Aubrey's 4e Dark Sun
Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Welcome to Dark Sun - there are no nicer people.

Find somewhere to take a rest and start improvising weapons and kit.

"We need to gather our breath, and then plot a course north to find shelter and water. I suggest we take stock of our supplies - I'm not sure how long they will need to last."

Calla leans against her captured spear, surveying the terrain to the north.

Aubrey - thanks for counting up the XP. I'm terrible at keeping track of it!

Arakan, comforted by having at least a real blade, one of obsidian instead of shrub, decides that there's no harm in taking a few thorns for good measure. He cuts a few from the brush, three to be exact, and tucks them away. "Why north?" he asks sardonically, "What's up that way that we want to find? I think the key to our survival, at this point, is to find some place we can hole up until they give us up for gone. If we head out too soon we are left with nothing but sandy expanses seperating us from their sight. I say we take a day to hunker down somewhere with cover, probably move only at night. We need to take the path of least discovery. We will be living by what we can scavenge, so we need to take it slow and cautious. Otherwise, we will run ourselves into the ground, and they will just come and scoop us up with us begging them for it, if it means we get a drop of water. I say we get ourselves right, for right now, then we can discuss the importance of north." He moves carefully among the rocks, looking for a roomy burrow or eroded opening he can steal from some local critter's family.

It might be worth looking back at the conversation with Grandma, since she had some comments about this.

I tried to overhear but failed, I need Calla to tell me why north is important.

To Arakan, Call replies, "Closest civilisation is north. Gramma told me that the caravan site was just a few days south of a fortified oasis called Grak's Pool. We'll need to get past the canyon lands between here and there - and you're right we should move at night. We need to conserve water, and scavenge more if we can, but at least the canyons will disguise our passing."

History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
For Grak's Pool.

and both
Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
To find a sheltered place to hole up. How long before dark?

Arakan:

It feels slightly churlish to mention it, but you haven't actually escaped yet - you've just walked through some bushes which are (if you recall) also highly flammable and therefore easy to remove. You still need to get away from the immediate vicinity before considering holing up for the day.

"Can we have this conversation somewhere less exposed."

Irivis sounds a little tense as she looks around for somewhere to hide.

Using Know Direction to pick up a +2 to Nature and look for a decent hiding place. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 - Nature.

Irivis:

Irivis shares her thoughts.

Read the spoiler above.

"I'm not suited to climbing walls. It may be slower, but I'd prefer to stay at ground level."

"I would have to agree with no equipment, I think climbing will be a last option."

"Let's head into the canyons and discuss as we move. If everyone is recovered from that last fight, I suggest we start putting some distance between us and the raiders."

Calla uses her spear for support and starts moving north - barely moving faster than Irivis.

Alright, we'll head into the more leisurely escape phase. This is another skill challenge: the aim is to make tracks without, er, making tracks; i.e. to (1) maximise the distance between you and the bandits without (2) passing out from heat exhaustion while (3) trying to cover the evidence of your passing and(4) heading roughly north to get to Grak's pool. This will be in phases, so please state which of the four aims you are addressing with your skill checks (or, if relevant, powers or other factors I maybe haven't thought of) - success or failure in each of the phases will have a different impact. First come, first served.

Know Direction means Irivis always knows where North is - how do you want to adjudicate that?

As a single success in phase 4 - just because you know where north is doesn't necessarily mean the canyons are running north, or than north is the best way to go in the short term.

Phase 1 - make tracks: -
Phase 2 - survive: -
Phase 3 - cover tracks: -
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Next!

Endurance for phase 2? Help others make their way through the terrain

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Endurance would be helping yourself rather than others, unles you are volunteering to lug their stuff, but it's still valid. Motivational speeches would be more Diplomacy (or Bluff).

Phase 1 - make tracks: -
Phase 2 - survive: 1 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: -
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Irivis navigates, her inherent sense of direction helping as the group heads into the maze of canyons. Gorad trudges along stoically, assisting others over the tricky sections. The going is tough, many of the ravines being choked with boulders and thorny shrubs. The walls have been carved into rounded shapes by wind-blown sand, with colourful red and yellow bands in the rock showing clearly in the afternoon desert sun.

If we had stuff I'd lug it!

Arakan will linger behind the rest, using what he knows of staying out of sight to cover the marks made by the group's passing.
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
To cover tracks

Jareen uses his small knowledge of nature, to work out which gullies flow in the best direction to head North.

Going for 1, but the description is probably more applicable to 4....

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Phase 1 - make tracks: 0 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 1 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/0 failures
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Arakan lurks behind the main group, scuffing over tracks to hinder pursuit. But Jareen argues with Irivis as to the correct way to go at the point where two gullies split, causing unneccesary delay.

Arakan:

"I keep telling you, THAT is north."

Irivis grumbles as she takes care to conserve her energy as best she can.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 - Endurance for Phase 2

"Moving, not arguing! We're still within minutes of being caught and killed. And I will not have my family's sacrifice wasted by bicking."

Calla admonishes Jareen and Irivis and urges the group to make tracks.

Diplomacy to inspire greater speed for Phase 1. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18. Note - I think Calla has trouble distinguishing between diplomacy and intimidation!

Isuspect it's the player rather than the character...

Calla provides "words of encouragement" to get the party moving again.
Irivis prevails and marches steadily on under the gruelling heat.

Phase 1 - make tracks: 1 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/0 failures
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Um - no comment your honour...

Now that Jareen and Irivis are both heading in the same direction, and at a good speed, Calla drops back to help Arakan obscure the trail.

Nature to put things back looking natural: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11

She bends her head and speaks to Arakan in a low voice,

Calla checks over the trail and tries to hide some evidence of the party's passing. But her efforts are more more obvious than the tracks in the sand.

General note to clarify: there's a limit to the number of times you can use respective skills on the individual phases.

Phase 1 - make tracks: 1 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Arakan/Calla:

Would Bluff be legitimate as a skill to cover tracks? It's a stretch, but worth asking?

No, not really, but it could conceivably be used as a motivational tool - "Nearly there!"

Fairy Nuff.

phase 1 using my knowledge of nature to tell what areas to avoid

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 nature

"That looks like a bad patch of sand, best avoided."

Phase 1 - make tracks: 2 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

Gorad navigates the party round an area of knee-deep sand that would slow them down, instead sticking to the higher, rockier ground.

As that's such a good roll, Gorad can give someone else a +2 to their next check.

@ Aubrey

Gorad:

When Calla "motivates" the group, Arakan just shakes his head and decides that fear works better as a motivator when it has more bite than a irritated merchant. He looks back the way they came, squinting as he looks along the path, before his eyes flash wide and he turns to the group. "Uh oh, we need to move, and NOW. I see a small group of them headed this way. It looks like they've ditched the mounts, but there's five of them and they've found our trail. All we can do is pick up the pace or they'll be on us in no time."

Bluff for Phase 1 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22. Don't know who gets Gorad's bonus. Is it his choice, whoever uses it, or whoever does the same phase as him?

Irivis shoots a filthy look at Arakan as she stumbles onwards.

Infuriating idiot.

"Yes, well, doing what I can in my own small way."

Starting to run out of useful skills here. Irivis can offer decent Bluff, History, Arcana or Streetwise, none of which seem particularly appropriate. Unless ...

Turning her attention to the tracks behind her, Irivis attempts to wipe the sands clear with her staff, hiding their passage with a series of carefully placed drifts.

Arcana (or using a power to kick sand over our tracks). 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17. For Phase 3.

Let's say it's Gorad's choice. You can use the same skill on different phases, jut not too often on the same phase. The Arcana thing - hmmm, not too sure about that one. You might choose a different skill.

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/0 failures

No one it too sure if Arakan is kidding or not, but the mention of possible pursuers helps the pace pick up.

Silently fuming at Arkan's curt reply, and distrustful of his sudden supposed sighting of pursuit, Calla nevertheless picks up her pace and rejoins Jareen and Irivis near the front. She tries to remember what she's heard about navigating in the wilderness from family and employees over the years.

Nature roll for phase 4: 1d20 ⇒ 10.

Using that roll? Hmm.

"Just up there, one more short sprint and we'll be clear."

Bluff for Phase 1.

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 1 success/1 failures

Irivis chivvies the group along. But Calla can't remember any great wilderness lore for the moment.

As Jareen appears to be the only one left this round he can use the +2

Diplomacy, with the +2 for phase4, to convince people of the right direction to go, without causing any more arguments... :)

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 2 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 2 success/1 failures

Jareen smooths things over with Irivis, and the team is more coherent and purposeful as a result (though possibly going the wrong way: -2 to the next check in phase 4).

Everything to play for. Who's next?

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Heal check for phase 2 to patch up some of the ails from us traveling edited to remove the -2 reading comprehension ftw!! phase 4 only

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 3 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 1 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 2 success/1 failures

Gorad soothes sunburnt skins (try saying that three times quickly!) with the thick juice of a particular desert cactus he found along the way.

Arakan goes back to trying and making it look like they weren't there, but decides it may be easier to make it look more like something they would rather not follow. He searches his memory for what the tracks of some of the more hostile wildlife looks like.

Nature for Phase 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 3 success/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 2 success/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 2 success/1 failures

Arakan disguises the tracks to resemble a single giant cylops instead of a group of travellers. He glances around at the dark mouths caves in the canyon wall - and decides to hurry and catch up with the rest of the team.

"Nice."

Irivis notes her approval of Arakan's tactics and turns her own attention to keeping the group on course.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 - Nature (inc +2 from Know Direction) for Phase 4.

Phase 1 - make tracks: 3 successes/1 failure
Phase 2 - survive: 3 successes/0 failures
Phase 3 - cover tracks: 2 successes/1 failure
Phase 4 - head towards Grak's Pool: 3 successes/1 failure

Irivis ignores (politely this time) Jareen and the party heads in the right direction.