Difference between pages "An Unpleasant Discovery" and "June 29th, 1650"

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'''The DM:''' The morning of the 25th of June is a beautiful, clear, pleasant day, as nice as you might desire for this part of the world.  The sun is shining, the ground is dry and the wind is a mere 2 knots out of the northwest.  There are a few small puffy clouds, but no sign of rain at all.  The air is clear and the various denizens along the cart path to the wilderness are beginning to recognize you, nodding as you pass.  You climb up the familiar track off the road, the cart wheels banging over the rocks as you take the best route, with Treborg's bay falling out of sight.
+
Continued from [[At Home, Dividing Treasure]]
  
Yet, as you reach a point about four miles from the village, you find the carcass of a cow laying slaughtered on an open rock.  As Embla has skill as a butcher, you can see at once that it's a domestic cow, not wild.  That while the principle meat has been cut out, by someone who doesn't know what they're doing, much of the meat has been left.  Judging by the meat, this was done last afternoon or evening; and it looks as if someone cut away about a yard of the cow's hide, but left most of it behind.
+
'''The DM:''' It is a cool day, with a fresh southeast breeze and a steady rain falling from a grey sky.
  
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' Oh dear. We should get to the bottom of this - it's too close to home to ignore. Are there any tracks or traces left behind by whoever did this? Does the cow have a brand or something that would indicate an owner?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Well Vafrandir, Should we spend time looking into the other disappearances, or hurry straight back to the hole?"
  
'''The DM:''' You see no brands, but the cow must come from near Treborg. There is no other settlement or group of farms in this part of Ryfolke.  A look around will reveal that the skin or chunks of meat were apparently dragged over the ground away from the carcass.  You can't track, obviously, but this trail is obvious; anyone can see it. It strikes you as odd that anyone would ''drag'' meat ... as though it were too big to carry properly.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I don't mine popping over to Kristensen's. I suspect it was a crime of opportunity, but it won't hurt to let him know. Also, if we have opportunity to restore anything to these people for what they've lost, I think we should take it.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Embla, shall we two follow the trail?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "I agree. We should be able to compensate their losses out of what we find in that horrid pit, assuming we survive it. Though, I didn't want to make any promises before we can resolve the situation."
  
'''Marcule:''' In
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I head toward Kristensen's property.
  
'''Marcule:'''"I agree this is to close to home we had better investigate before something nasty appears at our door."
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll accompany. "True, we don't know what will be usable or useful to them. Or indeed if we'll even survive...that last fight was close."
  
'''The DM:''' Action?
+
'''The DM:''' I’m afraid it is just a crime of opportunity.  The calf was with its mother when they took it.  Kristensen will say it’s a pity, as his milk cow is five years old and he was going to butcher it  next spring, when the calf began to give milk.  Now he guesses he’ll be without a milk cow for at least a year, if he can convince the 5 yr. old to bear another calf.  He wears your ears off with farmer talk.
  
'''Marcule:''' I do my best to follow the trail and proceed forward
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' When it is polite to do so, we thank him and take our leave. How much of the day do we have remaining, and has the weather improved?  Weather's about the same.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We go with him. I know we can't speak for Pandred but can we assume she stays with the cart?
+
'''The DM:''' It's noon.
  
'''The DM:''' In general, presume that players who are not here to be following along, but having a pee or some other such thing when the fight occurs.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' How long do we estimate that it will take to return to the goblin encampment, and how far distant is it from the ship?
  
'''The DM:''' the trail continues on for about three quarters of a mile before the dragged parts have become dried by the landscape; you haven't the skill to follow the trail that would still be there, but now can't be seen.  You guess there must be more than one, as occasionally there are as many as three blood trails.  Moreover, they're not trying to hide their passage, either.  They are making a straight line for a group of ledges straight ahead from where the trail stops, where the earth-and-rock plateau rises about 75 feet over a series of easily climbable steps.  You couldn't take the cart there, however.
+
'''The DM:''' 9 miles, it's a 14 hour walk.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I don't wish to miss the action but I'm also loathe to leave the cart. You three go on ahead, carefully. Whistle if there's trouble.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' That being the case, I recommend that we head in that direction and can camp this evening. In the meantime, would it be possible to get a map showing roughly the relative locations of and distances between Treborg, the ship, and the goblin encampment? I'm having a hard time keeping it straight in my head.
  
'''The DM:''' I'll have to wait for them to say they do.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Sure. It's rainy, but I don't want to hang around too long for the weather to improve.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Of course!
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' It sounds as though we are in agreement. I begin heading back toward the goblin encampment.
  
'''Marcule:''' I encourage Vafrandir to keep his whistle close and make my way up the steps.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Away we go. The cart is still plenty full with supplies.
  
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' I follow, readying my whistle.
+
'''The DM:''' Let’s say you’re on the edge of Treborg, facing east.  For the first three miles moving towards 1 o’clock on the compass, there are scattered fields and woods that are carefully maintained.  Beyond that, moving at 2 o’clock, for two miles you climb a low hill made up of shield granite.  At the peak of that ridge, four miles from Treborg, at a speed of 3/4 mile per hour, you come to a “fork,” but only in your mind.  There’s no specific landform or cairn, it’s just a place you’ve been to half a dozen times now.
  
== The Footprint ==
+
'''The DM:''' Turning towards 12 o’clock from this fork, you roll level on the cart, getting around some of the water courses at ½ mile per hour, for two miles, until you get to the top of a valley that swings slightly towards 11 o’clockFrom there, descending at ¼ mile per hour, after ¾ of a mile you bring the cart adjacent to the crashed airship.
'''The DM:''' as you climb up into the ledges, you find that they're filled with small troughs and dips where water has gathered.  It hasn't rained in a couple of days, so most of these are empty, and only a few inches deep.  Yet you can also see that there's silt along the bottoms of these, where there are hoof printsThen, Marcule stops in surprise, when he sees the plain outline of a foot, not wearing a shoe or boot.  A foot about as large as Marcule's, and definitely not a gnome's foot.
 
  
'''The DM:''' Plainly I lost everyonePlease, if you're not going to check every 20 minutes, simply mark yourself "out." It's no big deal if you do, I won't judgeBut I will know there's less reason for me to check every ten minutes.
+
'''The DM:''' Going the other way from the fork, you roll level for one mile (2 hours) eastward, towards 3 o’clockYou do this until you find a fairly easy going footpath that takes you towards 2 o’clock for three miles, at 1 mile per hour with the cartThat’s 13 hours altogether.  At that point, you have taken the cart as far as it will go; you climb through the rocks for one more mile, at ½ mile per hour, as it’s tough goingThat’s nine miles altogether and it brings you to the skeleton dungeon.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm waiting by the cart. Can I still see the rest of the party?
+
[[File:Ryfolke & Ioglefeld.jpg|right|490px|thumb|Ryfolke (west) & Ioglefeld (east)]]
 +
'''The DM:''' That should be enough info for you to make a map.  There’s a big mountain to the north of the skeleton dungeon and to the east of the airship, that’s the same mountain.  That mountain is the first of a string of mountains that leads NNE into Hordaland County (you’re in Rogaland).  There are three low mountains between the crashed airship and the sea, and a loose group of mountains east and south of the skeleton dungeon. This last group reaches to the fjord south of the dungeon and separates Ryfolke from Ioglefeld.
  
'''The DM:''' They would probably be clustered together, peering down at something between the rocksIt's 2 pm for me, so I'm OutBetter luck tomorrow.
+
'''The DM:''' Not every mountain I’ve described is shown on the map.  Remember, the map “mountains” are just symbols.  One hex is 6.67 miles.
 +
:  I’m going to go back now and correct the compass headings, as Treborg is farther south than I’d exactly rememberedSo bear with me a moment and I’ll get those fixed.
 +
:: Ah, there's really only one changeYou head the first three miles at 1 o'clock, not 2.
 +
::: Good enough?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' No problem. Just curious. Out.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Good enough to start, although I'm not sure about the distance from Treborg to the fork I see three miles, then  two miles, for a total of four. I guess that you've given us that four miles as the crow flies. I'll work on plotting that out. In the meantime, we are heading for the 'fork'.
  
'''Marcule:''' "this foot scares me" What do the strides look like?.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Agreed.
  
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' 14:04, 26 January 2021 (MST) My apologies. Out.
+
'''The DM:''' I am giving distances as the crow flies. The actual winding and wending is taken up with how long it takes for you to make real progress in the period of an hour.
  
'''The DM:''' In.
+
'''The DM:''' If you build a little cairn at the fork, we’ll start calling it “the cairn.
 
 
'''The DM:''' Out.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
 
  
'''The DM:''' In.  Just you and me, Vafrandir.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How long would that take?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Hm, I've worked myself into a bind, haven't I.
+
'''The DM:''' Assuming you have to find the rocks there, shall we say 1 hour per cubic foot?  With no part being more than 2 cubic feet resting on a 1 sq.ft. base.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I've already committed to watching the cart, but I don't want to do nothing. Let me think.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' What other advantages would it give besides convenient shorthand? I'm trying to weigh the time cost.
  
'''The DM:''' While we're here, explain to me a few things; why do you feel you need the cart; why are you loathe to leave it; and why not bring Oddsdrakken along to watch it? Maybe we can work out a compromise.
+
'''The DM:''' Off hand, it will make it easier if you have to find your way out here after a snowfall; it can be seen at a distance; others given the directions I’ve just given you will find the cairn as a stepping stone.  And the taller you build it, the further away it will be seen by someone looking for it but doesn’t know where it is. Makes a meeting place as well.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Odds is helping with the clearing of the land, if I recall correctly. I don't believe you would screw us by having something happen, but at the same time if someone is stealing food or hides (poorly), then it's possible this is either a trap or that there's others about from the same band who wouldn't say no to a free cart of food.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' And possibly a good campsite on the way to the ship?
  
'''The DM:''' bit of an overthink there; it looks more like a few somebody's grabbed a cow from civilized land, cut away all they thought they could carry (the dragging on the ground suggests they're overloaded) and are on their way with itNo attempt to hide their trail was made at all and it was as straight as an arrowDoesn't look like a trap (and both assassins in the party would tell you so).
+
'''The DM:''' That’s up to you.  Cairns exist all over this part of the world because the stones were available and most parts looked the same as other partsThey get improved upon, become monoliths ... which in D&D might acquire a druidical valueCampsites are not merely places to rest; they can have briar encirclements, post holes for better tents, slabs to cut meat on, poles for drying meat or skinning furs; piles of wood that are uploaded to this place, etcetera.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good. In that case, I'll continue up towards the others, see the footprint, and observe that "It looks like a human or elf child's." We will proceed carefully up the steps.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Okay, If I'm counting correctly, getting the cart as far as it will go toward the goblins will take 13 hours. From the 'fork' to that location is 5 hours, so it will take us 8 hours to get to the fork. Once we get there and set up camp for the night, I spend any remaining time working on a cairn at that location.
  
'''The DM:''' You might think so at first glance, but then you'll notice that there are claws on the end of the toes and a point in the silt that might be a back clawLedges; these require some minor scrambling, but nothing requiring a [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Scrambling_(sage_ability) sage ability].
+
'''The DM:''' Ten hours is the work you can normally manage in any given dayBeyond that, I make a malady check, because you’re getting tired and prone to making mistakes.
  
== Beyond the Footprint ==
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' And how much 'work' have we done already in talking to Kristensen?
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Interesting. That raises the stakes a bit. We'll continue up the ledges. Are there any caves in the rock that we can see from here?
 
  
'''The DM:''' Not immediately.  But this is a place you haven't ventured into yet; towards a mountain you've seen from a distance, but which is now beginning to dominate the eastern horizon.  Ahead is a low ridge, about half a mile from you, reached over a gentle slope of about one hundred feet up.  It looks to be the nearer edge of a mountain caldera; in modern parlance, where a glacier has pushed up the ridge in the last ice age, only to vanish now.  You're characters wouldn't understand that, but I need to describe this in a way that you can see.  It's called a "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirque cirque]."
+
'''The DM:''' Call it 2; travelling.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understood. Is the trail still obvious?
+
'''The DM:''' Let’s actually call it 3: getting out there and getting back, to load up your wagon and get going.
  
'''The DM:''' No. You're continuing in the approximate direction the trail was following.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' OK. Does everyone feel comfortable trying to make it to the fork today, or should we select a different course of action?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good. Continuing, at a careful or wary pace.
+
'''The DM:''' It will take you 11 hours of total travelling time today to get to the fork; that’s one extra hour, which means a 2% malady check to everyone in the party. I point out that just such a check almost meant Pandred falling overboard and drowning.
  
'''The DM:''' Climbing to the top of the lip, you have either Marcule or Embla move ahead to look over the lip and see what's in the cirque.  The whole circle is a square mile in size, about 640 acres. There's a small lake, or tarn, about an acre in size, of clear water; this tarn is in the center of the caldera, about 700 yards away.  A herd of small cows, no taller than Marcule, are scattered over the area to the right of the tarn.  These are called rothe; they dwell both above and below ground.  You can't see any camp, but there is a steady curl of smoke arising from beyond the rotheTwo thirds of the cirque are contained in the arms of the mountain, a modest peak about 3,500 ft. high.  The other third makes the ridge you're presently crouched upon.
+
== Setting Out ==
 +
'''The DM:''' Okay, until tomorrowOut.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' What kind of ground cover is there?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
  
'''The DM:''' Much [https://www.123rf.com/photo_153818186_glacier-landscape-in-finse-norway.html like this].
+
[[File:Airship & Dungeon.jpg|right|350px]]
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I edited that map with the paths described to us yesterday and put a copy. Does that seem to match up with everyone else's understanding?
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' If one of you wanted to check my work, I don't think that would hurt either. It still feels like I was missing something.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' With little mountaineering ability among us, how does the descent into the caldera look? Could be tricky.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' My vote is to travel safely today and camp before reaching the fork. That will give us some time tomorrow morning to discuss or build a cairn if we so choose. Time is important here but not such that we necessarily need to push our strength on the first leg.
  
'''The DM:''' the image gives the appearance of the ground, not your relative position.  The "caldera" is below you; you're on the forward lip, looking down into it. The 3rd image down on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirque cirque] link shows the "formation of cirque" ... you're standing on the "zone of abrasion" looking down into the depression (not technically a "caldera," since there's no volcano, but I'm struggling for terms); the mountain is across the resulting hole, which is not completely filled by the tarn.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I concur. We set out.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Understood. I had in my mind that we were on the headwall. So it should be no problem to descend safely.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Before we leave, what else need we bring? Clubs might honestly be useful if there are more skeletons.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' May we stop here today? I don't want to get into something sticky without the rest of the party. Must be one of those weeks, I suppose.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, I don't know how we would go about getting those except by collecting them while travelling unless we wanted to make a trip to Stavanger. I believe Alexis has rules for using found items as weapons.
 
 
'''The DM:''' Apparently.  Have a look at the blog; I just posted something interesting.  Out.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' It's always interesting. Out.
 
  
 
'''The DM:''' In.
 
'''The DM:''' In.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. Hoping to wait a bit to get the others caught up.
+
'''Marcule:''' Lexent,  I'm good to join you in your faith.
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': In.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': I'd like to pop out my pocket telescope and see what there is to see. What's up with the smoke?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Looking at it closely, it seems to be about the size of a campfire.  It is blocked, however, by several lumpy boulders and striations between you and it, so that all you can see is the smoke.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': How close is the nearest boulder? Could we approach from a nearby slope for a slightly higher vantage, even one of the lower sides?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' To some degree, you can.  It would be an uncertain thing.  You are familiar with the [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Stealth_(sage_ability) stealth rules]?
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': So it looks like if we stay 25 hexes or so away while sneaking we should be okay, assuming whatever we're trying to observe has no stealth ability on it's own. You described the tarn as about 700 yards off, so unless I'm wrong any attempt at being sneaky is pretty much golden assuming something isn't already quite close. Could we climb the opposite end from the rothe and the smoke? Is that slope too steep, or would the sight-line still be obstructed by anything if we wanted to get, say, a fifty to a hundred feet more vertical?
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm fine with sneaking closer.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''' Out. Sorry, should be back soonish. I leave things in your capable hands Vafrandir.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very well. We will approach stealthily as we are able.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' That would be my assessment as well, Pandred ... so long as nothing amid the rocks surprises you, and reveals your position.  I'm afraid I'm going to have to bail myself.  Something has come up and it's going to take up my time for the afternoon.  My apologies.  Out.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' No worries. Out.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' In.  Vafrandir, you feel fairly exposed out here on the rocky tundra.  The terrain, as pictured, was once a glacier, so there are stones and boulders everywhere; these give some shelter, but you cannot help noticing that as you move forward, the rothe are becoming more agitated ...
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' In
 
'''Marcule:''' Am i with them?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Yes, if you wish.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' Last thing i want to do is unsettle a bunch of cattle. How am i doing for sneaking amongst the rocks given my size?
 
 
 
'''Marcule:'''Out; back in 20 min (10:49)
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Have a look at the stealth chart I linked. It is full daylight, so you will be noticed at 3d6 hexes (5 ft. per hex), with no adjustments, not for level, equipment or appearance.  However, you're already lacking armour; if you get rid of your pack, and anything you're carrying except for a dagger, you can improve that by -1 hex.  Essentially, let's say I roll a 10 on 3d6, and you improve that by -1.  This means that you'll be seen at 9 hexes from an observer you're trying to approach.  Incidentally, I notice you haven't actually rolled your sage abilities.  Need help with that?  Steal the tables from [[Embla Strand|Embla's]] page.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' In
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' I will work on my sage abilities; Ok, i drop my pack and would like to keep my blow dart. how far are we currently for the smoke approximately?
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' As close to the smoke as you say, since you're moving up.  You're about 15 hexes from the nearest rothe.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Perhaps we should simply wait for a bit to let the rothe become more adjusted to us.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Judging by that and the questions asked, I've presumed you're holding your ground just now.  The rothe will after a few minutes go back to eating the thin grass between the rocks.
 
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' "Vaf how close do you think we should get to this thing?"
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We don't know what "it" is, or really even if it's dangerous. Without knowing more it's impossible to say. So let's know more." After the rothe settle, we'll begin moving forward again as we're able.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' After this, you find you're able to move very closely around the edge of the flock, coming as close as 30 ft. from the nearest animals without them being especially disturbed.  You see they have horns with wicked points, but they seem not aggressive at all.  Steadily, you move towards what appears to be a shallow gulley that the glacier long ago gouged out of the solid rock of the depression, about 20 yards beyond.  The smoke is curling out of the bottom of it, still denying you the knowledge of who's there.  Vafrandir, because you haven't dropped your pack, it is slightly safer for Marcule to go ahead than for you to do so.
 
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' I will move forward trying not to leave Vafrandir to far behind. can i close to 60ft ish....?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' 20 yards, 60 feet, gets you right to the edge.  You're small, you look over the side and into the gulley.  It is a low, flat gulley about 8 combat hexes wide.  There you see a small encampment, six tents, some brush that's been gathered around the edges as a defense, with stakes hammered into crevices between the rocks to support meat that's hanging there.  Even though there are dozens of rothe, these are plainly cowmeat.  There's a fire, and stools around it, and six visible goblins sitting on the stools talking to each other.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:'''I would like to meet back with Vafrandir and explain what i have seen "six goblins might be to much for us"
 
 
 
== Discussing Goblins ==
 
'''The DM:''' We'll assume Vafrandir and Marcule withdraw to a safe distance to talk about what's been seen.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' [OOC, too much for the 2 of us, perhaps not for all 4] "They're clearly rustling Treborg's cattle. We could either try and handle them ourselves [with a full party], negotiate with them - why do they need cattle if they have the rothe - or return with help from Treborg."
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' I think we can take them as a full party. "If we go back to Treborg it will be to much trouble to find them again. i doubt it would be an option to negotiate."
 
 
 
 
 
'''Marcule:'''Out
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I agree. Hopefully we will be at full strength soon. Out
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Me too, then.  Hope the others read this and get together.  Out.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' In.  Just on the phone with the govt.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': In. Waiting on at least one other.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. Pandred, what do you make of the situation?
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Are we going to parley? If not I can take six unleveled goblins, assuming that's what we have here. One more would guarantee the win, but even with two it's doable.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Marcule is not a fan of parley. But I would vote for it, I think. If they will make restitution for the cow and live in peace here, then very good. And if it comes to blows, then so it does.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Then I'm on board. How wide is the gully? Could we block either end meaningfully, are there any natural choke points, etc? If it comes to blows, I don't want to get surrounded too quickly.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Not to mention, there could be more than 6. Six is simply all we see.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' The bottom of the gulley is 8 hexes wide; from rim to rim, about 20 hexes.  So, 12 hexes to the bottom, which cannot be quickly run down because it is broken, rocky ground.  Movement normal for those 12 hexes.
 
 
 
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' In. I think we can do this, even if there are a few more.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' How do you wish to approach this?
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Vafrandir, you take the lead. Em and I flanking. I can't think of a good reason to get any closer than 20 hexes, as it doesn't seem like they have bows. So we stay on the edge of the gully. Vafrandir takes point maybe five more hexes in so we look very slightly less murderous, and we see what pans out. Good with everyone?
 
 
 
== Parley with Goblins ==
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good. I will approach the edge of the gully, and when I am in eyesight I will put my hands up and call out. "Hello there! We come to talk!"
 
 
 
:: '''[[Embla Strand]]''' I agree. I sneak to the flank, getting no closer than 20 hexes.
 
 
 
:: '''[[Pandred]]''' Same. Although I won't bother sneaking. Let the Gobs know he's not alone.
 
 
 
[[File:Goblins near Treborg.jpg|right|420px]]
 
'''The DM:''' I've made a map, added three tents, I'll post it in a few minutes.  The goblins react with great surprise, having no idea that you're here.  They didn't answer.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll move one hex closer and repeat my question. "You've taken something from the settlement nearby. We're here to discuss it peaceably."
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' That'll make them all drag out their weapons.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Which are? I'll run as quickly down the slope as the scree will allow the second two of them move toward Vafrandir. I'll stay put if it's just one.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' hold a moment; no one has moved; they look ready to defend themselves, not attack.  See map; Vafrandir is at the top edge of the gulley, as depicted.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Tuesday.  In.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. What weapons do they have?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Apparently, spears.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll slowly draw my sword and place it on the ground.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' They hold their spears but appear to relax a little.  One will call out, "Go away, elf!"
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We need to talk about the cow you took! You can talk with us peaceably or you can hope to deal with a much less understanding posse later."
 
 
 
'''Goblin:''' Let them come!  They'll learn it's not so easy on the mountain!"
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I gesture around. "And what of the rothe? Do you not have enough for yourself here? Why only take a small part of a good animal?"
 
 
 
'''White-haired goblin:''' THAT'S not our food!"
 
 
 
'''First goblin:''' What do you know about it, demi-human?"
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''' In.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "I know you've taken something that doesn't belong to you, and that your actions threaten not only our survival but yours."
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' In.
 
 
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' I would like to hang back and cast Phantasmal Figure out of sight.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Marcule, consider it cast and done.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir and Pandred, you see three more goblins emerge from the tent on the far right; one of these three is dressed differently, in a red leather smock and a headdress made of leather pieces and enmeshed antlers.  This goblin, alone, will begin to climb the slope towards you.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I will wait until the goblin (leader/priest/chief) reaches me.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' He stops half way up the slope, three hexes away, about 15 feet below, you; he has no weapons and is obviously vulnerable.  His robes have been stained with images and splashes of colour.  All signs point to his being a shaman of some kind.
 
 
 
'''Shaman:''' "Begone.  It is not safe for you here."
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "All places are not safe. Make restitution for the animal and we will be on our way. We have no particular quarrel with you but you invite trouble on yourself by interfering with Treborg's livestock."
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' You'll notice that on the end of the goblin shaman's staff is a large greenish-yellow gem, about the size of a walnut.
 
 
 
'''Shaman:''' "We are the children of Grond.  Go, or we will feed you to him."
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Who is Grond, that we should fear him?"
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' The shaman turns his back to you, and begins to hop nimbly down the slope.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I turn to Pandred, "What now? Quickly, I fear this may come to blows after all."
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' out 30ish min back noonish
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Nine to three with goblins is okay odds to me, but you've got to take out the shaman. Otherwise they aren't budging, so either we go back to town, tell 'em about the rustlers and whip up the posse ourselves, or we take it on the chin and leave.
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': I say "you" have to take out the Shaman because he'll have some spells, but also an AC that is very hittable even by you low-levels. So if we're swinging you're going first and going hard.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How far is the shaman to me?
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' six hexes, at the bottom of the slope; you gave him time by discussing your plan.  You wouldn't be able to reach him directly without other goblins getting in your way.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Then through them we shall go. I pick up my sword (1 AP). You said we can't run down the slope?
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' in
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' not without [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Scrambling_(sage_ability) scrambling] ability.  This counts as a "steep" slope; and because it is uneven, with the surface consisting of random blocks and narrow crevices, it counts as "blocked."  No dexterity check, but your movement ''downhill'' will be 2 AP per hex.  The shaman gets away with it because this is home-ground for him.  I need to update the source material, as it doesn't account for moving downhill.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' i would like to move over to Vafrandir and Pandred but not close distance with the goblins yet.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' Let's sort out where we are.  Vafrandir, pick a hex on the rim of the gulley, somewhere below the fire/benches.  Pandred, you're on his left or right.  Marcule, you're three hexes back from the ledge, directly behind Vafrandir.  Your figure is on your left or your right.  Then I'll update the map.
 
 
 
'''Marcule:''' To the right
 
 
 
'''[[Pandred]]''': Left, wherever he picks.
 
 
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That'll eat up my remaining 2 AP so I'll move forward one hex from my initial spot.
 
  
'''[[Pandred]]''': First you gotta pick your initial spot!
+
'''The DM:''' I take it you can’t upload a picture to the wiki, Lexent.  I hadn’t realized your permissions didn’t allow that.  I hadn’t realized that a part of your journey led you through forest.  Can’t we please presume that the north path of your journey passes just to the east of the dark greenery?
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' My paths there are simply following the headings provided. I have no particular intent to 'follow' them while travelling unless that is indeed the correct course.
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' And yes, I am blocked from doing so. I am given the message that I do not have permissions to edit via the API.
  
'''The DM:''' I've picked it for him.  Working on map.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I take 'protection from malevolence'
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ha, thanks Pandred. No problem. It's a little hard to see the hex labels.
+
'''The DM:''' If anyone has an axe, you can make clubs fairly easily.
  
== Starting the Fight ==
+
'''The DM:''' Waiting for a consensus on travelling.
[[File:Prior to Goblin Fight.jpg|right|420px]]
 
'''The DM:''' Sorry about the image.  I suggest you click it, then click it TWICE after it occupies the page.  This is the position prior to Vafrandir's first move.  Vafrandir moves into 0922.  Marcule will see Vafrandir do it, so both he and Pandred have time to make one move.  Then I'll roll initiative.
 
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Looks good to me, labels are sharp, possibly was a problem on my end.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Do I correctly understand from the old wiki that they would be more prone to breakage?
  
'''Marcule:''' I move to 0924 and cast Chromatic orb.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I do not have an axe, it is on my list of items to purchase at the next opportunity.
  
'''The DM:''' maximum distance that can be moved while casting a spell is 1 combat hex. Let's call it 0925. Pandred?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I believe Pandred has handaxes. Would these work? In any case, I'll join the consensus on travel.
  
'''Marcule:''' 0925 sounds good.
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': In. I have several kinds of axes. I will make the clubs. I will make five such clubs.
  
'''The DM:''' Time's ticking along. Marcule, please roll a d6 for initiative.
+
'''The DM:''' Clubs break on a 1 in 4.
  
'''Marcule:''' 6
+
'''The DM:''' Then we’re agreed on travelling, once the clubs are made?
  
'''The DM:''' The goblin's roll is 5.  The players can move freely one round.  Marcule's spell is cast.  Note the range.
+
'''Pandred''': Yes please.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I move to 0921.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Agreed.
  
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' In. I move to 1123 and hoist a javelin.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Agreed
  
'''The DM:''' so noted.  Going to call this in a few minutes until tomorrow.
+
'''Marcule:''' Agreed
  
'''The DM:''' Out.
+
'''The DM:''' And ... you're off.  Pandred starts out strong on the inside, but Vafrandir on his left is gaining ground ... oh now its Marcule!  Marcule is coming up fast ...
  
'''[[Pandred]]''': I'm gonna stride 3 into 0821, drawing my handaxe and holding. Unless by "Run", you meant "not more than Stride-1", in which case I'll move to 0822 with all 4 AP. Out.
+
'''The DM:''' No one said anything about waiting for the next day, so after seven hours you’re still an hour short of the “fork.”  I’ve rolled and there are no random events on the way there. Do you wish to camp here or go on another hour to the fork?
  
'''The DM:''' In.  Unlike other parts on this, I actually need everyone to weigh in on a combat like this.  So I'll wait for Vafrandir and Marcule to respond.  Like a chess-by-mail game, if we only get one round a day done, I'll be happy, though I hope to do better than that.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I am fine with camping here.
  
'''The DM:''' Pandred, as per the rules, strides-1 & 2 are a "walk"; 3-5 are a run.  Thus, you can stride-2 (reducing it to 1 pt. cost per AP), so that you can move into 0821.  Additionally, you may be unfamiliar [http://tao-dndwiki.blogspot.com/2018/02/drawing-weapon-while-moving.html with this rule], but you can draw a light weapon while moving at no extra AP cost.
+
'''Pandred''':So am I, but for my understanding: Does that mean it took an hour to make the clubs, seven to get here, and that comprises a full day? Therefore we're eating a check to get to the fork?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' No, We spent three hours in the morning looking into another livestock disappearance. Out of ten hours available that left us with seven.
  
'''[[Embla Strand]]''' In. I advance to 1123.
+
'''The DM:''' I’m taking it that you make the clubs, Pandred, while they’re off to see Kristensen. That happened today, and soaked up three hours of your travel time.
  
'''Marcule:''' In
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': Great, thank you both.
  
'''[[Pandred]]''': In. The Authentic wiki has 2-3 as "Wary" and "Run" was 4-5. Is there a page elsewhere I should be using instead? I DO wish to continue the move into 0821.
+
== June 30 ==
 +
Come the morning, it is still raining; the moderate wind makes this somewhat unpleasant, and since you marched yesterday in the rain, and are awakening in the rain, it is getting just unpleasant. It's on the low side of cool.

Revision as of 12:00, 9 March 2021

Continued from At Home, Dividing Treasure

The DM: It is a cool day, with a fresh southeast breeze and a steady rain falling from a grey sky.

Lexent: "Well Vafrandir, Should we spend time looking into the other disappearances, or hurry straight back to the hole?"

Vafrandir: I don't mine popping over to Kristensen's. I suspect it was a crime of opportunity, but it won't hurt to let him know. Also, if we have opportunity to restore anything to these people for what they've lost, I think we should take it.

Lexent: "I agree. We should be able to compensate their losses out of what we find in that horrid pit, assuming we survive it. Though, I didn't want to make any promises before we can resolve the situation."

Lexent: I head toward Kristensen's property.

Vafrandir: I'll accompany. "True, we don't know what will be usable or useful to them. Or indeed if we'll even survive...that last fight was close."

The DM: I’m afraid it is just a crime of opportunity. The calf was with its mother when they took it. Kristensen will say it’s a pity, as his milk cow is five years old and he was going to butcher it next spring, when the calf began to give milk. Now he guesses he’ll be without a milk cow for at least a year, if he can convince the 5 yr. old to bear another calf. He wears your ears off with farmer talk.

Lexent: When it is polite to do so, we thank him and take our leave. How much of the day do we have remaining, and has the weather improved? Weather's about the same.

The DM: It's noon.

Lexent: How long do we estimate that it will take to return to the goblin encampment, and how far distant is it from the ship?

The DM: 9 miles, it's a 14 hour walk.

Lexent: That being the case, I recommend that we head in that direction and can camp this evening. In the meantime, would it be possible to get a map showing roughly the relative locations of and distances between Treborg, the ship, and the goblin encampment? I'm having a hard time keeping it straight in my head.

Vafrandir: Sure. It's rainy, but I don't want to hang around too long for the weather to improve.

Lexent: It sounds as though we are in agreement. I begin heading back toward the goblin encampment.

Vafrandir: Away we go. The cart is still plenty full with supplies.

The DM: Let’s say you’re on the edge of Treborg, facing east. For the first three miles moving towards 1 o’clock on the compass, there are scattered fields and woods that are carefully maintained. Beyond that, moving at 2 o’clock, for two miles you climb a low hill made up of shield granite. At the peak of that ridge, four miles from Treborg, at a speed of 3/4 mile per hour, you come to a “fork,” but only in your mind. There’s no specific landform or cairn, it’s just a place you’ve been to half a dozen times now.

The DM: Turning towards 12 o’clock from this fork, you roll level on the cart, getting around some of the water courses at ½ mile per hour, for two miles, until you get to the top of a valley that swings slightly towards 11 o’clock. From there, descending at ¼ mile per hour, after ¾ of a mile you bring the cart adjacent to the crashed airship.

The DM: Going the other way from the fork, you roll level for one mile (2 hours) eastward, towards 3 o’clock. You do this until you find a fairly easy going footpath that takes you towards 2 o’clock for three miles, at 1 mile per hour with the cart. That’s 13 hours altogether. At that point, you have taken the cart as far as it will go; you climb through the rocks for one more mile, at ½ mile per hour, as it’s tough going. That’s nine miles altogether and it brings you to the skeleton dungeon.

Ryfolke (west) & Ioglefeld (east)

The DM: That should be enough info for you to make a map. There’s a big mountain to the north of the skeleton dungeon and to the east of the airship, that’s the same mountain. That mountain is the first of a string of mountains that leads NNE into Hordaland County (you’re in Rogaland). There are three low mountains between the crashed airship and the sea, and a loose group of mountains east and south of the skeleton dungeon. This last group reaches to the fjord south of the dungeon and separates Ryfolke from Ioglefeld.

The DM: Not every mountain I’ve described is shown on the map. Remember, the map “mountains” are just symbols. One hex is 6.67 miles.

I’m going to go back now and correct the compass headings, as Treborg is farther south than I’d exactly remembered. So bear with me a moment and I’ll get those fixed.
Ah, there's really only one change. You head the first three miles at 1 o'clock, not 2.
Good enough?

Lexent: Good enough to start, although I'm not sure about the distance from Treborg to the fork I see three miles, then two miles, for a total of four. I guess that you've given us that four miles as the crow flies. I'll work on plotting that out. In the meantime, we are heading for the 'fork'.

Vafrandir: Agreed.

The DM: I am giving distances as the crow flies. The actual winding and wending is taken up with how long it takes for you to make real progress in the period of an hour.

The DM: If you build a little cairn at the fork, we’ll start calling it “the cairn.”

Vafrandir: How long would that take?

The DM: Assuming you have to find the rocks there, shall we say 1 hour per cubic foot? With no part being more than 2 cubic feet resting on a 1 sq.ft. base.

Vafrandir: What other advantages would it give besides convenient shorthand? I'm trying to weigh the time cost.

The DM: Off hand, it will make it easier if you have to find your way out here after a snowfall; it can be seen at a distance; others given the directions I’ve just given you will find the cairn as a stepping stone. And the taller you build it, the further away it will be seen by someone looking for it but doesn’t know where it is. Makes a meeting place as well.

Lexent: And possibly a good campsite on the way to the ship?

The DM: That’s up to you. Cairns exist all over this part of the world because the stones were available and most parts looked the same as other parts. They get improved upon, become monoliths ... which in D&D might acquire a druidical value. Campsites are not merely places to rest; they can have briar encirclements, post holes for better tents, slabs to cut meat on, poles for drying meat or skinning furs; piles of wood that are uploaded to this place, etcetera.

Lexent: Okay, If I'm counting correctly, getting the cart as far as it will go toward the goblins will take 13 hours. From the 'fork' to that location is 5 hours, so it will take us 8 hours to get to the fork. Once we get there and set up camp for the night, I spend any remaining time working on a cairn at that location.

The DM: Ten hours is the work you can normally manage in any given day. Beyond that, I make a malady check, because you’re getting tired and prone to making mistakes.

Lexent: And how much 'work' have we done already in talking to Kristensen?

The DM: Call it 2; travelling.

The DM: Let’s actually call it 3: getting out there and getting back, to load up your wagon and get going.

Lexent: OK. Does everyone feel comfortable trying to make it to the fork today, or should we select a different course of action?

The DM: It will take you 11 hours of total travelling time today to get to the fork; that’s one extra hour, which means a 2% malady check to everyone in the party. I point out that just such a check almost meant Pandred falling overboard and drowning.

Setting Out

The DM: Okay, until tomorrow. Out.

Lexent: In.

Airship & Dungeon.jpg

Lexent: I edited that map with the paths described to us yesterday and put a copy. Does that seem to match up with everyone else's understanding?

Lexent: If one of you wanted to check my work, I don't think that would hurt either. It still feels like I was missing something.

Vafrandir: My vote is to travel safely today and camp before reaching the fork. That will give us some time tomorrow morning to discuss or build a cairn if we so choose. Time is important here but not such that we necessarily need to push our strength on the first leg.

Lexent: I concur. We set out.

Vafrandir: Before we leave, what else need we bring? Clubs might honestly be useful if there are more skeletons.

Lexent: Well, I don't know how we would go about getting those except by collecting them while travelling unless we wanted to make a trip to Stavanger. I believe Alexis has rules for using found items as weapons.

The DM: In.

Marcule: Lexent, I'm good to join you in your faith.

The DM: I take it you can’t upload a picture to the wiki, Lexent. I hadn’t realized your permissions didn’t allow that. I hadn’t realized that a part of your journey led you through forest. Can’t we please presume that the north path of your journey passes just to the east of the dark greenery?

Lexent: My paths there are simply following the headings provided. I have no particular intent to 'follow' them while travelling unless that is indeed the correct course.
Lexent: And yes, I am blocked from doing so. I am given the message that I do not have permissions to edit via the API.

Lexent: I take 'protection from malevolence'

The DM: If anyone has an axe, you can make clubs fairly easily.

The DM: Waiting for a consensus on travelling.

Lexent: Do I correctly understand from the old wiki that they would be more prone to breakage?

Lexent: I do not have an axe, it is on my list of items to purchase at the next opportunity.

Vafrandir: I believe Pandred has handaxes. Would these work? In any case, I'll join the consensus on travel.

Pandred: In. I have several kinds of axes. I will make the clubs. I will make five such clubs.

The DM: Clubs break on a 1 in 4.

The DM: Then we’re agreed on travelling, once the clubs are made?

Pandred: Yes please.

Vafrandir: Agreed.

Lexent: Agreed

Marcule: Agreed

The DM: And ... you're off. Pandred starts out strong on the inside, but Vafrandir on his left is gaining ground ... oh now its Marcule! Marcule is coming up fast ...

The DM: No one said anything about waiting for the next day, so after seven hours you’re still an hour short of the “fork.” I’ve rolled and there are no random events on the way there. Do you wish to camp here or go on another hour to the fork?

Lexent: I am fine with camping here.

Pandred:So am I, but for my understanding: Does that mean it took an hour to make the clubs, seven to get here, and that comprises a full day? Therefore we're eating a check to get to the fork?

Lexent: No, We spent three hours in the morning looking into another livestock disappearance. Out of ten hours available that left us with seven.

The DM: I’m taking it that you make the clubs, Pandred, while they’re off to see Kristensen. That happened today, and soaked up three hours of your travel time.

Pandred: Great, thank you both.

June 30

Come the morning, it is still raining; the moderate wind makes this somewhat unpleasant, and since you marched yesterday in the rain, and are awakening in the rain, it is getting just unpleasant. It's on the low side of cool.