00. Intro: Garth & Shannigans [Nuke66 & Stonjuz]

[dmw71]

As you push forward, the sound of the water continues to intensify. In fact, as if in direct correlation, as the sound of the water continues to intensify, the density of the forest you find yourself in begins to thin. In fact, the sound of the water reaches almost roar-level as the end of the forest comes into sight.

While still under the cover of trees, you look beyond the edge of the forest and can see the forest open up into what appears to be a rich, open grassy area. On the far side this this open area, an estimated several hundred yards distant, is the face of a sheer cliff.

Thundering off the top of this cliff, plummeting into a heavy stream, is a tremendous waterfall.

---

It's quite a distance from where you currently find yourselves, but you believe you see a flurry of activity taking place at the base of the cliff, just in front and off to the side of the waterfall.

[Stonjuz]

Before the two emerge from the treeline, Shannigans realizes that his hair may have the potential of giving away their position prematurely. He pulls his scarf, quickly decorates with foilage and uses it as a net-cover. Staying low to the ground, the halfling looks, one last time, to confirm that the trail leads straight ahead. Slowly advancing and constantly looking to the druid to signal any type of better idea, the young hobbit asks, "Recognize any of this place?"

[Nuke66]

Garth is aware of the sound of a waterfall before he can see it. The activity at the base is a bit expected as well. He looks around for a while and turns to face the halfling before speaking. "I don't think we need worry about them hearing us. Assume they are headed this way. We should retreat a bit and cover our tracks so we can discern this group before we reveal ourselves. Go back the same way for a bit." Garth turns around again and works to cover their tracks while moving backwards.

[Stonjuz]

"Why would they come this way? Returning to the scene o' the crime? I'll wager a copper they ain't, ....so lets...", Shannigans takes that last look, trying to discern the dots and whether the dots are moving this way and begins the retreat , ".....set up an ambush?"

[Nuke66]

"You think they left that man there to die?" Garth questions.

[Stonjuz]

The halfling nods affirmatively. "I think they robbed him and left him up in the tree to hide it. If they dont return, I'm right. Right? But if they were innocent, as you give opportune, they will return and Ill pay the coin, but they must have known they could not reach help in time."

[dmw71]

The two of you begin to cover your tracks though, as cautious as you were, you didn't leave many. Once comfortable that your presence or location would be easily detected, you return to watching the action taking place at the base of the waterfall. From your current distance, which is about the same was it was previously, the action looks the same. You can't seem to make out any amount of detail, but you also don't suspect that the action is getting any closer to you.

[Stonjuz]

"I'll go this way. I can get closer." Confident that he can get to a better surveillance position, Shannigans returns to open field stealth mode. Not quite crawling, he flanks to hide the initial angle, and heads to the next rock, tree, bush or rolling shadow.

OOC If no large rocks or trees, dotting the field? crawling if he must

[dmw71]

Shannigans has to mostly resort to bear crawling as he attempts to enter the open canyon floor unnoticed. The action is a good distance away and, by the time he is able to make out any real details, he realizes he has ventured well into the open area. Still far off from the action, he feels secure in his positioning.

PM

[Stonjuz]

Shannigans gives the signal for Garth to advance to his position while he shows his bow being loaded. The halfling meets the elf halfway and quietly relays what is ahead. "Two humans, probably, with backs to us, are engaged in battle with 2 smaller humanoids and a wolf at bay, at the base of the waterfall."Shannigans stealths back to his most forward spot, and then some. This time weapon in hand.

[dmw71]

The situation, as Shannigans continues his stealthy approach, quickly changes.

The two humans have rushed towards the smaller humanoids and a full-blown melee has broken out. The wolf is going berserk; the humans careful to remain just beyond its reach. Additionally, a third armored human emerges from a different entrance from the forest; apparently also attracted by the sounds of the water, or wolf, or both. This human does not appear to notice either of you; its attention clearly focused on the fracas at the base of the waterfall.

[dmw71]

Here is a rough map of the situation:

Code: Select all

                     Waterfall

                      |~ ~ ~|
                      | ~ ~ |
                      |~ ~ ~|
                      | ~ ~ |
          Cliff       |~ ~ ~|     Cliff
                      | ~ ~ |
                      |~ ~ ~|
                      | ~ ~ |  
     ---------------- |~ ~ ~| ---------------
           |          | ~ ~ |  \___  10'
           |          | ~ ~ |  /    
          Wolf        \ ~~~~ \_____
                S1 S2  \ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~   Flows off to right...
                H1 H2   \ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~ 
                          ___________






                                                  H3


           S



  G

[Stonjuz]

Waves the druid forward, and then waves him forward faster.

[Nuke66]

Still not sure who's who, Garth freezes when the third humanoid is noticed. He wishes he was close enough to tell their races more specifically.

Waiting to see what happens, and to get out of the man's line of sight, Garth takes a moment to use hand signals with Shannigans. First pointing, then turning his palm down, he moves his hand up and down. Garth turns his attention back to the fight, taking note of the wolf.

[Stonjuz]

Not having a clue what the last signal means, Shannigans sits waiting for the elf to catch up.

[dmw71]

You each witness the initial humans strike down their foes just as the third human pulls up behind them. This third human clearly startled the pair as they quickly turn around to face the new arrival.

[dmw71]

The situation continues to unfold before your eyes:

The initial conflict you witnessed, the two humans against the two smaller humanoids, has ended with the humans dispensing of the smaller creatures quickly. The third human, previously seen crossing the canyon in that direction, has apparently joined forces with the two other humans.

While the original two small humanoid creatures have been eliminated, you can now see a handful of nearly identical creatures doing everything in their power to contain the savage wolf while another appears to be frantically working to free the beast from its restraint.

Every indication is that a melee is on the verge of erupting as the creatures work to release the wolf and the trio of humans contemplates how to proceed.

[dmw71]

More action takes place:

Without warning there is a huge crash off to your left! Everyone -- player and monsters alike -- instinctively looks in that direction. Unbeknownst to you, further left from your current position is a rope which leads up the side of the cliff to the ridge. At the bottom of this rope lie two small, motionless creatures, one partially on top of the other. A relatively large rock, like a small pumpkin, comes to stop not far from these prone bodies.

[Stonjuz]

It occurs to the halfling that 'the druid is prepared to let this play out without intervention'. Shannigans bides his time, thinking that 'maybe, just maybe, the people of the woods, elves and halflings not troubling themselves with notions of humans is for the best'. But his curiousity gets the better of him and he advances to, what he is certain is, the closest spot achievable stealthfully.

[dmw71]

Shannigans keeps is halfling form low. He wishes there were more cover in the canyon they find themselves in, but there just isn't. While he's not positive, he feels pretty confident that those in the area are distracted enough that he could probably advance another 20-30 feet (drawing to within about 50 feet) without being noticed. Getting spotted, however, will leave him wide out in the open.