty dwarf
Marge the crochety cleric
Baxtaw the reserved elf

Hirelings:
Zirina, mercenary captain
Mormoth, mercenary
Jord, mercenary

[Keehnelf]

This expedition is now open for business. Someone needs to cover the remaining 65gp fee for the mercenaries (Lug fronted 33gp) and I need an itinerary for the group.

[Zhym]

Lug will lead the party north from Vaul, heading for the large mound of rock where the previous party camped...and split up. Best not to repeat that experience. On the way, he'll look for the path that splits off to the nymph's tree to confirm that he's where he's supposed to be. From the mound, it's northwest to the grove of the Jarban trees. "I have a friend there that might be able to help," he explains to the others. Once in the forest, we'll climb trees as needed to keep our bearings straight.

"Does everyone have missile weapons and plenty of ammo?" he asks.

A suggested marching order:
Lug Dorvar
Varas Zirina
Marge Mormoth
Nihilius Valorei
Ruwyn Baxtaw
Jord

[Zorroroaster]

Marge cackles. "As long as there are stones on the ground I've got what I need, sonny. Dog! C'mere!" She whistles sharply, and Dog comes running. He will stay at her side in the marching order unless otherwise directed by Marge.

"Beautiful feckin' day for a rescue, ain't it?"

[Marullus]

Nihilius arrives and joins the group, solemn-faced as he looks them over and scans the horizon. He returns any greetings cordially, leaning on his tall staff. He is dwarfed by his large pack, but seems more comfortable with it than when departing on the last journey. Ferris the wolfhound trots beside him, wiry and sour. Upon seeing Marge's Dog, he walks over and pokes his nose in Dog's butt.

[Zhym]

BTW, I don't see a missile weapon on Valorei's sheet. It's too bad Lug already sold his non-magical longbow, or he'd be able to sell it to Val at a reduced price.

[Mister-Kent]

At the last minute before leaving Vaul, Ruwyn purchases a shortbow and some arrows.
(No books with me, I'll work out the cost later)

[Dram]

Baxtaw- I will cover 33gp for the Mercs. I have a bow.

[Zhym]

We already have the mercs covered with the following contributions:

Lug: 33
Varas: 15
Ruwyn: 50

If Baxtaw still wants to contribute, I'd suggest we make it 29gp from Lug and 27 each from Ruwyn and Baxtaw.

[Scott308]

Dorvar joins the group. I've got a crossbow, and I'm ready to leave at any time.

[Dram]

Sounds good to me. I can donate 27gp

[Zhym]

Okay. I've adjusted Lug's sheet to reflect a 29gp contribution.

[MonkeyWrench]

Valorei adjusts his pack, a bright smile on his face as he looks at the assembled group. "I do believe that this trip is a most noble and worthy one! I am honored to be among you all as we attempt to rescue Lug's friends and companions. Let us be off, the sooner we can save these people the sooner we can bring them home after all!"

Val never used a bow. If ranged is necessary he'll think of something.

[Keehnelf]

April 29, 1 VC - 2:20am

The party heads north into the moor, heading for the Division Rock of its last expedition, and almost as soon as it sets out the world seems to turn against the venture. A blindingly-powerful wind with spatters of rain whirls around them, seemingly directly from the ominous spire of the black-sided Finger of Doom that hangs on the horizon the northeast like a baleful compass arrow. It is all the party can do to make forward progress, and several times the smaller members of the group, or those with less heavily-laden packs, are blown to the ground and need to struggle to regain their feet.

A full day of this goes on, and the party is forced to make camp in the darkness less than half the normal distance from town that they expected to clear. The party identifies a ridge of upthrust stone just high enough to set up tents and bedrolls along to block the majority of the wind and shelter a fire, around which they settle to discuss their strategy on arrival at the orc lair amid uneasy conversation about the uncanny wind.

In the middle of the night, Dorvar is on watch with Mormoth Gantt, a mercenary with stubbly face and short, wheat-colored hair who is also surprisingly slender, almost gaunt, especially for a sword-for-hire. Mormoth is sitting unhappily with his back to the stone, longsword across his knees, humming an Eldish tune about a seafaring lass with a fiery streak, when the duo are surprised by a pair of mangy wolves that suddenly appear atop the stone over the party, hunched against the wind. The wolves start as well, clearly unaware of the party from the direction of their approach, and they take a step back away from the edge, uneasily.

The wolves appear lean and hungry, but not hostile.

Please deduct one day's rations apiece!

[MonkeyWrench]

Elusev will sleep peacefully unless woken up by the two men on guard duty.

1 Day rations removed!

[Keehnelf]

Elusev? Ooh, he's been wearing a pseudonym this whole time!

[Marullus]

Those wolves were definitely upwind... Do Dog and Ferris have a chance to catch their scent and awaken us all with a barking alarm?

[Keehnelf]

I forgot you had two dogs!

Dog sleeps on soundly but Ferris catches a hint of something before the wolves arrive at camp and is able to drag Niles out of sleep.

[Dram]

Baxtaw sleeps soundly with his bedroll against the rocks.

[Zorroroaster]

Marge and Dog can sleep through a forest fire. Dog lies curled up next to Marge, his broad back pushed up against her side. She has one arm under his neck, and the two of them are snoring very softly.