Tukata grumbles as he wakes up. These beds suck. He checks the bear traps and retrieves them.
"Tower. Sure. Let's go"
Tukata begins leading them to the tower, giving notes about terrain to Norman.
[dice=Fort]1d20+4
The jungle elf is fatigued until he can get proper rest.
"Anyone make some tea?", he grumbles as he trudges about.
It takes a while for the party to get the donkey and themselves down the path safely, particularly since their scout didn't adjust well to the time change.
The journey towards the tower takes them across a wide, mostly flat plain with the occasional creek providing drainage. The path you are following is little more than an animal trail and several times your feet get wet crossing the streams.
You get a good view of the tower mid-morning. It is 3 stories of stone construction with each story being about half a meter larger radius than the one below it. The bottom floor is probably 15ft radius. The top has a wall around it with a large stack of wood on a raised platform in the centre. There is a rectangular one story building attached to the tower that is about 40ft by 70ft, also of stone construction. It is on the far side of the tower so you can't see it very well.
There are two men on the top of the tower and they appear to be watching you, but are still out of speaking range.
The bottom floor is probably 1245ft radius.
I suspect he mistyped
"Let us approach openly and speak with these people."
Unless somebody objects, Platros gets into the distance where a shout can be heard and calls out
"Greetings. We are peaceful travellers. May we come nearer?"
The bottom floor is probably 1245ft radius.
Somehow autocorrect decided that 15ft was way to small and changed it.
Tukata peels off his pack and takes a seat while he waits to find out what's going on.
"Do you think they know common? Maybe they only know Draconic."
Saipres shrugs at Tukata's question, and calls up greetings, similar to the one Platros had given, in Draconic, Celestial, and Elven, and then waits to see if one gets a response of any kind.
I suspect he mistyped
"Let us approach openly and speak with these people."
Unless somebody objects, Platros gets into the distance where a shout can be heard and calls out
"Greetings. We are peaceful travellers. May we come nearer?"
The guard replies in heavily accented common.
"yes you may approach, but first tell me what that pathetic beast you lead is, it looks like breakfast for many creatures."
As Platros approaches
"His name is Ciabatta. He is what we call a donkey. Similar to a horse, if you have them. He is a loyal and hard working animal. Are there many predators around large enough to consider him a mere snack?"
As Platros approaches
"His name is Ciabatta. He is what we call a donkey. Similar to a horse, if you have them. He is a loyal and hard working animal. Are there many predators around large enough to consider him a mere snack?"
"You mean orc mounts? I have seen them. Why do you not use a great boar like everyone else? Or even a dire wolf, though those usually aren't used as beasts of burden."
Damn, Norman may have been right after all
"Where we come from, which is a land far away and NOT part of the Orc lands, donkeys are the normal beast of burden."
"You can see that we are harmless travellers. May we please enter to discuss things with you?"
Damn, Norman may have been right after all
"Where we come from, which is a land far away and NOT part of the Orc lands, donkeys are the normal beast of burden."
"You can see that we are harmless travellers. May we please enter to discuss things with you?"
"Yes" he then turns and shouts down into the tower. "Gregoss, open the main door and let the watch leader know that traveling merchants wish to speak to him."
Assuming nobody objects, once the door opens I suggest we go in.
"Ughh"
Tukata only half paid attention, thinking of the taste roasted wild boar. As soon as he heard they were heading in. He hefty his pack back on and leads Ciabatta in.
"Ughh"
Tukata only half paid attention, thinking of the taste roasted wild boar. As soon as he heard they were heading in. He hefty his pack back on and leads Ciabatta in.
"If you aren't staying a while I suggest leaving your pack animal tied to the post outside, or we can put him in the stables."
At hearing that his earlier statement holds true Norman exclaims,
"I knew I was right!
When we get in Norman looks over at the closest guard and states,
"I need to use your tower" as he points to said tower.
At hearing that his earlier statement holds true Norman exclaims,
"I knew I was right!
When we get in Norman looks over at the closest guard and states,
"I need to use your tower" as he points to said tower.
"only the watch leader can allow civilians onto the roof of the tower. You will have to speak to him first."
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"I am not a civilian! I am the assistant to the 5th librarian of the minor library on the University of Anok campus. I need to get to the top of the tower to see the surrounding area so I can make a map of the area for our archives. But if I must speak with this so called 'Watch Leader' where is he so I can get permission.
"I am not a civilian! I am the assistant to the 5th librarian of the minor library on the University of Anok campus. I need to get to the top of the tower to see the surrounding area so I can make a map of the area for our archives. But if I must speak with this so called 'Watch Leader' where is he so I can get permission.
Gregoss stares at you in confusion for a moment. "You are not a member of the border guard, the Principate shields or a licensed mercenary, therefore you are a civilian"
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"Norman, let's PLEASE try not to piss off the nice men with weapons. Even if somebody here knows of the university its unlikely to be guards at a border post. We're guests here, we have NO authority, and we should act that way. Let's talk to these guards and make our way towards civilization
To the guard: You are quite correct sir, we are civilians. I apologize if my associate gave offence. He did not mean to deceive"
Tukata takes a tired sidelong glance at his traveling companions, then looks up to the guards.
"I'll take him to the stables, this may take awhile.
Tukata takes a tired sidelong glance at his traveling companions, then looks up to the guards.
"I'll take him to the stables, this may take awhile.
Gregoss indicates that you should follow him and leads you to the back part of the one story building attached to the tower.
"you are lucky that none of our mounted patrols are here right now, their mounts would probably make short work of your creature.
The stable takes up the back 20ft of the building and is one large open area.
"Norman, let's PLEASE try not to piss off the nice men with weapons. Even if somebody here knows of the university its unlikely to be guards at a border post. We're guests here, we have NO authority, and we should act that way. Let's talk to these guards and make our way towards civilization
To the guard: You are quite correct sir, we are civilians. I apologize if my associate gave offence. He did not mean to deceive"
A large middle aged man with a scar through his left eye arrives. "Greetings travelers, I am watch leader Dantach, commander of this tower. What can I do for you?"
Norman blinks at Paltros and the comment he made. Norman then turns to Dantach and states:
"I am Norman and these are my cohorts charged with mapping these lands. We come from the University of Anok located in Eida. I need access to that tower . ."
Norman points to the tower.
" . . so I can get a proper vantage point to do our work."
Tukata relaxes along with Ciabatta in the stable area, and tries to regain some energy while the other start the mapping process.
Norman blinks at Paltros and the comment he made. Norman then turns to Dantach and states:
"I am Norman and these are my cohorts charged with mapping these lands. We come from the University of Anok located in Eida. I need access to that tower . ."
Norman points to the tower.
" . . so I can get a proper vantage point to do our work."
"If we let him up there will he shut up, he is making my head hurt?"
"Definitely worth a try. But nothing makes him shut up for very long"
Platros quickly jots down a very rough draft of a map
While he is doing so, he talks to the commander
"Sir, we are very grateful for your hospitality and help. Perhaps you would tell us a little bit about where we find ourselves. What is the name of this kingdom and how far is it to the nearest town? And are there any dangers along the way that we should be aware of?"
Saipres lets out a low growl at the amount of information given by his comrades. Questions like "where are we?" and statements speaking of how far they'd come would only lead to more questions. He would have to be sure to speak to them about it afterwards.
Climbing to the top of the tower, Saipres takes in the sights. Being unfamiliar with the region, he doesn't expect to notice anything familiar, but is more looking for things that may be interesting or useful. Nearby towns, as well as anything that looks like it should be avoided.
Saipres lets out a low growl at the amount of information given by his comrades. Questions like "where are we?" and statements speaking of how far they'd come would only lead to more questions. He would have to be sure to speak to them about it afterwards.
[dice=Perception]1d20+7
Climbing to the top of the tower, Saipres takes in the sights. Being unfamiliar with the region, he doesn't expect to notice anything familiar, but is more looking for things that may be interesting or useful. Nearby towns, as well as anything that looks like it should be avoided.
From this tower you can barely see two others, one due west, just visible above the horizon; the other similarly far away to the south and slightly east. To the south-west you see a very small, walled village.
Otherwise you see mountains to the east and plains in every other direction. The plains are not flat, but have low hills that leave many hiding places.
Tukata takes a cursory look around the stable area while he waits for the others.
I wonder how they go about taming Dire Beast?
Tukata takes a cursory look around the stable area while he waits for the others.
I wonder how they go about taming Dire Beast?
[dice=Perception]10+8
The stable is basically one big open area about 20ft by 40ft. It has a stone floor covered with a thin layer of straw. There are places to secure animals on three sides and low troughs for water or feed.
Dantach looks up to the top of the tower. "Is it as useful as you hoped?"
Norman starts making notes on the area surrounding the outpost form the top of the tower.
Norman starts making notes on the area surrounding the outpost form the top of the tower.
Knowledge: Geography: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
What do I see from the top?
From this tower you can barely see two others, one due west, just visible above the horizon; the other similarly far away to the south and slightly east. To the south-west you see a very small, walled village.
Otherwise you see mountains to the east and plains in every other direction. The plains are not flat, but have low hills that leave many hiding places.
Platros talks to the commander
"Sir, we are very grateful for your hospitality and help. Perhaps you would tell us a little bit about where we find ourselves. What is the name of this kingdom and how far is it to the nearest town? And are there any dangers along the way that we should be aware of?"
Platros talks to the commander
"Sir, we are very grateful for your hospitality and help. Perhaps you would tell us a little bit about where we find ourselves. What is the name of this kingdom and how far is it to the nearest town? And are there any dangers along the way that we should be aware of?"
"You really aren't from around here are you."
He turns and indicates south.
"We are on the northern border of the the Princedom of Tumulk, one of the northernmost Principalities of Miruch. The edge of civilization really. Your friends can probably see Dothen from the tower, it is about 7 miles south-west of here. Within the principalities you should be fairly safe as long as you stay to the roads and villages. Bandits aren't too bad this year, and I hear there is another crackdown on thieves guilds."
To the commander :
"Thank you. Is there any centre of learning in Dothen? And do you know what churches we might find there? And could you possibly recommend a decent inn there?"
To the others in our group :
"Somebody jog Norman to complete the map. We should head off to Dothen while we can still make it today"
To the commander :
"Thank you. Is there any centre of learning in Dothen? And do you know what churches we might find there? And could you possibly recommend a decent inn there?"
To the others in our group :
"Somebody jog Norman to complete the map. We should head off to Dothen while we can still make it today"
"Perhaps you misunderstood, Dothen is a village of perhaps 200 souls. There is a small shrine to Dunos and a small temple of Illia. The old priest may have a few texts, and the town elder huzoss is a learned man. There is only one inn, and it is more of a tavern that happens to have a couple rooms for rent, the shattered scorpion is it's name, not that you could miss it."
Tukata hears Platros urging. He wills his weary soul up, and walks up the tower to Norman.
Passing the guard, "Any good hunting around the area?"
As soon as he's on the landing he takes a look around the impressive hunter's perch. He gets a lay of the land, and tries to put some of his instincts to use while he's up there.
"Norman, wrap it up. I think we're heading to an inn."
Tukata hears Platros urging. He wills his weary soul up, and walks up the tower to Norman.
Passing the guard, "Any good hunting around the area?"
As soon as he's on the landing he takes a look around the impressive hunter's perch. He gets a lay of the land, and tries to put some of his instincts to use while he's up there.
[dice=Perception]1d20+8
[dice=Survival]1d20+7
"Norman, wrap it up. I think we're heading to an inn."
"if you are willing to take the time, you should be able to hunt something."
Norman finishes taking his notes on the area and heads down the tower to meet with the group.
To the commander:
"There are 2 towers on either side of this one, is that a chain of outposts that you operate?"
"Tukata, there is a town to the south-west, it does not look very big but we may be able to rent a room for the night. Is that where this inn is at?"
Norman finishes taking his notes on the area and heads down the tower to meet with the group.
To the commander:
"There are 2 towers on either side of this one, is that a chain of outposts that you operate?""Tukata, there is a town to the south-west, it does not look very big but we may be able to rent a room for the night. Is that where this inn is at?"
"It is the edge of civilization, and serves as a warning against raids from orcs and other barbarian tribes."
"Oh, fun orcs. I thought my bow arm was going unused for a bit. But yeah that town works for me, I'd rather not have another poor nights sleep"
So, we say goodbye and head to the town
It takes about 2 hours to reach Dothen. Dothen is clearly a backwater, though the people who live there care for it well. The village has a wooden palisade about 10ft high around it with a single gate out the south end of the village (almost the opposite direction of where you are coming from). There is a creek to the north that helps protect the north palisade and a small bridge about 5ft wide that crosses the creek to the west of the village. The creek drains out of a small lake to the east of the town, about 1km by 0.5km; there are a few docks and small boats. From outside the town you can only see one building that is noticeably above the height of the walls.
Once you get inside the village you see that it has no real roads, just dirt tracks in between buildings. Even then there appears to only be one main track that all important buildings are next to; the rest of the village is houses for nearby farms, houses for less important shop owners, and a couple of storehouses. All told there area about 50 buildings in the village.
The major buildings in the village are the meeting hall, which is also the elder's home and fortified structure, it is about 25ft high; The shattered scorpion, a small tavern next to the meeting hall; an armoury on the other side of the meeting hall; a general store on the other side of the clearing in front of the meeting hall; a blacksmith's shop beside the general store; and a small temple on the other side of the general store.
Platros turns to his companions:
"I think that I'll check with the Priest of Illya to see what he knows. Hopefully the fact that we are both priests will work in my favour. I'll meet you in the tavern later"
He then heads over to the temple and goes inside
"Greetings. Is there anybody here?"
Platros turns to his companions:
"I think that I'll check with the Priest of Illya to see what he knows. Hopefully the fact that we are both priests will work in my favour. I'll meet you in the tavern later"
He then heads over to the temple and goes inside
"Greetings. Is there anybody here?"
The temple is made of wood, and is simply but solidly made. The main chamber is about 30ft by 50ft with a small alter at the far end. Two rows of wooden columns help support the roof. There appear to be several smaller rooms at the back of the building.
You hear the deeper voice of one of the dragonkin, though it sounds old and weaker than it once was. "I will be there in a minute"
Shortly thereafter you see the priest, walking slowly out from a room at the back of the temple. You aren't sure if he would be walking if it wasn't for his staff.
"my eyes aren't what they used to be, but I don't recognize you."
"No, you wouldn't. My friends and I just arrived here in Dothen. As you can see, I'm a priest of Anok and I thought that I should pay my respects to the spiritual leader of this fine village. Perhaps we could sit down and talk?"