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[DM StevenVdB] - Signed and ready to go! 
Monday September 8th, 2014 7:32:19 PM
Iangold smiles as the group seems satisfied with the stipulations of the contract. He gives each of you one of the documents (all was signed in triplet) and stores away the two others into his book. The quick eye will see he has many similar contracts in there already.

"Excellent my friends! I'm looking forward to the safe arriving of our convoy."

Iangold overhears the discussion about ponies, carts, getting supplies and spell preparations...

(Distance from Hovel to Angel's Spring is about 19 miles... On foot this will likely take close to a 10 hour walk. A pony will help you do this in 5 (walking) or even 2,5 if you husttle them.)

"Might I suggest not wasting too much time? I will assign a couple of ponies to help you getting to the convoy before nightfall. It would be dangerous to say at the least to have the convoy spending the night on the road without escort... it's cargo is far to valuable to have it unattended. Please gear up and I will be back here in one hour with a few sturdy ponies, fit for the journey... and of course I will also bring each of you the advance payment as per agreement... Do you prefer coin or gem? "

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday September 8th, 2014 9:26:06 PM
OOc: are my posts showing up? The last two were asking if any magic appeared on the documents, and I've not seen a response yet. The web site is acting wonky on my mobile devices, so something might be wrong. Can anyone see this?

"Gemstones for me, please. Much more portable that way. And much more dignified than mere old nasty gold, I think."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday September 8th, 2014 10:24:14 PM
OOC: Yep, can see your post Gerald :)

"I don't suppose the Temple of Ffloy have started any investment schemes yet?" Alleah asks hopefully "No, you know what, I'll just take gems as well please"

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Monday September 8th, 2014 10:27:06 PM

Murphy opts for gems, says, "All right, see you all in an hour." He swings by his home, leaves word with a sibling and his mother, then heads to the store.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 9:54:29 AM

As he signs, Bliss decorates his contract with pictures of birds with smiley faces. And arms.

The choice of payment comes up ... Bliss grins at the priest of Ffloy and gets a mischevious look. "I like coins please! Platinum only!"

When the talk turns to movement, Bliss scoffs. "Ponies! Who needs huge lumbering ponies? I'm as fast as ponies, and if we need to go even faster, I can ride Mookie."

Mookie caws. "I was hoping you were tired of that trick," he caws. "Oh, my lumbago!"

Bliss scowls. "Hush, Mookie."

Mookie does not hush. "You're not your mom, Kid. You don't get to 'hush' me."

"Anyway, no pony, please," says Bliss, unphazed. "Unless you are giving them away. I could sell mine! Couldn't I, Mister Iangold?"

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 11:43:02 AM
"No payment for me... thanks. Unless you are willing to return the Flower's temple back..."
To Bliss he smiles.
"So small and yet so filled with abilities! That's is great news, I won't risk running out of bullets anymore!"
But I think Hazel role will need to shift to "Forward ranks" now...
Before leaving he goes to see Alouryn, and tell her what happened, promise her he will be back as soon as he is able, and ask her to keep an eye open about the Ffloy followers.
"I fear they are to no good! They are taking out of the town for some reason! To bad I can't let the others go alone!"
And, of course, give her a passionate kiss.

[DM StevenVdB] - Signed and ready to go! 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 5:08:07 PM
Prior to signing her document Shel did examine the sheets... they didn't appear magic. Quite good quality paper though. Let's say the kind you can expect from a decent contract.

Shel, Alleah and Murphy all prefer gems to coin. After all they are lighter and are much more dignified.

Iangold "Broker" Laughshield's eyes suddenly grow large as he observes the decorated contract he received back from Bliss... then the mischevious little one doesn't just ask for coin... he asks for platinum pieces!
Dispite his stern firgure, Iangold's mouth curls up with a smile.

But that hint of a smile is soon gone when Hazel refuses payment.

"Very well then. I will exclude you from the list. Of course you must understand that I will only offer these ponies (ponies that are not to be sold or kept he adds with a gaze at Bliss) to the contract holders. You are free to accompany the contract holders of course at your own expence and at your own risk. If anything goes wrong I will deny any knowledge of your person..."

Then Iangold looks at the rest again and nods at Murphy's comment to be back here in an hour.

"Excellent! I will be here as well with ponies, gems... and platinum..." he adds with a grin.

Then he turns around, holding his book tightly under his arm and in a quick pace he returns to the Temple.



Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 6:29:32 PM

"Hazel, you can ride my pony," offers Bliss. "Really, I can walk fast. Or ride Mookie."

Mookie glares at him.

OOC: Bliss has a move rate of 30 (Travel Domain), and his longstrider spell boosts that to 40 for a duration (but not all day).

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 7:55:43 PM
"We can ride dese birds?" Fatine asks Bliss. "Dat might be fun. But Crow be a bit mean sometimes, he probably jus' drop me on purpose."

Fatine busies herself with adjusting the various bottles and bags on her belt until the group moves on.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 8:00:32 PM
Once sure she wasn't being taken advantage of, Shel signed the document. She preferred to travel light, so she didn't head out for any shopping sprees. She was saving up her money for something special, whatever it was. She never had this much wealth before, and she didn't intend on wasting it for nothing. At the appointed time, she shows back up and rejoins the rest of the group.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 8:30:30 PM
OOC: Alleah can also move at 40'. Note though that ponies can move at 40' and have both the Run feat and Endurance. Plus they're pretty! :)

Alleah grins. It's been a while since she's ridden a pony.

She takes a moment to have a quiet word with Hazel "You know, you could take the job and donate all you earn to people of the town. Maybe help any businesses that are struggling, maybe help the new Flower temple gain a foothold. And who knows? People love someone who is generous. With that sort of popularity you might even be able to take a shot at the mayor's position and then YOU'D be the one who decides who comes and goes. Just sayin'"

Once again Alleah manages to turn what could be a simple good deed into a way to manipulate a situation.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Tuesday September 9th, 2014 9:33:48 PM
Hazel pats Faoil, his riding dog.
"The only need I have for a pony from these Ffloy guys is as food for Faoil. I am glad they will "deny knowledge" of me."
He follows his observations with a litany of bad words about Mr. "Gold". (Edited by ACDM SteveK)

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 4:24:39 AM

Murphy speaks clearly, enunciating his first sentence with firmness. "Broker Iangold, you will not deny any knowledge of his person, as I believe you would not want to lie in such a manner." His following words are spoken in a more casual, friendly manner. "It would be fine to say that you did not hire him. Let us be accurate in speech, and in deed. See you soon."

Shortly after the cleric of Floy leaves, he finds himself now remonstrating with Hazel. He takes his friend by the elbow, away from the others, and says, "Do not lower yourself, Bob Danderfluff LaRue. Keep your lips from speaking evil, just as you keep your heart from guile."

Before the party splits up, he asks quickly & quietly, "Did anyone find anything of interest on the postings board? If so let us know, now or before we leave town."

"I'm off to my place, to the store, back to my place, then here. We have a couple ponies I will see if we can borrow again."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 7:15:32 AM
"Well, now that you mention it, it might be worth having the local guards keep an eye on the blacksmiths" Alleah pulls the torn notice from her pocket that she liberated from the notice board.

"More prosperity means more crimes I guess" she shrugs "Though could just as easily be someone who felt they were cheated on a dagger."

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 11:22:08 AM
Murphy reads over the scrsp of oatchment that Alleah reveals. "So, someone wants a bit of disruption at the local blacksmiths', eh? Likely as a diversion elsewhere. Alleah, can you get that to our new constable right away?"

[DM StevenVdB] - Signed and ready to go! 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 5:09:41 PM
Just before Iangold leaves the meeting Murphy rebukes him on his wording to deny knowledge of Hazel's presence.

Iangold turns around and looks at Murphy... the stare only takes a split second but Murphy can tell Mr. Laughshield does not accept to be spoken to in this way... but he quickly finds his smile again and simply nods to the young Druid and then turns around to go where he was planning to go.

Once Iangold is gone Bliss suggests Hazel to use his pony as he's apparently capable to flying on Mookie's back... the way the raven glares at Bliss makes it obvious that Mookie likes to carry Bliss around...

Fatine is intrigued by the fact that Bliss can actually 'Ride' his bird companion...

Alleah too suggests Hazel to take the money and if he doesn't want it, to give it to the Temple of Flower instead! After all... no one likes to waste money right?! But Hazel remains firm in his convictions to the Ffloy followers.

Murphy runs if to his family and pick up some supplies and perhaps a spare pony should Iangold bring insufficient animals. Then the Druid brings the discussion back to what they have learned from the posting board. Alleah remembers what she read about the upstir with the blacksmiths and together they agree to inform the constable of this matter.
"More prosperity means more crimes..." Alleah adds... everyone realizes she could be right...

...

An hour later Iangold Laughshield turns up again at the meeting place with one of his followers it seems who is leading 5 ponies.

"Ah excellent you are all there" he says looking at Murphy, Alleah, Bliss, Fatine and Shel but he seems to 'overlook' Hazel... (OoC Bob this is nothing personal!! This is strictly in game and let's face it... Hazel isn't exactly fond of Iangold so don't expect him to be friendly towards you either... but again... strictly in game!! I hope you don't mind and if you do please mail me in private!)

"First allow me to give you the advance payment like we agreed."

To Shel, Murphy, Fatine and Alleah his gives a small pouch. Each pouch contains 4 gems. It's a variety of amber, tourmaline, white pearls and jade gems. (4 gems each worth 100Gp).

To Bliss he offers a different pouch with in it 40 platinum pieces instead of gems...
"Like you have asked..."

When he gives you a pouch of gems or coins he also gives you a receipt he asks you to sign.
The receipt is simply proof that you have indeed received the 400Gp according to the contract.

"Please sign these before we continue..." Iangold says. This time they come in duplicates so you also have a signed receipt...

"Then I have 5 ponies available for the journey. They are well fed and able to reach the convoy in time. I expect you to return the ponies to me when you return with the convoy."

And again comes the paperwork... this time it's a receipt that prooves Iangold is giving you ponies for the journey. In this receipt the small letters stipulate that you are to feed and water the ponies on time, brush them and keep them dry after an intense ride, check their hooves and return them in good health. Any signs of mal treatment of the ponies will be dealt with by the Town responsible of Ffloy.

If that's all done and signed Iangold puts all the documents in his book and then send you on your way...

"Now make haste friends... the convoy will leave Angel's Spring soon."



Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 5:49:58 PM
"Okay, well dat be dat!" Fatine pockets the gems, then goes for a closer look at her pony. She pulls its mane lightly, squints into its ear, and checks under the belly. "Yep, dis be a pony. I'll take dis one."

With that, she climbs up and whistles for Crow, who lands on her shoulder.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 8:24:32 PM
Shel was a bit nervous, as she wasn't particularly good at riding a pony. She signed the contract, and stowed her receipt in her pouch, Ffloy-ites are certainly all about the details, aren't they, she thinks to herself as the others take turns signing their names.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Wednesday September 10th, 2014 8:43:50 PM
OOC: No problem at all, Iangold and Hazel's animosity is in game only, And I have to say it is Hazel's fault.
Hazel looks at Murphy when he tells him not to insult Iangold... he seems like he is going to answer, but he keeps his mouth shut.
"The faster we return the most at ease I will be... I still fear what those guys will do during our absence..."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday September 11th, 2014 12:13:52 AM
Alleah is still a child at heart, and one pony has immediately caught her eye.

"Ooh! Ooh! Can I take the white one?" Before anyone has a chance to answer she has already approached the gelding and is stroking his forelock.

She draws herself away to sign the receipt from Iangold, and smiles at him as if he has just given her an amazing present.

Alleah has a +8 Ride check if needed



Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Thursday September 11th, 2014 12:44:19 AM
Bliss signs and then hefts his moneybag. "OOF!" he declares. "Heavy!"

He renews his Reduce spell, which now affects the coins. They are suddenly half the size and 1/8 the weight. "Much better!" says the tiny Bliss.

Bliss offers Hazel his pony.

Himself, Bliss casts his Longstrider spell, which lasts for two hours. That's two hours of moving at 40 -- good enough to keep up with the ponies. After that, he uses his Pearl of Power to recall the spell, and then casts it again for another two hours. Since a pony can make the trip in 2.5 to 5 hours, Bliss is hoping they can be done and there in the four hours that his spells last.

Bliss explains all this to anyone who is interested, especially his fellow witches. And Mookie. "That way," he explains, "We'll be there in four hours and I won't even need to ride Mookie to keep up."

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Thursday September 11th, 2014 5:22:16 AM

Murphy makes a mental note that a high cleric of Ffloy is willing to lie in order to protect his interests. He feels a measure of disappointment in Broker Iangold for this shortfall, yet is impressed with his attention to detail, and with the cleric's own sense of honor. He signs the paperwork proffered.

"I picked up a few things at the store, and a few things from home. If all are ready... Broker Iangold, have you a suitable prayer to offer on behalf of Ffloy that might cover the caravans and those sent to protect them?" He is not certain how big a role prayer plays within this particular faith, but ventures to request the favor nonetheless.

Outside are three ponies - two hitched to a cart, and one with its lead attached to the side of the cart. "If someone wants to ride my war pony, Pippa, she's available," Murphy says, indicating the pony next to the vehicle. Canvas covers over some things in the bed. "Or one or two of you can sit with me on the cart." The pony on the left is Nutmeg, and on his right is the mare, Sugar.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=20 ; d20+5=11 ; d20+7=8 ; d20+9=11 ;
Thursday September 11th, 2014 3:59:52 PM
Hazel thank Bliss.
"No need, I have Faoil here with me."
He mounts his riding dog, and goes some 30' in front of the others, as usual.
Hazel: Perception: 20; Knowledge (Nature): 11; Knowledge (Geography): 6 (got the bonus wrong) for the trip (+2 if forest)
Faoil: Perception Aid Another: 11 (+2 if forest)

[DM StevenVdB] - Signed and ready to go! 
Thursday September 11th, 2014 6:10:33 PM
As gems and coin are distributed the Humble's Sword make their choice of ponies. Murphy also brought Pipa and a cart pulled by Nutmeg and Suger. It's not the first time they join the halflings on their journey.

Fatine is quick to make her choice of pony. So is Alleah who appears to be genuinly drawn to the animals. She goes for a white one! Shel's a bit nervous as she's not that good at riding a pony... Bliss remains certain that he can follow the ponies by casting a spell.

"A prayer? ... " Iangold says, "May your deals be fruitful and your pockets always full?". Clearly prayer is not Iangolds forte...

Hazel understood Murphy's remarks about his insults to Iangold. But Hazel just doesn't trust these Ffloy-ites like Shel named them.

................

And so the party leaves. Bliss on foot, Hazel riding Faoil and the rest on the ponies Iangold offered.

The trip to Angel's Spring is quite uneventful. You do see a lot of carts on their way to Humble's Ford though. By the time you reach the convoy it's close to nightfall and you can all see the 5 fully loaded large wagons that appear to be waiting for their escort!



Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday September 11th, 2014 6:59:34 PM
Shel was excited that Murphy had gotten the wagon for them to ride on for the journey. "I'm with you, Murphy! I don't want to fall off a pony. This is much safer, I think.". She watched with interest at Bliss's constant spell casting and shape changing. Doesn't he ever get tired? I'd be exhausted if I were constantly casting spells like that. Just a few and I'm wiped out for the day.

"Look, Murphy! There's our group right there waiting on us. Let's get to it and get finished. More gems await!"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+8=22 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+10=26 ; d20+4=11 ;
Friday September 12th, 2014 6:51:53 AM
As the group prepare to head off, Alleah takes a moment to cast Endure Elements on everyone. Who knows what the weather will be like today? And riding on horseback in the sun can make things quite warm.

She is quite happy that no one fought her for the white pony - who she has affectionately named "Casper". She resists the urge to plait his mane, though does cast a Prestidigitation spell to make him smell a little nicer. You know, that "new pony" smell.

Any time the group stop to rest, she casts Create Water as needed for the party and the horses.

Alleah's first instinct as they approach the convoy is to call out and wave. She's been around Bliss long enough though to know that he prefers to scout situations like this out first though.
------------------
Skill checks:
Ride: 22
Knowl Geography: 27 - To try and work out the best route to get the convoy from here back to Humbles
Perception: 26
Survival: 11

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+24=43 ; d20+24=36 ; d20+24=25 ; d20+13=22 ; d20+13=33 ; d20+13=26 ;
Friday September 12th, 2014 10:45:26 AM

Bliss's first impulse is to call out and wave too, but some quasi-telepathic inspiration from Miss Alleah -- the way she glances at him? the look of expectation in her eye? -- gives him the idea to do some scouting.

"You guys back up a bit and hang out with Mookie," he says, first casting a Message cantrip on Mookie and Alleah, and then renewing his Reduce cantrip.

Then Bliss sneaks up to and under the wagons in the caravan, listening for interesting conversation, peeking at legs, scouting wagons, etc etc.

Stealth checks: 43, 36, 25 (oops, stubbed my toe on the die roller for that last one!)

Perception checks: 22, 33, 26

Used so far today: first level domain spell, pearl of power.

[DM StevenVdB] - Signed and ready to go!  d20+6=16 d20+6=11 d20+6=8 d20+6=26 d20+6=21
Friday September 12th, 2014 5:52:02 PM
(Only 3 posts?!? C'mon folks try to keep up the posting habbit!)

The group perceives the heavily loaded wagons in the distance. They have indeed left Angel's Spring already but seem reluctant to follow the road to Humble's Ford... of course... they are waiting for their escort!

Shel and Alleag feel compelled to wave and hail the convoy but Bliss asks them to linger back her a little bit longer...

Bliss sneaks up to and under the wagons...

1st Male voice: "Where's that escort they promised us! I'm not going any firther without any!

Female voice: "Calm now brother... I'm sure someone will come... "

1st Male voice: "Quitranna, do you see an escort?!? "

Bliss hears the first male voice (Jamfire?) grumble incomprehensible things. From under the wagons Bliss can't realy tell what is on them... but he does smell dried meat on one, cheese on another and one wagon appears to be filled even with lifestock! Bliss thinks that's the wagon where the 1st make voice spoke from...

2nd Male voice: "Quiet down Jamfire... I think I heard something!"

This time Bliss thinks the voice came from under the 4th wagon... the one filled with the stinking cheese... (perception 26 - nat 20)

Female voice : "What did you hear Leotiln...?! "



Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday September 12th, 2014 7:01:14 PM
"What is Bliss doing wasting time? Why doesn't he just introduce himself and the rest of us? They are obviously just waiting on us to escort them.". She gives Bliss just a few more seconds, as she was ready for the introductions to begin.

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Friday September 12th, 2014 9:02:19 PM
"Why don' we jus' go say hello?" Fatine asks, obviously confused. "Hey Crow," she whistles for the bird, "you go on over dere and fly 'round a bit, have some fun and see if you can sneak us a snack."

Crow flies off, squawking on the way.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=29 ; d20+9=14 ;
Saturday September 13th, 2014 1:01:05 AM
Hazel and Faoil look the convoy, and take to the left first, they will want to go around it, returning to the front by the right side, checking for people following or spying on it.
Hazel Perception Roll: 29
Faoil Aid Another Perception Roll: 14

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Saturday September 13th, 2014 3:21:47 PM
Bliss pops out and says, "Hi! I'm with the escorts! Boy are you guys needing us! I was able to sneak right up here and you didn't say boo! Well now that we're here we'll be keeping you super safe."

He introduces his friends to the caravan folks. "Everybody, this is Quitranna and her brother Jamfire, and their friend Leotin, who has the best ears of the bunch. Though that's not saying much! You three, this is Shel and Hazel and MIster Murphjy and Fatine and Miss Alleah. And I'm Bliss!"

The little fellow takes a bow.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=28 ; d20+10=29 ;
Sunday September 14th, 2014 1:45:19 AM
Alleah waves and smiles as she approaches - just to show that she's friendly, and you know, unarmed.

"Mr Laughshield has engaged us to help escort you safely back to Humble's Ford. I have a contract and receipt here somewhere" Alleah is happy to show proof that the group is indeed here to escort them and not here to rob them. Well, yet.

"Have you had any troubles so far?"

Once introductions are made, Alleah brings up perhaps the most relevant question at hand "It's getting close to nightfall. Do we try and setup camp nearby, or do we risk trying to travel in the dark? Both pose their own risks"

Whatever the decision, Alleah takes some time to care for 'Casper' - ensuring he is well fed, has fresh water, and well groomed. (Cast Prestidigitation as necessary to care for her pony)

"Maybe I can buy Casper from Mr Laughshield when we return?"[
------------------
Perception: 28
Sense Motive: 29

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Monday September 15th, 2014 3:05:19 AM

Final preparations
Back in Humble's Ford, before they set off, Murphy quickly checks with Alleah to ensure that word - and the note - reached the constable. If not, on the way past the smithys, Murphy talks briefly, quietly, with the head blacksmith. "One of my friends heard someone wants to cause a disturbance among the smiths soon. Let your folks know to stay on the alert. That's all I know so far. Wish we could stay to figure this out better, but we've got a caravan to guard. Good luck, and keep you and yours safe."

He doesn't know whether that will help or cause undue consternation, but some sort of warning needed to go out. If Alleah did contact the constable, then he will not talk with the smiths.

He picked up from a local carpenter six small wooden cages (1 sp each enough?), each big enough for poultry. In the course of the trip, some clucking was heard from under the canvas in his cart.

On the way
He is happy to have Shel seated beside him on the cart once again. From time to time he has her take the reins, just to get used to driving the ponies more, and to give him brief breaks to take care of some organization and distribution of things.

On the journey to meet up with the caravans he lets Hazel know that he has an extra 20 sling bullets and 10 silvered sling bullets in small bags for the ranger. He lets Hazel carry any or all of them, but will keep a few on his cart if Hazel does not want to haul all of them around.

Also he passes around bread, cheese slices, and salted pork to enjoy along the way if any get hungry.

"I picked up some tanglefoot bags, a thunderstone, some acid and alchemist's fire flasks, two vials of antitoxin, a vial of holy water, several bags of caltrops, and food and drink for the road."

=======
Meeting the caravans
He admires Bliss's approach to things, though the caravaners may view his remarks as a bit cheeky.

"Hello, Jamfire, Quitranna, Leotin," Murphy greets those introduced by name to the group. "Murphy here. Murphy Leafwin Pipewood. We are Humble's Sword. Yes, we're to escort you." He will take the time to make sure that the rest of the caravan travelers are met as well.

"Folks, before we head out, let's take ten minutes and lay out our plans. Our goal is to get you safely to Humble's Ford. With luck, we may do so without obstacle. But enough wagons have been raided recently that it may be best to prepare in case we face an attack. Come, gather around. And, who do you consider leader among you?" He acknowledges whoever they indicate. If there is confusion on the matter, he adds, "Choose one from among you to represent you to us in matters of safety and defense. And that person should name a second in command, so that clear orders can be given if danger arises."

With the sun setting, he says, "Travel by night is possible, but, as Alleah points out, doing so carries its own risks. Some brigands love darkness. First, we could turn about and stay overnight in Angel Springs, then go out the gates at the crack of dawn. That way the sun will be at our back, and the road ahead well lit. Second, we could find a place near here - or here exactly - to camp, then leave at early light. Or, third, we could set out in the next few minutes, at the end of the day, and try to travel in the dark of night. We await your will."

He also inquires to learn whether among them they have weapons of any sort - and if so, what exactly.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Monday September 15th, 2014 10:37:21 AM
Hazel smiles at Murphy...
"You sure got a lot of equipment! I guess it pays to be prepared. Thanks. How much do I pony up for the stuff?"

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Monday September 15th, 2014 2:43:32 PM
"Pony up? Just take out the bad guys, Hazel!" Murphy answers his friend.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Monday September 15th, 2014 4:07:46 PM

Bliss puts in his two cents: "We should stay here and travel in the daylight! You can see more that way."

[DM StevenVdB] - Meet the convoy... 
Monday September 15th, 2014 5:44:56 PM
Prior to leaving Murphy takes care of lots of?things. He warns the constable of the the notes that call for actions and makes sure to get all the supplies he and the others may need on their next journey.

--------------------
Hazel, Fatine and Shel wonder why Bliss doesn't just introduce himself to the drivers... after all, they came to escort them... not spy on them!

And just as if Bliss heard his friends thinking, he pops up from under one of the carts!!

Some of the horses get very agitated when this tiny joker comes into sight! Quitrana scares and screams and Jamfire almost falls of his wagon...
Leotiln can't appreciate Bliss's joke and grabs for his sword. Who says this isn't a raid instead of an escort!

"How do you kniw our names?!" is the first thing Jamfire blurts out as he repositions himself on the wagon...

When Alleah shows up and shows the contract Iangold made you all sign, the drivers seem to settle down.

"You scared us little one!" says another voice coming from yet another wagon...

Then the whole group gets together and voices are raised to either spend the night out here in the open or risk a nightly trip...

One by one you are introduced to the drivers and their cargo...

Wagon 1 (W1):
Driver: Gramorn Soldshort (male, merchant)
Cargo: Fine textiles, clothes according to the latest fashion from Angel's Spring

Wagon 2 (W2):
Driver: Quitranna Tumblebelly (female, merchant, sister of Jamfire Tumblebelly)
Cargo: All sorts of meat

Wagon 3 (W3):
Driver: Jamfire Tumblebelly (male, merchant, brother of Quitranna Tumblebelly)
Cargo: Livestock (chickens, rabbits, a few beehives with loads of honey but also bees)

Wagon 4 (W4):
Driver: Leotiln Beestinger (male, merchant)
Cargo: Dairy, cheeses

Wagon 5 (W5):
Driver: Hornan Trickfoot (male, farmer)
Cargo: Vegetables and fruits

This sure is a substantial cargo...
From their load you can tell travel will go very slow... you'll probably won't go faster than a halfling can walk meaning the trip home will allmost certainly take twice as long...



Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Monday September 15th, 2014 7:39:57 PM

OOC: regarding "... as if Bliss heard his friends thinking ..." -- I figured someone had said something, and that it would have been relayed to Bliss via his Message cantrip. Sorry that wasn't clear!

Bliss laughs delightedly at the surprise on the caravaners' faces. "I just sneaked up on ya's is all!" he explains. "And I heard you talking to each other, so that's how I knew your names."

"And on our trip, I'll be fast and quick and sneaky as I roam around looking for problems on the way to Humble's Ford!"

Seeing how slow the caravan will be going, he is even more sure the group should set off at dawn, not travel at night.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday September 15th, 2014 9:00:43 PM
Shel heads straight to Gramort's wagon and introduces herself. "Oooooo, now this is more like it. We haven't ever gotten such stylish clothes in the Ford as long as I remember. I might like this new arrangement after all.". She finds a few particularly cute items, and lays them to the side, "I have gold. You don't sell these until I get a chance to buy them first. Just because I'm apparently a caravan guard now doesn't mean I can't appreciate a cute broomstick skirt!"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday September 15th, 2014 11:51:24 PM
"Hmm... perhaps we should settle in for the night. The wagons would be slow and easy prey in the dark. I've heard tell of a culture where they'd arrange the wagons in a circle, and then everyone - including the animals - would settle down in the middle. Use the wagons like a wall. Know what I mean? Think it would work?"

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+13=30 ;
Tuesday September 16th, 2014 2:49:08 AM
"That's a great idea, Alleah. We can add our cart to the circle." He looks at the immediate environment and a bit ahead. He wants to find a reasonably broad flat area for the encirclement. Without waiting for the caravaners' opinion as to whether they should travel by night or wait for day, he picks a good spot [Perception: 30], gets his cart at the head of the line, and commands, "FOLLOW ME!" He leads the small train about two hundred fifty yards ahead, angles to the right, then keeps on going in a medium tight circle rightward. He aims to have them form a fairly compact circle. He knows that they'll need to have room for the horses to be taken from the traces, as well as one side - the side away from the road - with an opening big enough for a couple of horses to go through, so they have a way of escape if needed. He figures that each wagon and cart will go in a shrinking spiral, then, with a slight right turn for maybe six feet, the horses can end up almost parallel to the wagon ahead, with the wagon slightly behind the one in front.

He has wood for three campfires. He starts one, then puts a tripod to hold a big pot over it, and pours a good amount of water into it to start it to boil, and asks who is good at tending to fires. He sets on some canvas some of the food he brought along, and asks who wants to make some stew for the evening. He also offers two chickens in cages toward the meal, letting someone else butcher and pluck them. "I want the cages kept in good shape, though, friends." For the rooster and three chickens still on his cart, he scatters some wheat and oats along the bottom of their cages for them to peck at, and puts small amounts of water in whatever he can use to hold it - maybe some leafs from a nearby bush or the like.

Murphy lays outside the camp in a few places caltrops - warning others of where they lie, and what they can do to feet. He asks Fatine and Quitranna to help him scatter them so they are at least lightly hidden by grass or bits of dirt - as well as to remember where they lay them.

"Now, I asked if any of you have weapons of any sort - Do you have slings, and sling bullets, or at least some stones to use with the slings? Do you have any bows, arrows? Daggers? Swords? Clubs? Staffs? Frying pans? Tripping ropes?

"Do we have some barrels of water? Before some of us go to sleep, we want to place water buckets and barrels in several places. Alleah can help you fill those up right quick. If any fires get started, we want to put them out, and quickly. Maybe some buckets of sand, too, for the same sort of purpose - to smother small fires."

He asks each of his friends, each member of Humble's Sword, to offer their plans, ideas, and tactics for dealing with things should someone make so bold as to attack them tonight this close to Angel Springs.

"Another time to attack might be just before dawn. What do we want to do for watches?"

He pulls out a few shovels. "Men, go dig a hole, about 3-1/2 feet deep, with solid ground on each side for squatting over. Let's put up a little bit of canvas about it for modesty. The dirt you dig out goes over what's inside before we leave in the morning."

Happily changing the subject, the druid adds, "And Jamfire Tumblebelly, I want to make certain we do a good job of protecting those bees and their honey. My middle name is Bumblebee, so I have an appreciation for the good things that bees do in making things sweet, and fertile."

After the hole is dug, he asks people to start building some small berms here and there that people can hide behind for protection from hurled and other missile weapons.

Now the wagons - are they covered wagons, with canvas or the like arching above them? Or simply large wagons with stacked goods, and covered more or less flat?

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Tuesday September 16th, 2014 3:05:14 AM
"Ah, and another thing," suggests Murphy, " - we might dig some pits outside the circle, and cover them over lightly. They don't have to be real deep - just enough to trip someone who runs up and finds his front leg going down a fair bit farther than he thought it might."

Besides the two shovels, he adds two miner's picks; two handaxes; a hand saw, some rope and twine to the available tools for building defensive traps and mounds.

Realizing he forgot something else, he attends to the welfare of his three ponies, bringing them into an area he gets some help to rope off for the mounts and livestock, brushing and feeding them. He plans to re-saddle Pippa early in the morning, or to have someone do so for him.

[DM StevenVdB] - Preparations for a ... long... night... 
Tuesday September 16th, 2014 5:16:13 PM
Bliss laughs delightedly at the caravaners' faces and explains how he overheard their names.

"Well then... if you're that good we should be pretty safe around you! I hope your eyes and ears will be as good on the road to Humble's Ford." Leotiln says. Apparently he's a bit older and apparently more or less of the self-appointed leader of the convoy.

Gramorn frowns as Shel is enthralled by all the nice clothes and fashionaria on his wagon. When Shel asks to buy stuff he shakes his head and stammers: "These things are not mine to sell... I'm just the driver! All this is meant to be sold on the Annual Humble's Ford Sale Day... "

"Annual Humble's Ford Sale Day" ???

Realizing the convoy will move slow Bliss and Alleah consider it wisest to spend the night here and prepare the convoy.

Alleah suggests to arrange the wagons in a circle so they can be used like a wall with everyone (including the animals) inside...

Murphy shimes in as he also thinks that would be a great idea and decides to lead the convoy with his own cart to what he feels would be an ideal spot for spending the night. He spends all the time he needs to finding the best suited spot and eventually finds it! By now dusk is slowly turning into night...

Then the ever busy Leafwin Pipewood shows he and his family also know how to prepare a decent mean... water is put to the boil and chickens are plucked. Turns out Hornan is a great hand with the coocking. He considers the loss of a few carrots, potatoes and some cabbage to be hardly noticable so he throws in a handful for Murphy's stew. Hornan offers to keep watch of the meal while Murphy and the rest prepare the camp for the night...

The drivers are hardly armed. They only carry some blunt knives, Leotiln carries a short sword and Quitrana and her brother are equipped with a sling also.

Next to the fires barrels of water are placed...
And if at all possible even some with sand...

It's getting quite dark now and the fires are about your only light now. It's but a narrow moon tonight so you should not expect much help from that angle...

THe stew starts to smell great and you're all feeling a grumble in your belly... the chicken stew brings water to your mouths!
The fires crackle invitingly and you can see the smoke slowly reaching for the sky. The night is slightly overcast but there's very little wind.

Somehow Murphy thinks about everything and prepares some sanitary holes!

But still Murphy feels the site can't be protected enough! He even digs some holes outside the perimiter and covers them up. Anyone or anything that decides to sneak up on the convoy risks tripping over one of the holes...

And then... last but not least the ponies are taken care of...

By the time everything is finished the night has set and most are getting rather tired. The drivers take out their bedrolls and circle around one of the fires clearly confident that the Humble's Sword will take care of them. It's obvious they do not plan on standing guard...

...

Well then... the convoy is prepared for spending the night out in the open.

The campsite opens up to the road on the South.
North and West you have bushes and some young trees. To your east there are more trees.
From the campsite you can see the road.
North and West you can see about 20 ft beyond the bush. East you only see about 10 ft into the trees...

- do you set guards? Where?
- where/when do you all sleep?
- specify active spells and keep track of how many hours you sleep.
- do you keep the fires burning through the night?
- are you dressed in armor?
- armed?



Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday September 16th, 2014 6:39:09 PM
"What in the world is the Annual Humble's Ford Day's Sale? I've lived there my whole life, and I've never heard of it. And how do I get to the front of the line to buy what I want?"

As the night passes on, Shel volunteers to help watch after eating her fair share of chicken and vegetables. She doesn't have any active magic on her during the watch. As she doesn't have any ability to see in the dark, her plan is to sit next to the fire, so long as the rest of the area is visible from there. If not, she will walk around the encampment with whomever is taking watch with her.



Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Tuesday September 16th, 2014 8:54:45 PM
Not having participated much in the preparations, Fatine isn't all that tired and offers to be a part of the first watch. She doesn't wear armor and doesn't keep active spells. She and Crow settle in at the campsite's opening on the south road for the watch until relieved, at which point she will find a nice spot to sleep near the middle of the camp area.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=19 ; d20+10=29 ;
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 10:11:32 AM
Alleah is happy to lend a hand wherever she is needed. Filling up buckets with water, seeing if any of the travellers are in need of healing, tending to the animals - even helping the merchants move wares about (especially if it means she gets at peek at the goods they are transporting).

She takes the winter blanket from her pack and drapes it over 'Casper'. It's obviously smaller than the pony, but her heart is in the right place.

The stew smells amazing, and tastes equally good. "Is there anything better than a good meal, around a campfire with good company?" Alleah asks aloud as she quietly slurps the remnants of her meal.

She eyes the recently plucked chicken feathers when an idea crosses her mind. "Anyone mind if I take those?" Alleah gathers as many of the feathers as she can and then casts a spell to help remove any chicken remnants/blood from them (Either Prestidigitation, or, perhaps even the witch Clean Blood spell?). The now clean feathers are then stuffed into one of the several empty sacks she carries with her in her kit. Yes, this will make a fine pillow.

"On to business. Can I suggest three watches of 4hrs each? That way everyone gets a full 8hrs rest and no one will be exhausted tomorrow. I can cast an Endure Elements spell on everyone before I go to sleep. Things might get a little cold, but it won't be anything you can't handle and will mean we can extinguish the fire."

"I have a couple of lanterns and some torches if we are concerned about light. Oh, and I also have the Light cantrip on hand too"

"What do you think, Bliss? Want to take the last watch with me? Perhaps we position ourselves on top of the wagons so we can see things from a higher view. Might even help with hiding, and I know how much you like to shoot things while remaining unseen. Perhaps one to the north and one to the south. Use a message cantrip to alert each other if we see anything weird?"

She plans on sleeping - with her new pillow - between the circled wagons and the group they are here to protect. Alleah doesn't wear any armor, but does sleep quite comfortably with her cloak wrapped around her. Her daggers she stows in her kit.

OOC: I think this answered the DM questions...

Perception: 19
Stealth: 29

-------------------------
Active Spells:
Endure Elements

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+13=16 ; d20+13=16 ; d20+13=30 ;
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 10:47:39 AM

Bliss loves the stew and asks for seconds! Of course, even two tiny bowls only fill a half of a normal halfling-size bowl. Good thing Mookie is there to help!

"Mookie, you eat stew? It looks kind of messy for a guy with no hands."

"Kid, I'll 'no-hands' you! What are you, some kind of an Anti-Birdite?" The raven makes this remark with his face and front pretty much painted in stew.

"You may think you're all serious and grave, my old pal," says Bliss to the bird, "But there's more of gravy than of grave about you!"

The raven rolls his eyes and says to the rest of the party, "See what I have to put up with here?"

When it is time to discuss the watch arrangements, Bliss makes it clear he will do whatever Alleah says, but he looks a little downcast. "That's fine, Miss," he explains, "but there's nothing to hide behind up there, you know? If I'm sneaking around the camp, here and there, event outside the wagon circle, I can stay hid and shoot and maybe see something from the ground I would not see from up there."

"Don't worry, I'll stay in Message range, if that's okay?"

Perception checks on watch: 16, 16, 30.

Before taking his watch, he'll sleep under a wagon. Bliss does not wear armor.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11  d20+3=20 ;
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 10:53:11 AM
OOC Perception roll from last post: 20

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 11:00:38 AM
"I thought you might say something like that" Alleah blatantly lies to Bliss "I was wondering about hiding in the trees over there to the east. I'm only suggesting going up high as I'm not very good at hand-to-hand combat. I'd rather be outside striking range, and if that means hiding up a tree or on top of a wagon, that's where I'll be. But being small you could probably just walk around under the wagons the whole time. Just don't spook the horses, ok?" She ends with a smile.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+12=13 ; d20+12=23 ; d20+12=21 ;
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 11:57:37 AM
"Okay, Miss! I won't! Nor the ponies either!"

"And Mookie can be looking out from the treetops!"

OOC: Is it better to keep Mookie close and get the +2 Alertness bonus from him, or to let him make his own checks from the trees (and then Bliss loses his bonus)? Perception mods: Bliss alone is 4 ranks +2 wis +3 class +2 race = +11 (+13 with Mookie/Alertness). Mookie alone is 4 ranks +2 wis +3 class +3 feat = +12. Maybe splitting up is better ... If so, then Bliss's perception checks from above are now 14, 14, and 28. Mookie's checks are 13, 23, 21 from the treetops.

Bliss will Message Mookie on watch and make sure he stays in range. Plus Bliss casts his Reduce as usual every minute or two.

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+13=17 ; d20+13=18 ; d20+13=16 ;
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 3:29:44 PM
[OOC: Computer died, posting from unreliable smartphone]

Murphy does not let the meal time go to waste. "If someone is so stupid as to attack us tonight, none of us here must be so foolish as to think that others will take care of everything." He pulls a spare axle from his cart bed. "If a bad guy runs by, this axle, lifted at one end, can trip 'em up, if you're lucky. Some sling stones can put people outside the circle out of action. Maybe uhh t would be good to hide under a wagon if arrows get fling. Each one of you think of four things: Two ways you, yourself, can attack, and two different things you, yourself, can protect yourself, defend yourselves. We will do all we can. You think of what you can add."

The druid will take a few minutes to listen, encourage, and suggest. He will offer good praise for good ideas, and will redirect if something sounds dicey.

Perception 17, 18, 16

[DM StevenVdB] - Preparations for a ... long... night... 
Wednesday September 17th, 2014 5:13:05 PM
As murphy encourages all to defend the compound during the night, the drivers look at one another... they weren't paied enough for this trip or so it seems! Somehow they give Murphy a sheepish nod and fiddle the axe he has given them. If you're lucky, they won't cut of any of their own body parts when you're attacked at night...

Then preparations are made for the night. Alleah suggests to have 3 watch shifts of each 4 hours. She takes last watch and 'encourages' Bliss to take watch with her. After some discussion, Bliss agrees as to where he will be stationned during his watch.

Fatine makes part of the first watch.

I need to know the other teams friends...

Gramorn offers to stay awake with the first watch.
Quitranna favours second and she 'appoints' Jamfire to last watch.
Leotiln and Hornan find a place around the fire and roll up on their bedrolls... obviously not planning to stay awake at all.

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 12:57:11 AM

Murphy will take 3rd watch. He has earned tired. "The middle of third watch may be a good time to get underway in the morning."

He gives Quitranna a tanglefoot bag, and explains how it works. He tells the drovers not to harm any owls they may see at night or in the morning. He gives out a few other items to members of Sword and to the drovers. He prepares a few items, puts things in pouches, small bags.

"Wake me at changing of the watch, then, if all is well, I'll go back to sleep until my watch - or until something interesting happens."

"Hazel, you want to take 2nd watch? I might do likewise. Maybe I'll fly tonight."

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+10=13 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+10=18 ;
Thursday September 18th, 2014 5:53:16 AM

[It is hard to post intelligently from a smart phone...]

Murphy will take 2nd watch. He may shape change to an owl, and do some scouting during his watch. He would change out of sight of others, fly away one direction, gain altitude, circle wide and back around to survey the perimeter out to a few hundred yards.

[Perception: 13, 16, 18]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 7:17:03 AM
Alleah snuggles in to her kit. The pillow has made the hard ground a little more bearable. She can still smell the smoke from the fire and it reminds her of the picnics she used to have with her family back in Dirt City.

She trusts the group to wake her when it is her turn on watch.


Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 8:24:18 AM
Shel will take first watch with Fatine.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=24 ; d20+9=21 ;
Thursday September 18th, 2014 11:02:03 AM
As Murphy takes 2nd watch, Hazel and Faoil takes the third one.
"Time to sleep, Owl-Murphy, Faoil and I will keep watch until the morning."
Hazel Perception Roll: 24
Faoil Aid Another Perception Roll: 21

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 12:50:21 PM

Mookie and Bliss camp out under a wagon until it is time for their watch (3rd, with Alleah).

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 1:00:36 PM
"Hazel - Bliss & Alleah have third watch. It's far better to have two on watch at a time. Join me on second," Murphy recommends. He gives Hazel a thunderstone and a tanglefoot bag.

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 1:41:41 PM

"And, friends all - should you hear the screech of an owl, wake up prepared for a fight," the druid tells everyone.

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 3:36:49 PM
Fatine settles in for her watch. She takes out a few small dolls and arranges them on the ground in front of her, mumbling to herself while manipulating them. Every 15 or 20 minutes she sends Crow to fly a circuit of the camp, looking for anything suspicious.

[DM StevenVdB] - Preparations for a ... long... night...  d20+6=7 ; d20+6=20 ; d20+6=20 ; d20+12=30 ;
Thursday September 18th, 2014 5:23:33 PM
And so night falls on the camp. Wagons in a circle, three fires burning and the smell of the lovely stew still in the air...

Fatine, Shel: Highlight to display spoiler: { About an hour or two in the first watch the two of you and Gramorn suddenly hear something coming from the trees... (Stealth 7, 20, 20 ...). Perception less than 7 you hear nothing :-). Perception less than 20 you hear one creature, perception +20 you realise there are at least 3 something out there... Fatine, you can have Crow make perception also.

Gramorn (perception 30) jumps to his feet and grabs the axe he was given...

"... there... " he hisses... "... someone's out there... there's at least 3 of them! They come to raid the convoy... wake the others!...
}

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday September 18th, 2014 7:26:03 PM
OOC: I can't access the spoiler from my mobile device, so if Fatine wants to tell everyone what Shel and she see, that's good with me.

Shel kept her distance from the witch during the watch after catching her playing with strange dolls and apparently talking to them. That's just weird, she thinks! as she pulls her blanket around her. This was a good opportunity to make gold, but she'd like to be home soon, too.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday September 19th, 2014 7:15:27 AM
OOC: Kim emailed me about the spoiler. As Shel got a 20 on her perception check in the earlier post...

"Fatine, wake everyone up! I hear something...sounds like three of them over there! Everyone, wake up," she yells.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cap'n Cayzle)  d20+3=13 ; d100=37 ; d20+24=35 ; d20+17=31 ;
Friday September 19th, 2014 10:24:27 AM

"Arrr, scrub that deck harder, ye scurvy dog!"

In a dream, Bliss is a lowly deckhand on a pirate ship.

"Mookie wants a cracker! Mookie wants wake up! EVERYONE WAKE UP!"

Perception check to wake up ... Normally a +13, but sleeping gives a -10 penalty ... rolls a 13 to hear the shout ...

Assuming that suffices, Bliss shakes off his dream of piracy and reflexively casts his Reduce spell (ley check 37). He lays low under his wagon. Stealth 35.

Mookie flies to the top of a tree and hides. Stealth for Mookie: 31.

"What deviltry be this?" the half-awake halfling wonders.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Friday September 19th, 2014 10:48:00 AM
I guess I can use my old perception rolls
Hazel and Faoil awake, and the Hazel mount his steed, grabbing his lance.
"Where? Who?"

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C)  d20+6=7 ; d20+6=16 ;
Friday September 19th, 2014 11:20:50 AM
Fatine, busy with her dolls, isn't paying much attention to what is going on perception nat 1, but Crow perception 16 flies down and starts squawking at her. "What? People?" she says, surprised. She jumps up and takes several steps toward the inside of the camp. [/i]move 20 toward middle[/i]

"WAKE UP!" she yells. "EVERYBODY UP, WE GOT COMPANY!"

She pulls her blackened skull from its pouch and starts looking around her for anything at which to aim a spell.

[DM StevenVdB] - Wake everyone up! 
Friday September 19th, 2014 6:24:32 PM
Shel is the first to warn the rest of the group... She calls Fatine to hurry and get everyone on their feet. After all... seems they got visitors!

Bliss opens up a sleepy eye but doesn't really grasp what happens. Mookie flies up and hides. Hazel too is still drowsy when he hears the alarm.

But it is Fatine who makes sure the whole camp is alarmed!

"WAKE UP!" she yells. "EVERYBODY UP, WE GOT COMPANY!"

Alleah and Murphy are sound a sleep and don't seem to be bothered by the yelling...

-----------------------------------

Those awake can make the following checks:

Knowledge Nature 12: Highlight to display spoiler: { You're quite certain this ain't human... }
Knowledge Nature 15: Highlight to display spoiler: { Could it be the fire, the smell of the food and live stock has attracted some animal predators?}
Knowledge Nature 18: Highlight to display spoiler: { The 3 animals sound and move like hungry wolves...}

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday September 19th, 2014 8:38:13 PM
Alleah's eyes open as she realises the sound of the yelling in her dreams is actually the sound of someone yelling in the camp.

She stays down low in the middle of the camp, and gets ready to guard the travellers.

(Move action to stand up, but remain crouched
Stanard action to ready shield)

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+13=15 ;
Saturday September 20th, 2014 5:48:10 AM

Murphy was indeed sawing logs as the rest of the camp was aroused. Fatine's hollering finally penetrated his brain, and he awakens. He gets up, stretches, and picks up his staff sling. He shuffles over to look out through the space between the meat wagon and the clothing wagon.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Saturday September 20th, 2014 10:16:56 AM
OOC: Shel isn't trained in Knowledge Nature, so she can't hit any of the DC's, so I didn't roll for her.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+5=16 ;
Sunday September 21st, 2014 7:40:57 PM
Knowledge (Nature) Roll: 16
Hazel, mounted on Faoil, moves forward towards the animal noises.

"Seems like animals! Don't be afraid!" - he shouts, trying to scare the animals away.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cap'n Cayzle) 
Monday September 22nd, 2014 11:42:01 AM

Bliss is not sure what is going on, so he keeps his head low and loads his bah.

[DM StevenVdB] - Wake everyone up! 
Monday September 22nd, 2014 5:18:32 PM
(serious connection troubles here in Slovakia atm so very short post... Sorry)

It is Hazel who realizes Gramorn has been mistaken... Whatever is circling around the camp is not human... They soubd like hungry animals... Probably attravted by the smell off the delicious food?

What do you do? The animals are not closing in... Yet

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday September 22nd, 2014 9:08:45 PM
Shel climbs to the top of the wagon, trying to get to the highest point possible. "There's a ton of different animals in the world. Don't suppose those are some kitty cats out there, are there? I wouldn't mind petting a nice kitty right now," Shel mutters to herself.

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+9=27 ;
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 3:53:56 AM
"Ha! It's wolfies. Hey, wolfies ... you like chicken? Just a moment!" Murphy moves quickly over to his cart, andasks for help. "Each of us take a cage, grab a chicken from out the cage, let the wolves see the chicken, break the neck and toss it to them. They probably have some pups to feed."

Murphy does as he described, getting the attention of the prowling lupines, then killing and tossing a chicken out toward the wolves outside the wagon circle. There are two more chickens. "Mind you leave the rooster be," he recommends.

"Please, friends, drovers - we may not have to fight the wolves if we feed them. Who else will play 'toss the chicken'?"

[Knowledge nature 27]

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 5:47:34 AM

Bliss watches Murphy, but he ain't moving! Those chickens are as big as he is! Bliss is afraid the chicken would throw him to the wolves. He stays hid, bah in hand, preparing to snipe from hiding if the canines attack.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=26 ;
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 6:16:00 AM
Alleah is not in the habit of throwing things away. At the moment she's trying to think of a way to get the chicken Murphy threw back. Could even mean more feathers for her pillow.

"Make as much noise as you can" she yells to the merchants "Try and scare them off from the main camp! If they take the food, so be it, but keep them away from you!" Alleah is ready to follow Hazel's lead on this one.

Alleah makes her way to the rear of wagon #3 (the one that had livestock). She casts her cleric cantrip ("Light") on her shield, and instantly gets a better view of her surrounds. (Perception: 26)

"Yah! Yah!" Honestly, she has no idea what it is she is supposed to say to scare away wolves, but she has heard famers yell "yah" to move cattle. Perhaps that's the magic word to get animals to move?

Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 5:18:03 PM
"Oh, and Hazel, you can help with a chicken if you'd like. Just in case, you might want to get those silver bullets ready, though. Wolves, if you understand common, and you're shape-shifters, we are ready to do you harm if you try to harm us. If all you want is a meal, though, more chickens are on the way. Why not be friends?" He speaks in a friendly, chatty fashion.

If no one else does so, he goes and grabs another chicken to throw to the wolves.

[DM StevenVdB] - Wake everyone up! 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 5:33:50 PM
Shel gets to the highest point possible on one of the wagons just in case those animals aren't cute kitties... but the good thing is, the party has an animal adept in its ranks. Murphy understands these are but mere wolves looking for food! So he grabs a chicken, break the neck of one and tosses it over into the direction of the hungry wolves. Immediately the wolves seem to throw themselves onto their meal! Murphy asks the rest of you to do the same. Gramorn, somewhat ashamed for having mistaken wolves for men, grabs one too and throws it at the wolves.

Bliss is happy they don't mistake his tiny self for a chicken (size wise that is...) and doesn't feel thrilled to throw one... after all, a killer chicken could throw him instead!

Alleah rather keeps the chickens for stuffing her pillow more so instead of throwing bait, she tries to scare the animals away by making lots of noises... the chickens do win it from the noise for the time being... perhaps once they have devoured some of them their fright of the noise will return...

Having spend too much weird adventures already and coming from a family of adventurers of all kinds, Murphy wonders if these wolves could be shape changed people or something like that... or lycans for all that matter! But... neither of the wolves seems to understand a word he's saying.

Once the 3 chickens are outside the perimiter the wolves grab their meal and run off...

--------------------------------------------------

And then the nightly sounds return... in the distance you hear a wolf howling and you wonder if it's one of the three that just eat a chicken...

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 5:41:48 PM
"Huh . . . ." mumbles Fatine. "Well dat didn go dee way I figured on." She looks over at Murphy. "Dose would been some pretty good fur coats . . . ."



Murphy (Kim McCoy) 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 6:25:30 PM

"Thanks, Gramorn!"

Murphy responds to Fatine. "Chicken fur?" he laughs, then realizes he misunderstood her import. "Oh, wolf fur? Sure, they often have nice fur. Best time to get them is in early winter when their coat is full, if warm attire is what you have in mind."

He yawns and stretches. "All right, I'm back to bed. Wake me in a few hours for second watch!" And he crawls back into his bedroll, backpack and sling staff close at hand.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 10:06:05 PM
"Sorry, Murphy. Killing chickens isn't what I do. Glad you brought them and all, but I can't see me doing that. Wonder what time it is? I bet my watch is just about over. Who's next," Shel wonders, stretching and yawning.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 10:27:44 PM
So sorry for missing posting...
Hazel helps throwing dead chickens to the wolves.
"I though in scaring them away, but the feeding idea worked. Hope they don't get used to it. Good thinking Murphy."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 4:27:19 AM
Alleah keeps her shield lit, and takes some time to check on the ponies. And the first one she will check on will be 'Casper'.

"Is everyone ok?"

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+13=27 ;
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 6:07:51 AM

"Shel, that's fine. We had a few others to do that. I figured, though, that chickens would prevent bloodshed of halflings, as well as harm to the meatwagon, which is among those things we signed up to protect."

Looking up at the stars, Murphy says, "I figure you started your watch maybe an hour and a half ago, Shel. Keep your blinkers open longer, sleepyhead!"

"Thanks, Hazel. Yes, you're right, I thought of that, too. If we feed the wolves now, are they going to expect that of the next caravan coming through? It's just that I don't really like to kill people or animals unless there is a really good reason. I brought the chickens along for eating, anyway - we just gave away part of our meal so as to ensure that none of us became a meal."

And to Alleah, the druid says, "I hope so." He helps answer her question by inquiring of any of the drovers who may be awake whether they are all right.

"Has anyone seen Bliss? He sure can disappear from sight when he wants to."

And after that, THEN he gets into his bedroll.

Two to three hours after the wolf visit, it's time for second watch. Murphy gets up, makes sure that Hazel is up, too, and finds out from Shel & Fatine if anything else happened since then, and begins his four-hour shift of overseeing the safety of the caravan.

Perception: 27

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 7:01:18 AM

"zzzzzzzzz"

Once the danger is clearly over, Bliss is asleep again, escaping to dreams of swashbuckling and the Spanish Main.

Mookie flies back to camp and answers Murphy, "The Kid is tuckered out. I'll make sure he gets up for his watch."

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 10:28:05 AM
Hazel smiles fiercely to Mookie.
"Let us know if you need help with that!"

[DM StevenVdB] - Wake everyone up! 
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 4:10:36 PM
Not long after the commotion about the wolves, the party return to their bed rolls. Those on first shift sit out theirs and then wake the second group. After the second comes the third and they slowly see the sun rise on a misty damp morning. Clouds seem to hang low today but it's more like the morning mists that preludes a bright blue spring morning.

Nothing more happens that night and slowly the group awakens. The drivers tend to their work horses and prepare them for the trip to Humble's Ford.

"Gear up friends..." Leotiln says and snickers, "Let's hope we don't need to toss more chickens before we get to our destination..."

Well now... saddle up and get this convoy home friends!
Do what you deem safe...

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Wednesday September 24th, 2014 4:50:11 PM
Fatine hops up onto her pony and takes a position at the middle of the convoy. She sends Crow ahead to keep an eye out and come back to her if he sees anything interesting or dangerous.

"interestin' don' mean worms and bugs, Crow. Make sure it be interestin' to ME!"

Murphy (Kim McCoy)  d20+13=26 ;
Thursday September 25th, 2014 4:03:53 AM
Morning Spell Swap
Murphy alters his spell selection for the day (will reflect on character sheet by some time Thursday).

Banter
"We may encounter different types of wolves, Leotiln," Murphy tells him with a fairly straight face. Is that a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth? "But your cheese is likely safe, unless we come across some big cats."

Deployment, Part the First
He puts ponies Sugar and Nutmeg back in the traces to pull the cart. He saddles up Pippa, in case things get exciting and he decides that he can do a better job mounted. Pippa's lead he ties to the left side of his cart.

"Shel, would you mind riding in the cart again?" He quietly adds, "I may have you take over the reins, or at the least stop the cart, should an attack take place. Also, with the way I've arranged things in the back, you can get some shelter from arrows and such should we come under attack that way, as they did back when we were in the enclosed carriage under guard."

Some Group Background
He takes a few minutes to talk with Alleah and Bliss, as they are newcomers to the group. "We here, plus some of our other friends, were out at the old Parley House. Idafeatyu, an ogre mage, lead a criminal group that preyed on caravans along the Old Traders Road - which we travel on. Shortly before we killed him - he started the fight - he told us we had taken out, by his count, about ten of his followers, but that a handful remained. Now, I don't know whether 'a handful' was four or five or, as he had big hands, a few more than that. It could be they still are out collecting what he called their 'tithes' from passing merchants. If so, it would be sweet to take them down, and to bring any to justice who do not meet it on the road.

"Also, there is the man who wears a cloak. I may be mistaken, but I think it possible he is the same man who dealt with goblins whom we dealt with fatally after they had kidnapped Humble's Ford's beloved handyman and former games champion, Eldon Tosscobble. But that may have been a human, not a halfling, as the one who recently fostered chaos in our town seems to have been. I am trying to put the pieces together, and, as with a puzzle, some pieces look to fit until you get them right up where you thought they might go." He scratches his nose. "So, we'll see what fits and what doesn't. Or, we'll get safety back to the Ford with no further problems along the way."

TACTICAL NOTES
Aerial Scouting
"If our feathered friends can be on the alert for logs across the road, or, if there is brush over the road that might hide a freshly dug pit, and we can stop well short of that, then that may thwart what bad folks think to be a perfectly laid ambush. If such happens, maybe we can circle the wagons well short of the trap, and prepare a good defense before they can get to us. Can you two alternate turns?" he asks of Mookie and of Fatine's crow. "One flies out front for a spell, the other rests?"

Circle formations
He talks to the drivers, and discusses 'circle right' and 'circle left' commands - essentially following the lead of the wagon ahead of them until a defensive circle is formed. He thinks about having a few practice runs... he wants to have a few practice runs - but with the slowness of the heavily laden wagons, and the miles they have to cover, he decides that a verbal preview is all that he is going to give - other than to say that the formation they did last night was 'circle right.' He decides to not even bring up his notion of a 'Y' defensive wagon array. This is merely a caravan from Angel Springs to Humble's Ford, after all.

Deployment of Guards, Part the Second
In discussing deployment of the guard, Murphy says, Shel and I will be in the cart up front. Hazel, I know you like to go well in front. I do not want you to be too far in front, though - no more than sixty feet. Or, you can take right flank, a wagon or two back. You tell me where you want to be with Faoil, though. You can roam a bit, if that seems right to you.

"Fatine, would you mind sitting high on a wagon, perhaps a third of the way back? Tell me if you want to be elsewhere, though.

Alleah, Bliss - what are your preferences? We need someone to be a rear guard. I know you can move quickly, Bliss.

Travelling Mercies
Before they take off, he voices an appeal heavenward. "Lord Eberyon, let the power of nature aid us should the need arise. Lord Alemi, keep us and those in our charge in good health as we travel this road. Lord Domi, fill us with courage should we meet a foe. Lord Pantheon, let our ways and our actions be just. Lord Ffloy, may the drivers of this caravan honestly earn their pay, and the merchants make decent profit, and the customers be pleased with valued goods. Lord Gargul, we ask that we come not into your presence untimely, and that we have an appreciation for the transitory nature of life. Lord Wardd, we carry the lodestone which fixes upon the moon with your name. And, Lady Flower, help us to walk true in the ways of love, that Hazel may offer his beloved many kisses upon our return."

"CARAVAN, HO!"

Murphy leads the wagons with his own cart out of the circle, and along the way to Humble's Ford.

[Perception for 1st leg of the trip: 26]

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (by Kim for Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday September 25th, 2014 4:14:30 AM

"Ride in the cart? Yes. Just don't ever get any ideas about treating me the way you treated those chickens, buster!" She will take the reins from time to time to relieve Murphy.

Along the way she recalls a rhyme she and her friends used to sing as they skipped rope.
Eight equines pulled
The two big wagons
And twenty four huge pumpkins
Went a-flyin' off of Carter's Cliff
And made a pony pumpkin pie"
She chants the words, and wonders about the story behind the skipping song.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+9=24 ; d20+10=20 ; d20+4=6 ; d20+8=11 ;
Thursday September 25th, 2014 6:41:28 AM
"So some of the followers remain? And could well be on this road somewhere waiting to pounce? Well now, that just makes me feel all the more nervous" Alleah cocks an eyebrow on this piece of news from Murphy.

Alleah packs away her kit, her pillow, and the winter blanket she used to shelter Casper.

She mounts and guides the pony to the middle cart. When it comes to combat, Alleah isn't much of a fighter. She can bandage people, she can cast spells to help them, but hand-to-hand combat is really not her thing. She much prefers the relative safety of the middle of the pack.

Knowl Nature: 24 to identify edible/poisonous plants or hazards
Perception: 20
Survival to keep from getting lost: 6. Anyone have a map? :)
Ride: 11

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+13=27 ; d20+24=42 ; d20+11=18 ;
Thursday September 25th, 2014 7:45:38 AM

A new day! A new adventure! Bliss is glad to start out!

Since the caravan goes slow, he does not need to cast his longstrider right away. Since he has two castings (thanks to his pearl!), each lasting 2 hours, he'll cast it at 10 am and at 1 pm.

He asks Miss Alleah if she has any orders for him.

For this day of adventure, there is no telling what Bliss is doing at any given moment (except orders, if any, come first). Roll a d8:

1) Casting Reduce Person on himself.
2) Casting Enlarge Person on Mookie, mounting up, and flying for a minute just to see things from high up. (Perception 27)
3) Hiding in the vegetation at the side of the road (Stealth 42)
4) Playing with Hazel's dog Faoil.
5) Listening to Mister Murphy tell a story. He likes the story of the ogre with the funny name.
6) Asking Shel for more poetry.
7) Pestering Quitranna and Jamfire. Do they like being brothers and sisters? He used to have sisters. Are they orphans? Bliss is an orphan. Well, except for his Aunt Priss. What does Jamfire mean? Bliss means Happiness. Can he drive the cart? They had lots of carts in the Mailed Fist; he watched folks drive them all the time and he always wanted to try. Pleeeeeeeese?
8) Having a snack. Trained slight of hand to swipe some salami from Quitranna's cart: (Slight of Hand 18)

Bliss walks arond carrying his loadd bah, unless he needs his hands free for something, like eating a snack or playing with the dog.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+8=25 ; d20+11=22 ; d20+9=13 ;
Thursday September 25th, 2014 11:58:45 AM
Hazel, after hearing Murphy pray for the kisses he will give Alouryn when they return, says in loud voice, while wearing a big smile:
"Amen to that, my friend!"
He will go at the front, scouting ahead, some 50'-60' feet.
Survival: 25
Perception: 22
Faoil Aid Another Perception: 13

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday September 25th, 2014 3:19:31 PM
Shel blushed a little after reciting her poetry. She didn't do that often, being really self conscious about things. She took the reigns when offered, and tried to keep the wagon on its path. "Whoa, pony, whoa," she called out a couple times, making sure she didn't lose control of the cart. She started to relax a bit, and watch the playful Bliss running around, riding Mookie, and hiding in the forest. He has less of an attention span than I do, she thought as she tried to fight a little smirk.

OOC: thanks Kim for posting for me yesterday. My mobile devices are fighting this site something fierce. But, I was able to log on today, for the first time since Tuesday, so I'm trying.

[DM StevenVdB] - Who knew it could be this boring!?!  d8=1 ; d100=52 ; d8=2 ;
Thursday September 25th, 2014 5:37:14 PM
No one ever told you guarding a convoy could be this boring! Apart from the nightly visit from the wolves and the occasional traveler you met on the road nothing happens... just nothing!!
Man this is boring...

While Fatine had hopes she would find something interesting to her it turns out the opposite...

Murphy tells of passed adventures to the ones that are new to the Humble's Sword. Some matters are as disturbing as they are interesting to Alleah! What with the followers of Idafeatu?!? Could they still be out for some revenge??

His tacitcal notes make sure the caravan goes well guarded down the road home and (most) of his prayers appear to be answered for you are rewarded with a safe trip home. Hazel can only hope all of Mrphy's prayer comes through... "Amen to that!"

A few hours down the road Bliss once again casts his reduce person (much to the interest of Quitranna) and a bit later he enlarges Mookie to saddle up and fly a bit overhead... much to Mookies intrest?!?

Riding in a cart Shel sings a few songs while the ponies pull their heavy loads.

Who knew it could be this boring!?!

------------------------------------------------------------

Hours later, hours which seem to have taken an eternity, you finally arrive in Humble's Ford again. They convoy is safe and nothing happened! There's no way of knowing right away if anything has happend in town while you were gone but at least you don't hear or see any uprising nor signs of any while you were gone...

Not long before you have laid eyes on Humble's Ford you are greeted by Iangold Laughshield. He appears to be very happy to see the transport safe and sound... oh yes, of course he's pleased you are all fine too...

"A job very well done my friends! You have deserved your reward even though nothing has happened. Please bring the convoy to the new barn I have rented for our business... I will meet you there again with the promised payments of course. I'm assuming coin and gems just like the advance payment?"

You receive direction from Iangold which will help you get all wagons to the barn in casu.



Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Thursday September 25th, 2014 8:11:41 PM
"Whew!" Fatine says. "Dat was hard work. Well . . . not so much hard as really boring. Anyone for a drink? We gots some new money too spend, no?"

[DM StevenVdB] - Who knew it could be this boring!?! 
Friday September 26th, 2014 5:57:50 AM
Ooc - flying home from Slovakia this afternoon so I can't promise I will make a post this evening but I will try my best.

And like the Editors sing:

and when a plane falls down from the sky...
how big a hole would it leave
in the surface of the earth...

Let's hope I will never have to tell :-)

Murphy (Kim)  d20+13=19 ;
Friday September 26th, 2014 6:21:17 AM

To his companions, Murphy cautions, "All may be well. However, keep eyes and ears open as we approach the barn." If the landscape allows, he drives his cart in a wide circle around the barn prior to settling in near the entrance. With the orchestrated growth in town mischief of late, he is reluctant to take things for granted.

Perception: 19. Also, Murphy casts detect magic a few times as he goes around the building, trying to see if anything arcane is afoot.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+8=9 ; d20+6=17 ; d20+13=20 ;
Friday September 26th, 2014 10:05:59 AM

On the road, Bliss sees Shel looking at him, and he immediately tries a cartwheel, just for fun. Untrained Tumble 17. "How did you like my Summer-Salt, Miss Shel? I never did one before!"

...

When the trip is all done, Bliss listens to Murphy. "Hmmm. Mister Murphy, you seem suspicious!" It does make Bliss wonder why they got paid so much money for so easy a job.

Maybe it is his new friend's paranoia rubbing off, but Bliss listens to Iangold with a skeptical ear.

Sense Motive 9!

And Bliss looks around where Murphy points. Perception 20.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=19 ; d20+10=19 ;
Friday September 26th, 2014 10:58:16 AM
"Not a problem at all Broker Laughshield. A minor encounter with some wolves, but nothing we couldn't handle. Pardon me for prying, however the merchants mentioned something about an Annual Humble's Ford Sale Day. I would love to spend some of this coin - especially if there is a good bargain to be had. Any chance you could let us know a little more about the event?" Alleah enquires "Um, also, is there any chance Casper here is for sale?" She gives the pony a pat on his side.

"I'd be happy to pay market price and have it taken from my share of the promised payment" Alleah has become quite fond of the pure white pony.

Sense Motive: 19
OOC: Fyi - A non-combat trained pony retails for 30gp in the PRD. 45gp for combat trained
-----------------------------------

Alleah's eyes and ears are about as keen as Murphy's on this occasion as the group head to the 'new barn'. These Ffloy folk sure work quick to have built a new barn already. Perhaps they used magical means to speed up the construction?

She glances to Bliss and senses his suspicion. "Hmm... it was quite a lot of money for a simple escort job. You know, back in Dirt City there was a racket going on. Anyway, what I'd ... I mean ... what THEY'D do was pay some well-to-do patsy to escort a shipment of normal goods. Make the pay so much that there was no way they'd turn it down. But, there'd be contraband hidden in amongst the trade goods. The guards would be less likely to snoop around, but if they did, it means someone else to take the blame. We'd call them 'mules'. Just saying"

"Hmm... if that's the case here I should ask for a bigger cut next time" she notes to herself.

She casts Deathwatch (a cantrip), just on the off-chance there are people - or worse - hiding in the barn waiting to attack.

Perception: 19

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=12 ; d20+9=13 ;
Friday September 26th, 2014 12:15:49 PM
Hazel keeps his distance from Mr. Laughshield, trying to refrain from telling him what he thinks. He eyes the town suspiciously, trying to see what new robberies, tricks and changes have the Ffloy followers made.
Hazel Perception Check: 12
Faoil Aid Another Perception Check: 13
"Let's hurry up, so we can go with Alouryn and hear what new disgraces those guys brought into town in our absence..."

[DM StevenVdB] - Who knew it could be this boring!?! 
Friday September 26th, 2014 5:38:14 PM
Slowly you take the caravan to the barn Iangold has mentionned. Murphy takes some time to inspect the place.

Module 4 - Barn

The fact that they got paied so much for such an easy job does raise suspicions with Bliss. Perhaps Murphy's paranoia is caught by the tiny witch.

Alleah informs Iangold of the minor encounter they had during the night and then asks him about the 'Annual Sale Days'. She never heard of it but it does sound interesting for spening some coin there.

"These Sale Days used to be the most important markets every year. Humble's Ford must have had the last one of them a few hundred years ago. Back then they ran the 'Trade Bell' to signal the Biguns of the South to come to the market. It was big business! I've decided to reinstall the sale days... and the first one is coming up in just a few days. Every merchant in and around Humble's Ford has received invitiation to come to town! It's going to be fantastic!! That also why I got this large convoy here!", Iangold tells her.

More keen on getting to his beloved Hazel sees no signs of new robberies of any kind.

Once you arrive at the barn, the drivers park their wagons safely inside. The horses also are inside but no longer harnassed to the wagons.

Iangold has not yet arrived giving you some time to further inspect the barn adn the surroundings if you want to.

-----------------------------------

A few explanations on the barn:

The map shows the barn with the 5 wagons in it. The blue lines are windows. The translucent green area's show the visible area through the windows. The yellow lines are two big double doors that swing open outward. To the North and West the barn is surrounded by a treeline. The East and South opens up to a pebble road that will lead towards the town.
The roof has a 45°a angle.


Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday September 26th, 2014 10:10:22 PM
"Very nice acrobatics, Bliss! I'm afraid I'd end up bumping my noggin if I were to try that!"

Shel, while bored on he job, enjoyed getting outside for a bjt and talking to Murphy, Hazel and the witches. She also learned a little bit about driving a horse cart, as well. The bit with the chickens and wolves were a bit garish, but the trip was a nice experience.

She also kept her eyes on the particular pieces she fancied in the clothing wagon, making sure she'd be first in line on the day of the annual sale.



Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=11 ;
Saturday September 27th, 2014 7:28:24 AM
"Lot of good places to look both in and out the windows. How long do you think we have to protect the wagons for?" Alleah asks "If it was an escort job, shouldn't the job be finished now that we are here? If Mr Laughshield wants us to continue guarding his goods, perhaps we should ask for some additional daily pay? Anyway, the barn is pretty close to the tree line. Good spot for bandits to hide in"

Alleah shrugs, and then sets to aiding the drivers as best she can. A cantrip here and there to make things easier for them (Create Water, Prestidigitation, Mending, Guidance, etc). Whatever she can do to ingratiate herself onto them. The sale day will be here soon, and what better way to get the scoop on the goods than being in good favour with the merchants.

Perception: 11

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Saturday September 27th, 2014 11:37:05 AM

"I love this barn!" exclaims Bliss.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=24 ; d20+9=22 ;
Sunday September 28th, 2014 7:23:26 PM
Hazel accompanies his friends to the barn, while looking over his shoulder, imagining Alouryn's face in every girl we sees, wishing to see her soon.
He remains mounted on Faoil, outside the barn.
"Do you think we are done here? I would love to go ahead and look for Alouryn. There is a prayer I need to see answered, if you catch my meaning..."
He laughs with ease, happy to be back to town, and see that nothing bad has happened (as far as he knows).
Hazel perception check: 24
Faoil Aid Another perception check: 22

Murphy (Kim)  d20+10=18 ; d20+10=19 ; d20+10=18 ; d20+10=17 ; d20+10=11 ; d20+10=25 ; d20+10=25 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+10=24 ; d20+10=20 ;
Monday September 29th, 2014 12:58:33 AM

"Hazel, go. Find Alouryn. Let the prayer be answered. Most of us will be here until the contract is complete, which ought to be soon. I'm going to look into the trees a bit, since, as Alleah pointed out, the woods make a fine launching point from which to try to take the goods."

He takes a whistle from a pouch. "If something is going on and you need help, blow the whistle. Three blasts, a pause, and three blasts mean, 'Come quickly!' If you hear the same, then know we call for you."

He takes more whistles from the pouch, and gives one to each member of the party. "We should likely figure out other signals, too, but that one will do for now." He quietly tells the party members, quietly, in case there be anyone else about in the bar, "I shall change into an owl, then look around the woods for a while. If I'm not back in, say, fifteen to twenty minutes, then you can wonder what happened to me. Or, if I hear a whistle blowing, I'll try to get back quickly. But likely the promised payment for the job should be here soon."

He asks if anyone has any questions for him before he leaves for a bit. Bliss, Alleah, Shel, Hazel, Fatine - Murphy will respond, then (assuming there is no one except for party members in the barn), change into an owl, and fly out the doors they came in, go a bit of a distance away from the barn, flying low, and around to the woods on the south west side (assuming the barn map is oriented with north upwards), enter in and fly about the wooded area, seeing what he may see, hearing what he may hear. He may stop from time to time, listen for a bit in one area, look around, then move on. He checks for trails through the woods that people or animals may use.

[It seems his perception is a bit better in halfling form than in owlish - though owls do use echo location, too. Perception while moving through the woods, 10 rolls for the DM to do with as he wishes: 18, 19, 18, 17, 11, 25, 25, 16, 24, 20 - it looks like his senses improved after a few rounds of orientation. If you need more rolls for Murphy in owl form, feel free to roll for him.]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday September 29th, 2014 9:54:24 AM
check...

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C)  d20+4=18 ; d20+4=18 ; d20+4=23 ; d20+4=12 ; d20+4=13 ; d20+4=11 ;
Monday September 29th, 2014 11:22:37 AM
Fatine whispers to Crow, then throws the raven into the air. "Dis dumb bird will look around too. Dat will leave me wit' some peace an' quiet for awhile, eh bird?"

Crow's perception rolls, if needed: 18, 18, 23, 12, 13, 11

Fatine blows the whistle once. "Yup. Dat works good." With that, she settles in by the front door to wait out the guard duty.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+13=28 ;
Monday September 29th, 2014 3:27:13 PM

"I never saw a barn with windows!" Bliss exclaims. [OOC: Are the windows open holes, or filled with glass or oilcloth?, maybe wood shutters?

The tiny fellow hops up and down, peering through all the windows.

Perception 28

[DM StevenVdB] - More cargositting? 
Monday September 29th, 2014 4:49:45 PM
(the windows are more like shutters, no glass in them)

You all have some time to inspect the barn and the trees. There's nothing very special about it. It's a sturdy wooden barn with shutters. Heavy beams support the roof.

About 15 minutes later Iangold shows up.

"First things first. Please sign here for your rewards." he says as he offers each of you another 400 Gold (Gems or coin like you preferred earlier) Again no paiement for Hazel of course as he decided not to take it. Once the paperwork is done (you now again hold a receipt) Iangold continues.

"May I hire you for one more task. Tomorrow this cargo will be processed and prepared for the Sale Dayes, but tonight, I have no one to guard it... too many have seen the cargo come through town and I don't risk leaving it alone... Of course, you don't have to do this for free..."

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday September 29th, 2014 7:48:44 PM
"What were you thinking would be fair for a night of guarding? Sleeping on this hard ole ground, or on a wagon? Neither seem too comfy. But, if you pay us more of these pretty gems, I think we'd give you just one more night. And, you give us the first 15 minutes to shop at the sale day, of course.. I've picked my favorites and want to get first crack at them."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20=19 ;
Monday September 29th, 2014 9:35:12 PM
Alleah nods along "And I'd still like to buy 'Casper' here, if he's for sale that is"

"Let me propose the following - a fair payment for a nights work, the opportunity to have early access to the sale day items, and a fair price on this pony. In exchange, we guard your cargo items for you tonight. Of course, since we are in town at the moment, perhaps you could also arrange for a night time meal to be sent from the tavern as well?"

Diplomacy: 19 to haggle for a good deal

Alleah then looks to Murphy and Hazel, before addressing Iangold again "and if it is permissible, Broker Laughshield, might I humbly ask that my colleagues here be permitted to view the contract you have with the town in regards to the use of the temple?"

Alleah feels torn. She desperately wants to be liked by Mr Laughshield, yet she understands how disappointed Murphy and Hazel are that the temple is now a place of worship for Ffloy instead of Flower. This is going to be a very fine line to walk.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 12:14:27 PM
Hazel goes back to Alouryn, to fulfill some prayers. And ask what has happened in his absence.
He also wants to know what the Flower clergy plan to do now without their temple.

Fatine AC 17/14/15, HP 23/23 (Matt C) 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 4:49:07 PM
Fatine smiles at Alleah's mention of food. "Good negosheatin'," she says. "Ol' Fatine do it for dee food and a small fee, but dee food need to be good!"

[DM StevenVdB] - More cargositting? 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 5:12:49 PM
Iangold listens to what each of you has to say about the extra night of cargositting.

To Shel he nods and says: "Deal... 15 minutes to shop before anyone else can..."

To Alleah he adds: "Yes you are free to buy... 'Casper'? if you want to. Prices for simple ponies are 30Gp but I'll let you go for 25Gp. " and with a little sigh he continues, "Food and drinks on the house then...
Fatine smiles at the prospect of food and drink and praises his friends for their bargaining.

But when Alleah questions Iangold Laughshield about the contract he has with the town's Mayor he frowns... "As I shall not disclose any contracts we have together with others, so shall I not disclose any other contracts with you... The Contract with the town is only for the mayor's and my own eyes to see... you have no business with that I am sorry. "

Hazel has ran of for a while to check on Alouryn. After all, there are still a few hours before dusk, so assuming he will be back before nightfall he can have some quality time with his bonny lass.
Turns out Alouryn, with aid of Cora Tosscobble have been working on the wedding! There's a first draft of whoom to invite... a list which basically appears to be all of Humble's Ford! For food and drinks it's custom that all those invited bring something for the party so there should be plenty for everyone that comes! What Alouryn's dress will look like remains a secret to Hazel...
The moment Alouryn lays eyes on her beloved she runs straight into his arms and wants to hear all he and his friends have been up with. She speaks about the Sale Days (where she might find the right things for her wedding dress) and so on...

Back at the barn Iangold spends a few minutes writing up the details on a new template contract.

"Very well then... I'm affraid I can't go much futher than 200 Gp a person... the road trip was expected to be far more dangerous while here the cargo is well protected in the barn. I will also take care of food and drink for you all. If you accept please sign your names right here..."

He holds out the contract for all to sign...

The drivers take of to town planning on spending the night in the taverns...



Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 8:10:27 PM
Shel again makes sure that there is no magical spells on the contract using Detect Magic. Assuming there is none, she signs her name on the contract. "Good deal, Mr. Iangold. If anyome wants to get in to mess with the wagons, we could lock the doors to keep them out. Then a few of us could wait inside, just to be on the safe side. Of course, I don't know who would want to steal this stuff.".

Shel then looks to Alleah. "Casper sure is pretty! I think you are getting a very deal deal on him. When you aren't riding him around, you might talk Murphy into letting you keep him out at his parent's place."

But another bag of gems for another fairly easy night sounds great to me!

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 10:31:10 PM
Bliss signs if Alleah does, but he adds that warehouse guard is not the job he thought he would have as a heroic adventurer.

"Did Mama ever work as a warehouse guard?" he asks Mookie.

The old bird replies, "No Kid, she was too busy fighting liches and goblins and plants and things."

"See!" says Bliss.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Tuesday September 30th, 2014 10:41:22 PM
Alleah gives a slight bow and smiles to the Broker. "Thankyou Broker Laughshield. You are a fair and honest trader. We shall do our best not to disappoint you"

She reaches for the quill to sign, however pauses and looks to the others. The last time she jumped in to sign her name some of the group thought she was being too hasty. Alleah gives a nod to indicate that she intends to sign.

"Hmm... he plans to spend some 5000gold to ensure these goods make it to the sale day. And being such a high ranking member of his clergy, he must surely be very good at business. Either these goods are very very expensive, or, they are required for some sort of investment opportunity. Perhaps he's hoping they will draw a crowd that will spend even more in the sale? Either way, I can't wait to get a private look in these wagons"


Murphy (Kim) 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 12:57:09 AM
"Not too many liches in halfling towns, and thank heaven for that," comments Murphy as he shows up back in the barn. After looking through the woods, he found where trails were, where people might be able to hide, or to prepare for ambush.

He catches up on what the priest of Ffloy offers, reads the contract with as much care as before, signs it. "We need more lights," he announces.

[More in a bit - no time for full post at the moment.]

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 11:12:09 AM
Hazel glups at the list length...but he knows better as to try to say something about it...
He takes a pouch from his backpack...
"I have 300 gp here, I promise I will get more..."
He starts to think getting the job as guardian from the Ffloy guys wasn't such a bad idea.
"Have fun shopping. I'll go see how the others are."
OOC: He will spend some quality time with Alouryn, and then go back to the rest and the night watch, together with Faoil.
Do I take the money out of his Character Sheet?
When he meets his friends again he sighs.
"I never thought wedding could be so expensive..."

[DM StevenVdB] - More cargositting? 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 4:55:26 PM
Iangold Laughshield smiles as one by one the Humble's Sword - after inspection for magic by Shel and scrutinizing the little legal notices on the back of the paper by Murphy, once again write their names on the contract.

Alleah ponders the fact that a lot of gold has been spent in order to keep this convoy safe... either it's worth a lot or Iangold has more to loose that just gold if the convoy goes to waste... his reputation perhaps?!? Or could there be something else?!? Or are you just once again suffering from some serious paranoia?!? None the less... Iangold has been spending a lot of gold on this protection!

Hazel needs to swallow a couple of times as he sees the list of people that Alouryn wants to invite and starts to look at his gold... "Keep that gold where it is lad, Eldon and I will help you and our lovely Alouryn here with the wedding... after all, we owe you something don't we! Of course, young man, you will need to make sure to provide an income once you are married!"
And it is then that Hazel realises that working for an honest pay in service of the Ffloy people might not be as bas as he thought it would be at first. Perhaps if he's not too late at the barn he might still sign the contract Iangold has offered and take the 200 the broker promised too!! Hurry up lad!!

----------------------------------

Once the sun sinks behind the horizon you are alone in the barn... it's been a long day and it could be a long night too. The sky is overcast. Occasionally the moon peaks through the clouds.
Murphy calls for more lights at the barn.

Time for some tactics my friends... who knows... perhaps there will be more than just wolves tonight?! Or it could be a pack of wolves favouring more chicken!!

(please consider the barn map I showed earlier and specify your positions. I will add some numbers and letters to the map shortly.)



Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 5:48:26 PM
Murphy leaves 200 gp in gems with Shel to give to Hazel when he returns. "Guys, Hazel helped us out, and was on the team. If anyone else cares to share some of the proceeds from our outing, he might be able to use it to meet his bride's expectations. I'm giving some money for him to Shel to pass on to him when he returns."

Then he says, "Friends, I'm going to drop off my cart and ponies at my family's place - but I'll likely bring Pippa back with me. Then I'll stop by Pirnook Deeppockets' General Store to get a few items to help us out tonight, and head on back. I'll try to do all that in the next 30 minutes or so. If you want me to pick up something in particular for you, let me know - and perhaps give me enough to cover the cost," he adds with a smile. "Perhaps the rest of you can see what might be done to secure the shutters on the open windows, figure out some obstacles against those who have larceny on their hearts - as well as means to secure prisoners should we capture intruders. My prayer is that any so foolish as to try to steal will not have murder on their hearts, as well. Let's try to keep all of us in good health - but also try to avoid killing intruders. Foil, yes. Cripple temporarily, perhaps. But kill? Likely it will be fellow halflings who attempt the deed. Let us not cause death over dry goods, if it can be helped. And, we don't want to burn down the barn."

Murphy takes some items off the cart he figures might be of some use in preparation for defending the goods. About 250 feet of rope, shovels, pick axes, crowbar, bags full of various things, caltrops, alchemical devices, a folded tent, and a number of other items he arranges neatly on the ground. "If you can think of something useful to do with any of this, feel free to get a head start. Do you all remember what we did with our banner in the game of Capture the Flag a few months back? What if the goods were hidden elsewhere, and the wagons were full of rocks, brush, and wood? Anyway, I'll see you all in about half an hour, I trust."

The halfling druid drives his cart out of the barn, led by Nutmeg and Sugar, and Pippa at the rear. He heads to his home nearby, gets his siblings to take care of the two cart ponies and the conveyance. He rides Pippa over to Pirnook's store, greeting friends and neighbors he might spot along the way, ties the pony's reins to a pole not far from the entrance, and heads inside to purchase some items.

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 5:52:53 PM
OOC
[Huh - at the time I began writing my post, your post was not yet up, StevenVdB (I got interrupted in the middle of writing it). Is it okay if my post of 5:48pm took place before the 'sun sinks behind the horizon'?

I will post a bit later in response to the rest of your 4:55pm post. -Kim]

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 8:58:49 PM
"I don't know if he will take any of the gems, Murphy, but I'll do my best to get him to accept them. I'll match your share to him as well...Hazel is our buddy. I understand if you other three don't want to kick in as you haven't known any of us that long."

When Hazel arrives, Shel tries to give him the 400 gold. "I know you are going to need this in the future, even if you don't need it right now. Don't let your stubbornness get in the way of this payment. It'll help with any upcoming expenses, especially if Alouryn wants a family," Shel adds, as Hazel blushes a bit.

OOC: Note for myself...that means if we survive the night, Shel will get a total of 800 gold from the caravan guarding and the overnight work.

"How do we want to organize this? Do we stay in the barn, or do we stay outside the barn, or do we split up, some of us inside and some of us outside?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d2=2 ; d20+10=26 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+10=11 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+7=22 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=27 ;
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 10:07:49 PM
Alleah listens to what Murphy and Shel have to say. True, Hazel did the same amount of work as anyone else, however, it was his decision not to get paid for it. Why should she be out of pocket for his decision?

She quietly makes her way over to one of the wagons so as to 'consult Wardd' in private. (Coin toss: d2=2=Tails)

Alleah returns back to where the others were talking. "Look, Hazel had the same chance to get paid for the job as the rest of us, but chose not to. It was his decision. Forcing proceeds onto him now could just upset him. If it's all the same, I won't be looking to offend him by offering him anything" Alleah pauses to build up some suspense "Instead, I'd be happy to go shopping with Alouryn for a wedding dress and see if she'll let me pay for that."

Alleah is quite happy with that idea. She's not one for wearing 'pretty' dresses, but does enjoy the shopping part.

But back to serious work.

"Are we happy to stick with three watches again? It lets everyone have a full rest. Oh, and don't forget that Mr Laughshield said he would send up some dinner for us. Just make sure no one attacks the delivery boy" she smiles.

She carefully checks the floor of the barn. If the group do guard from the outside she wants to make sure there are no secret hatches that bandits might sneak in from (Perception: 26)

Alleah then takes a small bell from her pack and hangs it by the doors at the west end of the barn (the end nearest the woods). If she hangs it above and just between the double doors it should ring when either is opened. And who would expect a bell in a barn?

She then takes to inspecting each wagon in detail. (Perception checks on each wagon: 22, 11, 28, 30, 14) She is not intending to rifle through all the goods, but it can't be helped. Alleah wants to make sure that they haven't picked up any stow-away bandits who might attack from within later in the night.

She can't help but inspect some of the goods in detail, trying to work out if there is anything she might make an offer on come sale day (Appraise check to determine some nice items: 22, 27, 27 - 2 x Nat 20s!)

Question to DM: Is there a loft in this barn? Are the horses/ponies that pulled the wagons in the barn too?

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday October 1st, 2014 10:59:37 PM

Bliss takes the watch with Miss Alleah again if that's okay, he asks her.

He looks around for Fatine. "Miss Fatine! Miss Fatine!" he calls out. "Maybe your familiar and my familiar can perch on the eaves of the barn for extra lookout tonight?"

Bliss listens to the talk about sharing the profits with Hazel. "Well, if Hazel is here to help guard stuff, then it is fair to share the payment too?"

The tiny halfling looks around with Alleah at the loft and rafters. If there's a place to perch up there, that's where he wants to be! He has the idea that shooting at enemies from above would be fun. Plus is there a way to go from the roof outside to the rafters inside easily? He asks Mookie to carry a rope up there, and then he climbs up and looks around.

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim)  d20+6=23 ; d20+6=11 ; d20+6=21 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=7 ; d20+6=17 ; d20+6=21 ; 2d4=7 ;
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 4:12:31 AM
Shopping, Delivery
Once he has what he needs from the store, Murphy takes two trips to his family burrow with the goods from Pirnook's place, then has 4 siblings help him hand cart the stuff over to the barn.

[Note: If the ponies are in the barn, then he only takes Pippa with him back to the barn. If no ponies except for Casper are left in the barn, then he also takes Sugar and Nutmeg back over there - though they may not be eager to leave the barn after their journey.]

And, arriving back at the barn about 40 minutes after he left (he's about 10 minutes later than his projected time), he brings in lots of stuff, which he lays out along the wall near the east door (assuming North is at the top of the map).

Surround Us With Light
"Here are a bunch of sunrods." There are plenty to carry out what he next proposes. "Who would like to place some sunk a bit into the ground every 30 feet within about 20 feet from the barn? That way anyone coming from the trees could be spotted, unless they come invisibly or something. Scatter caltrops in the slightly dimmer areas on the barn side of where the circles of light overlap, so someone trying to sneak by may have a painful time of tip-toeing if they try that route. Try to hide the caltrops a bit, if you can. Strike every other sunrod after all are placed. We can light the other ones later in the night. They last about six hours each."

Who will spread the light?

Rearrange the Wagons
"Say, let's move these wagons. Spread out like this, invaders can divide, divert, and take from one wagon while we defend another. If we put them close together in the center of the barn, we will have a tighter central area to guard."

Murphy walks to where he proposes the wagons be placed. If the ponies that pulled the wagons are still there, he drives each team, getting help from his fellows. If none of the ponies are left, he will hitch Sugar, Nutmeg, Pippa and, with Alleah's permission, Casper to each of the wagons in turn. Some backing up will be required for two of them.

The first wagon he moves into place is Wagon 5, and it ends up being placed roughly equidistant between the upper central support beams. Then W2 next to it, about half of the back of W2 matching half of the front of W5. W4 backs up to W2, and matches the rear half of W5. W1 is parallel and adjacent to W2, and W3 is parallel and adjacent to W4. The ends of W1 and W3 touch, as do the ends of W2 and W4.

See [link href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_xYydxjVu_WblcwNnNwMTFtUkk/edit?usp=sharing"]wagons rearranged[link] for the new configuration - the moved wagons in pink on the map.

The first wagon, W5, goes easily into place. The second (W2) requires some backing up and starting over, but then goes well. The third (W4) goes passably. But the fourth wagon (W1) begins horribly, as the trace slips on Pippa, who tries to break free of her place on the right rear of the team. It takes a few minutes for Murphy to calm her down, and another ten minutes or so to persuade her back into the traces. The last wagon (W3) fits nice and neatly. [Handle animals: 23 Wagon 5; 11 W2; 21 W2; 13 W4; 7 (nat 1) - trouble with W1; 17 - calming down, getting W1 parked; 21 W3]

Stable the Horses
After the wagons are in place, he directs the horses be placed over by where wagon 4 had been. He asks if someone can rope off the area, and set some food for them (he has oats, and there should be hay in the barn for them to eat, one would hope). He places buckets and fills them with water by casting create water.

Canvas Cover
From the supplies he brought, Murphy needs help with a large mass of canvas. "This will go over the wagons, friends, covering the lot of them from one side to the other. Thieves would need to get through the canvas - after getting by us - in order to get to the goods within. Also, if debris goes flying from any encounters, the canvas should help to shelter the wagons' contents."

He has plenty of rope, plus blocks and tackle, some grappling hooks, and the like to use as tools to help the party with wrestling all the canvas into place.

It would be good to have Hazel's help on this, as he is likely the strongest among us.

All of these preparations could take a while, even if all pitch in. Please let us know which, if any, of the above listed activities your character might help with, and how.

Murphy is up through the first watch, as he has more preparations to make during that time.

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 4:15:53 AM

wagons rearranged

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 8:28:03 AM
As Alleah sets about the barn, she can't help but smile and shake her head. A few months ago she was quite literally picking pockets in taverns. And now here she was being paid to guard some valuable goods. Wardd must have a sense of humour.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 10:51:13 AM
Shel volunteers to help set the sunrods. It'd be nice to be outside with something to do, rather than simply sitting in the barn twiddling her thumbs for the next couple of hours.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 11:57:19 AM

Bliss is impressed with all the arrangements proposed by Murphy. And he is happy to help set up the lights and caltrops.

"Wowsy, Mister Murphy, you are like an officer in the Mailed Fist! And I should know! Maybe we should call you General Murphy!" He laughs happily at his own joke.

Mookie tsks at his master. "Kiddo, you better hope you never see one of those Mailed Fist officers again! You're on French Leave, so watch out!"

"What's that mean, Mookie?" asks Bliss.

The raven snorts. "It means if you see anyone in uniform, HIDE!"

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 10:17:53 PM
"Thank you, Shel."

"That bell is a great touch, Alleah. And, I'm certain Alouryn will love to go shopping with you."

"Fatine, I got to thinking - we don't want to smother the animals in the one wagon by cutting off all their air with the canvas. If you have a knife, could you go ahead and cut slits along the sides of the canvas over their wagon, maybe some rectangles - top intact, sides and bottom slit, held open at the bottom by twigs or little sticks? Enough of those should afford them air to breathe."

Murphy takes a short, stout stick out of a sack. "Also, Fatine, I picked up this wand of cure light wounds. It has 50 charges." [Note: heal 1d8+1 - reroll 1s per Woldian healing rules, for 3-9 hp of curing power per charge] He tells her the command word for the wand. "For tonight, can you use this to help us out - and maybe to keep any robbers from dying?"

Murphy laughs at Bliss' comparison of him to a general. "Thank you for your high estimation. But I think perhaps lieutenant might be as high as I'd be willing to say! Or, captain?" he considers... "Nah, just Murphy is fine," he chuckles. "My mother always did say I tended to over prepare. And, speaking of over preparing - here are some more things we can use, if we've a mind to." And he indicates the items laid out in the space vacated by wagon 3 - listed below.

"I saw you up in the rafters, Bliss. We have ropes and strings. And lots of clay pitchers. What if you lined up a bunch of pitchers in the rafters, then ran rope on alternating sides, with one end hanging down. Then, when someone pulls on the rope, it straightens, and the whole line pushes the clay pots over on either side of the beam - gently coming to rest on top of whoever might be in the vicinity below the beam. Think you and Mookie can set that up?" He scratches his cheek. "Or, maybe you have some other ideas."

He leans a pair of 10' ladders against the north post near the west barn door. There are four more 10' ladders available for others to use.

"Hazel, Alleah, Shel, Fatine - help me finish securing the canvas in place." If Bliss wants to help, too, that's fine - but he figures he might be busy elsewhere. Using canvas and rope, they work on getting the canvas well secured.

"Oh, and, Hazel - was our prayer well answered?"

Usable Equipment List
50 sunrods - would likely use about 18 - 20 spaced around the barn, so, say, 30 left
1 wand of cure light wounds - lent to Fatine
5 smokesticks
4 sets of manacles, halfling size
25 clay pitchers
6 buckets
18 sets of caltrops (10 just purchased, 8 of 10 recovered by Murphy from outside wagon circle during caravan trip)
160 square yards of canvas in 10' wide rolls, with eyelets along edges every two feet
5 fishing nets, 25 sq ft ea
4 grappling hooks
500' rope, hemp
150' rope, silk
50' twine string
50' fishing line
10 sets block and tackle
10 hammers
2 miner's picks
2 shovels
2 handaxes
1 wood saw
1 sledge hammer
6 ladders, 10' each
10 Ten foot poles
10 candles
10 pounds sealing wax
1 pound soap
25 sacks (med sized)
10 waterskins (med sized)
2 iron cooking pots
5 chalk pieces
5 flasks of oil, 1 pint each
1 tent - keep most unused supplies inside - set up next to the wall near where Wagon 3 had initially been parked.

Alchemical items:
4: Acid
3: Alchemist's Fire
2: Holy water
8: Tanglefoot Bag
3: Thunderstone
2: Antitoxin vial

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Thursday October 2nd, 2014 11:13:45 PM
Hazel tries to get himself hired for the night's watchman job, eating his feelings about Ffloy's followers.
He loves Alouryn that much.
At Murphy's answer, he smiles, and nods.
He accepts the money he is given.
"Thank you very much. I will make good use of it. Weddings are expensive, and you are helping me a lot."
He smiles at Alleah. No bad feelings there.
"Are you sure we need to do all that? Do you think we will have problems tonight?"
He helps set up the place anyway.
"What about me and Faoil patrolling the surroundings a couple times during the night? As this is a one night job I would gladly stay up all night. I need to be worth the money I am being given..."

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 1:50:49 AM

"Good, Hazel," Murphy returns his friend's smile and nod.

"Yes, I think we may have problems tonight. And I plan to cause problems for those who cause us problems.

"You and Faoil on patrol? I can't think of a better thing to do - but, as you go out on patrol, I want someone keeping an eye on you, in case someone thinks that might be a good time to try to take some of us on."

He gives him a thunderstone , a tanglefoot bag, and a vial of alchemist's fire. "Don't use the fire in or on the barn. Aside from that, these things can help you out. And, if someone starts chasing you, lead them on... and drop these behind you." Murphy hands him a sack of caltrops. "Might make their feet a bit tender if they try to keep running your direction." He makes certain that Hazel knows where Bliss and Alleah placed the caltrops at certain places around the barn.

"As the sunrods that are lit begin to go dim, go ahead and strike the second set, placed between the first, so that we have good lighting all night long."

"And, if no one attacks, well, we've gotten some good exercise, and paid a good fee for it."

Thinking things over, he says, "Now, what if someone shows up invisible? How might we detect them?" So, at the barn doors and in an area about 20' radius around base of the windows, Murphy creates water in good quantity, so that the floor of the barn there develops a bit of a muddy condition. "Let someone climb through, then splash through the mud. It might be hard to hide the footprints that way."

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 7:51:58 AM

Bliss is a little reluctant to try to make some kind of trap in the rafters. Mookie comes to his rescue.

"Look, Murph, chillax. Sure, sure, 'heavy beams support the roof' and all, but they might not be level, and besides, the Kid's got no ability to make traps. Plus what stops these things from falling on friends?"

"Um, yeah," says Bliss. "I think I'll just perch up there, you know, and shoot. And what if the enemy approaches from outside the barn? I gotta have a way to go from inside to outside so's I can shoot both ways. I'm thinking maybe I'll take a hatchet and make a small hole in the roof near a beam, so I can stick out my head and shoot, and then pop back in and shoot if the enemy gets inside."

"Make sure you have enough ammo," says Mookie.

"Yeah, right," says Bliss.

Bliss borrows a hand ax and a wood saw from Murphy's pile, renews his Reduce, casts Enlarge on Mookie, hops on his familiar, flies up to the beams at the roof, and finds a place where he can perch. He hacks a hole in the roof, being careful to save the shingle above. He wants to be able to snipe from inside and outside the barn.

"I'll cast Mending on the roof after we are done," he says, feeling a little guilty about hurting the barn.

"Sure, Kid." says Mookie.

[DM StevenVdB] - More cargositting? 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 9:18:29 AM
OOC - thanks for RP'ing forward my friends!! Very sorry for not being able to post yesterday evening. I had snowboard training in the evening and well... we ended up in the bar afterwards :-)

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 11:18:44 AM
OOC: No problem!
Hazel takes the stuff Murphy hands to him.
"Well prepared, I'll say. About invisible people, I am sure Faoil can smell them from far away! Anyone has a shield that can spare me?"
Hazel gets to set the sunrods and starts patrolling the barn, always within the reach of the sunrods and his friends sight, while carrying his lance (and shield, if somebody lends him one).
He and Faoil will take 20 on their perception rolls, if able, so it is 31 for Hazel and 29 (with scent) for Faoil.

Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 3:53:07 PM

"'Chillax'? What does that mean, Mookie? You know lots of words I do not. Also, what is a 'French'? Or 'French leave'?" Murphy asks the bright familiar.

"Leaving those questions aside, though, yes, that's fine, and I like your idea of shooting from the roof, Bliss. Do you want to make a hole on both sides? Though the woods side is more likely to be the way someone comes... if someone does come."

"Sorry, Hazel, I do not have a shield."

Using a ladder, Murphy takes the fishing nets, and covers each of the 5 windows, using twine to tie the net to the hinges or other handy spots.

[DM StevenVdB] - Preparing the barn for a ... long night? 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 5:20:50 PM
With great efforts and cooperation the group prepares the barn for whoomever would be so stupid to try and steal the cargo during the night. Torches, sunrods, thunderstone , tanglefoot bag and a vial of alchemist's fire... looks like the Humble's Sword are either planning to do business on their own having emptied Pernook's almost clean!!

General Murphy orders arounds and reorganizes the whole barn... the wagons are pulled to the center of the barn (with the horses no longer harnassed to them this does take a HUGE effort but I'll let you go with it for having thought of replacing the wagons). THe horses are still in the barn.

With sunrods placed all around the barn it's unlikely someone will be able to sneak up to the barn. And anyone invisible will most likely be caught by Faoil's keen nose.

The little ones are sent up into the rafters. Bliss at first isn't too keen about that but with aid of Mookie he'll do just fine.

The wagons dissapear under a big sized canvas and the window shutters are trapped with finishing nets... when someone does get by the sunrods and Faoil's nose they probably will end up trapped in the fishing nets...

No way someone is going to steal anything away from this barn!!


(OoC : I'm awarding you all 1 Hero point for thinking carefully about how to protect the barn and roleplaying this whole preparations!! Very nice work friends!! Thanks!!)


It does take a couple of hours before the barn is fully prepared. When everything is done it's dark outside... with just an occasional shard of moonlight peaking through the cloudy sky.


The Barn

Friends, I now need locations, detailed descriptions of who is one watch when. Do specify hours considering the night watch starts around 22.00. When you are on watch, specify how long and where you are during your watch. Which windows you look through and so on. Inside, outside, whatever...
The more details... the more interesting...


Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP26/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 9:11:54 PM
Shel will take first watch. She's much too excited to sleep, after all the preparations had been done. While placing the sunrods, she started thinking things through. Maybe we are being paid so well, because He knows that something is likely to happen. This might be another one of them set ups, like that big'un did to us.

Shel, during her watch, will pace the insides of the barn, walking a circle. If she can see out of any of the windows, she will peek through each of them as she passes during her shift.

OOC: I say we go in two shifts this evening. We need to keep things safe for roughly eight hours, so divvying it up four and four might be easier. I'll defer to the others, if others disagree.

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+13=16 ;
Friday October 3rd, 2014 9:26:29 PM

During the third watch, Bliss is in the rafters at V16, hopefully from which he can pop out onto the roof or stay inside and shoot in the barn. He likes Murphy's idea of two "roof-ports," but he only had time to make the one, hopefully. Mookie is on the roof at V15, keeping watch.

When he is not on watch, Bliss remains awake/dozing in the rafters with Mookie in the same spot, with a rope tied to his belt to make sure he does not fall out of the rafters. He is happy to have broken sleep because he has not used up any spells from yesterday and he figures he does not need to have excellent sleep to get spells back because he already has all his spells back.

The major difference is that on watch, Bliss renews his Reduce Spell every minute or two, but when he is dozing, he is back to his natural small size, not tiny.

Perception check for Bliss, with a +2 because Mookie is near: 16.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday October 3rd, 2014 11:10:12 PM
Proposed Watch Times:
Night Watch 1 - 19:00 - 23:00
Night Watch 2 - 23:00 - 03:00
Night Watch 3 - 03:00 - 07:00

3 Watches of 4hrs each means in the down time everyone gets the required 8hrs rest so as not to be fatigued the next day.

Sorry Shel, coming up with 2 watches where everyone still gets 8hrs rest could be tricky. Especially on the offchance we get asked to mind the goods again the next night. These DMs are very tricksy :) Best we stay on our toes

During the first two watches, Alleah sleeps underneath Wagon #2. She is quite pleased to be the new owner of 'Casper'. She felt she was building quite a rapport with Mr Laughshield. Perhaps she could have asked for breakfast to be thrown in as well? No, he had already given the group quite a bit.

Alleah takes third watch again with Bliss. She doesn't take to the rafters like he does. Instead, she stays inside the barn slowly walking from one window to the next. She carefully opens the shutters, peers out, then closes the shutters and moves on to the next window. First clockwise, then anti-clockwise. It takes her about 1 minute to complete a lap of the barn. She is not rushing.

She keeps her Deathwatch and Toros Taur Try (Minotaur) cantrips up during her watch. It kelps keep her eyes sharp, and also detect things that she may otherwise not see.

Perception: 21 (10 + Take 10 + Toros Taur Try).
Stealth to walk quietly and not be obviously seen: 20 (10 + Take 10)
Deathwatch: Range 30ft - You instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct). Deathwatch sees through any spell or ability that allows creatures to feign death.


Murphy Bumblebee Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) 
Saturday October 4th, 2014 3:34:42 AM

Murphy says, "We best not shoot whoever was going to deliver our food to us. Or, has that been done already when I was not looking?"

Murphy will be with Shel on 1st watch. He has a thunderstone he can launch should a raid commence. That ought to wake everyone up. If he does not use it on his watch, he passes it on to one of the people for 2nd watch, and asks them to pass it on to 3rd watch if not used by then.

"Hazel and Fatine - would you two take 2nd watch? Or, you four?" he queries, counting that each has an animal friend to help them out.

While on watch with Shel at 1st watch, he checks out windows and doors in a semi-random pattern, with slightly more glimpses out of the west and north sides of the building. He makes sure his head does not appear in the same spot along each window. Sometimes he looks from the right side, next from left, or center, so as not to provide too predictable a target.

Especially by the big doors, and in particular by the west door, he adds water from time to time to keep it somewhat muddy. He leaves about 2 feet next to the windows dry, but water makes the floor a little muddy from about 2 feet to 10 feet out from the windows.

Perception: 23 (13 + Take 10). DM Steven, feel free to roll for specific perception checks if you wish (1d20+13)

ADM Kim to Matt 
Sunday October 5th, 2014 4:02:11 AM

Matt: Your email does not work. Do you have another email account we can use? Do you need someone to post for Fatine?

-Kim

Bliss (AC22, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Sunday October 5th, 2014 7:35:06 PM
Hey Humblers! Just to let you know that Matty C (Fatine) has lost his Web connection and may be a few more days out!

I'll post for him here until he returns (hopefully very soon!)

Fatine and Crow (Sub by Cayzle)  d20+6=10 ;
Monday October 6th, 2014 6:03:31 AM

Fatine is willing to stand second watch with Hazel. She positions herself and Crow mostly around T10 and R14 on her watch, looking out into the night north and west, into the forest, casting Light into shadowy areas deeper into the woods from time to time.

"I not be liking dee trees," she says, "maybe deys gon be trouble from dat ways tonite. I'll try an see dem comin outta dere." She leaves the east and south side to Hazel.

Perception 10.

When it is not her watch, she sleeps under wagon W3.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15  d20+11=26 ; d20+9=29 ;
Monday October 6th, 2014 12:34:28 PM
Hazel gets his sleeping back out, and prepares to sleep.
"Wake me up for the second watch, me and Faoil will start patrolling then, and will remain up until the morning. Then we can go to bed. After all is only one night of watching."
Faoil yawns and lies next to Hazel, his furry tail swagging.
OOC: In case we need to roll perception:
Hazel: 26
Faoil Aid Another: 29 (Natural 20!)

[DM StevenVdB] - Preparing the barn for a ... long night?  d100=36 ; 15d20+12=160 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+12=14 ; d20+12=31 ; d100=52 ;
Monday October 6th, 2014 6:01:13 PM
Night Watch 1 - 19:00 - 23:00: Shel paces the insides of the barn, walking a circle. If she can see out of any of the windows, she will peek through each of them as she passes during her shift. Murphy has a thunderstone he can launch should a raid commence. He checks out windows and doors in a semi-random pattern, with slightly more glimpses out of the west and north sides of the building. He makes sure his head does not appear in the same spot along each window. Sometimes he looks from the right side, next from left, or center, so as not to provide too predictable a target. Especially by the big doors, and in particular by the west door, he adds water from time to time to keep it somewhat muddy.

Night Watch 2 - 23:00 - 03:00. Fatine positions herself and Crow mostly around T10 and R14 on her watch, looking out into the night north and west, into the forest, casting Light into shadowy areas deeper into the woods from time to time. he leaves the east and south side to Hazel. Hazel and Faoil look East and South...

Night Watch 3 - 03:00 - 07:00: Bliss is in the rafters at V16 from which he can pop out onto the roof or stay inside and shoot in the barn. He likes Murphy's idea of two "roof-ports," but he only had time to make the one, hopefully. Mookie is on the roof at V15, keeping watch. Alleah stays inside the barn slowly walking from one window to the next. She carefully opens the shutters, peers out, then closes the shutters and moves on to the next window. First clockwise, then anti-clockwise. It takes her about 1 minute to complete a lap of the barn. She is not rushing. Mookie looks out of the rafters...

-----------------------------------------------

Do you sleep in armor (for those of you who wear some)

Round 1...
hidden movement 3 x 10ft using stealth 31, 12, 31
Close to midnight Faoil points his ears and starts growling softly... Hazel thinks he heard something South of the barn...

Wolves??

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