Into the North - Almanac Adventuring - (Inactive)

Game Master Matt, Garnished Game Designer

Gameplay Page for Almanac Adventuring

Gustav stands ready to follow the rest of the group down the beach to look for another way over the fjord wall.

Will is impatiently waiting

"Let's go," Dorian says, walking off in the opposite direction from the other group.

Can you draw the "wall" on the map, I don't understand where it is. Can you also mark the town on the map? Finally, can you link the exploration map under your profile's name, by putting the link in the gender line of your DMing alias? Thanks.

Once the map is more comprehensible I can chart us a course. Suggestions on route are gladly heard.

Gustav follows, getting out his compass to keep his bearings. He has draped an extra thick fur cloak over his cold weather gear.

Rereading my last post it sounds kind of dickish. Sorry, that wasn't my intent. The map's great, I just don't know where the wall and town are in relation to us. If that could please be made more clear, that would be great. Thank you.

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Assuming a 12-mile hex.

Gustav takes off his goggles and looks at the hint of smoke coming off the far distant village. "We're looking at maybe 20 or 30 miles west-southwest. With this terrain, at best speed we're looking at a couple days of travel, at least. Let's see about going southwest along this beach here and find a way over the fjord wall."

Let's be off then!

Trelck nods at the cleric with William, Aye. Sorry that I slow us down a pace, its what you get for all this fantastic steel and skill bundled in such a compact space! the dwarf guffaws at his own joke as he drops his own goggles and continues to trek with the group.

"That is an acceptable course of action," Dorian says, falling in behind the others.

So we explore E7 and D8, and then head into D9?

Am I wrong, or is the Fjord "wall" a cliff that surrounds the entire Fjord region? In other words, it's like at the edges of the white hexes on our current map? Also, if you upload your map image as a drawing rather than a document you can draw on it.

Before I advance anything, I just want to know what the group's base land speed is. Everyone is currently still in F8 before we do anything. Without going by watercraft, the only accessible hex without some serious climbing is G7, also known as the Shattered Wall as mentioned previously. I just want to make sure there's no confusion, so I added a sample drawing showing the hex division heights.

So I just want to know by which hex you're going through to get to the top. Sorry again but I want to make sure everything's clear and simple. Base group speed and hex by hex description of movement/travel including F8 (if you're exploring it or just moving out of it).

Okay, that's much more clear now. Lets explore F8 completely first, and then climb into E7. The group is moving at 20' a round.

"There may be an easier way up the cliff than climbing. We should explore the area before attempting the climb."

perception check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

I use my mastery of observation to try and notice a shortcut

I keep forgetting. I have a pony! A PONY!!If the mule can move faster than 20' per round then so can I!

Yes, mules are the same speed as ponies, so we are good to go at 30' per round overland travel. Good news!

Sorry I got so excited, I'm a grown man after all, but after being inundated with Hobbit movie imagery it became clear to me that dwarves on ponies actually makes a lot of sense. Plus I was worried about slowing us down so that I had the solution in hand makes me happy.

You spend the day exploring Winter Morn's Landing. The cliff face itself is so steep and abrupt that you doubt even with equipment the climb would be feasible.

However, you do spy on the opposite edge of the fjord what looks to be a a cairn indicating a route. However, following this passage would take you up on the opposite side of the fjord, into G9.

As mentioned before, walking to G7 (6h walk) would reach the Shattered Wall, your most likely course of ascent to the western fjord-summit.

"Oooh, a cairn. Exploring this passage might teach us something about this inhabitants of this land. What do you all think?"

I'm game, someone get some torches lit.

Gustav nudges his mule to follow the party towards the cairn. He takes the 10' pole out in one hand, and holds a torch for lighting in the other once they reach the cairn. "We should probably send Trelk in first, yes? You may want this, if so, Trelk," He offers the dwarf the pole.

Thought I posted...must be my imagination...

Trelck fingers his axe for a second as he cocks an eyebrow at the cleric, One of those types huh? The dwarf scratches at his beard then grunts consent as he grabs the pole, I suppose it makes sense to be smart about it but if a bear comes at me... the dwarf frowns as he hefts the pole in front of him and tests it against the floor with a thwack

Darkvision trap tripper has been deployed. Initiate sequence CLICK CLACK UH-OH

If one does come, I'll make sure to provide backup! Gustav grins.

"I would venture to say that my vision exceeds even your own Mr. Stonesoul. I will accompany you as backup," Dorian says. He pulls out his sling and follows Trelck at a 15' interval.

Will is going to cast light on a crossbow bolt and load his crossbow

I've got the rear then

With the group arrayed as it is, and with their animals hitched outside? Trelck begins to enter the cairn, bumping the stick about in front of him.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Another classic example of my age old question, why are people trained to live or die by watching how their opponents move not "trained" in perception...*sigh*

Instincts?

I'll be on high alert with my senses.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Gustav will keep his torch high aloft in one hand and his longspear in the other.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

As you follow the markings on the cairn, you reach a small hollow in the fjord wall. The entrance is dark and unlit.

It's small, but there's definitely enough room for a single file line of medium creatures to enter.

Wind seems to be blowing towards the opening, most likely meaning the opposite entrance isn't too far off.

Staring into the gloom, you don't see anything else but the rocky passage winding slight upward.

I'll be casting light on my cross bow bolt every minute or so btw.

I'll be casting light on my cross bow bolt every minute or so btw.

Sounds like a good idea.

"Please lead the way Mr. Stonesoul," Dorian says, motioning to the passsage. "We may have just discovered our way up."

The animals are all medium right? They should be able to follow.

The animals can fit through with some urging.

So how fond do you think the natives are of booby-trapping random tunnels?

"Preferably not fond of it at all."

Trleck continues to lead on, smacking the stick at regular intervals, I suppose it depends on how often they think unwashed travelers from beyond their lands make their way into their caves...or if they have bandits. Me? I'm more wonderin when we meet the animals that frequent these caves for shelter or some such..

The dwarf has an obvious humor to his voice but also an edge of "ready for anything" as well.

In any case, can the fine adventurer taking the lead make a Perception check?

That would be Trelk. IIRC, it's Trelk, Dorian, Gustav, Mule, William for order.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Of course

I'm blaming it on seasickness lol

As the group advances into the tunnel, Trelck fails to notice a large fissure camouflaged in the tunnel floor.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Luckily, the dwarf is a clever fellow and manages to leap across the crack without falling in.

The rest of the group, now attentive to this fissure can safely pass over it if they wish.

Proceeds

"Whew! Quick moves, Trelck!" Gustav leads his mule across the fissure and down the tunnel.

What can I say...nimble as a ram...blind as a bat...

The dwarf continues to grumble as he sees everyone cross.

Can we get the animals across that? I suppose with the right incentive?

Dorian continues down the tunnel after the others.

Yep, the animals can be persuaded to step across. No checks need to be made.

Your group makes its way trough the tunnel and eventually the natural stone cavern turns into carved and worked stone corridors. You find yourself facing a large stone door.

Trelck shimmies up the pole as he closes to the door and clicks his tongue. Well now. Worked stone and a door. We are headed somewhere for sure, and I doubt a bear lives here. The dwarf chuckles to himself and turns to the android with a look of levity on his face.

Seeing the Door, Will is going to make his way next to Trelck and observe the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

So Shorty, this dwarf work or something from the natives? Either way, you probably have more experience with this than I.

Trelck grunts at William, Now that's just something..as it happens I'm not that good at looking at this sort of thing...I'm...just...better at making it than most... we all got our own relationship to stone is all I'm sayin.