Gregor looks at the group and says to you all, Is their anything else I can help you with today?

"There is one thing, perhaps. You must know many travellers who have braved the jungle before us. What can you say of the dangers we will face - what beasts, what magic, what fell tribes?"

Do we know if there will be food at the outpost and on the ship? Just wondering if I need to buy rations. (kinda assumed that food would be provided)

some food will be provided at the stations, but not on the boat trip, the food is for Nightfall Station. What's Triska's total, Zoom? 276 gp!

"Oh and I suppose I should get some food for the journey also. Is there somewhere in town where I can get some good quality trail rations and some bread, cheese and decent wine as well my good man?"

Just let me know how much for 2 weeks of Trail Rations, some bread, cheese and wine Zoom, so I can deduct it from my total.

Thanks, Zoom... I guess I'll be getting some food tomorrow then.

Sabriel, total is 6 gp 1 sp 3 cp! Larkspring you are just outside the door and the rest is still inside the store!

Gregor clears his throat and says, well your off into the interior is it. Its a very dangerous place master wizard, everything you see can be harmful to your health from the bugs to the roaving creatures that inhabit this vast jungle. I would be ever vigilent as you travel up river. I heard there is some trouble with the natives up there but I am not sure what they are, I am just a simple store keep who took over just a short time ago when my brother caught ill. Only been in Bloodcove for about a few weeks, I can't wait till my brother gets better so I can get out of this inferno of a town if you can call it that......

Only been in Bloodcove for about a few weeks, I can't wait till my brother gets better so I can get out of this inferno of a town if you can call it that......

"Indeed? Well, my thanks for your help. I think that I have all I need." Orelan turns to Triska and Sabriel, "What do you say, shall we find Larkspring? Or do you want to see more of this fine... city?"

Sabriel once again links arms with Orelan and looks at Triska.
"City is hardly the word I would use, and I would rather see as little of it as possible before we leave. With the leftover coin, maybe it would be nice to see if this place has a decent inn to stay in, one with nice large beds and decent wine in the bar and maybe another bath, that one was too delicious."

Gregor chimes in on the conversation, might I suggest The Witchlight, its an inn right on the water, its well kept and has a nice bathing area. You should get there soon though because it fills up pretty quick for the night.

Sabriel claps her hand excitedly.
"Oh please lets. This town is wretched enough as it is. Let's have a little luxury before we trudge into and endless mass of sticky jungle for a month."

Sabriel claps her hand excitedly.

"Oh please lets. This town is wretched enough as it is. Let's have a little luxury before we trudge into and endless mass of sticky jungle for a month."

"Agreed then. Gregor, our thanks for your time and advice." Orelan gathers his new belongings in a bundle, intending to drop them off at the inn before heading to The Witchlight.

Gregor says I am happy to help out you fine folks, be safe and if you need anything else just stop back in, i'll be here until my brother gets better! He waves as Orelan, Sabriel and Triska leave to find a waiting Larksoring outside the doorway......

"There you are! I just forgot to get some food here."

Oy! Stop playing me as the goofy guy =/... mumbles about stereotypes...
Larkspring dashes back into the store, conducts a few minute's transaction, and comes back out with a slightly fuller pack.
Only costs 7 gp, so 280 gp left total.

"There you are! I just forgot to get some food here."

"Well indeed, we wouldn't want you going hungry! Or Fir... hungry bears on ships are a bad combination, I imagine."

Oh, yeah. Zoom, how much food would a bear eat in a day? Maybe 2 Medium-sized rations? Might wanna buy a few barrels of salt meat or something in that case... gonna have to make some special arrangements for him on the ship (2 Medium waterskins a day, so water needed weighs about 8 lbs per day, or 112 lbs, plus about 28 lbs from food; total costs ~ 42 gp). I don't really know, just some basic ideas here... I'll let you decide if you want to worry about Fir's rations or not, Zoom... but I can't carry around 140 pounds of food and freshwater :). Hopefully the outpost will be able to support a hungry bear, or else I can just cast goodberry every few days.

Yor group heads out to the Witchlight Inn leaving behind a waving Gregor who wishes you luck again. The inn is located on the main dock right in front of warehouse row. Its an easy walk for you and you get there in no time. It a big place, five floors, two wings and the best view of the water, most likely because its only thirty feet to it. Your group enters and a very well dressed man smiles at you from his desk in the lobby area. The inside looks a little run down compared to the outside but still nice enough for the night. How may I help you fine folks today? He watches the bear out of the corner of his eye but never stops smiling at the group. He can see Larksprings hand on the bear so he's not to worried, you guess......

I will be out of town attending Gen Con the rest of this week, my plane leaves in 7 hours WOOT! I am going to try my hardest to keep up with the game, I will have my laptop with me and the hotel is supposed to have free wi-fi so keep checking here.

The food for the bear you figured out is fine with me. He might not be that hungry though due to the hot heat of the jungle, more thirsty I would think!

Wish I could go :(. Have fun!
"Do you have stables for animals?" Larkspring, stepping forward, asks with slight irony in his voice at the man's nervousness. "The last inn we stayed at made us keep animals outdoors in the muck."

Wish I could go :(. Have fun!

"Do you have stables for animals?" Larkspring, stepping forward, asks with slight irony in his voice at the man's nervousness. "The last inn we stayed at made us keep animals outdoors in the muck."

</is jealous>Yeah, have a great time!

"I should think that Fir would join us at the table..." Orelan says to Larkspring. Then, to the inn-keep, "Do you serve fish?"

"I would like to book your best room, as long as it has an extremely comfortable bed. I would aslo like to partake of a hot bath and if you have the facilities available, a massage as well. If I am going to be living on a boat and in the jungle for the next month or so then by the Gods I am going to enjoy my time before I go."
She looks at Orelan. "As my friend said, we will also be taking dinner here and would like your finest food available. Breakfast in the morning as well."
"How much will that be for all of us, including the bear?"

She looks at Orelan. "As my friend said, we will also be taking dinner here and would like your finest food available. Breakfast in the morning as well."

"How much will that be for all of us, including the bear?"

"Well, now that Sabriel has taken charge of our entertainments for the evening, there is nothing left but to enjoy ourselves; and then be off with good heart tomorrow!"

"Let's try not to get drunk again this time. Don't want to miss the boat!"
Larkspring tells Sabriel "I'm going to go get some food and water for Fir here. Ought to be someone on the docks who can help me. Make sure you save me some food!"
He dashes out the door, hoping his companions will manage to procure rooms and food. Fir collapses on his haunches in front of the lobby desk, causing the floor to groan ominously.
So I go and pay a docksman to find me 112 lbs of water and 28 lbs of salted meat. He agrees to load it onto the ship before we leave. I give him 42 gold in advance (the total cost of the food and water) and promise to give him 30 more when I see him tomorrow.

Sorry for the delay, I was totally wipped out after Gen Con, I had such a blast! Well back to the game!

The inn keeper smiles at the lot of you and says Yes we can accomidate all your needs here including the bear. I actually have a room available for just special circumstances, we get a few magical folk who pass through and have special friends with them. I can safely say we are the only one in town who can take care of this growing need.
I would say that the total bill will be around 20 gp. We don't charge until the end of your stay here, but I do need you to all sign this paper saying you all promise to pay!! He turns the paper around to face you so you may all sign it...

"I will be more than happy to sign and pay on behalf of everyone. It is well worth it for the chance to sleep in a warm comfortable bed, have good wine and food and a warm bath for the night."

"I can't believe it, but I think I actually agree with Sabriel. Though I prefer the wilderness to the city, of course, and I'm looking forward to exploring the jungle!"

"So what shall we do for the rest of the day?"

Zoom, is the potion I bought a potion of bull's strength or a potion of enlarge person or something else?

Larkspring comes back about ten minutes after he left. "So, did we get rooms yet?" (assuming everyone's still in the lobby)

Sabriel signs the paper and the innkeeper hands over keys for each of you. He shows Larkspring the special room for Fur which he seems quite happy with after sniffing around a bit. He also informs the group where the baths are located in the inn and the dinning times that food is served. You all settle in for a nice rest.....

The potion is enlarge person.

You guys wanna role-play the whole night, or can we just skip to morning?

I was already planning on moving it along today so here we go....

Your group wakes up refreshed and ready for your mission. After eatting a very large meal and another bath for Sabriel, you move out and arrive at the River Queen on time. Due to delays in the arrival of provisioning orders and getting them loaded aboard, the River Queen is several hours behind schedule. The captain is over seeing the loading as the large half orc and three mercenary types load as quickly as possible. It takes about an hour or so to finish loading and you launch right away. The River Queen chugs away from the docks of Bloodcove as the sun is nearly setting as Captain Esteban guides her across the great estuary that marks the mouth of the Vanji, where the red-tinted water of of the river mixes with the sea. The vast expanse of the Mwangi interior rolls in the distance in the final fire-tinged light of day, overcast by the dark clouds of a thunderstorm that approaches from the east.

The massive mate, Faruq, makes his way about the boat lighting hurricane lamps and the captain shouts down from the pilot house to secure the loads and make ready for rough weather. The plan is to reach a sheltered bend in the river by nightfall and make anchor there for the night, but it looks like with the approaching storm, darkness is going to come much sooner than expected.

The River Queen-From back to front
1)The paddle wheel
2)Wheelbox-is closed and has a padlock on it-houses the machinery for the paddle.
3)Cargo deck-its full of all the supplies you have picked up.
4)Cabin-Houses about 12 people comfortably-this is where meals are taken and people sleep
5)Topdeck-a rickety ladder leads up to here which is the roof of the cabin. A mosquito net covers this area.
6)Pilot house- Where the captain steers the ship, rests and has his personal stuff.
7)Cargo area-Underneath the Pilot house-also lined with mosquito netting
8)Foredeck-The anchor is here
9)Magazine-Steps lead down into the boat to here from #7.In front of you is a door which has a very good lock on this door. Behind you leads to the Lowerdeck
10)Lowerdeck-The Locker-This is where the engine is housed-its very cramped area, medium creatures have to duck to get around. In here you will see the engine, the flywheel(main shaft that transfers power from the engine to the paddlewheel) and Hurg(a decrepit old near sighted dwarf who is the engineer of the River Queen. He spends all his time down here.

The River Queen has a draft of only 3 feet, a 77 foot keel, and a 20 foot beam.

So the crew is:
Captain Esteban
First mate Faruq
Engineer Hurg
Danner, Houghman and Speraggo merc types
And you!

Sabriel takes a quick look around the boat and sighs when she sees the quarters she will be sharing with everyone. No more sleeping naked for a while.

Sabriel takes a quick look around the boat and sighs when she sees the quarters she will be sharing with everyone. No more sleeping naked for a while.

"Ah, looks like a fine ship! Or boat... or barge... I never was very nautical. Well, shall we introduce ourselves to the crew?"

Larkspring approaches Houghman, who is tying down a stack of canvas. "Is there anything I can do to help prepare for the weather?"
Zoom, what sort of goods are on the ship?

Houghman gives a grunt and a sneer to Larkspring, We got this, just stay out of our way little one. He goes about securing the rest of the goods. The storm is getting rougher, winds have picked up, its harder to move around on the boat. The captain shouts down to all of you, get inside the cabin you fools, you don't want to be blown overboard He ducks back into the pilot house with Faruq.......

Sabriel pulls at her dress where it is threatening to expose her to the world and hurries into the cabin out of the wind.
"I hope that this isn't an indication of what the entire trip is going to be like," she mutters loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Might need to have an arm-wrestling match with Houghman tomorrow (casts bull's strength)...
Larkspring hurries inside the cabin and sits at the table, looking like he's planning something.

Orelan raises one delicate eyebrow, then moves inside as requested. He produces a deck of cards and a small flagon of brandy from within his doublet, "Well. It seems we must entertain ourselves."

"Not another game of Strip Three Dragon Ante Orelan. I still have a chill from last time you beat me." Sabriel gives Orelan a playful wink and a laugh.

"We were hired as guards for this boat, not gamblers" Triska reminds her companions. Rather than take a seat at the table, she moves to one of the windows and peers out into the darkening day, scanning the riverbanks for any signs of danger.

The storm hits hard, rain is pelting down and the wind is moving the boat around, luckly for you all the captain got the boat into a little covered spot. The wind still threatens to toss the boat over but so far the anchor is keeping you in place.

Roll listen and init please!

"We were hired as guards for this boat, not gamblers" Triska reminds her companions.

"Are we guards indeed - I thought we were passengers for now and were to guard the outpost. It's possible that I wasn't listening hard enough; at least I would never think to doubt you, Triska."

Suiting action to his words, Orelan joins Triska in keeping whatever watch they can from inside the cramped cabin. He sets Orzo, his rat familiar, to scouting under tables - though whether for enemies or stray cheese is hard to tell.

"Alas Sabriel, the cards will have to wait."

Listen (+2 from familiar); Init: (1d20+5=19, 1d20+3=22)

"Whatever we were hired to guard, it does us little good if we are killed before we get there." Triska tilts her head, trying to listen above the howl of the storm.

Listen (+2 if human) (1d20+6=9); Initiative (1d20+7=24)

"Alas Sabriel, the cards will have to wait."

"No matter, with this storm raging I think the best we can do is get some sleep anyway. Someone would have to be out of their mind to attack in this weather."

Sabriel is not expecting anything and thinks that the others are just being too cautious. Therefore she is not really listening for anything and will not be ready if something goes down. I haven't rolled Listen or Initiative for these reasons.

Larkspring looks up from the table. "What's happening? I don't think something is going to attack us in this storm... most creatures would be holed up in a den or something now." Nevertheless the small gnome turns his head, trying to pick up any noise other than the snores of Fir, collapsed on the floor.
Larkspring: Listen 1d20+12=13, Initiative 1d20+2=16.
Fir: Listen (-10 for being asleep) 1d20-6=-2, Initiative 1d20+1=21.

The storm is blowing fierce, rain pelts the boat and you hear a scream from out side the cabin and a splash in the river. Moans can also be heard from outside. The door slams open and a grotesque winged humanoid with a horned head and a stony hide with gills and webbing on its hands and feet stands in the doorway. You can see behind it that its not alone.....

Init order
Triska
Creatures
Orelan
Fur
Larkspring
Sabriel

Sabriel and Fur may not act this turn.
Go ahead and make your actions known!!

"It's official, Sabriel, they're out of their minds!" Triska quickly draws her bow and looses a pair of arrows at the creature in the doorway. She yells an ululating war-cry: "Yaaleshk tahhhhk!!"

2 Attacks (Rapid Shot) (1d20+7=18, 1d20+7=24); Damage (1d8+4=8, 1d8+4=7)

"It's official, Sabriel, they're out of their minds!" Triska quickly draws her bow and looses a pair of arrows at the creature in the doorway. She yells an ululating war-cry: "Yaaleshk tahhhhk!!"

"You don't think they're friendly then, Triska?" Orelan looks at the monstrous intruder... "No indeed, I suppose not.

With a negligent seeming gesture of his left hand Orelan sends a fiery bolt of energy towards the creature; while drawing his rapier in his other hand.

Scorching ray: (ranged touch attack; damage) (1d20+6=21, 4d6=13)

Stop eating my posts!!!
Where are the crew members right now?
Larkspring summons a wolf to aid in the battle, making gestures with his hands to exaggerate each syllable he utters, and focusing on the sprig of holly entwined with mistletoe he keeps on him at all times.
Spontaneously casting summon nature's ally I, replaces endure elements:
Wolf summoned 5 feet outside the cabin door, full-round action, 11 hp. Appears on Larkspring's next turn, ready to be instructed. Lasts 4 rounds.
Just after finishing the spell, Larkspring shouts out "Fir, wake up!!!. [ooc]Would go into this, but running late. will edit later.

Stop eating my posts!!!
Where are the crew members right now?
Larkspring summons a wolf to aid in the battle, making gestures with his hands to exaggerate each syllable he utters, and focusing on the sprig of holly entwined with mistletoe he keeps on him at all times.
Spontaneously casting summon nature's ally I, replaces endure elements:
Wolf summoned 5 feet outside the cabin door, full-round action, 11 hp. Appears on Larkspring's next turn, ready to be instructed. Lasts 4 rounds.
Just after finishing the spell, Larkspring shouts out "Fir, wake up!!!".
DC 0 Listen check for Fir (to hear Larkspring yelling): 1d20-6=-5. Failed again... this is funny.

Sabriel has just gotten into bed when the creature comes crashing through the door. Her eyes open wide in surprise as she fumbles with the covers trying to climb out of bed.

Just a question Zoom: Are we sleeping in bunks or hammocks?

Arrows go flying out of Triska's bow, both finding there mark doing damage to the creature at the door who screams in pain and then a roar in anger as it attacks the person who attacked it. The creature swings its claws at Triska, the first hand misses but she is not so lucky with the second taking damage to her shoulder as the claw rakes it. (6 pts. dam). As it smiles with glee at damaging the large warrior it gets hit from the side by a fiery ray sending flames over its body making it scream again. The gnome takes action making gestures with his hands and speaking in an arcane tongue. When he is finished he yells suddenly, Fur, Wake Up! The bear doesn't budge snoring contently while Sabriel half naked stands up to see a monster attacking her friends......

Next round! Your not sure where the rest of the crew is right now. They were all were still outside! Hammocks!

Triska roars in pain and drops her bow. With a growl, she draws her scimitar and brings it up in one smooth motion across the creature's chest, slicing deeply. As its blood sprays across her face, Triska throws back her head and lets out a bestial howl, her face contorted in a grim smile.

Attack (1d20+7=26); Damage (1d6+2=5)
Critical confirmation (1d20+7=25); Damage (1d6+2=3)

Woot! Critical!

Larkspring jumps forward to Triska, making more complicated gestures and speaking a strange tongue again. This culminates with a burst of energy at his finger which has a dark-brown, shady light. He grabs Triska by the shoulder, and suddenly her skin takes on the color of walnut, toughening in an instant to form a hard protective layer.
The wolf he summoned attacks the closest monster.
Fir finally wakens at the sound of battle.
Larkspring casts barkskin on Triska. She gains a +2 enhancement bonus to natural armor which lasts for 40 minutes. This is a standard action. If Triska is only five feet away, then Larkspring draws his scimitar also before casting his spell and moving forward. If not, he uses his move action to move the 10 feet or more.
The wolf attacks the nearest monster (presumably the one that attacked Triska). 1d20+3=21, 1d6+1=3. The wolf will last for 3 more rounds.
I don't need to make a Listen check for Fir any more, seeing as he's only got a -6 to Listen right now and the DC for hearing combat is -10. He is awake but still prone (ready to act next round).