Santio bowed at that last statement:  "I offered you my assistance, m'lady.   And if need be, I shall face their champion on our behalf" ... said the little man, with no armour, and nought be a katana and now upon person behind a simple hunting knife.
"The transport??", he said with a non-committal shrug, "I have no experience with, but will attempt its piloting in my turn".

"Canines pulling a sled, what will they think of next .. ", the mechanical man muttered. He made some sketches.
"How does one direct the canines?", made quite clear that he was not accustomed to working with animals.
"Are guns allowed in Orcish combat, inventions? Armor? First blood or to the death?What are the rules of engagement? ".
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Sun 24 July 2022.

Smith responds to Guyver's questions, "The dogs are trained to respond to commands. What's a 'gun?' They would probably see your inventions as akin to magic, and they respect magic. Armor is normal, as are weapons. The challenge would be until one combatant is incapacitated or yields. You can still earn their respect if you yield, but only if you've put up a very good fight, but clearly cannot win. The fight usually happens within a circle of orcs, maybe forty feet across, and they won't allow either combatant to leave the circle until its over. Any interference by onlookers, including the circle, is severely punished, as is attacking the circle, or trying to force your opponent out of the circle. Death is, of course, a risk, but intentionally killing a tribe's champion during a diplomatic challenge is a declaration of war. I'd appreciate it if you avoid declaring war. Causing any long-lasting poisons, diseases or curses is, obviously, looked down on. Remember, these would be our allies, and you are fighting one of their defenders."

"We've someone to steer the sled, someone to fight their champion, and someone to sooth any bad blood when we win."

Kiara said.

"Let us be about it then?"

Smith hands Kiara a map. "Take the morning portal to Hexia's, and set out from there. The Swift Stream Village is on this map. Take care that nothing dangerous has moved into that ogre den on the way."

Again, there was no reason for someone who spoke as if she had lived her whole life amongst the nobility in a major metropolis to know her way around a map, yet Kiara did not seem to struggle. She quickly identified the major points of interest, marked their location twice, folded the map, and placed it within its case.

"Excellent. See you all on the marrow then."

Santio took that afternoon and evening to meditate and run through kata.

The next morning, he was ready to travel, and met the other's by the gate.

Kiara was ready as well, a tent purchased, all her earthly possession tied up in a pack at her back.

With the addition of the map and the capability to 'drive' the sled, Nutcracker was turning into a bit of the navigator for this mission. He was, after all, a hunter and tracker. Though there was a delay until they were to depart he had nothing left to handle. His camp moved with him, now, and he held no static residence. Nuts was capable of waiting around until the mission began.

Guyver arrived, shinier than he used to be, and packed for the journey.
He had a strange device holstered to his hip on the right side, made of wood and metal, a tube with a grip and a trigger. On his left side hung a belt and a pouch.
His backpack was lightly packed and he wore the scale armor he'd bargained from Izayah, now integrated into his body.
He spent the time before the journey working on a rifle design.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

Azucondie danced to her own room for sleep.

You all head through the morning portal to Hexia's shop. Hexia asks you to please cover your tracks until you are at least a day's travel from her village. You set out. Between Santio and Nutcracker, you have no difficulty making good time while moving stealthily. Night begins to fall, as does snow. As you look for a good place to set up camp, a blizzard sets in!

Everyone but Nutcracker, make Stealth checks. Nutcracker, since you're driving make a Survival check instead. Then make an animal handling check and another survival check.

Kiara wasn't an experienced Woodself, by any stretch of the imagination.

Yet her training under her Patron and Master had been long, and she had picked up many skills. She tread softly enough in her boots that she did not fear that she would shame herself among these new companions.

22:35, Today: Kiara Goldentongue rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.

Santio travelled with his crew.

His visage concealed by the Boots and the Cloak of Elvenkind that he wore made his movement through the underbrush and woods with ease.
(Santio has movement of 40'; which he can move at full rate, while doing so Stealthfully due to his Ranger class training.   And his Elvenkind stuff increases his obscurity)

He volunteered to move ahead, as the day progressed, acting as a forward scout to both protect the team, and forge the best route forward.


- rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Dexterity/Stealth.
- rolled 29 using 1d20+9.        ... with Advantage.
If this is a roll to 'cover our tracks', please, will the 'Natural Explorer' Ranger ability has any affect?

Guyver sloshed through the snow with its big boots. Its mind was on unfinished projects.
Here on the edge of the wilderness, bringing back civilization to the wild lands of Rimewood is a goal worth my time.
Perpetuum mobile engines, railroads, armored concrete, rifles .. missiles.
This world is ripe for Renovation.

Guyver rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  stealth.

It took a lot of getting used to moving in the new equipment, and even more getting used to the new animals, but Nutcracker made the best of what he was given. There was some barking back and forth between the driver and the team, but progress was made and tracks were covered.

OOC: 21:09, Today: Nutcracker rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Survival Check 2.
21:09, Today: Nutcracker rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Animal Handling Check.
21:08, Today: Nutcracker rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Survival Check 1.

Somewhere in the distance, you all hear a savage battlecry cut through the roaring winds. Nutcracker determines the direction it came from and directs the group around. However, he has great difficulty getting the dogs to return to the path. He eventually finds a suitable place for a camp, though several hours out of the way from the intended path. The blizzard continues to rage, but the outcropping above your camp protects from the worst of it.

Anyone who is sleeping without a tent, please give me a CON save, with advantage if you have winter clothes, a blanket, or proficiency in Survival. If you wish to set up a watch, remember that while a long rest is eight hours, most of you only need to sleep for six. If possible, please divide the night into four watches of 2 hours.

Kiara had a tent large enough for two people, and began setting it up with practiced efficiency. Another curiosity, that someone who spoke like a Courtier had experience camping.

"I can take the first two watches, my people don't require much sleep."

"My people don't need any sleep", Guyver stated matter-of-factly.
He unfurled the blanket he bought and cleared the snow away around a tree.
"So take whatever sleep your people need".

Guyver rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  CON save.

"That is.... an attractive offer."

Kiara had to admit. While she would be fine on four hours rest, four hours spent sitting out in the cold and the dark held little appeal. She might have been an experienced traveler, but that didn't mean she was opposed to comfort.

"I thank you for it, and accept. I am Kiara. You are... Warforged, no? I'm afraid I know very little about your people. You are the first I've ever talked to."

Santio, a generally quiet fellow, waited for a pause in the conversation.

"I'll be back soon.   It'll be nice if there is a fire when I return, to cook my hunt for us"
Then, taking his bow and quiver, he slipped the Cloak of Elvenkind around him, and swiftly, almost effortlessly, disappeared out in the trees and blizzard around them.


- rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Wisdom/Survival  to hunt some dinner.
' ... you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth'.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Wed 10 Aug 2022.

"Are you..."

But the strange man was already gone, stepping off into the dark and the storm.

"A woodsman then?"

She asked the others, clearly impressed and a little unbelieving.

Nutcracker was happy to be done with the sled for the time being. He much preferred traveling by his own two feet, but the situation called for him to adapt. When they had found a spot for camp, there was a brief discussion and quick action to arrange watch and sleeping arrangements. This time around seemed to be much better than his second mission since sleep would not need to be interrupted.

With camp being made, Nutcracker tethered the sled and dogs so there wouldn't be any wandering off in the blizzard or the night. Producing his tent from the nifty bag and setting it up made space for another to make use of the space if they needed bringing the total for housing to four if the elf lady was willing to share.

The non-metal man was quick to be off into the woods, but Nuts had heard the desire for a fire and set to making a pit and starting a blaze.

Santio heads of alone into the blizzard. Within four hours he returns, with a deer and a few handfuls of frozen wild berries. Soon after, the blizzard relents. By this time, everyone but Guyver had fallen asleep (unless they specifically wanted to wait up for Santio. Santio was very tired, himself.)

Santio returned after everyone would have been asleep for 2 hours. If everyone wants to set out as soon as everyone has had enough sleep, he will still be two hours shy of completing a long rest. However, unless he needs healing, or to recharge abilities, that won't matter. Otherwise, if the party delays for 2 hours, Santio can finish his long rest.

Kiara emerged with the dawn light, having already been awake for several hours within her tent. She'd spent the time meticulously cleaning her armor and clothing, her magic pulling dirt and sweat and grim away. It was a slow process, but Guyver's vigilance had allowed her the time. Fresh and bright, she greeted the grey light with a wide smile upon her pale face.

"Let's break our fast, break camp, and push on."

She said to her new companions, her tone eager.

"Assuming we didn't lose Santio to the storm?"

She teased.