Allence's Last Hope

Game Master sarpadian

"If I could have one or two extra javelins for the road that would be nice. Otherwise I think Chantif has it covered."

Wand of CLW?: 1d100 ⇒ 23 No

"Afraid I don't have a healin' wand, sonny. Anything like that I get my hands on, it goes up to Ft. Nunshal, where folks need it worse. Our chaplains can usually handle what we run into here themselves, without needin' items. The rest I can probably handle, though. Now would you rather take possession of the items here, or do you want me to cut orders to a garrison you'll be passin' and have them take care of it?"

Chantif twists his face in a frown. Of course, of course. He pauses for a moment in thought, his brow furrows more deeply, Perhaps we should sit down...

He and the quartermaster sat down and began discussing various items, stocks, quantities, weights, with Det and any of the others with the patience to participate weighing in.

In the course of the discussion, Chantif, informed his companions There are fey about in the wild, you know. Hopefully we won't see any of 'em, and they won't see any of us, and they are not always malicious, but I do like to be prepared, you see, and I suggest you do the same. I'm sure the good quartermaster here can provide at least a few weapons forged out of Cold Iron, and you see I am putting arrows with cold iron tips on the list, right next to the other arrows.

Chantif doesn't know that Umash needs supplies for making CLW potions--we haven't discussed skills and specialties at all, that I can think of--so she needs to speak up. No particular need for it to be in-character, though--just let me know which items to add to the list.

Not sure which other consumables are a good idea. I have added some arrows and lantern oil to the sheet, both of which are consumables, though very cheap. We should have 100-120 gp worth left to spend on consumables, unless I forgot about some other consumable items on the list. I assume some buffing potions would be nice. Potions of Guidance, a 0-level spell I think, or maybe it is first level, could be good for when we need to make a really important skill check.

By the time they finished their conversation and filled out all the necessary paperwork, hours had passed.

By the by, I swear I could eat a whole pig myself. Is anyone else as famished as I am?

Rhona is happy to leave most of the shopping to Chantif, who seems to have a good handle on things. After his mention of needing weapons made of Cold Iron, Rhona pipes up. "Hey, if you've got anything to spare in that department, sign me up. I can use arrows just fine- got a shortbow, y'see- but if you have any Cold Iron swords or hammers or anything of that sort lying around, I'd be happy to take 'em off your hands. Temporarily, of course."

And upon Chantif's mention of food, she grins. "One thing you'll learn about me, pal- I'm always hungry."

"No wands then? Perhaps you could provide me with alchemical ingredients instead, I could brew a potion or two before we set off.", Umash adds to the list. "I'm not actually all that hungry. Leave me a bowl of stew or something while i start brewing and I'll be good."

FYI brewing CLW potions takes 2 hours a piece, 25 gp in raw materials (the rules are that vague). So i would take as much as i can brew into potions before we head out. I can also make more when we rest, but that will increase resting time by that much.

Martyn smiles. "Sure, sonny, have a seat. I can tell we're gonna be here a while."He opens his desk drawer and pulls out a large book, which appears to be an inventory of available stores. As you mention an item, he flips to the appropriate page to see if he has it in stock. After he's checked the whole list, he leans back in his chair and says: "Ya've obviously put a lotta thought into this, which is a lot more than I can say more of the green youngsters I've had to break in over the years. Still--as somebody who was doing this before your grandfather was born from the looks of you--I've got a little bit of advice. Consider how often you'll need all those items. Items you'll need once in a blue moon may not be worth carryin' the other 98% of the time. That list is doable with three mules as long as they stay in good shape, but I'd recommend maintaining more capacity in reserve. You never know when one of the buggers is going to come up lame, and there's the possibility that you may come to a spot where you have to leave the mules. Remember the first rule: Murphy always shows up. Speaking of which, I don't have cold-weather gear where I can get to it easily; we don't need it here very often--even in winter. I'll cut you orders to requisition it from a garrison you're passing, though. The rest of the stuff--including a cold iron longsword for missy over there--I can have ready by tomorrow morning. I'll have a detail bring it to your inn. You should leave bright and early; no sense burnin' daylight."

After leaving the quartermaster's office, you return to the inn and get dinner as Umash begins crafting potions.
This would be a good time to make your decision on which way you're going. Also, Umash, the overland movement rules assume that you're only moving 8 hours a day, so you'll have plenty of crafting time, even on the road.

As the group departs the quartermaster's, Rhona snorts. "'For the missy over there,'" she grumbles, imitating the quartermaster's voice. "This place we're staying at got room service? I could use a masseuse. And some bath salts. And something to hit a few times."

By dinner, however, she seems to have cheered up a bit, likely on account of realizing that she is, in fact, about to be in possession of a cold-iron longsword- and more than likely putting it to use against some Orcs. If there's meat on the table, Rhona's eating it. If there's halfway decent ale, she's drinking it. Although not one to start a conversation, she is willing to respond to any prodding from the rest of her new comrades.

"So," she says after a while, "I'm still not sure about which path we're taking. Did we settle on the second option? Because I'm not going to be too heartbroken if we don't take the waterfalls." Quietly, she adds: "Might've been nice, though."

"I am not so good with the weapons so I wont be needing a Cold Iron one."

I sit through the discussion listening but not offering much advice unless a though occurs to me.

@ the inn

"I am willing to travel any path that everyone thinks will be the best path."

After enjoying a hearty meal and a pint or two of ale, Chantif settles in to whatever room the party has available for discussing a plan, his tanned skin flush from food and drink. I don't think the route through Nunshal Pass is the way to go--it won't do at all to try sneaking by that damned fort. No, I think we need to take one of the routes that leave us crossing the Teeth farther East. If we make our way all the way to the waterfall at Meston, there is a magical elevator we could use, quite a sight it is. However, that route will not allow for very much secrecy, especially when we reach the elevator--if there is a watch there, they will surely see us coming. That don't answer either. No, what we need to do is go up into the foothills and then work our way into the teeth. We will need to leave the mules when we get high into the teeth, unless we can find a path for them to follow, or work out a way to lift them up. We'll be roughing it most of the way. There aren't any highways where we're going, and very few of what you might call roads. For the most part we will be following beaten trails, and we might even leave those if it seems expedient to our secrecy. But most likely, we won't encounter many settlements, nor many other travelers, neither. At the last sentence he frowns and grumbles under his breath, his brow returning to its habitual furrow as he looks at the ground. After a moment he looks back up at his companions, his face a little less grim. What do ye say?

With a belly full of food Det finally felt like talking, "I like the idea of traveling beside the river. It provides a certain amount of protection on one side and it is also a good source of food and water. Plus," he says with a playful glance at Rhona, "It would be fun to see a waterfall with a giant, magical elevator. "

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Rhona points her nearly-stripped chicken bone at Det and nods. "Hell of a sight it'd be. I'm just sayin'." She sighs and tosses the bone over her shoulder. "Hey, we've already put a hell of a lot more thought into this than anybody- I'm guessing that includes Lord D'Allence- expected. If it's coming down to one last vote, then I say a quick show of hands. I say waterfall. Det says waterfall." She raises her hand and nudges Det so that, hopefully, he will do the same. After a moment's silence, she shoots Drexel a look. "What's the word, wizard? Chantif thinks the magic elevator's too conspicuous. What do you think? Umash? Anybody?"

It sounds like there's a diversity of opinions on route. Let's take it one step at a time. You have to visit a garrison to pick up cold weather gear, so heading NE through the wilderness isn't really an option just yet. Your two real options for the first leg of your journey are up the King's Road to Ft. Nunshal or east along the River Road to Alenk Town. Your options open up from there (e.g. from Alenk Town you can keep following the river towards Meston or take off through the wilderness), but we can cross that bridge when you get to it. Either way, you will be traveling in very hot conditions (90-110 degrees F) for the time being. I'm posting the rules for heat danger in the discussion thread; please let me know how you are going to prepare (what armor you're traveling in, etc).
Edit: never mind about the armor, turns out you take the penalty even in non-metal armor; I was remembering incorrectly. But feel free to roll a Survival check for a bonus on the saves.

Det is, at first, too distracted by laughing at the chicken leg being pointed at him to realize that he was supposed to raise his hand, but after a moment he grabbed a chicken leg of his own, took a bite, and raised it in the air.

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"Ash I sh..." Umash removes a cork from between her teeth that she just pulled out of a small vial a moment prior and puts it on the table, careful not to tip that same vial she's holding in the same hand, "As I said, I don't mind stepping over a few orc corpses on the way. And a magical elevator at a waterfall?" she pauses to carefully pour a drop from the vial into a larger flask, "Sounds like a sight to see."

"As I said before I am with whatever the majority decided and it sounds like they want to see a magic elevator."

I wear no armor, does that benefit me at all?

Chantif's face grows more dour as each new person speaks. Fair's fair. We'll take the River road to Alenk town, and then follow the river to the falls at Mestor.

--

Yes, Drexel, it does benefit you. Anyone wearing armor will take a -4 on their Fortitude save to avoid Heatstroke.

The penalties for Heatstroke are so stiff that Chantif will most likely keep his studded leather tied to his backpack for easy access rather than wear it and take the penalty. As the stealthiest member, he might try scouting ahead to spot any possible foes and hopefully give the party time to don armor should any combat be likely.

Anyone have better ideas?

But... but... my fancy scale mail! Alas, considering the heat, Rhona might just be going unarmored for a bit. If that proves to be the case, a bit of forward scouting might be helpful. I intended Rhona to be a high-AC tanky type, so she works best when she gets to take advantage of said AC, so having the prep time to throw on her armor before a fight starts would be super helpful. I can don my armor hastily in one minute, or put it on correctly in 2 with help (I nominate Drexel!), just so y'all know.

Rhona leans back in her chair and puts her hands behind her head, sighing victoriously. "I do so enjoy it when I get my way." Noting the sour look on Chantif's face, she adds: "Don't worry. If we're all eaten by river monsters or plummet to our deaths over the sides of the waterfall, you have my permission to say 'I told you so.'"

He looks at Rhona and leans on an elbow. Eh, I'm not concerned about any o' that. We will be fine, altogether.

Alrighty, let's finally get going. I'm going to assume everyone is wearing their hot weather gear and no armor for the time being. Chantif volunteered to take point. In what order are the rest of you traveling?

As the sun peeks over the horizon, the quartermaster's detail arrives with three mules, loaded with all the gear you requested. You redistribute the load as you prefer, adding your own gear to the mix, and head out of the city along the River Road. The weather is muggy, but not too taxing for the first couple of hours that you're traveling. About mid-morning, however, some of you begin feeling the strain. By lunchtime, several of you are needing to take a substantial rest. The trees off the shoulder of the road look like an inviting place to stop for lunch and maybe a siesta.

To summarize: Drexel is at 2/6 nonlethal, Umash is at 5/10 nonlethal, Rhona is at 3/15 nonlethal, and Det is at 4/11 nonlethal; all of you are fatigued. Chantif and the mules are fine. You have made 5 hours of progress so far (I ruled you didn't need to make checks for the first two hours), so you have three more hours of travel today before you enter forced march territory. The last two hours before dark will not require checks, either, so I would suggest hanging out at this spot until three hours before dark (if you're not planning on a forced march today). By that time, all of you will have healed your nonlethal damage and, therefore, not be fatigued. I'll also rule that the DC for the one save you have to make will reset to 15. If you want to make a forced march to get further, though, the DCs don't reset, and some of you will still have nonlethal damage on you, depending on how forced of a march it is.

Chantif, seeing his companions beginning to wear down in the heat, looks at the trees.

Maybe we ought to stop for a bit of rations and some rest in the shade. It is bloody hot out here, after all. I'll run ahead to make sure we won't disturb any resting critters. In the course of arranging material, Chantif would have explained that everyone should wear a signal whistle at all times, and blow it whenever they are in danger unless doing so would increase their danger.

He searches through the trees, checking for any creatures that might turn hostile if their territory is encroached on.

Taking 10 on Stealth and Perception, if possible, for 16 and 15, respectively. You can roll for me if you don't want me to take 10.

If there's nothing in the trees and time enough while the others are resting, Chantif may also want to a) scout around a bit and b) try to predict the weather tomorrow. Not sure how long either of those take. I'll take 10 for 15 on predicting the weather, if allowed, otherwise you can roll for me again.

For the first three hours Det was traveling right behind Chantif, but after a while he started to fall behind as both Rhona and Drexel passed by him. When he heard Chantif suggest they rest, he collapsed under shade of a tree, wiped the sweat from his brow, and started drinking water. after catching his breath he says "With all this humidity you could damn near swim the whole way!" Then he takes a ration and starts eating.

Chantif gives the all clear to the party, then waits for them in the shade. Heheh, Aye Det, Aye. He takes a swig from his waterskin. We can look forward to more of the same tomorrow, I'm sure. The only clouds I see are few and far between--the wind is not likely to blow them our direction today, not by a near sight. He leans against a tree and pulls out a ration. We should probably stay here until the day cools off. Capital shade, this is. I'm thinking of scouting ahead a bit, though. He takes a few bites of his ration, chewing each of them. Always good to know what's around, you know.

Det was enjoying the shade of a large tree while leaning on it's trunk. Finally finding a comfortable position he relaxed and started to drift from consciousness. Just as his eyelids shut they snapped open when he heard the sharp cry of a whistle being blown. He jumped up as quick as he could, grabbed Krolik and his armor and started off in Chantif's direction. Before he got too far, he turned around to his companions and said "You guys hear that?"

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Hearing the whistle blow the first time I stand quickly. "I will see what our friend has gotten him self into, follow me!" Chanting in my arcane tongue for a few seconds I suddenly sprint away at a ludicrous speed.

Cast Expeditious Retreat (lasts one min), adds 30ft to my move and running (x5 to move) => moving 300ft per round. 1/4 mile is 1320ft => 4 rounds within yelling distance, 5 rounds in combat.

Will post further actions once I am within sight.

"Good, we're alread attracting trouble!", Umash puts the vials down she was just about to mix potion ingredients in, pulls a smaller vial from a pouch and downs its contents and follows Drexel and Det, drawing the Falchion from the sheath attached to her backpack, all the while her arms seem to be growing in bulk.

Using my strenth mutagen and running, so falchion attacks are +4 (2d4+6) and my AC 17, but my bombs are only 1d6+3

Rhona had been laid out on the ground, enjoying the break from the heat and the long walk. Upon hearing Chantif's signal whistle, she bolts up from the ground, snatching up her shield and longsword all at once. "Naturally," she grumbles. And odds are if I spend the time to lug all that armor on, the fight'll be over by the time I catch up to the others. Either Chantif'll have won and gotten all the glory for himself, or he'll be dead meat. Neither option sounds especially appealing.

With a resigned sigh, Rhona started running after the others.

Got the cold iron longsword in one hand, heavy shield in the other. Without armor, my AC should be 16 right now- still fairly respectable considering the circumstance, and movement is back up to the usual rate of 30 ft/round. Might we assume I have my throwing axes on my person (on my belt, likely)?

Full run until I can see Chantif and whatever trouble he's gotten into.

Rhona will keep on running alongside Det until she gets close enough to see what's going on.