"I'll go and speak to the Ironhorses, talk to Patty, see if I can borrow Henry again, and ask her to be on the lookout for the denizens of the swamp. Maybe send her Khrovan's way." Kae voulinteres with a wry grin. "Then there's Ryul, who I can speak with. Also, I shall be bringing along that magical mace in the armory, if no one has any objections to that, in case the thing has some sort of magical protections."
Friday through Sunday I shall be out of town on camping - which is why I wanted to resolve this sooner then later.
We can do posting battle on Thursday, if there is a battle - not saying that will happen. But we'll play it by ear, though.
If it looks good, we can go from there, if not - well, then we will have to wait until Sunday night.
That said, looking forward to tomorrow.
"Good morning, Henry. Patty, would you mind if i borrowed your husband once again? There has been an attack out in the fields a bit over a day's ride from here, and his skills would prove most useful to us, as we must navigate woods and caves in order to locate the offending creature." Kae explains. "It killed a man, and tore a large chunk out of the flank of one of his cows. Cattle have been going missing lately but this is the first attack of this severity. It a likely a large beast, so we need to take care tracking it, so i'd lik to hire your services once again."
Then to patty, Kae asks, "And we have not forgotten about the threat in the swamps, so i wanted to alert you that we were leaving, but Khrovan will remain. Would you be able to lend him some support?"
"Greetings, Isthasy. There is a Hunt, and I would be honored if you would join. There was a vicious attack on one of out people out in the fields, a beast tore hom to pieces and slew one of his cows. His friend Hobbs rushed here to alert us of the situation, so we are going to address it. The creature fled into the nearby caves or woods, we suspect, so we will be tracking it, and I would appreciate your eyes and wisdom."
Kae also wants the Mace for 1012. Any help handling costs of the Hirelings would be appreciated...
Also someone should get the dwarf, maybe... Nobody's called hiring him yet.
After the meeting, Ariarh goes to speak to Khald Mak Morn and Selendria Grear.
"Well met, Master Mak Morn. I've recently come from a meeting where the cattle drover, John Hobbs, has informed the council of some trouble on the Western Lane. His friend, Herd, and one of Herd's cows has been killed, bit and torn apart, by some creature and we're riding out to find and deal with the creature. We believe it may be hiding out in one of the caves up there and so we need able people with skill in tracking and caves. Ka'etil Malas'rae has suggested it could be a lycanthrope or some such shapeshifter but we are not entirely certain at this stage. Would you be interested in joining us on this expedition? We could use your particular skill, friend."
"Hello, Mistress Selendria! We have an urgent situation as one of our drovers, Herd, and his cow have been killed recently. The other drovers are worried for their livelihood and lives. We may be looking at a lycanthrope perpetrator, however that has not been confirmed, as no one has seen the actual creature, so if you can keep this speculation to yourself for now, I would appreciate it. I thought wolfsbane may help, at least as a repellant, and since we have no herbalist at present, I'm wondering if you have the plant on hand by chance? If you do, I would like to purchase some for the group, good lady." "And, we require some silver. Can you help me, my friend?"
Ry will be dressed in her explorer's outfit and is wearing her dragon amulet and wooden armor. She will bring along 2 of the climbers kits (more if the others require them), a healer's kit, 3 flasks of oil, extra rope, wolfsbane (if it's available), dagger, scimitar, sling, pouch of stones, 2 Cure Light Wounds potions, 1 Cure Moderate Wounds potion, 2 vials of holy water and her usual gear, waterskin, bedroll, backpack, silk rope, etc.
Ka'etil's finances
Hired Ironhorse and got my coat for 1700
hiring iron horse and ryul for 300
took the mace for 1012
That's 3012 of 6000, so I got 2988 left, right, joe?
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Kae also wants the Mace for 1012. Any help handling costs of the Hirelings would be appreciated...
Also someone should get the dwarf, maybe... Nobody's called hiring him yet.
Actually, your math is slightly off. Here are the bonuses:
1. +2 Payment in advance
2. +1 for being one level higher then him
3. +1 for having vault/stronghold
4. +1 for having twice loot needed
5. +1 for room and board (you cannot provide "quality room and board" unless you put him up on an Inn or provide something more substantial then horses and trail rations).
This is a total of +6 Bonuses, but then, I cannot recall if you paid to hire Ironorse over the winter already -for a period of 4 weeks in total. If you did, then your bonus is higher, and is most likely the +10. As it is, I simply don't recall - you doing that, though I could be wrong. As such, his total cost would be:
+6 = -60%, or roughly 300 GP.
If you had already paid to hire Ironorse over the winter each week, I honestly can't remember, but let me know, and we'll go from there.
Ryul has not been hired before - he has worked pro-bono. He serves at the behest of Anuk-su; you will need to use Diplomacy to encourage her to have him come. She is neutral to the task, so it should be pretty easy.
After the meeting, Ariarh goes to speak to Khald Mak Morn and Selendria Grear.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
1. Khald Mak Morn, shall go - at the prescribed price.
He is garbed as a fighter; scale mail, battle axe, dagger, round shield, armored kilt and a sturdy steel helm. He has a small explorer's kit with him, and will happily join you.
2. Selendria is pleased to help you any way she can. To wit- she offers you an special spear -
With it she provides 4 doses of "quicksilver" - or mercury. If you can stab a lycan with this, it will inject the quicksilver itno its veins directly, and the creature shall die of poison very fast.
Ka'etil's finances
Hired Ironhorse and got my coat for 1700
hiring iron horse and ryul for 300
took the mace for 1012That's 3012 of 6000, so I got 2988 left, right, joe?
** spoiler omitted **
Ah! If you had hired Ironhorse all winter, you are exactly right about the price regarding him. However, it will not cost you anything to hire Ryul, you simply must make a Diplomacy roll with Annuk-su to convince her.
And Khrovin took not only the sword, but the mace as well! And all Composite Longbow's... As all PC's who go NPC's - they naturally abscond with your magical gear ;)
No, no... just kidding about that last part.
Note to all:
Formal adventure begins at roughly 9:00 PM Eastern Standard tonight.
Standard PbP - Skype available for anyone who wants to listen in. Most narration will be on board, including a brief post comming up. Answers to it will be posted shortly after nine.
The time is now 10:00 AM and the date is the 23rd. You have traveled north with your companions and have made your way up and through the canyons.
Your journey took longer then you expected; mainly due to the fact that you left somewhat later then you wanted, in an effort to gather both supplies and companions. You have, at the least, taken Hobbs with you, though he seems extremely uncomfortable with the proceedings, and nervous about everything.
During the evening of the 22nd you slept at the very entrance to the Western Lane, and are now riding up the path, having eaten very recently.
Brett is also slowing you down somewhat, as he is taking the time to note various caves that you have passed which flank the West Lane. You have not traveled down any side caves or canyons yet, focusing mainly on the goal at hand – find the killer. Brett assures you that if you find a lycan on the grassy knoll that he has a “magic bullet” or two to put the beasts down.
As you reach the knoll, you see clearly in the distance the pond that Brett mentioned; the wide expanse of grass, and the tall pine trees which surround the western and eastern side (the north side being where the lake is – pine trees north of it). The south side has, for the most part, tall cliffs and broken rocks.
Brett mutters aloud that the cliffs alone, with their grass covered crags and broken rock formations, would be a good place for an ambush. You all realize that, assuming Hobbs information is accurate, the killing would have most likely taken place near those same crags and cliffs.
There is no sign of any cows at this time…
Alaric breathes the fresh clean air. It's been too long since they were on the road together.
Mr. Hobbs? Where from here?
Alaric breathes the fresh clean air. It's been too long since they were on the road together.
Mr. Hobbs? Where from here?
Note: Annuk-su has naturally decided to come with you. She seems to suggest that she is quite mature enough to take care of herself, and shall attend to the needs of Alaric, as prescribed by her order. Meanwhile, she is currently riding a horse.
Hobbs looks deucedly uncomfortable about the whole trip, but grudgingly urges his horse over to where he had indicated in the grasses.
As he moves forward, Brett calls out for him to stop.
"Oye, there! Mayhap ye hold up yer horse, and walk over there slow-like... we don't want to be disturbing nay tracks and such. Kae," he says turning to the barbarian "ye and the gang want to spread out and give me some back-up? See if we done can't find the tracks right smart?"
Then, he dismounts, stretches a bit, and follows Hobbs, who leads those wiling to track into a wide area that seems to be trampled down.
Before they get too close to the killing spot, Brett holds up his hand for a moment, and prepares to examine the ground via tracking. Any near can assist him, if they choose.
Survival Roll to Search for tracks...
While at the village
"My Lady Anuk-su," Ka'etil greets the tiny dragon girl with a low bow, "I would greatly appreciate it if we were able to Bring Ryul on our current quest to hunt down the monster that has been attacking the herders in the country. His skills would be a valuable asset as we pursue this creature."
Ry dismounts Tal and leads him by rein, Dior following closely beside her until they reach the spot where Brett motions for them to halt. She scans the ground for signs of tracks.
"Excellent thinking Brett!" Kae calls out, and hops off Konur. The then begins to search for some kind of tracks, of neither man nor cow.
survival
Ryul, Henry? Do you notice anything of note?"
While at the village
1d20+6
"My Lady Anuk-su," Ka'etil greets the tiny dragon girl with a low bow, "I would greatly appreciate it if we were able to Bring Ryul on our current quest to hunt down the monster that has been attacking the herders in the country. His skills would be a valuable asset as we pursue this creature."
To you from Anuk-su Seti at settlement -
"Of course we shall order our folk with us in such things. As thou hast suggested Ryul, then we shall therefore bring him. Yet, before he begins such a journey, see that he is properly garbed!"
Ryul is now wearing a scimitar at his side and is carrying a strange shield with what looks like a long dagger-like blade at the bottom of it. The "Shape" of the shield seems like a type of dragon (knowledge nature to identify it).
Further, he is wearing a breastplate, a long dark cloak, and carrying a long bow with a quiver of arrows at his back.
"Excellent thinking Brett!" Kae calls out, and hops off Konur. The then begins to search for some kind of tracks, of neither man nor cow.
survival1d20+7
Ryul, Henry? Do you notice anything of note?"
Ryul's roll to assist -
Henry's roll
k:nature on the shield
i love the Klar. there's this great combat style: Thunder and Fang that lets you use an Earthbreaker and Klar as a double-weapon
Ry looks at the dragon symbol on Ryul's strange shield.
Brett's rolls have been aided, and he now has a total of 31 to his survival; though there are significant penalties. The weather, the three days of being gone -
You deduce the following; there was a heaving bloodstain in several places - the ground was trampled and slammed down.
The herd seems to have moved south, you suspect into the canyons. Brett suggests this is perplexing, as there is no reason to leave grazing pasturelands and fresh water - unless they were coerced.
Further, the remains of the cow have been found, mostly muched on by crows when you arrived. They scatter when you move closer. The cow is rotting in the sun, and smell badly.
Spreading out the search you are able to find some tracks in the form of scraped rocks and broken branches and grasses which lead up the hills to the immediate south.
There is no sign of the body, however, despite your best searching.
Hobbs seems increasingly nervous...
Ry notices the drover's increasing nervousness, in his body language and gestures, and tries to calm him down and determine the cause of it.
"Master Hobbs, what is wrong? You seem particularly agitated and I wish to be of help if I can."
"I know this is difficult for you Hobbs, but we'll make sure no one else gets hurt, alright? We've dealt with worse than a single hungry monster, I'm sure. You can talk to us, we're on your side." Ka'etil says to Hobbs, helping Ariarh calm the man and find out what's bothering him.
Ry notices the drover's increasing nervousness, in his body language and gestures, and tries to calm him down and determine the cause of it.
"Master Hobbs, what is wrong? You seem particularly agitated and I wish to be of help if I can."
"What's wrong? I tell ye what's wrong - the whole bleeding herd be missing, that's what's what! That be near two dozen head o' cattle. And anyway, where the go? They be all gone? Why they run off... and where they go, besides? Down the trail? Well, then why don't we be seeing them, nor any sign o' them... Nay tracks, dung, or dead in the trail. And where be the body o' me mate? It be gone, too, eh?" he asks the last with a horse croak, his voice clearly tense and agitated.
"The whole thing be madness, that's what's what. And now we be out in the middle o' this?"
He glances around hastily, seeing all of you looking at him, his voice rising, then master's himself and quickly gets himself under control.
"Apologies... nothing to concern yerself over, I guess... just worried is all," he mumbles, fidgiting under your stares.
Brett looks hard at him, then spits once to the leeward. Billy is holding his double-barreled, sawed down scatter gun loosely in his hand, his tanned fingers clutching the pistol grip easily as he props it on his shoulder, watching Hobbs from under a wide brimmed hat.
"Well lets have a look for any signs of the creatures' passing, and try to find where the herd went." Kae says to Hobbs. Looking south, he looks out for any indication of what happened to the cattle.
"Ryul, I have noticed the red dragon skull symbol on your shield and it is intriguing. I recollect Sylvath once mentioning a battle with the red dragon forces. Is that where you came by such a shield?"
Ariarh turns her gaze south east and scans the area for signs of the cattle, hoping to provide assistance of some sort.
"It is a truly impressive looking shield. A barbarian from far away had another shield like it, that he wielded along with a hammer. Although his shield looked to be made of a lizard's skull." kae says to Ryul
"Ryul, I have noticed the the red dragon skull symbol on your shield and it is intriguing. I recollect Sylvath once mentioning a battle with the red dragon forces. Is that where you came by such a shield?"
"It is, my lady... My father and his cohort smashed into the flanks of a company that was being gaurded by a red dragon - a young one, as I have been told. The dragon was eventually defeated and overcome, and the cohort took the skull as their standard. In time, they molded the pattern on their shields, even as you see here. The others can tell you more of it, though - for we are all, how do you say? Ah! Cousins... Our clan therefore made this our symbol, when my father's cohort led the charge that broke the line - ending the life of a great leader of our enemy," he adds the last somewhat shyly, though with a hint of pride in his voice.
Ariarh turns her gaze southward and scans the area for signs of the cattle, hoping to provide assistance of some sort.
That would be to the south east... the south is the cliffs; where the tracks lead. The humanoid tracks...
"Well lets have a look for any signs of the creatures' passing, and try to find where the herd went." Kae says to Hobbs. Looking south, he looks out for any indication of what happened to the cattle.
1d20+8
The cattle clearly could not have gone south. That is where the cliffs are - the cliffs are jagged, and move slowly up, at about a 55 degree angle, while the only real place the cattle could move was to the south east. The path leads then east, but is called the "West Lane" because the whole path is west of the river.
The cattle could have traveled down the path a bit and got lost or seperated into one of the many diverting passages or diverting areas or dead ends.
If there was only someway you could get a birds eye view...
There are tracks moving toward the cliffs to the south, but the cattle seem to have moved into the hills. "Well now, friends, should we attempt to ascertain where the cattle went, or do we want to go into the hills and chase this thing into it's habitat, knowing next to nothing about it?" Looking at Dior, Kae wishes Khro were there to translate for the Griffon, but then ..."My lady, perhaps you could fly over the cliffs to the south, see where the tracks lead," looking at Ry with an inquiring gaze, "perhaps with Dior, for assistance and protection?"
He glances at Alaric and Ryul for objections, as she is more their ward than his...
"It is, my lady... My father and his cohort smashed into the flanks of a company that was being gaurded by a red dragon - a young one, as I have been told. The dragon was eventually defeated and overcome, and the cohort took the skull as their standard. In time, they molded the pattern on their shields, even as you see here. The others can tell you more of it, though - for we are all, how do you say? Ah! Cousins... Our clan therefore made this our symbol, when my father's cohort led the charge that broke the line - ending the life of a great leader of our enemy," he adds the last somewhat shyly, though with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Ryul, I have noticed the the red dragon skull symbol on your shield and it is intriguing. I recollect Sylvath once mentioning a battle with the red dragon forces. Is that where you came by such a shield?"
"You must be very proud of your heritage. Knowing that your father and his companions were worthy warriors." he says smiling at the Kobold. Then more to himself, "Were that I was so lucky"
"It is, my lady... My father and his cohort smashed into the flanks of a company that was being guarded by a red dragon - a young one, as I have been told. The dragon was eventually defeated and overcome, and the cohort took the skull as their standard. In time, they molded the pattern on their shields, even as you see here. The others can tell you more of it, though - for we are all, how do you say? Ah! Cousins... Our clan therefore made this our symbol, when my father's cohort led the charge that broke the line - ending the life of a great leader of our enemy," he adds the last somewhat shyly, though with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Ryul, I have noticed the the red dragon skull symbol on your shield and it is intriguing. I recollect Sylvath once mentioning a battle with the red dragon forces. Is that where you came by such a shield?"
Ariarh nods in understanding. "I look forward to hearing more accounts of this red dragon's defeat. I was not aware that you were all related through blood to one another. And you have lost family since we found you at the Temple of Iomedae, I am more profoundly sorry." Ry pauses a moment, "Such an honourable symbol for your clan, my friend" gesturing to the red dragon skull.
Ry hears Kae's last statement about the worthiness and honour of one's father, and it makes her sad for him but unable to express it without embarrassing him or drawing attention to it. She would have to ask Kae more about his family ... Time had flown by since they first met at Oleg's and she would have to redress her lack of personal interaction and conversation with the barbarian sorcerer.
There are tracks moving toward the cliffs to the south, but the cattle seem to have moved into the hills. "Well now, friends, should we attempt to ascertain where the cattle went, or do we want to go into the hills and chase this thing into it's habitat, knowing next to nothing about it?" Looking at Dior, Kae wishes Khro were there to translate for the Griffon, but then ..."My lady, perhaps you could fly over the cliffs to the south, see where the tracks lead," looking at Ry with an inquiring gaze, "perhaps with Dior, for assistance and protection?"
He glances at Alaric and Ryul for objections, as she is more their ward than his...
"Dior may indeed accompany Anuk-Su on her flight over the cliffs. I agree with you, Kae, it is best we don't blindly stumble into an unknown habitat. The view from above may certainly provide us with new and different information."
Leaning down, Ry strokes her griffon's head and remarks, "You and Anuk-Su have the sky advantage, my protector. Follow the little silver dragon as she can best provide us with verbalised information. I have faith that you can look out for her and provide any necessary backup. You are both precious to us, my friend. Be watchful and safe."
There are tracks moving toward the cliffs to the south, but the cattle seem to have moved into the hills. "Well now, friends, should we attempt to ascertain where the cattle went, or do we want to go into the hills and chase this thing into it's habitat, knowing next to nothing about it?" Looking at Dior, Kae wishes Khro were there to translate for the Griffon, but then ..."My lady, perhaps you could fly over the cliffs to the south, see where the tracks lead," looking at Ry with an inquiring gaze, "perhaps with Dior, for assistance and protection?"
He glances at Alaric and Ryul for objections, as she is more their ward than his...
Anuk-su Seti looks vaugely at Hobbs.
"Thy would have me do this in front of this one?" she asks, a touched shocked.
"Well, if I must, I must... Still, should he betray me, I shall readily slay him later - for I do not tolerate traitors," she adds cooly, even as Hobbs cocks his head with a slack-jawed look, as if to say Who the hell are ye to tell me what to do?
But then she tosses her staff on the ground, slides her arms into her robes and in moments transforms into a lithe slender dragon with silvery scales.
Leaping into the air, she fly's up and southwards for a moment, even as Hobbs stares off in shock - the surprise at having a live silver dragon with you has clearly caught him off guard.
Brett leans his thumb against the butt of his pistol and pushes it forward slightly.
"I reckon ye be good to the lady - letting on what ye seed now? It be a bad thing fer yer health," he adds grimly, even as Billy lowers his own weapon to cup the double barrels with his left hand, his right hand gripping the butt of the weapon, fixing Hobbs with an equally stern look.
"You must be very proud of your heritage. Knowing that your father and his companions were worthy warriors." he says smiling at the Kobold. Then more to himself, "Were that I was so lucky""It is, my lady... My father and his cohort smashed into the flanks of a company that was being gaurded by a red dragon - a young one, as I have been told. The dragon was eventually defeated and overcome, and the cohort took the skull as their standard. In time, they molded the pattern on their shields, even as you see here. The others can tell you more of it, though - for we are all, how do you say? Ah! Cousins... Our clan therefore made this our symbol, when my father's cohort led the charge that broke the line - ending the life of a great leader of our enemy," he adds the last somewhat shyly, though with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Ryul, I have noticed the the red dragon skull symbol on your shield and it is intriguing. I recollect Sylvath once mentioning a battle with the red dragon forces. Is that where you came by such a shield?"
"Adjt has told me that it is written; There is always time to do great and noble deeds. For behold - even today is a fair day to die well! I have always found this to be a great statement, for it gives me hope that each day shall provide me with the chance to earn renown and great deeds besides, and no day shall rob me of the chance to do good things," he adds the last, then, glances about, clearing his throat somewhat uncomfortably.
Brett is growing somewhat impatient for the return of Anuk-su, and then indicates to Billy that the two of them spread out and begin to climb slowly up the cliff side, looking for signs of interest.
The two of them move forward gradually over the broken terrain, while the rest of you wait patiently, Hobbs seeming to jump at every snicker of a horse, or whinny of a pony.
Mak Morn is bored with this, and steps from his horse and makes a wide track around the grass. He is visible from here, but it seems that he is making a routine patrol of the treeline, looking about for dangers under the branches, even as Ironhorse comes with him; his sword loose in his hands.
The two seem as if they are acting as a unit, and you have a sense they have done this sort of thing before...
Alaric smiles at Brett's threat to Hobbs to keep his mouth shut. It is good to have friends who care. Alaric muses.
Perhaps we should slowly move ourselves after the tracks while Anuk-su and Dior are looking from the skies.
Ka'etil keeps an eye on the skies, looking for Anuk-su and Dior.
Perception:
waiting for them, glancing at Hobbs as the man fidgets, and listening to Henry and Mak Morn.
Ka'etil keeps an eye on the skies, looking for Anuk-su and Dior.
Perception: 1d20+9
waiting for them, glancing at Hobbs as the man fidgets, and listening to Henry and Mak Morn.
Henry and Mak Morn are now nearly a mile from you. They are moving about 100 feet from the tree line. Mak Morn is moving about twenty feet in front of Ironhorse; Ironhorse sheathed his sword and now has his bow out, arow on string, but not knocked - ready to shoot. They are moving slowly, almost leisurely, around the perimeter, searching for any possible threats, but have seen none.
Hobbs continues to fidget, now and then muttering about his cow. He honestly seems more interested in the cows then his "mate" at this point.
Brett and Billy are now roughly 100 feet up and forward over cliffs. About every ten or twenty feet up the cliffs sort of break; almost like a series of stairs. They spread out, look around, seem to pick up some sort of trail, and then continue up again.
Anuk-su has been out for a bit, but has now come down, lands in front of you, and reports...
Ariarh gives a long, low whistle and soon Dior comes into view and descends, landing by his mistress' side. He flaps his wings once and shakes his feathers and settles quietly, watching Anuk-Su with unblinking golden eyes. Ry scratches Dior's head with her fingers, acknowledging his return.
Crouched in front of you, in dragon form, Anuk-su Seti indicates with a quick jerk of her head. Ryul rushes forward with her clothes, even as she magically transforms into her human form and takes her things from him in a slow, almost regal manner, even as Ryul assists her in dressing, doing his best to shield her modesty from the eyes of Hobbs, who merely gawks at the spectacle like a simpleton.
She adjusts her clothes then speaks, even as Dior hisses at Hobbs, who quickly turns away.
"My efforts to search for the bovine were somewhat fruitless. I did espy them, scattered in southern canyons. Many of them seemed to have perished, however. They were lost in the abrubt end of a narrow canyon, which I can readily direct thee to, should thy wish it," she adds absently to Hobbs.
"They are trapped in the canyon, and it seems as if they were lost in the maze of ravines and paths, for it seemed unto me that many of them had stumbled forward over a sharp ravine and assuredly it was then that many of them fell to their death. I should reckon not more then eight of thy beasts yet live," she cotinues to adress Hobbs in a dull voice, as if merely discussing the weather or the color of grass, even as the drover cries out in horror and misery, gripping his skull with his hands, shocked at his losses.
"Oh me cows, me beautiful little cows," he groans in agony at the loss of his business and merchandise.
"Yes..." Anuk-su says dryly after a moment, looking at him as if he were something that a cat coughed up.
Turning swiftly to the others, though, she continues her report.
"It should be noted, though, that on the southern side of this small valley that there is a series of broken rocks and cliffs, and that at the highest point I was nearly confounded. It did seem as if there was a level rock ledge, and for that I merely was uninterested - but for the fact that I noticed to the south and west a small track running, and what looked like a make-shift trail, which had been constructed recently. I should guess that this trail was, therefore, a thing in which folk may use to circument the cliffs and reach hither toward the high place there - " she adds punctuating her last point with a gesture to the cliffs that Brett and Billy were climbing.
"Further, I should suspect that at this point there is likely to be folk hidden in caves at the top of those cliffs. It would be wise, I should think, if we were to aid those two in their advance," she adds the last - speaking of Brett and Billy. Finished with her report, she pauses to examine you all while her head tilts back, her lavender eyes gazing down her spritely nose with an almost queenly poise that seemed to unnerve Hobbs even further.
"Nay... nay, we need not be fretting o'er them that be climing the stones. They can just climb right back down! We need's to be finding me bloody cows before they all get deaded," he adds the last somewhat hotly.
Anuk-su looks hard at him, and shakes her head, a touch of disgust on her features.
"Contain thyself, poltroon, lest thy besmirch what shred of honor thy may possess further. Moreover, it is not meet that thy conduct thyself in such an unseemly fashion, for did thy not mark that thou art in the presence of women and children? I say unto thee - stiffen thy lip and lift thy heart, so that thy may as yet be an example of some form of manhood unto I and the lady - if thy value not this quality too cheaply, though. Or hast thou sold thy manhood readily, perhaps, so that thy may purchase more cattle?" she adds the last scornfully, even as Dior lets out little hisses of air that you are all sure are some form of griffon chuckles at her remark.
Hobbs opens his mouth to speak, then shuts it quickly, and merely says nothing but wrings his hands.
Seeing that his whining is silenced - for now - Anuk-su nods contemptiously at him, then turns back to the rest of you.
"Nevertheless," she continues "this one raises a fair point; what is thy next goal? Should thy instruct our comrades to return hither? Or should we rather leave them to their tasks and seek out the missing livestock? As for this one here," she says, gesturing to the overwraught form of Hobbs "he is lowly in my sight! Yet, I fear it is my duty to remind thee - as he is thy subject and thou art given to govern he and his ilk with some form of consideration for his plight - no matter how pitiful it may seem... I remind thee, with respect, that some consideration should be made, therefore, for his goods. As his noble lords, thou at least owe him, this; thy subject, the right to look hence after his property and set to right any misfortune that befell his goods, if it is in thy power to correct it."
"For me, though, these great matters are beyond my ken, and I am well pleaed he is not of my keeping, or I should feel undone, knowing that such a mendicant should be under mine own charge. Yet in such things it is no matter, and for now I only speak for myself - Yet I do ask thee what do thee and thy compansions say on this matter? Help thy comrades on the rocks, or search for this peasants chattle in the ravines?" she asks, as Hobbs takes out a large rag then blows his nose with it noisely at the loss of his cows.
Seeing this display, Anuk-su rolls her eyes and seems to flick a piece of dust from her robes with a brisk brush of her fingers, then looks up at you all, waiting for an answer.
As Anuk-su speaks, Ka'etil holds his tongue as she speaks to Hobbs so harshly, but is greatly bothered by the man's reaction. "Hobbs, please calm yourself. Is there not some sort of creature out in those caves that present a threat to your cows wherever they are? There are only eight or so left, sadly, so at this point there is little reward for the risk entailed in saving them. We can return for them, but now is not the time for that."
He turns to the others, "Perhaps you can send Dior to get Henry and Mak Morn. I have a Climbing Kit that I am not in dire need of, should another be better served using it. Let us hurry to climb the cliffs, and get Brett and Billy to wait for us."
Ka'etil moves forward and looks as though he is about to call out to them, but instead the sound comes from half way between the group and the halflings calling "Wait, we'll be there shortly, but it looks as though there are others inhabiting these hills, and I'd hate to have ou ambushed while you are a ways away. We shall be there shortly." The sound is audible to the party, and the hobbyts as it emanated from between the groups, but could not be heard much further than that.
Thinking over the choice before them and reflecting on Hobb's great distraught over the loss of his livestock and livelihood, Ry speaks, "Master Hobbs, we must consider the benefit of going into those southern canyons after the remaining eight cows. As I see it, the dangers seem to far outweigh the benefit at present and we are not even sure we can safely rescue the remainder of your cattle. Mayhap we can try later, if that is indeed your will in this matter. Perhaps, we can come to some fair recompense for your loss of livestock? We can discuss this later." Ry looks over at Alaric, wondering at his thoughts and decision. "I feel we must find out if there are indeed folk hiding out in those cliff caves and if they are responsible for your cattle being stolen and even why they are hidden out here. I vote we follow Brett and Billy up the cliff. I, like Kae, have brought along a spare climbing kit, if anyone is interested. I have one for my own use."
Hearing Kae's request to recall Khald Mak Morn and Henry Ironhorse, Ariarh rushes to retrieve writing equipment and some parchment and pens a quick note and moving back to Dior secures it to his leg with some cord. "Fly quickly, Dior, and make sure Mak Morn and Ironhorse get this note and return to us forthwith. If they do not heed the note, then squawk enough to get their attention. Thank you, my protector." Dior nods his head and lifts his wings and takes off after the dwarf and ranger.
Ryul has been volunteered to stay back with the horses, then, even as Ironhorse and Mak Morn are being called back. They, too, will wait with your horses and gear.
Anuk-su will wait with Alaric - whether or not he chooses to come up or wait below will naturally be up to him.
Brett and Billy are baout 100 feet up. You doubt much that you would need climing kits - these rocks are filled with crags and ledges, are not too steep besides.
For now, while you advance to the cliffs, you hastily put distance between yourself and Hobbs, who continues to mutter about his cows, and is otherwise sulking while you advance.
Dior has flown up the 100 feet to the Holbyt males and lands on one of the stairs just above them. He looks down and watches as his mistress climbs behind Kae.
Ariarh secures the spear loaned to her by Selendria to her back and begins climbing, concentrating on the placement of her feet and hands and keeps her eyes peeled upward as she climbs the cliff.
takes 10 to get a 19 climb check to get up to Brett and Billy. "Gentlemen, Anuk-su has indicated that there is likely to be individuals hidden among the ahead caves, so we should take care as we progress, in case they are foe, such as the creature that we hunt."
survival for tracking the creatures in the cliffs, and the mysterious humanoid...
Brett nods, tasting a sip of chilled tea from his waterskin, and hands the skin to Billy, who nods and drinks.
"Reckon on we better be spreading out a piece, keep our eyes open, and our weapons ready," he adds.
Those of you who have chosen to advance continue to do so.
Kae, in due time you discover the site of scraping on a cliff. The rocks are a sort of dull clay - you can easily see a chipped rock or piece of mud broken. You sense you are getting close.
You are all free to make a perception check...
Brett currently has one pistol out, and Billy has his weapon low-slung on his right thigh, climbing slowly up.
Less then 200 feet away are your horses, Alaric, Hobbs, Anuk-su, Ryul, Hank and Mak Morn. You know, though, that even though it is close by, you will not get there quickly. It is extremely rough rocks, and it was no easy task to get up here quickly - it will be twice the difficulty to get down.
Even as you now push closer, I need those perception checks.
Perception to see what's out there
stealth to avoid being heard
Perception to see what's out there
1d20+9stealth to avoid being heard
1d20+9
You are able to observe that about twenty feet from you is a low-lying overhang of rock. On the far side of it there is a covered cave entrance, but just inside is what looks like a heavy door of some sorts....
I presume you will subtley share this information with the others...