Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Makes moves to keep himself and his mount out of harms way. He will keep an eye out for the creature moving above, trying to gauge its intention.

[gurusql]

How far away are the front and rear party members from Garrant? More than 6"?

When traveling in a tight formation there is a horse every 10-12 feet or so. I would assume as you stop you are slightly closer together. Given this (and Garrant's position in the middle of the group) - the back of the group is 40-50 feet to the back and 50-60 feet to the front when travelling and less in this situation.

[shaidar]

Garrant

The wizard-priest contemplates bringing the blessings of The Uncaring One upon the group, but seeing Siouxsie move forward to parley, decides that the duration would likely be too limited. Instead he dismounts and utters a brief incantation to bring forth a protective barrier about his person (Shield).

[shaidar]

Garrant

roll to retain spell of specialisation school

Retain 1st lvl evo (vs 16):[_4d6]=(5+5+2+1)=13 (pass)

I hope I'm not too late to roll this, I'd forgotten your house rule.

[gurusql]

Entering the Jotens
10 AM Freeday, 7th day of Planting, 597

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

Qleceec warns the group there may be a hill giant ambush and watches for movement or attack of the same.

Boff, Franny and Androgost move off the direct trail with Hex and Raffi following suit but also dismounting and looking for cover for themselves.

Siouxsie feels that the ground is stable behind her feet, no earthquakes at this time. She moves the horse about 40' up the hill and does notice the 15 inch diameter rock (big for a melon) is still slowly picking up stream as it heads right for her. If something does not change the rock will likely roll down the hill at a quick rate of speed next round. She calls out in a language that the rest do not understand with no immediate reply.

Garrant remains on the trail and puts up a quick spell of protection and Nah with him.

The group does not get any fresh evidence of movement or attack of any kind (other than the forementioned rock).

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Do we want to scout it out on foot first or just ride into a potential ambush?"

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Hard to tell... if it were an attack I would think an intelligent adversary would be more decisive and storm our position using the rock as a diversionary tactic. The stone could have been an inadvertent step or maybe they are testing our reaction. I doubt our new friend is alone...

Qleceec and Siouxsie, lets ride forward about 60 to 80 feet from the group at a slower pace, weapons stowed. Nah bring up the group from behind us, watch the flanks. Let's try to open a dialog with them.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Lets give it a try."

She forms up at the point position and moves forward to see what happens.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos sidles to the edge of the trail to avoid the rolling rock. He waits until the scouting party are ahead, before leading the rest of the companions after them. The reins of his horse in one hand, his bastard sword in the other. For effect, he continues to sniff the air now and then as he walks and looks around.

[shaidar]

Garrant leads his horse, following Nah, alert for potential ambushes.

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff and Franny

The dwarves follow suit, though staying off the trail and out of the way of the oncoming rock.

“Seems they buggered off, maybe?”

They continue watching to the sides and rear of the group, just in case.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Up for dialogue, she will ride ahead as requested.

[Storm11]

Hex and Raffi will wait to see if anything occurs and if there is no attack, will remount their ponies and follow the others

[gurusql]

Entering the Jotens - False Alarm?
10 AM Freeday, 7th day of Planting, 597

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

Siouxsie (I assume) moves to the side to rock and waits on the hill for the Androgost and Qleceec to get up to her which is a little slow going given they are avoiding the trail where the rock is picking up speed.

Nah takes charge of lower group and makes sure all are clear of the falling rock.

The rock passes the group but then continues down the hill for a few hundred yards before bouncing up high and being caught by the branches of a pine tree.

The scouting group gets to the top of the hill and notices there are seven other rocks of similar size sitting near where the first one came from, but no giants present to throw them.

Qleceec looks at the tracks and notices that while at least three hill giants were here as recently as yesterday, there is evidence of only a single hill giant today. The giant headed off the main trail, on a side trail to the west that is not very well hidden, especially for the skilled ranger.

Nah leads the rest of the group up when it is clear there is no attack happening at this time.

Actions?

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Looks like there was just one here today, at least 3 yesterday. Possibly a look out. They went this way down this side trail. Do we want to follow it?"

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos "I don't think we nee to. It's a delaying tactic, so they can get reinforcements here to deal with us."

[shaidar]

Garrant

"If they've gone to get their friends then let's get to the top before they return."

[Rex]

Qleceec

"I am fine with that but it might be a good idea to check out where they are staying at some point. Maybe they have some useful information there."

[shaidar]

Garrant

"I'm assuming that his friends aren't that far away and it won't be long before they return, and when they do they're going to attack us, so I meant we should get to the top and be ready to defend ourselves just in case."

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec will try and scout ahead as they work their way to the top.