Checking Out The Caves (initial run)

[GreyWolfVT]

Pimlan unsure of where I am since I missed this topic and wasn't subscribed so missed a ton of posts, my fault. in whatever group he is in is ready and super spaced out...apparently. "Huh? What was that Crobeus?, what are you thinking maybe we go down by the washed out road? Could be an adventure in it's own you know."

[ateno]

Keya leads his group farther into the forest, attempting to get a flank as best he can.

I'm not sure I understand this action.

Do you mean to continue up the trail after the fee is paid?

Sorry, my bad, Keya was planning on leading his group along the side of the path. Say 5 years in, he is assuming people are following him and really does not know of being paid for him, even though he does not agree.

[Jernau35]

Gyb

Gyb watches the tempers rising with alarm. If the fee has been paid and the way is open, he'll hurry on with Loyn and anyone else. "The river is good, yes. But maybe on the way back?" He lowers his voice. "Ass-shoving arrows? This is how Thirteen spoke to Sabine. Not wise to those holding the whip."

[Scott308]

Crobeus - Human Paladin

"We could just go back and walk along the washed out road. There seems to be room between the water and the trees."

[gurusql]

Renna

Renna seeing that there are a lot of spokepersons will not cloud the situation by throwing in her two coins in. She will focus on watching these flanking warriors ready to cast some appropriate magic if an attack starts.

[sastaz]

Sylla will be backing away from the hot spots even further, using small almost unnoticable steps, almost floating backwards - like if something was pulling her away (which it is, sort of - the will to live).

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

Bugs gives it one last shot at diplomacy, raising his voice. "Whoa, whoa. Guys, put down your weapons. Why take this chance? The situation is against us, live to fight another day."

He murmurs to the nearby extortionist "Looks like you'll need that hidey-hole. Do you mind if I join you?"

[hedgeknight]

Magdal whispers to Dredd, "What's on my mind, is I think we are being conned. I don't think anyone is out there save the ones in front and back." At Dredd's words, she whirls about, so they stand close back to back, a hint of the honeysuckle tinted perfume she wears reaching his nostrils, as she whispers, "At least we won't be shot in the back." She tries to discern if there is a ruse afoot but cannot be sure, yet she calls out, "If there be hands holding those swords, shake them and prove you are more than shadows."

When Magdal moves to stand back-to-back, and her perfume wafts around his nose, Dredd nearly forgets whatever danger they may be in. His body flinches at her touch for a second, then he leans in, surprised at how warm she is.
"Good idea, Mags. We got this."
Dredd also tries to discern if there are real people holding those swords and bows in the trees.
Wisdom Check 7: [1d20]=1

[OGRE MAGE]

The Detour Of Chaos
Forest Detour
Morning

I can't actually tell what some of you are trying to do, so I will take a few liberties here.

The man dealing with Loyn remains calm and professional, counting out coins as he, Bugs, Gyb, and Crabgrass are allowed to pass beyond the log and continue their journey. It appears that Sylla, Keya, and Renna are also willing to cross over with the more sensible members, so Loyn waves them across the barricade as well. (hopefully along with our missing Stobart and Haldric?)

The second man answers all the comments. "You have my word as a thief and a scoundrel, master dwarf. You will not be hassled again, until your return trip of course." To Bugs, "you've done this kind of work before, then? If yer ever looking for something different, let us know." After Crabgrass makes his threat, a third arrow whistles into the log, inches away from where he stands. "Careful with such threats, friend. Ol' Eagle Eye there is a damn good shot. Wouldn't want you to lose an eye along with that arm."

The latecomers Crobeus and Pim seem to think it would be better to avoid the payment altogether by backtracking and following along the muddy riverbank instead. When the men coming up from behind hear this, they shout out a response. "Bad idea. Someone has lured the giant frogs from out of the swamp to that area. Those things'll swallow a man whole, ya know!"

Rida wisely studies the motions of the figures seen cowering behind the trees, noticing very little movement from most of them. After Dredd's boisterous threats, a few mimicked barks can be heard coming from the trees. Magdal takes the resistance a step further, demanding the hidden thugs shake their swords to prove they're real. Again, very few of the silhouettes show any sign of movement.

Before any actual killing starts, Bugs makes one last attempt at a reasonable outcome, urging the resistant members to keep their cool and follow along.

Actions?

Wilderness - Copy.jpeg (93.62 KiB) Viewed 5529 times

groups?:
Renna Kellamin AC4 9
Magdal Haldeene AC7 16/16
Dredd AC3 16/16
Sylla Lontharra AC5 6/6/9
Stobart Galt AC5 10/10
Pimlan Greenstride AC6 9/9
Crobeus AC3 10/10

Loyn Shortbeard AC5 12/12
Rida AC2 10/10
Haldric Hammerheart AC3 12/12
Keya Redd AC5 12/12
Gyb the Meager AC10 8/8
Crabgrass AC7 6/6
Bugs Donato AC3 8/8

Marching order on the road:
Magdal (R) + Keya (C/R)
Stobart (C) + Loyn (F)
Sylla (M-U/C) + Haldric (C)
Crobeus (P) + Pimlin (F/T)
Renna (M-U/C) + Crabgrass (M-U/C)
Bugs (T) + Gyb (M)
Dredd (F) + Rida (F)

[OGRE MAGE]

Just for the record, I have no problem with players making multiple posts between updates for dialog or strategizing purposes, but I would prefer you only make a single action between updates, please.

It's hard enough keeping track of this many players making one action.

[Rex]

Rida

Rida will tell anyone near him, "Most are not bandits, just props."

He continues along bringing up the rear of his group and will pass through the checkpoint, being alert for an attack as he does. Goal is to reach Loyn and the others.

[ateno]

Keya

Seeing that everyone has decided to pay and not slip thru the woods. like he was planning, Keya will lead anyone following for the road and pas thru.

Keya Redd

[shaidar]

Stobart

The priest seems momentarily overwhelmed by the burgeoning chaos in the group, but pulls himself together and makes a decision. While on principle against banditry, it seems not worth risking their lives for a few gold coins, this time at least.

He joins Loyn and the others calmly making his way through. He also suspects that some of the apparent bandits are props, and does his best to assess this quietly as he moves forward.

Sorry, recovering from a nasty bout of something, I too was overwhelmed by the situation.

[gurusql]

Renna

Seeing that Bugs paid, she will move on attempting to make her best guess of the number of actual bandits present.

[ravenn4544]

Haldric is here - he was standing guard and not making any threating actions . I'll make sure I add a post even if it just to confirm what's going on.

[Scott308]

Crobeus - Human Paladin

Since Loyn went ahead and paid the extortion money, Crobeus sheathes his sword and joins the others on the far side of the barricade. After they are out of sight, and more importantly earshot, of the bandits, he will gather the group to discuss further plans. "Did anybody get a good look at those in the trees? Do we have a guess at their numbers? Right now, we are a strong group. After we split to go to the different caves, that will no longer be the case. Even if everyone comes back uninjured, the chances of both groups meeting up on the trail are almost none.

I think we should go back and deal with the bandits, allowing other travelers to pass this way without being robbed like we were. I'm sure those in charge at the Keep would be happy; we might even get a reward for doing so. If nothing else, it would remove a threat for travelers who are unable to deal with the bandits like we could. If we go through the trees, it can limit that archer's impact.

[Rex]

Rida

"Most of the weapons in the trees were props. Hard to say how many, but most of the weapons were just tied to trees. I am for dealing with them now."

[hedgeknight]

Dredd

Watching the two men approach and hearing Rida's assessment, Dredd grips his spear a bit tighter and hisses to Magdal, "You ready for a fight, Mags?"

[Stirling]

Crabgrass

"I'll keep Eagle-Eye and yourself in mind." he says, stuffing the arrow up his sleeve for safe keeping.

"Our toll to pass has been paid. Good day Sir." he says and moves across the log to continue in the trail.

Once we gather on the other side.

"I would think that once a trap has been sprung, the bandits will hightail it away not stick around in case vengeance creeps back upon them.

Perhaps we can locate them through other means." He has no motivation to go seeking a fight though justifiably we could do so. My concern is that character deaths aside, a fight will make dents into health and spells which makes caves explorations more dangerous.

One reason I took the arrow was thinking the fletching on the arrows might be unique to the bowyer or indicate a particular group. So perhaps some investigation using the arrow as a starting point, we can identify 'Eagle-Eye' at least.

Among our group, who is most likely to have bowyer / archery skills to look over the arrow for uncommon features? If someone wants to take it and follow up on identifying the bandits, let me know.

[Darithe]

Magdal

Magdal sighs and whispers to Dredd, "It seems our companions are content to let thieves steal coin from their pockets and finance further thievery. While I think a fight now, whilst we outnumber them, would have caused the cowards to run, we cannot count on the others, a point to remember during our journey, so leave the brigands emboldened for now and prepare when we return." This doesn't sit well with Magdal, but since it has cost her nothing, she won't push the matter...for now. "I suggest we continue since the toll has been paid for us." She doesn't lower her bow until she has passed the log.