"Indeed. It'd be impolite of us to not even try to hide our exit and our tracks. All we're saying is that I shouldn't be tearing ass to Vellowgrass through the sky in plain view."

Helena gives the group an odd little shrug.  She was far from versed in the ways of the stealthy but was happy to follow as directed - and if that meant dressing up as a tree... well, she'd go along with that too!

Se does offer an additional though though, "Maybe that's not an entirely bad idea.   If you make off towards Valegrass in full view, maybe even with a magical entourage provided by Jerec... only to double back and then head off in another direction at some point as if you were deliberately trying to mislead followers towards Valegrass, any pursuers might be mislead into heading elsewhere.  You could then sneak back to Valegrass while we do our best to leave with the minimum of fanfare?"

Teana gave Helena a smile. "Excellent idea, Helena," she said. "I'll improve on it. I'm going flying in the direction of Thror Mountainson. Like I'm scouting. And then you guys go out under cover of dark after I've made a show of myself. I'll lose them about halfway out and meet the rest of you at Vellowgrass. Simpler that way."

Zenna gave a low whistle at Teanna's plan. "Times like these, I wish I were clever."

OOC:
20:36, Today: Urle rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Charisma check.

Total failure.  sorry.

Teana stepped in as Urle began gathering materials for his disguise. "Urle, that won't work," she said as he tried to garb himself as a peasant. "If you're going to do this, you need to coordinate your disguises as a group. I'll help you plan them out."

Teana was as good as her word. Soon, she had hit the market and had the group working on disguises and personas with the best of her flair and sense for theatrics.

For Urle and his steed, that meant ribbons on his lance, cheap fools-gold and costume gem adornment on his armor, and otherwise looking like a pompous noble git who was trying too hard to compensate for poverty. His horse was made to look like a beribboned nag, and it whickered a bit at the obvious foolishness.

Jerec found himself in a simple hooded robe for protection from the elements, like a young apprentice mage on his first adventurous journey.

Davor likewise got a hooded robe, and a temporary coat of green face-painting to disguise his usual tattoos. He was still unmistakably a half-orc, but a fellow scholar of Jerec's and one dressed so as his orcish heritage wasn't too obvious.

Helena got a new set of travelling clothes a bit above what she'd worn back home, though Teana made sure they were patched a bit from "hard wearing." She also presented her with a new lute of elven make, the better to look the bard. "A gift from me," she said to Helena with a smile.

When Teana was done showing off her talent, to all eyes the group would be another bunch of pilgrims just leaving Greenbriar after a consultation with the Crowns, on their way to the next tourist trap. Which was mostly the truth...but they didn't look like they were escorting an Imperial Princess. Now all Teana had to do was make sure that nobody took too close a look!

I am spending 25 gold to purchase the equivalent of 5 uses from a disguise kit, and 5 more gold to buy the lute for Helena. I will accept contributions from the group for the kit materials. The lute is a gift.

EDIT: All are now disguised with a roll of 20 (+2 bonus from the kit, +2 from Helena's Aid Another), because I'm taking 10 to ensure reliability across the disguises.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:13, Fri 06 Mar 2020.

While she didn't know Teana's direction for the disguises, she was happy to help being a weaver and seamstress by trade and not a bad one either.   As it turned out, Teana's choice would be about as far from 'comfortable' for Helena as one might get and still be suitable but she helped where she could, donned the outfit Keana set for her, and graciously accepted hte Lute.  "Thank you.  That's a really kind gift.  I don't actually know how to play, but this might just encourage me to learn."  That, however, might however not be ideal so after plucking a few strings, she leaves it be.  Maybe after everything calms down she'll be able to get some time to learn?  Who knows.

[24 on a Prof: Seamstress roll.]

This message was deleted by the player at 23:38, Thu 05 Mar 2020.

Urle look at Teana Florin as she interrupt him.
I have no idea what I am doing.
He and Demetria stand still as she sort him out.

However once he has his new cloths on Urle thinks about what going on.
Taking on the role as best he can.  Remembering how the minor noble acted in his order.

OOC:
If we can take 10 then I use Know: Nobility.
That give Urle role of 17 to act and be like minor noble.

Davor also accepts Teana's guidance on what to wear in order to disguise himself. He acknowledges that he may well be the most recognizable member of the main group since the giant wolf will not be traveling with them. He adds only two pieces to his own ensemble: first wrapping his large orcish falchion so thoroughly that it cannot immediately be recognized as a weapon and second gathering his dreadlocks and hiding them under a slightly ridiculous scholar's cap. Anyone who manages to get a peak under the cloak will see his armor, but he reasons that at that point, the jig will be up anyway.

Grinning at the others, Davor appears to be in an excellent mood as they set out. "If only you could make me shorter." He holds out five gold piece for Teanna. "I've gotta be honest, I've only ever tried to appear stranger, never unnoticeable. It doesn't help to be unobtrusive as a fortune teller."

Cleverly disguised, with Teanna leaving openly to lay a false trail, and Zenna and her wolf skulking alongside the group in hiding, the group can leave the Farlight Forest and begin the three-day trek back to the Vellowgrass Plains and the entrance to the Low Road and its strange, upside-down city.

The group emerges from the cool shade of the deep forest to the thinning trees, their first day of travel going uneventfully.  Teana makes her way north to the mountains, flying openly and making a small spectacle of herself, enough so that small communities of elves, gnomes, and others do at least spy her.

By that evening, the group can find a place to camp along the road, one that has been used by other travelers in the past, going by the blackened fire ring and slight path to a nearby stream.  You have not been stopped long when you hear the squeak and rattle of a wagon and the clop of horse hooves.  A large trader's caravan pulls into the edge of the light, a cloaked figure on the driver's bench, a half-dozen cloaked figures walking along beside the caravan.  The caravan is plainly pain and painted a solid brown with a simple symbol of the sun and moon in yellow and white upon its side.  The driver pushes his hood up as he enters the light, showing the face of a wrinkled human who perhaps had a touch of orc blood in his ancestry somewhere.  He stares at the party, surprised, and bobs his head.

"Light of evening to you, younglings. Can a passel of pilgrims share the space for the night?" he asks, his voice seemingly rough with age.

OOC: Can I get two Stealth checks from Zenna and your wolf companion for being sneaky today? And when did you want to start doubling back Teana?  I'll need two Stealth checks for when you do, please.

Teana spent her first and second days travelling at top speed on what amounted to a forced march through the sky. In the morning, however, the Windstorm was gone with the dawn, using tricks she'd learned escaping more than one married person's bedroom. This time, she made a point of moving quietly in the direction of Vellowgrasss, relying on her Ring to keep her fed and her agile feet rather than her beauty and grace in the sky. She was still trusting to speed as much as stealth, but hopefully the enemy would think she

As I usually do, taking 10 for 18 and 18.

The plan is to move through the sky for two days. After that point, I figure the rest of the crew have either slipped the enemy's net or not.

Having now been travelling with the group for some days, Helena had begun to relax a little around the group.  Because of this, she'd settled enough to take a place near their small fire and was completing some fine needlework when the sounds of the approaching wagon disturbed the party.  Unsure what to do she hurriedly began to  pack her things, thinking that she'd need to leave.   She was still doing this when the wagon rolled up.  Unsure what to say though she remained silent leaving the 'talking' to the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Sun 08 Mar 2020.

Davor makes sure his cloak is wrapped around himself and his hood is up when he hears the noise of the approaching wagon. Aware how they might appear, he studies the newcomers cautiously before answering. "Evenin'. You'll have to pardon our nervousness, but it's dangerous times out here these days. Another traveling group in your camp is another set of eyes keeping watch so long as you can trust 'em. Who might you be?"

Davor Spiritwalker rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Knowledge: Local. Does the symbol on the wagon carry any significance.

Davor Spiritwalker rolled 28 using 1d20+13.  Diplomacy. Tell us who they are before we tell them who we are.

Davor Spiritwalker rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  Sense Motive. Read on the answer. Do they seem nervous, suspicious, ready to attack, etc.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Sat 07 Mar 2020.

"Alone again," Zenna whispered to her lupine companion as they slunk into the shadows of the great trees. Neither was any stranger to moving undetected through the woods, and they kept pace with the party without exposing themselves, at least not to the best of the ranger's judgment.

Strangers she did not like. No matter how unassuming they seemed, coincidences made her uncomfortable. The value of the young woman who traveled with them rendered risk unwise. This was no time for kindness to strangers.

Not that any of that was up to her. Her place was to stay hidden, and to settle a rough hand in the wolf's soft fur to convey the same instruction to her. They were the Ace up the sleeve, which hopefully would not be needed.

15:53, Today: Zenna Kern rolled 23 using 1d20+9.  Stealth (wolf).
15:53, Today: Zenna Kern rolled 21 using 1d20+15.  Stealth.

O'er the Nightfang Mountains - Day One



Teana soars through the air like an elemental spirit, keeping her eyes roving for any danger that might beset her or her companions: large birds or flying monsters, movement of bands of mongrels or other foes, oncoming storms or the like.  While the weather is fairly clear, aside from a morning fog, she does spy two bands of mongrels moving east and west along the mountain trade roads.  There are eight in each group, five bowmen who also carry small axes, two spearmen in heavier armor, and one in fancier armor carrying a greatsword.  Both groups seem to be seeking any travelers to the mountains, and the western-traveling group is the one that might possibly come into contact with Helena's escort.  For certain the western trade road descends towards the Vellowgrass Plains at a few turn-offs, and if the mongrel group takes any of them they have a good chance of running into Teana's friends.

Teana has kept herself well-hidden using the trees and peaks to keep herself out of immediately line-of-sight with her potential foes, so she doesn't believe they know of her presence yet.

--

The Travelers' Rest - Day One



Helena can't see much of the other pilgrims, but the old man seems to make no move that he would want to use the whole of the campsite for his own party.  The place is fairly large, so it seems it would not be odd to find more than one party of travelers using it.


Urle recognizes something of these travelers. 




"Pilgrims of balance, we be, and I be Equivalence Lul. Been a terrible attack on Pearl Fort, and we be seeking to aid them in rebalancing their lives," the old man says in rough, aged tones.




Zenna and her lupine companion are well-hidden from the caravan and its people.  From her angle she can see the caravan seems to be heavily burdened and filled with crates, bags, bundles, and bales.  Those walking behind the caravan are carrying heavy packs and some bear staves.  They have eating knives on their belts, but nothing more lethal, at least not obviously.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:05, Thu 12 Mar 2020.

The westward-leaning group were getting too close to the team, from Teana's viewpoint, and they might just be able to report back if they met them and lived - or one of them was being spied on. An interception was called for before the enemy got any clue as to Helena's location.

Teana landed behind a rocky outcropping near her enemies. Using the cover to her advantage, she prepared herself mentally, then when the enemy came just into range, she popped out from behind the outcrop and extended her hand. The first thing the enemy would notice was the crack of thunder, reaching their ears a split second after a lightning bolt had found its way into one of the archers' backs, almost certainly frying the soldier through his armor in an instant.

For the sake of the Empire, Teana was going to kill these men. No; she was going to murder them.

Attacking from surprise, at a distance of 120', with an empowered Lightning Blast - 1 burn cancelled.

22:46, Today: Teana Florin rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Lightning Blast - attack.
22:47, Today: Teana Florin rolled 31 using 6d6+9.  Lightning Blast - damage

This is a ranged touch attack against a flat-footed archer.

22:54, Today: Teana Florin rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Initiative.

The latter obviously only starts applying after the surprise round.

A wind began kicking up around Teana an instant later, to make life that much less pleasant for the enemy archers when they inevitably began to return fire.

Immediate action to activate Enveloping Winds - 25% ranged miss chance for the archers.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Thu 12 Mar 2020.

Davor stands carefully, letting his cloak fall about himself, but he pulls back his hood in what he hopes will be seen as a sign of trust. He does maneuver so that the fire is at his back so that his features will be obscured in the growing darkness. He makes his way forward and passes Urle and his horse as he does so. The half-orc stands next to the horse for a moment before moving on towards the newcomers.


Taking in the pilgrims and their lack of obvious weapons, Davor relaxes slightly. Since the pilgrims do not seem particularly on edge, he approaches them. "We don't exactly have a claim to this particular clearing and there's room enough for both our groups. I've heard of your god I think. Balance is a delicate path to follow. We've heard no mention of anything at Pearl Fort. I thought you folk mostly kept to the mountains. It must be somethin' if it's bringing you all that way."

O'er the Nightfang Mountains - Day One



Two mongrels fall, smoking and twitching from the electrical assault, while the others whirl around to face Teanna.  The mongrel with the greatsword, who seems to have wolf eyes, scaly snake skin, and one hand like a lobster's claw, screams out, "Shoot her!  Zash, Belin, surround the windwalker!"

The two spearmen, barking agreement like they have a portion of dog in them somewhere, start to circle widely, while the three archers fire at Teana.  Only two strike her, delivering shallow wounds, but nevertheless the archers howl in triumph.

Teana calls upon the winds to protect her from more arrows, while the spearmen run towards her to be able to cast their spears.  The leader with his greatsword does not draw his blade.  Instead he unreels a length of thin rope from a bag, looping it between his hands as he holds what looks like a large treble fish hook in one claw.  Whirling it around, he casts it in the space that separates them.  Impossibly it flies like an arrow from a bow, bobbing on Teana's winds but not being deflected.  It whips around her waist and snags in her clothing as the leader gives an especially ugly grin, hands set on the rope.  It's clear he intends to yank her down to earth like a wayward kite!

--

The Travelers' Rest - Day One



"Tis fair, tis fair. The news reached us near fortnight agone, and we've been traveling for not quite the same. Ships in harbor saw the danger and fled to save themselves from raiders and scuttling. Twas a large band of murderous ruffians, perhaps with a touch of madness to make them think to attack Pearl Fort and get away unscathed. Some say some rumor of a great treasure or prize lured them there, but of course no one will say just what. But more as like they only needed some excuse to wish to exert violence on another."  Equivalence Lul shakes his head at the folly of the greedy, as one of his fellow pilgrims comes up to help with the horses.  "Tis true we not often leave our fastness, but a stone from our god's church is the foundation of Pearl Fort, and connections must be honored.  These be my fellows, here to lend their weight to balance the scales."  The names of the pilgrims are all palindromes, Anna, Kek, Ror, Pup, and similar.  The tend to the wagon, horses, and camp chores in teams of two, while Equivalence Lul goes to sit near the fire.  The man is a few decades older than the pilgrims, and clearly the road has worn on him.

"Where do you go, travelers?  The road we have traveled has been tense.  A few times we felt eyes upon us, but they perhaps recognized that my pilgrims are trained to peace as well as defense, and found us too difficult a morsel to digest.  Or else we were not a prize they sought."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:53, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Davor listens with interest to the descriptions of the news from Pearl Fort. His interest is not a traveler's curiosity of course, but to get a better idea what happened after the group left that they didn't see. The shakes his head sadly when Lul finishes. "That's a shame alright. It's the sorta thing I'm used to up in the mountains, but not in a place like Pearl Fort."

The half-orc perks up a little at the mention of a cornerstone, he seems tempted to say something, but holds his tongue. He thinks to himself that it is best not to trust these strangers yet. He doesn't want to reveal his familiarity with Pearl Fort by asking about the town's local gods. Instead, he nods in understanding. "Believe me, I understand the importance of such things." He follows Lul back to the fire.

From behind the old man, Davor gives the others a nod, indicating that the man is not a threat. At least for the moment. "We're headed across the plains." He says by way of a non-answer.

Well, that was a clever move. Pity that the boss in question had just made himself a priority target.

The wind picked up around Teana, crackling with her deadly power, and she sent her lightning bolt at the conveniently metal-armored mongrel who had just enroped her. It would be difficult to hold her trapped if he was another heap of smoking meat.

Gather Power to fire an empowered lightning blast. Ranged touch, as before.

19:44, Today: Teana Florin rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  Attack.
19:44, Today: Teana Florin rolled 34 using 6d6+9.

Whether or not her foe dropped, she immediately dropped behind the outcropping and crouched, waiting for a good shot at her next attack.

Five-foot-step, behind cover. On the ground for the moment.

Why a half-orc was the designated spokesperson for this motley crew may have been an oddity to the Equivalence Lul and yet Helena (not that she was the ideal spokesperson!) remained silent, her hood up, her bags 'ready' and close by should she need to run.  There was certainly a level of tension about her that he would see.

O'er the Nightfang Mountains - Day One



The lightning bolt sizzles the mongrel leader, making him clamp his arms down on the rope and howl in pain.  Though his body smokes from the powerful assault, he does not yet fall!  The remaining archers fire at Teana, but with her retreat to cover all she hears is the clatter of arrows on stone.

The spearmen begin to climb the rough hills (the click of their claws on stone giving Teana that clue), trying to get closer and higher so they can throw their weapons at her.  With a roar, the leader yanks on the rope about Teana's waist with savage strength, pulling her prone and dragging her slightly out of cover!

--

The Travelers' Rest - Day One



"Well, best be careful about your travels, strangers.  Town we passed by was doing some repairs and said they'd had a spot of trouble from a monster, though they'd had the luck to kill it.  May be that the winter will be bad, if it's driving such big beasts off the mountains so early and raiders into towns looking for loot.  No balance in such things. Often I wish for the barons and kings and lords to all tend to their lands, but some are much more in the breech than the observance.  Each one for himself out there, that's what I've seen," Lul says, sounding somewhat dejected.

Teana fell over. That was embarrassing. But she didn't waste time. Rising to one knee, she shot her arm forward and sent another blast of lightning at the leader, her iron will approaching its limit to ensure that nothing was left of her foe but a smoking puddle.

Then, if the rope left her adversary's hand, Teana backstepped behind the boulder again immediately.

Rise from prone. Shoot (1 burn - regular negation because I can't Gather). Take full cover.

I'm hoping this guy is dead, or I am so cooked...

01:28, Today: Teana Florin rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  Lightninging the boss.
01:29, Today: Teana Florin rolled 34 using 6d6+9.  Damage.

Davor nods solemnly at Lul's words. Normally in such a conversation he might begin to talk about the spirits he had spoken with and the omens he had read, but he resists the temptation here to avoid revealing anything that might make him more distinctive instead, he looks around at the others in the group and particularly notes Helena's discomfort. "Well, I think it's time for us to be beddin' down. We've had a long day of travel and we'll have the same again tomorrow. I don't know how you set watchmen, but we'll have one of us alert for danger." The half-orc's tone is as cheerful and pleasant as ever, the comment meant as reassurance rather than a threat.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:15, Sat 04 Apr 2020.