Third Trip's The Charm

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

Loyn nods, “Those creatures seemed controlled and on a mission.” He looks around then walks toward the oncoming wagon, squinting to see if he recognizes either figure, hopefully they’re not bandits.




Random [1d20]=11

[OGRE MAGE]

One Short Of A Baker's Dozen
Gnoll Day
Early Morning, Cool Clear

Magdal and a few others make valid points to add to the Gnoll leaders suggestions, but at first sight of the distant wagon, Tammuz and the Gnolls all rush across the road, into the trees beyond, leaving the rest of you where you stood.

Stobart and Loyn stare at the oncoming vehicle, not exactly certain who this pair might be. They are just about to pull into the forest trail, so if any shouted warning is forthcoming, it needs to be immediate.

Otherwise, the morning is turning out to be quite nice for a walk in the wilderness. The birds in the trees sing and chirp, and a few squirrels flit about in the higher branches, gathering up their meager meals for the day.

The 2 men with the wagon make no attempt to communicate from a distance towards your obviously much larger group.

Actions?

Keya Redd H-E (C1/R1) AC:5 10/12
Stobart (C2) AC:5 17/20 CLW/CLW
Gyb the Meager (M2) AC:10 8/11
Pimlan (F1/T1) H-L AC:6 6/9
Renna (MU1/C1) Elf AC:4 7/9 CLW
Magdal (R1) AC:7 11/16
Crobeus (P1) AC:3 6/10
Bugs Donato G (T3) AC:3 24/24
Loyn Shortbeard D (F2) AC:5 22/23
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 5/5
Ithrandir (F1/MU1) AC:5 7/7
Daliedhur (F1/MU1) AC:3 9/9 (Cinder AC:6 4/4)

Tammuz
15 Gnoll Fighters

[gurusql]

Renna

Renna will stay with the group and will wait to see the wagon duo, suspecting that a group traveling without any support has either just been robbed (and hence will have no cargo) or are the highwaymen selling their ill-gotten goods in town. Renna is also hoping to see the faces of the drivers for the same information.

Woodlands Roll
[1d20]=18

[GreyWolfVT]

Pimlan will stick with the group.

[Jernau35]

Gyb

Gyb leaves the others to deal with the wagon. He carries on into the forest, looking for suitably-sized fallen branches to use as clubs.

Woodland roll:[1d20]=19
I figured Gyb qualifies, since he's a wandering vagabond who usually sleeps outdoors.

[Edeldhur]

Daliedhur

The elf takes a measured step toward the tree line, his sharp gaze scanning the approaching wagon. His voice, calm yet strong, carries just enough weight to cut through the chatter.

"Into the trees, quickly," Daliedhur says, motioning for the gnolls to follow Tammuz's lead. "If those travelers are honest folk, the sight of us in such company might send them fleeing - or worse, calling for help. And if they aren't honest..." His hand rests lightly on the hilt of his longsword as he glances at the gnoll leader, "...an ambush from the shadows serves us better than being caught in the open."

His tone is even, practical, but there is no mistaking the steel behind his words. Years of stalking prey in the deep woods have taught him the value of positioning and silence, lessons hard-learned and not easily forgotten.

Without waiting for a reply, he glides into the forest undergrowth, the muted greens and browns of his cloak blending seamlessly with the foliage.

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


"Now why would the gnolls flee? Wait ... that trail to the Caves of the Unknown, there were wagon tracks. I think the gnolls are familiar with these fellows." He follows the gnolls into the treeline.

[Karaunios]

Ithrandir also follows. He uses this chance to look for a branch to be used as a club, following Gyb's example.

[shaidar]

Stobart

Stobart nods at Daliedhur's and Meinhardt's words

"While I am not one for lurking like a bandit, I think in this case you are right. It will be interesting to see if they are stopped by the bandits in the woods."

He heads off to into the woods with the others.

[ateno]

Keya follows the group

Keya Redd

[Scott308]

Crobeus - Human Paladin

The paladin stands tall with Loyn, Renna, and Stobart, waiting for the wagon to approach.

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

“I think we’ve All been seen…our group isn’t very inconspicuous! Lets make for the trees and watch as the cart goes by. If they’re bandits or other deplorables we may need to take them out.” He runs across the road into the tree line, motioning for the others to follow.

[OGRE MAGE]

Lots of contradictions in a 12 player group, so I will do my best to accommodate these discrepancies.

One Short Of A Baker's Dozen
Gnoll Day
Early Morning, Cool Clear

Most of the group realizes it will be difficult to explain to common folk their purpose for walking around with a large group of evil denizens of the wilderness, so they follow the Gnoll band into the trees. Crobeus and Renna wait at the edge of the trees, hoping to get a look at the men with the wagon.

Tammuz seems very angry when a few people stop at the treeline to wait for the wagon, growling in gnollish that they don't have time to stand around in the forest.

Daliedhur studies the actions of the Gnoll leader, impressed with his ability to keep so many of these normally chaotic creatures in line. Spending most of his life in the same areas as such creatures, he starts to wonder if the lead Gnoll is even a Gnoll at all. He has heard of monsters called Flinds who are nearly indistinguishable from normal Gnolls, and he thinks Tammuz might actually be such a creature himself.

Using the time it takes while the others await the arrival of the wagon, the Elf continues to listen to the conversations of the Gnolls, eventually learning that this Tammuz wasn't even living at the caves himself, and that only 6 remaining members of this Gnoll band once lived there. He also hears about a stone chimney chute they intend to use to try entering their old cave complex from 2 different directions. Gyb and Ithrandir listen along as well while they craft thick branches into makeshift clubs for fighting skeletons.

Renna and Crobeus (and whoever else wanted to) remain at the edge of the trees, watching for the wagon to roll by. When it finally does arrive on the road at a distance, they are certain the duo wasn't waylaid. They see the fat man driving the wagon is none other than Mendel, the obese merchant a few of them met earlier at the Keep. The armed guard walking beside the wagon does not look familiar. Watching the wagon as it passes, a single wooden barrel appears to be the only cargo. Renna instantly recognizes the barrel as similar to the ones she saw at the lone remote cave they searched days earlier.

The 20 minute wait has nearly put Tammuz in a frenzy. He seems ready to leave people behind by this point. "We must go.....NOW!"

Actions?

Keya Redd H-E (C1/R1) AC:5 10/12
Stobart (C2) AC:5 17/20 CLW/CLW
Gyb the Meager (M2) AC:10 8/11
Pimlan (F1/T1) H-L AC:6 6/9
Renna (MU1/C1) Elf AC:4 7/9 CLW
Magdal (R1) AC:7 11/16
Crobeus (P1) AC:3 6/10
Bugs Donato G (T3) AC:3 24/24
Loyn Shortbeard D (F2) AC:5 22/23
Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 5/5
Ithrandir (F1/MU1) AC:5 7/7
Daliedhur (F1/MU1) AC:3 9/9 (Cinder AC:6 4/4)

Tammuz
15 Gnoll Fighters

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

He nods at Tammuz. "Right. Time to go. Lead the way."

Bugs tries to gather the more stubborn members and guide them onward. He does engage in conversation as he does so. "Anyone recognize the duo? The fat one has the air of an untouchable."

[Karaunios]

Ithrandir

"Tammuz says we have to got now. He's growing impatient. Let's go!" He nods at the Gnoll leader and follows along.

[shaidar]

Stobart

"That was interesting, but yes, let's get going."

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


"Indeed we shall!" He responds quickly to Tammuz. "Are you perhaps familiar with those humans?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Pimlan "Right-o let us get a move on then." the halfling says and prepares to follow whomever is leading this good sized group.

[Scott308]

Crobeus - Human Paladin

The paladin follows along.

I didn't realize we were going to stand there for so long. I thought a) we would have kept moving and b) it would have taken less time before we could make out who the people were. Sorry, Tammuz!

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

Loyn follows along as they travel thru the woods, wondering how their group is going to fare against the undead!