On the Road d20+2=22 d20+2=10 d20+2=8 d20+2=9 Thursday September 20th, 2007 10:21:52 PM
With Ewan circling ahead, the group moves into a more defensive and alert posture. Arminas dismounts and moves into the trees on the opposite side of Desolute. The ranger to the left and Desolute to the right. Harvest activates a wand to armor herself and her mount. Not knowing what the eagle may be circling and fully aware that it may just be other travellers, the group is alert, but not overly offensive in preparations from what may be just around the bend.
Cutting through the trees unhindered, Arminas is able to stay in front of those on the road and thus sees the approaching riders first. Four mounted men, dressed in chain armor, eyes scanning the trees and the road before them and short bows in hand. The ranger thinks they seem nervous and one of them leans back in his saddle to whisper to his trailing three companions.
The main group is in sight even as he rights himself to a normal position upon his horse. Heads snap to attention towards the main party and the man in the second rank center calls out, His voice a clear baritone and all business. "Hail travellers." The riders stop, one man in a 20' lead position the other three all abreast of each other behind him. The center man continues, "I am Lynon, Lance Corporal of the Wolf Regiment of the Mailed Fist. We have heard word of brigands on this road and I would have your names!"
Harvest d20+14=26 Thursday September 20th, 2007 10:32:33 PM
Harvest Moon halts, reaching up to touch Fyrda's nose with a comforting pat before leaving her behind and moving forward, unarmed, hands forward in the symbol of Alemi.
"Peace be with you," she replies to the challenge. "I am Harvest Moon, and we are the Swords of Light. We hail from Jarlwolf and are now returning there on a mission of some urgency."
"Please tell us of these brigands, though. We will watch for them as well. Any who prey upon the innocent are foes to us."
Harvest Moon's soft brown eyes watch from beneath the crest of hair that arches over her brow. Her eyes take in the four, searching for signs of dissembling.
"We too seek someone on the road. A boy, a young student of magic lead astray by a man of whom we know little, but shows evidence of wielding great power. The boy's name is Itzal Jerse, and the man we know as Medonius. Have you heard of them?"
Rolls and Actions Sense Motive 26
Active Effects Mage Armor 1hr
Day's Spells Zero: Detect Magic, Create Water, Resistance 1st: Command, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, (Longstrider)
Items Expended: Wand Mage Armor x2
Lorth Friday September 21st, 2007 8:45:31 AM
Lorth urges Tobiasz to stop approaching the men.
He then raises his shield arm in greeting. "I am Lorth Jeredosta, paladin of Gargul. Well met. I second my companions words, tell us of these brigands so that we may look out for them."
Lorth waits for a reply, he keeps his lance ready until he sees the men relax their guard.
Desolute d20+5=9 d20+5=23 Friday September 21st, 2007 11:06:52 AM
Desolute remains hidden. He does not like the "law". In fact, he hates them. He remains hidden, thinking that the party is the "Brigands" they are looking for. Itzal likely turned them in using his noble status.
Desolute will likely have to break his friends out of jail later, if they are naive enough to give themselves up.
Hide:9 (using cover) Move Silently:23
Arminas d20+16=36 d20+10=26 d20+17=26 Friday September 21st, 2007 11:13:08 AM
Arminas freezes.
Ewan has done well, and as expected it was not Itzal upon the road. The men though seem nervous for lawful men of arms.
Arminas decides to remain hidden, looking and listening.
Rolls Hide 36 (perfect) Listen 26 Spot 26
Malgant AC 20 HP 44 d20+6=22 Friday September 21st, 2007 4:39:45 PM
Malgants steps between Lorth and Florin and speaks quietly to them. " I sense Itzal's hand in this. We may well be the 'brigands' these guards seek. Be on guard." He then addresses the men of the Mailed Fist. Well met. My name is Malgant, an aspiring Protector of Domi. We have seen no Brigands but would hear more of them so that we do not fall prey to them. Rest your horses a moment and let us speak." Malgant makes no threatening gestures and leaves his hands at his sides. This does not seem right to Malgant somehow. They have traveled the roads within the past several days and encountered no brigands, nor have they heard tales of brigands. That is odd considering how long a force of men sent to deal with brigands would take to arrive to deal with the threat. And the force of men before him is quite frankly insufficent to deal with any quantity of brigands, unless they were too weak or too few to pose a threat. ALl of this leads to a growing sense of unease in Malgant, so much so that he begins to scrutinize the men before him, looking for other inconsistancies. Itzal is a wizard after all, and wizards can sometimes alter what a person sees.
OOC wisdom save to disbelive what Malgant feels might be an illusion. rolled a 22 for the save. I outlined the reasons he thinks it could be an illusion above but basicaly we traveled the roads less than a week ago coming here, saw no brigands, heard no tales of brigands in our inn stays and unless these 4 men are pretty darn powerful they are not a sufficient force to deal with brigands. Aside from that they would have to be VERY local and ride on a days notice to arrive here to deal with anything more recent than our last trip on these roads. I don't like their cover story and smell a rat.
Florin Jadenth Friday September 21st, 2007 10:49:00 PM
Florin nods and speaks up to the guards also in greeting, "My name is Florin Jadenth, noble from the Floating City and a paladin of Domi."
Florin listens to Malgant and nods at his words before speaking low but in return to the comment, "The thought has crossed my mind of that. I suppose we shall we and have to deal with it."
The Mailed Fist d20+2=9 d20+2=10 d20+2=20 d20+2=7 Saturday September 22nd, 2007 10:27:41 PM
Desolute and Arminas remain hidden off of the road.
Harvest is first to speak, answering Lynon and asking more about the brigands as well as if they have seen a young man of the name Itzal Jerse and Medonius. Recognition flashes on all four faces at the names and indeed the man to Lynon's left even sits taller in his saddle.
Lorth and Florin second Harvest and Malgant speaks quietly. The 'brigands' upon the road might well be the party in these mens eyes. The Minotaur has many reasons to suspect something is amiss, but none the less here they sit upon four powerful horses.
From Arminas' view, he can pick out the extra thick steel on the shoes of the mounts, the saddles geared for combat and the way the horses stand. These mounts are bred and trained for combat, no mistake. He is too far away to hear anything but does see Lynon mumble something to the men.
Lynon is waging an inner war and Harvest knows it. The man is a professional soldier and is trying to quickly weigh all the facts as he knows him and in a credit to his profession, in mere seconds he seems to have arrived. He speaks up, but the horses remain where they are, 120' ahead.
"A group that is quite unique I am told. Skilled in magic and blade. A claim of paladinhood is bold statement Florin and Lorth. I am afraid The Swords of Light are unfamiliar to me." He sidelongs a glance at the men to his side. Both give small shakes of thier heads.
"I can also tell you I am uninclined to completely believe you at the moment. If you would kindly dismount, weapons can be stowed and this conversation may be salvaged." The four men are obviously tense and ready for this to go south. Being outnumbered and over powered by opponents arms and armor has a tendency to do that however.
Malgant Sunday September 23rd, 2007 9:38:01 AM
Malgant concentrates yet the Illusion he thinks may be the Mailed Fit remains. In that case he was corect to think that Itzal had a hand in sending them against the Swords of Light. Malgant knows that his size is intimidating. Often it has made those that would do him ill think twice. Here it was about to be a liability. Slowly, carefully he reached up to his neck and made sue that the symbol of Domi was visible around his neck. Then his hands back at his sides he sat down where he was , attempting to remove his intimidating size from the equation. A flash of recognition had crossed the mercenaries faces at the mention of Itzal. Malgant thought he knew why and spoke in a calm deep voice to the men of the Mailed Fist.
" My guess would be that it was Itzal Jerse that called you to this place about brigands, claiming that they attacked those on the road and fairly acuartely describing us to you AS those brigands. Let me tell you the story from our side and you can decide what to believe. If you have a priest capable of discerning the truth in a statement I would encourage you to have him cast his prayer, as I have nothing to hide and the truth should be more than enough to set your minds at rest." Malgant waits to see if they have such a priest. He has prayed for the spell quite recently, when he thought that he might need it to determine the truth of the instructors words at the school. Currently though, with Itzal's everyday attacks he has prayed for more combative spells.
Malgant will then relate their dealings with Itzalfrom the point where Anthos won the bardic competitiion. He will be entirely truthful, sticking to the facts he knows rather than things he suspects. He describes Their meeting with Madame Dulcet and the letter of introduction to the mage school so that they could further investigate Itzal. He describes Itzal's attacks on the group and asks Davros to describe Medonius, since he is the only one to have clearly seen the water friend. Finally he concludes with last nights events, to reinforce to the Mercenaries that the Swords of Light are certainly not the brigands he suspects they have been made out to be. " If we were brigands you sought no doubt the merchant we encountered on the road last night would be robbed now and would describe us as his attackers. He offered us food and shelter last night but we declined, not wishing to involve him in our troubles with Itzal. If need be you can speak with him as well." ( not sure which way the merchant was traveling or how late in the day it is so speaking to him might be difficult but as far as I know is possible)
Harvest d20+2=15 Sunday September 23rd, 2007 10:29:44 AM
Harvest Moon listens. The brown crest of hair that arches over her forehead, bobs in places as she nods at the narrative of Protector Malgant.
"Lance Corporal Lynon of the Wolf Regiment of the Mailed Fist," Harvest begins, upon the heels of Protector Malgant's telling, "in all truth, we *are*, I think, as formidable as we appear, despite the age of my faithful mount. We have ranged as far as the Emerald Kingdom, through the Culverwood where we claim protection from the Greenmage Grynntym Deeproot. Observe the wealth of our accoutrements, the full suiting of armor worn by my friend Bralin Stoneminder. You know such costs. We have no need for brigandage. We are protectors of this land."
"And, as Protector Malgant has related, we have been attacked twice upon this road by Itzal Jerse and his mentor. It would be unwise to divest ourselves of our means of protection. Our means of capturing them should they re-appear."
"I do not wish to contest you in martial combat. Your motives appear sincere, Lance Corporal, Lynon. It is a fine thing to have more lawful protectors upon the road. But we must also needs hurry to Jarlwolf, as we fear that Itzal Jerse may harm others if we tarry."
"There are several who may vouch for our identity, Lance Corporal, Lynon. There is an inn along this road at which we stopped. They would recall us, as one of my companions was taken by a nightmare during our stay, waking the innkeeper and his family. There is also a farm not too far off of the road, the farm where Meg Thistleburr tends the land with the help of neighbor sons. She will vouch for us. Or, there is Madam Dulcet herself. She chairs the Pitchfork Council in Jarlwolf, and it is she who we now go to see."
"We will accompany you to any of these, yours is the choice, though I would favor Madam Dulcet. It would be most convenient for both you and I as it is Jarlwolf that would be the most likely place at which a reward would be forthcoming were we to turn out to be brigands."
Harvest shrugs off her haversack and drops it to the dust of the road.
"Please bring my things, along with Fyrda," she asks of her companions. Then, unarmed and with hands raised high, she walks calmly toward the four mounted men.
"If you require surety Lance Corporal, Lynon, then I give myself over to your custody as bond against the behavior of my companions. I am unarmed, but I must warn you that I have skills in unarmed fighting. I tell you this as I have faith in your character. And I believe that, the best path for us to walk is in cooperation."
Rolls and Actions Diplomacy 15
Active Effects Mage Armor 1hr
Day's Spells Zero: Detect Magic, Create Water, Resistance 1st: Command, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, (Longstrider)
Items Expended: Wand Mage Armor x2
Bralin Sunday September 23rd, 2007 8:35:05 PM
Bralin waits. He has had dealings with the Mailed Fist before.
"Florin," he says quietly. "I would you keened the hearts of these men."
The dwarf raises his voice - a deep bass emanating from dull black platemail at the rear of the group. "'Ware Malgant, Harvest. The Mailed Fist serves whomever pays its wage. Does Itzal hold your contract, Lance Corporal? Or mayhap his house?"
Davros Sunday September 23rd, 2007 9:18:49 PM
Davros looks at Malgant with a raised eyebrow. Since a long-winded explanation, was stolen from him, he responds simply to the men. "Lance Corporal, if we were brigands, would we travel the road openly? We outnumber you. If we were brigands, would we not have attacked you by now?"
Davros gets down from his magically summoned mount and awaits their reply.
Lorth d20+7=25 Monday September 24th, 2007 9:03:15 AM
Lorth quickly says, "Harvest, please get your gear and return to your horse. These men have no hold over us."
Then looking directly at Corporal Lynon...
"Lance Corporal Lynon, show us the writ that proclaims you the law in this land, or the writ of bounty on our heads. If you have neither, which I presume, clear the road and we will pass without incident. You have no authority to carry the law here. I will neither unhorse or unarm myself for you or your men." (Diplomacy 25)
...he pauses...
"What town official hired you to take brigands on this road? Or was is just an old man and young boy?"
Arminas d20+16=26 d20+17=28 Monday September 24th, 2007 10:16:43 AM
Staying hidden, Arminas continues to watch. The encounter seems to be getting more serious. Arminas looks at his bow, hoping he won't need to use it.
Hide 26 Spot 28
Desolute d20+5=10 d20+5=8 Monday September 24th, 2007 11:27:16 AM
Despite the situation, Desolute remains calm. As long as no one pulls a weapon, it's not a fight. He continues to move quietly toward the rear of the mailed fist column so that he can charge the rear if it does go bad.
Hide: 10 Move Silently: 8 (I need to get off this crappy roll streak.)
Desolute ooc Monday September 24th, 2007 12:23:01 PM
I didn't mention and I meant to, he would remian in the trees while doing so. He does not want to give away his position until it's a fight.
Mailed Fist Monday September 24th, 2007 4:22:24 PM
Lynon listens to Malgant, his face even and eyes attentive. Chewing over each word, listening to what is said and what is not said. He shakes his head in the negative at Malgant's mention of truth detection by divin spell, but motions for Malgant to continue.
Lynon frowns as the story comes to a conclusion at the present location on the road. Either the most elaborate lie of all time or my unit is being thought of as nothing but dumb muscle. Or a third possibility, the mixure of fact and fiction. Lynon inhales and his right gaunlet clenches a few times as he casts his eye to the man to his left.
Harvest speaks of the group and Malgant's accounting of events as she dismounts and removes her Haversack as she offers herself as prisoner bond on the groups actions. She also mentions to be honest, that she is skilled in unarmed combat.
Bralin asks direct on the contract that has brought the Mailed Fist here.
Davros too, dismounts.
Lorth tells both Harvest and Davros to remount and then asks for the writs that provide the good Lance Corporal the right of arms in the area.
Arminas and Desolute remain hidden, Desolute moving up the small group of Four's flank to get behind them, though still 35' away in the tree line.
The Mailed Fist still has the short bows in hand, no arrows are placed, but that is easily rectified.
Lynon, for his part, frowns a bit. First at Harvest's move to declared herself as bond for the group's intent and then at Lorth's question. The man to the left of Lynon nods to a murmur, as does the man to his right. The man at Point, merely remains alert as he has been, likely not hearing what was said at his back.
The Lance Corporal then speaks up, "Normally I would say Brigands too cowardly to travel open roads. But I would also say those who would send flankers into the wood during a parlay to not be so upright a group that they may claim." With that, the man to Lynon's left adjusts his horse to point directly at Desolute. No weapon is raised or pointed. The man to the right does the same towards the right, but Arminas notes not directly at him.
Lynon continues, "It would also seem there has been a small misunderstanding on your part in your thinking we are here because of brigands. Or that I asked for anyone to give up thier defenses. I carry no writ of your concern and merely asked for this parlay to continue dismounted. Lessening the risk of strike by charging lance to my out numbered men. My experience has shown that men standing by thier mounts and walking them are more manageble."
Note: It is about an hour past midday. The Road is about 20' wide with 10' of over grass/weeds to the first medium and small trees. The merchant Ramclis was heading in the opposite direction and would likely be about 12-15 miles away.
Malgant Monday September 24th, 2007 4:59:25 PM
" Aye, I felt as much Bralin. Yet I feel no fear sitting here between 2 paladins, with a devout monk, a powerful wizard and a hardy dwarven warrior all around me, I am as safe as when I was a babe in my mother's arms. However, Lorth has the truth of it. We actually have a writ to conduct our investigations and since we are not brigands I think we have given more than ample explanation of our presence here. I think my little rest is over and we should be on our way." With this Malgant rises and adjusts his gear to a comfortable traveling position. He is now ready to move on.
ADM Buzz Monday September 24th, 2007 6:13:47 PM
Posting report: Sunday September 16 - Saturday September 22
Desolute (second post) d20+3=21 Monday September 24th, 2007 6:23:37 PM
From out of the trees, a voice is heard. "I was here before we met you and your intentions are still unclear. Either let the others pass unmolested or heed our words and seek more evidence. If you decide you are more law then us, it is then you will see me and I am not as friendly as those who spoke before me."
He attempts his best diplomacy possible at letting them know he means the truth.
Diplomacy: 21
Harvest Monday September 24th, 2007 8:12:18 PM
Harvest Moon stops her forward motion. Her head tips to one side, a gesture of quizzical assessment.
"Very well. I am unmounted. I would suppose that you do not dismount as well, as you feel that you must retain such advantage as you may have for being outnumbered." She returns to retrieve her haversack and take Fyrda's reins.
"A parlay is usually engaged in order to reach a mutual accord. It is difficult to reach such an accord if the subject of the parlay is unknown." Leading Fyrda, Harvest begins crossing the distance that separates the two groups. "I would not insult you by assuming that you know less than this, Lance Corporal Lynon of Mailed Fist. Even though lacking such an assumption, your ernest desire for a parlay appears in doubt."
With a calm look of determination, she forges onward.
"I would be glad, though, were I to be found wrong in this. And if I am wrong in this, then know that I would be pleased to walk along the road beside you and speak of any subject you wish, to attempt to reach whatever accord you desire."
"We continue to Jarlwolf, Desolute," she calls out to the half-orc. "Please lead the way with Arminas Calaelen."
"We can no longer be delayed without good cause," she says up into the faces of the mounted men. "If you have such cause, please make it plain. Or you may follow along with us at our side."
Then Harvest Moon leading Fyrda by the reins, moves straight through.
Active Effects Mage Armor 1hr
Day's Spells Zero: Detect Magic, Create Water, Resistance 1st: Command, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, (Longstrider)
Items Expended: Wand Mage Armor x2
Desolute (Third Post) Monday September 24th, 2007 8:19:51 PM
"Yes chief." Desolute steps cautiously out of the woods where he can be seen yet stays near the trees themselves and begins trotting off as if nothing odd had occured, yet he watches over his shoulder in case he needs to turn around.
Arminas d20+16=29 d20+17=18 d20+11=24 d20+11=13 d20+8=13 d8+3=11 d6=3 Monday September 24th, 2007 8:59:33 PM
Arminas has no intention of being seen, or even heard if possible. He stays still, ready to have arrows fly if Harvest is molested. After she moves through the guards of the Mailed Fist, and the group is not harassed he will quietly move towards Jarlwolf (next round?).
If however, Harvest is attacked in a way to cause her harm, Arminas will answer with flaming arrows at Corporal Lynon.
OOC: sorry about the if/then style of post.
Actions Hide 29 Spot 18 Arrows Hit AC 24 Damage 11 + 3 fire = 14 other two arrows would be a miss
Florin Jadenth Monday September 24th, 2007 9:10:02 PM
Florin for his own curiousity will concentrate on his ability to detect evil and looks towards the people before them. He really doesn't expect to see any evil among them but you never know and it also will warn him rather to keep his guard up better around them, or atleast tell the group passes by.
Davros Monday September 24th, 2007 10:25:02 PM
"I believe Harvest speaks for us all. We have answered your questions. As for the person in the woods, we knew not who you were when you approached. Surely we cannot be blamed for caution. I'm sure you will find us to be pleasant company if you would care to accompany us to Jarlwolf." Davros regains his seat upon his mount and prepares to move out.
active effects: extended mage armor -duration 12 hours mount - duration 12 hours
Spells Prepared: star shows used spells cantrips-(4)Message, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation 1st-(6)Burning Hands, Mount*, Protection from Evil, Color Spray, Grease, Alarm 2nd-(5)Scorching Ray, Web, extended Mage Armor*, Mirror Image, Levitate 3rd-(4)Fireball, Dispel Magic, Haste, extended See Invisibility
Lorth Tuesday September 25th, 2007 7:35:34 AM
Lorth relaxes his lance, letting th tip drop towards the ground in an nonthreatening manner. His shield stays ready however. Turning Tobiasz as if to leave the road and go around the mercenaries, he looks back towards Bralin waiting for he ok to move.
Mailed Fist III Tuesday September 25th, 2007 4:49:30 PM
"No offense intended ma'am, but you and wizard are not a concern when speaking of charging mounted combat. As to the mutual accord, I am trying to decide if you are bad guys or not and it has nothing to do with arresting you. I frankly could care less, but I do not wish to ride too close by a group that outnumbers me 2-1 and that has archers in the woods surrounding me AND has clerical and arcane firepower. It simply does not make me very warm and cozy feeling all over." Lynon then, though lets out a long breath and gives a curt nod.
Harvest calls for Desolute to continue as Desolute calls out from the trees. The man to Lynon's left tracks him exactly as the half orc moves. he mutters something under his breath as Davros speaks and remounts. Lynon shoots him a glance but does not say anything. He does give a sort of whistle and the lead man puts his horse to a side walk. the other three behind the lead man are doing like wise. The man to the corporals right is heard to say, "You sure abot this. Itzal..." Lynon cuts him off. "We're giving them the road and they are just going to go on thier merry way."
Florin detects no evil in the group when he approaches to within 60', the maximum range for such detection. Had evil been afoot, the paladin dourly notes, he likely would have knonw long before closeing to half the distance to the Lance Corporal and his men.
As Harvest approaches the men form slightly tighter about thier corporal, the mounts moving almost by thier own will, so controlled are they by their riders. Both Paladins can not help but take note of how at home these men are in thier saddles and how powerful the chargers beneath them look. Lynon speaks again as the party draws down the right side. "Would my orders allow me to accompany to Jarlwolf and see this matter to complete satisfaction. However I can not."
spot check DC 18 Highlight to display spoiler: {The corporal wears a tattoo at the base of his neck on the right side. Some is hiden but what shows is the top half of a circle with an M}
As the party clears to about 30', Bralin who is always watching the groups rear, see the four move thier horses in several gaiting strides sideways away form the group and then break to a gallop down the road and away.
Harvest d20+14=26 d20+14=21 d20+14=24 Tuesday September 25th, 2007 9:47:32 PM
Harvest Moon turns to watch as the four men gallop away down the road.
"That they know of Itzal Jerse is more than clear." She states this as nothing but a simple fact. "If they are in his employ, then I think we must be extra vigilant." Her observations she keeps to herself. (Spot 26)
With a short leap to Fyrda's tall back, Harvest continues on along the road. Jarlwolf awaits, and Madame Dulcet. But between here and there, the small brown girl remains clear-eyed and wary. Should they fall along this road, others may come to harm.
Rolls and Actions Spot 21, Listen 24
Active Effects Mage Armor 1hr
Day's Spells Zero: Detect Magic, Create Water, Resistance 1st: Command, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, (Longstrider)
Items Expended: Wand Mage Armor x2
Florin Jadenth Tuesday September 25th, 2007 10:09:28 PM
Florin moves looks to the others and shrugs abit before looking to Bralin, "I sensed no evil among them, not that I expected too. However I do agree with Harvest, we beeter keep moving and watch each other's backs."
Florin is ready to move on as soon as the others are and speaks to Bralin once more, "If you wish, I will ride back near you. If those men were truely after us instead then the attack would I figure come from that general direction."
Malgant d20+5=10 Tuesday September 25th, 2007 10:16:23 PM
" I would that we could meet under better circumstances Lance Corporal. You may have noted this already, so I may be stating the obvious but I will offer this warning anyway. Should you find yourself in Itzal's employ, and were you to be tasked with engageing us and not do so, I fear that Itzal's anger might be rather harsh. Look to your contract if you have one and be sure he has little legal recourse. He does not take kindly to any that slight him, this we know from his list of rivals and the reasons for their making such a list." Malgant's voice is sincere as he states this. He tips his visor as he passes the mounted warrior. Once the Mailed fist has passed Malgant turns his eyes back to the road, looking a bi more closely at his surroundings as he passes. To the others he says. Their task may have been only to delay us long enough to allow a better ambush to be laid, be wary."
Spells prepared 0 detect magicx3 lightx2 1 Enlarge person(D) Prot from evilx3 comprehend languages 2 Spiritual Weapon(D) Hold Personx2 silence 3 Magic Vestment(D) dispel magic
Desolute d20+3=9 Tuesday September 25th, 2007 10:26:09 PM
He watches over his shoulder until they leave, then he blends back into the trees as he had before. The half orc is oblivious to whatever it was he should have seen.
Spot: 9
Arminas - longstrider d20+16=28 d20+17=32 Tuesday September 25th, 2007 10:52:59 PM
Arminas relaxes his pull upon the bow string and returns the arrow to the quiver. The smell of hickory and oak fill his senses, he feels at home and safe within the woods.
Why put myself upon the open road?
Watching while the riders move down the road, Arminas pulls a scroll from his haversack. Reading its contents, he feels the energy pulse through his system.
He will wait a moment, and then follow the group as he stays hidden in the trees.
Davros Tuesday September 25th, 2007 11:24:51 PM
"I think we should consider leaving the road and traveling cross-country to Jarlwolf. There may be more patrols hired by Itzal, and the next Captain or Lance Corporal we come across may be a bit more zealous. Any fight with the Mailed Fist is sure to cause a few wounds, if not casualties, and I would rather not make an enemy of the entire organization. Let us get to the Pitchfork Council as quickly as possible, but with the least chance of fighting everything along the way."
active effects: extended mage armor -duration 12 hours mount - duration 12 hours
Spells Prepared: star shows used spells cantrips-(4)Message, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation 1st-(6)Burning Hands, Mount*, Protection from Evil, Color Spray, Grease, Alarm 2nd-(5)Scorching Ray, Web, extended Mage Armor*, Mirror Image, Levitate 3rd-(4)Fireball, Dispel Magic, Haste, extended See Invisibility
Lorth Wednesday September 26th, 2007 7:39:13 AM
"Aye, we could go cross country, I grew up in this area it shouldn't be hard for me to point us in the right direction. However I doubt it will be faster.", Lorth comments. Since Bralin is strangely silent Lorth waits for the party to move on and follows them.
Harvest (2nd Post) d20+6=15 Wednesday September 26th, 2007 11:06:22 AM
From her haversack, Harvest draws the book in which she has drawn various maps.
"This is the map that I drew from our first trip to Rowena and from the things I saw on our way to the School for Magic." She flips to the page and turns in the saddle, holding it up for him to see. "The details are broad and imprecise. They will not serve to guide us. But they may serve to aid us in the decision to strike out overland or not."
"Arminas Calaelen," she calls out into the nearby woods, "based upon what you see of the land in this area and of what you have seen from both of our trips to Rowena, do you recommend that we strike out overland for Jarlwolf or not?"
Rolls and Actions Knowledge Geography 15
Active Effects Mage Armor 1hr
Day's Spells Zero: Detect Magic, Create Water, Resistance 1st: Command, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, (Longstrider)
Items Expended: Wand Mage Armor x2
Desolute d20+3=17 Wednesday September 26th, 2007 11:44:59 AM
Seeing that he isn't being followed, he stops and watches the party to see which direction they go, then he will get out ahead of them as he has done.
Survival 17 for a sense of direction.
Arminas - 2nd post Wednesday September 26th, 2007 11:47:17 AM
Once the riders have ridden off beyond sight, Arminas will answer Harvest's call from the road. Reluctantly, he walks from the shadow of the trees onto the road. Dust rises from his boots as they strike the surface of the road.
In answer to Harvest's question, he looks back at the forest.
"The forest is thick, and provides good cover. For me, it is easy to travel. Darkfire though, would find it difficult as would the other horses. Malgant I think would have some difficulty as well where the trees grow close. The noise would be as a beacon as those unfamiliar with travel through the woods walk upon dead branches. Perhaps if I find a path, or an opening we could consider it, but I do not wish to try and lead the group through a forest again."
Arminas watches for the groups reaction to his comments, and adds:
"I could not hear what was spoken, but the leader had a strange tatoo upon his neck. A circle with an M."
Harvest Moon - Addendum 4d20(11+11+6+19)=47 Wednesday September 26th, 2007 12:17:11 PM
Knowledge checks for the mark on the back of the neck(s).
Might I suggest that someone with Knowledge Local try this?
Bralin d20+6=13 Wednesday September 26th, 2007 12:38:45 PM
Bralin watches the four leave without comment.
Florin asks if he should also watch the rear, and the dwarf shakes his head. "They would come mounted," he explains.
Davros and Harvest profess a desire to leave the road. Lorth agrees. Bralin is baffled. "To leave the road is..." the warrior pauses, searching for a word before settling on "over-cautious. And slow. Let us report to Dulcet as quickly as we may."
Bralin indicates the road.
Desolute (second post) d20+2=6 Wednesday September 26th, 2007 12:58:41 PM
Desolute did not notice the tattoo mentioned, but he delves into his mind for rumors at a tavern he may have over heard and stored for future reference. Yet nothing likely comes to mind.
Knowledge Local: 6
DM Addendum Wednesday September 26th, 2007 3:20:56 PM
quick Addendum: the tattoo was only seen on Lynon and on the right side of his neck near the collarline of his Plate armor
12 Hours Away Wednesday September 26th, 2007 5:04:13 PM
The group remounts and forms up with the rapid departure of the Lance Corporal of the Mailed Fist. Lynon nodded towards Malgant, as the minotaur spoke to him, but says nothing in reply. The tattoo Lynon sported upon his neck is a brief topic, but none can simply recall to memory anything with only a partial description. Perhaps within a library and given enough time and an actual drawing to use a reference, more could be learned of it and the Lance Corporal now in the area.
A quick discussion about overland through the wood or staying to the road is had. the road would be far faster, by a matter of multiple days likely. Jarlwolf lies about 12 hours away by the road.
The group moves out, Arnimas to the left of the road with Tree Stride cast and moving cautiously to keep to the best of hiding locations. His magically enhanced movement allows him to not rush as he moves from hiding spot to hiding spot and still keep pace with Malgant upon the road.
The normal time for a journey is approaching, now 4 hours since the meeting with the Mailed Fist Unit. The sun will slide behind the trees in another 2-3 hours throwing the road to darkness. the group may push thier mounts or pull off the road as they did last night. the remaineder of the day has been uneventful and a rather pleasant ride under the lightly clouded sky.
Arminas Wednesday September 26th, 2007 6:27:55 PM
Arminas slows his pace as the longstrider spell expires. Still, a minotaur is easy to keep pace with, with or without magical help.
Coming out of the trees, he moves up to Bralin along the road.
"It will be dark soon, do you wish me to find a campsite or do you prefer to push on for Jarlwolf? Perhaps I will keep an eye out for a suitable campsite, and then you can choose once you see it. I'll be off in the trees over there."
Arminas then goes back into the forest, this time looking for a campsite as they travel down the road. Once found, he will call back to the group to come and check it out.
"If we camp here, we need watches as before. This time, I will take watch from 1 AM until dawn. Is that alright with everyone? How about you Desolute? First spoken first choosen, I believe is how we play."
Arminas then whistles for Darkfire and Ewan. He tends to his animal friends while camp is made. He will sleep in the tree, and has no need of preparation.
Harvest Wednesday September 26th, 2007 6:46:43 PM
"We will be home soon, Fyrda." Harvest pets the soft nose of her giant mount. She looks off into the darkening gloom. Such irony. She will never have a home.
"I will keep the same watch as last night," she adds on the heels of Arminas Calaelen. "Unless, Bralin Stoneminder, you feel it best to alter our watches in a random fashion upon the chance that someone is observing us and noting our patterns."
From her haversack, she takes her book of maps and opens to the page containing the road to Rowena. Next to a certain spot she pens the symbol that she saw at the neck of the leader of the armed group, and in a neat hand, pens the words: 'Met Mailed Fist. Lynon, Lance Corporal, Wolf Regiment'.
As before, the brown girl keeps Fyrda close, drawing comfort from the horse's presence as much as providing her with protection. In the dark of night, before sleep comes to close her eyes, Harvest Moon once again wonders where Anthos might be and what he might, at this moment, be doing.
Davros Wednesday September 26th, 2007 8:30:05 PM
"We are getting close to our goal. It seems the road was best after all. Would anyone like to discuss what we are going to present or say to the Council?"
active effects: extended mage armor -duration 12 hours mount - duration 12 hours
Spells Prepared: star shows used spells cantrips-(4)Message, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation 1st-(6)Burning Hands, Mount*, Protection from Evil, Color Spray, Grease, Alarm 2nd-(5)Scorching Ray, Web, extended Mage Armor*, Mirror Image, Levitate 3rd-(4)Fireball, Dispel Magic, Haste, extended See Invisibility
Florin Jadenth Wednesday September 26th, 2007 9:13:26 PM
Florin deffinetly would prefer stopping as his mount would need rest soon and would quite literally vanish from under him to return to his own plain rather the group stopped or not.
Hearing the comment on watches he shrugs and speaks up, "I'm open to any watch you would wish me to take. Being a elf I would expect a night watch would make more sense." Florin looks to the group pondering before motioning to Malgant, "Would you mind taking the same watch as I, Malgant? I would enjoy hearing more of your race to be honest." Florin smiles and can't help it, he has always thought of the minotaurs as a noble and honorable race, just like Bralin being a dwarf is as sturdy as the rocks he works works with and a great friend.
Malgant Wednesday September 26th, 2007 11:08:10 PM
" Any watch is fine with me Florin, though I prefer to try and sleep in a solid block, taking either first or last watch. That might be an interesting discussion. As to what to present to the council Davros, I would thing the spell book of Itzal's would be one thing to present. The list of those whom he has decided to avenge slights on would be another and perhaps the council can use the name of Medonius to integrate a dimensional anchor and a circle of protection into one scroll in order to contain him. The account of both of his attacks on us should probably also be included for the record, though it will be our word against his."
Spells prepared 0 detect magicx3 lightx2 1 Enlarge person(D) Prot from evilx3 comprehend languages 2 Spiritual Weapon(D) Hold Personx2 silence 3 Magic Vestment(D) dispel magic
Lorth Thursday September 27th, 2007 7:30:43 AM
"I am fine for pushing on to Jarlswolf if that is decided. However if we stop to camp, I say we do so off the road as it will make us harder to find. I'll take any watch that is assigned to me.", Lorth says. If Lorth is assigned a early watch he keeps Tobiasz by his side for a few more hours. If he does a later watch he dismisses Tobiasz now.
Desolute (AC:18 HP: 29) Thursday September 27th, 2007 11:02:16 AM
Desolute smiles at Arminas's jab. He has concern's for his friend Harvest and her safety. He does not know what will happen if something happens to her and nothing happens to the person on watch with her. It may just drive him back to the dark side, with the survivor being the recipient. Yet, he push's away such thought's as soon as they arise. The civil side of him knows her companions want her as safe as he does. He must learn to trust. What an odd word, trust. One couldn't trust your fellow orphans. That was where he learned to rob to begin with. The orcs have no such word with that meaning. As close as they come to it is Li-ack which means, "do your job well or die slowly". He always did his job well. He thinks about the villages he infiltrated back in his younger days. His job was reconnaissance and subterfuge, to insure his tribe gained the elements of surprise. He thinks back to when they took him in and initiated him with the orcish pain ritual. He hopes his skills are not passed on to others of that tribe. He rather doubts it has though, they were all to dumb to know about stealth.
"Fine, whatever." He waits until all the other watches are chosen so he knows which one he has.
Bralin Thursday September 27th, 2007 12:05:06 PM
Bralin agrees with the general consensus to make camp, and pulls off the road to the site Arminas picks out.
The decision regarding watches has fallen on him this night. The dwarf listens to the various requests, and then offers up a list that should satisfy them:
Malgant and Florin Arminas and Bralin Desolute and Harvest Davros and Lorth
Arminas and Florin will likely stay awake at other times, but Bralin will leave that to them.
The warrior again removes his steed's armor and equipment, cleans it, as well as his own armor, and then puts the platemail back on himself for the night.
Arminas - spot and listen checks d20+16=24 d20+10=21 d20+17=21 d20+6=22 d20+6=7 Thursday September 27th, 2007 4:41:23 PM
OOC: Perhaps if we are going to be on watch, we should give spot and listen checks.
Malgant d20+5=16 d20+4=6 Thursday September 27th, 2007 7:53:04 PM
Malgant and Florin start their watch while the others are still setting up camp and preparing their food before turning in for the night. Malgant helps out where needed and prepares a simple meal from his trail provisions. Once the camp is settled Malgant turns his attention to Florin and tells him a tale of his home. Since it is early in the evening any others who want to can hear this tale as well. " What tale should I tell you about my home tonight Florin? Hmmm perhaps the tale of how I became a priest of Domi. I think that would be a good one. Entry into the Heart of Imod, the priesthood, is a trial. Each candidate must provethemselves worthy of being a part of the priesthood. Each year about a score of Minotaurs would apply for entrance and each year a half dozen would pass the test. This test would be given to anyone who wished to enter the priesthood, so a commoner from the body of Imod caste could progress into the soul of Imod by being accepted for training in the priesthood. Most Minotaurs wait until their right of passage, when they are considered an adult to take the entrance tests for things like the priesthood. I took my test at 13, a year earlier than normal.The test was not scored by a point scale, like Itzal's studies might be. There was no letter grade there was only acceptance or failure. The test had two parts and many Minotaurs did not make it past the first part. In this first half two of the potential candidates are paired up and joined by a cord at the wrist. They are then given a skin of water and taken out into the wilderness around the city. Bound together at the wrist, they are expected to return to the city in one days time, both alive and both still bound together. Sounds easy does it not? Well the pairs are led into the wilderness blindfolded and if you think yourself clumsy when your own hands are bound together, consider having your hand bound to a completely different person, with a mind and will of their own, who by the way, also considers you a rival for being accepted into the priesthood. The trek is no simple walk in the woods, I assure you. Once the pair arrives back in town they are allowed a day of rest and then the remaining candidates must face off one at a time, against the head priest of the monastary in physical combat with weighted practice swords. The object being to land more blows than your opponent. The candidates who managed to land the most blows, or remain conscious the longest would be inducted into the heart of Imod." Malgant paused and took a drink, casting his gazw around the camp and making sure all was still well. He then continued on with his tale. "The Minotaur I was bound to was named Lothar Blackhoof. His family was quite influencial in my community yet he was a loner, quiet and secretive and not well liked. He had prepared for the trial though, and knew a great deal of the surrounding countryside. I was the more physically powerful of the two of us, so when it came to physical obstacles to cross I needed to help LOthar. But Lothar was far more skilled as a navigator than I and he got us back to town in record time by knowing where we were and how to get back the fastest. All in all we embodied what the first test was about. Teamwork. We both rested and two days later we each stood in the battle circle with the high priest. Lothar managed to land one blow bwfore the high priest hit him with a mighty swing that sent the lad tumbling and knocked him out cold. Each of the other surviving candidates took their turn and few landed even one blow. When it came to be my turn, the high priest and I squared off and I managed to land the first and second blow before he hit me once. Let me tell you, he was quite seriously trying to take my head off, this was no sparring match. I was staggered, but unlike the other candidates I was still standing. I am not sure if this took the high priest off guard or what, but I managed to land a third blow before his sword knocked all consciousness from me. Because of that I was the first picked and then the others who had manged to show enough fight to land a blow were chosen. ANd that is how I became a priest of Domi."
Spells prepared 0 detect magicx3 lightx2 1 Enlarge person(D) Prot from evilx3 comprehend languages 2 Spiritual Weapon(D) Hold Personx2 silence 3 Magic Vestment(D) dispel magic
OOC When Malgant's watch ends, he will cast Magical vestment on his clothes and sleep through the night unarmored, with his sword in easy reach. Spot 16 Listen 6 apparently he was more interested in telling the tale than watching the woods
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