IC IX

[thirdkingdom]

Jaceo, ranger

Jaceo arrives at the adventurers' encampment after an hour of rain. He is clad in a dripping oil-cloth slicker and bears an unstrung bow, a sheathed blade and backpack.

"Where to, gents?" he queries.

[zebediah]

Jaceo, ranger

Jaceo arrives at the adventurers' encampment after an hour of rain. He is clad in a dripping oil-cloth slicker and bears an unerring bow, a sheathed blade and backpack.

"Where to, gents?" he queries.

Drudsa the dabbler

"We are headed to this area..."

Drudsa point to hex 58.16 in the map.

"and we should pass through these areas where the beast has attacked before."

He traces a line between the camp and 58.16, passing through areas 56.17 and 57.16.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Lanny nods in agreement with Drudsa's chosen direction.

"The sooner we get to the foothills, the better. This rain might prove to be a blessing in disguise, for once it stops, any new tracks made by the beast will be more visible upon the softer ground..."

Lanny glances at Jaceo's slicker, and then at the mules.

"I don't suppose you have a couple more of those slickers that we could use, do you? You know, just something to drape over the mules... I am not much bothered by walking in the rain, but sleeping on a drenched bedroll is highly unpleasant..."

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the Elf

Lanny nods in agreement with Drudsa's chosen direction.

"The sooner we get to the foothills, the better. This rain might prove to be a blessing in disguise, for once it stops, any new tracks made by the beast will be more visible upon the softer ground..."

Lanny glances at Jaceo's slicker, and then at the mules.

"I don't suppose you have a couple more of those slickers that we could use, do you? You know, just something to drape over the mules... I am not much bothered by walking in the rain, but sleeping on a drenched bedroll is highly unpleasant..."

Jaceo, ranger

"Aye, we can pick some up on the way out."

Note that at this point the rain does not contribute to any mechanical effects.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

When the sun rises on the rainy morning, Innana's and Semeles tent flap is open, and Innana is sitting cross legged at the entrance shining her swords and daggers. Innana reaches out to get a couple of drops of rain on her wool cloth and continues rubbing the weapons in small circular motions. Innana looks into the tent and talks to Semele. "Nobody is going to be happy with this downpour. I think Aquar may have made the Water Gods feel right at home here at the logging camp.Innana looks at Semele again as Semele finishes her morning rituals and prayers,"You were up earlier than me. You also were up as I was falling asleep. I hope these prayers will even out the difficulties, and delays brought on by this rain."

Innana and Semele hear about the changed plans from Drudsa, and then work quickly to move over the things they need on the mules, and put their horses in the barn.

Innana makes it over to the group to get a hot beverage, and see if there is any breakfast before they head out. "Hi everyone."

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad awakens in a bright mood, the rain and heat only serving as reminders that he will be enjoying the outdoors for the next few days.

After feeding his horse and eating a light breakfast, the elf sees that the others are preparing to leave their mounts behind. So, he quickly follows suit, re-adjusting his gear and placing his rations and water upon one of the mules. He bids goodbye to his horse, "I am sorry, my friend, but you will be staying at this camp for awhile. Do not worry, though. You will be well cared for."


Meeting up with the others, Bregalad receives his spear from Drudsa, learning that the mage has divined something of its power. "A modest enchantment, you say? That is more than enough for me! Thank you very much, for taking some time to look at it!"

And seeing that the warrioress has not yet broken her fast, "Good morning, Innana. I prepared a light meal for our journey. Here, please have some."

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Bregalad the elf

Meeting up with the others, Bregalad receives his spear from Drudsa, learning that the mage has divined something of its power. "A modest enchantment, you say? That is more than enough for me! Thank you very much, for taking some time to look at it!"

"These are powerful weapons, both spear and sword. The enchantment enhancing its swiftness and its bite, however, is not as strong as that found on Dannedd Blaidd for example. Of course, the analyse magic I have just used has its limitations and these arms might contain other enchantments and powers that would not be uncovered by a single casting of the spell. I can analyse them again once we have more time, but it is still recommendable to have them looked by Myraal or by Zoltar as their knowledge can even give us insights into the history of these artifacts."

Drudsa is ready to leave.

[thirdkingdom]

The entire camp turns out to see the companions off. Led by Jaceo they head out to the cheers of the loggers, heads bowed against the rain. The downpour proves to be less of an annoyance than the oppressive heat and cloying humidity, and it ceases to rain an hour out camp; the heat, however, bedevilled the party through the rest of the day.

Jaceo leads the companions east, through hilly terrain topped by lush, virgin forest. Those concerned about the wanton destruction of nature quickly have their fears vanquished; there is some sign of logging --which grow fainter the further east they go -- but for the most part the woods look undisturbed.

Jaceo is silent for most of the day, which passes uneventfully, although all feel as though they are being watched by some unseen creature. No threat makes itself apparent, however, nor are any tracks found. By mid-afternoon the hround becomes more rugged, the hills steeper and the footing more treacherous. Several hours later Jaceo calls a halt. "We're about where you indicated, Master Mage. The sun sets quickly in these parts; I recomend establishing a camp before long."

The party travels most of the day through hilly terrain, which at 30' allows 12 miles per day. The party must cross 3 hexes of hills, which is approximately 11 miles. They finish the day just inside hex 58.16.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"What do you say folks, should we set camp first and then search the surrounding area while we still have some hours of light? Bregalad and Lanny, you fellas are more acquantainted to such environment than I am, what is your advice?"

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Lanny nods in agreement.

"I believe we are now at the northern end of the sections of forested foothills that must be thoroughly searched. I agree, let us find a suitable campsite now, while there is still some daylight remaining. Remember that we must also leave some time each morning and evening to ascend a tree to look for any signal fires burning at the logging camps. If we don't find the beast in these foothills, we might need to return to camp to resupply before attempting the mountains further east..."

Lanny recommends starting the hex crawl in 58.16 and then moving due south through 58.17 and 58.18. At a speed of 2.5 days per hex, we should be able to search all three hexes in 7.5 days (if that much time is actually needed). If the beast is still not found, we might need to resupply before venturing into the mountains further east.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar the cleric

The sailor priest tries to appreciate the forest, admiring the many trees such as maple and oaks. The first day's hike is pleasant the first hour, interesting the second, routine by the third, boring by the fourth. He sweats in his armor. His mind wanders. Is that a paw print? No, just the mule's in front of him.  Look a dryad! No, just someone's fluttering cloak. What was the bard's name who sang about trees...Pertneil? How did it go? Aquar sings to relieve boredom:

"There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade

There is danger in the forest
Killings with claw and maw
Where the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe and saw"

The next day Aquar's muscles are sore. He eats, prays, obligingly admires all the shiny blades his comrades are always talking about ("ah yes! sharp as a dragon's tooth! the edge glints like the sun! so bright is its...ah magic"), looks again at the map he still can't quite figure out, and decides he must pray again.

"Oh wise and might Procan, please hear my humble petition*. Let us this day find the wicked beast that kills innocent lives."

* Petition orison: http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Orisons

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Traveling at a comfortable and easy pace all day, Rhys only takes but a minute of respite before beginning to unpack the mules and help set up camp for the evening.

"It would be wise to take advantage of those with heat vision during the night watches. I can use my goggles for an hour at most to assist, as well, unless they might be necessary should we discover a lair..."

[thirdkingdom]

GSW, I'll roll your Petition chance when we get to the next day. Please remind me if I forget.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Excellent, so we set our camp around here and if there is still some sunlight after that we can search the area surrounding us just to ensure we are not trying to sleep next door to the creature. Jaceo, is there any spot in particular that would be more favourable to set the tents? Anything that in your opinion makes it easier to defend is worth it. Also, I think we should organize our watches in pairs."

TK, if we spread oil in the ground would that remain flammable through the night or would that simply spoil the oil? I'm thinking of drawing a circle around the camp that could be set alight by anyone on guard.

[thirdkingdom]

Drudsa the dabbler

TK, if we spread oil in the ground would that remain flammable through the night or would that simply spoil the oil? I'm thinking of drawing a circle around the camp that could be set alight by anyone on guard.

Hmm. You'd have to use a hella lot of of oil. I think I ruled earlier that one flash will make a 5' diameter pool . . . on stone. I'm also going to say it would remain flammable (at least, usefully flammable) for one hour. Plus, everything's pretty wet.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf

"Blast this beast, blast these trees and blast this oppressive heat! I have felt the world's heat from deep below the earth, and I have felt the heat of the gusseisern forges under the mountains, but never have I felt so blasted miserable! Dragon-fire would seem to be a blessing! Aren't there any tracks to follow? Bird signs or some such? Do not the trees talk to you?"

Huge Rush fan here...nicely done Grog!

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad agrees with Jaceo and Lanny, and helps the party find a suitable camp site now, before the sun has set -- one from which the party could protect itself, should they be attacked by the mysterious creature or orcs.

Thordin the dwarf

"..... Aren't there any tracks to follow? Bird signs or some such? Do not the trees talk to you?"

"No strange tracks have been found as yet, master dwarf. And the birds and trees -- they do speak, but not in the way you and I would talk to each other. Do you not feel it? They tell us we are being watched, by something dangerous. It knows we are here."

In hushed tones, the elf suggests something he hopes may give them an advantage over the beast. "Rhys, would you consent to being made invisible? As one of our scouts, it would helpful for you to move about unseen."

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

As the group settles in to a campsite, Lanny takes a few moments to peruse the pages of the spell book left behind by Tratiln - the spell book of the sorceress Maeve. He tries to determine which spell he will study next. He brings the spell book over to Bregalad and speaks to his friend in the elvish tongue:

"The absence of our brother Tratiln leaves us without some of the incantations that he had learned from this spell book. We elves would honor his contributions by carrying on those spells for him..."

Lanny's eyes fall upon the Leap spell.

"Aha! A very practical spell, suitable for a practical elven ranger such as myself. Besides, did Jaceo not say that the beast was thought to have leaped across ravines during the course of its hunting? We might have need for this spell sooner than we think..."

The two spells in question are listed on the "Unearthed Arcana" thread. Lanny will choose Leap as his next spell to study. He really, really, really wants to earn the nickname "Leaping Lanny" (any old-school wrestling fans out there?)

Finglas, I know you mentioned Bregalad wanting to learn Analyze next, so don't feel like you have to change that due to Lanny's little speech - it was just something Lanny would normally say.

[zebediah]

Bregalad the elf

In hushed tones, the elf suggests something he hopes may give them an advantage over the beast. "Rhys, would you consent to being made invisible? As one of our scouts, it would helpful for you to move about unseen."

Drudsa the dabbler

"That could be a good strategy to use during our watch schedule Bregalad, but I am afraid it would be too risky to have an invisible scout here in the woods. If something happens to the scout, be it falling in a pit or being seriously injured by a creature, we would have trouble finding the person. If Rhys wants to take the risk I can cast the spell, although I would rather have all of us within sight of each other while we are scouting the area."

Thordin the dwarf

Huge Rush fan here...nicely done Grog!

Same here, great stuff!

[Grognardsw]

Aquar / camp

"Perhaps set up a perimeter alarm with rope and attached cooking pans or metal to jangle should the rope be tripped?" suggests the cleric.

In any case, Aquar grapples a rope to a high tree branch that a giant cat or similar creature can't reach. Because cats can't climb trees as every sailor knows. He leaves the rope hanging. "For an expeditious retreat to safety if need be," says the cautious cleric.

- If an oil perimeter isn't possible.
- What old school gamer doesn't like Rush?