Quest #27 "Detecting Snares and Pits"

[OGRE MAGE]

Not posting till the 48 hour deadline and then asking the group a question is a bit of a party foul, man.

To The Pits!
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Sweating profusely in the hot midday heat, Dex and Fitz swat a few more bugs before heading back to tell the others about the crossroads ahead. When they arrive back at the others position, Maximus has caught up to the rest of the group again. As badly as he smells, it is a bit surprising that the elf wasn't eaten or carried off by something while he was traveling alone.

The group now needs to choose between the northern or western paths, to which Fitz voices his opinion to continue towards the west.

Actions?

position map:

Nip Gor (2)_LI.jpg (940.54 KiB) Viewed 718 times

overall map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

Thrown darts and daggers etc. can usually be found again. But not arrows, rocks, or bolts, normally. I have a House Rule here that explains it a bit further, but I know nobody ever reads those. viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6229#p293844

Dexter Broadleaf 15/15
Cornelius Fitzenbell 8/8 1/1 RM, DI
Sir William Narramore 12/12 LOH
Drakkar Deepcrag 7/11
Maximus Fleetfoot 8/8 (C) 0/2 (MU) 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[Paladin]

I thought about that after. My bad.

Sir William Narramore

"For what it's worth, I don't mind the idea of exploring a rough trail if we have the time. But if we're in a hurry to get back, perhaps the easier route to our goal isn't such a bad idea. But you know the island better than I, Dexter."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"I might know a place or two you haven't been to, yet, Sir William," says Dex. "But I've never been here before. Your guess is as good as mine. But I like the way you think and the wider, more used trail sounds good to me, too." After a moment, he adds, "And it does make sense, as well. If we take the easy trail and we're wrong, it's easier to get back here and take the harder trail. If we take the harder trail and we're wrong, it'll be harder to get back here and we might not be able to take the easier trail." He points to the side of his head and says, "We Halflings are natural masters of logic!"

So that's three for the more recently used trail.

Looking to Max, Dexter says, "There is no denying your good intentions, Max. Not much higher calling than feeding the hungry. But if you can't get that smell off of yourself, you are going to attract every predator in the jungle. Do you have a spell or something?"

[Darklin2]

Max

I do have a spell I can pray for but that will be tomorrow. I was hoping there would be some kind of water source since we are on an Island but that looks like it isn't going to happen. It is so hot. i may have to look into some different lighter armor when we return to Beachtown, this chain is murder in this heat. I think the easier path would be a smart idea. We should look for some kind of shelter if it gets close to High Sun We may not make it back tonight at this rate.

[OGRE MAGE]

To The Pits!
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Drakkar grunts his approval to continue along the western path, so the group gets underway once again. Max suggests keeping an eye out for shelter in case they aren’t able to make it back to town.

A short distance past the branch in the trail, on the northern side, the dense jungle appears to clear somewhat, possibly indicating a large clearing. Strange loud noises can be heard coming from that direction as you get closer, eerie hissing and guttural chirps along with some dull thumping.

Actions?

position map:

a short distance west of your last position

overall map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

Dexter Broadleaf 15/15
Cornelius Fitzenbell 8/8 1/1 RM, DI
Sir William Narramore 12/12 LOH
Drakkar Deepcrag 7/11
Maximus Fleetfoot 8/8 (C) 0/2 (MU) 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[hedgeknight]

Fitzenbell

Fitz hears the hissing and is about to scream "SNAKE!" but he manages to stifle himself and listen a little closer. And then his natural curiosity wins out and he says to Dexter, "Let's go have a look see."

[Darklin2]

Max

Max will keep up and try to be as quiet as possible.

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

The knight pauses at the odd noises and glances to their scouts, at least one of whom is eager to find the source of the sounds. "The less stealthy among us will await you here, if you intend to take a look" he says, falling into the rhythm of their exploration now. "Should you need us, just call."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter nods to Fitz as the two shortest members of the company start forward, once again sticking to the thicker foliage along the side of the trail, and not the trail itself.

IF Max starts to follow the two scouts,

Dex holds up a hand, palm out, towards Max, obviously a 'stop' signal. He then points to his nose and then to Max, reminding him of the smell from the snake.

[OGRE MAGE]

To The Pits!
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Midday, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Creeping towards the noises and the clearing beyond the trail, the scouts soon pop their heads into a vast area cleared of trees and anything else larger than a small bush. The ground here is covered with a short, wide bladed grass of some kind, most of it appearing to have been grazed upon recently. There are several large grey rocks scattered all throughout the massive oval shaped clearing as well.

The entire area is home to hundreds of huge, bright green lizards, eating and laying around in the hot sun. None of the lizards are close to the onlooking group at the moment, but a few off in the distance don't seem too upset about being gawked at. Mated pairs are seen moving around together along with many smaller reptiles that must be offspring.

None of the animals appear to be hostile in any way.

Actions?

Stand by for an updated position map...
overall map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

Dexter Broadleaf 15/15
Cornelius Fitzenbell 8/8 1/1 RM, DI
Sir William Narramore 12/12 LOH
Drakkar Deepcrag 7/11
Maximus Fleetfoot 8/8 (C) 0/2 (MU) 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter checks one of the trees on the edge of the clearing to make sure there are no snakes or large cats or other predators in it. Once he is certain it is at least reasonably safe, he climbs up. Once in the tree, he looks to the other side of the clearing to see if the trail continues there.

[hedgeknight]

Fitzenbell

Fitz gapes at the huge lizards. "I wonder if they could swallow a Gnome," he whispers to Dex, and then he gapes again as Dex shimmies up a tree. Fitz watches the lizards closely, his darts ready in case one gets too close.

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"Looks to me like they are eating the grass. I imagine Hobbits and Gnomes are safe .... unless they stampede." Dex whispers back.

[OGRE MAGE]

Now I cant tell if the other two players are waiting for you to return or not, so I will continue.

Dex climbs up a tree a short distance to get a birds eye view of the large clearing. What he sees off in the distance makes him cringe.

At the opposite end of the clearing are several figures that appear to be armed dwarves, moving around through the largest mass of lizards. They appear to be feeding them something, but what it is, Dex cannot tell. Not seeing any other trails leaving the clearing nearby, the halfling does notice that the jungle has been heavily trampled at the northern end, closest to where the dwarves are seen.

Fitz seems a little nervous with so many huge animals around, but luckily, none of them are very close, and they continue to pay the diminutive pair no mind.

Actions?

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

The stolid knight stands at ease awaiting the return of his comrades. He sweeps the surrounding jungle every so often to seek potential threats, but stays put.

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dex shimmies back down the tree. "It's those Dwarves, the Leadbellies or whatever they're called. This must be where they raise their pack animals. I didn't see another way out of the clearing, so I guess they use this same path. Let's skedaddle." Dex prepares to head back to the rest of the party, unless there is something more that Fitz wants to do here.

[Darklin2]

Max

Max drinks some water from his waterskin and wipes the sweat from his brow.

This place is so humid and hot. No wonder there are very few inhabitants here. How long you think before they return?

[hedgeknight]

Fitzenbell

Fitz agrees and he and Dex head back to the others.
Fitz's eyes are as big as saucers as he and Dex explain what they saw in the clearing.
"Do you think we should go up there or leave them Dwarves alone and go find our goop?"

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

Narramore opens his mouth to reply to Max, but he sees the two scouts returning as he does so. "I suppose that's our answer," he says with a grin. He absorbs their tale and frowns. "These blasted dwarves are everywhere," he mutters.

"I'd suggest moving on to our objective however possible and getting the goop, so we can get back to town before dark."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"Agreed," says Dex. "We came out here for goop and profit, not to harass and be harassed by Dwarves."