Motteditor's PFS2 1-10 Tarnbreaker's Trail GD9 (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

"No problem, Faergrim. We want to see all of our competitors make it to the finish line" Sonna replies with a bright smile before making his way back to the camp.

He nods in agreement as Elanna talks about getting some rest "If we're splitting up watches now, I'll volunteer for the first. I'm not all that tried yet, and frankly, my eyes aren't going to be all that good in the middle of the night."

”I don’t mind the night. The stars are out in force!” Orla smiles as she preps the campsite by hoisting all of their food up into a tree. ”Too bad about some them other teams being so inhospitable.”

Anders thanks everyone who spread the word about the dead caribou. Aye, we've done what we could. Now time for some rest and to be on with the race. Sonna, you're welcome to the first watch. Don't matter to us when we're up, just wake us when it's time.

"I'm an early riser, so I can pair up with anyone taking the last watch before sunrise," Elien offers, "Honestly, I'm more worried about any teams that ventured past the checkpoint yesterday who might be camped out on the tundra by themselves. Didn't at least one or two of them press on rather than stay here? I wonder if maybe we should consider doing that at the next checkpoint? We might be better equipped with our Pathfinder training to investigate this beast and learn more about it..."

1d4 ⇒ 2

The watches go smoothly, with no interruptions despite your concerns. Unfortunately, as Ellien keeps his eye out before dawn, he realizes a thick fog has rolled in, making it nearly impossible to see anything. As the other racers and officials wake, it soon becomes apparent that it's not likely to clear anytime soon. Still, the race continues, and the officials soon clear all of the teams to depart.

Once more into the breach: Each of you should choose a skill appropriate to your method of travel for the day. That's probably Athletics, Nature, or Survival, but I'm open to other skills if you want to try them (and can justify them via role-playing). Don't forget you have Hero Points you can choose to use.

Also I'm going to aware Elanna and Ellien each a Hero Point, the former for discovering the caribou and the latter for his successes in talking to the officials and finding out about the trail ahead of you.

Sonna is eager to get a start on this leg of the race as soon as the camp is taken down and the officials give the all clear to head out. He sticks close to the rest of the group, not wanting to risk getting separated in the fog.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

I'll use a hero point on that

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Elanna swears softly as she exits the tent and sees the fog. "That's not going to help with finding our way or getting advance warning if we cross the caribou killer. But we're not going to be the only ones."

Remembering Elien's suggestion, the last evening, she adds :
"If it's fine with you, I'm going to keep watch for any tracks of this creature as we go. Just to be sure it's not following the same road as we do."

She looks to Anders "Do you think Snirt could help us with the tracking ?"

During the day, Elanna will concentrate on checking the party surroundings along the way and try to find tracks of the creature if they cross it.

survival to track the beast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

If she can do it in parallel, she will also help find the way. If not, please disregard the next roll.

Kn nature to for the travel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Edit, Thanks for the Hero point. And YEAH, another nat 20. I was planning to use a hero point on that but that won't be needed :)

Elien rises in the morning, stretches and yawns, gets dressed and then emerges from the tent into a field of white fog. "Oh, dear..." he mumbles, "It appears the weather has turned against us at a most unfortunate time. I guess Gozreh has it out for us with a predator on our trail, and now he...or is it she?...has seen fit to give it an even more powerful means of hiding itself."

Over breakfast, he seems further perplexed by the challenge that lies before them, not simply what the race organizers have put in place at the next checkpoint, but with some immense beast ready to eat them like a caribou. "Do you think it's a bear?" he asks Elanna and Anders, since they examined the site of the caribou kill more closely than anyone else. "If it's a bear, I wonder if any of my reagents might create an irritating enough scent to ward it off." The idea tantalizes Elien and he soon rushes off to try and craft a quick repellent before the team fully packs everything away and heads out.

OOC: Not sure if it's even possible to quick-craft bear repellent...or if it would even work on whatever beast is out there...so this is more for flavor than any kind of game function.

Craft (alchemy) check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Once he's created an awful-smelling concoction, he dabs a bit of it on himself and then offers it to the rest of the party. "Maybe this can help protect us a bit?"

From there, he steels himself for the day's journey, willing away any fear of entering the fog, and trusting his more wilderness-minded companions to identify threats before they get ambushed.

Nature check for travel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Nurten is heartened by the talk of stars. "Don't know much about 'em. But they get talked about a lot where I come from. Maybe I'll go see one someday." He doesn't seem to care at all about the possible presence of murderous beasts, plodding through the snow with more confidence and quiet than he did days ago.

Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Hero Point!

Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Desna welcomes all who would work with her, Nurten," Orla offers to the goblin. "I could share a little bit about one of her stories if you'd like." Orla spends some time telling Nurten about Desna and the fishing expedition.

Religion Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 She nails the landing!

Orla wrinkles her nose at Elien's new concoction.

"What is that?" she giggles. "You got a date with a troglodyte sometime later today?"

Nature Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Orla might've stayed up too late telling stories to Nurten.

Nurten listens with some of the most attention he's exhibited yet. He sometimes interrupts to ask if space and the Dark Tapestry are somehow involved. It's clear he doesn't know much about either, no more than the tidbits many Numerians have probably heard. But those align with what little he knows of Desna. On a few basic points, he nods in agreement, muttering something along the lines of, "Yeah, that's what the dead tall-goblins told me."

The goblin accepts Elien's invention, slathering some on each arm. "Smelling bad's easier and better than getting eaten."

Might be time to use your snout, buddy, Anders says to Snirt. Anders attempts to keep an eye on the trail through the fog while commanding his dog to sniff out the creature.

Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Snirt keeps his nose to the ground.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

The fog hampers your travels and you definitely don't make as good progress as you did the first two days of the race -- though it's hard to tell how well any of the other teams are doing, since you can't see them through the thick mist. Worse, Elanna finds plenty more signs of the creature along the trail, though it seems to be well in front of you. At the speed it's traveling, if it continues to remain ahead of you, you may never encounter it. That said, reminder to Ander that if he wants, he could Hunt Prey vs. the creature.

It's with some concern you finally arrive at the third checkpoint, where you find Two Houses and Without Trace or Fail already settling in for the night. Right with you is Fangs of the Remorhaz, which offers a jaunty greeting: "We'll see who gets over the river first!" Neither Bluetongue's Brawlers nor the Wyrding Wayfinders have arrived yet.

Several race officials rush up as you arrive. "Thank goodness you made it!" one exclaims. They're clearly shaken, and checking you over for any sign of injuries. Eventually one explains that one of their patrols was attacked in the night and they barely escaped with their lives. They don't know exactly what it was in the darkness, but whatever it was, it was big! "You should stay close," the official says. "We can't urge you strongly enough to rest at the checkpoint once you're done with your trial!"

With the warning delivered, they bring you next to the trial site. Steam and spray from the Whitegold River hangs in the air. The wet air carries a cold sting. The snow on the trees drips, plopping heavily to the ground and the snow and frost seem to be clinging only in shadowed nooks and slick patches, despite the frigid air. Race officials prepare fish caught from the banks of the river near the camp. South of the campsite, another official stands near the riverbank. Several long poles lean against a mossy rock. Across the river, the course stretches away from the river and through the thinning trees into the snow-dusted hills beyond.

"This trial is particularly important to the Balgirdtrek," the official, who introduces himself as Haislett, explains. "After spotting the tarn linnorm, Balgird gave chase to the beast. The linnorm slipped through the trees and made its way across the Whitegold River to evade Balgird. The rushing river was frigid and cold, and as Balgird approached he could see the tarn linnorm lurking in the trees on the other side, waiting to pluck his exhausted body from the shore if he swam across. Balgird felled a tall sapling from the riverside and vaulted across the river with as much of his gear as he could carry, foiling the linnorm and chasing it further into the wild!"

You're expected to make your way across the river now, the official explains, a formidable obstacle that has signaled the end of the Balgirdtrek for many teams in the past. You can see the water is incredibly cold and surges rapidly, and Haislett explains the preferred method for crossing the river is to use the large poles on hand for the trial. Each fifteen-foot long pole has a small plate affixed to the base, just below the tip to prevent the pole from simply sinking into the mud of the river. Each of you should cross the river. You can attempt a DC 15 Acrobatics or Athletics check to vault the river, or if you want to Swim or try something else, let me know.

The map is updated.

 »One of us could cross using a pole and attached to one end of a rope » says Elena surveying the riverbank.
 »Then we could install a zip line from one of the trees on this side and anchoring the other end of the rope in the ground on the opposite bank. It would make it easier for everyone else to cross. I’ve even adapted a pulley for that » , she says, taking out the contraption she was working on.
 »What do you think? »

Thanks for the reminder about Hunt Prey. With several games going on, I sometimes forget about each characters individual abilities.

Anders considers Elanna's pulley. Clever idea. Wonder if that'll sit okay with the officials?

"Well, this task seems to celebrate both Balgird's physical prowess, and ingenuity in finding a creative way across the lake," Sonna offers with a shrug, "we'd still be using the poles, just in a slightly different way."

The champion take some rope out of his pack and hands half of it to Elanna. "I'll try to jump over the river with the pole. If I don't make it, at least you'll have rope to pull me back to dry land." He ties the other end of the rope to his backpack, to keep his hands focused on the pole. After backing up a suitable distance, he quietly asks Sarenrae to see him safely to the other side, and begins to run towards the river, hoping he can plant the pole at just the right time.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Once he feels dry land on his feet again, Sonna looks for a sturdy tree to tie his end of the rope to.

Nurten nods sagely at the mention of the beast. "At least they sound okay. Glad our warning might have helped. But aren't there dwarves around here, or anyone else who can see in the dark?"

"We were talking about that zipline thing earlier, weren't we?" The goblin says to the team. "Figured we'd use it on the trail and not the trial. But why couldn't we do it here?"

He doesn't want to ask the officials, though, and unless anyone is very much against it, he grabs another pole and tries to emulate Sonna as best he can. "Good thing I'm light!"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Orla watches with excitement and celebrates the success of her friends with light applause. She waits anxiously to see if the zip-line occurs.

"Sliding down a rope towards the other bank sounds like super fun!"

Elien looks around a bit nervously at the river, the icy water, the poles, and then the early vaulting of Sonna and Nurten. "Ummm...yes, uhhh...I'm afraid this really isn't my particular strongsuit, as it were..." the investigator begins, "So, that zip-line definitely sounds like a more ingenious solution to the task at hand." He hurries over to Elanna to see how well they can set up her pulley contraption using the rope Sonna has tied off on the other side.

Elien Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Just before Sonna is about to jump, Ellien notices with alarm that the plates on the bottom of the poles used for crossing seem to be loose -- which could cause them to sink into the mud and foil your jump! Sorry, I remembered his That's Odd feat, so applied that.

The equipment secured, Sonna vaults across -- and seems to almost fly! Several of the officials let out cries of surprise, along with a mix of cheers. "That's a new record!" one exclaims. Nurten follows, safely vaulting over the river too, though he doesn't get quite as far as his fellow Pathfinder.

The officials watch as you construct a zip line. Some seem intrigued and curious about your plans, though a couple look on disapprovingly. Still, the ropes quickly go up.

I'm going to lets you make a Crafting check (along with Acrobatics or Athletics) to get across. That said, everyone still needs to get across in some manner. You can also play out Elien's discovery, above, of course.

"Hmmm...yet more treachery, it seems," Elien mutters upon examining the loose plates on the bottoms of the poles, "Let's make sure we fix those lest we take a tumultuous dip in the river." The investigator does his part to make a swift repair on each pole the more athletically-inclined members of the team intend to use. He's quite pleasantly surprised at how easily Sonna and Nurten make it across, and also pleased with himself for at least aiding in their personal victories.

"Now, yes...about this zip-line...let's make sure it's properly secured...how shall we go about it, my dear?" Elien then assists Elanna in preparing her innovative solution to the crossing challenge.

OOC: Should Elien roll the Craft check or attempt to assist Elanna or does anyone else have a higher Craft skill? And, I assume we could all use Orla's guidance again on these checks, regardless.

”Why are those plates loose?” Orla wonders aloud, bringing her question to one of the race officials. ”First, wool stuffed in the bells and now further tampered equipment? Feels like someone has it in for us now.”

No Crafting, but I can use guidance on folks, including myself!

Acrobatics Check, Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21

Orla offers to be the first to use the zip line, and does so in extravagant fashion, landing on the other side with a flip as she dismounts.

My understanding is that we can now use one of crafting, acrobatics or athletics to get through. Elanna will use acrobatics but Elien could use crafting instead.

Elanna finishes setting up the zip line and jumps down the tree as Elien realizes the poles have been tampered.

"I agree with my friends, someone could have been hurt here. It's not that those challenges should be easy. It's just that they should be fair. Up to know we've played by the book and did not complain about the previous trial. We even warned you about the big beast that attacked your patrol. By the way, it is still ahead and going in the same direction as the trail."

"So I don't know if it's because we are outsiders but someone is trying to sabotage our trials. One incident may be bad luck but two are too much. So you will excuse us if we use our way to cross." she points out to the zip line.

Elanna will stay by the zip line until all the party has crossed.
Eventually, she will use the zip line, launching herself boldly in the air

acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

I will use a hero point for that as I fear this is not enough to succeed.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

OOC: If Acrobatics or Craft can be used, Elien is slightly better at Craft (since it's trained), so I'll go with that.

Elien offers no further commentary as Orla and Elanna plead their case to the race officials regarding the loose plates on the poles. He didn't really intend on confronting them with it. Instead, he was rather hoping they could succeed despite the obstacles put in their way, thereby making their win that much more respectable. But, what's done is done, he surmises. It'll be interesting to see how their Ulfen hosts react.

When they're done, however, he strolls back to the zip-line pulley system and assesses it as best he can, standing alongside Orla and Anders. "I think it's about as ready as we could possibly make it..." he says, "And I'd say ladies first, but perhaps I should test it out initially? That way, if something bad happens, it'll happen to me and spare the rest of you an icy cold bath. Do keep another rope attached to me, if you will, though. That way, Anders can pull me back to shore if things go awry."

Before he can even get started, he turns around to see Orla has already launched herself...the tiny halfling seemingly having no issues at all. "Oh! Well then! I see she's done gone and put the whole thing in motion. Look at her go! Wow! Okay...okay...I guess it works. And it's completely safe..." He works the pulley to draw back the harness after Orla has freed herself.

And, with nothing left but to summon enough courage to follow in Orla's wake, Elien tentatively ties the harness around himself and leans out over the river as it bears his weight. "Best let me operate the pulley myself," he advises, "We don't want anyone claiming we didn't each cross under our own power..."

Craft (zip line?) with guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13

OOC: Blah! That sucks! I guess it's time to use that Hero Point

Craft (zip line!) with guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

Sonna cheers his friends on enthusiastically as they make their way over one by one, helping them back to their feet when needed. After Orla makes the triumphant first trip down the zip line he calls back to Elanna, "This was a great idea, Elanna! It's working spectacularly. We'll have to set it up again at the finish line to celebrate!"

Nurten considers crossing back over the river to try out the zipline. But the goblin doesn't trust himself to repeat the vault, and knows he'd freeze solid in the churning water. He settles for watching and whooping as his fellows make their way across.

Well, let's give this a shot...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13

Used my Hero Point on the last challenge. This should be interesting.

OOC: How's Anders bringing Snirt across? Maybe that'll explain any fall into the river? The zip line is pretty much a must for four-legged animal companions. I don't imagine any of them could use the poles to vault their way over...though some may be better at swimming.

The race official looks concerned as Orla points out the loose plate.

"Sabotage? I can't believe anyone would do that," he says, though his face betrays his fear that it could be that as he calls a few others over to look. "I'm sure it must just have loosened from wear! It would be different if you had any proof, but even if it is sabotage, who would we hold responsible?"

They hold a quick, hushed conference, after which the official returns. "There's nothing we can do without proof, but if you can find out who did this, be sure we will make sure they're punished. Sabotage -- if this was sabotage -- isn't part of the Balgirdtrek!"

That finished, you return to your goal of crossing, Orla easily making it on the zipline, followed by Elien -- who struggles but barely slides across. Anders, however, isn't as lucky. He's able to save himself from a dip -- getting back barely to the starting point -- but still needs to cross. Anders will need to try again.

And Elien brings up a good point about Snirt; I'll let someone attempt a Crafting check to harness him up, or Anders could carry him, though that might make him encumbered, or he could try swimming though that poses obvious dangers.

Holding off on Elanna, as she said she'd wait for last.

Waiting by the shore to watch Anders try again, Elanna feels something hot and humid against her hand. She jumps in surprise. "Sorry, big buddy,", she says to Snirt. "Looks like we forgot about you. do you want to go for a ride as well ?"

"Hey, Anders", she calls out. "Do you want me to send you Snirt after you've crossed ? I think I can make a sort of harness and send him down the zip line to you."

Waiting for Anders answer, she begins knotting some rope and leather straps to get ready to help Snirt across.

If Anders agrees, here is Elanna's crafting check: crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Completely OOC:By the way, Elien, shouldn't your crafting skill bonus be +6 as it is an intelligence based skill ?

Shakily regaining his feet and flexing his hands until his knuckles are no longer white from the fear of crossing the icy river, Elien waves back at the far shore to indicate he's okay. He then stands next to Sonna, prepared to ensure the zip-line stays in good working order. "Invigorating ride," he quips to the paladin, "You should give it a try sometime."

Spotting Elanna on the other side as she begins knotting additional rope and leather straps together, he wonders what she's up to. The harness had held fine for him. Surely it would do well for Anders, too. His eyes then fall upon Snirt wagging his tail next to the half-elf. "Oh! Clever girl!" he breathes aloud, "We forgot all about the dog, Sonna, but the lass sure didn't. She's a resourceful one...and a credit to the Society, no doubt. Who knows, this whole contraption she dreamed up may just be the difference maker for us."

OOC: Thanks, Elanna. You were right. Should have been Crafting +6. I'll adjust that going forward.

"Oh my!" Orla murmurs in fascination and worry as she watches Snirt in his harness.

"Yes, Elien. Elanna's creativity has really helped out! It's certainly made this trial more interesting," Sonna says quietly as his eyes are focused on Elanna's quick crafting of Snirt's harness. He glances over at Elien, "say, I am a bit concerned about Ander's next attempt across. The river is looking pretty angry. Do you have any rope you can hand me a side of, in case I have to jump in after him?"

Thanks everyone! I meant to address the issue of Snirt and got distracted and forgot.

Anders returns to shore, looking bashful. Today ain't my day, so far. I got so caught up in the challenge, well... part way across, realized what I done. He squats down. Forgive me, buddy?

Look what Elanna put together for you. Say thank you.

Snirt lets out a short bark.

Thanks Elanna. Feel like you've had your head on straight since we got started. Mighty glad to have you on the team.

I should be able to handle this...

Anders makes a second attempt.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

...I am a bit concerned about Ander's next attempt across. The river is looking pretty angry. Do you have any rope you can hand me a side of, in case I have to jump in after him?"

"Certainly! Yes! I believe I have some in my pack. Handy kits these things. Everything an adventurer might need..." Elien says, hunkering down so he can rummage thru his pack and retrieve the rope inside. He hands it to Sonna and looks around for somewhere to tie it off before realizing he may just have to anchor the paladin himself if he needs to jump in to grab Anders.

"Bet they didn't expect the zipline!" Nurten says. He had certainly forgot about Snirt (intentionally, most likely), and his head snaps over, less inclined to try Elanna's contraption later.

With Elanna getting Snirt across, Anders is able to make his second attempt without distraction. It's not as pretty as some others', but it's certainly good enough to land without splashing into the water.

Finally, Elanna sends herself across the zip line, and whether it's her own natural skill or practice and observation from the early attempts, she practically flies over the water, almost crashing into her teammates gathered on the far end.

Once the trial is complete, the race officials help bring you back, to make camp if you so choose. As before, you have time to try to talk to the other teams, or officials, or take some other action.

"Sorry, I was so happy my idea worked." says Elanna with a large smile as she barely misses bowling her companions over.

"It seems we're on to the next challenge. Let's hope we can avoid the feral beast tonight and one more day.", she adds, still pumped up by the river crossing.

"What do you want to do tonight ?", she asks the group. "I'm not very comfortable with talking to the officials but it would be good to have a little advance knowledge of what's awaiting us. On my side, I'll get the camp ready and go and check the woods around here, just to be sure. Will you want to come with me Anders ?"

As the party reaches the campsite, she glances at the two teams that were there before them have already settled and lowers her voice "I don't know if you think like me. But if we suspect some kind of foul-play here, it's going to be either one of the officials or one team that arrived before us. Which limits the pool to only those two. Were they already ahead of us yesterday ? If so any of you could try to get a read of them ?"

Elanna will eventually do her usual patrol around the camp
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Survival if necessary: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Edit, well, that's going to be helpful....

After two lukewarm attempts at socializing with the other teams, Sonna is in no hurry to make a third attempt. He instead helps Elanna get camp set up. Once done, he works on cooking the evening meal.

Nurten is content to help with the Pathfinders' side of things until otherwise directed, cleaning and trying to haul their gear about. He's happy to swap stories, though he doesn't have many of his own yet.

Anders nods. Aye, Elanna, let's take a look around. C'mon Snirt.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"I don't know if you think like me. But if we suspect some kind of foul-play here, it's going to be either one of the officials or one team that arrived before us. Which limits the pool to only those two. Were they already ahead of us yesterday ? If so any of you could try to get a read of them ?"

"I'd be delighted to look into that for us," Elien offers, "Up until now, the saboteur was merely pursuing a method to cheat in the course of the Balgirdtrek, but that stunt with the poles could have seriously cost someone their life if they'd plunged into the icy river. I'll get to the bottom of this as best I can."

The investigator leaves his pack with Nurten since the goblin is helping set up camp. He then strides among the other teams, quietly observing and offering small words of encouragement to those who did well at the last challenge, or words of warning about the beast tracks they'd found. He reserves most of his attention, however, for the two teams that arrived ahead of everyone else. Two Houses and Without Trace or Fail by Elanna's own estimation seemed the most likely culprits. And, given that the race officials were genuinely surprised by the sabotage and encouraging the acquisition of proof, Elien headed more fully in their direction, adopting a similar conversation with each of them.

"Hello there! Hope you don't mind a bit of company. It looks like the true challenges of the race have finally caught up to us, and I thought I'd share a bit of camaraderie before the morning with you," he greets each team, "We've all faced the mighty river of renown from Balgird's tale, and now a predatory beast...though not a linnorm, perhaps...is out there somewhere to remind us of the true challenge he faced and the purpose of his journey to become a Linnorm King."

"I must say this has all been quite the adventure and I'm enjoying the experience alongside all of you. It seems each challenge you're among the first to reach the checkpoint ahead of us, and that's quite admirable. It's not so much a competition from my perspective. I genuinely respect your skill out here in the wilderness. And, honestly, our team is just looking forward to finishing the race in honor of your cultural traditions."

Elien leans in closer to the fire as he converses, eyes moving across the faces of his listeners, gauging them for any reaction to his next bit of discussion.

"So...how are you and your team holding up? We noticed a few extra surprises in the last couple of challenges and had quite a lot of fun working our way past them. The wool stuffed in the bells around the necks of the caribou! That was a smart wrinkle the race officials put into the mix. Luckily for us, we've got some sharp elven eyes among our crew so we were able to find them without depending on the ringing. And then, the river crossing! Ah! Those loose plates on the bottom of the poles! It's a good thing I double-checked them before our lead scouts vaulted over. Of course, the real genius was the zip-line we were able to string up once they were across. It's quite the invention. It let us coast right over the ice without touching a thing. We even sent the dog over in a harness. So, we didn't have to use any of the remaining poles at all. How'd you guys deal with those hazards? Did you find them extra challenging? Did you have as much fun with them as we did?"

"Yes, I'd say this Balgirdtrek is one of the best experiences I've had. It's an endurance test and a puzzle for the mind at the same time. Really, really incredible. I might have to come back next year and give it another go..."

Diplomacy check to influence with Follow a Lead bonus: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
Perception check to Sense Motive and gauge any guilty reactions with Follow a Lead bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19
OOC: Also, if there's anything in the other encampments that might seem unusual or out of place, I'd like to tap Elien's That's Odd class feat once more to notice it.

Orla follows alongside Elien, punctuating the eloquent scholar's words with nods and facial expressions. As they are about to head off, Orla "remembers" something.

"You know, Elien, the race officials weren't particularly happy to learn about the loose plates. They said they were going to look into it - and that they had a likely culprit to investigate."

Deception Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

After Elien and Orla have left their conversations with the two other teams...and are well out of earshot of any eavesdroppers.,,

"You know, Elien, the race officials weren't particularly happy to learn about the loose plates. They said they were going to look into it - and that they had a likely culprit to investigate."

"That's odd that bit you shared there at the end. I don't recall the race officials saying they had an idea of who might have done it. Just that they couldn't believe anyone would do it...and that they would hold whoever did do it accountable if we can secure proof." Elien replies, "Of course, initially, it seemed as though they were simply placating us by denying it could be sabotage, but their expressions denied their words. After they huddled together and discussed it, you could tell they were rightly worried. And I believe they legitimately know it to be very unlikely that all the poles would have suffered such wear as to loosen every plate. Now, they're clearly worried the reputation of the Balgirdtrek will suffer if charges of cheating or sabotage are revealed."

"Thus, we have two factors to consider now," the investigator continues, "The first is that it seems far more likely that one of the competing teams is the culprit. As Elanna said, I believe that's a lead worth following with the two teams which we know arrived before us. They're the only ones who could have endangered us so at the river. And, by weaving our two known instances of sabotage into my conversation with them, we'll now see what kind of consequences that creates."

"The innocent team will start looking for signs of such sabotage themselves, even if only to avoid any unpleasant outcomes that could jeopardize their own performance. It's in their self-interest to do so. Meanwhile, the guilty team will either discontinue such actions so as to remain hidden now that their antics are known. Or, they'll be further incensed by my jest about how fun we've found everything so far, and re-double their efforts to sack us, potentially becoming more sloppy because of the anger I've kindled. If they desist, we carry on and the race organizers are forewarned about future activity of this sort and we can let the rest slide. Or, if they continue, we may have allies now in rooting them out."

"The second consideration, my dear..." Elien explains, "...is that someone among the race officials is responsible instead of our competitors. And, because you rightly broached the subject with them, they too will now know we're onto them just the same. And, if the saboteur is among their ranks, that'll mean we have two other teams on the lookout for their crimes...in addition to whatever honest officials were there to hear our accusation. In the end, it's still up to us to protect ourselves so we don't run afoul of any manufactured danger. And, while doing so, we continue to observe until we learn the identity of the culprit and reveal them to all."

"Regardless, I would have preferred not to imply to the two teams that we alerted the race officials or that they're looking for a 'culprit'..." he adds, "The cat's out of the bag now, I suppose, so there's no undoing it. But, ideally, I would have liked the two teams to believe that we were clueless as to the 'sabotage'...and that's why I defined it as extra 'puzzles' which we believed all teams had to deal with, because it was an intended part of the Balgirdtrek as planned by the race officials...thereby goading any overconfident saboteur into thinking we were clueless as to the real cause of those 'puzzles' in the first place."

Sonna and Nurten finish setting up camp and preparing for the night as Elanna and Anders, with Snirt, head out to look around. Ellana's attention is on the group's side of the river, but Anders suddenly notices a massive creature lingering near the water at night, staring at the campsites. It seems to realize it's been spotted at almost the same instant, and turns and dashes for the woods. But Anders can attempt a DC 18 Nature check to Recall Knowledge and identify it.

Ellien and Orla, for their part, head out to see if they can investigate the sabotage. They're greeted warmly by the members of Two Houses. "Ah, you're making progress," Unn says -- "Or we're slowing down" -- Steen interjects. "I hope you're enjoying the race. Clearly you must be doing well if you've caught up to us. Tomorrow's the ice walk challenge, you know, so you'll have to be sure-footed about it, and smart. Brute force isn't going to get that done. Though I'm not sure the Brawlers are even going to make it there before the race ends..."

"Loose plates, wool?" Oluf repeats. "We haven't seen any of that, but --" and he seems a bit awkward having to bring up this next pary "-- we have been out front so far, so it's possible it's just wear and tear, or some other accident? I can't imagine anyone would try to disrupt the race intentionally."

Without Trace or Fear, for their part, gives you flat stares as you approach. "No," Ostog says, "We haven't seen any signs of sabotage, or heard of anyone making up stories to cover for their poor performances."

It doesn't take Ellian a lot of his investigative skills to determine the former seems genuinely friendly, and the latter does not. If either of the teams is responsible, it's almost certainly Without Trace or Fail, but you don't have anything that approaches concrete evidence.

Orla, I'm assuming you're trying to use Deception to trick the other team? Ellien, you only really have time to Make an Impression on one of them, since that takes some time, so I'll let you decide which one you're attempting to influence. You can also Investigate the area around the poles for more tangible evidence (which requires a Recall Knowledge check, probably Nature or Society). Orla, that goes for you too. Sonna and Nurten, you also both can take one of the above actions still, if you want.

OOC: Elien will try to Make an Impression on Two Houses as it seems Without Trace or Fail is a bit of a foregone conclusion given their continued animosity towards every overture so far.

On the way back to camp, Elien tells Orla he intends to re-examine the poles once more for any evidence or proof that might tie anyone to the sabotage. "You can come along, if you want," he tells the halfling, "Or, if you have another matter you'd like to look into on the team's behalf, you can do that instead. Up to you. I'm not really sure if I'll find anything. After the race officials examined them, they may have removed any evidence that was present..."

After trekking across the ice again, he squats down next to the poles and looks more carefully at the plates and all around the area for clues, using the fading rays of the setting sun to sharpen his gaze.

Nature check to Recall Knowledge with Follow A Lead bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21

Orla only chimes in with Elien when talking to Without Trace or Fail.

Orla is using Deception to lie to Without Trace or Fail.

Once away from the Without Trace or Fail team, Orla laughs brightly at Elien’s innumerable words.

”Honey, you’re taking wooden pieces of silver from me,” the halfling says with a twinkle in her eye. ”I’m embellishing what the officials told us to help to flush out a rat. You’ve got lots of ideas about what you wanted to do; maybe sharing them would be a good idea ahead of time next time, yeah?”

Her tone becomes a bit less jovial. ”And thanks for giving me permission to follow along at your coat-tails, but I’ll just return to camp.”

And Orla does just that.

Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Elanna, I just spotted a huge beast over there by the water, but it took off into the woods before I could get a good look at it.

Elanna turns in the direction indicated by Anders, drawing her bow in the same movement but she only sees bushes and trees waving in the wind. She stays still for a moment, waiting to see if she can get her nocturnal vision to kick in.

”Well caught Anders. It’s a good thing you were here. I should have known better than to ruin my sight by glancing at the campfires. ”

She shivers: ”Now that you’ve seen it, do you have any idea what it is? I’m getting more and more worried about this. I thought it was well ahead of us and we were on its territory by happenstance. But it seems to be stalking the race and keeping with us. Why would it stay here with noises, fires and human presence? We really need to keep our eyes and ears open tomorrow.”