"Ssshh - you seem to draw a lot of attention. It's simple. A) the embassy we look for is Gillman - so expect it to be at the waterfront. Gillman can't stay out of water for long - and they dislike it. B) we are looking for an embassy - lets say this is a more imposing building - possibly 2 story - or because they are Gillman - not two storey but at least bigger as your normal building c) Rule out the harbor master and any buildings that have the sign of an inn.
Taking this together I would say it't the building over there !!"
Latharel looks stupefied when his attack cuts down the gillman and the magic catches him suprised - dazed he seems unable to make a decision what to do next.
I'm trying to interpret the map - there are two gillman pretty close to Latharel - which one is having the artifact. I assume the woman to the Southeast is the bar woman.
I can try to go after the barwoman - charge (possibly taking an AoO) - or I can go for one of the two gillman.
"Important things first. If I have to sacrifice a warm bed on land then I want at least a drink. After that I will follow you to the island.
But the dirt of the road needs to be washed away first.
"Thanks for not attacking us. We will leave you and walk around your lair in peace."
"The local owners of this place seem not to want our gifts. But I think they let us go as they understand we are not here to attack them. Let us try to move around as best as we can without getting any closer."
Latharel takes 2 steps back - gathers his gifts and looks for a way around. Even if this means some damp feet or some extra time.
Survival check to find a way around: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Someone else better in finding a way around? Guess it should be possible - even if we have to track back a few minutes. This is wood/swamp - not mountains where only a single way might be possible.
Latharel rummages in his backpack and produces his finds.
He placed in front of him a clay mug, a dagger, 2 fishhooks, flint and steel, a sewing needle, a signal whistle, 50 feet of string, 50 feet of thread and some flint and stone.
"Feel free to accept any of these for free passage. "
"I'm trying to barter our way through. Does anyone have items that might appeal to these creatures. If you don't mind losing them, then please show them in a non threatening way. "
Where is the bag of coloured glass pearls when you need one. The GM might allow assist if you have something on offer - aka - I don't think I manage completely on my own.
"All - please try to hold your weapons. I will try to negotiate passage.
Draconic:
[b]"We will retreat if you let us know how to get around your lair and the lair of your small ones. Our humble appology trespassing. All we can say as excuse is, we are not from here and don't know the path around.
Can we leave you a gift for our transgression? Some food maybe? Or are there other items you like from humans that you can't get easily here?[b]
Latharel seems never to have heard about the lady - but he feels it is appropriate to follow targs example. He adds a gold coin of his own as an offering.
"Hopefully this helps to ensure her brave deeds are not forgotten. A shame I've never heard about her before. Tell me more about her at our next stop or while we walk. She seems like an interesting lady to me."
"Wait a moment - I just spotted something shiny - it might give a clue or be worthwhile taking."
Latharel tries to locate the object by getting closer, taking away the canvas to get the last evening sun into the caravan. His elven eyes hoping that the bad light won't affect him.
Latharel takes some of the furs and tries to fashion them into something he can wear.
Survival 1d20 ⇒ 15
He only realizes when he is finished that no more furs are left.
"This will keep one in the group warm. We should give it to the one who needs it most in our group."
Latharel feels proud. Beside no training he still managed to get some cold weather outfit fashioned from the furs. Maybe if he spends some more time in the wilderness then tasks like these might come easier to him in the future.
On the to-do list - skill points in Handle Animal and Survival ...
"You are welcome to take away this beast. It attacked me in my sleep and I was lucky that despite several bites from it that I didn't suffer worse as it missed any vital organs.
Seems I was more lucky when I finally brought my blade down on the creature.
But I also need to thank Targ - he distracted the creature by drawing first blood. "
Latharel swings his curved blade. He is bleeding from multiple bites from the beast. He regards himself lucky that it seems not to have hit any truly vital spots.
He hopes Targ managed to draw some first blood of the beast - or at least distracted it well enough for giving him a good opportunity.
"Help, get this beast off from me. It's killing me."
Current AC (no armor = 10 (14 - 4 prone)
I realize I don't even have knowledge nature to figure out what this beast is and how dangerous it is. Time for level 2 to reconnect Latharel with his roots as ranger.
And without armor I'm currently a good meal.
GM:
I've just removed the Ghoul fever. Yes - this should have been handled after last game - as otherwise I'm either cured or a ghoul by now. Will deduct 150 gp for remove disease.
I also need updating as Latharel doesn't yet have his bow in the online format.
This disaster reminds me of my Falling Fortress game. A group of 5 or 6 and not a single rope between us. In the end we build a ramp of dirt to get up to the second level as some members just wouldn't manage to climb up to it - either because of low skills or dreadfull dice rolling. The poor GM was frustrated for us taking half an hour to climb up ...
Were you on that table, too? The post-midnight slot at Oddcon a few years back, run by Crispy?
Could have been OddCon - but maybe also Games Expo. It surely wasn't the midnight slot as I played with my young daugther at the time. And Andrew Bourne was the GM. Good to hear we haven't been the only ones ...
Having dropped the branch seems no longer to spook the horse - but he doesn't seem to help either.
This disaster reminds me of my Falling Fortress game. A group of 5 or 6 and not a single rope between us. In the end we build a ramp of dirt to get up to the second level as some members just wouldn't manage to climb up to it - either because of low skills or dreadfull dice rolling. The poor GM was frustrated for us taking half an hour to climb up ...
Taking a branch from a bush to 'motivate' the beast seems not to work.
Please repeat with me - I'm an urban ranger. Before I've finished this adventure I'm only useful for comic relief in regard to wilderness or animal checks.
