In reply to Hannatti (msg # 694):

You will learn by experience, and I doubt it will take you too long.

In reply to Aethul (msg # 695):

She smiles appreciatively and helps make camp following the outdoorsman's expert guidance.

In reply to Hannatti (msg # 696):

Kirpich just smiles. He has trusted the outdoors man for some time. He unloads the tired horse and sets up the tent, getting the group basics ready before praying for the food...which is created out of the local bushes!

Since there is water here, that is not required.

[Private to GM: Create food 8 time, one natural 5, skill 20. The rest between 8 and 14.]

Balir's survival skills are mainly aimed at more dwarven conditions, and he isn't of much use above ground.

OOC: 15:16, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 14 using 3d6.  Survival (Subterranian) Per/A - Per+0 12 .
Don't know what they penalty is for the wrong type of survival, But either way, I fail that with 2.

He slips off for a brief bit of hunting and manages to come up with two grouse and a hare.
He quickly locates some edible tubers as well.
He roasts the two grouse and the Tubers, he gives the Hare to the others. The Hare is about 2 feet long (body) and weighs around 11 pounds.
When the birds are done, He shares one of the Grouse and some of the tubers with Hannatti and offers the other grouse and tubers to anyone who is hungry.


[Private to GM: 12:42, Today: Aethul rolled 12 using 3d6.  Tracking (hunting).]

In reply to Aethul (msg # 699):

there is some flavor to this, as Food created from shrubbery, while nutritious,  mostly still tastes of woddy greens, (although one portion is rather tasty)

In reply to Aethul (msg # 699):

Hannatti accepts the offering gracefully, "Thank you, Aethul. Very resourceful. You, too, Kirpich!"

"Yes. Thank you." Balir accept the offer of food. He is not picky and is just glad to be able to fill his stomach.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 702):

Preferences for the watch? Kirpich is happy for the first, so he can pray.

"I can take whatever watch is needed." Balir is almost impatient to get the night over with, so they can get to their new tower.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 704):

"I'll fit in with you guys," offers Hannatti. "But I don't see so well in the dark."

So take last watch Hannatti, by then there should be a hint of light, but let your ears and nose work for you too. And in the dark do not look at what you wish to see, but off to the side a ways, as your best night vision is not directly where you are looking.

I'll take the next to last watch if that's all right.

In reply to Aethul (msg # 706):

"Thank you, I will do that," she says and starts to settle down for the night.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

In reply to Aethul (msg # 706):

Snorri joins Kirpich for the first watch, and Marlena takes the last with Hannatti.

In reply to Snorri Roslovich (msg # 708):

So, 12 hours later, we all have had 8 hours rest and 4 hours watch? Good to continue?

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 709):
yes the night passes without further incident.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 710):

OOC: Well, we are ready to move on, so you can just move us on :)

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 711):

through the next day you approach the remains of the ghost village, a full day southwest of the tower.  continuing at your current pace, you are likely to arrive in late afternoon,  with only a few hours before sunset.

"So, should we wait until the morning and camp halfway there? Or just move in fast and count on us being able to clear the tower in a couple of hours?" Balir looks at the group to hear their opinions, but gives his own views first. "Each has it's ups and downs. Waiting will obviously give us longer to clear the tower, but will also leave us vulnerable during the night if the vampires are out in force looking for prey. And quite frankly after having been locked up in there for so long, I would fully expect them to be. Just going straight for the tower could leave us in a very bad position if we somehow don't manage to clear the tower in the 2 or 3 hours we have before sunset. But hopefully we will at least have killed most of them off, which would still leave us better off than if the entire nest surprise us in our camp while sleeping. Also, going straight for the tower now, might give us a slight edge if we can surprise them. As you can probably guess, I vote for going straight for the tower today. We are well prepared, and while the vampires might be too, I still think that taking the fight to them is our best shot. We could also force march the tower. That would leave us a bit tired, but we would have a bit more time before sundown. Whadda ya think?"

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 713):

"They have had maybe centuries to prepare, and I doubt we will take them by surprise. But they should also be locked into the tower, so I suggest we get close, and camp outside the tower just out of sight, and move in in the morning. Visit the widow we met the other day to see if she is still OK. Which will also give us some indication if they have escaped."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 714):

Hannatti has little to offer to the discussion other than, "Stone walls might offer more security than the open air."

Balir nods in recognition of Kirpich's opinion, but still counters with arguments as to why he feels that it would be dangerous to follow the suggestion "I am pretty sure they are no longer locked in the tower after we dug under the gate. I would absolutely insist that we do no camp outside the tower. If that lock is broken, it would be absolute suicide to do so. Also, IF the lock is still in place, we would lose nothing by just going under the gate as we did last time, kill whatever we can, and then get back out and rest the night over without having anything to fear.
With regards to surprise, they didn't seem prepared last time we broke into their tower. Of course that may have changed now. We can't know. Either way, I still think a head on assault as fast as possible gives us the best chances. I think hesitation will only help the enemy." He looks to others for their opinion, but just adds "We can always check on the widow when we have good new to share."

As Hannatti adds her opinion, Balir asks "So ... do you want to go along with the head-on assault?" He seems to be uncertain what Hannatti suggested.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Sat 30 Oct 2021.

I think rushing in shortly before nightfall with no clue as to what we face is unwise. Let us camp an hour or two away, rise and arrive there refreshed and before mid morning with ease. We know they abhor sunlight, so we can safely withdraw should the need arise. I have no issue with again moving away and returning the following day if need be. Let us be sure we win, obviously they have weathered the years, so likely are well prepared, as we noted the first time.

"It would seem I am outnumbered then. But I would like to stress that it is not 'short before sunfall'. It is at least 2 hours, and a battle for a tower is unlikely to last that long. Either way, I will try to sleep with my armor on, in case we get attacked. Also, I am certain that their human servants will spot us, and they will definitely be prepared for us, and whatever we gain from having an entire day is likely to be lost as they will now be better prepared. But, of course, I will respect the decision of the majority. Would Kirpich agree to camping 2 hours away from the tower then?"

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 718):

"You seem to forget that we filled in the tunnel last time we were there on the way back. Of course, we should check it is still closed, but if so, I think nearby would be a suitable place to camp. Two hours is enough time to check though.

But rushing in headlong to a place that has had centuries to set up defences is a pretty good way to die. That should be a last resort...we did not test their defences last time, in case you forgot."