Sami, you can see a few ruined buildings near the shore, and one stone building that still looks reasonably solid.
Lum scratches his head. "Haven't been this way since Starfall, really. I'd say just keep your eyes open. Versey?"
The tall alien shrugs. Via Besmarial, he says, "I don't know, either. The ship is on the north side of the river, and the plants don't tend to cross water."
So I take it we are in favor of camping. Let's get us to shore then
A quick reconnoiter of the area around the jetty shows no sign of hostiles. This appears to have been another semipermanent logging camp; most of the buildings have burned to their foundations, and the one exception you noted from the river used to be some sort of storehouse built entirely of stone. There are signs that it was used as a shelter since Starfall, although it apparently hasn't been disturbed for many years.
Sami motions to the stone house. As fine a place as any to camp, I'd think. Shall we go and make sure it's unoccupied, and then settle in for the evening?
The stone house proves to be reasonably weather-tight and unoccupied by anything bigger than a mouse. Some litter in one corner turns out to be a somewhat decayed leather backpack holding two tightly corked dark green glass bottles, about one quart each.
Xavier holds up the flasks for Eretria or Rashun to examine.
Do either of you know what these are?
Some litter in one corner turns out to be a somewhat decayed leather backpack holding two tightly corked dark green glass bottles, about one quart each.
I use detect magic, and if they are I attempt to identify them.
spellcraft:
Darc stays by the door, surveying the approach.
The bottle contents are not magic, Rashun. They look more like wine bottles, actually.
This place will do nicely for a camp. Stone Walls. Defensible. I'll see if I can catch anything nice for a decent meal.
Eretria, they appear to be wine. A red of some variety. Depending on how they were sitting and what the temperature variation was, they might even be drinkable.
Rashun goes out to help Xavier hunt for food.
Survival:
edit:
With Rashun's help, Xavier brings in an assortment of edibles--puffball mushrooms, a couple of rabbits, and some assorted greens.
Sami nods at the hunters with the respect that those of their talents deserve, then sets to finding all of the entrances into the building in order to account for them in terms of defense. As he does so, he searches for any hidden crevices or areas of significant damage where something like an evil plant monster could gain entry.
Sami, the building is quite sound still, and doesn't look like it offers any obvious points of entry for militant vines.
Eretria, they're not that high in alcohol content.
Quite pleased at his usefulness Xavier sets to making dinner.
We are eating well tonight. Anyone up for some sparring later?
While cooking he has a thought, Eretria, you explained to me that sorcerer's didn't learn magic from books. That it is in the blood. Why is it you need to speak weird words and do the hand waving. If it was nature, couldn't you sort of just point and kill things?
Always, Xavier. We cannot let ourselves become lazy in these peaceful days, for our enemies will surely not.
So....if a mage can speak they can't cast?
Darc helps with the fire and as he can. He looks at Xavier not understanding what he's getting at, "My god's magic, I speak." He shrugs chewing on a tough piece of rabbit, before spitting out into the fire the gristle.
So..when we fight a caster, could you cast a spell on them so they couldn'tspeak or hear? Would that stop the magic?
"That might work Xavier, but if they are able to resist the magic they can cast anyway, and many casters have powerful minds."
Dad used to adventure with a Dwarven cleric of Torag and a Halfing Scout. They weren't very stealthy in plate, which annoyed the Halfling alot. Used to cast a spell that made the immediate area around them impossibly silent so they could follow the scout without giving him away. I thought we could maybe cast it on me or an arrow if we meet a wizard. Then when I got close or we shot him with the arrow that might stop his spell casting.
It's clear Xavier is unsure of himself. He has put some thought into this and hopes the idea has some merit. It's not often he thought outside his area of expertise but he said he would try.
"Games, just games" say Darc disparagingly. The half-orc just sits and with an oily rag cleans his weapon. "Fight in darkness, young races fight bad." he laughs as he remembers fighting the best of the human knights in the tunnels, when the torches went out. It was a bloody battle, the half-orc slaughtered them once the darkness fell.
"I just learned how to cast such a spell recently. I don't know if it will stay working if the arrow breaks though. Magic is a peculiar thing."
The night is quiet, with only a susurrus of slithering from across the river to disturb your rest.
It's cooler next morning, and nearly calm. The area around the river is foggy. Visibility is around a quarter-mile. There's about five miles to go yet, or (given how laden your boat is) two hours or more of rowing against the current.
Darc will try not to row unless he has to, his knuckles hold onto the side of the boat as he travels.
Sami helps Xavier as much as he can along the last leg of their journey. . Alas, the current proves strong enough to challenge his body, and he ends the trip barely able to bear the weight of his own arms.
Fort save:
edit:Another wasted high roll. Why can't I get those in combat.
As the group start to row, it becomes apparent that he must help to balance out the rowers on each side. As he does this and concentrates on the actions of rowing, it seems to calm him as his mind focuses on the job in hand.
Despite Lum's assistance steering, the boat is briefly trapped in an eddy. Darc and Sami tire themselves out freeing the craft, and don't get enough time to rest as the river has a short stretch of rapids soon thereafter. Whether by luck or skill, Xavier and Rashun are able to row more efficiently.
Not long after you pass the rapids, Versey points at the north bank. "We is most-close now. Source-direction that is."
Then source direction we go, friend.
Xavier adjusts his rowing and helps bring the boat to shore at the required spot.
"Speed good, dry land." says Darc, in hope that soon they wil be on land once more.
The brush is thickest near the river's edge, making it easy to pull the boat close...although every time one of you puts a hand on a branch, you half-expect it to turn in your hand. It's worse when the wind blows. A bit of hacking and slashing later, you have a space to beach the boat and a clearing.
Can I have a marching order, please? Note that Lum and Versey are both second level, so they're rather more fragile than the rest of you.