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20:52, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon.

Posted by DMFor group 0
Regdoc
player, 27 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Tue 2 Oct 2018
at 19:55
  • msg #9

[Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Regdoc muttered to himself and to the dog, who didn't seem to be listening, instead the beast was sniffing and pawing at the bone he'd found. The oldster looked up and he began some rant or another directed in the trusty companion's direction when his eyes suddenly widened!

"Blisters and Saddle-sores! What in the Circuitous Disclands are you chewing on Chomper?"

Regdoc was sure the bone was of human origin. Too sturdy to be that of an elf, and twice again as long as what might belong to a dwarf. Too straight to belong to an orc, and not twisted enough to be that of a... erm... whatever it was.

"Where'd you find that?" He asked Chomper suspiciously. The old man slowly reached down to feel his own leg, just to make sure...
DM
GM, 127 posts
Tue 2 Oct 2018
at 20:17
  • msg #10

[Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

"BARK! BARK!", answers Chomper sagely. He looks up at Regdoc and wags his tail.
Brother Brodd
PC, 28 posts
Brother Brodd
Young Male Acolyte
Tue 2 Oct 2018
at 21:04
  • msg #11

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Amalrik and Eron scout ahead, and find a clearing off the trail, as good as any other.

Since human bones were strewn about the area for any dog to find, Brodd encourages Amalrik and Eron to scout carefully and keep close together and whistle at the first sign of danger.

"We know there is trouble here in these lands but not the extent of it," he points out.

Once the clearing has been scouted by man and beast, the priest feels confident they can camp without worry.  Still, hunting animals were a threat and things moved in the night that did not stir under the bright sun.
Eron Windblade
Eron Windblade, 18 posts
male pixie
Wed 3 Oct 2018
at 00:15
  • msg #12

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

With the promise of more drink, Eron happily follows his good pal.  He uses what stealth he can to make sure that there is no one creeping about watching the group from the area beyond the clearing.
Creston Fairwood
PC, 46 posts
Elf in Wolf's Clothing
Wed 3 Oct 2018
at 03:02
  • msg #13

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

"Well, Brother Brodd, perhaps you'd better say a prayer for those bones, before we camp," says Creston. "We don't want them getting up and attacking us while we sleep."

Creston stakes out his spot, under a tree, and rolls out his bedroll. He sits down on it and rummages around in his pack. When Eron passes within reach, Creston passes the Pixie a skin of water.

"Here, have a drink. I don't blame you for not wanting to carry a gallon of water, but the Humans don't understand."
DM
GM, 129 posts
Wed 3 Oct 2018
at 18:19
  • msg #14

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

FIRST WATCH

The sun slowly sets, and soon the campfire is your only light, save for the shimmering stars above. A chill is in the air as the month of First-Autumn begins. It is quiet except for crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. You can make out the mountain range to the north where it blocks the skyline, and a few pinpoint lights of campfires such as yours scattered across the ridge.
Brother Brodd
PC, 29 posts
Brother Brodd
Young Male Acolyte
Wed 3 Oct 2018
at 19:07
  • msg #15

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Reposting the watch sched, I think this is what we agreed on:
First Watch   Redgoc and Hound
Second Watch  Amalrick, aka, He Who Counts as Two
Third Watch   Brodd and Iffy


Camp time was important to the least acolyte because it allowed him to get a good sense of everyone's demeanour.  Brodd was generally optimistic that everyone who answered the Baron's call was here 'for the right reasons' but he still worries about the pixie and the criminal causing trouble: Fey because it was simply in their nature, and criminals .. well .. he forced himself to keep an open mind.

Brodd made conversation with everyone in a friendly manner, nodding to Eron about the distinct lack of wine looming for travelers heading into a war zone and agreeing to say a prayer for the dead with Creston.

Finally it came time to rest.  His chain-and-mail was too heavy a burden for sleeping so Brodd changed to his leathers and seated himself by the fire but facing away so the brightness wouldn't blind him in case he needed to react fast.
Sasar
player, 27 posts
Wizard, Seeker of Secrets
Thu 4 Oct 2018
at 14:30
  • msg #16

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

During quiet hours of the night those who are in watch learn that Sasar snores when he is sleeping in the Dead Man's Pose. It's not terribly loud per se, but it's steady and constant. Especially his outward breath sounds like a weak whistle.
Regdoc
player, 28 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Fri 5 Oct 2018
at 00:00
  • msg #17

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Regdoc considered scrounging around with Chomper, changed his mind, and then changed it back.

"Alright, let's have a look, it'll pass the time until the next watch..."
DM
GM, 130 posts
Fri 5 Oct 2018
at 12:53
  • msg #18

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

In reply to Regdoc (msg # 17):

Scrounging outside the guarded clearing?
Iffy
player, 9 posts
Human Thief
AC: 06 | HP 05/05
Fri 5 Oct 2018
at 12:59
  • msg #19

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Iffy has minimal difficulty in settling into a rest.  Her sleeping arrangement sees her holding her club like a child would its stuffed animal, and her cross bow next to her.
Regdoc
player, 29 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Fri 5 Oct 2018
at 15:31
  • msg #20

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

In reply to DM (msg # 18):

Regdoc followed Chomper to the edge of the clearing and paused a moment as if some whispering of the Wandering One had come into his head.

"Chomper, how much farther?" He would follow a bit more, but wisdom, one of the only attributes which had endured with his advanced age, told him such exploration at night might not be the best idea. He watched Chomper's ears, allowing the dog to lead the way.

OOC: I'm thinking just going like a move or two for now... Regdoc assumes that Chomper didn't find the bone too far away from camp.
Amalrik
PC, 15 posts
Human Barbarian
AC:8 HP:9/9
Fri 5 Oct 2018
at 20:25
  • msg #21

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Passing his tankard between his lips and up for Eron to sip, Amalrik finally passes off to sleep waiting for someone to wake him up for his guard shift.
DM
GM, 133 posts
Sat 6 Oct 2018
at 02:40
  • msg #22

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Chomper leads Regdoc to the face of a cliff. By torchlight you see more bones of animals and at least one human lie scattered along the crags.
Regdoc
player, 30 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 14:32
  • msg #23

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

"Hmmm... this one obviously strayed from the Path!" Regdoc observed to Chomper with regard to the human bones. The old cleric poked around a little with the toe of a worn-out walking boot to see if there might be anything... interesting left behind by whatever creature had packed these carcasses here. "And my soon be dining on us if we don't get back..."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Tue 09 Oct 2018.
DM
GM, 134 posts
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 16:40
  • msg #24

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

There's some dried dung, rather large with an ammnonia odor. Also what look like porcupine quills, but a few times larger than what you would have pulled out of Chomper's nose as a puppy.
Regdoc
player, 31 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 17:08
  • msg #25

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

"Bah, you had your treat... Let's get back to camp."

The ancient cleric shuffled back to camp, though his flail never left his shoulder and his grip on the shield caused his gnarled hand to turn white.
Creston Fairwood
PC, 47 posts
Elf in Wolf's Clothing
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 01:23
  • msg #26

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

"Whomever keeps farting, cut it out. You'll flare up the fire."

Creston looks around, but only sees Regdoc returning to camp.

"Oh. It's that fart."

Creston tries to go back to sleep.
Regdoc
player, 32 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 05:41
  • msg #27

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Regdoc blinked and then glared at his dog. "Chomper! Shame on you!"

"Must be that human leg bone he found. Has that affect sometimes..." The oldster muttered in response to Creston.

He made his way to his bedroll and kicked Amalrik awake. "Apparently it's your turn young man. Stay awake, I think there's a big ol'porcupine out there somewhere..."

With much grunting and groaning and popping of worn-out joints, Regdoc finally got himself into bed and eventually took up Sasar's challenge in the snoring contest.
DM
GM, 136 posts
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 13:35
  • msg #28

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Dawn rises, and the sky is a bit clearer. You can see the mountain ridge to the north that you must pass over to get to Castle Braunstein. After packing your belongings, the journey begins again.
Sasar
player, 28 posts
Wizard, Seeker of Secrets
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 14:02
  • msg #29

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

In the morning Sasar spends some time to study his hefty spell book. He knows only one spell, but takes great care to memorize it properly.

“Good morning to you all!” He cheerfully says to everybody before turning to his food provisions.

“How was your night, friends? Did anything worth mentioning happen while I slept like a baby? I’ve never had problems sleeping well outdoors and I surely blanked out as soon as I laid down.”
Brother Brodd
PC, 31 posts
Brother Brodd
Young Male Acolyte
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 16:03
  • msg #30

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Morning was a time of ritual and renewals.  Even out here in the field, with the endless insects and worries about man-eating porcupine-manticores lurking just out of sight, Brodd makes sure he finds the time to greet the dawn properly.  There will be another ceremony at noon, too.

How was your night, friends? Did anything worth mentioning happen while I slept like a baby? I’ve never had problems sleeping well outdoors and I surely blanked out as soon as I laid down.”

"My watch was quiet," he replies to the wizard.  Now it was time to break camp and get moving, which required a lot of work to be done quickly.
Regdoc
player, 34 posts
Human Cleric of TWG
AC14, ToHit:-1, HP:3/3
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 16:57
  • msg #31

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Regdoc's morning ritual began with getting himself to his feet. This was much more involved that one might think, for one as old and traveled as he suffered from the stiffening of the joints and the protestations of muscle groups after allowing them respite from the road.

"There's a big rodent nest a ways over yonder," the bleary-eyed cleric grunted at Brodd, "but he wasn't home."

After a cup of tea which looked more like battered weeds, the old man seemed to perk up. He was first on the trail, though he waited patiently for Brodd to assign them an order.
Brother Brodd
PC, 32 posts
Brother Brodd
Young Male Acolyte
Thu 11 Oct 2018
at 20:09
  • msg #32

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Clearing the land of every predator wasn't their mission, although it was important to be aware of what threats were close.  Brodd is unsure how far afield scouts should range, and he leaves it up to the actual scouts and their own experience to make the correct choices.  Hopefully they would be able to reach their destination without any trouble.
Einhard
player, 10 posts
Fri 12 Oct 2018
at 01:01
  • msg #33

Re: [Act I, Scene III] Smoke on the Horizon

Waking up, Einhard quietly dressed and left the sleeping bag. "Good morning!" He says enthusiastically for this early.
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