First Expedition to the Barrowmaze

[Distorted Humor]

The party travels, it about half a day from the village, and soon you find the path, you see the map was correct, there is a main mount (barrow) surrounded by other barrows around it. The path leads to a main barrow.

The things that is most noticeable is the utter silence of the moor. You do not even hear a bird or a cricket, it is dead silent. and your voices carry. everyone takes a look around and some of the hirelings realize what they got themselves into...

[GronkTheBold]

"Silence can mean a lack of activity, but it can also mean keen listeners are near. Thus, we should remain much more quiet in our endeavors." Behrun quietly says this to the group as he removes the shield from his back, "I intend to use my bow for a while, does anyone need a shield?" After he has given the shield, he will ready his bow and take a place in the middle or back of the marching order. (OOC: Speaking of which, marching order?)

[Rukellian]

OOC: I think it would be best to set up a strategy thread for such things before we officially start our adventure in the barrows. Though, if we all want to talk strategy using OOC, that's fine with me too.

If its the latter, I'd prefer to have the dwarfs up front, with the elf and the magic user in the middle. The cleric and and his bodyguard can take up the rear. Not sure where our thief would go, maybe frontish middle position? That's my spin on things, taking into consideration each players individual strengths, some might want to switch spots though. I can't read minds right?

[jdluna]

OCC: Holy Crap this moved fast.

I think we should take a look around and see if there is any immediate danger lurking.

[Distorted Humor]

OCC: Holy Crap this moved fast.

I think we should take a look around and see if there is any immediate danger lurking.

In DM voice: It will slow down soon enough.

Also, As a DM, i need marching order and you need to ID which barrow you will investigate first.

[Rukellian]

OCC: Holy Crap this moved fast.

I think we should take a look around and see if there is any immediate danger lurking.

OOC: We will probably do something along those lines when the time comes, for now I think we are still waiting for everyone to gather outside the town entrance to the north. (check the previous action thread for what i'm referencing)

Also, As a DM, i need marching order and you need to ID which barrow you will investigate first.

OOC: Again, I don't want to get ahead and rush everyone else who has yet to post as of recently, but to answer the DM's inquiry... I posted a hypothetical marching order, if no one posts anything in opposition of it or request for change, then I guess its a go and everyone thinks its fine.

Rukellian's character got a quick look at the map that the stranger presented to Lorde. Coupled with the information that he recently recieved in the previous action thread, it looks like Rukellian might be leading the group to the northern barrow, the minor one above the main. But like I said, he is waiting for everyone else to arrive to confirm the group's action plan.

here is an image link of what I meant with the barrow specification, this can be updated when the group makes a final decision
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/82 ... catio.jpg/

[NPC_Randy]

"The silence worries me. It means that someone or something has either scared everything away or killed everything off. Either way, it's not good. Mogullen, stay in the middle of the group." Gorek walks along with an arrow nocked waiting for something to happen.

OOC: Gorek will take a spot in front of the marching order. Using the entrance that Rukellian suggested is as good as any other since we're not going to use the main entrance.

As the group approaches the entrance, Gorek addresses Mogullen. "You better light the lantern. While I won't need it, there are some of our group who will." Gorek then leads the party into the entrance of the barrow.

[ST4TICStriker]

"I think we should take the southern (South-east corner) barrow. It looks like it might be more likely to lead into the main one..."
Lorde slowly scans the area for any featues before continuing. "But whatever, I'm not the one whose gonna go in first anyway." He Smiles at Gorek and walks to the back of the group.

"I'll keep watch from here or something..." Lorde lies as he calls his dog to stay near him.

[GronkTheBold]

If there are no requests for the shield Behrun is offering (or if he gives it to someone), he will decide to change his mind about his place in the marching order and he will take a position in the front row with his bow at the ready.

[SocraticLawyer]

Hold this for me, Hurtag, if you please, says Agathon, lighting his lantern and handing it off to his retainer. Let us take our place in the middle. If trouble comes, I'll need some room to cast my magic.

OOC: Agathon has Sleep memorized.

[Rukellian]

OOC: My next post will be made under the assumption that Zilnias and Luna(the other human cleric) has joined our party and understands the our action plan.

"I agree," Rukellian says in a whisper, "the silence is very eerie and someone might have a laid a trap for us."

Looking back at Hemna and Bardoon, Rukellian mentions to them to stay close and keep their eyes peeled. And then after a moment, he gives them a reassuring smile. "If we keep together and are cautious, the chances of anything bad happening to the group will be lower."

When approaching the entrance, does Rukellian or anyone in the group in front of him notice any signs of activity that may have occured earlier, like footprints or drag marks? Any.... blood splatter?

[Distorted Humor]

For clarity, I put the numbers back. So you can tell me which number Barrow you wish to investigate.

[Rukellian]

OOC: barrows 4 and 6 to the north appear to have caved in entrances, is this correct? If so then barrow 3's entrance should be open and that's the one we are heading towards I think. This is just my opinion though, I cannot speak for the whole group. And yes, I realize that the group has yet to make a group decision. Everyone seems to like following one or two people and their decisions.

[NPC_Randy]

Rolling his eyes at the discussion surrounding which entrance to go into, Gorek turns around and addresses the group. In a very quiet voice compared to the volume he normally uses, Gorek says,"Unless someone can give me a strong argument against it, we're going in this entrance."

OOC: Gorek is headed toward #3 on the map.

[Rukellian]

Rukellian says in a surprisingly serious tone, "I am of the same mind. We all took the time to walk up to this barrow entrance; let us all carefully descend into it." Rukellian then follows Gorek's lead, in the marching order that was established.

OOC: from the looks of things its like this

Gorek, Behrun, Mogullen
Agathon, Hurtag
Zilnias, Bardoon
Rukellian, Luna, Hemna
Lorde, Rusky
This marching order is based roughly off of everyone's input so far, because Zilnias and Luna have not posted yet for this, I put them in the middle and middle-back areas.

[ST4TICStriker]

Rukellian says in a surprisingly serious tone, "I am of the same mind. We all took the time to walk up to this barrow entrance

Wait how did we get there? I thought we were still walking to the to the main barrow?

Lorde's Dog

The dog's name is Rusky, for clarification.

Also I vote for 11 because it seems like it might legitimately lead into the main barrow.

[Rukellian]

OOC: though 11 may legitimately lead us to the main barrow, indirectly, Rukellian spoke of going to into one of the northern ones earlier. A few other team members agreed with this saying that any other barrow than the main one is a good choice, considering the main risk of going towards the main one right off the bat. An indirect approach to the main barrow would be an excellent idea to be sure, but unless a character in our party as intimate knowledge regarding the pathways undergound this area, we have no sure way of knowing if 11 is an indirect course to the main barrow or number 3; could even be 8 if we go off of that logic. So as Gorek's character said,

"Unless someone can give me a strong argument against it, we're going in this entrance."

[SocraticLawyer]

+1

[GronkTheBold]

"It matters not to me where we go, as long as the evil in these mounds perish." Behrun will follow the main group to whatever barrow mound they choose.

[jdluna]

"The main barrow strikes me as a honeypot. I think we need to work our way in and not jump in to the obvious place."

The marching order is fine with me.