Quest #14 "Hidden Fortress of the Poison Spider Monsters"

[SirOwen]

Actually, that marching order looks fine, as far as my characters are concerned. Jax has no problem being near the front, supporting Br.Gil. (Or anyone else who is on point. Jax would take point himself, except he doesn't know the way.) And Avaala like being in the middle, given his lack of physical prowess.

Avaala the Grey

Avaala listens carefully to Saracen's description of the insect repellent. He commits the recipe to memory, and asks if Saracen has a small amount that he might use. If there is some available, Avaala will save just the last few drops of his allotment, which he traces down the middle of Rollo's snout and over his eyes. The mage suspects the dog's fur will protect most of his body from the worst of the flying, biting sorts.

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen nods at the reasoning given for the music. "I understand the usual uses of music. I was more interested in why you were playing as we set out into a dangerous situation." He looks around at those who mentioned increasing morale, or adding to the fame of the subject, and nods to them as well. "But I think I have an understanding of it now. Thank you all."
As Eawad resumes playing, Jax tries to whistle along with him, softly. He is rather off-key at first, but improves as they move along.

The more observant of the company note that Jax does NOT kill the insects that swarm around him. It seems, rather, that he is merely seeking to gently move them away from himself. And he does not ask for any of the repellent.

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey hustles to catch up to the rear of the group. ‘Scampers’ might be a better word to describe the way he runs with his robes hiked up to his knees. When he arrives, he slows until he is walking alongside Maag and Talaris at the back.

”Ah, there you are, the incredibly large half-orc, just as described. I was told I might find you with the temple investigators,” he says, ”You are new, I understand? My name is Chauncey the Adequate, most powerful mage on the island! I do not wish to pry you away from your task here with Brother Gilbert, but running up I noticed the group here was rather large, while my slave rescue mission has yet to reach a quorum. Now that I look...” here he does a quick holy symbol count, ...there seems to be a preponderance of clerics in this enterprise. Would you, my good holy person, be interested in freeing some unfortunates from their oppression?” he says turning to Talaris. ”I’m sure your diety of choice would approve.”

I didn’t want to try to snipe party members... the DM made me do it! Plus, you took all the clerics on the island... which is bold.

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

Man-Mountain-Monocar lopes up to the group behind Chauncy, having dumped his (?)th load of water at the public trough. He coughs loudly, his ailment showing itself again at he puts extra strain on his lungs. He looks up at everyone and grins. "Not going to let you have all the fun. Can't leave our friends abandoned out there. So where are we going? Can we draw a map in the sand or something and make a plan before cutting people in half today? I'm starting to feel a little beat up..."

Did we ever get exp from the last battle? I'm close to leveling!

[OGRE MAGE]

Ok, I will stop interjecting in this mission now.

The Wooden Structure Awaits
Earthday, 4th of Goodmonth
Midday, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Buggy

Chauncey is followed up the beach by the bumbling mountain Monocar, who seems a bit confused as to where he is actually going. The mage does his best to convince a few of Brother Gilberts party to rethink their options. Maag the half-orc seems unimpressed with his new offer, but Talaris seems interested. The rest of the group continues walking up the beach, focused on their mission to arrive at the structure before daylight fades this evening.

Brother Gilbert doesn't seem too upset that the odd wizard is trying to sway some of his members to go along with him instead, for his group is already rather large and he wants to be sure that none of his new friends are going along unless they really want to. Maag says thanks, but no thanks, while Talaris agrees that his path should be the one that helps free the enslaved natives. Monocar, Chauncey, and Talaris head back to Beachtown while Maag and the others continue on their way. (if any of this is not what you were looking to do, please speak up)

The discussions about music and bug salve continue as the party members get to know each other a little bit while they travel. They spot the tiny lone island on their left, just off shore to the south. Some of them wonder what manner of creatures would thrive in such an environment. The insects on the beach aren't as bad as they are in the foliage, but they are still pretty annoying. Except to Jaxsen, who seems to be ok with them harassing him incessantly. He even tries whispering to them form time to time, which is a strange thing to watch.

After a few more hours of walking further along the soft, sandy beach, the group spots the area up ahead where the sand ends and the jungle trail begins. Brother Gilbert remembers this trail well, as do Saracen and Avaala. As they are about to arrive at the trail, a few folks spot several dark shapes in the pristine blue water. They appear to be rays, swimming around in the warm shallows, just off shore.

Actions?

map:
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p358103

Brother Gilbert C
Jax M
Gramble F
Storm D
Saracen F2/C3
Avaala MU3
Eawad T
Judson F
Maag F/T

Let me know if you want to be switched to a different spot in this marching order. Thanks!

[kruk]

Judson moves to the back of the group seeing that several are flocking around the cleric. Grandfather always said that it is important that someone strong head up the rear of a party in case someone or something attacks from a party from behind. He looks to his side and sees another who looks as if he can hold his own in battle. Satisfied he moves forward at the pace of the others.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

He notices the shapes in the water, and asks Jax, What are those? Rays? Do we need to concern ourselves about their presence?

Let us hope they stay in the water. *sigh* Into the jungle we go.

[wolfpack]

Gramble has no preference on where he is in the order, wherever the group needs him he will go.

[Storm11]

Saracen turns to the little green robed halfling. ”Is ray edible little heathen?” he asks amiably.

The holy champion will be happy wherever in the marching order he is requested to be.

He keeps a firm grip on his flail, resting it over his shoulder and looking about warily as they leave the Beach.

[Storm11]

Storm scowls up at the orange clad warrior-priest. Sighing loudly he ignores the impertinent half-orc, in favour of catching a glimpse at the rays in the sea.

I am curious what they are doing here, given the lack of any fish in these parts. These humans have ravaged the land and the ocean here abouts, without a thought to the natural balance of things. Tsk tsk.

Happy with his own place in the marching order, Storm keeps any eye out for any befriendable animals as they enter the jungle proper.

[Xaxyx]

Eawad Driftwood

Marveling at the wonders around him, Eawad finds himself often drifting toward the rear of the party -- or, rather, he keeps failing to notice when the party is walking away without him. Eventually, he falls in with the lot, trying to stay ahead of Judson and Maag, who seem rather alert for trouble.

Wary of Brother Gilbert's warning -- and somewhat fearful of Storm's hostile mutterings -- Eawad plays only simple, quiet tunes, often in rhythm with the party's pace. His playing falters a bit, however, as he eyes the dark shapes in the water with trepidation.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

As they enter the jungle proper, Jax unslings his halberd, and takes it to a ready position. He knows how suddenly things native to the bush can strike and is unwilling to be caught off guard. In fact, he decides to use what stealth he possesses as well. He moves to the edge of the trail, softens his stride and begins to move within the shadows of the heavy foliage. He doesn't actually leave the company at any time, just moves out of the center of the trail.

I'm guessing the Move Silently and Hide in Shadows are the DM's rolls?

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala turns and follows the others up the trail. He is careful to watch both those ahead of him as well as Rollo. He understands that his dog's senses of smell and hearing are both superior to his own, and hopes to catch some warning from the big Mastiff's behavior. He tries to use his own lack of armor to its best advantage and move quietly.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag keeps a tight grip on "arry the bastard sword as they walk into the jungle and a close watch on the rear of the party. As a man who's made a good living from jumping people from behind and beating them senseless, he recognizes the importance of being aware of what is behind you.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Wooden Structure Awaits
Earthday, 4th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Buggy

Brother Gilbert keeps his flock in line after seeing the rays. There is a short discussion about them, and why they might be there, but no daylight is wasted investigating them. The group leaves the soft sand of the 7 mile beach and enters the dark, loud, bug ridden jungle. Under the thick canopy, the heat form the sun isn't as bad, though the stinging, biting, and general annoyance of the thousands of insects that surround you constantly is much, much worse once inside the foliage.

After a few more hours of marching to the soft tunes emanating from Eawad's lute, Avaala and Saracen pass the area where they had their battle with the huge acid farting beetles. A soft growl can be heard from Rollo as they pass that area, seemingly, he remembers that painful ordeal as well. The group continues up the trail, all except Brother Gilbert passing the furthest point they have ever traveled in this westerly direction.

Storm the diminutive nature priest starts to see more signs of life the further the group gets from Beachtown. He still hasn't seen a lot of small game around, but the birds seem far more plentiful here. He sees plenty of tracks of animals though, indicating that there must be some around here. It is possible that they have detected the group before they themselves have been detected, however.

Once the trail starts to turn towards the north, a loud grunting and snorting can be heard over the normal din of the jungle. The noise is a little ways off in the distance, but it is definitely coming from the west. It doesn't take a ranger to tell you that the noises are coming from several different creatures. There doesn't appear to be any immediate threat from the noises, and it doesn't seem to be getting any louder or closer, but any strange grunting is cause for concern out here in the wild.

Brother Gilbert notices that the group is making very good time thus far. He predicts that they will make it to the structure in less than 4 more hours if they are not stopped by something beforehand.

Actions?

map:
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p358103

Brother Gilbert C
Jax M
Gramble F
Storm D
Saracen F2/C3
Avaala MU3
Eawad T
Judson F
Maag F/T

Let me know if you want to be switched to a different spot in this marching order. Thanks!

[Jernau35]

Maag

I'm not fallin' fer dat ol' trick thinks Maag, and immediately turns to scan for threats coming from the east.

[SirOwen]

Several of the townfolk have mentioned that they used to be successful in hunting wild pig. Does the snorting and grunting sound like what one might expect from pigs (or rather, boars)?

Avaala the Grey

Avaala tells Rollo to "Heel" to keep him from responding to the sounds. He also leads him to the eastern side of the trail, to give a little more response time to anything that might come at them from the west. He looks to the forward elements of the company to see if we are staying or going.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Comfortable with his successes among the branches of this jungle so far, Jax grabs a low hanging branch (or vine) and pulls himself into a tree on the western side of the trail. He doesn't climb far, perhaps ten feet or so, trying to get a look in the direction of the sounds.

[kruk]

Judson unsheathes his bastard sword and looks in the same direction as Maag ready to attack anything that comes their way.

[Storm11]

Storm will head to a large trunk and put his back to it, unsheathing his scimitar, listening for the sounds of the creature’s beyond getting closer, or giving any clue as to what they are.

[Storm11]

Saracen will place his flail upon the ground and unpack his bow, and knock an arrow ready in case something comes out of the woods at them.