Gilan Monday October 27th, 2003 10:28:20 PM
Gilan leads the others along, hopefully with someone by his side. He keeps up with the orb to check and see if it says to change direction.
He continues to keep his eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. He lets the others deal with the stuff that they are best at while he concentrates on getting them to their next destination.
DM Kevin Tuesday October 28th, 2003 11:19:27 AM
No one notices being followed. It seems the other skiff may have been just passing through. You all discuss concerns about traveling in the plains as you follow the dirsction of the strange compass. It leads you head on into the west. You've traveled for days with no encounters. That in itself seems strange. Five days into the west and all seems very quiet. The only movement is an occasional breeze through the tall grass. Ahead of you is an open area where the grass does not grow. It is a perfect circle about 20' in diameter. It is a very hot day, as they all have been, and darkness is only a few hours away.
Grymash d20+4=12 d20+7=23 d20+9=13 d20+3=17 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 2:40:12 PM
Grymash looks at the round clear area with caution. "Da orcs have saying ... Stay in grass, save your behind! In Orc talk, that rhyme."
Gry remains knelt within the tall grass, at the edge of the grassline. He surveys the area. (Spot 12, Listen 23, Survival 13, Hide 17 add a modifier for being camo'ed)
Gilan d20+1=12 d20+10=23 d20+10=17 d20+6=22 d20+6=13 d20+13=24 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 3:04:45 PM
Gilan stops as they reach a clearing in the grass. He looks it over with care and interest (spot 22). With a moments thought he is listening to all the sounds in the area trying to pick out anything that maybe out of the ordinary (listen 13). "I have never heard of clearings like these being made naturally...I don't think. (knowledge, nature 23)".
Kneeling by the edge of the clearing he scans over it before he looses the light (survival 24). He looks for tracks or anything that would give him a clue about the area. Is it a natural event or man made?
Trellus d20+7=20 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 4:13:29 PM
Trellus nods at Grymash's words. "Truly," he agrees. "Let's stay out of that."
The cleric tries to recall if the Walker, Black, mentioned anything about this kind of thing.
Knowledge(Sargass Plains) - 20
Flea d20+8=28 d20+10=25 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 7:00:28 PM
The gnome yawns, then rubs behind her ears. Suddenly she remembers something from the pack's earlier experiences. "Um, maybe this is one of the safe clearings?" she says to the assembled group, "like when there was an electrical storm?" The rogue listens for the tell-tale crackle and pop or any other noise on the all too quiet land. (Listen=28, nat. 20!)
Flea then advances very cautionsly checking for any traps. (Search=25*)
*Rogue skill Trapfinding
Anuk d20+10=20 d20+9=15 d20+6=23 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 9:21:32 PM
Anuk looks at the clearing without entering, trying to recall anything that might lead to some understanding of what they're seeing.
(knowledge (plains)=20)
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry. If we can determine that this place is safe, I think we should set up camp somewhere 'round here." That said, he begins looking and listening around the area for anything that appears threatening.
(spot=15, listen=23)
Jake Wednesday October 29th, 2003 12:22:07 AM
During the journey, Jake does his best. His culinary skills do not approve, and most of his meals continue to taste like either gruel or are way too incredibly spicy. He generally keeps watch well and says very little.
As they stop at the clearing, he checks on their water supply and the skiff to make sure everything's okay. Then he draws his sword and shield. If this is the next event, it'll be good to have things ready.
DM Kevin Wednesday October 29th, 2003 9:21:28 AM
None of you can recall anything about a clearing like this one. There are no signs of a coming storm or traps. No one else is spotted in the area. It is strangely silent. It is impossible to tell why the area would be clear of grass the way it is.
Trellus Wednesday October 29th, 2003 2:08:32 PM
Hearing Anuk and looking to the sky, Trellus does notice its getting about time to bed down.
Still, every time they've found something different in the Grass, its been very dangerous.
"How 'bout we keep going another 100 yards or so before bedding down?" he asks. "That way we're close enough to explore, and far enough to get a good running start." The last part is said with a slight grin.
Gilan Wednesday October 29th, 2003 3:55:16 PM
Gilan shrugs as he looks over the area. He can remember nothing in any of the lessons about anything like this. He also finds nothing that would give him a clue. "How about we skirt around this area...I don't relish the idea of going straight across." Glancing back to the clearing he gets the idea that something is not right...but it may not even be the clearing.
With another thought he looks to the others. "Do you think maybe this has something to do with the next event that we are to see?" He slips his hand into his pouch and pulls out the orb to see what it will tell him. Maybe he can determine how close they are and if this is it.
Grymash d20+9=25 d20+2=10 d20+7=22 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 5:20:34 PM
Grymash looks at the bare soil of the circle. "Is it loose or packed firm," Grymash thinks? (Survival check 25)"Circle maybe trap ... or nest ... or both!"
Grymash may not be smart, but he is plains-wise. He understands that the majority of life in the plains are vermin and they seek shelter by burrowing into the earth. Most burrow for escape from the hot sun and protection from other predators. Others, however, burrow to hide and wait for unsuspecting creatures to come along. This could be one of those times.
Grymash cuts a tall stalk of grass at its base and holds it out across the bare ground from the circles edge. Gry stretches the grass as far out as it will go and begins to "tickle" the ground with its tip.
(If anything from beneath the soil reaches up and tries to grab the grass, Gry will let go.)
(Spot 10, Listen 22)
Flea d20+10=14 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 8:27:33 PM
Having found no traps, the rogue continues to advance across the circle of bare ground. After another big yawn, she wriggles around under her pack to make it more comfortable. "This looks like a perfect place to make camp, guys. I'm so tired of walking in the tall grass. Can't we stop here?" Flea scans the rather small clearing once more (Search=14), and looks up hopefully at Trellus, Grymash, and the rest of the Bloodpack.
DM Kevin Wednesday October 29th, 2003 9:53:17 PM
The compass continues leading west. It does not behave any differently around the circle on the ground. Gry notices that the ground is packed tight, but in a typical way. It does not look as if it was intentionaly packed tight. There is no indication of any vermin at all in the ground.
Jake Thursday October 30th, 2003 1:04:22 PM
"We hadta wait an hour at th'other place, y'know," Jake says. "Very well...ah'll go ahead, an' you guys cover me." Jake waits a second to see if anyone disagrees with him. If nobody does he walks to the center of the clearing with his sword ready and confident.
Trellus Thursday October 30th, 2003 3:00:29 PM
Trellus watches Jake with uncertainty.
"Not sure if this is a real shady idea, dude" he says, scanning the area for something bad to happen.
If nothing does happen, the cleric suggests just moving around and setting up camp beyond the circle.
Gilan Thursday October 30th, 2003 3:49:52 PM
He watches Jake as he moves into the circle and waits to see what happens. He does not like the idea of Jake doing this but knows that sometimes risks are called for.
Looking to the others he will second Trellus's idea of camping on the other side of the clearing.
Anuk Thursday October 30th, 2003 3:57:42 PM
As always, Anuk is unsure exactly what to expect out here on the plains. As he watches Jake and Flea cross out onto the bare ground, he draws his bow and nocks an arrow, just in case.
"I'm with Trellus...after we finish inspecting this place, let's camp a bit further on. We may not find anything now, but who knows what might show up here after dark? Could be something that just doesn't like the sun."
DM Kevin Thursday October 30th, 2003 7:32:48 PM
During the time you debate and examine the area, you still find nothing. All around you is completely silent.
If you choose to camp, I need to know where and if there are watches.
Flea Thursday October 30th, 2003 10:18:18 PM
Looking at the rest of the group in exasperation, from her place in the middle of the barren circle, Flea starts jumping up and down. She then drops her pack, and runs around the perimeter of the circle with her arms outstretched "Look! I'm a Moth!"
Stopping in front of Jake, she says "I'll help you cook up some grub. This is as good a place as any to camp. Besides, starting up a fire in those tall grasses is just asking for trouble."
As has become her habit since Milo's disappearance, the gnome will help Jake as best she can, and will assume full responsibility for scrubbing the pots and dishes using handfuls of plains grasses that she discards afterwards in the fire. She will take whatever watch is assigned after informing the group that she sees quite well in low light, and doesn't need much sleep.
Trellus Friday October 31st, 2003 10:46:55 AM
The cleric rubs his hand through his short, blond hair, as he watches Flea try to embarrass them into setting up camp in the circle.
He looks at Anuk, Gilan, and Gry. I don't think so
He points to a spot beyond the circle. "We're sleeping over there," he tells Flea and Jake flatly, with just a hint of steel in his voice. "Uncomfortable beats dead."
Trellus leads whoever is coming over to an area 50 yards or so from the circle, and 100 yards if they all come.
"Me and Gry, Flea and Jake, Anuk and Gilan," he suggests as watches.
Jake Friday October 31st, 2003 2:47:56 PM
Jake chuckles at Flea's act and is tempted to play a trick on her...but he doesn't, knowing that the others are a bit trigger happy at the moment. Instead, he quietly does as Trellus says, setting camp and preparing the mediocre food, experimenting with different flavors and wondering how Milo always got to be so good with food.
Anuk d20+12=19 Friday October 31st, 2003 8:26:10 PM
Anuk shrugs and smiles apologetically at Flea. "Sorry...I just think it'll be safer."
When the pack locates a suitable campsite, Anuk helps with the foraging for food, looking for whatever tasty--or at least edible--morsels are available. (survival=19)
Gilan Friday October 31st, 2003 11:21:13 PM
Gilan smiles at Flea's antics and then shakes his head. "It is more a matter of survival Flea...other things may have this area staked out for use." Glancing to Trellus he nods and follows him to a better spot.
He sets up his own grass mat to protect himself from burrowers. Looking to the others he decides to make a suggestion. "I have some spells left over if there is any room in the stone?" It is a minor point as he is sure that they used no spells from it so far. "For anyone that needs something that sees better in the night I can summon up friends?"
When the idea of watch is proposed he listens to the suggestions and then nods. "I can take a later watch...but will need to use one of my spells for myself...I don't see that well in the dark." He gets himself a little of what Jake makes to eat and then leans back to chew on some licorice grass.
[It would be advisable to keep the grass mats that are made and use them over again. Depending on the weaving they should hold up for quite awhile. What say you DM??]
Flea d20+23=39 d20+10=27 d20+8=13 Saturday November 1st, 2003 11:00:51 AM
Happy to at least be taking a break from the seemingly enless walk across the plains, Flea makes camp with the group. The gnome curls up in a tight ball inside her bedroll, laid on one of the grass mats. Her pack is at her feet and her short sword is at her side within easy reach. She dreams about the big golden door the pack had discovered earlier in their adventures and her fingers twitch in her sleep.
When it is her turn to take up the second watch with Jake, she finds a spot in which to hide (Hide=39) that also provides a good vantage point. She keeps her eyes and ears open for things that go bump in the night. (Search=27, Listen=13).
DM Kevin Sunday November 2nd, 2003 5:18:36 PM
The night actually goes by without any problems. Only one day of travel left and there have been no real conflicts in the journey. We will see if this holds out for the remaining day.
Grymash Sunday November 2nd, 2003 6:28:02 PM
Grymash wakes from his sleep as soon as the sun rises.
"Me no like, pack should see others by now. Gry say pack make like uh Druid Tree and get goin' ... uhhhh, tree ... goin'!? Dat not right!"
Grymash looks around with a confused expression on his face. "Wait! where da magic-weaver go? Da wizard, with da spooky voice?"
Trellus Monday November 3rd, 2003 3:35:33 PM
"The little guy disappeared right after we met the Walker," Trellus answers Gry.
"OK, dudes!" he calls energetically. "Let's go find this event. "
Grymash Monday November 3rd, 2003 3:59:27 PM
Grymash turns to Trellus. "No, not dat one ... da one last night!" Gry continues to look perplexed. He scratches his head.
Gilan Monday November 3rd, 2003 4:20:16 PM
Gilan wakes with the dawn and sets in a bit of an open space and watches the morning rise of the sun. Closing his eyes he falls into communion with the Plains themselves. It is with a smiles that he returns to camp and breaks into his water and breakfast.
He looks to Gry with a confused face and then to the others. "What odd voiced wizard was this Gry....anyone else hear anything." He takes another drink of water to wash down his bread and watches the surrounding area.
Once they have figured out the little mystery or just feel like leaving he will fish out the orb to see if it still says to travel in the same direction. Having found the correct direction he will lead them out as best he can.
SPELL LIST *to come*
Anuk Monday November 3rd, 2003 6:31:01 PM
As Anuk packs his equipment and prepares for the day's trek, he spends some time in contemplation and meditation until he feels he is prepared to cast another spell when and if necessary (prepares entangle.)
Coming out of his reverie, he looks up and watches Twinge gliding silently toward him. "Hope you found something to eat, little fella," he says to the viper. A quick hiss lets him know the snake seems to be doing just fine.
After a brief breakfast he joins the others and hears Grymash speaking about the voice in the night. "Hmm...I didn't hear anything either, Gry." He knows the half-orc well enough to know he needs to trust him. "What did the uh...wizard?...say?"
Anuk Monday November 3rd, 2003 6:32:20 PM
(OOC: forgot to add this to the end of my post--the ioun stone is currently full and holds Pass without Trace, Shield of Faith, Remove Fear, Entangle, Expeditious Retreat, and Cure Light Wounds.)
Flea d20+23=26 d20+11=24 Monday November 3rd, 2003 8:59:36 PM
After breakfast, the rogue crouches in the grass (Hide=26) and spies on the druid. She is curious about what he gains from his commune with nature, power or solace? Silently (Move Silently=24) she sneaks back to the centre of camp, so as not to interrupt Gilan's reverie.
Flea neatly packs up her bag, carefully rolling up the grass mat along with her bedroll. She drinks sparingly from her canteen.
Jake Monday November 3rd, 2003 11:41:18 PM
The stalwart half-elf takes no notice of Gry's confused ramblings. He's had one or two dreams about beautiful maidens in distress that they come across...does he mention them? Nope. Sigh. He packs up everything and gets ready, and sharpens his sword with a few schlicks of the whetstone.
Grymash d20+9=15 Tuesday November 4th, 2003 11:54:11 AM
Grymash responds to Anuk's question. "Gry not remember what wizard say .. huh .. me wuz layin' right here when wizard spoke to Gry. Then me wake up an ... OHHH!! Gry was sleepin' ... da spell flinger nothin' but dream, HA HA HA HAA HAA!" Grymash slaps his forehead while he laughs.
"Dream wuz so real-like. Gry thought da wizard joined pack. Nothin but stupid dream .. hee hee hee hee!!"
Grymash decides to spend some time searching for food (Survival check 15) before preparing for the days travel.
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