In reply to Chlainn Vacrolann (msg # 3):

The two men drew closer to the lean to and Usopi noted dark brown spatter marks up against the granite wall behind the lean-to.  Both men noted a coppery scent as they approached and both horse and dog began to act agitated.

In reply to GM (msg # 4):

Chlainn pats his horses neck to reassure it.  He thinks about loading up the arbalest and decides against it.

"Is that....  blood?  If so we may have been a few days late...."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Sat 16 Sept 2017.

Usopi, smiling still, readies his mace and shield at the sight of the dried blood.

"Perhaps to late for some, but there may yet be survivors inside." he says optimistically as he approaches the lean to to investigate, signaling for his dog to stay put.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 6):

Chlainn decides to wind up his Arbalest.  He remains on horseback.  Will approach on horseback once he's done that.

Usopi approached as Chlainn wound the mechanism on his weapon.

Peering over the edge of the lean-to he saw a blood-soaked bedroll and signs of a struggle.

Seeing the signs of struggle but no survivors, Usopi begins to examine the ground outside the lean-to, looking for signs of whoever has come and gone recently that he might be able to track.

OOC - Tracking appears to be a d20 roll to try and get under my perception.
Usopi Venia rolled 9 using 1d20.  Tracking roll.
I was over by 3, which is a fail cause my perception is... not great. Alternatively, is my dog capable of tracking things? I couldn't find an entry for dogs in the rule books I have for what they're capable of or their statistics.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 9):

OCC - Not sure if they have the tracking skill, but I believe they definitely have a higher perception and possibly panoptical vision.  Can't remember.

Once Chlainn figures out what happened, he'll look around for evidence, merchant, warrior, women or some trace of who was in the bedroll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:25, Sat 16 Sept 2017.

Usopi notes a number of tracks, some are boot tracks and others are...strange...possibly a bear...but he has little experience at the hunt...

Usopis hound bounds over and sniffs at the ravaged campsite, whining to itself...it seems to catch a scent and looks eagerly up at the granite cliff face.

OOC: Yep. That rolls not good enough for tracking and keeping a trail but it does enough to examine the scene.

For Dog just use the wolf stats, its a big solid dog.  So it has easily enough perception to do the job.

Usopi observed Gat catching the scent and gave the dog a pat on the head as he gazed up at the cliff face.

"There are several boot tracks around this structure my friend, though the most interesting set belongs to some form of beast." Usopi spoke, turning to look at Chlainn, "I believe Gat has picked up the creatures smell, but it appears to lead up the cliff face. You are a Thulander yes? Know you of any path to the top aside from a direct climb? Your Horse and my Dog would be difficult companions to accompany us directly."

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 12):

Chlainn looks darkly at the cliff face.

"I am curious.  It would be our public duty to find out what happened.  But its just so...  inconvenient."


OOC: Wonder if there is any way we can ride up there?  Chlainn would prefer not to climb, especially when there seems little to be achieved with an old trail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Sat 16 Sept 2017.

In reply to Chlainn Vacrolann (msg # 13):

Looking back along the trail the two men note that they could leave the pass and travel along the bordering ridge to arrive at the clifftop.

Chlainn would need to lead his horse but it looks to be easy enough.

Usopi chuckled at his fellow knight's comments, "inconvenient as it is, we must aid those in need or avenge the death of the innocent. Come Ser Chlainn."

With that Usopi turned back down the way they had come to reach the crest of the ridge, leading Gat the dog as he went.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 15):

"I hope there is someone alive to save.  It would be irritating to look for a serf and give them directions here to clean up, if not."

Chlainn unloads his Arbalest and puts it away before leading his horse on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Sun 17 Sept 2017.

In reply to Chlainn Vacrolann (msg # 16):

The two men made their way along the ridge and soon found themselves on the cliff top, looking down on the campsite they noted there was more blood on the edge of the clifftop.

The hair on the back of their neck went up as they tried to determine what manner of beast or man they sought.

Gat ran a little away and sniffed excitedly about the entry to a small gully its edges choked with heather.

The two knights noted scuff marks and yet more blood on the heather.

In reply to GM (msg # 17):

Chlainn secures his horse somewhere and, with his hand grasping his mace , still fastened to his belt starts to head into the heather.  He sniffs for the scent of fresh blood.

Usopi and Gat descend in to the gully as well. He worries that the trio might be ambushed once inside, but it would be better to be together than to be separated when any attack did come.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Sun 17 Sept 2017.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 19):

The overhanging heather blocks out most of the sunlight and the two men consider lighting a torch when they come across a deep cleft in the rocky floor of the gully, it seems simple enough to climb down into it using broken and fallen stones as a ladder of sorts.

As they stare at the ominous cave entrance they spy a boot at the edge of the cleft, Gat hurries across at Usopis command and brings the boot to them....it seems to still contain a foot..

In reply to GM (msg # 20):

Chlainn looks darkly.

"Seriously, seems we're too late.  Nothing worse than having to tell some peasant how to get here to clean up.  They'll probably get lost once they're 2 miles out from their village."


 Chlainn grasps his Mace, in case there is something to pacify.

"Maybe these corpses will attract scavengers."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:08, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

Usopi takes the boot and foot from Gat's mouth and sighs heavily.

"Yes, in all likelihood the fellow who belongs to this footwear is no longer among the ambulatory brotherhood. However, we must still venture within to prevent this dour fate from befalling his kith and kin." the tall knight says, examining the way down to see if Gat could make it without opposable digits, "Clearly this is the dwelling of a beast in need of elimination."

As the climb looks possible, Usopi allows Gat to accompany him, happy to have the hound's instincts and fangs to further bolster the talents of the two knights.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 22):

"Ill wager 2 florins we'll run into a bear, dead or alive…"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:07, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 22):

OOC: Its a doable descent for a canine.

"I never wager my friend. If Gatanades wished for my money to be in your pocket, or vice versa, he would make it so without my interference." For a moment Usopi's face is grim, but then he breaks in to a smile and chuckles, "though I do beleive your side would be the better of the two wagers."

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 25):

Usopi descended, the first few metres were ok for his eyes but beyond that it grew very dark indeed....he would need to forego his shield if he took a lantern up and the light would be most obvious to what, if anything, lay below.

Gat stayed at his side and whimpered a little as his nostrils flared seeking scents from below.

Chlainn gripped his weapon tightly and scanned the area for signs of the enemy, he was about to speak when there was the very slightest sound of scrabbling on rock from somewhere far below...

Usopi pauses in his descent to put away his shield and prepare his lantern. He would need to be able to see if he were going to halt the killings of civilians.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 27):

Well, Chlainn winds up his bolt thrower, shield in front….


OOC: Lets hope he doesn't end up having to shoot through Usopi.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:48, Tue 19 Sept 2017.