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| − | '''The DM:''' As you pull out of Treborg, the sky is clear, there is little wind at all and the temperature is cool. You travel along the familiar route again, past the forest and into the tundra, bouncing over rocks in lieu of a pathway. You won't reach your destination by the ship for the full day of the 5th. The weather is warm in the morning and cools a bit in the afternoon, but nothing uncomfortable. It is very plain that you're in summer now, as you haven't seen a cloud in two days. | + | '''The DM:''' In. |
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| − | '''—''': After arriving at the ship, do you intend to do anything else that evening before turning in to sleep? | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' [composed this on the thread for the 4th, posting here for clarity] Before setting out, I'll ensure that we've packed our remaining 47 lb of food, 5 tents (Odds, are you coming with us?), and 10 torches. What does the tripod weigh?
| + | <div style="text-decoration: underline; color: green; text-align: center">'''Present:''' DM, Vafrandir</div> |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Oddsdrakken's presence depends on Pandred's orders. | |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I don't think there's anything we can do in the dark besides set a watch. 2 lbs of food each for traveling? | + | '''The DM:''' Pandred's blow twists the wolf around and it turns over on the ground, landing unconscious among the ground nettles. There are two gashes in its body, from each of the two hits Pandred has given it. The wolf brown-grey body is breathing rapidly, as it is near death; but the fur is also possessed of a greyish radiance, indicating the creature is somehow magical. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Correct on food.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Great, accounted for. I'll start to set up the tents and gather wood for a fire.
| + | Embla feels a disturbance in the air around you, suggesting from her heightened awareness that the party and the wolf are not alone. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Aren't you glad that at present I haven't chosen to employ my nutrition rules?
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| − | :: '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Part of me can't wait...most of me is relieved!
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| − | '''The DM:''' Before moving on, I'd like to get a confirmation from someone else that there's nothing else to do until the morning of the 6th. | + | '''The DM:''' What do you want to do, Vafrandir? |
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| − | '''Pandred''': Confirmed from me. Also Odds is staying behind. I don't think I have need of him for this errand. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' [OOC: Let me know if the Present label above is distracting or unnecessary.] |
| | + | : '''The DM:''' [OOC: I kind of like it] |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' Seconded. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I will press the advantage and hope to finish the wolf with my shortsword: '''14 raw, 16 to hit; 4 raw, 5 dmg.''' |
| | + | : '''The DM:''' You can't miss, so it is automatic damage (see [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Helpless_Defenders Helpless Defenders]). The wolf is dead. |
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| − | == After Sunset, June 6th ==
| + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Is Embla able to alert me that we are not alone? Otherwise, I have no reason to delay and will continue towards the airship, hopefully encouraging my companions to follow. |
| − | '''The DM:''' Having no indication of who is on guard at one time, I'll randomly determine that it is just before midnight, with Pandred awake and feeding bits of dry peat onto a smoldering fire. Unexpectedly, she hears a resounding '''THUD''', as something tremendously heavy striking the ground a goodly distance away. The full moon was only three days ago, so the landscape is well revealed by moonlight, but there is no hint of what it might have been. It could not have been a meteorite, or else Pandred would have seen the trail of light as it hit; but there was no light at all accompanying the sound. | |
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| − | '''Marcule''': Do i wake up? | + | '''The DM:''' Yes, I'll grant that some benefits from their character's knowledge ought to be available. |
| | + | : '''The DM:''' I failed to say earlier how far away your camp was; let's say it took an hour to climb up here. After ten minutes of working your way down again, you can see about 75 yards away, another wolf. It is just staring at you. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Good question. Yes, it's loud enough. Everyone wakes up. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I point my sword at the wolf. "What do you want? Who is your master?" |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Shall we investigate?" I'll take the time to buckle on my shield...just in case.
| + | '''The DM:''' No answer. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' You may do so.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' "Lead the way Vafrandir" | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Worth a shot, no indication they can understand or desire to communicate anyway. We push forward: my personal combat options are limited but if the wolf really intends to stop us it'll have to get closer than that. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Once I'm strapped, I'll draw my sword and head cautiously towards the noise. "Pandred, from where did you hear it?"
| + | '''The DM:''' The wolf follows. Soon after, five or ten minutes later, there are three of them. You find yourself at the top of a defile between two large outcroppings, where the passage between is about ten feet deep, five feet wide and thirty feet long. This is how you came up through the country, climbing upwards; you know from here it is just a mile to reach your camp. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' I'll presume Pandred gives you the general direction. As you move off Vafrandir, take note that you've already spent at least a full day here, and that the landscape is fairly regular. After searching for about five minutes, however, you can't help noticing a large, grey stone, about nine feet in length and about three feet high, where you cannot remember a stone of that size having been here before. The stone is about 70 or 80 feet away when you notice it.
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| − | :'''—''': for the sake of clarity I'll just add that I am taking your elven infravision into account in describing what you can see at this distance (it is somewhat better than moonlight and not spoiled by it, as per [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Infravision my rules]).
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| − | '''Pandred''': I'll tag along. Oh boy! | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Does there appear any other way around the defile? I'm wary of entering a chokepoint like that. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Pandred is human and does not have infravision, so she cannot see it as well. I did, incidentally, add the sage abilities for [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Pocket_Timepiece_(sage_ability) pocket timepiece] and [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Infravision_Goggles_(sage_ability) infravision goggles] to Marcule's sage ability of Steam & Gasgear. Marcule has yet to choose his two pre-existing items from his sage study.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll describe what I see. Can I tell if the earth around it has been disturbed? As would be the case if the stone had fallen from a great height. If I can't at this distance, I'll cautiously approach. | + | '''The DM:''' All around it looks as though you'd have to climb down the outer edges of the rocks; the defile is a passage way through exposed rock ledges and falls. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' There doesn't look to be a pit surrounding it. You don't see any sign of the hit you describe.
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' I approach, axe in hand. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Looks like the best way through is through. I'll ask Pandred to lead and Embla to bring up the rear. We will move at a wary pace. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' How close do you approach, in feet?
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| − | :: '''[[Embla Strand]]''' I keep pace with Vafrandir. I keep about 10 feet away from it.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll get about 10 ft away. What does the surface of the stone look like? Smooth or rough, etc | + | '''The DM:''' You'll have to lead. If you get into a fight, you're on your own unless another player shows up. |
| − | : Gnarled and uneven. From this angle, one end appears to be the shoulders and back of a humanoid, but there is no heat being emitted. | + | : '''The DM:''' Sorry, I'm saying you need to confirm you understand that you're going out in front if you move ahead from here. |
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| − | '''Marcule:''' (out of game: i will take pocket timepiece and Infravision Goggles.) Handing Pandred my goggles "these should help" i back Vafrandir staying out of the way but close enough to jump in. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understood. I'll lead and step into the defile, watching the outcrop above as I do. |
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| − | ['''OOC-DM''': I'm going to be afk for about 45 minutes] - I'm back.
| + | '''The DM:''' As you come out the bottom, a single wolf is there, five hexes away, growling menacingly. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll circle around it. I have my suspicious as to its nature (for obvious reasons) but I'm not sure Vafrandir would suspect a golem. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm ''willing'' to take on a full wolf pack solo but I'm not that stupid. Would you mind if I jumped out until at least another player became available? |
| | + | : '''The DM:''' That '''must''' be an option. Granted. |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' I take out a javelin and tap it on the shoulder-y part. | + | == Pandred Joins == |
| | + | '''[[Pandred]]:''' In. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Vafrandir, as you circle around it, you see Embla use her javelin as described. To Embla, if feels as though the javelin were touching stone ... but as you come around, Vafrandir, you can see that it is a humanoid shape. There IS heat coming from it, but only from a series of gashes and wounds covering its chest, arms and thighs. You can see a brightening pulse from a heart beat. It is a living humanoid, probably about 9½ feet tall, one that has suffered from some fight that it has had. | + | <div style="text-decoration: underline; color: green; text-align: center">'''Present:''' DM, Vafrandir, Pandred</div> |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Do the wounds look recent? I'm wary to meet the other guy. | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': And none too soon! I take the lead. Let's rumble. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' It's hard to judge, because this is a sort of humanoid you're not familiar with, but yes, they do look fresh.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Is there any intelligence in the "face"? | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Glad to see you! |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Because it is night, and because the face does not betray any color for your infravision (as if it is made of stone), it isn't possible for you to know the answer to that.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understandable. As it is, I'm not sure this thing represents an immediate threat (possibly a future one). There's also the possibility of whatever wounded it still lurking about. My suggestion is to head back to our camp, have the watchman keep an ear pointed this way, and re-investigate in the morning. What say you all? | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': Glad to be seen! |
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| − | '''Pandred''': I don't know how I feel about leaving this thing to lick it's wounds, nevermind whatever caused them, but I don't have a better idea. Let's do it. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I advance towards the wolf. Let's go side-by-side. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Accepted. | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': Done deal. |
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| − | == Morning, June 7th ==
| + | '''The DM:''' The wolf gives ground and does not engage ... but as Pandred and Vafrandir emerge from between the rocks, you can see five of them now. |
| − | '''The DM:''' After midnight, a thin bank of clouds roll in and it begins to drizzle. As the cool morning breaks, you find the land covered in a fog, but not so thick that you cannot see the figure still laying out there. A very light breeze suggests the fog is not going to last long. Your actions? | |
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| − | '''Marcule:''': I make my way over to the figure can I make out what it is? | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Pandred, let's think about this. Keep your back to the rocks, I'm not interested in getting flanked. What's our best strategy here?" |
| − | :'''The DM:''' In the daylight, you can see that it is a large, wounded humanoid, with stone-like skin and facial features. It is very slightly breathing, which could not be witnessed at night. You would put its height at about 9½ feet tall, making it clearly a giant.
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| − | ['''OOC-DM''': no issue with it being slow today, but I'm going to call it until tomorrow. Take care all] | + | '''[[Pandred]]:''' "We got any jerky? Buy 'em off?" |
| | + | :'''The DM:''' Would you not have left it at the camp? |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I put on my shield and join Marcule. "Can it understand us, I wonder?" | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Probably traveling light. Perhaps we can scare them off. Are there any loose rocks about? |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Action? | + | '''The DM:''' Surprisingly, no. The hard rock of shield country belies the presence of broken rock having fallen off mountain slopes; so that while there is rock all about, it is split and covered with lichen rather than loose and lying about. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I bring my hand close to its shoulder - testing for heat, if it doesn't appear hot I will touch it - and say "Hello, can you understand me?" | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': What if we retreat? Back up, see if they go into the choke to follow us or disperse? |
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| − | '''The DM:''' The shoulder is hard and cold as stone; and damp from the fog. You get no reaction; but being closer, you can see a slight breath emerging from the creature's mouth. | + | == Marcule Joins == |
| | + | ''' Marcule''': In. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Are there any tracks around? I don't have any relevant sage abilities - someone else might - but there may be obvious broken branches or footprints about from a wounded creature this size staggering through the forest.
| + | <div style="text-decoration: underline; color: green; text-align: center">'''Present:''' DM, Vafrandir, Pandred, Marcule</div> |
| − | :'''The DM:''' There's no forest; only the open tundra from side to side of the valley; and the ground is mixed lichen and bare-faced stone, so unless you had tracking ability, there wouldn't be any sign of the creature's walking across the terrain. | |
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| − | '''Pandred''': It's a new day. Executive decision says Vafrandir will manage. I'd like to attempt to apply my potion to the creature. '''2''' if it works. | + | ''' Marcule''': "I could cast a Cantrip?" |
| − | :'''The DM:''' That seems to be the solution. It was unconscious because it was in negative hit points; curing two damage causes it to cough and become animated. At the same time, some of the cuts to its body close up. To your eyes, the giant is very strange; but once it shifts its body to look at you, there's a definite characteristic of it being human. It looks around at you, clearly in pain and with concern.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I repeat my question, just in case: "Can you understand me?" | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' What do you have in mind? Does anyone have ranged weapons? |
| − | :'''The DM:''' It nods.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We mean you no harm. Can you tell us what happened to you?" | + | '''The DM:''' Answering Pandred: it's difficult to tell if these wolves are the same you saw above the defile. You have no special ability to recognize one animal from another. There is a real chance of you being trapped in the defile between two groups. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' It looks around itself, somewhat fearfully.
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| − | '''The Giant''': "Kullander." | + | '''The DM:''' Yes, a cantrip is possible. |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' Who, or what, is Kullander? | + | '''Marcule''': "The best cantrip I could do would be a mouse, I also have a blow dart" |
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| − | '''The Giant''': "I'm cold. And I'm hungry. I see a fire over there; will you help me get to it?" | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': If Odds is with us he has my Crossbow. I have an axe to throw as well. |
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| − | '''Marcule:''' I would like to cast warm on the giant.
| + | '''The DM:''' Oddsdrakken is in Treborg. [[June 5, East of Treborg|Quote]]: "Pandred: Confirmed from me. Also Odds is staying behind. I don't think I have need of him for this errand." |
| − | :'''The DM:''' The cantrip can only affect [https://tao-dndwiki.blogspot.com/search?q=Warm+%28cantrip%29 non-living material].
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Helping him (?) to the fire will cost us nothing. But he is quite large. "Do you think you can walk with our assistance?" | + | '''Marcule:''' I cast Phantasmal Figure. |
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| − | '''Marcule:''' If (he?) is wearing clothes I would still like to cast it
| + | '''The DM:''' Done. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' I'm afraid he isn't.
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| − | '''The Giant''': "I ... I think if you'll help me, I can get over there." | + | '''Marcule:''' "Ready when everyone else is" |
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| − | == By the Fire ==
| + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' If we move together in tight formation, we may be able to break through. |
| − | '''The DM:''' Presuming you do so, we can avoid the details and cut to where he has exhaustively made his way over to the fire, and laid down next to it. He'll thank you, and catch his breath. | |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' While he is doing that, I'll begin breaking camp. "Is your name Kullander?" | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': Fine. I'll stay side by side with Vafrandir like we said, Marcule an Em can bring up the rear. No fear! |
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| − | '''The Giant''': "No. I am Dilhak. Kullander is a bear." He stretches, expresses a moan of pain. "A very large bear." | + | '''The DM:''' So the party is doing a flying "V" in true Mighty Ducks tradition? |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I cast an eye over his wounds. "A very large bear, indeed. Where is Kullander now?" | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': Well when you say it like that it doesn't sound as good. |
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| − | '''Dilhak''' "Heaven knows. We fought there." He points towards the mountains to the east of you, to a peak about three thousand feet above you. "We fell; I tumbled into a ravine and Kullander fell on the other side of the ridge. I needed rest, a safe place; I was seeking the wreck of the airship, to hide in it." He shakes his head. "I didn't make it." | + | '''The DM:''' Just looking for clarification. |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' "It's amazing you're alive after a fall like that. Let me get you something to eat." What provisions do we have? | + | '''Marcule''': I pull out my blowdart pausing to confirm with a eye nod at everyone before i shoot |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We have 39 lbs of rations: bread, cheese, jerky, that type of thing. | + | '''Marcule''': Out (back in 10). |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' Lovely. Let's get this giant fed. | + | '''The DM:''' So far, I'm not seeing a definite confirmation of any movement. The players are standing with their backs to the rock formation, facing five wolves, none of which are attacking but all are showings signs of aggression. I need a definite statement of movement before we can go on. Are you rushing the wolves in the pattern formation discussed? |
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| − | '''The DM:''' He doesn't want to overconsume your food; if you'll grant him just 4 lbs., that will be enough to let him rest. While feeding him, would you like to know anything else? He seems most grateful for your charity. | + | '''Marcule''': In |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We can certainly spare that. I don't want to overtax him - I do have many questions, are there others like him, from whence does he come? But mostly I am interested in Kullander: what threat does this bear pose to Dilhak and to us - if he is in the area? | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We will move out in the formation Pandred proposed. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' [my description of his being "most grateful" was meant to imply that this would be precisely the moment to "overtax" him, since he feels indebted to you]
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| − | '''Dilhak''': "Kullander might be anywhere. I expect he's licking his wounds, as I am; but he will be around and we must be ready for him." The giant lowers his voice. "He's a killer bear; he's roamed these mountains for years now. I've hunted him since the winter snows. I had been told he was big, but ..." His voice trails off. "I hadn't realized how big." | + | '''[[Pandred]]''': Seconded. Hroagh! |
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' Do you live in the area? | + | '''The DM:''' The wolves break, scatter, and then blink out of existence. What is the party's stride just now? |
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| − | '''Dilhak''': "I live about two hundred miles north of here; but walking's no trouble for a giant."
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "How many has Kullander killed? On whom does he prey?"
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| − | '''Dilhak''': "Who can say? He has roamed these mountains for years. I was told he devastated a troop of 40 soldiers last summer. That is why the Count of Bergen made an envoy to my people, to ask for our help. I was chosen."
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': "Then you can track the creature? You could do it again, if you chose?" Ah, if only I could compel this salve to dispense more, so they could get up again!
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| − | '''Dilhak''': "I can. Once I'm well enough to risk another encounter. Which, I can't face without my axe, that I've lost in the forest. And about that ... I can only guess where my axe is."
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| − | '''Pandred''': Well guys, what say you? Take a quick detour on our plans and find this guy's axe? He'll have to rest up for a bit, so we can head to Stavanger as planned while that happens, assuming the bear doesn't come looking. As long as we stay on this side of the peak we should probably be okay. Probably.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Dilhak will ask who you are, and why you've come out to this place, and what the wagon is for.
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' "We're explorers, I suppose. We found the crashed airship and hoped to make it a bit more livable. I would help find this axe and defeat the bear. It seems a threat to all of us, certainly."
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| − | '''The DM:''' He will tell you where the axe is, pointing out the valley.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Are you suggesting that we find the axe today (or at least attempt), then return here after our trip to Stavanger? We should be within our food budget to do so.
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| − | '''The DM:''' According to the giant, the bear could attack you at any time; to load up the wagon, you will need some time. If you don't find the axe before, that makes the giant much less effective as a help. If he didn't win against the bear with the axe, he probably doesn't want to fight Kullander without it.
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| − | '''Pandred''': Is it still morning? If both of them fell, does Dilhak think he injured it at all, or that the fall may have harmed it similarly? I want to find that axe...or if we don't want to find that axe fashion some kind of crude club for our new comrade-in-arms.
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| − | ['''OOC-DM''': ''My apologies. My bank announced a merger and I've got to spend some time going to my branch to deal with changes to my account. I'll be back as soon as I'm able'']
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| − | '''The DM:''' In answer to your question, Pandred. Dilhak's body was covered in rents, but he doesn't feel that he's injured in the long term. But he needs four or five days of rest before he feels he'd be battle ready. The axe is made of stone, so that it is almost certain not to be broken.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Here is my suggestion: we search for Dilhak's axe (I will ask him how large/heavy it is) and load the cart. That may take us the better part of the day. Tomorrow, we can leave Dilhak here, with shelter and hopefully his weapon, return to Stavanger for resupply, and then come back as soon as we're able. We don't have the food for an extended expedition right now, but Kullander will need to be dealt with at some point if we're to adventure in these mountains further.
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| − | '''[[Embla Strand]]''' In general, I concur, but let's get Dilhak to the airship first.
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| − | ['''OOC-DM''': ''back'']
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| − | '''The DM:''' It will take time to build a frame to lift the barrels into the wagon. Dilhak will ask what you want loaded into the wagon and presumably, because you'll do it in front of him, you explain. He'll suggest that if you'll give him a day or two of rest, he can probably lift those barrels himself into your wagon without your needing to build a frame. | |
| − | :'''—''' He'll point out the location of the axe ("see there, where the ridge has that bare bit of rock that looks like a thumbnail? I dropped it somewhere between there and here.") and tell you that the axe weighs 30 lbs. The distance will probably take you a couple of hours to walk the full distance, assuming you have to. The axe could be just 15 minutes away, assuming you don't walk past it. Overhearing you about returning to Stavanger, he'll say that he assumes you'll go by way of Treborg.
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| − | '''Pandred''': "We are, yes." I'd like to get this underway then. I'll agree to let him rest to help with the barrels, and I start heading towards the axe as soon as someone agrees to come with.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I will accompany you.
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| − | == Taking Stock ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' Excellent. I started working on a post an hour and a bit ago and completely forgot about the campaign. The next step will be to calculate the weather as we move towards noon (it is just after 9 a.m.), create a new post and determine if finding the axe brings on an adventure, a meeting with some other beast or a sight of Kullander ... all things that I'm sure are on the players' minds just now. I'm going to take the rest of the day, however, to address some matters that need managing. I'm going to finish this post and publish it. I'm going to head out to the store for groceries because that needs doing. And, with my apologies, I feel I should also explain that with Christmas coming up, and the concommitant stress involved with that, and particularly at this time, we should suspend play this friday, November 20th, until the first monday of January. That's '''January 4th.''' During that time, obviously, I will be here, at home, on my computer, because I cannot leave due to Covid. This means, if anyone wants to address some subject within the campaign, this is 100% doable.
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| − | I suggest that someone should assume the responsibility of drawing up (or finding online) some floorplan for the house you're having built. I've worked out that the area of land the house occupies is one chain squared, or 66 x 66 ft. This is one tenth of an acre (there are 10 chains in a furlong, and an acre is described in agrarian history as an area one furlong by one chain). I suggest that plans could be made for what the players might want to someday build within that space. There is no road to your house, so where the house is placed inside that space would have been agreed upon between the party and the builder, so placing the house is a good idea. Identify the direction of the town with relation to the lot (the town is south by southwest, but the map need not specify the top as "north"). Anywhere from one third to none of the lot may be covered with forest (party's choice). These things have come up as I'm reworking my trade table at present.
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| − | I appreciate having this time to get that trade table fixed (there are lots of errors) and ready for January.
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| − | The game is continued on '''[[June 7, Near the Broken Airship|this page]]'''.
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The DM: In.
Vafrandir: In.
Present: DM, Vafrandir
The DM: Pandred's blow twists the wolf around and it turns over on the ground, landing unconscious among the ground nettles. There are two gashes in its body, from each of the two hits Pandred has given it. The wolf brown-grey body is breathing rapidly, as it is near death; but the fur is also possessed of a greyish radiance, indicating the creature is somehow magical.
Embla feels a disturbance in the air around you, suggesting from her heightened awareness that the party and the wolf are not alone.
The DM: What do you want to do, Vafrandir?
Vafrandir: [OOC: Let me know if the Present label above is distracting or unnecessary.]
- The DM: [OOC: I kind of like it]
Vafrandir: I will press the advantage and hope to finish the wolf with my shortsword: 14 raw, 16 to hit; 4 raw, 5 dmg.
- The DM: You can't miss, so it is automatic damage (see Helpless Defenders). The wolf is dead.
Vafrandir: Is Embla able to alert me that we are not alone? Otherwise, I have no reason to delay and will continue towards the airship, hopefully encouraging my companions to follow.
The DM: Yes, I'll grant that some benefits from their character's knowledge ought to be available.
- The DM: I failed to say earlier how far away your camp was; let's say it took an hour to climb up here. After ten minutes of working your way down again, you can see about 75 yards away, another wolf. It is just staring at you.
Vafrandir: I point my sword at the wolf. "What do you want? Who is your master?"
The DM: No answer.
Vafrandir: Worth a shot, no indication they can understand or desire to communicate anyway. We push forward: my personal combat options are limited but if the wolf really intends to stop us it'll have to get closer than that.
The DM: The wolf follows. Soon after, five or ten minutes later, there are three of them. You find yourself at the top of a defile between two large outcroppings, where the passage between is about ten feet deep, five feet wide and thirty feet long. This is how you came up through the country, climbing upwards; you know from here it is just a mile to reach your camp.
Vafrandir: Does there appear any other way around the defile? I'm wary of entering a chokepoint like that.
The DM: All around it looks as though you'd have to climb down the outer edges of the rocks; the defile is a passage way through exposed rock ledges and falls.
Vafrandir: Looks like the best way through is through. I'll ask Pandred to lead and Embla to bring up the rear. We will move at a wary pace.
The DM: You'll have to lead. If you get into a fight, you're on your own unless another player shows up.
- The DM: Sorry, I'm saying you need to confirm you understand that you're going out in front if you move ahead from here.
Vafrandir: Understood. I'll lead and step into the defile, watching the outcrop above as I do.
The DM: As you come out the bottom, a single wolf is there, five hexes away, growling menacingly.
Vafrandir: I'm willing to take on a full wolf pack solo but I'm not that stupid. Would you mind if I jumped out until at least another player became available?
- The DM: That must be an option. Granted.
Pandred Joins
Pandred: In.
Present: DM, Vafrandir, Pandred
Pandred: And none too soon! I take the lead. Let's rumble.
Vafrandir: Glad to see you!
Pandred: Glad to be seen!
Vafrandir: I advance towards the wolf. Let's go side-by-side.
Pandred: Done deal.
The DM: The wolf gives ground and does not engage ... but as Pandred and Vafrandir emerge from between the rocks, you can see five of them now.
Vafrandir: "Pandred, let's think about this. Keep your back to the rocks, I'm not interested in getting flanked. What's our best strategy here?"
Pandred: "We got any jerky? Buy 'em off?"
- The DM: Would you not have left it at the camp?
Vafrandir: Probably traveling light. Perhaps we can scare them off. Are there any loose rocks about?
The DM: Surprisingly, no. The hard rock of shield country belies the presence of broken rock having fallen off mountain slopes; so that while there is rock all about, it is split and covered with lichen rather than loose and lying about.
Pandred: What if we retreat? Back up, see if they go into the choke to follow us or disperse?
Marcule Joins
Marcule: In.
Present: DM, Vafrandir, Pandred, Marcule
Marcule: "I could cast a Cantrip?"
Vafrandir: What do you have in mind? Does anyone have ranged weapons?
The DM: Answering Pandred: it's difficult to tell if these wolves are the same you saw above the defile. You have no special ability to recognize one animal from another. There is a real chance of you being trapped in the defile between two groups.
The DM: Yes, a cantrip is possible.
Marcule: "The best cantrip I could do would be a mouse, I also have a blow dart"
Pandred: If Odds is with us he has my Crossbow. I have an axe to throw as well.
The DM: Oddsdrakken is in Treborg. Quote: "Pandred: Confirmed from me. Also Odds is staying behind. I don't think I have need of him for this errand."
Marcule: I cast Phantasmal Figure.
The DM: Done.
Marcule: "Ready when everyone else is"
Vafrandir: If we move together in tight formation, we may be able to break through.
Pandred: Fine. I'll stay side by side with Vafrandir like we said, Marcule an Em can bring up the rear. No fear!
The DM: So the party is doing a flying "V" in true Mighty Ducks tradition?
Pandred: Well when you say it like that it doesn't sound as good.
The DM: Just looking for clarification.
Marcule: I pull out my blowdart pausing to confirm with a eye nod at everyone before i shoot
Marcule: Out (back in 10).
The DM: So far, I'm not seeing a definite confirmation of any movement. The players are standing with their backs to the rock formation, facing five wolves, none of which are attacking but all are showings signs of aggression. I need a definite statement of movement before we can go on. Are you rushing the wolves in the pattern formation discussed?
Marcule: In
Vafrandir: We will move out in the formation Pandred proposed.
Pandred: Seconded. Hroagh!
The DM: The wolves break, scatter, and then blink out of existence. What is the party's stride just now?
