Quest #32 "Visiting With The Neighbors"

[OGRE MAGE]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter, as is his habit, would be well in advance of the rest of the company, off the trail a couple yards, and in the best camouflage he can arrange. When he sees what is approaching, he may need to warn the company.

Couple things here.

Could you put "well in advance" into a more linear term for me, please? 20 yards? 100 yards? 500 yards?

Also...the loggers trail is wide open and offers full movement rate. If Dex is going to be "off the trail a couple yards", that will put him into the thick, unforgiving jungle, where he will move at 1/4 speed. Is the party going to crawl along at quarter speed as well to allow this? Because that will make a fairly huge difference in time spent traveling.

[SirOwen]

Yeah, those are all really good points.

So let's go with about 40 yards and moving along the edge of the trail for regular speed. He will keep the camouflage on in case he needs to make a run for the foliage.

[OGRE MAGE]

Much better.

Thanks!

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Nods to Caleb. All good questions.
I'd not thought of some of those. Thank you. I will make it a point to learn all I can as well as make the proposal for work share. Perhaps we can do an brief exchange of young but experienced men both ways with this. It'd be a good way to learn from each other and help relations with both groups...

When he hears hoofbeats, he is shocked to silence for a moment and then moves to the side of the trail, squinting up the trail to see what is coming. Indeed princess, this could change things...

He hollers toward the nearest townsfolk. LOOK LIVELY! SOMETHING'S COMING DOWN THE TRAIL! BE ALERT!

[Paladin]

Could've sworn I already replied to this. Oops.

Sir William Narramore

Narramore steps aside with the others, assuring himself that his sword is loose in the scabbard. He watches carefully from beside Daisy.

[OGRE MAGE]

Liam hollers toward the nearest townsfolk. LOOK LIVELY! SOMETHING'S COMING DOWN THE TRAIL! BE ALERT!

You are NOT still in town.

After the first hour or so of travel, the group starts to hear something strange coming from up ahead on the trail.

Why is it always the same guy who keeps distorting these details when they post???



Stonegut Meet And Greet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Morning, Rainy, Warm, Humid

Dexter is the first to see what is making all the commotion on the trail, but it is already by him before he has any time to communicate to the others.

Running at full speed, a pair of huge green giant lizards race down the trail past Dex, heading straight for the party behind him. The animals are the size of a large draft horse, though not as tall, and with much longer, thick tails. Each of them is harnessed and wearing a strange looking saddle of some kind. Atop each lizard is a dwarf dressed in chainmail armor, and holding on for dear life, the way it looks. They fly by Dexter without even noticing the camouflaged halfling.

120 feet away, the remainder of the party steps off the trail just in time for the pair to race past them as well. Both of the dwarves appear to notice the group when their eyes grow in concern for the trespassers, but they don't react in time to do anything about them. Even in the light rain, the huge feet of the lizards rustle up a small cloud of trail dust as they pass before rounding the next bend out of sight. The noise they make dies down quickly though, as if they were slowing down rapidly.

Actions?

Dexter 23/23
120 feet in between
Daisy 16/16 3/3 first 2/2 second
Jaxsen 19/19
Narramore 12/12 LOH
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 1/1 first
Liam 9/9
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Urson]

Daisy
Despite the potential danger, Daisy chuckles. Looks like their hosses spooked. Let's keep moving, but watch out for them.
With that, she steps out for the Dwarf camp trail.

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

"Sounds like they're slowing down fast, though," Narramore remarks. "Judging by their surprised faces, I imagine it's to come question us as to our presence on their trail."

[Bluehorse]

Sorry OM. I've been distracted.

Liam

Steps back out and watches the lizards rush down the trail. It makes me wonder what they were up to before seeing us... Did they appear armed or anything?

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen moves to the side of the trail with the others. His halberd is in hand, but not brandished. He merely watches the Dwarves to see their reaction. When Daisy speaks, he moves to follow her.

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Believing that two of the Dwarves poses no imminent threat to the company, Dexter moves off the trail and into the foliage. He watches up the trail, in case more Dwarves appear.

[Urson]

Daisy
But it ain't "their trail," sugar. The loggers cut this one, and Ah'm enough of a stubborn badger- holer to argue with 'em about it.


(badger-holer = redneck)

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

The big man grins. "You know that and I know that. But I'm not sure they do. And we haven't the numbers to argue the point very far. Not successfully, anyway." He shrugs. "But I'm behind you regardless. I don't like seeing folk pushed around."

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy hesitates for a second, then smiles at The Princess. Ah think ya'll will be practicing your diplomacy a little sooner than we thought. If those boys come back, Ah'll bite my tongue and let you handle it- alright, sugar?

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She winks at Mayor Daisy. "They looked very surprised to see us. Or maybe it was a side effect of riding those...things." She shudders for a moment. "I'm not sure how I feel about riding one myself. It does beat walking, though."

"Shall we give them a moment to return, or make them chase us down? Maybe they'll race past one more time."

The Princess looks at the group and speaks up. "Let's not get off on the wrong foot immediately. Weapons down unless immediate danger. Remember, we're a diplomatic envoy, with guards for protection." She smiles at the gentlemen present. "Quiet guards."

[OGRE MAGE]

Just giving you a hard time, BH. It's all good, bud.

Stonegut Meet And Greet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Morning, Rainy, Warm, Humid

Dexter stays separated from the others, moving into the jungle alone and watching the northern end of the trail. He doesn't see or hear anything else coming.

The rest of the group discuss their options, hearing the dwarves and their huge jungle mounts slowly turning to intercept them. It takes a bit of time, but they eventually reappear around a bend in the trail, walking slowly and methodically towards them.

The first of the pair closes in, staying about 20 feet away before addressing them.

"This trail has been claimed by the Stoneguts! Use by non dwarves is forbidden! State yer business or return the way ya came! Ya wont be told a second time!"

Actions?

Dexter 23/23
120 feet in between
Daisy 16/16 3/3 first 2/2 second
Jaxsen 19/19
Narramore 12/12 LOH
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 1/1 first
Liam 9/9
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen, reminding himself that one of the first lessons of Queen Bralm is to remember your station, allows himself to show no emotion in the face of what may soon be a fight between hives. Only the keenest of eyes would be able to note the whitening of his knuckles as he tightens his grip on his halberd. He watches Daisy for even the faintest of hints that she wants to put this challenge down. He tries to remind himself that the purpose of this entire trip is to improve relations with the Stoneguts, but such thoughts are not native to his teachings.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

"Ah. Right on cue." She smiles at Mayor Daisy and steps forward, stashing her bow.

"How excellent! An escort!" She smiles widely at the pair and nods in greeting. "I am Princess Bonalure Summerstars of the Royal Court of Celene. I have a delegation from the town that requests an audience with your King."

She looks behind the pair and frowns a bit. "Aren't there more of you? I expected a larger welcoming party." She suddenly smiles and looks impressed. "Ah. I see. The two of you are capable enough that you don't need any more men. How impressive."

"Anyway. I'm sure word has gotten back to your Kingdom. Let's get on our way. I do look forward to talking to Sergeant Faber again, and of course, discussing ale with Trebor."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter crouches by the side of the trail, just inside the foliage. He checks his leafy camouflage and makes himself very small. He keeps his eyes and ears wide open, however.

[Paladin]

Sir William Narramore

The big man grins wolfishly when the princess mentions quiet guards.

"Quiet until I crack their heads like walnuts," he mutters. "These little men rub me wrong, somehow." He shakes his head, wondering how Drakkar is getting along. There's a stubborn dwarf he'd be proud to campaign with again.

He holds his peace during the brash dwarf's speech and watches the princess perform her dazzling-lady act.