So the party has made its way cautiously through the forest; the weather has been kind and sunlight pours through any gap in the canopy. Rhaskos takes his time to check his direction of travel, correcting for every detour to avoid some dense thicket or navigate a steep slope.

By mid afternoon you are nearing the target location. In places the terrain drops off to the West and you glimpse areas of more open lowlands.

(Team Perception - 51 - some at least make it) You are approaching the target, Around you there are signs of activity - Rhaskos points out some places where boughs have been cut, firewood collected. Up ahead there is the forest edge.

In reply to Simulacrum (msg # 1):

This is the point where Sanjar may want to call a moment's pause to cast any magic he wants to ensure is set up; else he might wait until one or more people scout forward to try and get a view on what lies beyond the trees.

So what's the plan?

In reply to Simulacrum (msg # 2):

People have been here recently. I am going to check the fires, cut bushes and so on. I want to see if I can estimate the number of people who were here'.

Rhaskos is going to search the abandoned camp for any clues of the size of the party who were here, about what they had either, and which direction they moved off in - and how long ago.

In reply to Rhaskos (msg # 3):

Whoah! no mention of an abandoned camp. Just evidence of log cutting etc - human hand at work on the edge the woods. you have not yet reached the end of the trees beyond which is the supposed camp

In reply to Simulacrum (msg # 4):

but you CAN make a track roll

In reply to Simulacrum (msg # 5):

Rhaskos carefully inspects the bushes, trees and ground.

Skill test: Tracking (51). Rhaskos rolls 90. Sorry.

Rhaksos looks up.

'Haven't a clue.'

As we're now chancing a run in with people, Kordan unlimbers his bow and travels with an arrow half-cocked, while scanning the surroundings for ambush.

In reply to Kordan Mardahar (msg # 7):

Tanek readies his sling with a stone in it.
Shoot first, ask questions later.

Sanjar will indeed take a moment to cast a protective warding over the party.  He puts away his bow and the arrow he had at the ready, rubbing his hands together and flexing his fingers for a moment before beginning the incantation and touching each member of the group in turn when he reached their point in the incantation.

20:55, Today: Sanjar Zand rolled 48 using 1d100. Spellcasting: 72.

"With so many, we have perhaps half an hour before this shielding is expended." he says softly, as he turns back towards the direction of man-sign and readies his bow once again.

In reply to Sanjar Zand (msg # 9):

[ooc]

Since it seems a pertinent time...

Are we using the Legend version of DR (only blocks damage lower than the intensity, does nothing if exceeded) or the RQ6 one (it's magical armor and always applies, no matter how much damage comes in, circumvent armor maneuver can circumvent physical OR magical, but not both with the same maneuver)?

[/ooc]

Orinastron looks askance at Tanek and winks,  "Seriously Tanek, a sling?  Just be careful you don't hit one of us with that thing.  I hope that's not your breech cloth you're using to lob those stones"

Turning to Sanjar,  "I thank you for including me in your ward.  I did not expect it given the circumstances of our meeting.  I hope I may repay the favour in turn."

Orinastron will string his bow too.   "So, what now?  Shall we push on down the slope towards the camp or send someone ahead to scout it out?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:38, Thu 24 Jan 2013.

In reply to Tanek Sanasin (msg # 10):



RQ6

In reply to Orinastron (msg # 11):



I'll try and paint the picture a little better.

From the sea you spotted something on the bluffs above the beach, and given you would have been a couple of KM out at least, that means it is something substantial. too far to make it out, but the idea there may be a camp or settlement is a reasonable conclusion in relation to the fact it appeared there's a biggish vessel (a galley) drawn up on the beach below it (ie overlooked from the bluffs).

While in the forest you are on higher ground than the beach, but the 'camp' may be on the same level as you - and just out there beyond the trees. where you are standing, still within the forest, shows the hallmarks of human activity - the first you have seen in three hours of moving trough the forest.

What is needed is statement of who is going to move closer to the edge of the forest about 50-80m away to get a good view of what is beyond, if you are moving as a group or sending a scout forward.

either way, and assuming you are not sauntering along whistling a tune, make me a stealth roll, one team test for all those creeping forward.

You can of course not move forward but scout around a bit more, follow the forest directly West as it flows down to lower ground before petering out some distance back from the beach, and make your way to where the 'boat' is instead.

Sanjar does not mind admitting he is neither terribly stealthy nor terribly interested in fighting anyone he doesn't have to.  He 'would' like to know more about both the the beached vessel and the assumed encampment.  The order of investigation is not of great concern to him, indeed all is quite secondary to staying his usual vibrant and very much alive self.  He will defer tactical leadership to Kordan, and either stay if stealth is desired or accompany if it is not.  Either way he is at once perhaps a tad cowardly ( he calls it prudence ) and aggressive in what he wants to see achieved and obvious unconcern with bloodshed so long as it is none of our own.

Orinastron receives a smile and a polite nod.  "Just remember who keeps you alive, and see I never regret doing so." he says, eyes bright with amusement.  Now that Orinastron is a free man the treatment he receives from Sanjar has transformed.  Indeed Sanjar spoke quite freely about being nonchalantly willing to sacrifice Orinastron or any of the other slaves/captives to perform augmented magic previously.  He obviously remains willing to do so to Hebdomar if he doesn't live up to expectations.  Orinastron should be keenly aware that his freedom has granted him 'personhood' to Sanjar, because the difference is obvious and profound.

He then turns to Kordan, awaiting a decision in an easy and unhurried manner.  "Which do you think would be less guarded?  An encampment or a ship?  Indeed were I so situated I should not like to lose either to an enemy..." he adds in a thoughtful tone.