Our War-Torn Souls Suffer Still (PF E6 Eberron Campaign) (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

Atur it is!

Despite the morning events, the day has a quiet feel. Ayla can sense humidity building in the air and the looming approach of more rain in the days to come. The air is cold and smells of the forest surrounding the town.

It becomes quickly clear that finding a river merchant moving upstream will be quite difficult as they usually prefer to simply use the roads.

You wait and wait, watch the sun rise, ever slowly, the air thicken with moist, ever slowly. The belltower rings every single hour of this wait. You watch the ladies go by, on their way to the market, then you watch them come back, their basket filled and their look intrigued by your remaining presence.

Finally, the bell announces noon, and the town square sees a little bit of action, but it all dies again soon after.

You are not born for this...

By the second hour past noon, a merchant's caravan is announced and some of its people wander to the inn, only to be told it was closed. As they're about to leave, they tell you that they are headed to Korth...

You are not born for this...

By the fourth hour, a merchant, accompanied by his son and a few guards, enters the town square. All are on horses and they look like they could use a meal, a drink and a bath. You overhear that they are headed for Atur and that they've been attacked by some Uruks two days ago.

"We've a mind to head to Atur. We can sign on to guard your entourage if you'll feed us along the way. We know combat, and have fought worse than Uruk in our day."

Viyko smiles grimly. "Ask the locals why the inn is closed."

Roughly how far away is 2 days travel from here? If I don't know I'll ask him after we talk to him a bit more.

Ayla nods. "Ayla also help guide through the safe paths. It good bargain!"

Lethe simply nods and lets Viykp and Ayla do the talking.

That's about one third of the way to Korth. Just woods and scattered hamlets there.

The merchant beams at the offer. "Well, I would be delighted to hire you! I've lost one man, and I don't want to loose my shipment of wares. I have gathered an interesting assortment of wood wares coming all the way from Aundair. Very nice quality! What do you say? 1 crown each for the trip, with food?"

Viyko looks to the rest of the group before agreeing.

If the rest of the group agrees, Viyko says the following:

"Sounds like a good bargain, comrade, but I'll do you a favor. You can keep the crown if you'll give me double rations for half the trip. You end up ahead, and my belly ends up full."

Viyko is sincere in his offer.

"Fine with me" Lethe reponds "Will Tika have to do anything to help pay or can I just cover for her?"

Did he just offer us 1 crown and food each, or say we had to pay 1 crown each for the trip? If the latter, then omit my comment.

Yes, he meant pay and food. I'll omit your offer to do it for free!

"I'm fine with the child, but she is your responsibility of course. The name is Adar Gadh, by the way."

Viyko extends a hand in a firm but friendly handshake. "Viyko Kharde."

Ayla nods and shakes his hand."Ayla... I hope you no mind I bring Hammertail."

"As I've said, I have no problem with children. We'll be leaving tomorrow, before dawn. You're welcome to stay at the caravan if you'd like."

The caravan is really four wagons pulled by oxen (one for each). The total staff comprises the merchant, his son Lahar, a halfling cook, four drivers and two "soldiers". The soldiers don't look like much, but is keen to help and make you feel welcome.

Estelle still a bit shaken by all the violence, and I thought that once the war was over this would all end remains quiet for the most part, but is eager to join the caravan and get out of this town.

I would like to stay at the caravan, I think. And put that ugly fight behind me.

Anyone else? The look on Rabbit's face says it is clear she'd prefer to have a trusted companion with her.

Before they head out (if they even head out that evening), Viyko goes by a general store and purchases 30 pints of oil (3gp), three 20lb anvils (15gp), and 100 feet of hemp rope (2gp), and keeps them in the wagon he's traveling with. If anyone asks, Viyko simply tells them "it is for night watches, in case extra protection is needed. I have magic that consumes this readily."

"I will stay, if you will have me." Vrykkas speaks up, shaking himself from his gloom.

"Good I bring Hammertail in the morning!" Ayla says as she bids them a good night and enters the nearby forest to rest along side her companion.

In the morning, Ayla rides up to the caravan on Hammertail.

You can buy a few things if you want before you leave. He hasn't paid you yet though.

The night at the caravan camp is a nice one, perhaps fresh after those two nights of rare comfort.

"Oh! Hammertail is no child! Good to have him. Just keep him a little away from the oxen... They get nervous."

At the crack of dawn, the caravan moves east, albeit at a slow oxen pace. You are assigned to three wagons, two guards to each. Ayla is assigned with Viyko, Vrikkas with Estelle, Tauni with Lethe. The last two guards take up the rear for today, though it is made clear that wagons rotate every day.

As the caravan settles for the night, after a boring day, it is suggested to keep the same shifts for night watch.

Viyko hires the young warrior, and asks his name. Viyko would like to keep the guard with Ayla and himself.

Viyko volunteers for any night watches, and sleeps in the wagons during the afternoons if it's okay with everyone. Anyone on night watch with Viyko gets to know what he's up to: he ensures that they make camp in a circle of wagons, and Viyko coats a few well-placed squares with lamp oil to funnel potential intruders toward the entrance to the camp, where he'll have hoisted anvils ready to drop on them at a moment's notice. More of a scare tactic to buy time than a kill tactic, but it is cheap and effective on night watch, and the fire will provide extra light (lit with spark, btw). Viyko can keep this up for 15 days before he runs out of oil (2 pints per night). If they are near a town or settlement, or camp in a natural enclosure like a cave, he will not use this defensive tactic.

Just to be clear Viyko, a pint of oil will burn for a very long time, as long as it is in a lantern. If you want squares to burn, you're nowhere near the quantity needed I think, unless I misunderstood what you want to do to funnel intruders. I like the idea though. Could you clarify the funnel part, and support it with a relevant roll (in case you bump into something...)[/ooc]

One pint coats a single 5-foot square, and when lit it burns for 2 rounds, as per the equipment section's description. Viyko coats the square between each wagon at night, if they're corralled, and sets the anvils over the third entrance between two wagons; he pulls the slip knot to loose them if needed. The squares are coated, but not lit unless needed (which he would do with the spark cantrip).

To clarify: Corral the 3 wagons in a loose circle (triangle?) with a 5 foot square between two of them, and a 5-15 foot opening near a tree where the anvils will be hung over the tree. If intruders are known to be present, the two squares with oil will be lit, and the only entry point that does not hamper movement will be the anvil-laden section. The anvils' mechanics are up to you, but figure they are falling from ~20 feet, and maybe use the rules for falling objects? If the anvils are too over the top, assume that Viyko instead buys 10-20 bags of marbles to create hindering terrain, and/or a few bear traps instead.

Rolls shouldn't be necessary. Take 10 on Escape Artist check to tie the relevant knots to secure the anvils, and take 10 on Strength check to hoist the anvils (with relevant bonus for leverage from tree branch), and take 10 on Knowledge (nature) to make super-easy DC to identify whether a tree branch will hold the meager weight of the anvils. Coating oil is not a check, and corralling the wagons is not a check. Securing the exterior wagon walls/tarps may be a good idea, and maybe throwing some brush or string with bells under the wagons could help prevent people sneaking under the wagons (if someone really wanted to take the extra time/effort). I've got my bow and spells for flying intruders, and can take cover in/under the wagons, or in/behind the tree. Viyko will be taking 20 on his Perception rolls all night, with any aid another attempts from whoever is with him that night (Perception 30; 32 with aid another; +2 if against Humanoids).

If you can think of any relevant rolls to add bonuses to the success of the idea, or if you have any thoughts for required rolls, I'll gladly make them. This is basically just to alter the terrain in a more controlled and favorable way than merely being in the open. I am also wondering if we could corral the animals in such a way as to easily stampede them through the opening if needed, to trample ground intruders. I could recommend creative use of the Stealth Knowledge (engineering), and Disable Device, and take 20 (30, 28, and 26 respectively) to hide and rig the trap as a more viable defense mechanism or lethal trap, if you think it'd be okay?

Lethe (If Rabbit agrees with it) overs to take the last watch of the night.

Viyko, please roll Survival to find a suitable place to set the wagons and Diplomacy or Bluff to convince the merchant of using your configuration.
Please also roll Survival to set up the oil traps and the bushes under the wagons properly to minimize the risk of setting them on fire.
All others could roll to 'Aid another' for the survival checks.

Everyone, please roll Sense Motive for the day and Perception for your shift.

Sense motive

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Perception

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 (any other party members' help would be appreciated)
Bluff, if Diplomacy fails: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 (help appreciated here, too)

--> "Yeah, I've used this tactic dozens of times."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 (Another +2 if against humanoids)

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 (Another +2 if against humanoids)

The merchant is pensive at Viyko's suggestions: "That's probably a good idea to round up the wagons! And I like the anvils, though we need to know where they are when we go for a night's cry! But I'm not sure I like fire hazards so close to my wares... No, I won't have it! And the oxen? It doesn't make much space for them and us..." He looks at the others, obviously looking for other opinions.

Keep the Sense motive and Perception rolls coming if you haven't made them.

When the caravan makes camp, Viyko and Ivan trot ahead and scout the area for a suitable camp location near a tree. Ivan skitters up and down the tree to see if it is solid, and helps check the ground for potential hazards like ants, termites, vermin, and the like.

"I can understand your hesitation over the fire, comrade. How would you feel about corralling them at right angles, creating a box with one open side. The open side would be near a tree with the anvils, and behind the tree, I can coat the ground with oil in case we need a fire trap to scare off intruders and beasts. I'll keep watch in the tree, giving me high ground and some cover from the ground."

Rabbit will allow others to take the overnight watch if she's not needed. She'll find a place to rest comfortably and pray in the morning. During the day, she'll wander the caravan, making friends and helping tend to any injuries or illness she finds amongst the travelers.

I'll let everyone catch up before moving ahead.

Wha-what happened to my post? I put one up yesterday, and I swore it posted successfully... Wierd.

Anyway, I always thought that perception rolls were made secretly via the dm, unless you are actively searching something specific, So I don't think that you can take 10 or 20 on them. It has been a while since I checked up on those though.

Ayla keeps a strict guard, and is ok with a night watch as long as she has at least 8 hours of rest at some time during the day. When not guarding or resting she visits with friends or tends to the animals.
Sense Viyko is asking for assistance, I'm assuming that Ayla knows what is going on with his plans. Ayla has nothing to say for or against using the anvils, thinking it is a bit overkill, and Ayla is against the oil and fire plan, at least not without some heavy precautions to prevent it from spreading to the forest. However the circling of the wagons is a great Idea and Ayla will assist with that.

"Adar, Ayla not agree with everything her friend suggest, but using wagons to protect from bandit and wildlife is good advice. Ayla will help to give animals enough space to prevent overcrowding." She says to the merchant.

Diplomacy 1d20 ⇒ 16 (arrangement of the wagons only, not sure if this would be an aid other for Viyko or a new diplomacy roll.)

Ayla turns to Viyko and wispers to him. Ayla no like fire idea. Please no use this. Could cause more problem than worth. Ayla think Horse Shoe formation maybe better than triangle. We have hunters after us. One threw explosive. If they employ magic, they may drop fireball or worse into middle of camp, not to mention if oxen spooked, could trample us. A way out of the camp is as important as preventing way in. I say one man watch entrance, and other make circling around camp." Ayla pauses as she looks over at the anvils, and thinks for a moment, and then shrugs. "Not know much about anvil idea. Might work. Maybe set them up where oil was to go instead? I once saw twine and bells used to help warn of intruder. Won't stop them, but give warning before too late, maybe we pick them up at next town?" Ayla finishes, not bothering about whispering for the bell idea.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Hammertail Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 {Scent

The merchant insists on having four shifts of two people to cover the night (eight hours). Twice during the trip, you are attacked at night, confirming the reputation of these woods. The first time, wandering zombies and skeletons attacks the sleeping caravan and are easily dispatched. The second time though, it is bandits, and they are more clever at their job. Regardless, the measures taken to protect the caravan work well and you get them fleeing back to the woods.

I would have loved to have a night fight, but I am leaving Friday for around ten days and I'll be nowhere near a computer. A fight would have taken too long for the circumstances. Don't worry though, There will be other fights. I'll work on the arrival in Atur...

Vrykkas takes the time to study the zombies and skeletons, to see if he recognizes the handiwork or if they're spontaneously created.

I don't really need to know, just flavoring Vrykkas... ;)

Ayla turns to Viyko and wispers to him. Ayla no like fire idea. Please no use this. Could cause more problem than worth. Ayla think Horse Shoe formation maybe better than triangle. We have hunters after us. One threw explosive. If they employ magic, they may drop fireball or worse into middle of camp, not to mention if oxen spooked, could trample us. A way out of the camp is as important as preventing way in. I say one man watch entrance, and other make circling around camp." Ayla pauses as she looks over at the anvils, and thinks for a moment, and then shrugs. "Not know much about anvil idea. Might work. Maybe set them up where oil was to go...

Viyko smiles. "You are right, little comrade. Fire is more of a danger to the land than is safe. I'll keep them in the wagon, and a few with me if needed, as a deterrent. In the war I've seen too many ambushes at night, and get paranoid at times. The anvils are a scare tactic more than a trap to harm. It helps sow confusion and buy a few precious seconds."

Viyko looks at a nearby tree. "Anything would suffice, really. Nets, flour, logs, and the like."

I wanted to add, "When perusing the local wares, I suppose I was just feeling a bit Looney..."

October 4, 998 YK

The caravan of wagons stirs into movement in the fresh morning air of October, for a short ride into the famous city of Atur, Necromancy's High Seat in Galifar. The 'Holy City of Vol's Fangs' presents, as the forest clears to your right and offers a brief view of the city, numerous bone yellow rising spires reminding of ancient sharp canines, seemingly rising from the land. These are the Undying Cathedrals of the Blood of Vols.

Vrykkas points with pride to a dark brown narrow pyramid shaped building ending in a silver dome: the University of Atur and the most extensive repository of knowledge and expertise on necromancy.

As you near the city, you get in sight of Atur's low walls, made of white veined grey granite, and its main gate, the Gate of Mankind. It is comprised of two short but very wide and stout towers framing a large portal of bronzewood and ash steel. Around the portal, statues depict the 'Ascension of Man Unbound by Useless Superstitions'.

The guards at the Gate ask a few questions then let you through. You notice an important number of skeletons standing in armour and armed, though immobile, fixed in time. You pass under the massive gate and enter a sort of staging area where caravans can maneuvers, with stalls around the periphery for transactions and exchange of goods. A priest in a green and red robe blesses most transactions, for a fee.

Agar turns towards you, tied coins in his hand: "Well, I must say you were well worth the pay! Here are your crowns. I'll hire you again for other trips if our paths crosses." 6 GP each.

"The company was amiable, comrade. I hope our paths cross again someday." Viyko shakes their hands and bids them farewell. He gives his (nameless) hired guard one of the crowns, and asks him to stick around Atur with the party for a few days.

If he agrees, Viyko comments that the party may head west again after their stay, and would be glad to see him back to Segelios if they do.

What's your plan?

That was certainly a good trip. Now where do we start here?

"I must present myself to the Church, lest I be accused of shirking my duties. Perhaps we should find an inn, then split up to pursue our individual needs for the day?"

Viyko goes to the local magistrate's office, street cleaning guild, or messenger service (shortest wait and most amiable people) and asks about the districts of the city, and what the makeup of the denizens are. Basic information about the city that any native should know. From that knowledge, Viyko will look around the area(s) with a goblinoid population. At this juncture, he asks Estelle and anyone else to tag along with him.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 (+2 for anything relevant to humanoids)
(knowledge about personalities, inhabitants, and humanoids specifically apply)

You are in the northwest part of the town. At least that is obvious. Viyko remembers vaguely that the city has five main Wards, of which The Shroud is probably the poorest and could be a good guess to start looking for a hobgoblin.

You are at the entrance of a big city, of which you don't know much. I'm going to need to see some rolls (knowledges, gather info, etc.).

Gather INformation to find the location of the Blood of Vol main sanctuary: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Yeah I need to find someone that can see to my axe." Once an Inn is found lethe goes looking for a polisher.

Estelle will be glad to join Viyko on his info gathering foray. This is what she is good at. She will take on her human soldier persona, and join him.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Knowledge: Local

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Diplomacy: Gather Information

If she finds a source that looks like a fountain of information, she will use her abilities to cast Charm Person, to help out with the information.

Rabbit will hang back at the inn, watching the comings and goings of the others, checking with them to see where they are headed and when they expect to be back. She keeps a mental tally in case anyone is expectedly late in returning.

Ayla will wait at the inn with Rabbit.

Btw, my plans for next week bombed. So I'll be around. I'll work on an update as soon as possible.