(#1-05) "Trailblazer's Bounty" (Inactive)

Game Master rainzax

"Aahhh, I don't care if he skins us in our sleep, for the first time in a long while I'm properly warm again. I'd rather die warm than endure one more blasted cold night."

We seem to be talking past another. Half of the party mistrusts this guy, the other half doesn't, or doesn't seem to care. We might want a plan of action before doing anything rash.

"Thank you for your kind welcome, you're an excellent host. Is there anything we can do to repay the favour?"

He furrows his brow a bit, then adds, "What did you mean, 'hopefully' avoiding the tribes? So there are savage Orcs around here? Not to imply that you aren't savage, unless you want to be not savage, you're very... Ah, forget it. You hopefully understand what I mean."
Dorgen drinks his tea and shuts up before he makes the situation even worse.

agree with Dorgen let's decide a course of action before proceeding

Ria's trying to stay polite, but is also trying to extricate everyone. So, "I don't want to impose on you further, can I get this useful info from you and then get everyone out of your hut and on our way before anything bad happens to any of us?"

Dorgen is fine where he is, but if you're leaving, I'll go as well. Don't want to be the stick in the mud.

The Old Man of the Mountain (Part Four)

Penny's paranoia spreads rapidly from Awalè to Ulfgar.

Seeing the dwarf get up - indeed, their ancestries have a long... history... - Bark grabs his abandoned tea cup, and takes the first sip.

Ria accepts a cup of tea and drinks it, glad for the warmth. "Thank you for your offer, Bark, but I don't think we'll be imposing on you for breakfast. Food is scarce enough up here, we don't want to use up your and Wilbert's stores. I think we'll be heading out, soon. The information about the shortcut would be much appreciated. We don't want to bother the tribes, or have the caravan trail we're trying to blaze run through their territory." Ria pulls out the map the party has been tracking their path on, so that Bark can point out the path.

He proceeds to point out a few places of interest on her map "The tribes operate here, here, and here"

"What did you mean, 'hopefully' avoiding the tribes? So there are savage Orcs around here? Not to imply that you aren't savage, unless you want to be not savage, you're very... Ah, forget it. You hopefully understand what I mean."

Dorgen drinks his tea and shuts up before he makes the situation even worse.

Pointing to Ria's map again "This tribe reasonable, but also formidable - one day's hike from here" sliding his finger to the other two positions on the map "These two tribes warlike - attack on site - even other orcs" he laments "Mutually assured destruction" this sentiment seems to disturb him on some level.

The "shortcut" relayed to Ria cuts right through the middle towards the camp of the first tribe.

"Stay or go - you pick" his indifference here is palpable.

...

PCs may, at their option, attempt to Sense Motive (DC 20) - if you'd like to do so, roll once, and open your spoiler below:

...

...

The Party is Up!

"Thank you for your information, Bark." Ria says, gathering up the map. "We'll be getting out of your way now."

Ria catches Dorgen's eye and gestures towards the door with a 'I know you want to stay, but we need to go' sort of look.

Dorgen heaves a big sigh and starts packing up his gear again. "Yeah, we'd better not stay any longer. Penny will explode with distrust if we're in here for too long. Thank you for your hospitality, and we wish you well."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Dorgen carefully pets Wilbert on the head and with a last longing look back at the fireplace, trudges out of the door.

Back outside, he heaves another big sigh. "Pretty sure that creep wanted to kill us, but it was damn tempting, I'll tell you."

We still have that bottle of gin Karla gave us. Maybe we could use it to diplomacise the Orcs, though I don't know how much a single bottle will do. Maybe leave it behind for Bark as a "thank you" gift? Maybe stops him from hunting us down?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Awalè still can't get a read on the Orc. He does however notice the non answer and the lack of tea. Awalè is not much for grand displays of hospitality, but where he's from you at least serve all of your guest and at least acknowledge their questions. Whether or not this man means them any harm Awalè wants nothing more to do with him and his dog.

Grateful for Ria taking control of the situation and getting them out of the cottage, Awale, nods his head at Bark as he leaves without saying a word. "To think I made Bala wait outside for that.

Outside as he puts his blanket back over his shoulders he feeds Bala a little bit of dried fish he had left over from their boat ride to Isger.

"Dorgen, I am not sure, but I think you might be right. Let us hope that the "short cut" he gave Ria does not find us falling off the mountain"

If we're voting on leaving the gin for Bark, Awalè votes no. He doesn't like Bark and almost hopes he tries to hunt us down so they can fight.

Mountain Forest (Part Four)

The party decides to leave the old man of the mountain with his dog in his cottage, and instead of being able to rest the night warm by a fire, are instead forced to press on through the snow as the temperature continues to drop, hiking down the mountain in the dark trying to reach the Treeline once more.

A brief description of what (heavy snow resistant) light sources are used by the party will be sufficient here - if the party chooses to press on in the dark, please indicate that instead!

Through hours of cold and darkness, the morning sunrise greets them with a collective sigh of relief, but with consequence, as our party finds themselves exhausted having been unable to find a suitable place to camp.

Characters are Fatigued - please update your Character Bar accordingly!

Pressing on without a legitimate recourse, they come to reach a short cliffside, and Ria and Ulfgar look at eachother in recognition of the opportunity the cliffside offers in terms of gaining a good, if risky, vantage point from which to chart a path to a suitable rest spot sooner than later.

...

The Party is Up!

"Well, what do you think, Ulfgar?" Ria says, looking up at the sheer rock face. Should we try to get everyone up to that overhang? If we can, it's a good place to rest up. If we think it's going to be too hard to get everyone up there, I could go up alone and look ahead to see how long it might be to the next place to rest."

After looking at the cliff for a bit longer, Ria turns back to Ulfgar.
"I could also climb up and leave some pitons and rope as I go. That way if the next stop I see is really far out there, we'll have ropes already strung to help people up the ledge."

"Brrr..! I'm beat..! Aren't we lost or anything..?" comments the Witch who is certainly out of her area of confort and is neither in position to suggest anything.

Curious what Familiars and Animal Companions are doing as well...

Also, any word on light sources?

Ulfgar has neither familiar nor animal companion and darkvision.

I'm assuming Ria either has a torch, or one of the casters has "Light" and cast it on something she is carrying. Frankly, she's familiar enough with magic users that she probably asked early on if one of them could spare a cantrip for a non-flaming light so they didn't have to pack as many torches.

I don't have the Light cantrip, not even in my spellbook, I'm afraid. Too many staples to carry Light with me as well, especially considering I have Darkvision.

GM, I've noted Fatigued in my conditions, want me to adjust my AC and saves as well? It's just easier to remove the condition than to re-do the numbers.

I have rope to help with climbing or pulling up others. I also have enough torches for everyone to have one. I also have a pretty good athletics/climb. Bala has low light vision.

Bala is contemplating plopping down and not moving in protest. Not only was he tricked into taking another cold weather mission, but he had to stay outside while everyone else got to warm up in the cottage.

"What do you think Bala, can you climb it," Awalè asks. Bala grumpily growls at Awalè.

"He thinks one dried fish will make up for everything. PFFT," Bala thinks as he wanders off to find a place to sit away from the party. He lays down with his head on his paws keeping an eye out for any quick snacks before it gets totally dark.

And so, the party weighs their options whether to Climb the sheer cliffside, or to venture in search of another way around out of the Snowline into the Forest below...

I'll leave the decision up to the melee people, I can't contribute. I also have no strong preference, though obviously climbing up seems like a good idea to get a lay of the land.

I was only just now able to log on and assume other people are having similar problems. I'll move ahead with climbing and using the climb kit to move it along, but if anybody has a problem with it we can disregard it.

Athletics (climb): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"If you don't mind Ria I'll climb and place the pitons. I need the exercise." Touching his toes Awalè begins limbering up. After a good stretch he begins to scale the cliffside.

Survival (survey wildlife): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20

As he reaches the top he surveys the area to see if this would be a good place to rest tonight that wouldn't be in the path of predators.

...Awalè Climbs 5 feet up... no problems so far...

I misunderstood the climb rules... Can I use my second roll in my previous post as a climb check

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"So, far so good," he thinks as he continues to climb.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Mountain Forest (Part Five)

...our ranger hero makes it up about half way (Three Successes = 15 feet) before realizing the path he chose "dead ends" without useful hand-holds (Failure = 0 feet), but shifts over horizontally to take a second fork with superior hand holds and easily hoists himself from there (Critical Success = 10 feet), and summits...

Having carried with him the party's sole Climbing Kit, on his ascent, he paused at key junctures to hammer in pitons and secure rope, tying off on a nearby tree at the top...

The Climb DC for everyone else drops to an "easy" DC 12 now!

...below, the party waits patiently for the "okay" which seems to take longer than expected...

...

...

Awalè is Up!

nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

oh jeez :(

Awalè seeing the grumpy goats instinctually tries to make them disperse by giving a loud clear whistle. Instead, all that comes out is a gross raspberry sound. How did he mess up on something as simple as a whistle.

Gozreh's beard what's wrong with me.

Mountain Goats! (Round Zero)

...From atop the cliffside, Awalè yells something about territorial mountain goats coming straight for him horns pointed!...

Map is Updated!

Dorgen, Penny, Ria, and Ulfgar can each take a single Stride as part of Rolling your Initiative (Perception)!

Awalè - please make a single Athletics or Crafting check to represent how securely you tied the ropes down!

Depending on Awalè's check outcome (open spoiler), that determines how many can Climb the rope at the same time (Enjoying DC 12 Climb check!)

Otherwise, Climbing the cliffside is a DC of 15!

...

...

The Party is Up!

Ulfgar has been shading his eyes with one hand and looking up at the cliff face, squinting.

When he hears the yelling, he looks around at the other members of the party briefly before starting the Climb. He bypasses the rope because he suspects others are going to need it more than him.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

He makes absolutely no progress...

◆Dorgen shifts a little bit over as soon as he hears the angry bleating up ahead. "Er, go ahead guys, take the lead. I'm sure you can take care if this without me. I'll go up when the coast is clear. But here's something just in case..."

◆◆Dorgen weaves a spell and then touches Ria's spear. It starts glowing and humming slightly with power.
I cast Magic Weapon on it.

"Not sure how territorial these beasts are going to be, but if they're anything like the ravens from earlier, better be safe than sorry."

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Ria nods in thanks to Dorgen and strides over to the cliff face and starts climbing using the rope.

Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Wasn't sure how many I could/needed to do in a round, so here's a few.

Mountain Goats! (Round One)

...The Mountain Goats at the front of the pack charge Awalè (Stride x3) at the Cliff Top...

...Meanwhile down at the Cliff Bottom, Dorgan enchants Ria's spear before she and Ulfgar stow their weapon on their back (Interact to make Worn, Spear and Javelin), and immediately begin climbing up after their friend (Two Climb actions each) standing precariously at the edge of the Cliff Top as the goats rush at him with horns pointed down!

Ria at 5 feet elevation now on the Rope Rigging, Ulfgar at +0 elevation on the Sheer Cliffside

...While Penny and Awalè decide their next move!...

...

Awalè - don't forget to roll that Rope Securing check (Pre-Encounter Roll)!

Penny and Awalè are Up!

Athletics (rope securing): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

◆ Awalè moves 25 ft
◆ He then interacts to draw his swords.
◆ He then tries to command animals again.

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Regaining his composure Awalè approaches the goats drawing his swords. Taking a deep breath he tries again to get the goats to disperse. Letting out a clear loud whistle, stares at the goat herd, and in a firm loud voice he yells, "STAY!"

Mountain Goats! (Round One/Two)

Drawing one of his swords, Awalè strides forward and attempts to "reclaim" the "territory" for himself using gesture and vocalization: The force of his command seems to confuse or stun all four of the Mountain Goats momentarily (Critical Success) - they stare at him for a full six seconds turning their heads sideways...

The Party can take a "Free Round" of Climb checks here!

...

...

Penny - still waiting for Round One actions!

The Party is Up!

Ria continues to climb up the wall.

Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Athletics(Climb): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Using the Rope Rigging (DC 12), Ria quickly ascends to nearly the top (Success and Critical Success = +15 feet), leaving plenty of room behind her for a second single file climber...

Dorgen looks at Ulfgar and motions towards the rope - not like he's going to use it anytime soon.

I'll bot Penny for this turn, I guess.

With all the commotion uphill, Penny waits until the coast is clear. She isn't going to risk climbing up with her negligible Strength.

Delay Penny until she's sure she can climb the rope safely.

For a moment, Ulfgar just stares at his fellow dwarf, as though about to argue. It might be an instant of excitement since he'll actually talk.

But then, he gives a curt nod, spits on each hand for grip and begins to climb using the rope.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Mountain Goats! (Round Two, Continued)

Having false started with the Sheer Cliff, dwarven glares communicate an "after you" and Ulfgar shunts himself sideways and starts climbing the rope - which tenses under his weight - climbing to just behind Ria near the top (Success and Critical Success = +15 feet)...

...

...

Awalè, Penny, and Dorgen are Up!

Seeing the goats hesitate for a moment Awalè decides to make the most of this opening. Surveying the goats he decides that one of them is obviously the leader. He moves over to what looks like the herd leader and attempts to strike the goat in hopes of scaring off the lesser goats.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

◆ Hunt prey the blue goat
◆ Moves 30 ft to goat
◆ Attacks goat with short sword.

Like a predator seizing opportunity, Awalè slinks up and nearly kills the goat in a single blow! (Critical Hit for 12 damage)...

Awale, what kind of damage is that?

...

Penny, and Dorgen are Up!

Slashing

Dorgen will delay and make sure Penny gets up before he does. Should something happen to her, he can still heal her.

Delay for Dorgen. I'll bot Penny later if she doesn't show up.

Awalè manages to scare off one of the goats with his viscious attack!

1d4 ⇒ 2 The Blue goats flees!

Dorgen is Up!

◆Dorgen moves over to the rope and tries to climb up and join his allies.
◆Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 6
◆Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 16

I looked at the map, I'm suddenly up the rope. I definitely didn't move myself there.

Mountain Goats! (Round Three)

Dorgan sees the rope at capacity, and Delays his climb...

...meanwhile, at the top, the Goats attempt to ram Awalè off the cliff!

◆◆) Powerful Charge
Green Goat Horn vs Awale (AC 17 / fatigued): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
◆) Push 5 feet

◆◆) Powerful Charge
Pink Goat Horn vs Awale (AC 17 / fatigued): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
◆) Push 5 feet

◆◆) Powerful Charge
Purple Goat Horn vs Awale (AC 17 / fatigued): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
◆) Shove 5 feet
Purple Goat Shove vs Awale (Fort 16 / fatigued): 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 5 = 17

...The first goat slams into him, inflicting 4 damage, and pushing him northwest 5 feet. The second goats slams into him, inflicting 5 damage, and pushing him northwest 5 feet. The third goat slams into him, and although he catches it by the horns, it then bucks wildly, pushing him the last 5 feet northwest, and incidentally, over the cliff!

...

...

Awalè - you have a single opportunity to (↺) Grab an Edge (DC 15) or otherwise Fall the full 25 feet!

...

Meanwhile - the Party is Up!

Reflex(Grab and Edge): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Confident from making what he thought was the leader run away, Awalè, lets down his guard to look over his shoulder to check on the progress of his companions. "I will run them off before they get up here. One less thing for them to worry ab... OOF."

As Awalè turns back to focus on the goats he is suddenly hit solidly in his stomach causing him to stumble backwards toward the cliff. Off balance the remaining goats successively get solid shoves on Awalè over the cliff before he can reach and grab the ledge. Tumbling down he falls with a solid thud and is knocked unconscious.

Dorgen immediately releases the rope as Awalè comes sailing by and lets out a swear.
"That's why I went last, in case things like this happened. You're lucky I have that spare healer's kit..."

Not sure where Awalè landed, but I'll basically spend my turn running towards him and grabbing the healer's tools. Don't have Battle Medicine, but at least I can try to fix you up.

Ria has a moment of indecision as she sees Awalè fall. Climb down to help him, or climb up the rest of the way and get rid of the goats before Dorgen's spell on her spear is wasted.

But then she sees Dorgen take off to help the unconscious Ranger. Ria decides to hope Dorgen can administer First Aid well enough to at least stabilize Awalè, and focuses on climbing the rest of the way up.

Athletics (Climb): 20 + 6 = 26

With a surge of adrenaline, she vaults herself to the top of the cliff ◆, retrieves her spear ◆, and sets it, bracing for a very likely charge from the goats ◆.

Ulfgar's eyebrows raise as he sees Awale come tumbling down the cliff face. They furrow then and he spits determinedly before continuing with his rope climb, spurred on by Ria's impressive progress.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

He makes good progress at first but then can't quite make it up the last few feet.

Mountain Goats! (Round Three/Four)

Teetering on the brink, with a goat by the horns, Awalè is knocked off-kilter, and reaches his hand our for the cliff edge, but narrowly misses, and goes tumbling down the Cliffside, landing and falling unconscious...

...Dorgen and Bala both race to his side, the former pulling out his Healer's Tools, the latter it's tongue...

...Meanwhile, Ria vaults up the remaining distance of the Rope Rigging, and the Mountain Goats size her up, while Ulfgar makes steady progress into the final stretch...

...

...

Ria, you can make a Command (Nature) or Demoralize (Intimidate) check to keep the Mountain Goats shortly at bay (you described "setting / bracing your spear")...

Awalè, before Dorgen and Bala arrive, please make your first Recovery Check!

Recovery check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Awalè slightly stirs as Bala licks his face with concern. He shudders convulsively as if he is trying to get up but can't.

"Get back, goats, or you're going to be lunch!"
Nature(Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ria attempts to Command the goats, or at least get them to not all charge her at once. But she doesn't think she did very well.