Adolpho climbs quickly and effectively.
"Climb? Uh . . .. Okay . . .." Confident is not even close to the right word to describe the sound of Adair's voice.
He takes his time and lines up the grappling hook throw, but still has to try twice before it catches properly on the wall. Then he pulls on it, making sure it is set, before starting his effort to climb. He starts up the wall well enough, and his eyebrows relax, spreading apart over his face. Then he starts trying to go faster, and he ends up getting his feet ahead of his torso, flipping him backwards off of the wall and into the support of the safety harness, where he hangs, looking dejected while he waits.
Still stinging from his lack of forest knowledge, Morvas turns his hand to the climbing wall.
Climb:
Climb:
Unable to get beyond the first several feet, he is finally rescued and completes the climb, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Daunted by the task of scaling the 50 ft. cliff, Liam nevertheless pulls out his rope and grappling hook. Affixing the former to the latter, he watches Wisp and copies his technique as best he can. After a couple of tries, he gets the hook firmly attached to the top of the rock wall. Seeing everyone but the Iberion struggle with the ascent, he takes a couple of deep breaths and begins his climb. Starting slowly, he pulls himself hand over hand. Finding a rhythm, he quickens his pace, handily achieving the top of the cliff face.
After the climbing, Jolly returns disappointed. "Luckily none of the drills left require pairs, as we are odd now."
The loss of Jonah seems to affect him. "I have a few days left. So I am going to push you farther and farther."
The day of the climbing the group forages for food and Jolly provides ample berries and nuts to augment and any missing. You fall in your sleeping rolls refreshed after climbing and eating a delicious stew.
"Now the rules are different. You eat only what you find, and we hit the high country. Food will harder to find. Hiking and surviving is what you will be doing."
Jolly pushes you on a brutal hike. You are separated by 50 meters each in a long line marching into the mountains. Those not maintaining spacing are harassed by the emotional taskmaster. "I don't want you to give up. But say the word, and I send you back to civilization. Not everyone wears the leaf and cloak!"
After Jolly's brutal three day force march, Rothgar hasn't found any decent food, and the night of the last day is at the point of exhaustion. He looks to see if the others fare better.
You arrive at the Nolachucky River. The River of Death translated from the old tongue. The twisting whitewater rapids cut through a mountainous country. All the ranger groups are converging for 'The Race".
Hoping to prove himself, Morvas prepares himself mentally for the challenge ahead.
Survival Day 1:
CON:
Survival Day 2:
CONx2: ,
Survival Day 3:
CONx3: , ,
The first day starts off rough, and Morvas goes to sleep hungry, but the following day is better and he is able to find ample food, but expends much of his energy doing so and is very tired by the end of the day. The final day sees him pushing on to the river, not taking the time to find enough food, and arriving exhausted.
Hubert finds the first day's hike easy enough. The foothills are not so bad and he starts to think that this test will be a piece of cake. Speaking of which, Hubert finds so many roots, nuts, berries, and small animals to eat throughout this high country endurance test that he is actually gaining weight, not losing it. Perhaps this bloat is what slows him down on the second day, and again on the third, or perhaps it was just that the hills grew steeper, but after each good night's rest he awakes refreshed and ready to go.
Hungry -2
Hungry-4
Adolpho starts with a stong pace and a good eye for food but a strong start turns sour as the next day food is scarce. Adolpho presses on despite this and keeps up the pace.
On the third day Adolhpo's hunger dulls his senses but not his stamina and he pushes to the end of the hike with a solid reservoir of energy.
Who knew that being an orphan fighting for scraps would be good preparation for this? I am lucky my body did not fail me...
Harlow surprises even himself with the speed and ease of his climb.
Upon arriving at the Nolachucky River, Harlow is footsore but otherwise in passable shape. I'm lucky I found enough to eat today. This morning's ground was pretty barren, and I was worried. But then we marched into greener lands... I made it! Somehow, I've passed another part of the test.
Geography
Stealth
Climb
Climb
Survival
Con Survival
Survival
Con
Con
Survival
Con
Con
Con
Geography
Oh wow I found you guy sorry I got lost how is everyone!
Endurance
Jonah collapses on the ground tired.
Seems to me for this to be right I should go like this:
Survival Day 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Con Day 1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Survival Day 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Hungry -2
Con Day 2: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 2 = 18
Con Day 2 Check 2: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 2 = 18
Survival Day 3: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13 Hungry -4
Now Fatigued
Still Fatigued
Still Fatigued
Adair tries to work things out while also trying to be as invisible as possible . . ..
As the group reaches the river, Adair collapses to the ground and does his best to stay there for a while . . ..
;;
Liam is visibly excited at Jolly's instructions for the next three day leg of the trials. This is going to be great!
He is up bright and early, packing up his belongings to start the march. The first day's hike is exhilarating and there is abundant food to be found. Day two finds the trail somewhat picked over and Liam barely finds enough to keep himself sated. The extra effort foraging leaves him tired and ready to put head to bedroll. The final day is steady progress. There is enough food and he starts the day refreshed. The constant marching does it's job, but Liam maintains the pace to finish the push and make the rendezvous.
As the group arrives they see that there is to be a great race from the bridge over the Nolachucky to a large flag that can be seen on the top of some cliffs to the right. The ranger trainees will be starting in a pack of 72 (the number that has made the hike) and racing to the top to be scored in order of finish.
From the starting line, it appears there are three ways to proceed. A rush through the open to climb the cliffs to the top. A dive into the rapids to hopefully survive the rocks and whitewater and float down the river. Or a jaunt through the cover of the brush and woods to the left of the river. The group that is the better off from the hike will have an advantage. At the start of the whistle, those that are fatigued, exhausted and hungry can stay and have the druidic priests remove their ailments and press nourishing elven bread to them. But this will consume some valuable time.
The king's archers are gathering on an archery platform to he right above the cliffs. They will be firing blunt arrows at the contestants to attempt to knock them out. If you are knocked unconscious by an arrow, you are done.
Looking around, you notice that there is hardly anyone that has arrived without some ailments. You note some of your group was fortunate to be in that category.
Before the race, Jolly has a chance to talk to you before you start. Some groups are already talking strategy. You notice that all in the race are given a full quiver of 20 blunt arrows. The firing of arrows at other participants has not been discussed yet, but with 20 blunt arrows, it makes you wonder.
The charge across open ground looks quite exposed to the cliffs. The climb would still leave you exposed to the king's archers. The forest follows the other side of the river, but then you would need some way to cross back again.
Jolly and Wisp have been taking detailed notes in a book, and pass them to Longshadow as he prepares a master list of all contestants.
"Looking at this" he indicates the space they are supposed to move through "I'm thinking either working downriver with the water's help or crossing into the protection of the forest will be safest. I'm betting most of you will want to stay out of the river as much as possible, though. I'm thinking about getting all the help I can get, and then specifically using the river to try to catch up and pass those who got a quick start."
"Yes, the river will be problematic for you. I'm very comfortable in the water, though."
Hubert considers their situation and says, "Shooting each other must be fair game. Why else would they have given us arrows? I am too weary to draw my bow with any strength, but the instant the druids have rejuvenated me, I intend to use my bow whenever the situation presents itself."
"We all have caltrops. We can give all of our caltrops to our fastest runners, the ones who fared best in the last few days, for them to sprint ahead and drop in the path of the other runners. That should slow them down and give the rest of us time to heal or to shoot down the leaders."
"We also all have waterskins that can be emptied and used as flotation devices. If half of us take the river route then that is twice the buoyancy. Perhaps rope and bedrolls can provide some cushioning against the rocks?"
"I agree that the rest of us should take to the forest."
Hubert prepares his bow for battle and starts to familiarize himself with its use. If allowed, he will take some practice shots using the crude arrows from before so as to familiarize himself with the bow ().
"The water route does seem to be a quicker method of travel, but there are also many hidden dangers, I should think! Hubert makes many good points. Sticking to the forest will afford us some protection, but it will also slow us as we will need to blaze a trail. I think I will take the forest route, maybe on route I can forage for some food to help out....I am so tired I am not sure what might be the best plan. I will need to see the Druids before I can think further...."
The northern brothers looks around. "Being familiar with water, the river will get much worse up ahead. We need to hang out and eat before we continue, we haven't found anything for three days. We are eating the rations in our pack now!"
The brothers wolf down the rations and are less hungry.
Jolly informs you. "I think you are more ready than most--maybe I was to soft on you on the march over or you are tougher than you look. Use your head and keep your head."
Following the brothers example, Morvas also digs into his pack and removes the rations found there, eating his fill, and feeling the fool for not thinking about them before!
"If anyone is still hungry, they may have my trail rations." says Hubert, offering them to the first taker.
"And here are my caltrops. I am better off with my bow. Either our fastest runners should have them, as I have already said, or our worst archers."
Adolpho curses silently at the thought of rations and eats his own as he talks with the group.
My bow is of poor quality, I doubt I would be of use with it. I can move quieter than many and am not unsettled in the wilderness. I think it best we all spend the time to heal before testing against the race. It is often said that pace is better than speed. Better rest, better pace.
As the brothers reach into their packs and start using the contents, the Fae stands watching, with his mouth open. "We can use what's in the pack without being told?" He hesitates only a moment longer before beginning to consume his own rations, like he should have over the past couple of days.
"I still think I can use the river to get ahead of a great many people. I could help the group across first, and try to meet you at the base of the wall . . .."
Let us assume for a moment that we must carry our gear. Do we honestly have enough time to make a bow worth using if we are worried about mere seconds of healing delaying our chances in the race? I am wondering if it is sound to split up or if we are best to work all together. My instincts say that we should at least stay in pairs as before.
Hubert says, "And are we to be judged as individuals or as a team? While the rangers need talented individuals, they also need people who work well together."
"I'm not sure I understand WHAT the Rangers need. As I understand it, though, this is a race. That means the first guy to the top wins, right? How would a team race work?"
I suspect they need the lone wolf and the pack alike, I say we pick for them. I have come to realize the power of workibg together. Adolpho offers a nod at Adair to emphasize hiIs point.
Longshadow speaks to the gathered recruits and leaders.
"Years ago, in the lands of Nihon-ja, there is a famous story. A lord attempted to rebel against the loyal emperor and was killed for his treachery. His loyal samurai became ronin, dishonored with no lord to serve. Disbanded they wandered the land in disgrace."
"The bands of ronin styled themselves after creatures with qualities they admired. One group of ronin captured one of the youngest girls in the royal family, and brought her to the top of a tall cliff to a sacred spot to force a confrontation with the emperor."
"Instead, the other bands of ronin heard of this treachery, and raced to the spot to attempt to regain their honor fighting to win back the captured girl and redeem their honor. Although the renegade group of ronin held the high ground with a score or more of archers, the assembled ronin quickly rushed to rescue the girl and redeem their honor."
Longshadow gestures and a small man in strong leather armor of immense quality steps out of the shadows. "I have constructed this trial to honor this event in our history. You will be judged by how you act as 'ronin'. You are apprentices hoping to gain the company of a select group . Falling short of the slopes of the sacred highland or to the arrows of the bandit archers deployed on the archer platform is not an honorable death."
Jolly informs you: "That is Ranger Katsuki. He has constructed this trial. There were Dragons that assembled on this very day. They wore this as a symbol of their band."
Jolly produces a silk bandana with a red dragon unfurling long, vicious claws. It is tattered and stained in spots with blood.
"This is the standard of the Dragons, and one of you will carry this. If it does not reach the summit, well.....no honor for the Dragons."
Other groups select someone who is placing the bandana on their head.
Hubert considers this new information and says, "I should not be the one who wears the dragon bandana, but I can help protect him and attack the bandana wearers from other teams with my bow."
Adair grins. "Nobody wear it. We dice for who STARTS carrying it. If that one falls, somebody else grabs it, still not displaying it until the one carrying it reaches the goal, or we have all fallen. Don't tell people where to attack you, where you are tender and easily hurt. The question of getting there as a team or alone has been answered, along with how this race works for teams. We must work as a team and we must get that bandanna to the top of the cliff. The instructions were to carry the bandanna, not wear it. We don't need to go hungry when we are carrying food, right?"
"I think this is a great idea," agrees Hubert. "Let us follow Adair's plan."
I think Ascan is right, we fared well enough in pairs in the forest if we stay in relatively close we should be able to navigate the terrain easily enough. Those that think the can move steathily can go ahead and behind while those with the best athletics and archery otherwise can stay as a loose group while we move.
After the opening speech the groups gather at the bridge. The river below is rough and the roar of the whitewater dominates your senses.
A host of druids with healing gather to administer to those taking advantage of their services. About seventy all told are here and some groups are conferring together, especially the smaller groups of five or six. It appears you are the largest group, and that has been noticed.