OOC: suggested soundtrack for this scene is The Burning Crusade, by Russel Brower.

At dawn, you check one last time your equipment and leave Gallows End to start your trek in the Forest of Bron, under a dreary and darkened sky. As you leave the village, some yokels glance at you with a sorry look in their eyes.
As soon as you step into this wood of ancient oaks, beeches and maples, a gelid rain
starts pouring down like hell, dunking heavy your clothes.
It seems likely this damn shower will see to you throughout the reaching of Hellwinter’s Tower.

After 4 hours marching, the path splits in two diverging paths. Probably you have about two more hours of light in this winter season, maybe just a bit more.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:50, Fri 08 Dec 2017.

As he marches, Garl grumbles under his breath, kicking the dirt as he goes.
“Stuck paying for everyone’s rations... damn that do-gooding sword jockey... I’ve got some knuckle sandwiches I could ration out to everybody, with a side of electrified whoop-ass...”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:46, Fri 08 Dec 2017.

Larson started out feeling glad to be away from civilisation being a northman he enjoyed the wild but even his high spirits were as dampened as much as his clothes after four ours of marching in the raun.

He quietly trudged along behind the others keeping his thoughts to himself but cursing the rain under his breath

Sir Roland pulls the hood of his cloak over his head and wraps it closer as the rain pelts down. Looking at the fork in the road, he considers one, then the other.

OOC:
1. Is there any difference in the 2 paths?
2. Any recent tracks (footprints, wagon ruts, animal tracks) on either?
3. Both paths have signs of recent usage? As in none is covered with overgrown undergrowth?

Garl temporarily interrupts his glowering long enough to venture an opinion.  “I would go left, but that’s pure whim on my part.”

The left path carries on approx to north-north-east, while the right path points more toweards east, perchaps even east-south-east.
Both paths are similarly sized (a cart could pass with some difficulty) and they are kept clean of bushes and branches to a similar degree.
You can't spot obvious fresh tracks right now, but perhaps the rain messed up the situation, as the paths seem routinely used... perhaps not when it's pouring.

Sir Roland uncocks his waterskin and takes a quick drink of the cool clear water. He shakes his head slightly. "The two paths look the same. And the Innkeep had said all paths lead to the same destination - North East of the Forest of Bron. Left it is then."

Replacing his waterskin in his pack, the knight takes the left path and continues trekking through the rain.

After a couple of grim hours, darkness fall. Nothing makes you hope the weather may change.

The incessant rain rattles down on the knight's armor, seeping into his cloak until his clothes are a sopping mess. As the final rays of the sun fade away into dusk, Sir Roland calls for a halt. He chooses a sturdy oak with a broad trunk and a nice relatively dryer patch beneath its towering crown of branches and leaves. "Let's make camp here. I will take first watch.

He looks around at his companions to see if there are any objections. Seeing none, he drops his pack against the oak, and gets out his tinderbox, attempting to start a fire where it is sheltered and dry...

OOC - Do I roll anything to try and start that fire going?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Sun 10 Dec 2017.

Being the middle of Winter, there is no nice grassy patch around, but a half-decent spot can be located. After a few attempts, a smoky fire can be lighted.
You haven't had any food after leaving Gallows End.

[OOC it's OK, you have no pressure and plenty of attempts]

Sir Roland builds up the fire with small twigs and bigger branches he picks up from the the ground. The wet wood however results in a smoky fire that gives out little light and warmth, but also copious amounts of smoke that sting the eyes and induce coughs.

Having improved the fire as best as he can, he removes his sword from his belt and lays it against the tree, then sits down beneath the oak, breaks out some of the dried trail rations from his pack, and shares it around with his companions. Munching on abit of dried bread, he glances at Larson and Garl.

"Wet miserable day huh?" Sir Roland begins by way of conversation. "How are you guys holding up?"

OOC - Sorry. Sir Roland is sharing 3 meals's worth of rations from his pack with Larson and Garl.

Deducted from charsheet.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Sun 10 Dec 2017.

OOC Please clarify how many "portions" you are having and deduct them from your character sheets. Do you have two square meals, just one, or just a snack? This will have a consequence on your STAMINA, of course.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 15:36, Sun 10 Dec 2017.

Garl will have a square meal.

“I’m cold, wet and miserable, but I suppose many a worthwhile adventure has begun this way.” He picks at his teeth in between bites.

After dinner your eyes close, as you feel very tired and miserable.
Luckily, you have a quiet night rest and, considering the situation, relatively comfortable.
Nobody wakes you up until morning, and the rest allows you to make up for the missed meal during the day before.
Unfortunately, the weather is still the same.

Garl gets up, stretches, yawns, and then checks to make sure that none of his body parts have frozen off.

Larson wakes early as is the norm for northern men and as the camp raises he already had the fire stoked and rations cooking.

He even had a small bowl of warm spiced Ake by the fire which he handed a small cup to each one as they woke

"It is a small warmth to wake your body and unfreeze the brain...traditional in the winter where I come from"

Sir Roland accepts the drink from Larson with a nod of thanks. He drains the bowl in one draught and hands it back to the Northman. Feeling the warmth spread throughout his body that had become stiff and cold from bedding on the frozen ground, the knight picks up his stuff, loosens his sword in its scabbard, and prepares to begin another miserable day on the trail.

Garl gladly accepts the tasty confection, and he gulps it down with relish.  It doesn’t completely eliminate the chill, but it certainly helps.

OOC

Larson fossas:

as the camp raises he already had the fire stoked and rations cooking.

Please keep tracking the rations progressively eaten up.

Everything seems OK all around, apart from the miserable weather. You are ready to move, if you want.

“We should get going.  It’s cold, and we aren’t getting any younger.”

You walk for almost two horse following the same direction, until...

[OOC please roll 2d6 (this is a roll for Awareness and/or Forest Lore)]

20:47, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 4 using 2d6.  Awareness roll.

[OOC the roll is so good that you don't need any more rolls]

Garl notices some tracks going from the road to the roadside. They are four or five sets of small footsteps, although the rain is cancelling them fast. For this reason, they must be fairly recent.

Sir Roland raises his brow as Garl slows down to a stop and squats down. Following his gaze, the knight stares at the muddy ground before the Elf for a good several seconds until finally he is able to see the faint and fast vanishing outlines of the footprints Garl had spotted.

He looks up, eyes following the tracks that lead away from the path.

OOC - Where do the tracks lead? Away from the path into the forest? Direction?

You can follow the tracks just to the roadside, maybe 10 or 20 meters in front of you. You can't see if the tracks are leading deep in the forest or if they just stop there.

“Do we follow them, or leave the little fellows (and their little knives, which may cut our little throats) alone?”

"Let's see where they lead." The knight gestures for silence and stealth, then moves carefully beside the tracks in the direction where they lead.

Realizing that they couldn't ambush effectively anymore, four Goblins, armed with rusty short swords, shout a battlecry and assault you.

[Private to GM:
ENEMY SKI STA ATT
GOBLIN LEADER 7 6(4) 1
21:05, Today: The Director rolled 5 using 2d6.
18:53, Today: The Director rolled 5 using 2d6.
First GOBLIN 5 6 1
21:05, Today: The Director rolled 11 using 2d6.
18:53, Today: The Director rolled 7 using 2d6.
Second GOBLIN 6 5 1 (panicky)
21:05, Today: The Director rolled 10 using 2d6.
18:53, Today: The Director rolled 8 using 2d6.
Third GOBLIN 5 7(3) 1
21:05, Today: The Director rolled 10 using 2d6.
18:53, Today: The Director rolled 2 using 2d6.

Short Sword 1223334
Leader’s Cuirass 0000112]

Two of them attack Sir Roland and one each Garl and Larson.
[OOC time to roll your 2d6! ;)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:54, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Drawing his sword, Sir Roland gives a savage battle cry and charges into the fray, heading right for the largest goblin!

11:25, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 18,5 using 2d6+8+2,1d6.  Attack largest goblin!

So this will give 3 damage if it hits...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Sat 16 Dec 2017.

Sir Roland this turn is fighting with two Goblins.
He attacks the biggest one, that actually fights quite feebly and is hit. His stinky leather cuirass protects him only in part from Sir Roland's mighty blow.
The second Goblin attacking him with wild war shouts actually makes a very well done attack and Sir Roland avoids being hit by a mere wisker. It could have been a bad blow and it was close.

Garl casts Mirror Selves.

Garl Ligoosh:

Garl casts Mirror Selves.

OOC Please make the casting roll :)

Garl has Natural Mage, and the point cost for Mirror Selves is 2.  Do I still need to roll?  (Will go ahead and roll, in case I do.)


18:14, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 5 using 2d6.  Casting Mirror Selves.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Sat 16 Dec 2017.

Garl makes some arcane gestures, uttering words that you can't understand and two other Gerls appear besides him.
The Goblin, very wide eyed, tries to hit the central Garl, but his sword swings without making contact with anything but air. This leaves the Goblin clearly in a panicky mood.

[OOC Natural Mage allows you to cast without rolling Wizardry spells that are at a level below your Magic Wizardry Special Skill level. As your Magic Wizardry Secial Skill is at level 2, you can cast without rolling spells of level 1.
Please deduct the related MAGIC POINTS.]

OOC 18:40, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 7 using 2d6.  Goblin attack.
The Goblin attacking Larson fights bravely and very nearly misses his pin point attack. This leaves a split second to Larson to counter attack with his warhammer and hit the Goblin.
OOC 18:44, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 4 using 1d6.  damage roll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Injured and scared to death by Garl's magic, the bigger Goblin shouts something like: "Sorcery! Strategic rereat!" and the four Goblins turn away for running in panic.
You have a free melee attack round, as always when somebody tries retreating from a melee, then you can decide if you want to chase them, go for a ranged attack round or let them go.

Seeing that the 4 ugly creatures are about to escape, Sir Roland reverses his blade and tries to grapple the goblin leader. The knight attempts to pin it down to the ground without killing it.

OOC - Ok I don't know how grapple is done. I just rolled.

10:22, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 4 using 2d6.  Grapple biggest goblin.

Sir Roland tries to grapple the slippery Goblin and, eventually manages to hug his ankles. Now they are both on the ground, Sir Roland hanging on the Goblin's legs and the Goblin trying desperately to kick him away.

Garl casts the Slip cantrip at one of the fleeing goblins.

17:49, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 10 using 2d6.  Slip.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

One of the fleeing Goblins slips momentarily, but manages to stay on his feet (barely) and carries on running, although he falls behind his companions.

"Help me...with him!" Sir Roland grunts, taking a painful but otherwise harmless kick in the face. The large goblin is proving to be a bigger handful to catch, than he was as an attacker!

Garl casts Ironhand on Sir Roland, to aid him in his struggle.

03:43, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 6 using 2d6.  Cast Ironhand. (I don’t think I needed to roll, however.)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:55, Mon 18 Dec 2017.

Suddenly, Sir Roland feels a surge of strength, and his hold becomes much firmer. The Goblin, feeling trapped, start screaming for help from his comrades that are now entering into the cover of the trees.

Wasting no time to marvel at his newfound strength, the knight grunting with effort, drags the struggling and screaming goblin towards himself. He quickly overpowers the wretched creature, disarming it and holding it in a controlling armlock. He twists its arm painfully until it stops struggling.

Calmly cold eyes meet the goblin's own reddish eyes wild with rage and just a touch of fear.

Sir Roland has fought goblins and their ilk for a very long time with the Baron. As a somewhat "thinking soldier" type, he has learned some of their traditions and practices, including some words of their language. Which he applies readily to great effect intimidating the creatures during interrogation, or outwitting them in battles

"Krimpak halduuk*. You are not from these parts. Where did you come from? Why have you come? Who is your master?"

OOC
* - Creature of darkness (in the Goblin tongue)

Dunno how interrogation works too. ;) But I rolled anyways, noting that Roland has benefit of the Silvertongue talent.

10:43, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 9 using 2d6.  Interrogation.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Tue 19 Dec 2017.

The bleeding Goblin keeps struggling and kicking. Eventually he turns around enought to spit on the knight's face: "Damn southern dialect... only unwhole magic gives you the edge... I am the master! Bow to me, now!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:30, Tue 19 Dec 2017.

[OOC that's the Director playing Larson to keep things moving on]
Larson hits the Goblin then and binds his hands behind his back.
"What did you say, dirty creature?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Tue 19 Dec 2017.

The Goblin's voice goes to a higher pitch, almost as if on the verge of crying: "I said you caught me only because you cheated with magic... without it we'd have the upper hand... as usual..."

Sir Roland holds on to the struggling creature, maintaining a painful vice-like grip on it, allowing Larson to rough up the wretch alittle before the tough Northman expertly trusses it up, almost like a pig to the slaughter. With a vicious kick, the knight knocks the goblin on its back into the muddy ground. He picks up his sword and with sudden speed reverses it and drives it with great force into the ground right between its legs, narrowly missing skewering the creature. Looking intently into its feral eyes, the knight repeats his questions again, in the same calm wintry voice. It is clear this is the last chance the goblin is going to get...

OOC - Heh...edited the potentially offending bits off the post. :D
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Tue 19 Dec 2017.

"I told you, I am the master of my tribe... what's left of it... horrible magic drove us away from our ancestral lands in the north... always horrible, cowardly magic... it's not your iron that scares me..." he sighs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:07, Tue 19 Dec 2017.

There is a moment of silence as the knight considers the goblin's reply. When he next speaks, his tone is slightly less aggressive, but just as cold and deadly serious. "How many of you are left now? Where are you holed up? Do you know the Tower of Hellswinter? Do you go near it?"

Garl casts the Honesty cantrip on the goblin.

"Only the four of us out of many survived foul magic in the far north, and we recenty decided to settle in this southern forest, hoping we won't find more foul magic here... unsuccessfully... we don't go near the Tower... it was too south... and we hate it..." he spits at you again.

Lowering his eyes to the ground, Sir Roland considers the goblin's reply for a moment. He looks up again, his eyes meeting the creature's and holding its gaze for several seconds. Standing back up, drawing himself to his full height, he pulls his gleaming sword free of the ground, then sheaths it in its scabbard. He addresses the goblin sternly, in a voice grave and severe, ringing with authority.

"Hear me oh Halduuk Putaiyal*. My name is Sir Roland Halfstaff."

"These lands are now under my protection. From this moment forth, they are out of bounds to you and your friends. You are to leave here immediately, and go east across the mountain range. Find you there whatever home you are able to make for yourselves, and do not come back again."

"Know this Halduuk Putaiyal*. The next time we meet, I shall end your miserable lives, cut off your ears, and hang them on a tree as a warning to all others who think they can hide in these forests preying on innocent villagers and travelers."

The knight bends down and unties the creature. Dragging it to its feet, he gives it a hard shove, pointing east in the direction of Duke Mornay's lands.

"Go! And do not let me see you or your friends again!"

The goblin staggers to its feet and with a final malevolent glare, takes off into the forest. As the sound of its flapping feet fade away, Sir Roland glances at Garl with an approving nod. "You are full of surprises Master Elf."

"Let's go." Adjusting his pack, he continues on the muddy path deeper into the forest.

*Halduuk Putaiyal - Spawn of Darkness (in the Goblin tongue)

Apologies for god-moding the goblin. :|
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

Garl follows along,  and even though his joints still ache from the cold, he is no longer weary.  He has renewed confidence in his companions and in his own abilities.  There really is more to life than hunching over wizened tomes in search of abstract truths!

The rest of the day passes without surprises, however there are still more trees and more rain... and mud.
It is getting dark again.

It has been yet another cold wet and exhausting day. Things got slightly interesting with the encounter of the goblins, but...it is time to bed down for the night once more. Sir Roland looks for a suitable campsite - somewhere relatively dry and cozy, under a big tree or beside a big rock outcropping - where he makes a fire, and sits down to rest. He shares his food again with his companions.

The same arrangement again - each man takes his turn at the watch, 2 hours each. Sir Roland, Larson, Garl. Assuming his companions are happy with the arrangement...

OOC - 3 meals deducted

[OOC does it mean that you had a meal in the morning and one in the evening?
Will you all three sleep or will you guard in turn?
Just remember that eating and sleeping good help recovering (or not loosing) STAMINA ]

You feel nervous during the watches in the night, as you expect the Goblins to try sneaking and cutting your throats, but everything passes nicely.
Garl wakes up at down very stiff, as he isn't used to doing watches, but he is surprised when he realizes that after all he recovered his MAGIC POINTS lost casting spells the day before and he feels good about it. Maybe adventuring life is still something for him, after all.
This morning there is no pouring rain, but an unpleasant wind that carries stingy but sparse drops of rain. It seems to blow constantly against the direction of your progress, but this may be just your impression.

Sir Roland gets up and stretches, having slept like an old campaigner. He squats down to stoke the fire back into a blaze, feeding it dry twigs and branches. He glances at Larson and nods. "Some of your drink would be most welcome this morning..."

Breaking out the iron rations from his pack, the knight and his companions have a quick morning meal around the fire. Finishing up quickly, the knight kicks snow and mud over the fire, then gathers up his possessions and begins the day's journey along the muddy path.

"Our rations are running low. Today, let's keep an eye out for rabbit, maybe deer..."

OOC - 3 more meals deducted
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

You hit the road again and around midday your straight path, leading north-east is joint by another path coming approximately from south.

[OOC is somebody is looking for track or game (or mushrooms and roots, or whatever else), please let me know if you are stopping and going into the forest or just doing it as you march... and roll 2d6 ]

"Garl perhaps you might see if you can gather some edible roots, plants and fruits. I will look out for game..." The knight keeps his eyes wide open as he walks at a comfortable pace.

OOC - Sir Roland is looking out for tracks and other presences. At same time, he is looking out for game. The pace is a comfortable lope, neither rushed nor dawdling.

13:08, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 6 using 2d6.  Looking for tracks.
13:08, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 6 using 2d6.  Looking for game.


Sir Roland slows to a stop as the party approaches the fork. He examines the new southbound path for other tracks and presences.

OOC - 13:14, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 7 using 2d6.  Examine southbound path and nearby.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

Garl is beginning to wonder what roast goblin would taste like.  He hopes it never comes to that.

02:39, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 6 using 2d6.  Mushrooms and roots.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:43, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

Sir Roland spots wolf track and a few squirrel tracks. Bad luck with deers or boars.
The frozen ground is almost everywhere too hard for Garl to dig and the few times that he managed to find a sunny spot that was a bit softer, he was unlucky.

A whole swath of forest and no sign of deer or boar?! Sir Roland wrinkles his face in disgust. The winter landscape is indeed a cruel unforgiving barren wasteland in terms of sustenance...for men. Pushing onwards with his eyes on the ground and the surroundings, he addresses his companions. "There is no reason for us to expect supplies at the Tower. We will restock our rations and water on our way instead."

He gives a wry smile to the Elf. "Keep looking Garl. Fruits or edible plants would be good too. Everything is edible with a pinch of salt and cooked over fire." He turns to Larson. "Winter hunting should be right up your alley Larson. Between us mayhap we might land some good game meat. Smoked and salted, enough to bring us to the Tower and then some..."

Along the way, the companions watch as Sir Roland uses an ingenious method to obtain drinkable water - he collects pieces of clean ice, wraps them in a clean piece of cloth and pounds them to bits, then collects the filtered water. And whenever they stop to rest, he starts a fire and boils the water in his steel helm. When asked about where he learned to do it this way, the knight mutters something about the castle apothecary being a good man but often also a pain in the ass.

OOC - Sir Roland does not stop for wolves or squirrels but pushes on, still keeping his eyes out for signs of deer, boar or other mid-sized to large game. Larson may be afk for now, but Director could you also roll for him? Both Roland and Larson will keep on looking for bigger game.
22:52, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 7 using 2d6.  Looking for bigger game.

And yeah one more thing. Rations now limited to 1 meal per day. Hunger assuaged with water. Is that alright Garl, Larson?

BTW Director, is there any indication where the party has reached? How far is the Tower estimated to be from here? How many more days of travel?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

In late afternoon, you reach the north-western edge of the Forest of Bron. In front of you there is a barren mountain track and you can see, high up Hellwinter Peak, clearly dominating the whole landscape. Winds are howling in that direction.

[OOC 19:18, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 7 using 2d6.  hunting.]

Sir Roland during the day managed to find only squirrel tracks, but Larson, being a decent hunter, despite not going far from the path, spotted a deer track just before reaching the edge of the forest. He also believes he spot a bear track.

Sir Roland's face splits into a grin as he claps the Northman on his broad shoulders. "Hunting time!" Quickly, the knight finds a suitable campsite nearby in the forest where he divests himself of his pack, and the noisiest and bulkiest portions of his chainmail armor. Now lightly armored, with just his sword, bow and arrows, he turns to Garl with a nod. "Would you gather firewood and have a fire started? Larson and me, we should be back within the hour."

Unslinging his bow from his shoulder, he beams at Larson. "Lead on my good man! We are going to eat well today!"

OOC - Ok Garl and Larson, I thought we should take the short detour needed to hunt down this deer. The bear we should avoid unless the deer tracks somehow turns out dud. Sir Roland defers to Larson as the expert hunter here, listening to his instructions and following his lead.

@Director: do I need to make more rolls for the hunt?

Garl would you follow along? Safety in numbers and all that, but you gotta keep back to avoid potentially spoiling the hunt. The alternative is that you find a suitable campsite within the forest and begin gathering wood for the cooking and smoking fire we will soon need.

Garl will remain behind to gather firewood, tend the campsite and relax with his thoughts.

[OOS 21:35, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 12 using 2d6.  hunting.]

The hunt takes Larson and Roland very far and eventually it is night and they are lost, not having the sun anymore as a guidance and being the night very cloudy. They also left food and blankets at the campsite.

At the same time, back at the campsite, Garl's relax is broken by a growl. Quite close.

"Stop!" Sir Roland calls out, wiping the sweat from his brow. He looks at Larson, disappointment written all over his tired face. "We should get back now." He turns and begins trying to follow the duo's tracks back to Garl and the campsite.

OOC - 12:38, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 8 using 2d6.  Follow tracks back to campsite.

I think that's a success but barely. Director should I roll for Larson too?

:( I should have specified clearly that Sir Roland will NOT allow the hunt to get too far away, nor too late in the day. Certainly not until night falls, since they brought no lights or means to start a fire with them. But he will cut losses and get back beyond a certain time and distance away.

[OOC 23:02, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 8 using 2d6.  follow tracks back to campsite.]
You are both penalized by the darkness and can't backtrack before dawn.

[OOC: Larson rolled a critical failure on his hunting roll... this is the least that could happen ;) ]

OOC - Roger that Director. :) Too bad Garl has to face that on his own...:(

After the better part of the hour trying to locate their own tracks, the knight finally gives up. Spitting in disgust, he finds a big tree or rock outcropping where he can set his back against, then huddles down for the night. He beckons for Larson to join him, both men sitting back to back facing outwards. They settle down for the long wait till dawn...

As soon as he hears the growl, Garl casts Mirror Selves.

15:42, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 11 using 2d6.  Cast mirror selves.

Garl was a bit too nervous when casting and didn't clear his mind suitably, so his spell fails.
On the other side of the fire, a bear is slowly walking in his direction, his mesmerizing eyes looking straight into Garl's eyes. The bear seems like... smiling.

Garl closes his eyes, and this time casts Flash (which only costs 1).

You hear a very loud growl of the bear and, when you open your eyes, he's clutching his paws on his eyes. You are not sure if he's in panic or in rage.

Garl casts Lightning Blast.  (Or tries.)

20:42, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 11 using 2d6.  Cast Lightning Blast.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

[OOS please roll for casting Lightning Blast (4) ]

I rolled an 11. That fails, doesn’t it?

Once again Garl is carried oer by the situation and his spell fizzles out.
The bear is still growling on the ground.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:10, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

“Are you merely a bear, or do you have the power of speech?”

The bear growls and tries charging you, despite his temporary blindness.

Let’s try that lightning spell again.

20:43, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 6 using 2d6.  Lightning, take 2.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Under pressure from the charge, Garl manages anyway to coast his spell. A huge lightning bolt erupts from his fingers and connects with the big body of the blind beat.
The bear collapses to the ground, foul smell of his burnt fur and flesh filling the air, then manages to go back on his paws and, with pityful wails, walks away very shakily, hitting at times trees and rocks.
Despite the cold, Garl is sweating for the tension.

Garl watches carefully to make sure the bear really leaves.  Once he’s convinced the danger has passed, he’ll sit and catch his breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Garl can hear the wails and growls distancing from him more and more, until he can't hear them anymore.
Will you try sleeping or will you stay vigilant until dawn?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

As he is low on energy, he’ll sleep, even though he knows he’s taking a risk.

[OOS Garl please roll 2d6: it is a Test of LUCK!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:25, Tue 26 Dec 2017.

Sir Roland elbows Larson gently, catching his attention. "I will take first watch. Go ahead get some rest."

Failed.

04:09, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 10 using 2d6.  Test my luck.

A cold dawn whitens the sky for Roland and Larson. Their night passed quietly.[Private to Sir Roland Halfstaff: Due to hunger, cold and partial loss of sleep, you have lost 3 points of STAMINA.]
[Private to Larson fossas: Due to hunger, cold and partial loss of sleep, you have lost 3 points of STAMINA.]
[Private to Garl Ligoosh: We'll see what happened to you when your companions will come back to the camp! ;)
Please remember to deduct one point of LUCK after the test of LUCK.]

Sir Roland looks gratefully upon the break of dawn, as the first rays of the sun shines through the canopy of leaves and branches above. He elbows Larson gently to wake him.

"Let's get back to Garl."

The knight stands up, stretching to relieve the soreness of his muscles. Picking up his weapons and stuff, he makes ready and begins again to search for their own tracks and find their way back to the campsite.

[Private to GM: Larson and Roland have already rolled the previous night right? Do you need another roll now? :)]

It is mid-morning by the time Roland and Larson find the way back to the camp.
There, they find Garl, unconscious. He received a big hit on his head and his throat was slashed... not a well done job, anyway, as he's still alive. Surely, whoever did this, thought he was dead already.
Unfortunately, your food and your bedrolls have been stolen.
You can recover just the empty backpacks. Garl's pouch is empty as well.
[Private to Garl Ligoosh: You are down to one STAMINA, you body aches and you tremble with cold, but you realize as well that it could have been much worse for you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:32, Wed 27 Dec 2017.

Larson immediately offers assistance to Garl, gives him a drink and food.
He offers to go hunting again, hoping for better luck, as the group needs to recover before moving to next stage of the adventure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:37, Wed 27 Dec 2017.

Swearing softly under his breath, Sir Roland hurries to the side of his fallen companion. As Larson tends to the unconscious Garl, the knight closes his eyes in a moment of regret. It's my fault. I led them into this. Should never have split up. When will you ever learn Roland the Runt!

Opening his eyes, he rises to his feet to survey the surrounding, looking for tracks, any sign of who the attackers were, and where they might have gone. But already he has some idea of who was responsible - those wretched hobgoblins. Should have put an end to the miserable creatures there and then!

He turns back to Larson. "He needs proper care. And we need fresh supplies." His gaze turns grim as his face takes on a resigned look. "We must go back to the village."

EDITED...
If Larson has no objections, Sir Roland gathers some sturdy branches and together with the empty backpacks, attempts to fashion a rude litter that allows just one man to drag the unconscious Garl along. As soon as Larson has staunched Garl's bleeding as best as he can, the knight gathers up their remaining meager possessions and weapons, and leads the way back along the muddy road to the village. He takes turns with the Northman to play the roles of stretcher bearer and guard.

OOC - What is Garl's status? Unconscious and barely alive? And whatever potions in our packs are gone? Guess there's no choice but to return to the village.

13:03, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 4 using 2d6.  make litter.
https://drive.google.com/file/...hBI/view?usp=sharing

This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Wed 27 Dec 2017.

You found Garl barely alive, but Larson assistance put him back on his feet. [Private to Garl Ligoosh: Recover two STAMINA, i.e. back to three.]
The traces you can find seem to confirm that these are Goblins deeds. Strange that they didn't thrash the fallen enemy body as Goblins often do: either these Goblins are particularly respectful, either they were scared of magic.

Larson would like to attempt going hunting again while Sir Roland stays with Garl, as it is mid morning and going back will take two or three days without enough food.

Sir Roland listens to Larson's reasoning and nods. He doesn't like what he hears but is forced to admit that's reality. He looks at the Northman grimly.

"We will begin the journey back to the village, following the road." The knight glances at the elf who is still weak on his feet. "Our pace will not be fast. And our tracks should be easy to follow. Catch up with us when you can." He clasps Larson's hand in a firm grip. "Be safe.

Turning away, the knight picks up whatever possession the party has left and takes it upon himself to carry them. He nods at Garl.

"Let's go."

“I knew I should have followed that bear and killed it.  Oh, my head...”  He limps after the group.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Wed 27 Dec 2017.

Larson is lucky in his hunt and by mid-day he catches up with you with a fat hare in his hands.
You stop to have lunch and it is such a good meal that you all recover 2 points of STAMINA.

"You are a worthy hunter. But I never thought you could be such a good cook too. Good man." Sir Roland claps the shoulder of Larson, nodding in approval. Picking up his stuff, the knight, his hunger satisfied, picks up the pace again, leading the way back to Gallows End.

It is a good three days' journey back to the village. Sir Roland bids Larson to continue hunting-on-the-move as they make their way back.

You are back to the junction: you can carry on on the path you originally cam from or take the path going south.

Sir Roland turns unhesitatingly onto the path by which the trio came from.

It is almost sunset when Larson cathes up on you. Tonight you will have to make up for supper with a squirrel.
He's quite in a bad mood for this meagre result, but, he says, it is better than nothing. Just.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:01, Fri 29 Dec 2017.

"We will reach the village the day after. And all we have to do is follow the road. So let's stay sharp and focused." Sir Roland gives his two companions a nod and smiles. "Watches as per normal. I will take the 1st two hours. Then Larson. Then Garl."

He claps the Northman and the Elf on the shoulder. "Get some rest guys."

OOC you have no bedrolls and the night will be cold and wet. You can decide to make a very big fire to fight the cold (feeding it abundantly for all the night), with the risk of luring unwanted visitors, or you can have a small fire as usual, with less risk and less heat.

Sir Roland is for a larger fire. He considers keeping warm and hence able to move and fight is to be prioritized above minimizing the risk of attracting unwanted attention.

It is quite difficult to keep the fire always well fed, as the wood is wet, but not impossible. In the morning, you feel a bit hungry and miserable, but it's not too bad.
[OOC deduct one point of STAMINA]

Larson goes hunting as usual during the morning, but can't catch anything: the forest in winter is quite unforgiving.
His bad mood worsens.

Sir Roland keeps up his spirit, reminding his companions that food may be in short supply, but the party has all it wants in drinking water. He encourages his companions, keeping them focused on the task of staying alert and moving at a goodly pace towards the village.


The knight quietly reminds the Northman that frustration and anger distracts from the focus needed to do things right and avoid mistakes. And that can be dangerous. He encourages him to keep trying and not give up.

OOC - Roland exercises his Silvertongued talent in leadership and motivation to keep the party focused and alert, and to persevere onwards.

You keep walking until evening time, when Larson comes to you asking for help: he caught a really big, fat boar and it is too heavy for him to transport.

Sir Roland looks up at Larson, a smile spreading all over his tired face. He turns to Garl and beckons. "Roast boar tonight boys!" He takes a short time to quickly fashion a few rude torches from some of the dryer branches he can find. He spends some more time to light three of the torches up, one for each man.

13:11, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 7 using 2d6.  fashion 6 torches.
13:11, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 11 using 2d6.  light 3 torches.
13:12, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 6 using 2d6.  light 3 torches.

Adjusting the backpacks and weapons he is carrying, the knight and the elf follow after their companion to the site of the kill. Though filled with excitement at the prospect of eating well this night, Sir Roland is a careful and experienced campaigner. He reminds the party to maintain their alertness to possible dangers. The pace they make is not rushed but measured and cautious, fully aware that night is falling, and these forests are after all a haunt of goblins, orcs, and other older and fouler creatures.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Fri 29 Dec 2017.

Garl perks up as he sees the boar.  “I feel as though I could eat all of that myself.  Well done indeed.”

He obviously has yet to fully recover.

Larson chuckled " he was a tough old big I ended up having to wrestle him to the ground with my bare hands" there seemed to be a hunt of pleasure in his face when he recounted the struggle.

With the others keeping watch the huge northman went to the kill and started to strip and decide the meat up.

Although not ideal Larson knew it was best to butch the kill where it went down than take it with them at least the remains would keep wild predictors away from their camp that night

Wrapping the butchered meat in strips of cloth, the companions store them in their backpacks, then continue onwards along the road. As night falls, casting its shadows upon the land, Sir Roland, satisfied that they have covered some distance away from the slaughtered bear, begins looking for a suitable campsite.

Once found, he starts a fire, and begins cooking and smoking some of the meat. He pulls out three meaty strips for their own dinner, wraps up the remaining meat and stores them back into his backpack. Seated around the fire chewing heartily on their most substantial meal in a week, the companions' moods are considerably lifted. They begin discussing their plans in animated manner. Once back in Gallows End, they will rest for a few days to allow Garl to recover. Fresh supplies need to be procured. And perhaps an eye can be kept open for anyone who might like to join the party.

After dinner and discussion, the party settles down for the night - again with the watch arrangement as previously.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Mon 01 Jan 2018.

The backpacks are very heavy with fresh meat, to the point that, despite the cold, you sweat under its weight, but it proves to be supremely tasty.
It is indeed a very good night for you, while your limbs are cold and wet, your belly is full and warm. You wake up in good spirit.
[OOC you recover 3 points of STAMINA each - of course you can't go above your initial STAMINA score]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Fri 29 Dec 2017.

The knight wakes up early, stoking the fire to a bigger blaze. He peers into the backpacks, trying to estimate how long will the meat last them.

OOC - How many square meals are the meat worth? Note that the meat has been smoked for longer storage.

"Let's move out lads."

Sir Roland buckles on his sword belt, shoulders the backpacks full of smoked bear, and moves out at a goodly pace. His keen eyes and senses are alert and peeled for any sign of danger. The destination is the same - Gallows End. The path is also the same - the muddy road by which they had come from.

OOC please clarify if you stop to smoke the meat: it will require at least one full day of stop to prepare the oven, gater the wood and do the smoking.
In alternative I suggest you carry as much as you can to Gallows End, do the smoking bit over there and then come back.

“After carefully considering the matter, I’ve concluded that I greatly prefer eating bear to the reverse.” He snaps off another mouthful of the gamey meat.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Sat 30 Dec 2017.

Larson unfolds his huge frame from his fur cloak he looked like a grizzled old bear coming round for on hibination in his furs and as he stretched his muscles popped on his arms

"Yes we should be away as soon as we have fed and are packed " he agreed gathering his own gear togethert
This message was last edited by the player at 18:53, Sun 31 Dec 2017.

The last stretch back to Gallows End is much longer than you remember, as you walked back more slowly on the way back, but you want to go back to the village to sleep.
The winter evening is terribly windy and cold, but eventually you make it back to the Gryphon's Nest when it is already night and the only inn of the small village of Gallows End is closed.
[OOC this last effort reduced your STAMINA by one point]
You knock on the closed door for a long time, before the Innkeeper comes to open to you. As he casts some light on your faces, he's startled, as your appearence changed from the rich and strong people that came last time to the faces of people that knew cold and hunger and frostbite and has contemplated death as a possible, if not likely, option for their future.
He waves you in.

[OOC the adventure continues here: link to a message in this game ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:30, Sun 31 Dec 2017.