DM Esther: Making new plans Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:58:05 PM
After reading the letter, Khord looks a little alarmed. " This is dire news friends, we have no time to waste. Heranmar is depending on us to deliver on our contract. We must be off with the morning light." He anxiously starts to check his pack and gear to make sure he has everything he needs and doesn't have to return to Zenia's home.
He will then turn to Revus, "Master Revus, where is your troupe headed. If my companions agree maybe we could share the trail for a time."
Isaac reads the letter silently mouthing some choice curses. The platinum bars had painted a target on their backs. "We better start planning. With no travel arrangements we'll either need to join up with Revus if he'll let us or start back at town after getting some supplies. We need a map to plot a course, some food, and transportation." Isaac looked over at Revus "Mr. Revus any chance your heading near Heranmar?"
Revus looks from one to the other. "Heranmar? The colony all the way up on the north coast? Oh, no no no - never even been up there. We make for Fort Wayfarer, by way of Frost Lake. To go from there on to the northern domains, you'd have to follow the route north from Wayfarer to up until you reach the wetlands, and then towards the sunrise from the Halfway Inn trading post.. well, unless you'd consider braving the direct way through the Shimmerwood, but that is a long way to go without seeing civilization."
Onesimos confers with Merchant Revus.
"We need to make our way by land to the town of Heranmar, good sir, but I do not know the way. We would pay for your knowledge, a map, or a guide. Or, we could provide services for your caravan in recompense. But I feel we need to make haste." Benni trusts Revus enough that he won’t steer the team wrong, and that he will pick what he feels is the safest and most profitable choice for him and his people.
Revus shakes his head - and his hands - apologetically. "Unfortunately I've no such thing with any accuracy as a map, my caravan travels by our experience at following the roads and knowing the landmarks. You might have found one in Hook City I am sure, but I do not think you'll find another cartographer before Fort Wayfarer..? And I can hardly lend you myself to guide you unless you'd be going where we are going, eh? Now that latter I would not object to actually.. rumor back at Hook City says Clara is active again lately. So if we had someone who is handy with a bit of magic, it might ease some nerves about that.. not least mine."
Jasper is glad to hear that the Sea Witch isn't at the bottom of the harbor. As she listens to her companions make plans, she wonders if the bandits they encountered earlier in their adventure knew who they were and what they were carrying. It's an unsettling thought. She wanders over to the horses and casts Speak with Animals. "Hello, friends. I'm Jasper. Sorry to interrupt your supper. When you have a moment, can you tell me about the people you pull? I'd also like to hear about your journey here. Did anything along the way spook you?"
The horses are surprised at a person being able to talk to them, but the lead horse is certainly willing to talk. What it has to say is mostly about having seen a few other teams of horses today, and Jasper can recognize from the description that this would have been when the caravan passed the pasture ground outside Five Mile on their way here. However, the horse does confirm that Revus is a kind man who laughs a lot, so he seems legit if there was any doubt about that. It sounds like Revus' people are a good group, that treat their horses well.
Teddy tries to think back and remember how many days of overland travel it is back to Haranmar.
You did not add a skill check, and I see on your sheet that Teddy has no ranks in Knowledge: Geography, so I am going to have to say that he has no idea how long it would be over land.
While most people direct all their questions to Revus, Snark adresses Zenia; "It seems we need to head to Heranmar on foot. Anyone know the way? You got a map we can use Zenia? We should get some horses and provisions too before we head out. And we might need a cart for Gore'Thum if he intends to ride the trip out in that bag."
Zenia gives Snark a brief nod, and whispers to him Highlight to display spoiler: {"This is something I wouldn't share with no merchant, but I suppose as you are now one of my apprentices, meet me out of earshot of these caravan folk and hear a few secrets this old Zenia still knows.."}
“Benni” AC 20/12/16 +2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Thursday June 15th, 2023 8:24:28 PM
Onesimos resigns himself with the LuckMakers traveling to Wayfarer, and then to Heranmar.
Grrrr
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 62/62 AC24/ T13 / FF 20 Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:50:12 PM
Isaac decides to ask Revus a bit more about travel times "Revus about how long is the journey to Heranmar from Fort Wayfarer. You mentioned to ways the wetlands that lead to an inn and Shimmerwood. Is the Shimmerwood way dangerous?"
Jasper (Holly) HP 48/52 AC 20 CMD 8 Thursday June 15th, 2023 11:50:40 PM
Jasper thanks the horses and promises them treats as she can find them.
She returns to her friends.
"So. Overland it is. I do confess I don't know the road, the way, or the custom in these parts, but I trust in you. We'll make it work. The horses didn't notice any activity that could be construed as trouble from Hook City, so we at least have THAT in our favor. Still, we'd best set watches. I'm not so comfortable in a big group like this-- the Sea Witch notwithstanding; those who stride the seas are a different stripe altogether!-- so if you like, I'll take first. I couldn't sleep any time soon if I tried."
Khord Briarmark (Bill D) AC 20 T15 FF15, CMD17, HP 43/43; Niko AC17 T13 FF14 CMD20 HP 50/52 d20+5=23 ; d20+5=11 ; Friday June 16th, 2023 6:13:02 AM
Khord will let the others arrange the details of how we will be traveling back to Heranmar. Not being from the continent he doesn't have a clear grasp of the scale. He does rack his brain trying to remember anything he learned on the long boat journey from Dirt City talking to a wild eyed merchant. especially about Fort Wayfarer and the Shimmerwood. (know:Geo = 23, 11)
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 44/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Friday June 16th, 2023 7:27:27 AM
Teddy is sure someone said something about how long the over land route takes before they left Haranamar, they were discussing why things where shipped by boat instead of by land or something. He knows nothing about geography so doesn't know the route, but can't help but worry about how long it will take anyway. Besides it helps him avoid thinking about the group of thieves and murderers plotting to kill everyone and take the money. That will likely not be deterred if they realize the party is trying to go over land and might pursue. Whom likely outnumber the party by a wide margin and can travel faster then a slow caravan. Or hire a wizard to teleport them ahead of the group since Hook city is so magical and the pay off might be worth it. Or...
He tries to go back to worrying about how many days they'll have to travel.
DM James: Journey Prep Map Friday June 16th, 2023 10:38:28 AM Benni is frustrated that they are facing a long overland journey now.
Issac asked about travel times to Fort Wayfarer and Heranmar.
Jasper reported on what she had discovered from her talk to the horses and looked expectantly towards the journey ahead of them.
Khord trusts in the natives as to travel arrangements. He does recall getting a look at a map when he was aboard the Sea Witch.
Teddy recalled that the overland journey was both long and dangerous though he had no specifics as to distance and hazards.
One of the drovers approached Benni. "Begging your pardon sir, but I've a young lass I've been meaning to travel north with to visit my family in the Culverwood. It's a long trip and we mean to get married when we arrive. It would be a great relief if you'd bless us before we leave in a few months as we plan to board a ship out of Heranmar. Can we look you up there?"
Revus looks Issac over and replies about travel times. "Caravans move slowly, wagon's loaded up, bad roads, bandits, ghosts, and monsters. If nothing holds us up, it's seventy five miles to Frost Lake and another hundred to the Fort. For us that's a good sevenday and tenday. A small group such as yourself on foot should make a bit better than that and like I said if you are willing to brave the Shimmerwood there's a trail north of Frost Lake. Supposed to be shorter, but I haven't used it meself."
Khord or KS: Geography DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Revus is right, it's about 75 miles to Frost Lake and another 100 to Wayfarer. If a trail exists through the shimmerwood that would be another 200 miles, but less than the 375 if they go through the Fort. He also suspects they can make about 25 miles a day in this terrain. Game along the trail shouldn't be a problem, but they won't be the only hunters along it.}
"I'll tell you." Revus continued. "The Gateway downs is a mighty big place and still being settled. Aside from Heranmar, the fort, and a couple of trading posts there ain't much here. Some say the city wouldn't be here either if'n it weren't for the mines. Seems like most trade to the city is one way if you get my meaning. Our cargo is simple goods imported from the north, cloth, some fruit, spices, and such. It's a might off balance considering the gold we delivered, but them decisions are above my paygrade. Yer welcome to travel with us. Having armed allies on this road is a good thing, but like I said, we move slowly."
“Benni” AC 20/12/16 +2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday June 16th, 2023 1:12:02 PM
Ooc: please let me apologize to everyone. My intent was to portray Benni’s irritation of the delay to get home to Heranmar. There is ZERO irritation on my part as a Player for the situation or previous DM post. I am excited about going to Wayfarer as a Player. I am sorry that my speed in posting caused miscommunication and hard feelings.
“Benni” AC 20/12/16 +2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday June 16th, 2023 1:17:31 PM
Onesimos takes in how long the travel will be and looks to his friends as to what way they would pick.
His reverie is interrupted by the drover’s approach. The elf smiles. ”I would be glad to bless your journey into familial love. I will receive any message left at the Sanctuary of the Sea.”
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 62/62 AC24/ T13 / FF 20 Friday June 16th, 2023 3:43:37 PM
Isaac tries to remember how much time they have until the expenses come due. That was the biggest factor to determine how fast they needed to move. It seemed that at it was a few weeks from now from the note Corym and Rio made.
@the DM:" do we know how long it is until the expenses are due?"
Jasper (Holly) HP 48/52 AC 20 CMD 8 Friday June 16th, 2023 6:29:14 PM
The slow caravan might be a problem.
"I guess our first order of business is supplies. Do the merchants have enough that they can sell? Hmm. If we travel alone, we might do well to hire horses, too. We can probably do that back in Five Mile. In any case, it sounds like time is of the essence for your town."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F15, CMD 12, HP 41/41 d20+9=25 ; d6=2 ; Friday June 16th, 2023 11:58:44 PM
(Weird. I coulda sworn I posted.)
Snark pauses as he thinks about the route. (KN:Geo 25)
"I figure it's about 75 miles to Frost Lake and another 100 to Wayfarer. If a trail exists through the Shimmerwood that would be another 200 miles, but less than the 375 if they go through the Fort. We could probably make about 25 miles a day in this terrain. Game along the trail shouldn't be a problem."
Snark will go aside as Zenia suggested and listen to what she wanted to tell him privately.
Khord Briarmark (Bill D) AC 20 T15 FF15, CMD17, HP 43/43; Niko AC17 T13 FF14 CMD20 HP 50/52 d20+5=16 ; Saturday June 17th, 2023 8:11:32 AM
Khord does the math in his head, figuring if they struck out on foot and did not experience any delays, they could get to Heranmar in 15 days if they took the shortcut through the Shimmerwood. he checks his stores and sees he has 20 days of trail rations so he could keep himself fed if hunting wasn't successful and have a little to share with the others.
He then tries to figure the same calculations if they returned to Five Mile and acquired horses or ponies (Know:Geo = 16). thinking that might be necessary if they expect to get there in less than a fortnight. He asks Revus, "Do you know if there are stables at Five MIle where we could get horses or ponies?"
And then to the other Luck Makers, "Friends, I am of a mind to make for the Shimmerwood. The extra week that it would take to go through the Fort might make us miss the towns contract dates."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F15, CMD 12, HP 41/41 Sunday June 18th, 2023 2:30:40 AM "I guess I can conjure some horses for about 6 hours, but it will use up a bunch of my spells. Be better to buy some horses if we can. Or maybe riding dogs for me and Teddy."
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 44/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Monday June 19th, 2023 7:21:57 AM
Teddy is ready to go.
Jasper (Holly) HP 48/52 AC 20 CMD 8 Monday June 19th, 2023 5:56:14 PM
Jasper nods at Snark and Khord. "Do we have consensus, then? Obtain horses, resupply, and make our way through the Shimmerwood? Benni, Isaac, Teddy, what say you?"
Jasper (Holly) HP 48/52 AC 20 CMD 8 Monday June 19th, 2023 6:03:18 PM
OOC: I forgot to address Gore'Thum too! Sorry 'bout that.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 62/62 AC24/ T13 / FF 20 Monday June 19th, 2023 6:05:30 PM
Isaac nods in agreement "That sounds like our best option for now."
“Benni” AC 20/12/16 +2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday June 19th, 2023 8:22:11 PM
Onesimos is apprehensive. ”I know nothing about horses, and will probably fall off more than I am on! But if it makes us faster: let’s do it!”
LOG ON