Looking at your map Ganit, and not wanting to fall off the edge of the world, I say we head southwest, then southeast, northeast, and so forth back to the section of forest closest to Oleg's outpost unless we see something along the way to change our course. A systematic approach will save a great deal of time. That way, when we next depart from Olegs, we can head to the southern part of the forest without having to come back to the west.
"Sounds good. You truely are the daughter of a woodsman, aren't you?" Ganit tells Carina as he looks over the map. He takes a moment to catch his bearings and redirects himself to the next destination.
"Oh the fanciful tales you spin Ganit. Next time you tell of the bandit, he will be a she, and a child, and I will have drawn and quartered her. Leaving parts of her body to decorate the fort."
Lukan mounts up and heads towards the West.
"And here I thought I was doing you a simple kindness by downplaying your deeds, Lukan. Allow me to amend my previous comment." Ganit begins, looking at Jameson and Carina in turn. "Our valiant knight did the honorable service of slitting the boy's throat; graciously allowing him to bleed out what remaining life he had writhing in dirt like a stuck pig. Is that better?" he retorts.
Hmmm, I think I will sit off to the side while you boys have a slap fight. Please leave the weapons to the side as I would prefer having you both healthy should we run into something that wants to kill us. Rolls eyes and giggles.
Jameson shakes his head at the antics of Lukan and Ganit but otherwise keeps his thoughts to himself.
"If this bandit is to the south of Oleg's then it is good we are heading that way. They are most likely in the forest, as it provides better cover for their hideout."
"I guess compared to your old, wrinkled ass that bandit was just a wee boy, and he deserved no better - you dirty bandit loving..." Lukan cuts himself short, regaining what little is left of his composure and continues to ride onward.
Hearing this remark, Ganit halts his horse abruptly and swings his body around to face Lukan. "You'd do best to quell that fire in your belly, , unless you’re asking me to put it out for you.”
Eight years ago, I’d have held the prisoner by his hair while you cut him. But I’m not that person anymore… He thinks to himself while sizing the soldier up.
”Now how about we put the issue aside until we get back to the outpost, there are far more dangerous things on these trails than this eager executioner.” He turns his back to Lukan and makes his way ahead of the group to his scouting position hoping that the distance will cool the emotions.
Lukan chuckles at the 'boy' comment. The chuckle quickly grows into a hearty laughter. His eyes drop the malice and malcontent that were in them before. Insanity grips the soldier for a brief moment. The kind of insanity that comes from realizing just how small their squabble is in the grand scheme of things. His laughter rings over the plains, uncontrolled.
"Oh brother...
Cambyl watches Ganit and Lukan cautiously, hoping the two men can get past the old argument.
He rides up to Karina and James, "They really are nice guys when you get to know them." He smiles at the newer members of the company.
camping at carin 15%
Moster in planes:
Grig:
Will DC 12:
Will:
Cambyl:
Lukan Swane:
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain:
Jameson Addercop IV:
Carina Stigard:
Sir Bronwyn Raslov:
As you camp the night there is a sudden sound like that of crickets scratching their legs, but they sound bigger and closer than normal crickets. Suddenly the tune starts to become very catchy. You all manage to resist the catchy tune apart from Jameson and Sir Bronwyn who start to dance and shuffle their feet.
Out of the darkness you can hear laughter all around you as the tune appears to be eminating somewhere inside the camp and that's when you see a creature with the body of a elf attached to the lower part of a cricket rubbing it's legs that's eminating the music. You hear laughter of others but you can't see them.
"Dance bigginses, dance" cried one of the voices as they continue their laughter.
You are pretty certain these are the sounds of a Grig. They have the upper body of a elf, but the rest of a cricket and are goodly creatures who set out to destroy evil and uglyness, however this is what often gets them in trouble.
Round 1
Iniative:
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Cambyl
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
Carina Stigard
Lukan Swane
Jameson Addercop IV
Grig:
Order:
Grig
Jameson Addercop IV
Carina Stigard
Cambyl
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Lukan Swane
The creature continues to play his legs and the others wherever they are continue to laughing, enjoying the spectical of the dancing two.
"What is this?! Is it dangerous?"
Jameson does not appear happy at all but is not going to attack the creature until he understands what it wants.
I do not like this at all but at least it didn't try to kill us first.
Knowledge(nature)
Shaking her head as she gets up. Guys, lay down your weapons, I do not think these forest folk mean us any harm as long as we do not appear evil. To the best of my knowledge they are Grigs. Mischievous as are most fey, but not probably intending to harm us.
Turning toward the Grig playing his tune. Please forest master, allow us to rest in your forest. We mean you no harm, and as with you, desire only to rid the region of evil and those who would harm the land.
Diplomacy:
Perception: -- to see how many more there are. I have 90' darkvision.
"Are you sure, Carina?" he whispers to her, ready to draw his sword. He then addresses the strange creature, "It is as the lady says, sirs. We are always on the lookout for evil to eliminate."
Knowledge(nature) 1d20+6
Shaking her head as she gets up. Guys, lay down your weapons, I do not think these forest folk mean us any harm as long as we do not appear evil. To the best of my knowledge they are Grigs. Mischievous as are most fey, but not probably intending to harm us.
Turning toward the Grig playing his tune. Please forest master, allow us to rest in your forest. We mean you no harm, and as with you, desire only to rid the region of evil and those who would harm the land.
Diplomacy: 1d20+4
Perception: 1d20-1 -- to see how many more there are. I have 90' darkvision.
The Grig stops the tune and smiles. Instantly Jameson and Sir Bronwyn stopped dancing whilst he looks up at you all and two of his friends now become visable, all over the camp site.
"I was just curious. Why are you out here? Are you like the nasty bigginses back in the woods?" he askes curiously, looking over you all "No, you don't look like the nast bigginses. They all like you." he points at Ganit, Lukan and Cambyl.
"Sir Raslov your feet do you credit, though I'm more used to leading."
Turning to the small creature, Jameson bows.
"I'm glad you didn't mean us harm. We don't know these bigginses in the woods, though if they are all human they may be the bandits we are hunting."
Jameson squints at the grig and examines it for sharp objects.
"Did you kill a trapper with logs?"
"Sir Raslov your feet do you credit, though I'm more used to leading."
Turning to the small creature, Jameson bows.
"I'm glad you didn't mean us harm. We don't know these bigginses in the woods, though if they are all human they may be the bandits we are hunting."
Jameson squints at the grig and examines it for sharp objects.
"Did you kill a trapper with logs?"
They have a longsword and a bow with a quiver of arrows you can see on them. They don't have any of the weapons in their hands as they obviously mean no harm.
"Humans you call them? Yes, they are all humans. They are all hiding in a big walled area. Like the one outside the forest near what you bigginses call a road." he explains "Be careful in the wilds here. There are lots of nasty creatures that might hurt you."
At the mention of a trapper he raises a eyebrow
"Trapper?" he seems confused but then snaps his little fingers "Oh, you mean the bigginses who set traps and hunt animals? No, we fey have no problem with trappers as long as they don't take more than they need." he seems very curious now and then jumps on top of Jameson's shoulder. "Are you bigginses here for any reason? We've seen you travelling for many cycles now. Are you lost?"
To answer your question, we work for the good biggunses who live in cities to the north. We are scouting this land to remove evil, be it biggunses, fey, or other monsters. My friends for instance recently killed two evil giants living in a cave several cycles south of here. Our hope is that once the evil in this land has been destroyed, good trappers and farmers may move in and use the land to grow food for our cities without harming the good fey and animals who call this land home.
Good fey, these bigginses of which you speak here in the big walled area, how many cycles march is it to their walled area? We believe that these biggunses in the walled area you spoke of are very evil and seek only to steal from others and have no qualm about hurting others who get their way. It is evil such as this that we seek to eradicate from these lands. If you could help lead us to the biggunses walled area, we would be ever appreciative.
Bron laughs heartedly, containing himself just enough to ask:
We? Is there anyone with you, little cricket?
Seemingly reminding himself of something, he offers:
Where are my manners? I'm called Sir Bronwyn Raslov, this big one with the light feet is Sir Jameson Addercop, the lovely woman is Carina Stigard, and this lively fellow here is Cambyl. There are Lukan with the shield and Ganit with the bow. Might we have the honor to know your name?
Knowledge(Nature):
Ganit stands off to the side while the rest of the party attempts diplomatic measures; his bow still in hand, fingering the fletching of one of the few cold iron arrows he had in his quiver.
If negotiations break down, I'm not going to let myself get caught with my pants down...
Knowledge(Nature): 1d20+4
Ganit stands off to the side while the rest of the party attempts diplomatic measures; his bow still in hand, fingering the fletching of one of the few cold iron arrows he had in his quiver.
If negotiations break down, I'm not going to let myself get caught with my pants down...
Bron laughs heartedly, containing himself just enough to ask:
We? Is there anyone with you, little cricket?
Seemingly reminding himself of something, he offers:
Where are my manners? I'm called Sir Bronwyn Raslov, this big one with the light feet is Sir Jameson Addercop, the lovely woman is Carina Stigard, and this lively fellow here is Cambyl. There are Lukan with the shield and Ganit with the bow. Might we have the honor to know your name?
The Grig pouts at what Sir Bronwyn said.
"I'm not a cricket, Biggin. Your people call me a Grig." he looks over at you and jumps on a nearby tent. "My name is Kah-Et-Kor. If there is anywhere else local you want me to tell you about. Do you have a map?"
Why yes we do.
Turning to Ganit. Could I please see the map? You are welcome to remain on guard in case one of these mischievous Grigs decides to make you dance again.
Perform(comedy):
Returning with the map to Kah-Et-Lor. This is what we have surveyed so far. We are slowly working our way south, but it is a slow process for biggunses as slow as us.
Ganit silently hands the map over to Carina. Her humor not wasted on him, but the gravity of the situation still unclear.
Sense Motive on Kah-Et-Kor:
Good fey, these bigginses of which you speak here in the big walled area, how many cycles march is it to their walled area? We believe that these biggunses in the walled area you spoke of are very evil and seek only to steal from others and have no qualm about hurting others who get their way. It is evil such as this that we seek to eradicate from these lands. If you could help lead us to the biggunses walled area, we would be ever appreciative.
"For us it would be many cycles, but you are on the backs of four-legged bigginses it should not take many. It lies close to the friendly bigginses in the wood." he explains to everyone.
As Carina shows the map, Kah-Et-Kor points south of the patch of radishes.
"Around here. There are many of them always on guard. The wicked lady is the most dangerous." he explains looking up at them. "Down here somewhere are big frogs. Bigger than you bigginses." he pauses as he traces a finger and shivered when pointing to another area, south-east of the dead trapper. "Old cave there with some bear. My friend tried to talk to it, but it went mad and killed him. Was a building many years ago and now this...unnatural thing hangs around there." he explains as he looks worried mentioning this place. "Not been any further. We try to keep up here north of the lands."
"Be very careful bigginses. Others have travelled south and never returned. Same for some of us fey." he explains before leaping away with his companions shouting back "Be careful bigginses!" as they dissappear into the darkness of the night.
You can't tell if he has a tell apart from his obvious disgust at the area with the bear that he claims is unnatural.
"This was fortunate. They were such helpful creatures. Perhaps we should ensure that some of this forest have strict protections from poachers, loggers, and so on."
Lukan rubs his chin as he speaks further, "That bear sounds similar to what Jhod had described. If this is indeed a temple of Erastil, we should probably seek to restore it before we continue further. Having the power of Old Deadeye on our side would truly turn this expedition in our favor. With his blessings we could easily topple Kressle's gang."
As Carina shows the map, Kah-Et-Kor points south of the patch of radishes.
"Around here. There are many of them always on guard. The wicked lady is the most dangerous." he explains looking up at them. "Down here somewhere are big frogs. Bigger than you bigginses." he pauses as he traces a finger and shivered when pointing to another area, south-east of the dead trapper. "Old cave there with some bear. My friend tried to talk to it, but it went mad and killed him. Was a building many years ago and now this...unnatural thing hangs around there." he explains as he looks worried mentioning this place. "Not been any further. We try to keep up here north of the lands.""Be very careful bigginses. Others have travelled south and never returned. Same for some of us fey." he explains before leaping away with his companions shouting back "Be careful bigginses!" as they dissappear into the darkness of the night.
"This was fortunate. They were such helpful creatures. Perhaps we should ensure that some of this forest have strict protections from poachers, loggers, and so on."
Lukan rubs his chin as he speaks further, "That bear sounds similar to what Jhod had described. If this is indeed a temple of Erastil, we should probably seek to restore it before we continue further. Having the power of Old Deadeye on our side would truly turn this expedition in our favor. With his blessings we could easily topple Kressle's gang."
Agreed. And the big frog people, does anyone recall the mention when we were at Oleg's about some boggards or something? Could they be one and the same?
So, I think we have two options. Head toward one of the spots noted by the Grigs, or continue our systematic mapping. Makes no difference to me, we have to go through each of these areas at some point, the only question is whether we do it now, or later?
Also, since we know about where the bandits are, when we enter that area, we can go much slower with Ganit scouting, and hopefully set some type of rap just as you all did with the Prawns.
"This was fortunate. They were such helpful creatures. Perhaps we should ensure that some of this forest have strict protections from poachers, loggers, and so on."
Lukan rubs his chin as he speaks further, "That bear sounds similar to what Jhod had described. If this is indeed a temple of Erastil, we should probably seek to restore it before we continue further. Having the power of Old Deadeye on our side would truly turn this expedition in our favor. With his blessings we could easily topple Kressle's gang."
"Be very careful bigginses. Others have travelled south and never returned. Same for some of us fey." he explains before leaping away with his companions shouting back "Be careful bigginses!" as they dissappear into the darkness of the night.
As Carina shows the map, Kah-Et-Kor points south of the patch of radishes.
"Around here. There are many of them always on guard. The wicked lady is the most dangerous." he explains looking up at them. "Down here somewhere are big frogs. Bigger than you bigginses." he pauses as he traces a finger and shivered when pointing to another area, south-east of the dead trapper. "Old cave there with some bear. My friend tried to talk to it, but it went mad and killed him. Was a building many years ago and now this...unnatural thing hangs around there." he explains as he looks worried mentioning this place. "Not been any further. We try to keep up here north of the lands."
"I have to admit, I was not expecting that when we started out. What other oddities exist out here. If we were to encounter less helpful fey how would we fend them off? I think protecting the forest would be in the best interests of all, especially if Erastil is to hold sway here."
"We'll know for sure what intentions these grigs hold when we see that the area's they've pointed out are truely as they say. It would be foolish to expect these creatures to materialize from nowhere to help us and ask nothing in return. It would be just as foolish to expect that they're actually gone."
Ganit joins Carina in consulting the map and planning the trip using the new information. "We should continue on the path we had set this morning, some of those areas line up with the intel the fairies gave us.
.
Then I think we are ready to move on to the SE(hex on the edge of the map).
That seems to be Ganit's plan and until someone says otherwise, I think we are all agreeing on his directions.
Oops - meant SW
5% Entering Hex
15% Exploring Hex
5% Entering Hex
15% Exploring Hex
Monster encounter:
Worg Perception: -2 as it's eating
You wake the next morning, heading south-west and exploring the planes then camping and spending another day out here as the day goes on uneventfully.
Next day you head south-east placing you directly south of the Barbarian Cairn with when a hidious storm hits as you explore the land. Then you come across a nasty looking wolf with pure black fur and eyes glowing red. Once you all notice it, the creature turns around, facing you with a bloodied maw and glowing red eyes. There appears to have been a battle and the creature was feeding upon a human. It lets out a low growl as it leers at the group.
"Leave or I'll bite your heart out." it growls in a intelligent speaking voice. His threats appear empty as he's the only one and other similar wolves are lying dead around him.
This creature is known as a Worg. They look like wolves and are a strange creature possibly created by wizards many centuries ago. They are evil and are often known for luring out people in packs and are usually in packs. They perfer to eat the flesh of intelligent creatures and are even known to side with Goblins for mounts, but in such cases they are the masters and not the riders.
"One human kills so many of you and now there are six more to your one? You should worry more for your heart beast!"
Jameson will lower his lance in preparation to charge, but does not move yet.
Red eyes, black pelt and a dead human. I think you will soon join your brethren.
Carina feels the rage in her as she says this realizing that the wolf's threat is completely empty.
Bah - to hell with it - time to die wolf.
Nod your head, when you awake you will be dead.
Cast Sleep - centered on the wolf
Round 1
Iniative:
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Cambyl
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
Lukan Swane
Carina Stigard
Worg:
Order:
Jameson Addercop IV
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Worg
Carina Stigard
Lukan Swane
Cambyl
Cambyl draws his rapier, a smile on his face. "There can be no doubt here, friends. this is no playful fay, but a creature of death and evil. Let us show it some action!"
Bron whispers quickly to those around him:
I'll hold the creature, do not fear.
He moves his horse to the left side, offering an easier target to the worg. The knight watches the creature's red eyes as they follow his movement.
Bron rears his horse, shouting:
It is I that you want, creature. I offer myself to you, beast, defeat me and you shall escape. Attack them and it's swift painful death to you.
He holds his body hunched, his body to the side of the horse, his neck exposed and in the creature's range.
Don't know the timing of the Sleep spell. But the DC is 15 for the saving throw I think. 10+1 (level 1) + 4 (Cha)
If it is still up when it is my turn.
Ray of Frost:
Damage:
Ganit doesn't attempt to understand the suicidal tactics of young sir Raslov but that doesn't stop him from giving his assistance to headstrong knight. He dismounts and dismisses gentle Felicity and focuses his bow to the area between the wolf and the noble.
Readied Attack:
Damage:
Bron takes a quick look at Ganit and smiles, noticing the ranger apparently is following close to the ploy. He offers Ganit a wink but quickly turns his gaze back to the creature.