GM/Lictor Lane's Who Needs Parenting? = CoT Team 1 IC Thread (Inactive)

Game Master michaelane

"Should not be to long Jacko. Jo and Copper here plan on taken care of business real quick."

Jo puts his hammer on the ground handle up and looks around the stable at all the horses. He wanders up to the closest one and pets its snout with surprising delicacy.

"Hi horsey. You're a pretty one. But Jo not fink you can hold him for too long."

He turns to the owner and says "Where's your biggest horse?"

"Ah! Ah! Indeed! Given my tolerance for such things as physical activities, I presume I shall be bored and asking to come back in no time!"

Bluff (he actually has no idea when they should be back): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

I nod at Jo's comment about us taking care of business quickly, 'Sounds right Jo.'

I laugh at Emmett's statement, 'Sitting on a horse is not likes sitting on a chair in a room. Sitting on chair sounds boring.'

As I near the horses, I try my hardest not to lick my lips. But despite my best efforts, I do give my lips a quick wiping with my tongue. I go to the second biggest horse and stroke the side of its head, while whispering into its ear. 'You looks to nice to eats, so you will bes safe with me.' I continue to stroke its face and neck.

I turn to face the stable owner, 'So's, how long until ya're customers gets here? Did they gives a time?'

Egbert observes the guards, then watches his companions.

So, this is where we need to bluff ourselves a way out? They don't seem to pay much attention, shall we just move past them or do you prefer a more subtile approach? I could provide a small distraction if you like.

Perception on the guards1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Meanwhile, back at the stables...

Jacovo looks apprehensive as you all make your way about the stables, "M'lady, if you and this gentleman will promise to keep an eye on my son and make sure you are back in two hours, you may take the horses." He sets about getting the large horses ready for Jo and Xianae, as well as smaller ones for the others. In a few minutes, you are all ready to go.

GM - Do we need to make any riding rolls or only as long as we do nothing fancy?

I look around for this "M'lady" and when I see no-one I look to him and point at myself in a confused manner. 'M'lady, me? Thats the first times I've been called that. We will looks after your son and tries to be back in under two hours.'

Before she leaves, Moondark scavenges one of the old Aroden robes to reverse it and gather it with rope around the waist to form it into an old black dress. Grabbing a basket with a couple of apples, she completes her disguise as a peasant girl and with head down follows behind the others.

disguise 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

well. as long as no one is paying too close attention :P

"Two hours! How dreadful an omen my dear man! Fear not, my boredom will bring your horses back in no time."

Egder nods at Janiven and lowers his voice as well.

Very well, let's go in that case. I'll go first, just in case... Don't stay too far behind, allright?

Egder starts walking towards the gate, hoping it will pass as smooth as Janiven said it would be.

Jo looks at the unsaddled horse. He has no idea how to even get on the darn thing.

He looks around at the others with puzzled stares.

"Hey Jacko, how you supposed to get on one of deez fings anyways?"

Jo tries to jump and grab his way up one its back. The horse is not too happy.

Coran looks up at the horses then at the rest of the group ending up at the proprietor "Excuse me, but do you have something a bit smaller." then looks back to his group "or maybe I can ride with someone?"

I lead the second largest horse to the mounting block, it looks like I know what I am doing. I use the mounting block to mount the horse, where it is obvious to everyone that while I may have known how to lead the horse, sitting on it is completely different. My back is arched over, trying to hug onto the horse and holding onto too much of the mare's mane.

'This is hard works.'

Handle Animal (Untrained) : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (Phew, just made it)

I sense that this is uncomfortable for the mare as well as myself, so I adjust my position, straighten my back and hold onto the mane loosely. The mare seems to find this more comfortable, as do I. This nots too bad, just hope I don't falls off.

Coran looks up at the horses then at the rest of the group ending up at the proprietor "Excuse me, but do you have something a bit smaller." then looks back to his group "or maybe I can ride with someone?"

"I'm not very big as you can see. I'm sure we could both fit. Plus it will keep me company!"

Looking at Xianae's struggle: "Are we ready? I presumed we would walk the horses to the gate first. Let them get to know us a bit, y'know."

Jo - no riding rolls for anyone unless you try to do something fancy or are faced with a difficult riding situation.

Seeing Jo trying to get onto the horse, Gorvio rushes over to help. "Hang on Jo, I can help you out." He guides Jo back to the side of the horse and puts a saddle onto the horse.

"Don't worry Coran, we'll take care of you with a smaller horse. Jo and Xianae, Emmett is right, let's lead them to the gate and then we can ride from there."

Minutes later the small group arrives at the gates. A couple of Dottari are on duty, but everything is calm.

Emmett feels a bit awkward leading a horse through the streets of Westcrown. A horse! I hope Dad doesn't catch me!

Once in sight of the gate, he tries to catch sight of the others. "Anyone see them?"

I have a general glance around the gate, to see if I can spot the other "Children".

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 17

You don't see any of the other Children at the gate.

Emmett, seeing that thy might have to wait some, steps away from his horse, trying to judge what distance would allow him deniability about the horse while still able to control the horse somewhat.

This doesn't work long as the horse starts to wanders off. Annoyed, he catches the reins back, looking around to see whether he was seen. He turns to Xianae: "Would you mind holding the reins a moment?"

Merry Christmas!

I take the reins offered to me, 'Sure I can holds them for ya. What's wrong, ya don't likes horses?'

I trun to face Jo, while still holding the reins of the second horse, 'Has ya thought up a name for ya're hammer yet? I'm interested in what ya would call something so big 'n' heavy!'

Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful day today!

"Nuttin yet. Sumtin will come to me soon d'oh." Jo says in response to Xianae's question.

He looks at the horse puzzled also, not knowing how to mount it.

Merry Christmas to all! Posting will be sparse from me tomorrow.

Janiven whispers, "Let's head out and we can see about meeting up with the others from the stables near the fork to Citadel Rivad."

i'm guessing the rest of us are on our way to the bridge?

Worried that someone will see him and unfortunately telll his father: "They probably went ahead and crossed, no? Let's pass the gate at least; we'llreevaluate on the other side." Reluctantly, he mounts the horse up to the gate, then dismount to pass through.

Sorry for not posting the past few days have been really hectic will try to post today before the next wave of craziness begins, Merry Christmas Everyone.

Once outside the gates Jo will find a suitable place to attempt to mount his horse. Hopefully with Gorvio's help.

I too will mount up, once we are outside the gates.

Emmett clears the gate and looks for a spot out of view. He'll then struggle with the puzzle that a saddle is to him, figuring out whoch foot to put up first, then will puff as he lift his slender frame.

For a moment he just stands, feeling his balance.

Finally he starts with very small kicks, spurring his mount to a comfortable pace while he copes with the saddle.

Once outside the gates,Coran looks oddly at the "horse" they found for him he hasn't ridden in a long time. He looks around and notices that he isn't the only one having issues with getting in the saddle.

Knock, knock... Our GM around?

Happy New Year, I hope this year goes well for you all.

Happy New Year! Health! Health for all!

Happy New Year everyone! Will get things back to regular posting now.

Jo, Coran, Emmett, Gorvio, Tarvi, and Xianae successfully mount the horses and seeing a good-sized group walking far up the road, elect to ride up to see if it is the rest of the Children.

Before long, you catch up with Janiven, Ermolos, Rizzardo, Amaya, Moondark, and Egder who have just arrived at the fork that leads to Citadel Rivad. No other travelers are visible on the road near you currently.

"It's about time. It feels like we've been sitting out here for weeks," Moondark notes drily.

Looking more comfortable in the saddle, I stroke the mares neck as we are walking.

I look at Moondark, 'Sorry, we has to has these horses back by 2 hours. We had to finds a horse for everyone too. Jo and little Coran had's to find horses good for them's. I don't thinks any of us has ridden in a while, so's we had to get used to riding again. But we's are all good now.'

Jo looks at Moondark. "Feels like it took weeks to get on deez horses!" he quips back.

Unlike Xianae, Jo looks seriously uncomfortable in his saddle.

"Where's dis ambush supposed to take place?

Janiven smiles knowingly at Moondark's comment and with Xianae's words says, "We better get moving then. We need to make sure we have time ahead of the Hellknights anyway. Let's pair up those that know how to ride with those that are less sure and ride double. I'll ride with you Xianae."

Pairing up, the rest of the Children of Westcrown help get the horses moving down the road toward Citadel Rivad (except for possibly the combo of Coran and Moondark that looks like trouble for sure). About fifteen minutes later, you arrive at the bridge described earlier by Janiven.

I'll throw a grid on here once you determine general tactics. A1 will be upper left. Here's the Map

This is a small stone bridge, crossing a swift, but relatively narrow stream called the Athua. Moving through a square with a tree stump counts as difficult terrain and a stump is also tall enough that anyone standing on one gets the benefit of higher terrain. A small character can crouch behind a stump or a medium one can lie prone and have total concealment from anyone on the opposite side. Small boulders have the same effect while large ones are 5 feet high and cannot be entered or passed through without climbing. Small characters can easily hide behind them and large ones can do so with a slight crouch.

Most of the smaller stones near the bridge were used to build the bridge or small cairns near the camping area indicated.

The stream isn't particularly cold, but quickly reaches a depth of 4 feet. The water flows fast.

The bridge is made of mortared stone and is a single arc span across the stream cresting about a foot above the water at its highest point. It is quite sturdy.

Jo will dismount and walks toward the bridge. He completely ignores the fact that he has a horse.

"Jo will cross river and hide behind big rock. Jo make sure no on gets by."

Unless someone else stops him he leaves his horse and crosses the bridge.

As Janiven and I approach the bridge, I spot the camp-site. 'Janiven, if you's are wanting an ambush ... Eg 'n' me could be at the camp-site over there, with a small fire, resting ourselves 'n' the horses? We could speaks only in our own language 'n' maybe have another fight, to draws their attention away's from everyone else? What do you think's?'

Emmett interfects, more suddenly than he wished at first, perhaps because 99 % of is thought process is used to keep the horse under his hips: "Wait! Moondark had a great plan. Let's start from it and see how we need to adapt it given the situation."

The peasant girl nods, "Thanks, Emmett. These Hellknight trainees seem pretty stupid. It ought to be pretty easy to trick them and then no one has to risk their life unnecessarily.
"We pull the prisoner gambit and try to send on the escort. If it goes badly, we try and drive the wagon into the river and run."

'Good point, sorry Moondark. Coran has already said that he feels bad abouts being tied up and acting as a prisoner, so I will happily takes his place as a prisoner. Or woulds that be worse?'

"That might be worse for us, you look like you might be useful in a fight, I am better for support." he thinks for a second "It would also be more believable for an uppity house slave being caught for escaping and stealing from his master. For the record I don't like the idea of playing prisoner but it is needed to make the plan work."

Upon hearing the discussion, Jo stops near the bridge and awaits direction.

"Ok, so where should I be? I have innate arcane talent, though very limited... Plus my bird can fly up and give us fair warning!"

Moondark pulls out the wand. "Emmett, your bird will be excellent for giving us plenty of warning. You, Xianae, and Egder can use this wand to disguise yourselves as Hellknights leaving Jo, Coran, and myself as the prisoners. You all wave down the wagon and report that we are captured rebels. Get them to send ahead as many guards as possible to capture more rebels ahead while we are to be loaded into the wagon. Once the door is open we can grab Arael and try to disable the wagon and run."

I look to little Coran, 'I'll's be a knight then's.'

I turn back to the rest of the group, 'I'll's be a silent knight then's, I don't speak rights 'n' they would's notice. I can looks scary enough though's.'

Looking at Xianae "I don't think a silent knight would be a problem. I didn't think they talked much anyway."

From Emmett's sleeve comes a small singing bird, black with a red circular spot on the throat. The bird lets a shy twirling sound ring out and flies up.

Familiar's Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"I'm sure I can make a convincing talking Hellknight. I've seen often enough how they operate."

Emmett, what are you doing! You're out of your league!

Emmett casts a quick arcane incantation and a shimmering force field appears briefly around him and fades away. He then looks at the wand: "May I?" He'll then get ready to change the look of the would-be-knight when his familiar signals them.

Cast Mage Armor.

'That's a relief then's.'

At the sight of the small bird, 'Ooh, that's pretty. What makes you think's that it'll comes back?'

Janiven whispers to Moondark, "This sounds like a good plan, but the other Children aren't very experienced in combat. Let's see if we can find a safe role for them."