Vykos will once again tie his blanket onto his Scythe in a makeshift sun shade before mounting up ready to be off. Other than this his frail constitution is no match for the heat.
"You could ride 'Ergrin,' cousin," says Ergrin helpfully. "He's a good slow moving mount."Ergrin recieves a punch in the arm for his trouble which with his training he probably deftly dodges. "I be knowin chur slow but it wasn't in how fast ye walk that I was meanin. Any more "'elp" from ye and I'll be knockin ye in the 'ead with me 'ammer."
Ergrin shrugs and tugs on 'Ergrin's' reins. "As you wish, cousin."
While the rest were finalizing their plans, Augrok took the time out to "take in the world", borrowing its energy for another day, and returning when finished. He would much rather be doing this in the evening, but his companions have a greater need. It was going to be another hot day...
Which direction are you heading to find Jorr?
You can head north-west on the Dawn Way and then east into the Witchwood, or head north on logging trails into the Witchwood and then west.
From your talks with the Speaker, and combining the skills of Augrok and Alexei, you know the following:
Mijanor shrugs, "Shorter be good but so be cavin in more gobbo skulls."
"Thank You Augrok".
"I shall bow to the experience of our more experienced wilderness travellers in which route would be the better to take".
Mijanor shrugs, "Shorter be good but so be cavin in more gobbo skulls."
"Better to learn of the beast's heart and strike it there decisively than to waste time striking at its claws. I'm in favor of moving through the woods, hopefully undetected by the hobgoblins." Looking around, he adds, "But I'm not an expert with goblinkin. I'll defer to the group's decision, but it seems we should think of this as a large beast rather than a large group of smaller creatures and plan accordingly."
Mijanor shrugs, "Shorter be good but so be cavin in more gobbo skulls.""Better to learn of the beast's heart and strike it there decisively than to waste time striking at its claws. I'm in favor of moving through the woods, hopefully undetected by the hobgoblins." Looking around, he adds, "But I'm not an expert with goblinkin. I'll defer to the group's decision, but it seems we should think of this as a large beast rather than a large group of smaller creatures and plan accordingly."
"Through the woods," says Ergrin. "If our mounts can manage."
Mijanor listens to Kin Lur and breaks into a broad grin after he finishes, "Truer words never been spoken. I 'eartily be agreein wit ya. Sometimes it be mighty temptin to just bash gobbo skulls tho but I am sure that will be a 'appinin right quick enough whether we care ta or not."
The Witch Trail begins just north of Drellin's Ferry. A short ride of less than an mile brings you across a small plain to the edge of the Witchwood. Deciduous trees, once lush and tall, stand ragged with browned and dried leaves.
As you start down the trail, the only consolation offered by the heat is that it is dry - no doubt in a normal summer these woods would be thick with stinging bugs. The map indicates a branch in the trail about two miles into the woods. The journey is slow on the narrow trail, forcing you to move at half speed with your mounts (ironically allowing Mijanor to keep up). Planed logs bridge small trenches in the ground, once the path of small streams.
An hour after leaving town the party discovers the branching trail. The trail heads both west and north. A short distance to the north the trail crosses a withered river, while to the west it skirts the treeline along the river. The Speaker indicated that Jorr's cabin was to the west.
There is no sign of activity in the woods (Perception checks rolled).
Mijanor follows the group expecting that we continue on West.
Ergrin stays alert and at peace.
Sorry, Jal -- got distracted with Beta playtesting. I'm all ears!
P.S. I'm afraid to roll Survival -- I'll doubtless get another "1" and drop us directly into the main hobgoblin army!
Let's make it 100 ft. from Kin Lur to Alexei, and maybe 50 ft. from Alexei to the next in line. That way, Alexei can still get to Kin Lur in a single charge (double move = 120 ft.), but Kin Lur can realistically act as an advance scout, not part of the noisy column.
Let's make it 100 ft. from Kin Lur to Alexei, and maybe 50 ft. from Alexei to the next in line. That way, Alexei can still get to Kin Lur in a single charge (double move = 120 ft.), but Kin Lur can realistically act as an advance scout, not part of the noisy column.
Kin Lur will carefully study the map and what can be seen from their vantage point here to fix landmarks in his mind and their relationships on the map.
Ergrin will take the rear and keep his ears open.
Content to range between the head and the tail of the line as he saw fit, Augrok and Ur have no particular set position, instead looking more towards gathering edible things and trying to avoid the worst of this heatwave that has come to the area. Augrok was curious about what they were walking into, but they had walked into other such situations before and come out alive, if not unharmed. When not foraging, he is looking about the area for any telltales or obvious discrepancies in the land.
*bump*.
*bump*.
*bump*. I mean, no one's posted since LAST YEAR! ;-)
Seriously, Happy New Year, everyone! Looking forward to getting this story moving again!
Ergin keeps lookin' around and listenin' carefully.
Vykos rides in the middle of the others, his usual position so he can see what's going on around him.
He chats idly with the others as they make progress towards the hut and hopefully some promising information on the whereabouts of more Hobgoblin raiders.
Alexei bonds with his new mount as they pick their way through the forest, alert for obvious tracks or signs of ambushes.
Linked: Usual string of lousy rolls.
Survival: 2+4=6
Perception: 7+4=11.
Being mounted, Alexei has a hard time finding tracks, and looking for tracks on the ground, he has a hard time looking for ambushes from above.
After an uneventful morning, you find the trail leading past a small cabin in a deep forest glade. A ramshackle front porch is littered with fishing baskets and skinning frames, though all appear empty. The cabin overlooks a dark bayou, with withered gray cedar-trees rising out of the water. An old skiff is tied up on the shore nearby, and a little smoke curls from the fieldstone chimney of the cabin.
What are your intentions at this point?
After an uneventful morning, you find the trail leading past a small cabin in a deep forest glade. A ramshackle front porch is littered with fishing baskets and skinning frames, though all appear empty. The cabin overlooks a dark bayou, with withered gray cedar-trees rising out of the water. An old skiff is tied up on the shore nearby, and a little smoke curls from the fieldstone chimney of the cabin.
What are your intentions at this point?
Kin Lur will stop Fourthea and ride back to Alexei to confer. Maybe one should check out the cabin?
Given the information provided by the Speaker and others, and the map purchased in town, this could very well be the cabin you seek.
{Perception rolled for Kin Lur}
Your eye is drawn to a crudely crafted sign nailed to a post on the side of the trail. Painted in yellow dwarven letters are two words in Goblin. Politely translated it reads "Gobins Go Away".
Given the information provided by the Speaker and others, and the map purchased in town, this could very well be the cabin you seek.
{Perception rolled for Kin Lur}
Your eye is drawn to a crudely crafted sign nailed to a post on the side of the trail. Painted in yellow dwarven letters are two words in Goblin. Politely translated it reads "Gobins Go Away".
Kin Lur indicates the sign to Alexei and, translating if necessary, says, "This may be the place. How should we approach?"
Mijanor waits in the back catching his breath.
Vykos sits back on Reaper and takes in the scene, waiting for the others to voice their opinions before saying, "we should at least check it out, even if it's not the right cabin they might know where it is."
Leaving his quarterstaff on the ground and keeping his hands clearly visible, Ergrin, wordlessly glides towards the cabin. Once he is 5' distance he pauses and listens.
Leaving his quarterstaff on the ground and keeping his hands clearly visible, Ergrin, wordlessly glides towards the cabin. Once he is 5' distance he pauses and listens.
Seeing the dwarf move toward the cabin, Kin Lur follows suit, but circling at the edge of the glade, watching for tracks as he goes. Unfortunately, he has trouble concentrating on his stealth as he watches the ground.
Ergrin:
You crouch down in the light undergrowth and slither towards the cabin.
As you approach the cabin you realize there is more to the porch than you first noticed. Within 60 feet your preternatural senses reveal three large dogs, about the size of Fourthea, laying in the shade of the porch. They do not appear to have noticed your approach, but the occasional twitch of an ear indicates they are listening. The open ground between you and the cabin offers no cover; if the dogs are watching they will see you.
The party is about 120 feet from the cabin, Ergrin is 60 feet away in between. The space between Ergrin and the cabin is open ground.
As Ergrin reaches the halfway point to the cabin, Kin Lur misses a drooping tree branch. Although it only brushes his arm the movement is enough to alert something on the porch - the owner of this cabin has left three large dogs on guard. They leap from the front stoop, racing out 30 feet from the porch and begin barking at Kin Lur.
As Ergrin reaches the halfway point to the cabin, Kin Lur misses a drooping tree branch. Although it only brushes his arm the movement is enough to alert something on the porch - the owner of this cabin has left three large dogs on guard. They leap from the front stoop, racing out 30 feet from the porch and begin barking at Kin Lur.
Kin Lur will stop and face the dogs and will attempt to calm them "diplomatically" using his training and experiences with Fourthea. He does not have a weapon readied at this point -- but they are all on his person.
Three dogs = three checks?
Ergrin remains still and tries to think non-threatening thoughts.
'Dogs. Dogs are good. I like dogs. I like dogs. I like dog. No! I like dogs. I like dogs.'
Kin Lur attempts to calm the dogs using words, gestures, and perhaps some of Fourthea's treats. The attempt appears to work. The first dog sniffs the air and then wanders back to the porch to fall asleep. The second dog stays in place but begins wagging its tail and panting. The final dog backs off but remains agitated, though it ceases barking.
Shortly after this the cabin's door opens and a lean woodsman of indeterminate age steps onto the porch. He has a seamed, leathery look to his face and arms, and a big curved knife sits in a sheath strapped to one thigh.
"Don't get many visitors out here," he rasps. "Who're you, and what d'ya want with me?"
Kin Lur attempts to calm the dogs using words, gestures, and perhaps some of Fourthea's treats. The attempt appears to work. The first dog sniffs the air and then wanders back to the porch to fall asleep. The second dog stays in place but begins wagging its tail and panting. The final dog backs off but remains agitated, though it ceases barking.
Shortly after this the cabin's door opens and a lean woodsman of indeterminate age steps onto the porch. He has a seamed, leathery look to his face and arms, and a big curved knife sits in a sheath strapped to one thigh.
"Don't get many visitors out here," he rasps. "Who're you, and what d'ya want with me?"
"These are fine animals you have. I was hoping to find a man named Jorr Natherson, would you be him? Speaker Wiston sent us."
"Great! The speaker thought your knowledge of the Witchwood would likely be very useful."
"If'n yer thinkin' a good word from the speaker'll be puttin' ya in my good books yer wrong. I don't read." He pauses for a second before continuing, "But I s'pose it'd be rude of me not to say I do be Jorr Natherson, and these are my fine dogs - seem to like you."
He whistles at the dogs and they return to the porch to kind words and petting.
"I see ya have friends with ya. Big group...look capable. Now what you be on about? Useful fer what? I ain't no hunting guide!"
You can't be sure if he has spotted Ergrin yet.
"If'n yer thinkin' a good word from the speaker'll be puttin' ya in my good books yer wrong. I don't read." He pauses for a second before continuing, "But I s'pose it'd be rude of me not to say I do be Jorr Natherson, and these are my fine dogs - seem to like you."
He whistles at the dogs and they return to the porch to kind words and petting.
"I see ya have friends with ya. Big group...look capable. Now what you be on about? Useful fer what? I ain't no hunting guide!"
You can't be sure if he has spotted Ergrin yet.
When Natherson calls the dogs to the porch, Kin Lur will follow them halfway or so, to a more conversational distance.
"They are beautiful animals. That one, in particular, seems to have taken a shine to me, hasn't he? I have one I'm particularly fond of, as well, out with my friends. Not sure how these three would respond, so I didn't bring her in.
"As for why we are here, we'd not turn down a guide, but we really were just hoping to get some information. I see your sign by the trail - have you had problems with goblins? We have, and the town has. We're out and about to see if we can't do something about that."
Ergrin hangs back, hiding in plain sight. 'I'm invisible!' he thinks to himself.
Suddenly pushing his way past everyone. "PROBLEMS?! This whole place be a breedin ground fer the vermin any which way ye 'it chur anvil! No what the lad 'ere be meanin ta say is we're lookin ta put a stop to 'em right good, are lookin fer some advice aboot where they be 'olein up, and the best ways to be gettin at em since ye be a authority aboot this 'ere area. We be given the impression yer no lover of their kind and well that be puttin ye in the friend o mine camp most likely.
Diplomacy: 1d20+6=26
Mijanor's outburst got Ur's attention, the bear's head snapping up with ears perked in surprise, before she settled somewhat, recognizing the loud(and shiny) dwarf as the one that was making the noise. Her head turned back to Augrok with a somewhat plaintive look, making Augrok chuckle softly-- which was to say that he chuckled somewhat like a boulder rolling across ground-- more felt than heard. The half-orc gave Ur a mollifying pat, and turned his ears back to the conversation going on, curious about this man's reaction to the (often) direct Mijanor.
Expecting a discussion, he set the head of his axe on the ground and leaned against Ur, who turned her head and looked at him before understanding that this might take some time, deciding to sit, though she kept looking around in idle interest. She had grown used to weathering exchanges, it seemed, not to mention as hot as the weather was, any movement that was not necessary was avoided.
Vykos steps forward and places a hand on Mijanor's shoulder. "What my colourful friend is trying to say is that both ourselves and the town are having trouble with the local gobilins. We have been instructed by the Speaker to try and put an end to it and he suggested that you were the man to talk to about trying to find their base of operations in the area. A guide would be most welcome, but any piece of information you might offer would be helpful."
"Oh! Berries! I love berries!" exclaims Ergrin excitedly forgetting about his 'invisibility'.
Jorr spits at each mention of goblins.
"Couple o'things. Yer dwarf friend there is pretty slick to sneak up on me. And if you be huntin' gobbos then I'm yer man. Course I don't risk my life fer nothin', I can kill gobbos here just as good as there. My fee'll be a hundred pieces of gold."
"A few things ya might want to know, hirin' me or not. The gobbos have a base west of here - all their patrols and such come from that area, and if I didn't know better I would say they've holed up in old Vraath Keep.
If you want my advice, I say sneak up on them and take out the leaders. These hobbos are mighty organized and well-equipped, but they're still hobbos. Most are stupid grunts. And they're overconfident. I've snuck up on a couple of patrol camps. No sentries. Not to brag, but I killed a few patrols. Just me and my dogs." He waves his arm at his dogs, one of which is gnawing on a human-sized leg bone.