After dropping the boar near the fire ring (and the head next to his pack), he meanders back to the gut pile.
Disturbing sounds begin to emanate from behind the tree.
Troubled by the sounds, thinking, "Is Keegan all right?" Effan gets up to check on the scout, then stops. No, I don't really want to know.
Hozs virtually [jumps (19) into the tree. "Miss Squeeker, give us a hand?" The two drag as many of the branches from the tree as they can. Before long a pile twice the size of Miss Squeeker lays near the Effan's ring.
With the tindertwig Effan starts small fire. Joints of the boar are sectioned and spitted on some of the branches for roasting.
Fire lights with no real problems and the boar is spitted and roasting. Lightning and thunder has all abated but the rain is persistent. Wind-swept, driving rain is falling in hard, fat drops making the evening cold and inhospitable. The fire does a lot to ease this feeling and the tree's canopy is quite a good umbrella, keeping the party relatively dry as they huddle closely to the warm fire. The night passes uneventfully and with the morning the clouds look to be clearing to the northwest (from the direction on the wind) and the rain has lessened enough to allow travel, although it looks to be a wet day of it.
Basking in the fire's warmth and considering the wet weather, Effan experiments with using prestidigitation to dry out or waterproof clothing.
You can certainly use Prestidigitation to dry clothing, but I think it needs a bit more to waterproof it. I consider drying clothes to be about equal to cleaning cloths.
You can certainly use Prestidigitation to dry clothing, but I think it needs a bit more to waterproof it. I consider drying clothes to be about equal to cleaning cloths.
Although he can't seem to make the cloth stay dry, Effan is pleased with the results of his experiments. "Faldor, look at this. I can dry out my socks!" Effan will be very happy to dry out anyone's clothes before bed-time.
Troubled by the sounds, thinking, "Is Keegan all right?" Effan gets up to check on the scout, then stops. No, I don't really want to know.After dropping the boar near the fire ring (and the head next to his pack), he meanders back to the gut pile.
Disturbing sounds begin to emanate from behind the tree.
Keegan returns from the gut-pile.
"Mmmsmmm... Pig livvers..."
You can certainly use Prestidigitation to dry clothing, but I think it needs a bit more to waterproof it. I consider drying clothes to be about equal to cleaning cloths.
Although he can't seem to make the cloth stay dry, Effan is pleased with the results of his experiments. "Faldor, look at this. I can dry out my socks!" Effan will be very happy to dry out anyone's clothes before bed-time.
"OOoo!" Hozs wiggles his eleven little piggies as he hands his wet socks to Effan. "uhmmm... Boars Tenacity." Hozs takes some of the fur off the boar and begins a new 'forest secret'.
"OOoo!" Hozs wiggles his eleven little piggies as he hands his wet socks to Effan. "uhmmm... Boars Tenacity." Hozs takes some of the fur off the boar and begins a new 'forest secret'.
Effan accepts the socks, holding them awkwardly at arm's length -- Perhaps my offer was a shade precipitous. -- and hurriedly works the spell to dry them out. "here."
"I's jest 'mazed being said that twiddlehead here used verbiage containin' upways o' two syllables, eh droogy?"
With the new day, Effan wakes, stretches, and stands. "More marching." he grumbles to himself. He checks the state of the mushrooms, moss, and rat-tails. Stoking up the fire he warms some leftover boar for the party, prestidigitizing some sage flavor to season it. "Well, what say we eat and get back on the road?"
On seeing his fellow gnome's trick the night before Faldor attempts it upon the hood of his cloak as he did his socks the night before.
"I think we should eat as we walk. It will help us move a little faster."
"I's jest 'mazed being said that twiddlehead here used verbiage containin' upways o' two syllables, eh droogy?"
"He said T Widdle Head," Hozs chuckles.
"Uhmmm... Can we ride a log down the river back to Falcon's Hollow? Like the Uhmmm... log rider guys?"
"I's jest 'mazed being said that twiddlehead here used verbiage containin' upways o' two syllables, eh droogy?""He said T Widdle Head," Hozs chuckles.
"Uhmmm... Can we ride a log down the river back to Falcon's Hollow? Like the Uhmmm... log rider guys?"
"That'd be a lot easier than walking. Keegan, is it practical? WOuld it be faster?"
Survival DC 12-
Survival DC 12- ** spoiler omitted **
Hozs puts his hands out, several fingers straight together. "Uhmmm... something like this? We see plenty of log riders at papa's ferry.
Hozs puts his hands out, several fingers straight together. "Uhmmm... something like this? We see plenty of log riders at papa's ferry.
"Dost me ears decieve me? Is this an idea coming from our likeways turtle-witted droogy? My my, he does say..."
Keegan abruptly about-faces and looks down at Effan.
"Good idea, plan-thing, eh, gnomer? I'm quite surprised-like as you... still..."
He gives the thumbs-up, then darts into the brush, apparently searching for some suitable logs.
"I will give you all a hand, lets find some good logs, and make a little boat. "
Jaden grabs his axe, and heads out in the woods with Keegan. Yet he almost hopes for more bacon
Faldor begins looking around at the rest of the company.
"Pardon my intrusion but should we not find the river before we begin with the raft? I'm not strong enough to help you hall the raft that far."
Looking at the company his face saddens a little, "Actually I wouldn't be able to help you carry it at all."
"Pardon my intrusion but should we not find the river before we begin with the raft?
Faldor begins looking around at the rest of the company.
"Pardon my intrusion but should we not find the river before we begin with the raft? I'm not strong enough to help you hall the raft that far."
Looking at the company his face saddens a little, "Actually I wouldn't be able to help you carry it at all."
"uhmmm... we could just have the horses pull it, Faldor." Hozs seems to think this idea is a good one even though the horses are back in Falcon's Hollow...
"Lad I think they called you daft not draft no fense meant. But the horses are not quite within easy grasp for our use. So lets make our way to the river to put this plan to use."
And as a final thought before moving out Faldor puts the bolt with a flame motif into his new crossbow and readies it.
"In case we find any boars not willing to go down without a fight."
Keegan nearly runs into Jaden as he realizes something crucial.
"Eh, see, wouldn't it be all for the best to acutalways find yonder river? 'S'I right?"
Excited about the prospect of a rafting trip, Effan finishes packing in a hurry and throws on his pack, staggering three steps backward under its weight. "Keegan, you know the land best, lead on. Faldor, can you give us a marching tune?"
Catharine follows hestitantly.
A couple hours pass as the party sloughs through the rain and wind toward where they think the river lies before they stumble upon it. The river is swollen with rain and flows in a fat, lazy manner that looks deceptively slow despite it's actual speed being faster than most men can sprint.
Another hour or so and the party has gathered the logs from the surrounding wood, thanks in large part to Jaden's woodcutting skills, and is lashing them together with some crucial aid via an animated rope.
The afternoon is still fairly young when the party is ready to shove off. Hozs notices a nice sized knot-hole in one of the logs and manages to cut a forked branch about 7 foot long that fits snugly into the hole and props up the canvas tent to provide a modicum of coverage from the rain's assault on the raft.
A couple hours pass as the party sloughs through the rain and wind toward where they think the river lies before they stumble upon it. The river is swollen with rain and flows in a fat, lazy manner that looks deceptively slow despite it's actual speed being faster than most men can sprint.
Another hour or so and the party has gathered the logs from the surrounding wood, thanks in large part to Jaden's woodcutting skills, and is lashing them together with some crucial aid via an animated rope.
The afternoon is still fairly young when the party is ready to shove off. Hozs notices a nice sized knot-hole in one of the logs and manages to cut a forked branch about 7 foot long that fits snugly into the hole and props up the canvas tent to provide a modicum of coverage from the rain's assault on the raft.
Effan cuts a sapling about 7' tall and trims away the leafing bearing branches. Standing at the river's edge he dips it in trying to guage the river's depth and strength.
A couple hours pass as the party sloughs through the rain and wind toward where they think the river lies before they stumble upon it. The river is swollen with rain and flows in a fat, lazy manner that looks deceptively slow despite it's actual speed being faster than most men can sprint.
Another hour or so and the party has gathered the logs from the surrounding wood, thanks in large part to Jaden's woodcutting skills, and is lashing them together with some crucial aid via an animated rope.
The afternoon is still fairly young when the party is ready to shove off. Hozs notices a nice sized knot-hole in one of the logs and manages to cut a forked branch about 7 foot long that fits snugly into the hole and props up the canvas tent to provide a modicum of coverage from the rain's assault on the raft.
Effan cuts a sapling about 7' tall and trims away the leafing bearing branches. Standing at the river's edge he dips it in trying to guage the river's depth and strength.
The river is running high, about 6-10' deep average with some deeper areas and some shallower areas. Poles would need to be about 15' in length to be usable.
"Well Miss Stick, lets find another Uhmmm... you." Hozs begins looking for a dire stick.
Effan stows his gear and the 7' sapling for use aboard the raft, and consults with Jaden about paddle making.
Jaden works away on the supplies, makeing use of the parties hard work and also checks in on our guest, he is tied very tight to a tree, with our Fox friend on watch.
"That would be great, we should have something to control the raft, and it would speed our join with only an hour or two to craft them from wood, even without a full shop."
Keegan gives the tied kobold a vicious kick.
"Heh, it's be lookin' like we has our very own scaly little anchor here, eh droogies?"
He begins to snack on another piece of dried wolf heart.
After crafting the raft the party works up some paddles and a couple extra long poles to help steer the raft. They then work in the steady rain to stow the equipment on the raft and ready for launching of their "vessel". The kobold seems to be in a quiet, sullen state and is following orders very well.
Clutching his paddle, Effan steps aboard the raft, stumbling slightly when it dips beneath his slight weight when he gets near to edge. "Faldor, are we sure about this?"
Edging timidly back toward the center, he waits for one of the (he-)men to push the raft clear of the bank.
Edging timidly back toward the center, he waits for one of the (he-)men to push the raft clear of the bank.
Faldor looks at the raft cautiously then hops on to it. Nearly falling his little arms windmill furiously before finally catching his balance and slowly inches his way to the center of the raft.
"I really don't know..."
Faldor's face can clearly be seen to pale as he stands in the center of the raft.
"Now is probably a bad time to bring up my fear of boats?"
Hozs has Miss Squeeker load onto the raft. Once everyone is loaded he will push it out, jumping on at right moment. "Don't worry Faldor. This is not a real boat."
The logs creak a bit and flex slightly as the raft shoves off from the river's edge. The party quickly figures out that two of the members with paddles or poles are needed to keep the raft on course and straight as the water whisks the group quickly down it's swollen length. Rotating out the duties throughout the afternoon makes the rest of the day pass quickly and night seems to close in quickly forcing the party to land the raft and set up camp. The rain continues to be a steady companion, cold and unrelenting. Another pine offers up it's semi-dry shelter to the party within sight of the raft and river.
Keegan leaps aboard the raft, striking a dramatic pose with his sword and mace. The raft's subsequent pitching nearly throws Faldor overboard.
"Haharr, me droogies!"
Keegan takes first watch, but assures everyone that he's a light sleeper. The rest of the group reads many meanings into this.
Jaden see Keegan come running, and braces for the landing on the raft.
"Bout time you got back, you are geting slow in your old age. I would have though you back sooner. Did the goblin scum have any freinds?"
Jaden looks to the kobolt, and makes sure he is behaveing.
"You keep this up, and i will have Hors find you a nice hole somewhere quite. Away from Keegan.
To Faldor "How are we doing for time. Can we get back before it is to late?"
Keegan takes first watch, but assures everyone that he's a light sleeper. The rest of the group reads many meanings into this.
Effan will take the last watch.
Turning green Faldor rubs Jahns fur trying to keep his mind from thinking of the flowing water beneath him and doesn't hear Jaden at first.
"Well... It's been eight days since we left town... Laurel said that we have anywhere from days to a few weeks depending on the sick."
Faldor stays on the raft as they pull it on to shore for the night before running of it and wrapping his cloack about him in a pitiful motion. Uncerimoniously quite he pets Jahn and stairs into the fire before falling asleep. During the night sounds of pain and despair come from his small form as he sleeps but if asked he avoids the answer.
Hozs stands a little to his left when he first steps onto the beach, then he sways a little to the right. Befoe long he is swaying to the left again and so on. "Hee hee! Do it again!""Uhmmm... I will take last watch, right before Effan."
Keegan and Hozs spot several figures approaching camp about an hour after everyone else settles in. The rain and lightless sky reveal little more than their silhouettes against the darkness. They appear to be walking, purposefully being loud, and hold there arms out to the sides with hands open, none holding any weapons. As they get closer to the lighted camp a voice calls out "Hail, travelersss of the river! Peaccce is our intenttttion. May we enter the light and join your rankssss to ssspeak?"
Jaden stands, not moveing out of the light of the fire. He does not have his shield, but his axe is on his back, and his crossbow is on his belt.
"Step slow and keep your hand empty, we will hear your words.Effan, Faldor,we have guest!"
Jaden keeps his eyes on the figures, watching for anything agressive.
Faldor untangles himself to the best of his ability while at the same time rubbing his eyes trying to wake himself up.
Jaden stands, not moveing out of the light of the fire. He does not have his shield, but his axe is on his back, and his crossbow is on his belt.
"Step slow and keep your hand empty, we will hear your words.Effan, Faldor,we have guest!"
Jaden keeps his eyes on the figures, watching for anything agressive.
Keegan leans close to Jaden, whispering urgently.
"Lissen close, see? You make like you's gonna talk. I sneaks around 'em, an' if they decides we's food, this one'll f+*@in' gut 'em like fish. You follow, droogy?"
He steals off into the darkness.
The figures approach the light and as the first enters the light, revealing a large tan and green scaled lizardfolk with a jagged red frill on his head, he speak "We wisssh to discussss mutually beneficcccial topiccssss with you. Where isss your friend going? Pleassse ssstay in the light ssso we can ssspeak with honesssty and not worry about knivvvesss in the back. We come in peaccce. Will you ssstay and talk?"
"Stand in the light, we will talk."
Jaden looks to Faldor and Effan, he would like their input as much as he wants Raph and Keegans. Keegans more for the right to the point, well on the end of the point, but he has his ways. Hors, will be the most knowleageable for this interaction. He does not seem to have an evil bone in him
Faldor begins thinking if he has ever heard of any such creatures in the area from passing stories.