A young girl of maybe a dozen cycles comes running and bounding through the light woods outside of Volge.

"Glummer!" she yells, mispronouncing his name.  "Glummer, wait!"

Glumr stops to observe her.  The girl's wild flowing, light brown hair nearly matches her short, tan goatskin dress and boots.  As she draws nearer, Glumr recognizes her as Alma Triplefang.  He doesn't know her well.  Frankly, he's surprised to see anyone out here today.  The girl runs up to Glumr, out of breath and sweating.

"Come on, you.  Elana wants to see you."  She leans on a tree catching her breath.  "You were a pain to find, you know."

Alma leads Glumr back to the village.  At the clearing, they meet up with Hollykahn, who has also gotten word to meet the Eldress.  Two more young Triplefang adults are waiting in Elana's cottage when Glumr and Holly arrive.

There isn't much time to puzzle and compare stories before the prompt Eldress arrives in the public room and offers you seats at her dinning table.  She's wearing traditional grey and blue robes, although you've recently caught her trying out newer Empire fashions on occasion.  Many Triplefang have.

"Salutations, young Triplefang.  Hollykhan, Mord, Glumr, Snow," she says nodding to you each.  "I have received a message by falcon from Goldenpoint.  It appears there have been some shenanigans.  Members of another clan, probably the Coriss, have stolen a stone idol from the temple of Pelor there.  They left the grounds traveling northwest.  The priests requested our help recovering it."

Elana pauses.  Her voice is rough and dry, but coveys a dramatic sense of authority.  Since you were all tiny whelps you've known to do what the Clan Elders say even before the instructions of your parents.

"They should not be hard for the four of you to find.  The idol is large and very heavy.  Their cart will be easy to spot and follow.  Go out there and catch them.  Travel light so you can make up the ground."

"Oh, and don't kill anyone.  We don't want to be paying out wereguild over this.  I'm serious.  If it comes down to a fight, which it probably will, they will not be trying to kill you either, so don't make this a big incident.  Understand?  Go find them and return the idol to Goldenpoint."

Snow steps outside with the others, Elana wasnt the sort of person that was use to repeating herself.

Travel light she said, Most of now's possessions were home.  Her sling and staff would suffice for now if it came to force of arms.  Elana seemed to think lethal combat to be unlikely which as comforting.

"I'm ready to depart now if you are.  The sooner we leave the less of a lead we'll have to close.  If the idol is that heavy and they're in a cart, they'll be on the road.  We travel that way till Glumr can pick up a better trail?"

Holly is glad to be outside again, and moves the group over towards Moonlight so she can let him nuzzle her hand as she thinks.  Mapping out the world as she knew it, she suspected they needed to move fast.

"Snow, if they are moving NW, then there is no real road, just tracks if I remember rightly.  Isn't that the case Glumr, you know that area better than me I think.  Either way, the river is between us and them, so perhaps if Glumr can lead us to a ford, we can cut straight north to intercept them, hopefully before they get too far."

[From Game Map, I assume we are at the V in the middle of the map, and that the shrine is the Sun symbol top left.  A road leads to the shrine, if we want to take that, but I'd assume we'd be better off going crosscountry and over the river to intercept.
DM - How many days travelling is it to get to the Shrine?]

Feeling Moonlight nudge her in the back, she looks around and picks out an apple she'd been saving.  Feeding it to Moonlight, she adds, "I'll be ready to move in about half an hour.  If I get to sleep, I can be better prepared for perhaps using Obad-Hai's prayers to send the thiefs to sleep, or distract them in other ways.  Perhaps Snow can charm them into submission!  If all else fails I'll knock them out with my staff."  Smiling at Snow as the jest was made, Holly waited for the others to determine where and when to meet up, before she went to explain what was happening to her 'mother'.

Glúmr exits Elana's cottage.  Stepping out into the sun, his eyes shimmer blue with excitement.  After the years of his mother keeping him close, the elders have finally given him case to leave the safety of the local area and head out on the road of adventure. Excitement fills his every nerve.

He leans on his walking cane, carved from one of the trees on his family's property, his reminder of his home and mother, and listens to Holly and Snow.  He's ready for the road.  Traveling light is his norm.  His brown and green leathers, backpack, cane and trusty bow have accompanied him all over the outskirts of town as he tracked and removed a stray goblin here and there.

"I think we should head out towards Goldenpoint.  From there we can pick up the trail.  Worst case we can interview some of the town folks and see if they have any extra info.  We really dont have any idea what we're up against.  Hopefully it will be a handful of rogues, but it could possibly be a bigger gang who easily outnumber us.  Ideally I can find their trail before we get into town and we should be able to catch up to them and take a gander at them before they do the same to us.  If we take short rest breaks and walk through most of the nights, we should easily over take them."

GM, how many day walk is it to Goldenpoint?  I think our characters would have some slight knowledge of the local region.  Especially Glúmr since he's been fascinated with adventuring since he was young.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Thu 25 June 2009.

By now you've all seen the game map that Holly scratched in the sand outside Elana's cottage.  For an idea of scale it's about 40 miles to Goldenpoint from Volge.  I have posted a handout about land travel which I will be updating with various distances as you visit new places.

The rival clan's cart will not have to travel via road.  The terrain is easy enough to traverse via cart without roads.

You may want to bring some minor camping supplies and food (don't worry about marking off meals), since you'll be gone a few days.

I've heard two plans so far - travel due North to cut off the idol swipers - or - take the rod to Goldenpoint and begin the search there.  Which will it be?

If everyone is at light encumbrance (except Mord, who is still fast at medium) you can cover 24 miles a day either by road or overland.

Mord appears to be the strong, silent type.  Still 0 posts.  Chime in any time, big guy.

"North... We should head north.  I just need to pick up a little more food and some stuff and i'll be ready."

Snow produces some coloful thread seeming to pluck i from thin air and unwindng it between two fingers.


"It's nearly a full days travel to Goldenpoint.  If we spend that much time going there, they can be anywhere here."

(Snow anchors one end of the thread on Golden point and wavers it into the North West area.]

"It would be better to move straight north and start looking for trails as we go.  It's possible they might change directions on us, though this travel will eliminate the west side as a direction of evasion if we cut them off with this path.  If we see nothing after a day we can adjust and travel North East to look for their trail."

Snow compressess the thread together before uncoiling it again as a colorful ribbon which i use to tie my hair back.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Fri 26 June 2009.

In reply to Fritzholm (msg #1):

Agree on traveling north for best intercept chance.  Wagon tracks and campsite debris should help.  Might even spot campfire at night of first day.

This somewhat mismatched band of young adventurers gathers up enough gear for a short trip and a serious, but not lethal battle, and heads north.  Keeping a due course is simple.  You have two of the most talented pathfinders of this clan's young generation, and even Snow knows the saying "Your shadow points north at noon."  It's the rainy season now, but dry today as it has been for 3 days.  The sky is clear and a few patchy clouds drift along lazily.  Most of the day takes you through familiar farms, grazing fields, and hunting grounds.

You reach the river at an easy fording point, which is no accident, and a discussion breaks out about where to camp for the night and how best to locate the rival clan's thugs the next day.  You are in a very gentle valley.  High ground from which to spot far off campfires is hard to come by and you'd be just as likely to spot the fire of one of you clan members as that of the fleeing thieves.  The best of these poor vista hills could be reached by veering northwest from here.  You could continue due north, making up the most ground, and camp in about 5 miles when you run out of light.  You could also try cutting northeast in hopes of coming across their tracks (very doubtful) or maybe travelers who crossed their path.  (also a longshot)  Further discussion centers around whether to post a watch during the night.  That is what is done during raids, so it seems the wise thing to do.  However, you are well within the safe confines of Triplefang lands.

Suggest we move on north as far as we can make it and then camp at last light.  Don't mind standing a watch, but don't think its critical here. Maybe our drood knows a "sleep like a cat" spell ;)

"I agree with Mord, we go on as far as we can.  The sooner we catch up with them, the better.  I'll take first or last watch with Moonlight, and would think Glumr should take the other end.  That leaves Snow and you Mord for the midnight slot.  Although the humans out here might be friendly, the animals aren't."  Holly tried to hide the fact this would not have been her original idea, but probably made best use of their little band.  She needed a good nights sleep to prepare for the possible day to come.

Snow frowns a little, "Why do i have to take a watch with Mord?  Dont you trust me to keep you safe from a pack of rabid squirrels?  I know i dont have your affinity for animals Holly but i dont need Mord to protect me from the local wild life, at least not yet.  I dont mind taking the last watch, it'll give me time to see if i can make the trail rations taste better."

I can take either watch... Maybe the mid watch as I know solid sleep is more crucial to some.  A watch is important though.  We're a days march north of Volge and I've killed enough Goblinkind out here to know that you should not leave yourself completely unguarded though the night. That being said, I dont think we need to double up.  Whom ever has watch can wake the rest if there is trouble.  Likewise, I suggest standing or walking around the edges of camp as this will help ensure nobody nods off to sleep.

Glumr leans on his walking cane, taking in group, and the beauty of Ehlonna's creations along the river.  He enjoys being out of the towns and in the wilds, feeling a bit more comfortable here than on a street.

I think we should travel as far as we can today and into the evening and take a shorter rest tonight.  We can make up some lost ground on them by starting early tomorrow.  Once we start moving, I will see if I can pick up a trail.  At first light, I can climb a tree and see if I can see any cook fires that might point them out.  We have a general idea of the direction they are moving in.  So a cook fire might give us a direction to move.  We should know right off if the trail is theirs or not.  If I see nothing, then I think we should continue North as we have been.

Glumr looks to the group to see if they agree.  He feels a bit sheepish throwing ideas out as in the excitement in meeting with Elana, he missed a key detail and feels like he made a stupid suggestion of going to Goldenpoint first.  He feels the path to intercept the thieves along their course is a good idea.

Holly shakes her head, not having meant to rile the sensitive Snow this early in the proceedings.  "I sugested you and Mord for the midnight shift for two reasons.  Your magic compliments his combat skills, and secondly because two people can keep each other awake better in the most sleepy part of the night.  I have Moonlight to aid me as a second set of ears, and Glumr practically lives out here all the time. I didn't think you'd mind.  If you want, I'll stay awake with Mord, and you can take the morning shift alone.  Glumr seems happy to take the midnight shift."

Sometimes Holly seemed to get her wishes, even when she hadn't managed to wish for them.  Waiting to see if Snow would want a change to the plans, she added, "And we need to discuss how we are going to get the idol back, without killing anyone!"

(We more or less decided straight north, so im presuming that the sleeping discussions are done on the road or towards the end of the day.)

"How long are we making a 'watch'?  Do 'we' have to do with out a watchfire?  If animals are the worse we have to deal with fires a good ward."

Snow was slight of build and not use to manual labor, she was traveling compareably light and without armor at the moment.  Her only apparent weapon was a quarterstaff which she also used as a walking stick.

Where most had a backpack, Snow made do with a shoulder satchel.  Comfort minded Snow has decided to bring her bedroll along.  Aside from a few days provisions she's not carrying a whole lot.

"I suppose alot of it will depend on how many of them there are?  If there are a dozen of them, i doubt were going to be able to 'force' them to do anything.  We can try and be reasonable, find out why they took it in the first place and go from there?"

Glumr chats with his new companions as they walk the sun down behind the horizon.

Hmmm.. I dont think it's really necessary for us to double up on watches around these parts.  We're still in Triplefang lands, so the worst we will see would be random animals, or some goblinkind running around.  We will all be sleeping light, so I think a single person on watch simple to alert the rest of us should suffice.  That being said, I'm not against people doubling up for extra comfort or company.

Since there are 4 of us, and about 12 hours or dark, we can each take a 3 hour watch.  That gives everyone about 8 hours rest.

If we want to close the gap, maybe we each take a 2 hour watch and break camp when we're done.  Then we can catch up while dawn breaks and maybe catch them at breakfast.

As for a fire...  I dont see any reason not to, especially in the safety of Triplefang lands... We're not being hunted and there are enough folk out in the wilds that a small cook fire shouldnt raise any suspicion and it might keep the wilds at bay through the night.

Glumr enjoys the company of his new friends.  As the sun sets he suggests they make camp here and starts to gather wood to build a fire for his companions and thinks about what tomorrow may bring.  He knows the thieves have a cart.  Since they are making their getaway, they are probably using that to transport the idol as horseback or on foot would lead to faster travel.  Glumr sits down to set the tinder and wood ready for fire and decides it might be a good time to come up with a bit of a plan between them.

So my friends...  Tomorrow we may stumble upon our quarry.  We have no real idea of the size of their party.  We know they have a cart.  In my opinion, if I was to steal something, I would flee on horse for speed, or foot for concealment.  I think the cart may be used for the idol, it being large and very heavy per Elana.    We have to find a way to take the cart and idol from the group, without killing them.

Holly and Snow, do you have any spells that we could use to our advantage?  I'm afraid my bow and cane might make them a bit dead.   Maybe we could surprise them somehow, and basically rob them on threat of death.  Or perhaps make off with it in the middle of the night with some spellcraft to aid us?

Snow raises an eyebrow, "I think youre over estimating my skill, i'm still learning.  I can do parlor tricks, sense magic, and hurl a mean snowball but beyond that i think youre mistaking me for one of the more powerful elders.  I suppose stealing from thieves is ironic justice, though if it's so heavy as to need a cart, i'm not sure how practical it would be to expect that we'll be able to out run them, any more than they might out run us?"

That's exactly what I was thinking in regards to the cart.  I was thinking there might be a spell that could confuse or trick them more than anything.  Maybe something where we could make our band appear as many more than we are.

I heard a story once where some folk were up against a larger force... They snuck around the camp and knocked the watch out.  They set up torches all around the camp and light them all at once and then had someone walk into camp and tell them they were surrounded.  The other couple people that lit the torches did things like fire a warning arrow and such to make it seem like there were truly many surrounding the camp.

Glumr draws an illustration in the sand to explain where they placed torches in relation to the camps position.

I've also heard a story where they had someone run through their camp and cause the majority of the camp to give chase, where then the others swooped in when the camp was empty to take what they were after.

Do either of you have any spells that we could use in that manner, instead in a direct offensive or defensive way?

Or any other ideas on how we can make a getaway?

Holly considered Glumr's question about how she could support the group in its actions the next day.  Although the idol was for Pelor, its return was one she felt Obad-Hai would support, and would therefore grant her his powers to aid them.  She had learnt many spells from her druidic teachers in the last few years, and was willing to try at least one of them to aid them.

"I have access to a spell from Obad-Hai that will call the plants around the enemy to hold them fast for about 70 heart beats, and I can call upon the mists of the river to our aid to provide cover if needed.  Other than that, if we find some helpful creatures I can perhaps call on their services.  A pack of wolves or herd of horses might provide us with enough power to convince them to leave the idol for us to return.  If there are more than five, then we need call upon others of the tribe to help us.  There are likely to be a few hunting parties out, if we are lucky.  Glumr might be able to pick out some of their fires from the trees.  If needed, either myself or Snow can talk to them."

"Of course if it comes to a fight, the grass holding them down will help us, as would only making use of wooden staffs or weapons.  Are you willing to go back to using a quarterstaff Mord?  It's a while since I last saw you making use of one in the training fields."  Realising what information she might have given away, she quickly added, "If necessary Glumr, I think Obad-hai would have little feeling if you had to shoot the wagon animal.  With no draught animal, they cannot go anywhere.  I would use that as a last resort though, in deference to your own beliefs."

"Tis a shame neither Snow or myself can pretend to be Pelor, and send fire down on them.  Perhaps one day, Snow."

Glumr think's he would much rather shoot the thieving rider more than the poor cart horse.

If anything, Holly could have the plants hold them down and we could rush in and smash their hands and feet, preventing them from taking up arms or following us.

I think we really need to see what we're up against before we can formulate a real plan.

Mord, do you have any thoughts on this? You've been quiet this evening.

"One problem, anyone entering the spell of entanglement also gets trapped.  We have to assume they'll start out under the same restrictions as us about bloodgeld.  I'll think further on any other spells that Obad-Hai might help us with.  I think we might just have to talk our way in and out."

"Are you in with me tonight sister?  Or will you be making a play on one of them?" Holly conspiratoraly whispers to Snow, a knowing laugh in her eyes.  Trying to hide the interest she herself had in Mord, she slipped the tent off of the mule, and started to make up the tent.  When Moonlight came over and nudged her, she scratched behind his ear before pushing him away.  Moonlight wandered off to a clump of grass, but kept shaking his head at her.

Once the tent was up, Holly slipped an apple out of her pack, along with her horse brush, and moved over to Moonlight.  Feeding it the treat, she quickly went about unknotting the mane, and then brushing out the coat.  The time and actions helped her relax, and go through her druidic teachings.

I think the tents, ropes, pots, and mule were left in Volge.  Is this right?

The small group of young travelers (and horse) press onwards north until dusk.  You are able to travel another 8 miles after the river, and you make camp in scrubby grasslands.  By the last rays of the sun you mat down the grasses in a 15 foot radius in such a way that they will quickly recover when you are gone,  and dig out a small fire pit with crude improvised tools.  You had the foresight to gather firewood as you approached the campsite and there will be plenty to keep a small tended fire burning crisply throughout the night.  The fire will keep nocturnal animals away.  You look forward to a good night's sleep.

After deciding that it is better to err on the side of caution this first night out, a watch order is established.  Holly volunteers for the first watch and gives everyone a quick primer on how to gauge passing hours at night before the rest of you lie down for the night.  Only Mord is able to fall asleep right away.  Glumr and Snow are both too excited to sleep at first.  They lie awake, staring at the stars for a while.  Later they gather near Holly and quietly discuss tactics for tomorrow.  Snow and Holly are dubious about Glumr's plan of crippling the opponents' hands and feet.  No one is really sure what the rules of engagement are for this sort of thing.  It will be quite an experience.

Eventually, drowsiness sets in for the trio.  Snow and Glumr call it a night and drift off to sleep.  Holly chews on a mild stimulant to keep herself alert for the rest of her shift.  Maybe she had a bit too much.  She has a hard time falling asleep herself after waking Glumr from his nap.  Glumr takes a nibble of the herb himself, careful not to make Holly's dosage mistake.

It's not a quiet night, as the sounds of wind, and insects, and nighttime animals are all around you, but it is a calm and uneventful night.  Mord's watch passes without any sort of disturbance.  He wakes Snow at the appointed time and goes quickly back to sound sleep.  She marvels at the other's' ability to sleep through the racket of pre-dawn chirping from all directions.  Songbirds herald the dawning day.

But wait...  there's something else.

In the distance, faint at first, Snow hears music.  She stands up and turns her head to locate the direction of the sound.  It's hard to tell where it's coming from, but it seems to be getting slowly nearer.  It sounds like a band of minstrels - horns, pipes, percussion, maybe even a stringed instrument.  She can't see them or tell for sure where they are, but they're still a good distance away.

In reply to Fritzholm (msg #24):

Party time! excellent! doo-doo-loo, doo-doo-loo, doo-doo-loo (Mord's dream sequence)