They went that way! Celador calls out, pointing in the direction of the wagon tracks.

They can't have gotten very far, and if the husband is pulling the cart they can't be going very fast. I say we follow the tracks and take care of the fiendish orcs! and he begins to survey the tracks more closely and makes a start to follow them west off the road.

Come, friends! Adventure and honor awaits! we haven't much time!


00:52, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 7 using 1d20.  Persuasion.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 23):

Agreed! We'll deal with these foes quickly and double time it to the cave.

To himself, I wonder what is in those glass jars of his...

Lazaret unsheathes his rapier and runs after Celador.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 23):

Let's hunt some orcs! Thorfire shouts. I really need to kill something soon... he mumbles to himself.

Thorfire takes off running as fast as his little legs can carry him after his pointy eared and furry companions.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

OOC: apparently it didn't take much to persuade you guys

Therarak! Are you coming too?


12:59, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Survival - tracking orcs.
I hope they left us a sign saying "Orcs, this way!"

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 26):

16:11, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20-1.
16:10, Today: Lazaret rolled 4 using 1d20-1.  Survival.

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 27):

Hopefully Thorfire doesn't "accidently" step on the orc tracks and obliterate them....
16:57, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 5 using 1d20+0.  Survival.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

Celador points out the tracks where he sees them, but quickly loses them as they pass over the next rise in the west. Thorfire and Lazaret prove no better in their search. No more than 100 yards and the trail appears to be lost.

OOC: That was the most pathetic bit of tracking ever witnessed! Are you sure you were rolling d20's???

But then the normally silent Svirfneblin speaks a single word. "Here," he calls, staring at a pair of small indentations spaced approximately one cart-width apart.


23:05, Today: DM, on behalf of Therarak Gemfinder, rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Survival.

Posted by DM on behalf of Therarak.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Sat 15 Apr 2017.

Gathering around the Svirfneblin, the adventurers see the subtle signs that the cart has been this way. The scrubby plain stretches out for a distance now, about 1/4 mile before a thin line of trees crosses their line of sight.

OOC: Everyone make a perception or survival roll, your choice (try to do better than that last set of rolls).
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Sat 15 Apr 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 31):

They can't be too far now.

07:49, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20+4 ((6)).

Yes! There is the trail. I am quite certain of it... says Celador as he points the way.



11:31, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  survival.

OOC: awwwww yeah, bitches.

In reply to DM (msg # 31):

Thorfire also sees the fresh tracks and can't wait until he can kill some orcs.

12:31, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 21 using 1d20+2. Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Sat 15 Apr 2017.

Examining the human tracks from the man pulling the cart, Celador notices that every few strides there is a deep divot in the ground like somone has kicked his toe groundward in the exact same place three or four times. Whether the man has done this intentionally to aid tracking efforts or is just stumbling regularly in front of the heavy weight of the cart cannot be determined.

Still, the divots appear at regular intervals for as far as the adventurers can see.
As they push on toward the line of trees, Thorfire counts three distinct sets of tracks in addition to the cart puller. The strides are long and confident. One of the three has a distinctive line scratched into the ground each time a foot is lifted. From Thorfire's perspective, it is almost like this particular orc has pointed boots.

The party reaches the tree line and sees a wider flattening of the undergrowth where a short break may have been taken. Beyond that, the divots continue across another scrubby plain toward another distant line of trees.

OOC: Much better on the tracking and observing that time!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Sun 16 Apr 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 35):

This way friends. We are gaining on them. Be ready for anything!

The party proceeds across the next plain, which stretches significantly further than first before reaching another thin line of trees. Had the orcs struck in the middle of the night as the woman suggested, they would have a head start of several hours. However, all indications show the cart, once horse drawn, is now being pulled by a single man. The party concludes they are closing fast. And when they arrive at the next tree line, their theory is confirmed. Celador can still smell the stench of orc on a fallen trunk that was apparently used as a bench and the ground is still wet where waterskins were spilled.

The line of trees this time is thicker, but the clockwork dotted line of divots continues. It finally breaks into another open plain, this time rising slightly to a ridge about a half mile ahead.

OOC: One more set of perception rolls, please.

22:29, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Perception

In reply to DM (msg # 37):

Thorfire loosens his rapier as he trudges up the ridge.

23:30, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Perception.
23:34, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight)

OOC: Enough meta gaming, when do we start killing....
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:37, Sun 16 Apr 2017.

In reply to Thorfire Shortankard (msg # 39):

07:47, Today: Lazaret rolled 15 using 1d20+4 ((11)).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:06, Mon 17 Apr 2017.

In anticipation of a confrontation, Celador takes up his longbow and knocks an arrow.

From the edge of the trees, Lazartet spots a couple figures near the top of the ridge. Still half a mile away, they are out of range. At this distance it is impossible to say with certainty  whether or not this is their quarry, however there are multiple figures, including a larger one that could be a cart or a wagon or heavily loaded beast of burden.

As they watch, the figures begin to shrink below the other side of the ridge. As the figures disappear, the scene is punctuated by the distinct sound of a whip cracking somewhere up ahead.

OOC: Assume 2500 feet to the top of the ridge.

In reply to DM (msg # 42):

This is it, gentlemen! Our encounter in the tavern was merely a prologue. This is now the first chapter of many that we will write of our glory. Celador, you will have your orc blood this day!

Lazaret starts humming a triumphant tune as the party with weapons drawn runs forward to the fight.

Celador is inspired by the bard!

Encouraged by the visual confirmation of what seems to be a cart and several humanoids, the party presses on for the top of the ridge. It takes longer than expected to reach the spot where they last saw the figures, but they arrive soon enough. Once above the ridge, the party sees an enormous open plain, stretching for miles this time until a large steep ridge on the west. The figures in front of them are much closer than they were when last seen. By now they are no more than 200 yards ahead. And now it is clear, the large figure is a cart. Whatever is pulling it cannot be seen. There are two humanoids on one side of the cart and a third on the other side. The third humanoid cracks a whip and the sound arrives a half second later.

OOC: 600 feet to the cart. Not much in the way of cover between you and it. A scrubby bush or two scattered along the way may provide enough for the halfling or svirfneblin, but not for anyone larger. The terrain is flat - a mix or gravelly, mossy, or very short ground cover. A single tree stands directly south of the cart, about 50 feet away from its current position. The three humanoids all have their backs to you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:37, Mon 17 Apr 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 44):

In an excited whisper,

I will try to sneak up to that tree. Celador, go out to the left a bit and let them taste your arrows. Thorfire, sneak up wherever you can. Therarak, follow behind me.

To glory!

21:29, Today: Lazaret rolled 20 using 1d20+5.
21:29, Today: Lazaret rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Mon 17 Apr 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 44):

Thorfire quietly stalks the larger humanoid with the whip and can't wait to back stab the son of a bitch.

21:48, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Stealth.

I will need to get a bit closer for my bow, I think we are in luck that they aren't expecting us.

Celador quickly and quietly moves to left of Lazaret's position and readies an arrow for when he is approximately 149' from the caravan they are stalking.


21:52, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  stealth.

When in range of the nearest orc:
21:54, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 17 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

21:55, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Attack with long bow.
21:56, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 3 using 1d6.  bardic inspiration.
21:57, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 5 using 1d8+4.  damage with long bow.