Play by Post D&D: The New Begining

[BlueBard]

Whisper cooly stares back at Nina.

"Then we have an understanding of sorts, strained though it may be.  Do not attempt to leave until we depart from here and do not attempt to follow us.  I will be watching for that, and my bow will be waiting," he warns her without any display of emotion.

He turns aside without waiting for her response and joins Daniel.  "Gather your things and let us depart," he tells the group.

Whisper will lead the group toward a river or stream, taking care to watch behind for anyone trying to trail them.  He will try to make the trail difficult to follow (Survival/Tracking skills).  He will periodically scatter dead leaves and other debris, or sweep their tracks with a leafy branch to obscure their backtrail.  He will be looking for opportunities to set false trails, like leaving smudged footprints or bits of cloth or thread snagged on thorn bushes away from our actual path.  He also wants to set woodland traps along the way to discourage anyone who might follow.

These are the kinds of traps he might set (using Survival/Rope Use skills):

- Snare:  Non-lethal, but disabling and embarrassing to anyone caught up by one.
- Clothesline Branch:  Tripwire to release a bent branch at the right height to strike a human in the head.  Probably not lethal, though he could add a sharpened stake to impale someone.
- Sharpened Stakes: Tripwire meant to make someone fall into sharpened stakes stuck into the ground and covered over by leaves.
- Insect Nest: Causes beehive or hornet's nest to fall on/smash into the victim.

This will slow the group's progress somewhat, but Whisper wants to try to disguise Daniel before they get anywhere near another town anyway.

[Uncle Yuan]

Wholp - looks like we're leaving.  I give my patient one last look-over, pack up my remaining things and head out.  I'll pass by the pile of loot and make sure we have all the food (but what we were leaving for the bounty hunters), but I don't really need anything else they have.

[Lord Elcorion]

Annia makes ready to leave, appropriateing her share of food from that taken. she prefers to carry her own equipment and provisions whenever possible.

[Glitch Girl]

Nina cautiously moves over to check on her ally with the head wound.  She does nothing to stop any of you from packing and leaving, but does keep an eye on you all as she talks softly to the injoured man.

Unless someone does something special, I'm going to asume that all of you pack and leave and continue traveling. Correct?

[Viking]

Starbuck collects his original crossbow from Daniel, since Daniel has since appropriated a replacement, and joins his companions in travel.

"What is our new destination?" he asks softly.  "Do we proceed to Stuarton, a reputed haven of thugs and thieves?  (My apologies to Daniel, who I in no way wish to include in that categorization, incidentally!)  That is nominally in the same direction as our ultimate destination, should we wish to obtain a pack animal of some sort, or any other equipment.  Or, if everyone feels sufficiently hardy, we could forego Stuarton and proceed directly to the tomb.  I can see arguments for either destination."

[Uncle Yuan]

Do we have any idea if Daniel will be a liability in Staunton?  I think we could probably make our way directly to the Tomb, although we might want for a few more things - lanterns, rope, etc.  I say we see what we can procure as we travel* and wait to decide on Staunton for a while.

*Assuming that for a while at least the routes are the same.

[BlueBard]

Unless someone does something special, I'm going to asume that all of you pack and leave and continue traveling. Correct?

Correct.  Unless something else happens, Whisper will follow my stated intentions.  If he doesn't specifically know where a river is along their path, he will divert to where he thinks a river or stream should be based on his knowledge of the region (knowledge:geography).  If the party has to camp out a night, so be it.

Starbuck collects his original crossbow from Daniel, since Daniel has since appropriated a replacement, and joins his companions in travel.

"What is our new destination?" he asks softly.  "Do we proceed to Stuarton, a reputed haven of thugs and thieves?  (My apologies to Daniel, who I in no way wish to include in that categorization, incidentally!)  That is nominally in the same direction as our ultimate destination, should we wish to obtain a pack animal of some sort, or any other equipment.  Or, if everyone feels sufficiently hardy, we could forego Stuarton and proceed directly to the tomb.  I can see arguments for either destination."

"It is my feeling we should tread carefully," Whisper replies softly as they move away.  "Stuarton is a risk, but so is failing our quest.  We must change Daniel's appearance, and by no means should he or Dakkon enter Stuarton.  Daniel for obvious reasons and Dakkon because he is too identifiable.  We should obtain what supplies we can.  I can not hope to sustain a party this size by hunting in such a desolate place as our destination.  Our path to Stuarton will be circumspect.  I wish to obscure our trail to throw off any pursuit.  I do not trust those bounty hunters to keep silent."

[Glitch Girl]

I'll consider the conversation continuing as y'all travel onwards. Behind you, Nina is talking in hushed tones to the man with the head wound.  She keeps looking at you as you finally depart.

[Lord Elcorion]

i doubt her companions will be in any shape to allow them to persue, and any attack she might try on her own would be tantamount to suicide. we have little to fear from them for the forseeable future.

[BlueBard]

"Yet they have information that would be dangerous in the hands of Lord Niles' minions and hired bounty hunters.  Do not underestimate the damage they can do."

[Glitch Girl]

"But... we helped them, even after they attacked us.  Why would..?" Nathan trails off.   

"Welcome to the real world," mutters Daniel.

[FYI: the rest of your travel is basically uneventful, minus various forrays into figuring out ways to keep the half-ogre from snoring (which miraculously Nathan sleeps through every time).  During your first day of travel, Whisper vanishes into the woods for extended periods of time, only to catch up again later.  You think he may be setting those traps he mentioned.  Your path is not one commonly used by travelers so anyone sharing your route is easily avoided (especially since none of them are trying to ambush you. 

After several days, the mountains you seek loom before you and smoke from Stuarton is only about a mile away.  What do you do?]

[BentonGrey]

OOC:  I suppose Dakkon, as has been mentioned several times, is a bit too conspicuous to stroll into town. ;)  He'll wait in a secluded camp along with Daniel, keeping a close eye on our young thief and a weather eye out for trouble.

[Viking]

Starbuck volunteers to be amongst those traveling into Stuarton to make purchases.

[Uncle Yuan]

I'm willing to go in, too.  Although I suspect we'd be better off letting Starbuck handle the haggling.  What are our resources and what is our wish list?

GM: How much did we collect in loot from the bounty hunters?  It was posted somewhere but I just can't find it . . .

[Viking]

Our spoils of battle:

Orloid, real quick what you found on the attackers (dead and still alive) include: about 20 gold 5 silver in various coinage, four swords of average quality, three of poor quality, three bows average quality, a crossbow of average quality (which Daniel seems to have claimed), three quivers of arrows totalling 47 arrows, one quiver of crossbow bolts numbering 16, several suits of scale mail of below average quality and now damaged, several suits of leather armor average quality, some knives, four rolled up scrolls of parchment, a set of keys, a simple ring of tarnished gold, a rabbit's foot, rations for about 25-30 days (roughly 3 days per person, includes what Og took), extra clothes, and assorted other personal belongings.

[BlueBard]

Whisper turns to Daniel.

"Well, then... are you ready to join a monastic order?  We'll need to disguise you as a monk.  If we can put you in plain robes, that would help.  We should be able to give you a tonsure haircut that will pass casual inspection.  And if you remain silent when strangers are near, we can explain that as a vow of silence for extra authenticity."

[Glitch Girl]

OOG: Okay, is anyone staying in camp?  I see Dakkon is volunteering to stay, Whisper, Starbuck, and Orloid are going.  What about the rest of you?

Daniel winces as the mention of the haircut.  "Uh.. yeah I guess.  You sure we have to do the haircut?"

"It is a common practice," says Nathan sagely.

"But if I have a hood on, noone's going to see, right?"

[BlueBard]

OOG: Okay, is anyone staying in camp?  I see Dakkon is volunteering to stay, Whisper, Starbuck, and Orloid are going.  What about the rest of you?

Daniel winces as the mention of the haircut.  "Uh.. yeah I guess.  You sure we have to do the haircut?"

"It is a common practice," says Nathan sagely.

"But if I have a hood on, noone's going to see, right?"

"And if you are ordered to remove the hood at the point of a crossbow?  What then?" Whisper counters.

Whisper will stay in camp with Dakkon and Daniel.  He will also spend some time attempting to set up non-lethal traps (such as snares and tripwires) around the perimeter, and will advise the others of his intent before they leave.  Once that's done, he'll prowl the vicinity looking for intruders.

GM: Did we get enough rest to refresh spell memorization, or am I hosed?

[Glitch Girl]

"Then I'm probably already more trouble than a haircut can fix," Daniel shrugs. "But if you're SURE, I guess... I guess I'll do it."

"It'll grow back eventually," Nathan addds helpfully.

Daniel doesn't reply.

Whisper: it's been a few days or so, you've got your spells back.

[Uncle Yuan]

We still need to decide on a shopping list.

I see that we need
Rope
Arrows
Quarrells
food
torches/latern
oil
pack animal?
fodder?
rain/cold weather gear?

I'll want additional supplies for healing

Does Daniel have all the, um, "tools of his trade"?

[BlueBard]

Making changes in spell memorization for the duration of the wilderness journey:

[spoiler]
Ranger1- Alarm

Wizard0- Detect Magic(x2), Message(x2)
wizard1- Shield, Magic Missile(x2)
wizard2- Sleep(Silent), Web

Note that Sleep is taking a level 2 slot because Whisper is using the Silent Spell feat (no verbal component).[/spoiler]

[Viking]

Starbuck listens to Orloid's proposed shopping list, and starts prioritizing the purchases:

1) Extra food so that we're sufficiently provisioned
2) Sources of light - e.g., torches and oil
3) Additional healing supplies
4) Tools for Daniel, if necessary
5) Additional clothing
6) A pack animal and sufficient feed for it
7) Quarrels
8) Rope
9) Arrows

Starbuck notes that we've collected a fair supply of arrows from our last battle, along with some quarrels, and that we should still have some rope that was used to bind our prisoners.  Starbuck also has his own rope for climbing.

To our skilled ranger, he asks, "What do you make of the coming weather?  Is there any clothing we should purchase in bulk for our party?"

[BlueBard]

GM:
[spoiler]Whisper will attempt a Survival check to predict the weather.

Failing that he will call the Psychic Hotline, supposing them to be at least as reliable as Ye Olde Meteorologist of the Realm.[/spoiler]

[Uncle Yuan]

What is the terrain like where we are supposed to be heading?  Any specific weather or climatic considerations?

[Glitch Girl]

Most of Daniel's "tools of the trade" were lost somewhere during his flight.  He's got a few picks (which he was reluctant to reveal initially) that were hidden in some pockets in his clothes.  Climbing gear and heavier items are long gone though. 

You look up at the sky and study the wind and general conditions. Looks like there might be some more rain coming your way in about a day or less.  Weather continues cool with a nightly low of... wait sorry, channeling the weather channel.  At any rate, it'll be cool and you might be in for some rain. 

Stuarton isn't far.  There's some thick tree growth between you and it cut through by a somewhat worn road in ill repair.  The smoky haze of cookfires and smithy and other burning flames hangs over the town surrounded by a thick wooden fence as you'd see around a fort.  It is in ill repair as well.  Beyond it, the mountains rise up in rocky slopes that get more baren the higher they go.  You also think you see a small light or two about a mile or more up the mountain side, possibly from a campfire.

[Lord Elcorion]

annia will remain in camp, since her ranged magic will be useful in keeping away any individual or smaller group that might want to try and attack them. she feels that she is sufficiently equipped for the coming journey, and requires no special equipment or items for her magic.

[Glitch Girl]

[Og, you doing anything?  If I don't hear something shortly I'm going to assume you stay in camp]

[Glitch Girl]

Okay, looks like the ones going into town will be Starbuck, Nathan, and Orloid.  The rest of you are staying back at camp.

Orloid, Starbuck:

You approach the gates of Stuarton.  There appear to be some guards on either side of the gate, but they have the lazy stance of someone not paid enough to care.  Past them, you can see the inner workings of the town, which doesn't look much more inviting than it did from outside.  While not necessarily "dirty" there is a layer of "grunginess" about everything, even the people. 

As you start to pass through the gate, one of the guards says in a bored voice "Halt state your business."

[Viking]

Starbuck gives a flat, matter-of-fact delivery.  "Purchasing supplies," he answers.

[Glitch Girl]

The guard looks at all three of you, gives a half-hearted shrug and waves you through.

Welcome to Staurton: a wretched hive of scum and villainy. You can see an inn near the entrance and a tavern, and you think you may see signs of a few shops some streets away.  You also see more unsavory characters than you (Orloid & Nathan) have ever seen in your life.  (Starbuck, on the other hand has seen many unsavory characters, just rarely so many in one place)