For Queen And Country - Heroes of Cheliax

Game Master Tourach

Baolus spits on the ground and rumbles. "Why it has to be always like this?" Then walks after the two, stopping in front of them.

"Alright, look, I think we started with the wrong foot here. I'm Baolus Yeralzery and my occupation and job is to catch bandits, runaway slaves, and wrong doers and bring them to justice. We have been asked by the agents of the Queen, to seek your village and aid in "a problem around the woods". We are not amateurs and for sure we know that it is always better to do our job with the proper information." He pauses, looking if the two are following his thoughts. "You two run towards us to warn against following those men into the woods so I assume you are not with them but I need to ask you one thing: your warning was with the purpose of just kindness our do you fear that if there is outside interference you, the villagers, might suffer some payback?"

He crosses his arms in front of his chest. "What I'm trying to say is that we have a job to do and we intend to carry it on... if this goes along your interests, I think we should talk some more..."

I go to introduce myself, but Baolus moves quickly and introduces himself and gives our purpose for being here. I step up beside him and show my badge to put the couple at ease, although I clearly think the uniform should be more than enough reason for them to be put at ease.

Just a reminder, I am always wearing my Dottari uniform,

When Baolus steps in front of them to speak, the pair once again looks between each other and the man speaks, We are not villagers. We are residents of the forest.

The woman continues, You may have heard that hunters and trackers, most loyal to Erastil, reside in Ravounel Forest. We are among them. Those that you were following...they are not.

The man speaks again, This conflict is not one for the Queen, no offense. We are handling it. And you don't need to be put at risk fighting a fight that has nothing to do with you.

"I'm sorry again but if the Ravounel Forest is within the borders of Cheliax, then the Queen can rule upon it and , in this case, we still have to do our task... nevertheless, I assume you are handling this 'problem' in such a way that there is no need for a couple extra strong arms?"

Without turning to join the conversation, Ihon continues to speak while looking off into the distance. They are not our allies, he says, while he watches the cultists disappear in the distance.

The woman motions with her head toward Ihon, Your friend is, perhaps, correct. But we have no interest in being enemies. We recognize that this is Cheliax, but we have existed for my entire life and generations prior without interference from this...new Thrune...interference... We have no need of it now. What interest could Queen Abrogail possibly have in a region that is...not a fan of hers...and that she has been content to leave alone for so long?

The man speaks, We are not interested in a fight with the Queen. Simply leave us to our normal existence.

Baolus sighs. "Look I'm getting tired about this... if you could actually "handle" this problem, I think you'd have already solved it... the fact is that, this problem got the attention of our Queen and we have orders to complete our mission! What she sees in this muddy corner of her kingdom I do not know and honest do not care!" He spits on the ground once more.

"You, even with your asses inside the forest, must have heard about how the Thrune Crown handles insubordination... Nothing would make me happier than leave this forsaken countryside to your own luck but I, we, have no choice here! I, for sure, will not go back and tell the Queen "Sorry Your Highness, but they prefer to handle their business themselves!"" He scratches his shaved head, a clear sign that he is losing his mind before showing them two of his fingers. "With this, two things will happen: my head on a pike and an army of Hellknights burning your forest down and, lets face it, none of us will gain anything with this scenario."

"So, to make things clear, we have a task and we'll complete it, with or without your help, by your side or against you! In the best scenario, we help each other and then my group leaves, on the worst scenario we fight each other, all of us die and then the Queen sends her army... chose wisely... your god is one of the community, right? Thing is your families and villages before your ridiculous pride. We are here to fight against the same threat so stop this nonsense now!"

Baolus is within a few seconds of punching this old man... sorry but to he has a 'thing' about completing his jobs.

Hearing Baolus' side of the discussion I step forwards and try to calm him a bit before turning to the couple. "Yes this is Cheliax, therefore Her Royal Highness wants to make sure that her citizens are safe and the law is upheld. That is why I am here, to make sure everyone is safe and following the law. Having your help in this matter would be most useful, to fight here amongst us now would prove to cause unrest and not help anyone."

Completely understandable Baolus, Rona is giving this last effort to help the conversation. But all he wants to do is head to the forest and complete the mission before the bandits set up a load of traps for us.

Sazu closes his book, a nice sketch of the two strangers who he marked as "Forest Man" and "Forest Woman." There was also a series of notes of their tone of voice, verbal phrases, and such. He tucks it away in his side pocket of his trousers.

He is impatient to continue on with the task at hand, but understands that his companions are trying a diplomatic approach. He waits patiently, absentmindedly tapping his foot lightly.

Andre makes one last attempt at being diplomatic. "Friends! Baolus, please! I'm sure there's no reason for over-hasty words--even if true ones." He smiles at the others. "The Queen isn't without concern for you and your people, my friends. As I said before, my name's Andre Karoxin--I'm a priest of Old Deadeye m'self, though I'm not from these parts. I assure you, we want nothing more than to help you solve your problems and be on our way."

Andre hefts his iron holy symbol as a token of good will and gazes beseechingly at the other two.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Fools. You're turning your back on not only your Queen, but what is best for your own community with such actions! People like you shame the name of Old Deadeye." Andre spits on the ground. "I should know," he adds, tapping the holy symbol around his neck.

Sometimes you write something solid, and then the dice just don't agree... :P

Ihon smiles sadly and turns back to look at the arguing group, Sometimes even a warning is not enough to avoid what is coming. He shakes his head slightly and shrugs. The small creature on his shoulder chirps at the sudden movement then settles down again.

"These don't seem the type of people that you can tell anything to. Let's just keep moving and go about getting our job done."

The woman stares at Baolus with a resolute, almost cold stare. She sighs, speaking with a measured tone, Threatening our families will not find you any cooperation here. We seek not to interfere with Queen Abrogail, but we felt it was only fair to warn you of the danger that you are apparently so insistent about stumbling into.

The man speaks to Andre, As a follower of Erastil, I would hope you would respect our wishes and simply stay out of this conflict. It is being handled.

The pair stands there, still facing Baolus and seeming as though they intend to simply to return to wherever they came from when they approached you.

"Bah. Go on then," Andre snaps, turning away. "When two children disagree, it is the place of the mother to step in and set things straight. In this country, Her Majesty is that mother, and it's best that you remember that. Still, if you're going to insist on being such fools and attempting to handle a threat without more competent help, so be it. The parent will be here when you hurt yourselves--and nothing can stop us from investigating ourselves. Come on, everyone." So saying, he makes to move off.

And again history repeats itself...Olive branch extended, thrown back into face, spat on, and forgotten. Aaaaaaand noted.

"It seems we're done with this little side detour, hmm? May I suggest we resume our prior course objective, or perhaps decide on a more beneficial move should one exist."

The pair does nothing to stop you from leaving and, if people move out of their way, they walk back in the direction they came from. By now, after the conversation, you no longer see the cultists that you were following, but you have an idea of the direction they were heading when they left your sight.

Let me know where you'd all like to head.

I lower my head to the couple, "It is unfortunate that our assistance could not have been put to use. We shall take everything you have said under advisement, while trying to complete our mission. We shall try to make sure that we do not encroach into your affairs."

As we walk off I fall in beside the Gnome, "So, do you have any tunes that would help us pass the time while we walk?"

I am just following everyone else, probably towards the forest.

Sazu smiles and brings out his fiddle.

"Most of my repertoire are songs of education. Bits of folklore and historic battles and lessons woven into lyrical pleasantries. But for such tales, a fireplace or a tavern is better suited. For now, I think a cheerful tune will suffice."

Sazu begins to play on his fiddle, his bow moving back and forth across the strings as his fingers dance at the end of instrument. It is a cheerful song, one with a series of climbing melodies, and soon you may catch yourself to rhythm as Sazu walks along with the rest of the group at the tempo of his tune.

Rona almost immediately starts to bob his head in time with the music, although whether he is conscious of the fact at the beginning is unknown. A smile is fixed onto my face, but I am still wary of my surroundings.

Once I realise that I am moving my head in time with the music I look slightly shocked, but that passes quickly and I get back to enjoying the music.

"Well, good riddance to bad rubbish," Andre says sourly as the couple make their way off. "Shall we follow these cultists while the trail is still fresh, or spend the night in comfort here?"

Andre also smiles at Sazu's music, though he does not bob.

"I don't think that there is much else to be gained by spending another night here. I say we go ahead and head out."

I tear myself away from the music to look at the forest, "I think we should follow them now, so that we can catch them before they set up any traps for us ... however we should be prepared. We have no idea how dark it will be in there, how do you all fair at seeing through the shadows?"

Not sure what time of the day it is now, but hopefully my question still applies if it is day time.

"I can see through the darkness a fair ways. Helps to not bother others when reading at night."

Assuming that you all continue on toward the forest, it is only a few hours before you reach its edge. While you walk you see no other humanoids and the area seems rather quiet. The forest itself, however, is extremely imposing. The trees are tall and the branches and trunks gnarled. It sits in stark contrast with the majority of the region which is, in large part, made of flat plains bordered by mountains to the south.

You figure you all have less than an hour before nightfall. Let me know what the plan is.

Ihon doesn't appear to notice the music, moving in time to some unknown beat of his own. The creature on his shoulder, however, looks up at the sudden sound. While it's difficult to tell, it appears the creature likes it.

We should camp soon. And be quiet.

"Well, if we should camp soon, we may as well do it now before we enter. I reckon it is about an hour until nightfall and we surely won't get very far in that time and then we would have to find a decent campsite in the dark. Safest to just camp here and then get a fresh start into the forest in the morning."

"Hum... if we need to sleep, and I think we should, perhaps the best plan is to return to the town, sleep there and then go back to the forest just before dawn... it will be far less dangerous and once they see we are not following them anymore, they might just as easily come back and ambush us in the night."

If I understood it correctly, we spent most of the day following them around the town and, in the end of the day, followed them here... if so, we are really close to the town and it would make little sense in camping, in the open, just outside an inn...

Sazu inspects the angle of the sun, and listens to the sounds of the natural wildlife to gain a sense of time.

"I doubt we'd make it back before nightfall,"he concludes. "Between trying to make our way back in the dark and setting camp in a somewhat scouted and prepped location, I'd rather we start looking for shelter now."

According to DM posts, it took a few hours to reach its edge, and there's less than an hour until nightfall. Not liking our odds here.

I listen to everyone's opinion, "While I like your idea Baolus, Sazu is correct. It would be dark well before we get back to town, that being said Sazu and I could guide everyone back. I can also see the benefit of camping outside of these tree's, but being inside them would also give us some rain and wind cover."

I look to each of my travelling companions backpacks, trying to see if anyone has anything useful. "Does anyone have a canvas, tent or any other shelter we could all use? I will admit that I am more used to being within towns and cities, so the thought of a tent completely passed me by. If we don't have one, then I suggest we make our way back to the town."

Survival : 1d20 ⇒ 7 (To see what the weather is like for 24 hours. DC : 15.)

I look up to the sky, "Does anyone know what the skies will be like during the night and for tomorrow?"

Baolus looks to the sky.

Survival - DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Ihon frowns slightly, You've made it this far sleeping outside. The stars will not harm you. He looks toward the forest. In your haste to push away the locals, did you think we would not be sleeping in a forest tonight? He chuckles and shakes his head in amusement.

"I say we just stay here. Either way we travel, we would end up doing so in the dark before reaching any destinations. We would be much more vulnerable that way than if we just stayed put in one location. Besides we spent many nights out in the open on the road without any ill-effect. If it rains, just find a tree to snuggle up against and remember that a little water has never killed anyone."

"Ha! This girl knows what she's about. Exactly what I was going to suggest," Andre says, squinting up at the sky while jerking his head at Phaedra. "Trees provide decent shelter from the wet--and I doubt we're likely to have a sudden hurricanoe!"

Survival DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

For those that passed the survival check, it looks like there may be light rainfall the next day, but otherwise it should be clear enough.

And to clarify, yes, it would be very difficult to return to the trading post before nightfall though you could return before you were fall down tired if traveling under cover of darkness wasn't an issue.

Baolus shrugged. It was not the first nor the last time he would have to sleep in the open. His mood also wasn't great and after the wizard's words he controlled himself not to bury his axe's handle up in the strange man's ass. I imagine if this would make him talk in a more productive way...

How is the weather, GM? Is a fireplace necessary to endure the night? If not, Baolus would suggest to make a 'false encampment', by making a fire and arrange some gear around it, while sleeping in the dark with this camp on the middle between their real camp and the forest. This way we'd be able to see any ambush clearly.

"I will have to buy myself a large tent, if it could house us all that will make things easier, I will have to remind myself to check once we are back in town. Although if they are happy to sleep with no protection, mayhaps one for myself would be better? Certainly cheaper anyway."

I look to Ihon trying to work out if he is insulting me or this is just his style of humour. As per usual he is a hard read, unless he is overly arrogant and doesn't even like to look at others. "Yes we have slept outside thus far, but living in a city for over half a century and you start to welcome the small comforts. Also a star can hurt if it falls on your head, I know a shelter wouldn't help with that, though."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9 (To see if Ihon is insulting me.)

Ihon looks over at Rona, and stares at him for a moment. The moment stretches out and then he chuckles again. A star on one's head? Huh...I suppose so. He smiles wryly and turns back to the woods. Shall we?

Rona: That was about as clear as Ihon has ever been. He meant it as an actual question, but he also meant it as an admonishment.

It is cool outside during the night, but a fire is not necessary. As long as you have blankets or something similar you'll be perfectly warm.

I continue looking at Ihon and realise that it wasn't an insult, so I let out a sigh of relief and lower my pack to the ground, before sitting on it. "I do hope that the stars will stay stuck in the sky though, if they started falling on our heads that would cause us more problems and spread chaos about." I glance about at the group briefly, "If we are to set up watches, I should probably grab the darkest shift."

DM Morvius, would my Cold Resistance 5 help with protecting me from the chill in the air?

"I can take first watch. I'd like to write a few notes down from today's events before I forget them. Shall we scout the area for a well guarded area?"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"I'm usually up early anyway, so I'm happy to take the last watch," Andre grumbles. "Be a pleasure to rest my bones a bit. As for a well-guarded area...looks like there's not much about here, save for flatland and trees. Both of those cut two ways. Trees give us shelter, but might hide these crazy cultists; the plains give us plenty of space to see them coming, but leave us exposed." He shrugs casually. "I personally lean toward the flatlands, especially if there's a little dale somewhere we can shelter in..."

He squints around for said dale.

Perception, Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ihon, used to taking the last watch on the journey so far, doesn't bother saying anything. He simply follows the others and pulls out his bedroll and blanket when they find a spot.

"Right... it is not too cold so I think we can get by without a fireplace. But I'd like to make one, even if we are not going to enjoy it." He smiles before continuing. "Regarding visibility, a fire works in two ways: It lightens the area, making it easier for anyone inside to see in its illuminated area, but it also blinds us to everything that is beyond it... I suggest we make a 'false' camp and then a real camp, without a fire, a couple feet away... anyone trying to surprise us will not be able to notice our real camp and if they indeed plan to ambush us, well they are close to the false camp, we'll be able to see them against the light."

Cold resistance literally only protects against damage that is typed cold. And this isn't something that is doing any damage, it is just cool out and uncomfortable to be sleeping out in the wilderness without some form of blanket or something else to help keep the chill out. One night won't exhaust anyone, but sleeping outside regularly without any method of keeping warm would be a bad plan.

Sazu, this area all looks about the same unless you want to go into the forest. It is relatively flat land with no real trees and high visibility. The forest itself is an exception, but your group has yet to head inside.

Andre nods at Andre's suggestion. "That's not a bad idea, at all. Let's move away from the forest a bit, in case there are eyes on us, then we can set up our camps." He shoulders his travel bag higher, and sets off at a brisk walk.

Sazu agrees to this and helps the rest of the party set up a decent area for Sazu brings out his notebooks and violin. He jots a few important ideas: the current location of tonight's camp. weather conditions, possible dangers that could occur i.e. wild animals, bandits, sudden weather, etc.

He puts the notebook away, and begins to play his instrument at a soft volume. It's a lulling melody, peaceful even. The bow slides across the string as long as the gentle breeze this night. The tone changes partway through very subtly, and there's a very pure sadness in the melody, as if someone was mourning.

Just a note: The GM has mentioned a couple times that we can go without a fire if we have blankets. At least if we plan on being comfortable. As far as I can tell, only Phaedra and Ihon have blankets? (Maybe Sazu when he finishes up his equipment list?) I don't have any objections to the plan as it stands. I'm just making sure I have the right idea of what we're doing. ;)

Darn, the main reason I took the Cold Resistance was because I was hoping it would have helped with protecting me from the cold weather a bit whilst I was on my rounds. I might have to change that 1 Alternate Racial Trait, if that is okay with you?

I nod to Baolus, "A very smart suggestion. I shall just scout the outer edge of the forest then, t see if I can find enough firewood to keep us going throughout the night." With that I head out, making sure that the group is within a short distance, in case something happens.

I have a cleric's kit, which includes a bedroll...whether that's sufficient is up to the GM. Either way, one night in chill air won't kill us, just leave us stiff. :)

Andre slings down his gear. "I've got some trail rations, though little real food. Anyone hungry?"

"I remembered to bring some trail food as well. Though it is a poor substitute for anything fresh cooked. Perhaps tomorrow, while we hike, we can keep an eye out for some small game, like rabbit, to add to tomorrows meal."

Phaedra fixes up a little bed area for herself.

"Are we doing single watches or shared watches for the night?