As the party halts and readies, a couple still on horseback pushing through the close confines of the woods, low-lying motion is seen rapidly approaching from several sides.

Please roll initiative.

20:37, Today: Epeus rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

19:01, Today: Shaharazara rolled 7 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 5.  Initiative 

21:58, Today: Fan-Hee rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

19:03, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

08:43, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.

Character combat order:

• Darakyn
• Fan-Hee
• Abdur
• Epeus
• Shaharazara

Darakyn, you're up.

You don't see a truly visible threat yet -- or know what it is -- but you can hear the sound of motion approaching rapidly through the underbrush -- and see signs of its rush, brief flashes of low-lying gray.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Fri 24 July 2020.

Darakyn has heard of wild boar and does not want to get gored. By the same token he does not want to stand aside if someone is attacking them for real. He sets his shield and holds his sword at the ready to pierce anything charging out of the bushes.

Once it becomes apparent to Fanny that no darts or arrows were going to pierce her from every direction she stands upright and braces herself for melee. She sets her teeth hard enough to flex the muscles in her jaw as she prepares her nerves to take a charge.

Abdur readies his bow and with arrow knocked waited the incoming rush.

Epeus and Shaharazara have yet to declare actions.

In reply to Manann (msg # 11):

 *Boss, I did post that Eperus took a defensive stance with his weapon.*

The nomad put an arrow to her bowstring and prepared to fire on any target.

OOC: Sorry, wasn't sure how we were going to handle initiative order and stuff. Thought maybe the bad guys would go before I posted.

Stated actions:

• Darakyn readied a melee attack should an enemy enter melee
• Fan-Hee went Total Defense
• Abdur readied a ranged attack should a visible enemy come within range (Move + Ready)
• Epeus readied a melee attack
• Shaharazara, mounted, readied a ranged attack (Move + Ready)

Just as Shaharazara readies her bow, six wolves burst from the underbrush attacking the party. Two lay into Shaharazar's horse's flank and gaskin, and four attack the others in the party, one each.

Attack against Darakyn: 13:21, Today: Manann rolled 17 using 1d20+3.
Attack against Fan-Hee: 13:21, Today: Manann rolled 5 using 1d20+3.
Attack against Abdur: 13:21, Today: Manann rolled 8 using 1d20+3.
Attack against Epeus: 13:22, Today: Manann rolled 5 using 1d20+3.
Attack against horse: 13:22, Today: Manann rolled 16 using 1d20+3.
Attack against horse: 13:22, Today: Manann rolled 23 using 1d20+3.

A wolf slams against Darakyn, its jaws slavering and snapping. (Damage before DR: 13:28, Today: Manann rolled 9 using 1d8+1.)

And two wolves chomp aggressively at Shaharazara's horse, both closing their oversized teeth on its gaskin and flank. (Damage before DR: 13:30, Today: Manann rolled 2 using 1d8+1. 13:30, Today: Manann rolled 9 using 1d8+1.)

Everyone but Fan-Hee, please resolve your readied attacks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:36, Tue 28 July 2020.

Luckily the young soldier's armor and shield take the brunt of the beast's ire and the small damage done does not even register in the heat of battle (1 HP after DR). As he has been trained to do, so many times in the drill fields, he strikes overhand with his war sword at the animal.

08:30, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Strike at wolf.

The blade bites into the creature's furry flanks, though not as solid a blow as he had hoped.

08:32, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 6 using 1d12+3.  War sword damage.

EDIT: Added damage

Abdur unleashed a shot as the wolves charged and then stepped to the side to avoid a slashing bite.  Once the wolves had closed in on them he dropped the bow and drew his sword.

OOC:

20:49, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Bowfire.

18:25, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 10 using 1d10.  Bow damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

Shaharazara digs her heels into the flanks of her mount, inspiring it to evade the vicious teeth of a wolf -- avoiding one of the wolves' attacks, but unable to avoid the other. (You avoid the first one, but not the second one.) Jostled by the impact of the second wolf's rending, her arrow flies askew.

Darakyn's sword connects solidly with a wolf snapping at him, causing a growling whimper.

Abdur's bowfire finds the chest of an approaching wolf with a solid thump. (14:24, Today: Manann, on behalf of Abdur Rahman, rolled 3 using 1d10.)

And Epeus slashes with his bill as a wolf approaches, slicing the creature's mangy, lithe body. (14:27, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 16 using 1d20+2.
14:29, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 11 using 2d8+2.) That provokes a yowl of frustration and anger from the slavering beast.

The close, still air of the forest now smells like mouldering humus underfoot, the rank sweat of exertion, equestrian fear, and the slick coppery scent of fresh blood.

(Top of the order again... same order as last round!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:49, Fri 31 July 2020.

"Ahri, bizong!" Shaharazara cursed in Shemitish as the wolves swarmed her and her horse. She sunk a shaft from her bow into one of them, but struggled to keep Amansinaya clear of their jaws.


Bow Attack: 24
Damage: 7

18:04, Today: Shaharazara rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Riding Dodge if needed.
18:03, Today: Shaharazara rolled 7 using 1d10+1.
18:02, Today: Shaharazara rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  critical threat check.
17:59, Today: Shaharazara rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Bow Attack.

 Epeus attempted to use the spear point on his weapon to stab at the wolf, but it moves so fast.


20:50, Today: Epeus rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Bill pole arm attack.

As the wolves swarmed around him Abdur dropped the bow and drew his sword in one hand and a wickedly sharp poingard in the other.  He'd dealt with creatures of this nature before and knew that they could be deadly if the pack could swarm their foes.  Seeing the wolves attack he threw back his head and shouted out; "Hanuman give me the power of your mighty thews and the fury of your claws and teeth!"  His eyes bulged out and his dark skin flushed as the battle rage of his people surged forth.

Charging forward Abdur engaged the wolf that had already taken his arrow.

OOC: Hopefully I get this right!

Two weapon fighting should be at no penalty with a light weapon and a one handed weapon.

Fighting Madness for +4 Str/Con and -2 Defense as a Free Action.  That takes STR to 20 for a +5 and a total attack of +6


18:40, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 8 using 1d6+5.  Damage. Poignard
18:40, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 10 using 1d10+5.  Damage. Sword
18:38, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Attack! Poignard
18:38, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Attack! Sword

This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

Fanny keeps her feet light and mind empty as she has trained to do. She was not a warrior but her meditations were supplemented with the martial discipline of her culture, and monastic order. Also, danger of attack and the reality of combat were as much a part of long distance travel as the dust accumulated on her sandals.

In the midst of an attack Fanny knew her role well, don't get in the way and stay alive long enough for the fighters to overcome the enemy.

Spinning away from the wolf's clumsy attack with a flourish she comes to rest in a low stance, tensioned to spring away from harm in a flash.

OOC: Total defence.

Darakyn swings his sword at the wolf confronting him, again, his blade sluicing into its body. (16:51, Today: Manann, on behalf of Darakyn Chard, rolled 19 using 1d20+4. 16:52, Today: Manann, on behalf of Darakyn Chard, rolled 13 using 1d12+3.) The dead, now lifeless wolf slides off his blade to the ground, a sickly growing spread of warm blood pooling on the soil and decaying leaves.

Abdur's rageful onslaught slays the wolf adjacent to him, and it, too, falls to the forest floor, still. (Four rounds remaining in his madness.)

Epeus's attack falters, the canine adversary evading his bill.

Shaharazara fires her bow into melee, striking a wolf underfoot despite the close quarters. It snarls, the haft of an arrow protruding from its body.

Four wolves remain.

One attacks Fan-Hee, its jaws connecting despite her defensive position. (17:05, Today: Manann rolled 19 using 1d20+3. 17:09, Today: Manann rolled 8 using 1d8+1.) One of its canine compatriots lunges at Epeus, tripping over its own feet and scuffing the humus underfoot. (17:05, Today: Manann rolled 4 using 1d20+3.) And two vicious wolves continue to pester and harass Shaharazara's mount; a combination of her heel digging and the horse's own survival instincts avoids any ill effects. (17:07, Today: Manann rolled 10 using 1d20+3. 17:07, Today: Manann rolled 8 using 1d20+3.)

(Top of the order again... same order as last round!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:17, Tue 04 Aug 2020.

Darakyn spins to face the remaining wolves but his balance is off as he strikes.

08:52, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Strike at wolf.

Shahara plants another arrow deep into the ground as she tries to keep her horse from the wolves' jaws.

20:28, Yesterday: Shaharazara rolled 9 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 5.  Bow Attack.
20:15, Today: Shaharazara rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Riding Dodge if needed.

His wolf bleeding out at his feet Abdur gives a victory shout as he charges at the wolf gnawing at Fan-Hee.  Still in his battle fury he hacks at the wolf from behind or the side, shouting again to distract or startle it.


19:14, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Damage. Poignard
19:14, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 9 using 1d10+5.  Damage. Sword
19:14, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Attack! Poignard
19:14, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Attack! Sword
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

• x Darakyn
• Fan-Hee
• x Abdur
• Epeus
• x Shaharazara

Yet to act: Fan-Hee and Epeus. (Fan-Hee might be unconscious and dying given the damage she took.)

Fanny shrieks as the wolf takes her down and savagely mauls her on the forest floor. Her diminutive frame lurches violently from side to side as the beast attempts to shake the life out of her without mercy. Her shrieking ends as the fight leaves her body, her limp figure is left to the thrashing like a rag doll.

OOC: Fanny is unconscious and is dying. She did not stabilize.

21:49, Today: Fan-Hee rolled 69 using 1d100.  Stable?

Abdur's dual blades make quick work -- deadly work -- of the wolf attacking Fan-Hee, and the thrashing subsides. (Three rounds remaining in his madness.)

Darakyn, Epeus, and Shaharazara are less successful with their attacks, and the heady sounds and scents of combat continue to fill the woods.

One of the three wolves remaining leaps at Epeus, but misses, its jaws slobbering onto the foliage and ground as it snaps, snarling. (11:02, Today: Manann rolled 4 using 1d20+3.) And the two wolves harassing the horse continue to try to bring down the equine beast. (11:03, Today: Manann rolled 14 using 1d20+3. 11:03, Today: Manann rolled 23 using 1d20+3.) Both their bites dig into the horse's musky flesh, and its tongue lolls, flecking saliva and fear as it strives to get away. (11:05, Today: Manann rolled 5 using 1d8+1. 11:05, Today: Manann rolled 4 using 1d8+1. The horse is currently at 13/19 HP thanks to its DR of 4.)

Fan-Hee's limp body settles onto the forest floor. (She is currently dying, at -2 HP, did not stabilize, and at the end of this round will drop to -3. At -10, she will be dead.)

(Top of the order again... same order as last round!)

On better footing now the young soldier slices at the closest wolf and connects well.

14:25, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Strike at wolf.
14:27, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Confirm crit.
14:30, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 8 using 1d12+3.  War sword damage.
8 x 2 (critical hit) does 16 HP damage

As the beast is beaten back, he moves to stand over Fan-Hee's bleeding body, snarling at the wolves to back away.

Abdur's shout of satisfaction as a wolf dropped at his feet turned into a growl of anger as Fan-Hee dropped as well. Seeing Darakyn move to cover her Abdur took out his rage on the wolves attacking the horse, choosing the one injured if that was the case.

OOC: Hit with the sword and missed the crit and with the poignard.  At least I got one good roll :)

19:26, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 6 using 1d10+5.  Damage.
19:26, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Confirm crit.
19:25, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Attack!
19:25, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Attack!

• x Darakyn
• x Fan-Hee
• x Abdur
• Epeus
• x Shaharazara

Yet to act: Epeus.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:35, Sun 09 Aug 2020.

Cursing when she saw Fan Hee fall, Sharazara tossed aside her bow and grabbed her light lance and her short sword. She jabbed both weapons at the wolves to keep them clear of her  horse.


Lance Attack: 9
Short Sword Attack: 14
Damage if hit: 8

18:38, Thu 06 Aug: Shaharazara rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  riding dodge.
18:37, Thu 06 Aug: Shaharazara rolled 8 using 1d8+2.  short sword damage?
18:37, Thu 06 Aug: Shaharazara rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  short sword attack.
18:37, Thu 06 Aug: Shaharazara rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  lance attack.

Fan-hee does not stir.

OOC: She does not stabilize.
16:51, Today: Fan-Hee rolled 17 using 1d100.  Stable?

(Posted by the DM on Epeus's behalf.)

Epeus moves to the remaining wolf harrying Shaharazara's horse and swings his bill, slashing. 09:55, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 22 using 1d20+2. To confirm a crit: 09:58, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 22 using 1d20+2. -- Not bad! Damage: 09:58, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 5 using 2d8. x3 to get 15. His vigorous attack cuts the wolf in two, and it, too, falls to the forest floor, lifeless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:02, Mon 10 Aug 2020.

Darakyn and Abdur each kill a wolf, moving closer to Fan-Hee and the horse with each enemy dispatched. Shaharazara's sword connects solidly with the wolf just killed by Epeus a moment after he cleaves it in two.

All wolves now lie dead on the forest floor. (Fan-Hee did not stabilize, so is now at -4 HP. Two rounds remain in Abdur's madness.)

(We'll stay in initiative order for now, given Fan-Hee's dying. What do you do?)

"I have no skills in the healing arts," panted Darkyn, wiping his blade clean on the pelt of the most recent beast to fall to his sword.

"Can any of you help her?" he nodded at Fan-Hee

"I really know nothing about this," says Darakyn as he tries to help and not touch her in any intimate places at the same time. He feels very awkward and inadequate.

16:14, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 2 using 1d20.  Heal on Fan-Hee.

Blood begins to pool on the leaves around where Fanny lays.

OOC: Fanny does not stabilize.
17:40, Today: Fan-Hee rolled 53 using 1d100.  Stable?

• x Darakyn
• x Fan-Hee (will be at -5 at the end of the round...)
• Abdur
• Epeus
• x Shaharazara

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:27, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

Hrolf took a deep breath as the last of the wolves dropped.  He looked around the battlefield and the fury slowly faded from his eyes.  He shook himself and then frowned at the sight of the scholarly woman lying bleeding on the ground.  "Curse the beasts.  They always know to attack the least able to defend themselves." He quickly wiped his blades clean and then knelt next to Fan Hee.

"Let us work together, I will bandage her and try to stop the bleeding at least." Using his poignard he cut strips of cloth from his tunic and began to bind Fan Hee's wounds.  He worked with Darakyn to attempt to save the young woman.


19:30, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 15 using 1d20.  Heal!

 Epeus stood guard, as the others assisted the wounded.

Abdur's ministrations stabilize Fan-Hee, who is no longer dying.

(She is, however, still at -4 HP, though stable. Each hour, as long as she continues to be tended to, she has a 10% chance of regaining consciousness, though still disabled, at 0 HP. You can consider returning to the fort to seek healing, if available, or she can heal naturally at 3 + Con mod + 1 HP per day of rest. Interestingly, if she reaches 0 HP, she can get to 1 HP just by drinking a pint of strong wine. Totally Conan!)

Abdur took a deep breath and pulled back from the comatose Fan-Hee.  His hands and shirt were covered in blood.  "She's stable I think, at least the bleeding has stopped.  We'll need to get her back to the fort unless anyone has any healing skill and can help out right now."

Darakyn is torn between continuing their mission and getting Fan-Hee back to the fort where someone who knows what they're doing can help her. In the end, he realizes this is the sensible thing to do. They are hardly an expeditionary force. A few wolves laid them low in the first moments of their pursuit. And the commander needs to know what happened to the supply caravan.

"Let's make a litter to carry her," he suggests.

(And, lest I forget, Shaharazara's horse is at 13/19 HP.)

Abdur looked down on the unconscious woman and nodded.  "We'll not leave a comrade behind.  I'll help you cut a litter and we can take her back for healing.  We can always return and trace the trail.  Unless it rains a few more hours won't lose us much." He headed over and helped fashion a litter from saplings and branches.

Abudr rigs and litter and with the help of the others gets Fan-Hee situated.  "We'll hurry back and get this one healing.  I suggest we not bring the horse when we return as it was slowing us in the woods."

The party returns to the road from the forest and heads back the way they came to return to the fort. Before they can even see Fort Drethil, they spot what might be an individual walking toward them on the road.

A man clad in similar style to Fan-Hee's approaches on foot. He wears the same dark robes and sandals but as he draws closer you can see that his staff has a heavy looking half mooned blade and he wears a helmet beneath his hood.

He stops several paces ahead of the company and stands in your path as he offers a greeting. "Yogah bless you." he offers as he gives a shallow bow and salutes with his hand palm sideways and finger tips up.

"A troop passed this way not even a day ago with a young woman clad as I am in their company." he pronounces. His eyes fall upon the litter bearing Fan-Hee as he continues. "I wish for her return."

Abdur steps up, returns the bow and motions at the travois.  "If you seek Fan-Hee she is here.  We were attacked by wolves as you can see several of us are wounded.  She was viciously attacked and requires healing."

The man's expression remains stern and his eyes narrow slightly at the mention of wolves. He regards the well armed party one by one with an emotionless glare before he speaks. "Wolves, attacking a company of armed men?" he accuses with what sounds as much a statement as a question.

He walks around to stand at Fan-Hee's side and kneels while he examines her wounds. He clucks his tongue with sympathy as he pulls back blood soaked garments revealing her torn red flesh. "Wolves indeed. Mad animals will not hunt as a pack. Curious. Did you not find the attack unusual?"

Abdur's eyes narrow at the veiled accusation and his hand rests lightly on the hilt of his sword.  "The attack was indeed strange.  We pursue a war party of Picts.  Their shamans are rumored to have control of the spirits of animals.  That would be the only explanation as a feast of the dead awaited them at the bridge over the river."

Abbot nods his agreement of Abdur's assessment of the wolf attack. "You are right, there is more at work here than has been revealed." The robed man seems preoccupied with thought for a spell before he returns his attention to Fan-Hee.

Still kneeling by her side he casts his gaze upon her face like a lamenting parent. "She has always been head strong and heedless of danger. It is as much a part of her charm as it is her fate. If this has proved anything to me by her injuries, my efforts to suppress her spirit or discipline her into prudence will be in vain."

The monk stands and lifts his gaze to rest on Abdur. "This will be my final lesson to her as her mentor. I will stand in her place while she is in recovery. Let us return with her to the fort where my countrymen stand ready to receive us. They will take Fan-Hee into their care and I will help you unravel this mystery."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Wed 02 Sept 2020.

Abdur relaxed as the newcomer began to speak further.  "It would be a blessing of the gods if your comrades will care for Fan-Hee.  Although she accompanied us for only a short time she was brave.  It would dishonor her and us to leave her to the care of strangers."  He considered for a moment. "If you wish to accompany us back into the wilds you are welcome.  We track a dangerous foe."

(We can probably pick up the pace and wave our hands a little here. Tell me in broad strokes what you want to do as a party for housekeeping, and we'll proceed, time having passed to allow for that.)

OOC: I think we will gather a bit more food and water, leave the horse behind and head back out as before on the track of the Picts.

Please make a Track check to see if you can pick up the trail again at the site of the skirmish with the wolves.

OOC: Tracking really isn't my thing :) I'll roll if I must but who else is up for this task? is our huntress still around?

Darakyn is likewise not very skilled at wilderness lore. He looks around, but it all just looks like leaves and mud to him.


08:11, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Tracking.

Regardless of whether you're trained, it's sometimes better to roll a dice than not to. With Darakyn's roll, everyone should try!

Had they been in his familiar hills and mountains Abdur might have been more at home.  Instead the tangled and overgrown woods threw off his ability to follow a trail.


18:38, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Track?

11:38, Today: Abbot rolled 11 using 1d20.  Tracking.

(Rolling for a couple other characters: 11:01, Today: Manann, on behalf of Darakyn Chard, rolled 13 using 1d20. 11:02, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 18 using 1d20.)

Epeus thinks that he's picked up on the trail at the edge of the site of the skirmish, leading further west into the forest.

Abdur is not disturbed by his own failure to find a trail.  These forests were different from his own lands and it turned out that Epeus managed to find a trace.  "Let us go then without the horse this time.  We will be deep in the forest and such a beast although valued will only be a hindrance."

OOC: Makes sense if we just already left it behind at the fort. Fan-Hee can care for it when she is back on her feet.

"Let's follow the tracks and see where they lead," growls Darakyn. He's angry that the wolves bested them so easily and badly hurt the girl. He likes girls. And now he wants to hit Picts. Hard.

"Time's wasting."

(I think Shaharazara's out of the game. I messaged Sept. 8 asking if they were dropping to no response, and they haven't logged in since Aug. 14. So, no horse, and we can say they're at the fort until they return.)

The party moves west further into the forest, following the trail spotted by Epeus. Not too far further -- perhaps 10 minutes walking -- into the thick woods, the group comes across the carcass of a large deer.

Abdur holds up his hand at the sight of the deer carcass.  "Cover me while I investigate." Expecting a trap of sorts Abdur advances to about 15 feet from the carcass while keeping to cover as best he can.

As Abdur approaches, the coppery tang of fresh blood reaches his nostrils. He can hear the buzzing of flies attracted to the dead animal.

Darakyn takes up a watchful position partially concealed by a tree where he can act in case it is a trap. He has his crossbow ready.

Abbot seems indifferent about the beast.

"Take a look if you must, but we should not linger."

No threats present themselves as the party approaches, maintaining cover and defensive postures. Flies buzz.

Abdur will approach very warily.  He'll examine the corpse of the deer.

(Please make a Perception check: D20 + Wisdom modifier.)

Abdur approaches warily to examine the corpse of the deer.

Distracted by the situation Abdur looks about as best he can.


20:28, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 2 using 1d20.  Perception.

Abdur examines the carcass. It seems to be that of a large deer, recently dead, and perhaps downed by another animal.

Abdur turns back to the others. "It looks like a predator kill but why it is left here.  Let us continue our trail and catch these Picts."

Abbot crosses his arms impatiently. It was as he expected and now knowing for certain does not   alleviate his restlessness. He begins down the trail along side the others and hopes for no further delays.

The party continues along the faint path through the trackless forest, soon nearing the river almost due west of Fort Drethil. The trees fade to a clearing, open cleared space around what appears to be a modest homestead.

A small cabin is still smoldering, dark smoke snaking lazily up into the still midday air. An adjacent barn remains standing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:21, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

Chard readies his crossbow and looks around carefully for signs of life before approaching the barn.

OOC: Does the fire look recent (past hour or two) or older (yesterday)? Were they able to see the smoke as they approached? Did it change -- get lighter slowly, etc?

Abbot looks at the barn dubiously. "Why burn the homestead and leave the barn standing?" he questions out loud.

"Wisdom demands we leave it be, but curiosity compels me to find out." He reasons to himself. After a short moment of contemplation he makes a suggestion to the others. "We should set fire to the back of the barn, then we wait to see what exits out the front."

He speaks loudly so that anyone listening from within might simply choose to come out now.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Sun 11 Oct 2020.

Abdur moves up to look at the remains.  He shakes his head having seen the results of raids such as this in the petty wars of the hills and mountains of his homeland.  "Likely they burnt out the defenders in the cabin and stole or slaughtered the stock in the barn that did not fight back.  Lighting the barn on fire would only send up more smoke and draw more attention." 

He looked around.  "Cover me, I'll go check out the cabin.  I doubt if the Picts are lingering but rather moving as quickly as they can back to their lands."  Adbur will walk warily up to the remains of the cabin.

Several of the party members look around the clearing and homestead to see what they can discern.

Darakyn Chard gives the barn a wide berth as he moves slowly around the burning house. His bow is ready.

Darakyn doesn't see anything notable while walking along the smoldering home's perimeter, but he is struck by the seeming absence of bodies -- and wonders what the ruins themselves might hide.

Abbot's verbal challenge provokes faint animal sounds from inside the barn.

Abdur looks around.

Abdur ventures further into the remains of the cabin, sticking to where it seems safest. He affirms Darakyn's assessment that there are no bodies here, and his search reveals some salvageable items. A loose floorboard jarred by his cautious movement through the debris reveals a pouch of some heft, its fabric warm but unburned.

Abbot does not give up on the barn. His eyes narrow with suspicion when the animal sounds emanate from within. He examines the barn closer now, only a dozen paces or so from its walls. He circles around the perimeter of the building then comes to a stop in front of its front door.

Abbot perambulates around the small barn. There's a main, sliding door in what might be considered the front, and a smaller single, solid Dutch door in the rear. While there are no windows, per se, there is a barn-long stretch of intermittent opening near the roof's edge, perhaps for light and ventilation. In places, a shutter of sorts is propped outward at that high position.

Abdur hefts the bag and slips it away.  He headed out to the join the rest. "No bodies at all.  I found a sack though, probably a stash from whoever lived here."  He opened the bag and looked into it.  "I'd guess that whoever lived here either fled or was carried away.  I'll keep this to give back to them or their kin."

"We should at least have a peek at the barn." Abbot approaches the main door and stands ready to open it. He waits for the others to indicate they are ready before he slides it.

Adbur joins Abbot at the barn.  He stood ready with his sword.  "Go ahead and we'll see if anything is left. I fear what we might find inside."

"I'll stand guard on the side door if you want to go in the front," suggested Chard. "In case someone tries to break out."

Inside the pouch, Abdur finds 10 slightly melted silver coins, a few molding together lightly, and a gold chain and locket.

Abdur will check the locket then head into the barn with Abbot. "Let's go, we need to finish this and get back on the trail."

Abdur with him at the front door and Darakyn going round back Abbot thrusts his weapon into the ground near where he expects the door to stop sliding and pulls on the door with both hands. He pulls from the back end rather than the latching end so that he is not exposed to the opening.

Abdur opens the locket and sees a small likeness of a pretty young woman.

Opening the door to the barn, Abbot and Abdur smell the warm animal scent of stock animals. No threat presents itself from the shadowy inside.

The barn door is now open.

If no threat materializes through the back door, Chard will open it cautiously.

If there are living animals in there he will be wondering what happened here.

"They burned the house but left the bag of treasure -- didn't take you very long to find it -- and they left the animals behind. Real wealth to a small farm and to bandits.

"Might they be slavers? Interested only in human stock?"

Abdur shakes his head as he stows away the locket and then steps into the barn to look around.  "Let us hope that the settlers here fled before the Picts came upon them."

"We should keep moving. We will know when the trail ends and we see for ourselves."

Abbot retrieves his weapon from the earth and waits for the others to make their decision.

Chard will investigate the interior of the barn before they move on.

Please make an appropriate search, spot, or other check to look through the barn.

Several farm animals are penned inside the barn: a mule, a goat, and a milk cow. They seem to be the source of the sounds and scents.

Darkyn Chard will look to the animals and see what kind of condition they are in and open their pens to let them out so they won't starve.

He also searches the barn quickly for anything out of place


13:47, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Check on animals -- Handle Animal skill +1.
13:47, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 14 using 1d20.  Perception - search barn.

Darakyn assesses that the animals might not have been cared for for a few days. They are hungry and slightly fussy, but relatively healthy.

Also in the barn, he finds several farming tools, a couple of lengths of rope, and several large sacks.

Chard will take the best piece of rope and coil it carefully on his pack.

"Never know when a good bit of rope will come in handy," he says.

As long as the animals are free to forage for themselves, there's not much more he can do for them, and he expects there will be locals who will come and take them when the danger is no longer there.

"Would have thought the Picts would have taken the animals," he muses. "They're worth a few pennies. Must be moving fast and light."

"You're right about the Picts," he replies to his companion.  "Something must be driving them."

Abudr takes a few moments to throw some fodder to the animals and then heads out of the barn.  "The animals were ignored.  I say we follow the Picts as quickly as possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

If you're ready to continue, do an appropriate check to pick up the trail again.

Abdur is unable to find the tracks in the darkness.


17:12, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Survival (Track Feat).

Not being particularly interested in the barn animals Abbot has been busily searching for the trail.

20:23, Today: Abbot rolled 19 using 1d20.  Tracking.

Abbott picks up the group's trail leaving the small farm clearing and continuing to the west.

As the trail continues through the dense woods, it turns northwest slightly.

Abdur shook his head as the tracks were spotted. "We should proceed.  Whatever happened here is not our responsibility."

Chard nods silently in agreement. Time to move on.

Eventually, the party reaches the river. It runs to the northeast and southwest and is quite wide at this location. On the far riverbank, the forest resumes.

Chard has no skills in tracking, he turns to Abbot who found the most recent trail.

"Can you tell if they went up river, down river, or across?"

He eyes the wide flow. It will be difficult to cross.

Abdur cast about as the reached the river to see if he could spot the trail of the Picts and how they may have cross the river.


20:46, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Spot.

Abdur determines that this is not an ideal place to cross the river. He works his way up and down the river until he finds a decent place to ford, just a little to the north, finding sign of other foot traffic at that location. There, Abdur thinks, would be a better place to ford the Black River and continue west.

Abdur returns to the others.  "We should cross upriver just a bit.  There is a ford which is likely where the Picts crossed."  He leads the way and then wades across.

Abbot follows behind. He holds his weapon above his head as he wades after Abdur.

(I thought we had more than two players paying attention -- sorry to let this play out so long through Thanksgiving! I can proceed as long as there's still some interest.)

When Abdur gets to about hip deep at the fording of the river, he feels something move briskly past his lower body, disturbing the water.

Abdur is not a man of the water.  When he feels something brush against him he cries out and moves swiftly to the far shore!

Chard is holding his crossbow high to keep it out of the water when he sees Abdur begin to hurry. he tries to keep up with him, sensing that something is not right.

Abdur feels another swift motion near his lower body as he continues to move to the far shore.

Darakyn is unable to see what is causing Abdur to yelp and pick up his pace.

Stuck out in the middle of the river Abdur can only try to get across and out.

Abdur continues hustling across the river, walking through the flowing water -- and Darakyn tries to keep pace with him.

Darakyn also feels something move the water underneath the surface of the river near his body. Looking down at the river's water, he sees a long, undulating form in the water, moving.

The warrior draws his sword, ready to stab down at whatever it is. He also keeps moving towards the far bank.

The undulating form moves again, flashing underwater, and Darakyn feels a sudden sharp pain near the top of his thigh. What seems to be a large snake attempts to wrap itself around his legs and body, but is unable to find purchase.

18:20, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Snake bite.
18:23, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 6 using 1d3+4.  Snake bite damage.
18:24, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 5 using 1d3+4.  Snake grapple check.


Please roll initiative.

18:28, Today: Manann rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Chard stabs with his sword and keeps moving towards the bank


09:27, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.
09:29, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Attack snake with sword.

Further across the river than Darakyn as they cross, Abdur hears splashing as his comrade attempts to strike at something in the water with his sword. Either because of ill footing or the refraction of light, Darakyn's sword doesn't connect.

Abdur is up next in initiative order.

Abdur curses and slashes with his sword as well.


17:57, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
17:57, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

(In this game system, initiative is rolled once, at the start of a battle, so we'll keep Abdur's roll of 21:57, Sat 26 Dec 2020: Abdur Rahman rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.)

Abdur's slashing and splashing doesn't connect with anything under the water.

The roiling lengthy form under water surges again. Again, Darakyn feels a sharp pain in his leg below the water line. Again, what seems to be a large snake attempts to wrap itself around his legs and body, but is unable to find purchase.

14:29, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Snake bite.
14:29, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 6 using 1d3+4.  Snake bite damage.
14:32, Today: Secret Roll: Manann rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Snake grapple check. You'll notice I misrolled this 12/21; it was in your favor so I left it as is.

Darakyn sags in the water, unconscious.