The Unseen Servant forums

Above The Thrice Explored Hag Cave
Early Afternoon

Grimm points out his ancestry and that some dwarves have the ability to fall with grace and humility. After finding nothing in the hags den to his liking, he returns to the others and Wake helps him out with a healing prayer, touching the fellow adventurer with his scimitar shaped holy symbol of Phyton and healing most of his ailments.

Looking down on the area where the townies are clearing brush, Wes speaks of the land being blessed by The Shalm with plenty of nature's bounty. He suggests waiting to intercept the oncoming group on the cliffs edge, and The Princess seems to be in agreeance, adding that they could walk the cliffs towards them, but Luther makes another suggestion. He talks of going out into the jungle to check the lands between the river and the cliffs, though this area has also already been explored. Wake Narramore and Grimm all agree to go along as well.

Actions?

Liam
The Princess (-1 first)
Luther
Wake (-1 first)
Sir Narramore
Wes (-1 1st)
Chauncey (-2 1st -1 2nd)
Grimm -1 dam

Sir William Narramore

Narramore shades his eyes against the sun. "Then again, haven't others walked those same paths before us? It's hard to keep up with all the various parties of adventurers hereabouts. Perhaps they've already found what we seek and could save us the trouble of scouting again. It could be that these people approaching may know more about the lay of the land, as well. We might meet them and pick their brains before we decide on a course of action." He shrugs. "Just a thought."

Wake

"That is a great point Sir William of getting information from them, in addition if they do turn out to be hostile, if we let them get to close there is just more of a danger to the town-folk."

Once we do decide that we are going to be leaving, Wake will be sure to take his rope with him.

Grimm

"And right you are folks. Let's wait for that group and see what they have to say."

I assume there's no place to hide here and the group might have seen enough of us to distinguish a dwarf getting away from the group in order to hide.

The implied horror of a baby rattle in a cave complex that contains severed heads in alcoves is lost on Chauncey and he places the item back on the shelf before walking outside. He regards the common townsfolk laboring for approximately four seconds before deciding perhaps he'll see what's transpiring up top.

Making his way back to the rope, he shimmies up as best he is able...

Luther
Luther, finding out that the area has already been explored, changes his plan. He'll be going down the beach a mile or two, looking for easier access to the clifftops.

The Princess

"You know what we need? One of those spyglasses that ship captains have. They're still too far away with this sun blasting down for me to identify them."

She hears someone coming up the rope and moves to help. "Oh, hi Chauncey. We were just debating whether we should move to intercept that group along the cliffs in the distance."

The Elf maiden turns the group. "That is the plan, right? Move towards them in case they are hostile? To protect the villagers and such?"

Urson wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 4:13 pm Luther
Luther changes his plan. He'll be going down the beach a mile or two, looking for easier access to the clifftops.

I know the maps are not great, but the beach ends at the cave. The rock cliffs stretch all the way to the water to the east.

viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

Luther

ooops. sorry!

Luther, seeing that his intentions are blocked, will eventually get back up to the ledge where the others came out of the cave. He'll be heading East, still looking for better access to the highland above.

Wes

Wes moves over to the cliff edge and calls down to Regan, his parrot, summoning him to fly up.

"Yes, that's the plan," Wes replies. "Although, I suppose they could pretend to be friendly just to get by us. Still, if they're adventurers, they are probably just wanting to get back here and rest. And if they seem suspicious, we can always walk back here with them."

Once Luther arrives, Wes waits for him to take the lead.

Wake

Not sure if our wizard made it out of the cave or not.

If there is no one (in the party) left in the cave, Wake will put away his rope and prepare to depart.

If there is still a party member in the cave, he will offer any help he can provide to get that person up. Once up, then he will put away his rope.

Beyond The Thrice Explored Hag Cave
Early Afternoon

Liam seems more interested in sticking around to help Marge set up camp and clear out the cave, but the more adventurous types are itching to explore.

Luther and Chauncey eventually return to the others, the mage's climbing skills providing a bit of cheap entertainment for those already atop the cave. The leaders of the group decide that the cliffs to the north are too high to attempt climbing without some kind of aid, so they look to the clifftop shoreline stretching to the east. After retrieving their ropes and traveling a short distance away from the cave area, they climb up a few more feet of gradual elevation and are soon walking along the picturesque rocky elevated shore.

After changing their minds about exploring an area that has already been searched, the group now finds themselves in the exact same predicament, following in the footsteps of the party of 7 they can see in the distance. Deciding to meet with them a bit further away from the cave area, you head east along the rocky, exposed shoreline. The warm sea breeze up here feels nice and it does wonders for keeping the bugs away, but the blazing sun continues to bake you on the hot black rocks out in the open such as you are.

A short distance away from the hag cave, a gruesome find is seen up ahead on the clifftops. Most of the bones appear to be crushed as if they had been smashed by something large or dropped from a significant height.

Actions?

The Princess (-1 first)
Luther
Wake (-1 first)
Sir Narramore
Wes (-1 1st)
Chauncey (-2 1st -1 2nd)
Grimm -1 dam

Liam?

His interest piqued, Chauncey examines the bones more closely, trying to determine how long they might have rested there and if they used to belong to a human, elf, dwarf or some other species. Are there any scattered belongings about or remnants of clothing? It's all so intriguing...

Wake

"Luther where / what is the target we are heading for?

1. If the target is unexplored hexes 'near by' per the town Map there are some unexplored hexes on the this side of the river between the river and cliff face. (but it is a dead-end most likely)
2. Along the coastline in the direction that we are travelling most of this is explored - and since there are cliffs the entire route are we just trying to reach the other group?
3. Do we have enough rope that the Princess climb up the cliff or Chauncey could Levitate himself and we can pull some people up?

The bottom line, it I am trying to understand what a successful mission will look like?"

Edit: Looks like two similar posts at the same basic time

Well, it was worth a try . Although I was hoping we could explore a few hexes too.

I guess I'm just having trouble visualizing the terrain in front of us. I thought that there was a sort of swampy zone back from the top of the sea cliffs. That's where I thought we could explore.

Wes

"That cliff face to the north looks pretty grim," says Wes in response to Wake. "I think Chauncey's magic would be more useful there. I doubt the Princess would like to take the chance unless she had to. Especially with a hundred feet of rope slung over her shoulder".

Unless, as Karaunios suggests, we go somewhere else.

Edit: Ah! I get it now. So it now seems to me the choices (for a big quest) are:

East: along the coast for a few miles and up into the swamp.
North: up the cliff and search for the next orb site.
West: scout the dwarves' mine.