Gameplay thread here.
I want to go to Kurn because I need the money, mostly. I mean, that seems like a really mercenary thing to say, and I don't feel like a mercenary, but I guess I feel like there has to be something out there more than just survival... and to get to that, it seems like you always need money.
I need to grow up, be my own person, not rely on my family for everything (or be forced to put up with my uncle), start my own tattoo shop, and maybe even someday... make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, it seems like it always takes money to do those things. Personally, I'd also like to see more of the world, and ... maybe meet other people who also want to make a difference. I would love that.
not just be a member. She doesn't know if she will ever be able to, but self-improvement and gaining experience can only help her look good in their eyes.
When the caravan master asks why he would go to Kurn, he shrugs.
"Need a job. You have to work to survive."
"B'sides, I've done this work before. I may be available to work the return trip, if you're planning one. And after what I saw happening in Raam, I don't think I want to get stuck in any one city for too long. Who knows what city could be next? There's nothing tying me to Tyr or anywhere else."
"Also, never been to Kurn. If you want to see the world, hiring on with a caravan is the way to do it."
Vastryn was a former gladiator, and in fact the son of two gladiators as well, born in to slavery. Once he had won enough fights to win his freedom, he struck out on his own. He wanted to not only see more of what the world had to offer, wretched and brutal as it was, but also to try and make his fortune. He didn't want to 'just get by' for the rest of his life.
Having said that, however, he also secretly helped the Veiled Alliance when he could, and wasn't opposed to helping out decent folk when possible. The world was rough, life was hard, and even doing little acts of good could have a large effect. He was a passionate person and it had gotten in over his head on more than one occasion.
He'd also found out the hard way that there was strength in numbers, and so when he traveled, he did so in the company of a caravan, usually by signing up as a guard for it.
Twirling a thickly braided rope around in her hand, Haasami smiles. "I want wealth. I want to afford the better things in life. Being a gladiator didn't cut it any more." She smiles, revealing a set of shining white teeth. "For either of us.", she adds, as a reptilian head the size of a small child appears from the shadows. "And thus, we needed out. I heard Kurn is becoming better and better. And I doubt a guard has a harder life than a beginning gladiator.", she smiles.
The caravan master approaches you. "So you are the guards we hired," he said. "You all don't look ship shape to head to Kurn. Stand up, attention! Tuck in your shirts! Check your hemlines, stand with your weapons to the ready! We are going into unknown territory delivering these packages to Kurn."
Zera stands straighter and tries to look tough. Her bow is out and she pulls out an arrow as well, so she looks ready to shoot. She listens carefully to any instructions, and (if it isn't covered in his speech), she asks one question.
Sir, sorry to bother you. I don't know the trail and how often there will be water on the way. How much water or nectar do we need to bring along?
She winces a little, in case it is a newbie question, because she wants to look professional, but she really doesn't know, and wants to make sure she isn't underprepared.
If she has enough, according to the caravan master, she will mount up on Zox, her Crodlu, and be ready to move out with the caravan. She makes sure her bow is also ready, in case there is trouble as soon as they start.
"There are a few villages along the way, some of them grown up around Trees of Life," he explains. "There will be water on the trail, but just in case, bring about ten days worth of water or nectar."
Thank you, sir. I should be okay then. She mounts up.
Vastryn grinned and let out a quiet chuckle, but kept it down. His smoked goggles sat slid up on top of his head and his filter mask hung loose down around his neck for the moment. He stepped up and swung the very large two-handed stone hammer up on to his shoulder - it looked extremely solid and well-made. The sunlight shone down on the leather lamellar armor he wore.
His voice was quiet but had the sound of something that was used to being very loud. "Ready, sir." And he looked ready. Relaxed but ready.
The riding crodlu standing waiting a few yards back from him made a rude noise, and Vastryn shook his head, restraining a sigh.
Tarkahas straightens up and holds his longspear at attention.
"Ready 'n you are, sir. But you warn't lookin' for parade soldiers, now, were ya?"
Tarkahas straightens up and holds his longspear at attention.
"Ready 'n you are, sir. But you warn't lookin' for parade soldiers, now, were ya?"
"No, we weren't," he says. "Now here is our route. We follow this road for three days until we turn left here and then follow the rest of the way going in a Northeasterly direction. There will be villages where we will stop, but not all of them have a tree of life."
Haasami rolls her eyes as she's being told to be ship-shaped. Huh. Rules., she thinks, straightening up her leather vest and her extensive jewelry, as she unfurls the blade around her neck, drawing a line in the sand. The vicious razorwing at her side lets out a single screech, as it raises its head. "Supplies are in the pack.", she replies curtly, "And we can forage for more if need be.", she continues. "Should I be riding front, or back, mas... caravan master?"
"You'll be riding in the front," said the Caravan master. "Czernobog will also be riding in the front. Vastrin, Tarkas, and Zera will be in the behind."
Zera obediently turns Zox and heads to the back of the caravan.
Vastryn would have bristled, though only slightly, had he been any younger. But he quickly realized that being in the rear guard wasn't bad, or meant as an insult, since attacks can come from any side. Besides, the scenery wasn't that bad back there apparently - though the Dray was interesting.
"As you wish."
He mounted up on his crodlu and headed to the back of the caravan as well.
Tarkas? The guy has already forgotten my name. Well, as long as he doesn't forget to pay.
Tarkahas shrugs. "Your call, boss."
He turns and heads for the rear of the caravan.
"Alright, wagons hoe!" he says and the two melkillots get up and start moving. The caravan started to move away from Tyr. Sadira of Tyr gives you all the salute as you leave Tyr and begin your way to Kurn.
Zera salutes back and then rides out on the right flank of the caravan, watching for trouble. She also sends Zeek (her Ramphor familiar) out to circle overhead and scout for any other travelers or creatures near their path.
Vastryn gives a nod and small quick salute to Sadira as he moves to the back of the caravan on his riding crodlu. He occasionally and idly taps on the drum hanging from a leather shoulder strap as they ride along. Mostly though, he keeps an eye out for any potential danger, though he doesn't expect anything close to Tyr.
give me perception checks.
[dice=Perception]1d20+8
Gotcha. Tarkhas, you spot some ambulatory plants. They are moving in your direction. Zera sees them too.
Zera briefly wonders if plants can be reasoned with, and then realizes that, even if it is possible, she wouldn't know how to talk to them, so she falls back on the old reliable "when in doubt, shoot it" philosophy.
(+1 if within 30 feet)
(+1 if within 30 feet)
Gotcha. Tarkhas, you spot some ambulatory plants. They are moving in your direction. Zera sees them too.
"Heads up pinkskins! Some kind of walking plants, coming our way!"
Tarkahas tries to recall if he has seen such things before, or perhaps heard of them.
Tarkahas steps back, and presses his palms together and focuses his mind.
Vastryn had been looking around, was almost lulled in to a false sense of security or sleepiness from the sun and heat. But he thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He titled his head and turned to look at it. He nodded to Tarkahas when he called out about the plants.
Gotcha. Tarkhas, you spot some ambulatory plants. They are moving in your direction. Zera sees them too."Heads up pinkskins! Some kind of walking plants, coming our way!"
Tarkahas tries to recall if he has seen such things before, or perhaps heard of them.
[dice=knowledge (nature)]1d20+7
Tarkahas steps back, and presses his palms together and focuses his mind.
They look like triffids from The Day of the Triffids. They amble towards you from the North on three little stubby legs with their "tongues" hanging out. There are six of them. And I'll have a map ready.
Map of Caravan and ambulatory plants. Map is finally up. Original design by J Bilton, and S Bilton and Heroic Maps.
Czernobog launches an atlatl at the first plant.
Atlatl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Hit. Surprise round, everyone can attack before rolling initiative.
^^
^^
Attack with composite longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 (+1 if within 30 feet)
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 (+1 if within 30 feet)
Zera laughs.
Czernobog, did you bring some salt? Let's eat THEM.
The moving plants (triffids) come closer. They seem intent on attacking the caravan.
Haasami, almost lounging on Ki'Narrl's back, rises with a bemused smirk, as she leaps off the beast's back, drawing the roped blade around her neck, as she takes a couple of steps towards the ambulatory plants. "Hmmm... Interesting...", she ponders, as she starts swirling the blade around in her arm, the beast roaring loudly as it flaps its leathery wings.
Wasn't sure if the surprise round was over, or whether you were rolling initiative or we were, but here's my initiative and my rolls if it is the next turn, since the plants moved. :)