With the heart of the Stolen Lands explored and the bandits who ruled there scattered, the long-contested realm finally lies open for pioneers and settlers to stake their claims.:
Amid the rush of opportunistic travelers, the PCs find themselves stewards over a new domain, tasked with the responsibility of guiding and guarding a fledgling nation struggling to grow upon a treacherous borderland. Yet the threats to this new nation quickly prove themselves greater than mere bandits and wild beasts, as the monstrous natives of the hills and forests rampage forth to slaughter all who have trespassed upon their territory. Can the PCs hold the land they’ve fought so hard to explore and tame? Or will their legend be just one more lost to the fangs of the Stolen Lands?
How far away is the campfire/smoke? And have we finished exploring the current hex?
If what we are looking at is "Heibarr" (which is what GM's description sounds like), then that's a whole hex away (12 miles or so). Do we want to go that far out of our way? We still have a bunch of things to do.
"Before we go haring off after someone let's get warmed up. I am still chilled from last night." Numalar stokes a campfire and begins preparing a hot breakfast.
We probably need 2 hours to recover from the non-lethal damage, unless someone took a lot of damage. You get back 1 per HD per hour.
Do we have dry firewood with us? Or does Naleksa sell it? Otherwise it would be faster to simply go there, rather than try and get a fire going ourselves...
"Or they simply managed to keep a sheltered fire alive through the storm. I know I would have, not worrying much about revealing our presence. If we mean to see who it is, and act on what we learn, we should probably hurry. Right now, the fire is going, but whoever that is may well break camp and move out."
Zokon approaches and has a look at the indicated camp
"Excellent idea, I suggest we use stealth, these people do not seem afraid to reveal their presence."
Before or after everyone has warmed up by the light of the sun?
Numalar Auritonius wrote:
How far away is the campfire/smoke? And have we finished exploring the current hex?
Yes, and then aiming eastward to ford the river, and continue your proposed path.
Numalar Auritonius wrote:
If what we are looking at is "Heibarr" (which is what GM's description sounds like), then that's a whole hex away (12 miles or so). Do we want to go that far out of our way? We still have a bunch of things to do.
You are looking into the hex marked on the area map, but there are no readily apparent ruins. In general the land runs downward to the south in a ongoing series of rolling hills, until it rises again near you would suspect the edge of the big lake marked on the map. You can see quite far (once the sun comes up fully, and assuming Posh or Alia wakes you up before the end of their watch--most of the land itself is covered in shadow and only the sky is slightly illuminated). I'll assume that Alia or Posh woke you early to point out the fire unless they say otherwise.
Did we ever settle on how/when folks recover spells? It's been a long time and alas I can't remember.
Alia sees the fire as being about 2 miles off. Assuming there is not much difficult terrain a person with a move of 30 could hustle down there in about 20 minutes--a little before the sun comes up fully dispelling the dim light conditions near the ground.
Looking at the sky - survival DC 15:
It looks to be a warm sunny day ahead. A person (with Spd 30) hustling down to where the fire is, might have 5-10 minutes of dim light ahead of them when they arrived, assuming the path ahead is like the rest of the land you have encountered in the area and that they have some means of seeing in the dim light so as to not trip and fall.
Numalar Auritonius wrote:
"Before we go haring off after someone let's get warmed up. I am still chilled from last night." Numalar stokes a campfire and begins preparing a hot breakfast.
We probably need 2 hours to recover from the non-lethal damage, unless someone took a lot of damage. You get back 1 per HD per hour.
Do we have dry firewood with us? Or does Naleksa sell it? Otherwise it would be faster to simply go there, rather than try and get a fire going ourselves...
"Or they simply managed to keep a sheltered fire alive through the storm. I know I would have, not worrying much about revealing our presence. If we mean to see who it is, and act on what we learn, we should probably hurry. Right now, the fire is going, but whoever that is may well break camp and move out."
Naleksa, doesn't carry firewood, there's usually so much of it laying around, and it's a bit heavy compared to other stuff she could be carrying (20 lbs for 1 cp). By the smoke you would guess that firewood that whomever it is is burning is/was damp.
Some lamp oil, then? I just know it's friggin hard to get a fire with damp fuel going...once it's running, it's less of a problem, but even starting it up will be a challenge...or would burst-damage as from Num's spells help?
Some lamp oil, then? I just know it's friggin hard to get a fire with damp fuel going...once it's running, it's less of a problem, but even starting it up will be a challenge...or would burst-damage as from Num's spells help?
She certainly has lamp oil. I could/have see/seen Numalar starting a fire with an application of fire magic.
"It looks to be a warm sunny day ahead. A fast person hustling down to where the fire is, might have 5-10 minutes of dim light ahead of them when they arrived, assuming the path ahead is like the rest of the land we have encountered in the area and that they have some means of seeing in the dim light so as to not trip and fall.
Do I qualify for the sight thing.. or no due to no darkvision/low-light
Survival:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 zokon attempts to start a fire with his flint and tinder so all can warm up
And do we want to risk starting a fire, thereby giving away our own position and the element of surprise? Or do we check on that other camp, knowing it's only like 20 minutes away hustling(less if we ride). We could, of course, prepare an ambush in case those are bandits, and lure them to us with a fire of our own. But if they are not, they may choose to evade us because they fear WE are bandits.
I would slightly favor checking them out now. So far, our nonlethal damage is not so bad that someone absolutely has to rest before we check things out. Zokon has only 1d6 of nonlethal cold waiting, Celyne was immune - unless Posh rolls horribly, it should not be a big deal, and getting the jump on them/information advantage would be preferable. We can still warm up after we checked out who or what is there-
Do I qualify for the sight thing.. or no due to no darkvision/low-light
Silly human, of course I mean you. ;) Until the sun's up a bit further (or you light the way somehow), you can't rush through the rough terrain without tripping in the underbrush.
You can start to make a fire, but it will take a few minutes and Zokon would know that.
Alia of the Blade wrote:
I would slightly favor checking them out now. So far, our nonlethal damage is not so bad that someone absolutely has to rest before we check things out....
Let's take care of that right now.
Posh's fort save DC 15:1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 4 = 13nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 2 Posh's fort save DC 16:1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 4 = 13nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 3 Posh's fort save DC 17:1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 4 = 25
Horses's fort save DC 15:1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 = 14nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 1 Horses's fort save DC 16:1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 4 = 20 Horses's fort save DC 17:1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 = 14nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 3
Naleksa's fort save DC 15:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 2 Naleksa's fort save DC 16:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 3 Naleksa's fort save DC 17:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Luna's fort save DC 15:1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 4 = 23 Luna's fort save DC 16:1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11nonlethal damage:1d6 ⇒ 6 Luna's fort save DC 17:1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 4 = 19
Zokon's damage:1d6 ⇒ 1
So right now we stand at:
Name / Points of exposure/nonlethal damage:
Posh 5
Horses 4 each
Naleksa 5
Luna 6 (the big house cat)
Zokon 1
Scarlet 5
Alia 2
Vega 6 (likewise)
Numalar 1
Sir Didymus 2
Gertrude 4
Zokon made all his saves, with the cold weather gear and the saves bonuses his last roll was a 17 the first two much higher and the targets were 15,16,17.. not a huge issue over 1 hp..
Male Gnome Bard/ 3rd AC: 15 (T 12, FF 14), HP 20/20 5NL, Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +1; +2 Enchantment | CMB +1, CMD 14 | Init +3 | Perc +4
Alia of the Blade wrote:
"Well, we are here to explore these lands, right? Besides, with the map lost, my guess is as good as any as to where the ruin I am supposed to find is. May as well be some other settlement was built at it's location, then abandoned. Still wonder if I should have asked Ed...but I was uncertain about his motivation...sorry, I'm talking too much...too worked up."
Posh nods silently for a moment
"I don't blame you. It's best to be wary of strangers." he states, thinking more about this Ed person "Let's travel tentatively...we seem to keep coming across dangers out in this cursed land." Posh states, loading his new crossbow ready.
@GM So no extra warmth between Naleska and Posh's bodies being entwined? fair enough.
Apologies, Zokon, I just checked back to see if anybody was missing, and only saw your original saves post. You later retconnect that to include both 3 of our survival-boosts and the cold-weather gear, which miraculously stacked with the survival boosts(unlike furs).
If we do make a fire, no use hiding it. The only fuel we'll find is damp, and their fire is nicely visibly because of damp fuel. Even if we try to make it small and shelter it, we would give away our position. It's either spend 15 minutes to go there, or settle down in our makeshift camp and see what happens.
Is there a way to create a fire/warmth that doesn't involve smoke?If so Zokon will do that... or a way to dissipate the smoke via a grass filter or something
If the consensus ends up to make a fire first before checking the other camp, Alia will ignore the fire, and instead climb a nearby tree, with her bow ready.
Is there a way to create a fire/warmth that doesn't involve smoke?If so Zokon will do that... or a way to dissipate the smoke via a grass filter or something
Not really, especially if warmth is the principle goal. The day ahead should accomplish that in a few hours.
And, Zokon, I have noted your lack of damage thanks to a warm coat. Nonlethal damage = 0.
So what's the plan? Fire or no fire? It will take some time to get going so there's ample time to stop if you want to. Are we up for a pre-dawn jog over to the neighbors or not? Scarlet, and anyone with low-light vision taller than 4-foot can make the trip before true dawn--and yes, Numalar is technically taller than 4-foot when he's on his dog (almost over 5 with his hat on). Plans for the day investigate, or even attempt to fully survey the hex to the south or continue on along on the path you are on, and swing back later? Sandbox. Go figure. ;)
We might want to move this over to the discussion thread just so we don't clutter this one with a lot of OOC tags.
Gnome Sorcerer 4 | AC: 15, TAC: 13, FAC: 13, CMD: 11 | HP 7/23 | Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +5 | Perception +9, Sense Motive +2, Darkvision 60' |
Resources:
Spell Slots available: 1st: 5/8 2nd: 3/4 Claws: 8/8 rounds left SLAs: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Flare, Produce Flame
"Well, I suppose we should see who that is," Numalar grumbles. He stands up and readies his gear.
RPGGGM wrote:
Zokon Santyev wrote:
Is there a way to create a fire/warmth that doesn't involve smoke?If so Zokon will do that... or a way to dissipate the smoke via a grass filter or something
Not really, especially if warmth is the principle goal.
I have read that there is a way to make a campfire without visible smoke... but I can't say I know how it is done. A quick web search brought up THIS and THIS and also THIS. I'm guessing a good survival roll might allow one of these techniques.
Sorry again, it's been a very busy week. I have more free time it seems when I work 58 hours than when I'm on vacation.
You could make a fire large enough to warm those who are very cold (including the horses--who didn't sleep well), but it would would be too large to hide. By the time a smaller fire or a very very intricately devised smokeless fire could be constructed or made use of the sun would be out and you would not need it.
So the party (mounted by the sound of it) make their way toward the smoke in the predawn twilight.
The Stealthy Approach Obviously the larger the party the easier you are to spot--do not neglect to take your mounts into account on this point.
You could all go it alone on your rolls or a designated guide (can't be Zokon unless you want to wait until for full sun up or there's some more light for him to see by) can help smooth the way.
The guide can make a 'group stealth' check (using 'Stealth'), modified like an aid other attempt made with any of the following skills: stealth (DC 10), knowledge (geography) (DC 12), or survival (DC 12). This roll would be modified by the size of the party and standard perception modifiers.
Open Approach No rolls needed. You just go there out in the open.
Stealthy Daylight Approach As the "Stealthy Approach" just in daylight, and significantly more difficult.
One mount, for Zokon and Posh, and the Dog for Numalar. The other mounts, with Naleksa. And the idea was to dismount them when we get close.
We could also do a combined approach, possibly? For example, Scarlet and me approaching openly, with the others sneaking into position? That would reduce group size and give a diversion, right?
We could also do a combined approach, possibly? For example, Scarlet and me approaching openly, with the others sneaking into position? That would reduce group size and give a diversion, right?
Gnome Sorcerer 4 | AC: 15, TAC: 13, FAC: 13, CMD: 11 | HP 7/23 | Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +5 | Perception +9, Sense Motive +2, Darkvision 60' |
Resources:
Spell Slots available: 1st: 5/8 2nd: 3/4 Claws: 8/8 rounds left SLAs: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Flare, Produce Flame
Numalar's stealth is half-decent but his bluff is way better if we are going for a 'diversion.' Posh's bluff is also very good.
What kind of diversion were you thinking?
Actually, if the DC is only 10 then going with stealth would probably be fine. I can take 10 to make a 16. So can Sir Didymus, and Posh can take 10 for a 17. I think everyone can make the check with a take 10, actually.
As you approach the camp you can hear the following.
Man's voice:"Oy, you city boys can 'ardly pull up yer pants straight wif out 'elp."
Laughter.
perception DC 20:
Three distinct laughers.
sense motive (only if you made the perception check above) DC 15:
The last laugh sounds nervous, trails on too long and then dies under a weighty communal silence. You have a bad feeling about these people.
Second man's (slightly inebriated) voice"Ey, wat's fer grub?"
Third (much younger) man's voice"Noffin' you ate it all last night 'efore the storm. You said you'd be huntin' in the morn. You said we'd have a brace 'efore midmorn."
Second man"Shut yer bleedin' mouf, boy! I knows wat I said, don't I? I said it after all!"
Fourth man's (slightly accented) voice, almost hissing"Shut up all of you!"
Everyone seems to do so.
Knowledge (local) DC 15:
The fourth man has an Ustalavian accent--probably from one of the large towns or from the city of Caliphas.
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28<= Can I at least match the laughters up to the voices of the speakers? Or was that a wasted 20 considering we do hear 4 different people speak, clearly? :) Sense Motive:1d20 ⇒ 12
Hearing the final man telling the others to shut up, Alia freezes in position...did he hear them? Or was simply annoyed with the others?
Alia had no idea, but holding still a moment wouldn't hurt.
Unconsciously, her hand gripped her Estoc, ready to draw the blade at a moments notice.
That last sentence is a cliffhanger. I'm willing to advance only after I learn the meaning of it...so would hold still for a few seconds at least, until they are chatting again/suspicions(if there are any) are disregarded)
Can I at least match the laughters up to the voices of the speakers? Or was that a wasted 20 considering we do hear 4 different people speak, clearly? :)
Scarlet hears the laughter, but she doesn't infer much from it. She shrugs, ready to head back until the fourth voice demands silence. She's not sure if they noticed her or he's the killjoy in the camp.
Alia quickly shows her open hand to the others, counting off all of her fingers, then quickly closing and opening the hand again, showing Five fingers, before pointing towards the voices again.
Male Gnome Bard/ 3rd AC: 15 (T 12, FF 14), HP 20/20 5NL, Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +1; +2 Enchantment | CMB +1, CMD 14 | Init +3 | Perc +4
Perception:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Knowledge Local:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Posh, not knowing anything more just waits with crossbow in hand to see what might happen in the situation. Chances are he was thinking they were probably just travelers who came up through here much like he did, but who knows.
Celyne stops when the others do, indicating Luna should do the same, but notices nothing that would cause them all to halt. She looks at Alia's back curiously.
Scarlet moves closer to get a better look, but can only make out the backs of a head, the lower half of a fat man still in his blanket, and some feet with some socks that need darning (or burning).
Map updated. Elevations are noted. The light is of course less dim near the campfire--treat it like four torches, one in each corner of the square the campfire is in.
Scarlet finds herself out in the open facing four astonished men (well three, and a boy). Then as quick, and as silent as a snake, a man slides out from the foliage and places a dirk to her throat. He has a tattoo around one eye that mimics mascara running from a single tear down his cheek, and another dark patch that bisects his bottom lip.
"Well, well, look what we have here?" His voice, slightly accented, sounds like a cross between a mocking cat's and a cold-blooded viper's. "Come for breakfast have we? Heh heh."
He is quite obviously holding on to a readied action. The other men rise to their feet.
| Bloodrage 12/12 | Fire Strikes 3/3 | HP 43/43 | AC 18 T 14 F 14(Uncanny Dodge) | CMD 19 | Saves 6/4/0 (+1 Will vs Mind Affecting) | Init 3 | Perception 3 | 4 Female Ifrit Bloodrager (elemental, fire) | Spells 2 |
Scarlet kicks a rock and looks at the three astonished men and the boy. "Uh, hi-"
A dirk appears at her throat and she rolls her eyes. "And here I was hoping to say hello. Tell your attack dog to get the butter knife off my throat or I'll burn him to a crisp."
Gnome Sorcerer 4 | AC: 15, TAC: 13, FAC: 13, CMD: 11 | HP 7/23 | Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +5 | Perception +9, Sense Motive +2, Darkvision 60' |
Resources:
Spell Slots available: 1st: 5/8 2nd: 3/4 Claws: 8/8 rounds left SLAs: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Flare, Produce Flame
Dovan from Nisroch wrote:
"Come for breakfast have we? Heh heh."
Numalar comes around the corner, crossbow in hand, mounted on Sir Didymus.
"Yes, thanks, what is for breakfast? And put that silly knife away before you hurt yourself."
Numalar looks at the man holding the knife as closely as he can manage.
GGGM: Two things:
A: Is Dovan grappling Scarlet? Pinned? Is she considered helpless and can be coup-de-grace'd by Dovan? Or does he just have a readied action to attack her?
B: does he wear a Stag Pendant? If a Perception check is needed:
Numalar comes around the corner, crossbow in hand, mounted on Sir Didymus.
"Yes, thanks, what is for breakfast?"
"N-nuffin' Norry ate it all last night." the boy stammers.
"I have a condition!" protests the fat man. "And I said I'd go huntin', you brat!"
Numalar Auritonius wrote:
GGGM: Two things:
A: Is Dovan grappling Scarlet? Pinned? Is she considered helpless and can be coup-de-grace'd by Dovan? Or does he just have a readied action to attack her?
Just a readied action that given the situation, would ordinarily grant him initiative on her and leave her flat-footed for his first attack. Ordinarily.
Numalar Auritonius wrote:
B: does he wear a Stag Pendant? If a Perception check is needed:
The slippery man's face twists with fear and hate for a moment at Zokon's and Numalar's appearance. He recovers quickly though, and twirls his blade up, and away from Scarlet's neck. He steps away from her to face the new arrivals and put his back to his men. "No harm meant. It's just in these parts you can't be too careful."
