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Xun begins to play on the flute, the music is soft and soothing. As he plays the smoke from the fire gathers around him.
Xun then reaches for his drum and begins to play the rhythm. He weaves a tale about siblings coming of age. About how successful they were, smart, strong and smooth in words. But still, they were young and inexperienced. The story told about them going and a journey to cross the bogs to reach another city. They were discouraged before that trip, said that the travel is difficult and dangerous, yet the siblings didn't listen.
The story tells about troubles and dangers. About siblings getting sick and one of them dying before reaching their destination.
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Brodock looking for danger
Brodock and Toad survey the position of the young nobles campsite, with the ground around them clear of any cover or hiding places, it was in a good position...however, with no watch and a campfire visable, they have left themselves open to misadventure.
So, Amyas, it's no trivial or safe task to traverse a mountain range. What level of danger have you all decided is acceptable as you make a run at it? A leader must know him groups limits to protect them from ultimate d-d-demise.
Tale of the ill-prepared expedition,
As you talk to the youngsters, touching upon their equipment and experience the young men and women, defend their preparedness, each giving their own justification as being prepared for the forthcoming challenges. Each of them expect to continue and be successful in their trek to Canorate, are excited and
Jasper Caperinas - He boasts about his swimming skill and shows off a book on identifying footprints and tracks.
You are able to explain to Jasper about how to identify scat of the most common mountain predators. Identifying tracks helps, but there is more to identifying an animal than just footprints.
Sarevi Tilernos - She shows you her top notch climbing gear.
You talk to Sarevi about how to properly secure climbing gear. Her gear itself is excellent, but the knots she has used are the wrong types and can be dangerous in certain situations.
Amyas Charthagnion - Amyas considers himself a skilled outdoorsman, though he often deflects to conversations about hunting near his family estate. He says he has absolute confidence in his companions, but changes the subject when probed about experience of past expeditions.
of dangers.
Leonie Ciucci - Keeps quiet, and seems to be worried after the tale of the siblings.
Dacian Julistarc - Dacian boasts of his skills with a bow, talking up his prowess with archery.
You talk to Dacian about how hunting in the wild can be dangerous. The hunter can easily become the hunted.
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When greetings came to an end and two groups started to mix out, breaking in different conversations, Tess was left in awkward silence. Probably others knew everything better than her...
Hell, even these guys can probably tell more about wilderness.Uh-oh, should have travel more, instead of sitting in Absalom...
Her salvation was the beautiful bow Dacian had with him. Though Skerret's bow was good, she always liked looking at other's weaponry.
Can I look at it? This one is a beautiful baby. What beautiful raiser... The grip is sooooo comfortable. I should try some similar model when I'll have enough money.
Tess starts to ask many technical questions about bow and exchange some advice about fighting against different types of enemies.
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Elsha remains quiet and lets the young Almas talk about his experiences hunting near home, at length. Ah, to be young again and projecting your hopes to the world.
It sounds like you've been p-p-p-practicing for expeditions such as this. Do understand though that once you venture into the wild you must work up slowly in strenuousness. Surely you've crossed a small m-m-mountain range before, and trekked through other lesser wilderness...
He purposely pauses and lets this soak in, instead of pushing more directly.
In the adventuring life you also often come across n-new types of terrain, and how one can prepare for them despite vastly different dangers...
Elsha proceeds to contrast the humid climes of his homeland in the Impossible Lands with the stark white north in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. He drives his point home explaining that, during the Balgirdtrek they in fact lost one of their own to a massive, wild bear.
He ends with, and that's with a wealth of training and experience on our side. You have to prepare perfectly for a chance to minimize losses sometimes.
He purposely neglects to refer to the Pathfinder Society by name just yet.
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The bard finishes the tale, and he thinks it made the nobles think. As the group begins to discuss aspects of crossing the mountains, hunt and others. Xun again reaches for his flute, he begins to play a silent tune. Xun knows that loas are nearby as he pleads them to aid his team in their doings.
You might not see any difference, but the smoke from the fire changed its direction a bit, and the color is a bit falling into the green. Depending on how magically aware PC is you might feel some small presence or not.
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Xun
Nature
Survival
Athletics
As you speak with these young Cheliaxians, they become more reserved and uncomfortable, even looking worriedly at each other and then looking at Amyas for guidance and leadership. Tess as she talks about the tactics of using a bow, starts to talk how to use the bow defensively against the owners of the sewers and waste, the Otyugh. Lords of sewers, ditches, and landfllls, otyughs are filthy monstrosities chased and stomped after Tess on their three massive legs. Normally they search for tasty garbage and refuse, but if disturbed become relentless predators. Using two barbed tentacles to grasp and tear, the otyugh uses these appendages to see into tight spaces and grasp for hidden prey. Running is the only option, but .... she saw the creature tear into an unfortunate city guard that had chased Tess into the dark twisting sewers. The guards death, gave just enough time for Tess to escape.
Dacian, listened with interest to the tale, but became visibly shaken as Tess described the guards death.
Xuns many stories, including those of the sea, intrigue Saveri as they start to talk about the knots that Saveri is proud she has mastered. But as she shows Xun the knots with deft movements of her hands, Xun sees elementary mistakes. He quickly takes an end or loop of the rope and with a quick pull dismantles the knot. Her teacher, whoever they were, was not a master of knots, but a charlatan teaching the girl knots that are not only unsafe but extremely dangerous. Saveri, her confidence shattered, looks down at the floor, deep in thought, a tear tumbling down her cheek.
Elsha, is his discussion with Amyas makes it clear to the young man that the dangers ahead need careful and exacting preparation. Going on to express that the country they are about to traverse, posses different dangers to those he will have faced in the countryside of Cheliax, the mountains they face contain not only fierce enemies like orcs, trolls and giants, but climbs and falls on sheets of ice, of deadly rock falls. As Amyas listens and takes note of the frightened and worried looks of his companions, he lowers his voice and asks Elsha, "So, what would you do?"
Having made his rounds about the camp, Brodock feels secure in their relative safety. With toad trailing along a little behind him. Brodock stops about 40 feet out. "Ello there, just makin me presence known. It good if I step over with me friends?"
Assuming its allowed he finds a seat. "Camp seems secure for now. Should set a guard to keep watch at night. It still be early for night predators."
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Elsha smiles warmly at Amyas and responds. W-w-well, I would think about the previous trials of my group and how they faired. I would consider what those results tell me of their likely success in the upcoming trek. Did they do well? Were the dangers comparable to this? It's a simple analysis of all of the data you have available to you, but you must be honest with yourself about what you know.
He absent-mindedly thumbs one of his stoppered vials while speaking to the young man.
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Xun nods to Brodock suggestion
"I think we should set up guards through the night. I can take the first watch." says Xun as he digs through his belongings and take a bit crude status of small animal, potentially a dog and sets it next to where he sits.
Xun sees Elsha speaking with Amyas but as he was not asked to throw his opinions in, he leaves the talking to the half-elf.
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The young people hear the words of Bradock as he speaks about night predators and the setting of a watch. Questions come flying at the druid from various directions, "What night predators?", another "Watch, where do we set a watch?", from another direction, "Who is going to do the watching?" , again "What else must we do to make ourselves safe?"
The wind picks up, sending the red hot ash of the fire into the sky, as though nature itself was trying to say something.
Amyas himself considers Elsha's words unsure what he should say to his friends, they would need to talk. The talk of all this data prays on the young man's mind, What did he mean... His original confidence is shaken, as he ponders the question asked. In a quiet voice he responds, "Thank you, it's something" and puts his head in his hands, in thought.
Amyas shifts his body uncomfortably, his expression is confused. It's as though the answer leaves a lot of uncertainty as if it didn't really answer Amyas' question.
Xun nods to Brodock suggestion
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Pa's been pretty quietly watching, mostly content to let the rest of the party do the talking after initially disarming the mistrust of the Chellaxian nobles.
After so much silence, Pa finally speaks up, specifically trying to address Amyas. "I think what my frien' Elsha here is tryin' to explain is that ev'n the most season'd explorers sometimes get caught with their breeches 'round their ankles. 'Splorin can be some dangerous business, even when you're at the top o' yer game." He then looks aroudn at his companions with an expression that reads 'soften up.' "I think it's also impor'nt for alluv us to 'member that even less seasoned types of explorers gotta start somewhere. Believe it or not, my first right true expedition weren't all that long ago myself!"
Pa starts to get the feeling that his warm smile isn't bein' taken too kindly by the Chellaxian nobles anymore..
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The nobles look at Pa and the forever present piece of straw that hangs from his lips, "What you mean is, farmer ..... that you aren't prepared for this trip and you should be returning home!" a haughtiness and arrogance returning to Dacian's voice, covering the trepidation felt by the young Chelaxians.
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Xun listens to the exchange between Pa and Dacian. He feels ashamed to be discarding Pa himself. And seeing how others are doing the same simply due to his looks.
He approaches Pa and pats him on his shoulder
Then turning towards Dacian he says
"You should not judge the book by the cover. Pa might look like a simple man, but it does not mean that what he says is wrong. I would say that you might be lacking in some areas for the trip of this size. But I have a solution, we are all trying to cross the mountain, why don't you join us? The bigger party most likely would be safer, and you can learn from what we know in terms of dealing with nature."
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Tess, in the meantime, has sitten down close to the fire and started warming her hands. She smiled at the preoccupations of her Chelaxian peers.
Yeah, that's a wonderful idea. I am a novice, too, and these guys are wonderful at this job. I learned so much already! What is important we have to listen to their words carefully. And it will be an amazing trip.
Hoping her words were enough to calm down the crowd a little she started to think about the night to come... and a dinner. I'm quite hungry, eh.
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Elsha puts his hand on Amyas shoulder and simplifies it. All I mean to say, is that you have to be honest about what your past training says about what you can take on now. Don't fool yourself about their capabilities.
He stands and brushes off his cloak, walking a few steps away from the fire to let him think.
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Amyas ponders Elsha's words as the two camps return to their respective tents to camp for the night. The pathfinders putting on a watch for their camp, and keeping an eye other camp. Who despite the warnings seem to have forgotten about a watch.
There is much discussion heard deep into the night in the young nobles camp as they talk about the options open to them, including the one of joining forces with the party of troubadours. Whilst the conversations seem to ebb and flow between continuing on and learn about exploration under the protection of Xun, Elsha, Tess, Brodock and Pa or return home before they get out of their depth.
The morning arrives, the weather is fair and the bacon smells sweet as it cooks over a warming fire set into the fire pit. There is no stirring from the other camp, as you get yourselves ready for the day ahead. Their tents are closed and undisturbed....
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As you look around the tents, you see no tracks, but the sound of heavy sleeping breaths inside the tents, it seems the nobles are late sleepers. Pa and Xun speak with relief to one another that the young adventurers are safe. Even as they do they hear the yawns of nobles awakening. Xun wishes them good morning only to hear Dacian ask, "What time is it? Tea with sugar, is that breakfast I can smell?"
There are more noises within the tent, of movement when Amyas' voice loudly exclaims, "Is that you Xun, Dacian told us of your offer to give us protection on our travels, that you would join us on this adventure. Offering your expertise to keep us safe. It is a generous offer and one we'd like to take up. To act as our protectors is a great help." There is some noise and movement in the tent, the sounds of dressing.
The tent opens and Amyas' head appears, he blinks, rubs his eyes and tries to smooth down his mop of red hair. "It's still early, we shall leave in another 3 hours, let the girls have a little more sleep and then we shall have breakfast and get ready." The young Cheliaxian smiles, as he sees all is well despite the tales of last night. It seems that the nights sleep has re-awakened his misplaced confidence.
Xun and Pa look back to their companions, ready to break camp and set off in the next half hour...
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Elsha smiles and shakes his head. We walks over to Xun and Pa, responding so that Amyas can hear.
No, I'm afraid n-n-not. This isn't a cush inn with late checkout, we're on a journey with limited f-f-food supplies. We make the most of all daylight and we're already a little behind this morning. The offer is to come with us on our schedule. My group leaves soon. You have five minutes to rouse them, and then t-t-ten more to break camp if that happens. Your decision?
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The ill prepared party of Chelish nobles, wake and start to get up amid some panic and their obvious ill preparedness for travelling across the mountains to Canorate. Yet there is no way they are ready to join you on your expedition and so arguments start in the youngsters camp.
You carefully pack your bags and are ready to leave the nobles to their own devices. The road across the mountains beckons...
Brodock, having been up with the morning sun comes back into camp. He's got a big smile on his face and Taod, his mushroom capped leshy on his shoulder. "Mornins a beaut, and good for hiking. We all ready to put some miles under us?" he asks clearly a morning person who's already had a big ol bowl of sunshine.
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Leaving the Chelish nobles to their own devices, their arguments become more heated as with backpacks on your backs, you walk away and their voices melt into the background. With the day looking good, blue skies with big fluffy white clouds scudding quickly across, you make progress towards the mountains. You enter the lower pine forests, the pungent smell fills your nostrils and the ground underneath your feet springs from the dried and dead pine needles that cover the earth. As you continue, the trees become thicker and progress more difficult, the light darkens and you become disorientated. Roots replace the pine needles, as though trying to trip you with every step as the climb steepens.
Brodock practically whistled while they moved along. Moving through the forest, putting miles behind him. This was all wonderful. The only thing that would make it better would be if they could find a cave later that evening.
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Xun enjoys the outdoors... for the first hour. Then he becomes to be exhausted, the roots are getting in his way. And going up with all his travel gear is painful.
"Folks I need a breather! This trip is killing me. I don't see a need to experience the trip on my own. I can make a tale from your stories..."
Says heavily breathing Xun.
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After passing through the foothills, the companions arrive at the feet of the mountains. The lower reaches are covered in dense pine forest and traversing the steep terrain becomes increasingly difficult. Despite the early pace made by Brodock, others have difficulty keeping up through the lower slopes of the mountain. Both Pa and Elsha have difficulty keeping their footing, tripping and stumbling on the many roots of the trees. When not falling over, the group find themselves having to cut their way through dense brambles that scratch and piece the clothing and exposed skin.
However despite this their journey is unremarkable until they come across a swift-flowing mountain stream. This will present a difficulty to any route, so you begin to search for a point that will be safe for a caravan to cross. As you follow the path east, the sound of ravens taking to the wing is heard. There must be a colony of the birds close by, the plaintive calls of the birds is heard, as more and more birds start to circle in the air. The cries sound angry and increase in volume, the birds are agitated, a swirling black cloud.
Recall Knowledge
using Farming Lore, DC is increased
Brodock takes note river and looked back and forth across it's flowing water with a frown. When the caws of the birds drew his attention. Looking to the sky a mass of birds drew his attention. He quickly turned back to his companions and said, "Be still, I'm going to see if I get their help."
Moving for a little bit away from the group, Brodock puts his hands up to his mouth and makes some cawing noises. Thinking he may be able to draw their attention and calm them down. Maybe if it helps, they can even point them to the direction of a safe place to cross.
Attempting a wild empathy check
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As the ravens swarm above you and the shadow of their swirling mass high above you envelopes the party, Brodock continues to make his cawing sounds and flapping his wings. The ravens seem to catch the sway of the druid and start to fly in unison with the patterns made by Brodock's arms and slowly the birds start to take positions around in the trees.
The trees appear to turn from green to black, as the huge number of birds descend, every bough seems to be full of birds. They look at you and Brodock, as plaintive caws seem to echo through the forest. From the trees they watch you, as though waiting your next movement, but the anger appears to have dissipated. The dark glinting eyes of the ravens watch, their black sharp beaks occasionally click or make the caw sound that so filled the air just moments ago.
Having calmed them down, Brodock slows his movement and cawing. He points to the direction they came mocks being startled and then competes several other gestures trying to determine why they were made. To the others, it may seem quite strange watching a dwarf caw and flap his arms and wiggle his butt about.
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As Brodock continues his communion with the ravens, bobbing his head up and down, he notices that on the soft mud and turf of the forest floor, there are other footsteps. He stops, looks at his own feet, then at the other footmarks. Shaking his head, "Those aren't mine!" he says in surprise. He follows the footsteps notices scuff marks on the trees and partial footprints clearly from bipedal Medium humanoids. He surmises that whoever these marks belonged to had been plundering the ravens nets for eggs, No wonder the birds were angry.
The fast flowing stream, is a barrier to any route that can be found, the party may decide how to proceed.
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Xun looks at Brodock with amusement.
"I don't know what you are doing, but it is working. Keep doing it!"
Then he walks closer to the river and looks at its water.
"We could try jump on that rock and then on the other side. But slipping on it could be deadly. Elsha didn't you say that the last time you used a rope tied to two trees? Can we try that? How did you tied the other end of the rope back then?"
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Elsha and Xun tell the party of their plan to scour the riverside in the near vicinity to find a suitable place for a bridge to cross the river. Elsha having spotted two sturdy dead trees that would be suitable ...
As Xun looks at the rocks, their sides are indeed wet and slimy, however despite the fast flow, he believes that swimming across is an option, that might be less dangerous.
You find a good place to make a bridge across the river. Should you want to create an improvised bridge yourselves, rather than leave it to any engineers tasked with marking and creating safe passage for caravans, you can use two lengths of rope and the two trees cut down from the forest to create a reasonably sturdy bridge. Doing this successfully requires a Craft check, by all who help to make the bridge.
As you walk along by the stream.....
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Pa looks around a bit for danger, as well as additional supplies they'd need if they want to make a bridge out of those two trees.
He then takes some time with the rest of the group to gather some parts, and get ready to help build the bridge.
"Yessee here, I spent a good amount of time lashing all SORTS of things together back on the farm. Ye gotta learn to take care of pretty much anythin' there if you wanna make good turnaround on yer crops."
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The kindly alchemist sees that Pa has an industrious streak to him, and is getting right to things the way he imagines they do on a farm.
Yeah Pa, that's n-n-not bad. You've got a pretty good start there. D-d-o you mind if I help?
He lends his rope and arrangement and lashing of two downed trees.
Elsha is walking along the stream to pick up another length of rope when...
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Brodock returns to the party after completing his calming of the ravens and notices that around the bases of several trees there are shiny objects littered on the floor. Most are worthless but amongst the sparkling objects lie several semi-precious gemstones. Brodock brings them back and shows the party his find.
Both Pa and Elsha find good spots for building a bridge and after a little debate, Pa's site is chosen as the preferred location. You can spend some time to create an improvised bridge yourselves, rather than you leave it to any engineers tasked with marking and creating safe passage for caravans. You measure and work out that can use two lengths of rope and two trees cut down from the forest to create a reasonably sturdy bridge.
You all notice various opportunities to discover more about the river and it's environment, as you travel up and down looking for a suitable place to build a bridge.
Xun watches as around the bend of the river, in the area where the water has gathered in a shallow pond with gently sloping sides, that several animal tracks are seen.
You can spend some time to identify local wildlife, as it seems the stream may attract many animals, including predators, but could provide a good resting place for a caravan.
Elsha's eyes notice that there are many types of plants that are most interesting, pointing out the Sun-Up Sweet Daisy, Prince Halgrim's Wort.
You can spend some time to identify the local plant life to see if the stream would be a good resting spot for a caravan. However not only does the caravan need fresh water and fodder for the pack animals, it must also be safe as these animals are often not picky eaters and might accidentally ingest poisonous plants.
Pa thinks back to his farming days, understanding how useful a map is to find all the fields and know what is being grown in each field. He suggests that you should spend some extra time charting this part of the river and forest.
Xun in his stories and travels has often been told that fording a river is often a very easy and cheap way to cross a river, so that a bridge is only required when the waters are running high. Pa agrees with him, as they used fords to move cattle from field to field when there was a stream separating the pastures. You can spend time finding a place to ford the stream. Might it be useful for the caravans to have both options available?
Provided you find a location to ford the stream
You can make the ford easier and safer for caravans to cross by moving boulders into better positions.
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After they do decently on the makeshift bridge, Elsha just cannot get into pick and improving a fording spot.
Man can build his way over the waters, and not bother treading through them! he declares to wipe over his discomfort with it.
He takes a stroll in the woods to map the nearby area and identify flora and fauna. He walks with whoever else is up for it.
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Xun made some notes. Pa told him, Look for signs of animals and plants that could be eaten. Try to chart the area, Look for a place where one could ford the river.
He was walking in the proximity observing and making notes.
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He did a bit of everything. But the location that he chose for fording turned out to be a death trap. The bottom was slippery and current even stronger.
But the best work he made with improving what Pa ane Elsha did with the bridge.
"I've proved again that bards are not good at building bridges. But it could have been worse."