IC Chapter 1: A Fateful Gathering

[Koren n'Rhys]

The pathway continues on, past the markers, stretching eastward into the wood and towards the distant village, or so you've been told. A glance up at the climbing sun tells you that time is slowly passing and it's unlikely you'll see the comfort of a warm bed tonight. You expect tonight will be a night camped on the trail, and arrival at the village sometime tomorrow.

[VonAlric]

Hearing Conrad speaking to Elan, he stops short.
"What? Something wrong? Did I miss something? It sounded to me like there was really nothing here. Does someone want to explore here? I'm all for some adventure. That's one of the reasons I'm out here. Besides the fact I enjoy the wilderness over cities. So, what do you men want to do?"

[aronbc]

Elan -

No there is nothing. Those grim statues have unsettled my mind. It’s no wonder the folk about this place let them be cover up.

Sorry gents I thought there was something more here at these pillars, another trail or something like that. Onward to the village.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Having decided to push on for the village, the party heads off once more with Toldir in the lead. The trail continues east, easy enough to follow and showing signs of occcassional use, though nothing recent. It winds it's way along through the light woods, broken by a clearing or field here and there, and once crossing a small stream. The day warms and the journey is actually quite enjoyable, with the sounds of the woodland creatures around you. Conrad continues to gather the odd herb or flower he recognizes as useful as he goes.

Every hour or so, the path is marked by another pair of the stone columns, now obviously intended to mark the way. Sometimes one or both tilts at a sad angle or is fallen completely and overgrown by weeds, and once you see someone has taken a hammer to it and the statue is missing from the top.

The day passes otherwise uneventfully and as evening approaches Toldir suddenly stops ahead of you, signalling back to the others to do the same. For the first time, something up ahead breaks up the dull wilderness. A building stands next to the road, though even from this distance you can tell it lies partially in ruin. To what extent is impossible to say from here. (It's still a few hundred yards ahead)

Standard Marching Order: Toldir -- Conrad -- Nimbus -- Elan

[jason.connerley]

Conrad melts into the undergrowth and nocks an arrow as a precaution.

If this turns out to be nothing no one will be the wiser but it is better to be prepared in these situations...

[Koren n'Rhys]

(@jason - Go ahead and give me your hiding roll)

[jason.connerley]

to hide [1d100] = 4

[Lordbridge]

Nimbus nervously flexes his fingers and moves to the edge of the path, seeking a tree or rock in case he needs to dive for cover.

[VonAlric]

Taking a moment to make sure nothing is coming their way, Toldir then turns to the group. He straightens up and has a puzzled look on his face as he only readily notices Elan on the trail. He walks back to where the group was and motions them in with a hand gesture.

"Hey, looks like some building ahead and not in great shape. Good for us as we may be able to use it as partial shelter for the night. Since we don't know what might be in there, let's keep our eyes open for possible denizens. Ready?"

If agreeable, Toldir leads the group ahead to investigate.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Who's moving in closer with Toldir vs staying put/hidden?

[Lordbridge]

Nimbus is moving back onto the path, but lingering behind Toldir.

[jason.connerley]

Conrad will stay hidden for the moment.

[aronbc]

Elan checks the building with Toldir

[Koren n'Rhys]

With Conrad and Nimbus staying hidden a safe distance back, Elan and Toldir cautiously approach the ruined structure. As you get closer, it's clear that the building has seen far better days. You can now see large sections of the roof has collapsed, leaving the inside exposed to the elements, and a tree has fallen crushing one corner of the building. The building itself is stacked stone, with a rotten wooden roof. Circling cautiously, you see a few empty openings which once held windows, and the front doorway which still holds the broken, sagging remains of a broken door. In the growing dusk, you can't see anything inside, but at the same time it's clear there is no light from within, or smoke from a fire visible. Toldir sees no obvious signs of tracks - humanoid or otherwise - as he searches either.

OOC: I didn't want to puppet your direct approach to the building, or going inside. What do you want to do next?

[jason.connerley]

Conrad crouches in the undergrowth with his short bow ready. While he watches his companions circle the structure he also tries to keep an eye out for any other trouble that may be coming up behind them on the path.

[VonAlric]

Seeing nothing obvious from the outside, Toldir nods at Elan and moves to the doorway. He will push the broken door open as much as possible, look up to make sure nothing is hiding above and then enter, scanning both sides of the doorway as he moves in.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Toldir and Elan approach the doorway, moving carefully to avoid making too much noise. The ranger spots a familiar figure carved into the frame over the entryway - the same figure that has topped the waymarker columns along the trail. Once Elan indicates his readiness, Toldir steps to the doorway. Calling the few remaining rotted boards a "door" is generous - a few fragments still cling to rusted hinges, but most of the wood lies in ruin, fallen inside the opening. Toldir peers into the gloomy interior and sees no sign of inhabitants in the space. Most of the room is open to the sky above and is littered with leaves and other moldering forest detritus.

Upon examination, it's apparent that the place has been used for shelter in the past. You surmise that the location, near a full day's journey from the river, may have been built here for that very purpose. In one corner where the roof still offers some protection from the elements a ring of stones encircle a small fire pit, and there is even a small stash of wood stacked nearby.

Just as he is about to call out to the others, a rustle in the leaves alerts Toldir. Before he can even react, a small dark shape bursts forth, darting towards the man and past him out the doorway. With a start, he realizes it's merely a rabbit startled by his intrusion into it's home.

OOC: Elan has his spear, and a little ways off, Conrad has his bow ready. Toldir - bow or sword readied? The widdle bunny rolled a 1 for initiative, so you'd at least be simultaneous with it and have a chance to catch a fresh dinner. Attack rolls if anyone is interested in trying.
Rabbit Initiative: [1d6] = 1

[VonAlric]

OOC: Sword should have been at the ready and said prior to this. So, not going to say it was out. Elan can try to hit it.

"Hey, get that rabbit!"

[jason.connerley]

Initiative with bunny [1d6] = 1

If we are using the optional individual initiative rules Conrad gets +1 on my roll.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Group initiative is being used, to keep things light and quick. The only time I'll use an individual roll, and the modifier, is if someone is truly out on their own alone for some reason. So that's a tie. Hmm. Let's say on a d6, EVEN it darted towards Conrad and into short range, ODD it stays in medium range.
Towards Conrad?: [1d6] = 1
That's odd, so no +1 to hit. Go ahead and make an attack roll, and Elan can make his spear throw at short range/+1