One thing about gnomes:  they tend to be early risers.

It isn't hard to find Gantry's company.  There are only two groups of people at the North River Docks up at this time of morning.  One is a group of bargemen who are being arrested for drunk and disorderly by a large contingent of city guard at one end of the docks.

You head for the other group.

Four days ago you had met Gantry Natterson at a tavern on the other end of the city. He was a merchant, down from the Greenspan Duchy...the 'Blue Duke's Lands' as you've heard them called...and having done his trade, he's heading back home with a full cargo.

"I won't quibble on the price with ya.  Ten silver flat fee.  Three silver each day, five if there's any fightin'.  You stick around until we get to Green Bluff, I'll give ya a bonus dependin' on how we did.  I won't give ya a retainer.  No one's gonna give anyone a retainer in this town.  But I will pay your room an' board until we disembark.  Nothin' fancy.  But you'll get a roof at night and two meals."

It hadn't been anything fancy.  A boarding house.  But the dwarf who ran it made good food.

Now's the day to disembark.  You have to be at the slip no later than the fourth bell before dawn.  Gantry stressed that.  You're showing up by the third, so at least that's not an issue.

As you get closer, you see a long river barge tied to the dock.  Workers are loading goods onto it.  You can see Gantry standing on board, directing them about what to stack where.

Gantry had said you would need to find someone named Sellows.  Sellows is apparently going to be in charge of security, which you would be considered part of.  Looking at the others standing on the dock, outside of the various worker bees, you see a few distinct individuals.

Three gnomes are standing by the gangplank, off to one side, and seem to be arguing.  One is holding a sheet of paper and stabbing it with a finger while the other two are just shaking their heads in unison.

There's a couple of gryx packing some armor into a crate.  Both of them are armed with shields slung over their backs.

There's a halfling in black leathers filling quivers with arrows.  He's big for a halfling, not that that says much.

There are two dwarven ladies standing to one side.  They are wearing dresses with fur lined cloaks slung over their shoulders.  They seem to be dressed to fancily for a merchant trip up the Azwhen.  But who are you to judge?

Sitting on top of a crate at the farthest end of all this, looking bored like she has nothing better to do, is a beautiful human woman with blonde hair.  She kicks her legs against the side of the crate and seems to be humming.  At least that's your guess.

Which one of them is 'Sellows' is anyone's guess.

It had been an easy sleep the night before, with an assignment coming up the next morning. Staying up late, or waking up early, had never been a problem for Varen. He packed his equipment and found the docks with ease.

The assemblage of beings coming together here at the moored ship promised an experience of utter diversity, if they could all hold off from strangling each other.

Varen stepped up the crates and approaches the woman relaxing on them casually, and asked with respectful semi-formal tone,

"Good Morrow to you, lady. Gantry Natterson asked me to find someone named Sellows. Can you point me in the right direction?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 2):

She smiles at you with fairly perfect white teeth.  One of her dainty hands waves at you.  "Hello.  I'm Moontoad.  Yeah.  That's what my folks named me.  Go fig."  She giggles.  "You here for the trip too?"

She points towards the halfling.  "There's your guy."

Sellows looks up as you come closer.  He points at you.  "You're either Varen or Castor.  I'm gonna go with Varen.  Nice ta meetcha."

He has a strong handshake for a halfling.

"So you'll be on my detail.  We handle security.  Rex and Rossa over there,"  He jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the two gryx.  One of them overhears, glances your way, nods a greeting, and goes back to work.  "They're the strong arms.  They'll be sticking with the goods and Gantry.  That's our order or priority by the way.  Goods.  Gantry.  The passengers.  Then everyone else.

"You'll be scouting.  Don't know if Gantry went over this, so sorry if it's a repeat.  We'll be taking a boat upriver to a town called Fastner.  That's the easy part for you.  I'll just want you up top keeping a lookout.

"After Fastner, we'll have to hoof it up the river."  He goes over to a nearby barrell and starts rooting around for something.  "That's where you'll really earn your pay.  You'll be on point, scouting up ahead.  Here we go."

He comes back with two arrows.  The heads on the arrows are odd.  Only thin tipped silver with a thin sheet of parchment wrapped around the ends.  "Signal arrows.  You ever use these before?  You see danger, you fire this straight up in the air.  Once it gets to a certain height, it will set off a flare.  We'll see it downstream and know to brace for trouble.

"I expect we'll run into bandits.  This route is pretty well known and Gantry's known to bring back a load around this time of year.  But I've made this trip four times thus far, and we haven't lost a package or a man yet.

"Questions thus far?"

"No, haven't seen these before."

Varen takes a close look at the arrows. Unusual shape on the tip, not meant to pierce anything with a silver tip. He nodded.

"Looks straithforward. Now, I don't want to sound any false alerts. Can you tell me what colors or shields the bandits carry? Also, am I the only lookout?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 4):

Sellows shakes his head.  "No.  Castor is also signed up for scouting duty.  But each of you will take one side of the river.  So you'll be solo for most of the day.

"Bandits up that way come in all shapes and sizes.  Most of 'em are just poor folks who wanna score some coin.  Occasionally a mercenary band fighting in some of the border wars up there will go bandit once the work has dried up.  At present I'm not aware of any such groups.  But that doesn't mean there aren't any.  There's some battles that went on this season.  We'll be passing through the Kenduke's lands and the Blue Duke's lands.  Both have fought some border wars with their neighbors this year.

"The other thing is the ants.  There's some of the larger size variety, but there's also river ants.  You've heard of 'em?"

You have.  A swarm of killer ants that moves like a river.  They'll take down anything that gets in their way.

"River Ants will migrate downstream this time of year.  They tend to avoid the Azwhen.  But you do need to keep your eyes open.

"Otherwise, use your best judgement.  I won't dock you for making a bad call.  Unless, you know, it's over a rabbit or somethin'."

He laughs.  Then he glances towards the dwarven ladies.  "One thing.  We'll have passengers this run.  Those ladies are the wife and daughter of the mayor of Green Bluff.  Which is a pretty important trade town up where we're headed.  Mind your manners around 'em.    They're supposed to have brought their own security, but I haven't seen anyone show up.  If they don't, they'll probably take top priority.  But I'll let you know.

"If that's all your questions for now..." He walks over to you, taking a piece of paper out of his back pocket.  "I'm a little worried about Castor runnin' late.  I've worked with him before and he's usually pretty reliable.  He should be stayin' at the Broken  Crossbow.  It's a tavern off the market square.  Can you run up that way and check on 'im?  He's a tall human with reddish brown hair.  Big thick beard hangin' down to his gut.  Will probably have a raven with him."

He looks at the piece of paper, seems to consider, and then folds it back up and tucks it back in his pocket.  "Well.  That will be enough for now.  We can worry about other things when you get back."

Varen nods curtly.

"I will find Castor."

Without a second thought Varen turned and started back down the pier to the market square. It was quiet this early in the morning. He was glad for that. With the daylight all manner of people would come out. As was the human way, the streets would reek of garbage and manure, as well as food and the unwashed stench of the bodies all around him. He'd had a hard time acclimating to the way other races lived, but with enough weeks behind him, even this seemed acceptable. He wasn't about to criticize it, at least not in the open, and certainly not to the humans. He was trying to keep his head above the fray, and keep an open mind.

... the broken crossbow... let's see...

With his eyes accustomed to the dark, he spotted the tavern's sign over the door without any difficulty. He stood by the door for a moment, listening. Then he pushed the door open, ready to see who he would find in this place.

In reply to Varen (msg # 6):

It's the typical early morning for this kind of tavern.  Drunks are sprawled under the tables, sleeping it off after paying the barkeep a couple of coppers for the right to sleep inside.

A tired looking bar maid is trying to sweep around all the sweaty, smelly, sleeping men.  A tough looking dwarf with arms thicker than an oak beam is behind the bar, hoisting up fresh barrels as he restocks for the new day of drunken brawls.

You ask the maid after Castor.  She thinks a moment and then says, "Oh yeah.  Him.  He was talkin' to those fellows last night.  The big spenders-"

"Maybel."  The bar dwarf has stopped hoisting barrels and speaks in a deep voice.  Not loud, but it carries easily across the room.

"Go see if the cooks have that bread in the oven.  This lot will start wakin' up soon."  He gives her a look that tells her to leave in no uncertain terms.  He waits until she's set down her broom and scurried to the back.

He gestures towards the back of the tavern.  There's a door leading out to the alley behind the bar.  "He left with two halflings and a big guy shortly before last call.  They went that way.  They probably took him to the lot on the other side of the fence in the alley.

"That's all we know.  We don't get involved.  Go find your friend."

With that he turns his back to you and picks up the next barrel to load into the stands.

Varen notices the man's demeanor. There was more here than met the eye, but it was obvious that what DID meet the eye was not welcome to be discussed to any deep degree of detail.

"Thank you," he said with a rather detached voice, making sure to denote that the keep would not get involved in anything else that might happen.

Varen carefully stepped over the bodies on his way out, heading toward the door leading to the back alley. As he opened it slowly, he put one hand on the hilt of his sword. The keep's words were clear: there was probably something unsavory going on, probably criminal. Maybe the dwarf owed some money, maybe he had crossed someone and now he was out of luck. Either way, this might get nasty.

With his keen eyes Varen scanned the alley's darkness to make sure there were no further surprises. Once clear, he followed the fence and looked to the lot past it.

In reply to Varen (msg # 8):

The lot the barkeep was referring to has been neglected for a long time.  Piles of rubbish and clumps of high grass dot the place.  Rats cavort about like dandies at a noble's ball.  You see two bodies in the lot.

One has been there for at least a couple of weeks.  The aforementioned rats have taken to it and there's not much left.

The other body is most assuredly Castor.  He fits Sellows description perfectly.  A raven is perched on the man's forehead.  It seems to have driven all the rats away from the large hole in the man's gut.

As you study him, the burly man suddenly coughs.  His eyes flutter open halfway.  They look around, then focus on you.

"Hey," he heys you.  "You got any whiskey?"

Varen looks at the fellow on the ground.

"Castor?"

He crosses the distance quickly, shooing the rats and raven away, and kneels next to the wounded man.

"My name is Varen. Sellows sent me to find you. What happened to you?"

The elf examines the wound carefully. It was a gut wound. If this was bad, Castor would not be making it out of this lot tonight. Or ever.

Pulling his pack off his back, he searched for simple rags that he would use to clean the wound, all the while keeping his eyes open for whoever was responsible for this. They might still be close-by.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. It's been busy, and it was Thanksgiving. On positive news, I have finally finished allocating all the skill points to Varen, so I will be spending some time tomorrow to finish that part of the character sheet.

Now all I need to do is do the equipment. I rolled a 5 so he'll have 15 gp worth of stuff.

In reply to Varen (msg # 10):

Was out myself.  So no worries.

You eye Castor's wound.  It is not looking pretty.  He must have been bleeding quite a while.  That at least means whoever poked him probably isn't around.

Castor knots his brow.  "You know me?  You from Sellows?"

He tries to raise a hand and fails.  "You from Sellows?  Was Moontoad there?  Fetch Moontoad.  She can..."  He has to take a deep, rattling sounding breath as you touch a rag to his wound.

This isn't good.  It's the kind of rattling breath you hear when someone's on the downward slide to dead.

Wasn't Moontoad the healer for this trip?

So here's the deal:

He's near the end of bleeding out.  But there's still some time.  You can try an All/Nothing check for Heal/RE to buy yourself some time/at least staunch the bleeding.  It will be a Very Hard check, so -30.

You need to run back to the docks and fetch Moontoad all before he bleeds out.  To see how long it takes you to get to the docks, roll Percentage Tests based on Qik until you get 100%.  Once you get to the dock, we'll deal with what comes next after.

Clear as mud? Let me know if there are any questions. Thanks.

OOC: Ok, Varen's healing is at +30, but the situation is dire (-30) so he's even.

21:19, Today: Varen rolled 42 using 1d100 ((42)).

Hmm... not looking too good for him.

21:25, Today: Varen rolled 37 using 1d100.  Running! +4 Quickness = 41

21:26, Today: Varen rolled 28 using 1d100.  Running 2. +4 Quickness = 32

21:26, Today: Varen rolled 97 using 1d100.  Running 3. +4 Quickness = 101

It was that final straightaway down to the docks that made all the difference. =)

Varen rushes back to the docks as fast as he can. While he's a good tracker and has the stamina to walk for hours on end, sprinting is a different beast.

Breathing hard he clambers up the boarding plank and calls out,

"Castor's been stabbed. I need a healer. Which one of you is Moontoad?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 12):

"Oh sonuvabitch!" Sellows bellows.  He turns towards the woman who is still sitting on the crate.  She's already scrambled down.

"That's me!" she says in a singsong voice as she jogs up to you.  "Where's he at?"

You can tell she isn't the most athletic person in the world.  Not out of shape.  But not in it.  She's not going to get there as fast as you did coming here.

You can lead her back.  Or you can pick her up and carry her there.  Might be faster.


So some more rolls.

First, decide:  you leading Moontoad there or carrying her?

If you are leading her, it will take five rounds normally.  You can make a Navigation check to  find shortcuts.  Nail three of them and you get there in time.  Fumble any of them and that's all she wrote.

If you carry her there, another set of percentage rolls vs Qik.  But even though she's light, her weight will still hamper.  So count her as a Hard (-20) modifier.  You want to get 100% before the fifth roll.

Your call.  Thanks

Carrying her sounds like a better possibility to me.

"Moontoad. We need to get there fast. He was already shivering. You'll excuse me."

Varen doesn't really wait for her answer. He leans down and picks her up into his arms.

Then he sprints!

18:47, Today: Varen rolled 67 using 1d100+4.  Running Back to Castor - Qu +4 Roll 1.

18:47, Today: Varen rolled 103 using 1d100+4.  Running Back to Castor - Qu +4 Roll 2.

Oops, there was a "copy/paste" error on that description. My bad. Either way, two rolls was enough.

Blazing through the streets, Varen raced back through the alleyways and into lot where Caster was hanging on to life. He carefully put down 'Moontoad' and took a step back.

In reply to Varen (msg # 14):

Moontoad climbs off your back and kneels down by Castor.  She clicks her tongue but seems to smile at him gently.  "Again?"

Castor looks a lot paler than when you left him.  He mumbles, weakly, "Well...I wanted...ta keep ya...on your toes..."

Moontoad looks up at you, pointing at the area of Castor's wound.  "Can you cut away his shirt there?"

She takes a pouch off her belt and starts rooting inside of it.

Castor takes a deep, very wet sounding kind of breath.  "You tell..Sellows...those guys.  One was...an elf...an' there were two halflings... circle scar... but...but..."

Another ragged breath.

"...I don' think they were...that.  They was...somethin' else...under-"

He gasps as she kneads the area around his cut.  Closing his eyes, he mutters, "...somethin' else...under their...skin..."

Moontoad has closed her eyes and is intoning something, her fingertips pressing against Castor's wound.  You feel that small electric thrum in the air from whenever someone uses magic.  There's always this feeling when someone starts casting.

Castor's eyes close and his body goes limp.  But he seems to be breathing.

Moontoad opens her eyes.  She looks washed out.  But she shakes her head and rummages back into her pouch.

"I anchored his soul.  As long as I can stop him bleeding, he shouldn't die.  But I need to work fast."

She pulls out a small packet of what looks like spongy moss.  You recognize it as a common moss used to plug up wounds.  Moontoad shuts her eyes again and mumbles over it, then, without opening her eyes, pulls out a small bottle and hands it to you.

"Alcohol.  Pour that all over his wound please."

She brings out a couple more herbs while you disinfect the wound.  She starts the process of patching him up, packing the moss and other herbs into the wound.

"Anchoring him took a lot out of me.  I'll need you to carry him once I'm done.  We'll leave him with a healer I know.  Gantry will pay for it, but he won't be happy about it.  I'll need you to witness the cost for me.  Gantry has trust issues where money's concerned."

She smirks a little, but you can tell she's tired.  Her healing has taken some out of her.

"As you can tell, I'm the healer.  Done this run with Gantry and Sellows the last three years.  Castor usually acts as one of the scouts.  His partner got a knife this summer.  I don't know the details.  Castor and her were always into trouble."

She shuts her eyes again.  The air gets all prickly/staticky again.  But it's only a brief moment.  Moontoad sighs deeply and leans back on her ass, rubbing her forehead.  She goes back to stuffing moss into Castor's wound.

"You aren't gonna give me this much trouble, are you Varen?"

Stopping here so you can process and ask any questions, etc. that you wish.  Thanks.

Moving along

The healer Moontoad knows is mercifully only two streets over.  Castor is heavier than he looks.  His raven kept hoping around on the top of your head and shoulders while you carried Castor over.  It settles on top of the bed post you dump Castor into.

Moontoad talks to the healer.  You wait out on the stoop outside while she arranges for Castor's care...

Perception test please

In reply to The Barkeep (msg # 16):

The sun is up by now.  The street outside is getting crowded with people rushing to work or to open up their stalls at the market one block up.

As your eyes wander the scene, you notice a scabby looking halfling studying you.  He turns quickly and heads into an alley as soon as your eyes meet.

Varen smiled in morbid amusement at Castor and Moontoad's banter as helped to cut Castor's shirt out of the way. It was good he kept a small utility knife with him. The sword would have been far too unwieldy.

With that out of the way, he watched the woman apply the herbs. She had a practiced and steady hand, much like his. He had been working with herbs for over twenty years now, but it was always special to watch a human, such a short lived race, master information and skills in such a short time. He was about to offer assistance, but he decided to keep it to himself. She looked like she had it all well managed.

Then she cast a healing spell of some sort. While he was proficient in magic himself, this branch of magic was not in his repertoire, although he was earnestly considering going out of his way to train in this when he had some time and money to himself again. Physical healing was welcome everywhere, by everyone.

As she commented about Caster's life and her experiences with him, he only nodded and gave an occasional acknowledging "uh-huh".

"You aren't gonna give me this much trouble, are you Varen?"

"No. You don't have to worry about me. I don't drink to excess, and I can take good care of myself. I'll carry him if that is what he needs."

Caster was much heavier than he looked. But then again, he always found that with humans. Elves, like himself, tended to feel lighter. Or so he thought. He listened silently to Moontoad's explanations and the healer's recommendations. He really didn't need to pay attention to that since Moontoad was going to make herself responsible for Castor. So, he stepped outside for a moment to gather the fresh air in. Time had flown since he first stepped on the ship. The sun was up now. It must have been several hours somehow.

That's when he spotted a small, grubby halfling peering at him. As soon as their eyes met, the little one turned and ran into alley. Varen wasn't too keen on the idea of being taken for a mark, so he swiftly walked to the alley's corner and peered around in away that would keep others from noticing him.

12:17, Today: Varen rolled 162 using 1d100+68.  Stalking and Hiding roll.

In reply to Varen (msg # 18):

The alley stretches between a bakery and a dress shop.  There's not a lot of garbage laying about.  There's only one drunk balled up against the bakery wall.

The alley opens at the other end on the next street over.  You can see the halfling turning north on it.  He doesn't seem to have made you.  Either that or he is very good at acting nonchalant.

You could try to follow him down the alley.  Or you could cut up the street you are on.  It ends in east-west street just past the bakery.  You could cut west and hopefully 'run into' the halfling coming up the other street.

Just suggestions.  If you can think of some other course, please feel free.

Varen considers his options. If someone's watching him, they already know he's here. If they want him "out of the way" they will have to come to him.

Right now keeping Moontoad and Castor safe are his priorities.

He quietly backtracks his steps and rejoins the pair.

"It looks like we are the subject of someone's keen interest. A halfling ran after I spotted him watching me. Anything I need to know about?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 20):

Castor is still out.

Moontoad raises her eyebrows.  She seems genuinely surprised.

"If there is, no one's told me about it.  We should talk to Sellows."

She thinks about it and glances back at Castor.

"I suppose it could be about Castor.  He likes to play with the dangerous types.  But..."

She shrugs.  "I honestly don't know.  I know everyone because I've been the healer on Gantry's run the last three times.  And I occasionally see everyone around during the off season.  But I live up in Green Bluff.  Just come down with Gantry each summer."

She picks up her cloak.  "Anyway.  I've made the arrangements for Castor.  We should head back.  Gantry will be pissed."

Let me know if you have any questions for her on your way back to the docks, otherwise...

When the two of you arrive, it looks like the goods are all packed on board the boat.  There is a tall human who's joined the group:  a broad shouldered man with a thick, bushy mustache greased to points at both ends.  He wears a wide brimmed hat with a peacock feather stuck in the band.

Moontoad glances over at Gantry, who's talking to the dwarven ladies.  The ones Sellows refered to as 'special guests'.  Mr. Bushy Mustache is hanging next to them.  He must be the security Sellows spoke about.

Moontoad sighs.  "I'll fill Gantry in about Castor.  Can you update Sellows?"

Without really waiting for you to respond, she heads towards Gantry.  You can see Gantry notice her coming and scowling.  He might not know what's going on, but he seems to have figured out he won't like it.

Sellows is coming down off the boat. Probably to pick up the last sack left sitting on the pier.

As they walk back, Castor over his shoulder, Varen speaks to Moontoad.

"You are adept at healing, and herbcraft. Where did you learn to tend to injuries?"


As they arrive:

Moontoad sighs.  "I'll fill Gantry in about Castor.  Can you update Sellows?"

Varen nods and finds place by the ropes and sacks where he can gently (or as gentle as carrying a human allows it) lay Castor down. He meets Sellows down at the last cargo.

"We found Castor. He was bleeding from a cut to his gut. Moontoad helped by keeping him from dying, but it will likely take some days for him to fully recover. And we were being watched. I suggest we keep your guards at alert. Hopefully it is only personal, and only over money."

The top of Moontoad's head comes up to a little under your shoulder.  She glances up at you as you ask your question.

"Thanks.  Yeah.  My family ran a logging camp.  My uncle tended the family's shrine and a number of the lumberjacks were skilled with herbcraft.  So I basically learned about healing from Dads number two through twenty."

She grins and then doesn't.  "There was a raid from the neighboring fief. Our camp was destroyed about five years ago.  My mom and I moved to Green Bluff.  She lives with a friend and I..."  She waves her hand at the town.  "...make the run with Gantry each year now to make some coin to keep us in bread for the year."

She shrugs.  "We're alive. That's better than the alternative.  What about you?  You from here?"

---

Sellows takes in what you said and then takes a deep breath in.  Then let's a deep breath out.

Across the docks, Gantry suddenly roars, "THAT DAMN STUPID BIRD SUCKER!  DOES HE THINK I'LL WIPE HIS ASS EACH AN' EVERYTIME?!?"

Sellows chuckles but without much humor.  "Well.  Gantry is gonna be a joy for the next couple a' days.  But he'll take care of Castor.  And be a real bear about it."

Sellows' expression hardens.  "I've never seen bandits pickin' up our scent this soon.  But maybe we got a smart gang operating this time around.  Well.  More bonus for us I guess.  But this will complicate things.  There's no time to hire on another scout.  So you'll be solo.

"Also," He glances towards the dwarven ladies, who are a shade of pale white shock as Gantry continues to curse and fume by the gangplank.  Sellows studies Mr. Bushy Mustache.

"The new guy is Alber du Pois.  He's apparently the guard hired by Dame Rockdust.  Dame Rockdust and her daughter Millicent are the family for the mayor of Green Bluff.  I've never heard of Alber before.  But we can't discount the possibility that a gang might be targetting the Rockdust family.  Green Bluff isn't the richest town.  But I wager the mayor could pay a nice ransom.

"Keep an eye out.  Not just on the road ahead either.  You follow what I'm sayin'?"

"I hail from the city of Ishhadel, in the central plains of Oln, in the forest of Shaothyr, or what you know as the EverSpring. It is not too far from here, as the eagle flies. My training in healing and herbs comes from my teacher, Ondolanil Salinhe, master hunter and ranger for the Home Guard."

Varen smiles as he remembers the carefree days traversing the plains and forests of his home, his friends and companions at his side, the midnight hunts, the moonlit celebrations, the sharing of stories from the teachers to the students, the final rites of passage that marked him as a grown elf, and the gifting of his bow, Eonollin.

"I don't often get a chance to use my skills, as things have been peaceful where I step. But this voyage promises to be different. It is already starting on a difficult star. I suspect our skills will be challenged yet, but I hope it won't come to that," he smiles at Moontoad.

---

Varen looked up at Alber du Pois. The fellow seemed strong, self-assured, and familiar with his company. The peacock feather suited him fine, and looked well placed in Varen's eyes. But Sellow's warning did not go unnoticed. Although Varen had no particular reason to believe this Alber would want to betray them, among humans loyalty often only went as far as the range of their last filled coinpurse.

Varen nodded to Sellows.

"I will keep my eyes open. Maybe you should add an 'extra' guard, just in case."

In reply to Varen (msg # 24):

Soon the dock is clear of everything except people.  A human man walks up to the gangplank and waves a hand.  "I'm Wilkes!  And this is my barge!  If you're comin' to Fastner, get on deck!  We're gonna cast off!"

You hop on board.  The Storm Flood wasn't much to look at when it was at the end of a mooring line.  It's not much to look at now, but it is larger than you realized.  The crates and bales of Gantry's cargo have been formed to create three small 'tents' or enclosed areas.

One is where Moontoad and the Rockdusts will sleep.  There's a female elf on the barge crew too.  But you doubt she'll be mixing with the passengers.

There's an area set up for Gantry.  You can see him sitting on a small collapsible stool in his crate cave, scowling at the deck, probably counting up the coins Castor is costing him.  Another gnome you have not yet laid eyes on is sitting by him, reading some papers.  He looks younger than Gantry, though with the same sunburned skin and ungnomelike frown lines around the mouth and eyes.

The other area is set up near the back of the barge, near the rudder.  It seems Sellows set it up as a barricade, a place an archer can set up in and sniper at anyone who tries to take control of the rudder.

Wilkes walks back to the rudder while the elf and another human take up long poles and start pushing the barge off the dock.  You feel that electric feeling in the air.  Looking back, you see Wilkes has set his hand on the rudder, and a small set of glowing glyphs has appeared on the wood.  Some kind of magic to either assist with navigation.  Or maybe to fight the current.

The latter you decide as the barge easily starts to ply upstream.

Sellows finds you and points at the tops of each crate cave.  "Things are same about two clicks out from town. The city guards keep a good patrol that far along the river.  After that...you stay up top.  Keep an eye out along both shores of the river.  I'll do the same.  But I'm counting on the fact your eyes are better than mine.  Any questions?"

Go ahead and make me four perception checks please.

And let me know if there are any questions.  Thanks.

Varen nods silently at Wilkes' statements, which are followed up quite convincingly by him taking the rudder and having the barge cast off into the river. It seemed rather smooth. He wondered just what type of magic was necessary to move something as large as a loaded barge and not seem to ask much of an effort. Probably enchantments on the boat itself. He would have to inquire later, when there was a better time.

He listens to Sellows' suggestions on the crate 'tents' and replies, "Understood."

With a nimble foot he climbs the rear-most set of crates, checks on the dwarven group (as an excuse to keep an eye on du Pois), and settles in on top. It occurs to him that a net, or a mantle of some sort, might conceal his own position on top as a look-out should anyone be spying on them. He makes a mental note to fashion one for himself should he find all the necessary supplies.

OOC: Perception Rolls
20:53, Today: Varen rolled 79 using 1d100+38 ((41)).
20:53, Today: Varen rolled 82 using 1d100+38 ((44)).
20:54, Today: Varen rolled 99 using 1d100+38 ((61)).
20:54, Today: Varen rolled 105 using 1d100+38 ((67)).

Wow, look at that. He just keeps getting better.

In reply to Varen (msg # 26):

That's how I recall RM in the past.  The rolls are always freaking high.  Of course that goes both ways...

There seems to be plenty of rope and netting available.  You could definitely fashion something.  I would say this would be an Ambush roll on your part.  The result will determine the DM onlookers will have to beat.  Thanks

The initial part of the trip is as dull as Sellows predicted.  The road along the river bank seems decently maintained.

But then at one point, that neatly maintened road just ends.  Past it, the way along the river bank becomes a muddy track, stamped down by the traffic of horses and carts rather than paving stones.

There is some traffic along the bank, both on foot and on horse.  Most of the passers by are heading towards town, not upstream.  Those that are cast jealous glances at your barge.  Much easier to go by magic than trudging on foot.

The crowds thin out as the morning wears into afternoon.  Sellows takes your place for a short while so you can relieve yourself off the back of the boat and munch on some fish Moontoad has grilled on a small brazier and stuffed into a bread roll with pickled cabbage and some kind of mustardy sauce.

When you return up to your position, it's only about two hours until sunset.  The plan is for the barge to stop on the shore tonight:  there are some rapids up ahead that will require light for Wilkes to steer through.

It's then you notice the elf.  He's on horseback coming up the river road.  Not strange per se.  The road to Fastner would see some traffic.  But you've seen him before.  At least once before when you studied the passing crowds on shore.

Again, not necessarily strange.  He's headed upriver.  And the barge isn't moving so fast that a rider on a decent horse couldn't keep up.

But why would a rider want to keep up with the barge.  And there is no doubt about it as you study him:  he is keeping pace with the barge.

He's dressed as a traveler.  And despite your good eyesight, you can't make out too much detail.  He seems to have dark reddish hair.  And there might be a long scar along the right side of his face.  His horse is a brownish colt.

The two of you seem to make eye contact.  Again, its too far to be sure.  But he seems to swing his head your way, notice your head is turned his way, and then he stops his mount.

Suddenly he turns his horse to the side and rides off the road into the woods that run along the river.  He is soon lost from sight.

Varen tracked the horse-bound elf as he kept up with the barge. It was unusual. He would figure elves would not be interested in other human pursuits, but perhaps he was not as wise to the elven world as he thought he was. Then again, here he was on his own as well. Perhaps he looked as perplexing to that one as that one had looked to him.

Meeting with his eyes was strangely... anticlimactic. He thought there would be recognition, perhaps kinship there. But no. Nothing. This one was inscrutable. That could spell trouble. If this one was trained as he was, and Varen was only a stripling, both in years and experience, he might be trouble. Serious trouble. He was hoping it would not come to that.

He flagged Sellows over and explained what he saw, as well as his suspicions.

In reply to Varen (msg # 28):

Sellows listen to the report and grunts.

"Shit.  Definitely sounds like a scout for bandits."

He considers a moment, staring up the Azwhen as he does.

"We were gonna put aside in an hour and camp on ground for the night.  But I'm gonna have them pull over here.  At that sandbar there.  How confident do you feel in tracking that scout?  If you can get a glimpse of the gang and get an estimate on their numbers, we can plan appropriately."

Feel free to suggest another course of action.  Sellows is open minded.

Thanks

"Moderately confident. The elf will be able to see me in the dark, but so will I. But with a horse I won't be able to escape if they spot me."

Varen stops for a moment to consider.

"But I will give it a try. I have to." He frowns. "I want to know what this elf is doing here. And why he's working with bandits, if bandits it is. It is unlike my kin to do that."

He turns to see the sandbar, and then his eyes track back to where the elf went off.

"Bring the barge to the shore. I will head out. If I am not back by sun-up, you can assume I have been caught."

Varen returns to his post and grabs his equipment. He also grabs a few more bits to eat and some water. By the time the barge approaches the sand, he's ready to go.

OOC: Other than avoiding the area, Varen has no other ideas.

In reply to Varen (msg # 30):

Moontoad waves at you right before you step off the barge.  She tosses you a small pouch.

"You know how to use herbs right?  There's some Alaf and Halin in there.  Also some bandages.  Be safe."

You slosh up onto the bank and find the spot the elf left the road easily enough.

Let's do some tracking.

Give me three test results and see where that gets us.

Also if you are moving ninja-like, make me a Stalk/Hide check please.

Thanks

OOC: I know for spell casting you can take extra time to cast a spell and get yourself a few simple bonuses to the roll. I went searching for it a few days ago, but I couldn't find anything like that for skills. Have you found anything like that? If you have, I'd like to apply it.

Let me know.

If not, here are the rolls:

Tracking:
13:16, Today: Varen rolled 68 using 1d100+33 ((35)).
13:17, Today: Varen rolled 118 using 1d100+33 ((85)).
13:17, Today: Varen rolled 104 using 1d100+33 ((71)).

Stalking & (Ninja) Hiding:
13:18, Today: Varen rolled 75 using 1d100+68 ((7)).

Not so ninja after all. But then again, he's only level 1.

In reply to Varen (msg # 32):

That's an interesting point.  I haven't seen anything.

I would say no in high stress situations (in combat, being chased, etc.).  The Stalk/Hide roll would fall in that bucket.

But the tracking rolls are a different case. I can see where you would have time to be a little more careful.

Hmmm.

Alright.  Let's try this:  I will not let you adjust your rolls.  But I will give you a chance to adjust the target number, at least on the tracking rolls.  Make me one more tracking roll which we'll call a 'preparation roll'.  If you get it, I'll adjust the target numbers down for the other rolls.  Fair enough?

OOC: Sounds good to me. I am ok with it either way.

So, the roll I got is this one, which makes it a simple success.

16:02, Today: Varen rolled 107 using 1d100+33 ((74)).

Let me know what happens. =)

You find the trail easily enough.  The rider must have been too startled upon being noticed.  His exit into the woods is sloppy.  At one point, he got off his horse and started walking it.

It looks like the elf moved in a curve like a bow.  He went back and to the west from his point of entry into the woods, paralleling the river but not getting back within sight of it.  From your estimate, he's headed in the direction of the barge's original stopping point.

If the elf is a scout for some bandits, and that seems reasonable, you are probably safe in assuming that they were planning to ambush the barge at its original planned resting place.

As you think this, it starts to drizzle.  And then rain.  The trail gets lost.  You stop, trying to reorient yourself, when your ears perk up.  That crack of a branch.  It sounded a little too...heavy.  Like something more than a squirrel was stepping on it.

You aren't sure exactly, but from around your seven o'clock there's someone there...

You are pretty sure someone is ninja-ing nearby.

Thanks.

Varen's motions ceased. The noise was close, too close. If he'd already been spotted, it would almost be foolish to simply stop and present a clear, easy target, but he was betting he had not been seen.

Turning very carefully in the direction of the noise, he slowly began to crouch. He didn't want to give too much of a surprise by moving swiftly and giving himself away.

He stood as quietly and unmoving as he possibly could, and waited for whatever... whoever... was there to eventually show itself.

OOC: Full Perception Check, if possible.

17:22, Today: Varen rolled 75 using 1d100+38 ((37)).

In reply to Varen (msg # 36):

You tense up, setting your senses on high.  If you're lucky, your watcher isn't too skilled...

Suddenly a sudden screeching/high pitched screeching and then a thud from behind you and to the left.

The elf rider had been creeping up on your blind spot.  But he apparently had been so intent on getting close enough to stab you, he failed to notice the chipmunk that was scampering along the ground before him. He stepped on it, surprising both the chipmunk-which screeched and then ran into the underbrush-and himself, who was so startled he stepped backwards, stepped on his coat, and crashed backwards, hitting his head on a rock.

We have our first fumble for the game!  Yah!

The rider is still conscious.  But he is prone at the moment.

Your turn

Varen thanks his lucky stars that fate had intervened to help him out. He draws his sword and prepares to face whoever was present here with him. Clearly hiding was of no use at the moment.

"Before we engage in swordplay, I'd like to know who you are and what you are doing?"


OOC: Drawing sword, getting ready for battle. If it helps, he's putting all his OB into DB right now, seeing as he can't strike just yet.

And here's hoping you had a Merry Christmas! =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 38):

The rider moves quickly to stand.  "Making cucumber sandwiches for tea time.  What do you think I was bloody doing?"

His accent marks him as being from the south, well past the central plains.  What he's doing so far north is a mystery.

He doesn't seem in a talkative move as he seems to be gripping the haft of the hand axe he is carrying even tighter as he starts to rise.

Mine was good thanks.  Hope you and yours had a good one as well.

To speed up game play, make one init roll and only one for each combat.  With certain exceptions, players will usually go first.

So you may begin.  We are in combat.  He is up at this point. Thanks

18:15, Today: Varen rolled 23 using 1d10+14 ((9)).

In an equally acerbic tone, Varen replied,

"I think... you were spying on the barge in order to prepare an ambush for it. You followed it for a long time, and you shied away when discovered. None of these actions bode well for you.

Now, who are you spying for?"

Varen keeps the blade pointed at the elf's eyes, a classical technique designed to keep an opponent from gauging their true distance to his blade, making defending from it that much harder.

In reply to Varen (msg # 40):

The elf growls instead of answering and lifts his arm.  He seems to be readying to throw his axe.

You win init.  He'll be throwing his axe in a moment.  You guys are about fifteen feet apart.

Thanks

"I don't believe you are quite clear of the gravity of this situation."

Varen charges his foe.

OOC: Charge distance: 15 feet? Assuming a regular combatant distance of 4 to 5 five feet. Tell me if I am mistaken. Varen's move is 10', making a 20' 'Run' possible.

Varen will take the Charge OB bonus and parry with it to offset the Charge DB penalty to stay even. He will then use 40 of his Weapon Skill OB to add to the parry, giving him a final score of: DB 40, OB 6

19:42, Today: Varen rolled 27 using 1d100+6 ((21)).

Not the best result, but it is something.

Since Varen is now adjacent to this opponent, and he has an "initiative advantage", I believe this opponent's missile attack can be 'disrupted'. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

In reply to Varen (msg # 42):

He gapes at how fast you move.  As you get closer you realize how young this fool really is.  Just a babe trying to play grown up.

He manages to throw himself aside so you only score a long, shallow cut along his forearm.

His DB is 26.  You nicked him for 5 hits.

Going forward:

His init is 42

His DB is 26.

Thanks

OOC:

Quick check: how did he get an initiative of 42? This is mechanics question.

In reply to Varen (msg # 44):

Because I typed a 4 instead of a 1.  Sorry.  His init is a 12.

OOC:

Ah, ok. That makes sense to me. I was really terrified amazed at this guy's stats if he could do a 42. I mean, it is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything, but as initiatives go, it is pretty high. =)

New Initiative Roll:

20:23, Today: Varen rolled 17 using 1d10+14 ((3)).

In reply to Varen (msg # 46):

He tries to shift, bringing the axe around...

Your go.  Thanks

There was a pause in Varen's next swing. For a moment he took the time to consider that he was swinging a tool of war against a kinsman. A fellow elf. How did it come to this? The elf brandished an axe at him, and he seemed ready to kill Varen at a moment's notice. He was far too young to realize what he was doing, and the consequences of his actions.

There had to be a better way. But first, he would have to wear him down.

"You know, this doesn't have to end your life. I don't hold it against you that you are fighting me. Is this really where you want to go?"

OOC: Varen swings again.

No charge this time, but the same numbers: +6 to OB, +40 to DB.

12:42, Today: Varen rolled 90 using 1d100+6.  Continuing the fight.

That's a decent attack. It might even leave a scar.

In reply to Varen (msg # 48):

He seems to panic when he realizes your blow will connect...he is young.

He flails, raising his free arm instead of trying to parry.  You score a deep hit along his forearm.  He shouts, stumbling backwards, shocked by what you guess might be the first hit he's ever taken in combat before...

He took 18 hits and is stunned a round.  Nice hit.

"What? A light cut and you are already in fear? Did you think this was going to be easy?"

Varen eases off a bit, seeing as the young elf is clearly in pain, but he takes the opportunity offered to him.

"Now, I don't have anything against you, and I don't want to truly hurt you. Why don't you tell me what you were really doing... without that axe."

OOC: Disarm attempt

Maneuver Roll + 10 AG + 6 Ranks in Sword

19:07, Today: Varen rolled 76 using 1d100+16.  Disarm Roll on Maneuver Table.

So, just for my education, this is how I see the Disarm coming together:

- He takes a -10 from the damage
- He has a +10 to make a Disarm Resistance roll against that 70 Maneuver result
- He is also stunned, giving him a -50 to all actions, which should include this disarm resistance roll.

His final rolling attempt ought to be: 1D100 + OB + 10 - 10 - 50.

This should be fairly hard for him to stop.

Let me know if I got this wrong.

In reply to Varen (msg # 50):

You smack the bottom of his hand with the flat of your blade, sending the axe spinning up in a circle and off to the left.  It lands on the ground with a thunk.

The kid swallows in a dry throat and looks at the tip of your sword.

"Well what do you think I was doing?  Sight seeing?  This is my job.  So if you're going to kill me, just go ahead and do it."

He's obviously talking tough though, you know, he's not.

"You are fairly ready to die then? Should I drive you through? Is that what you want?"

Varen brings the edge of his sword to the elf's neck, making threatening moves. Then shakes his head in disapproval.

"You aren't going to die today. But I do want to know why you were spying on us and who hired you."

He lowers his sword, but does not let it go.

... this elf was certain he was done, and his readiness to die for his 'job' is unsettling... was it so important to him that laying down his life was the proper thing to do in his mind?... perhaps there is something else going on here that I missed...


OOC: I am looking for a way to pull the old 'knock him unconscious with a hit to the back of the head' trick. Then I can carry him back to the barge and interrogate him better. Any suggestions on how to do this?

Varen doubled-down on this course of action. He had other options, but he didn't want make things too hard on himself.

"Have you considered what is going to happen to you now? Your employers will not look kindly on the matter of me besting you, and will easily believe you have confessed all the details to me. How do you think they will react? What is the consequence of failure for you?

If you help us, if you help me, I promise you protection from them."


OOC: Let's first try a duping attempt. Varen is not very good with it, but perhaps this circumstance (mildly injured, at high disadvantage in combat) might be helpful in the persuasion.

Duping is presently at +25.

09:36, Today: Varen rolled 85 using 1d100+25 ((60)).

Well, that's a decent roll. Let me know how it turns out.

In reply to Varen (msg # 53):

He seems to hesitate.  "They're...they're really tough..."

The boy seems to be wavering.

So in a straight roll, he won, but only by 2 points.

I think you are correct:  the situation, particularly with the wound you dealt him, does give you some leeway.  But I don't want to handwave it through since it was close and Duping is a skill that is meant to be very unreliable.

So.  I am going to invoke the Near Miss rule on page 73 of the rule book. Usually I would only do so for All-or-Nothing rolls.  But I think it's justified in this situation.

Keep arguing your point, however you wish.  Make another Dupe roll with a +20 bonus.  If I beat you on that roll, we're done.  If not, you'll have Duped him.

Thanks.

Interesting idea. I will read that rule once I get home tonight.

Varen could see that the young one was wavering. He could not imagine what sort of company he had stepped into, or what sort of deals he had to make, or why. What would convince such one as himself... and then it dawned on him that perhaps human politics could make something like this happen. Hoping that his involvement was with a 'political' faction and not with a 'criminal' one, he continued with his ruse. After all, there was no way any of his contacts could ever know what was going on here. Varen was just letting this young elf dig his own grave with his own fears.

"They might be tough... think you can take them on alone?... or would you rather have some help?"

Varen sheathes his sword and extends a hand to the young elf before him.


OOC: Ok, here we go. Rolling Duping at +45

14:12, Today: Varen rolled 89 using 1d100+45 ((44)).

This is an ok roll, but it is still possible for him to beat me.

In reply to Varen (msg # 55):

You are correct.  Not the best roll.  Unless I fumble.  Which I did.

This kid...

The elf boy blinks.  And then he starts to cry.  He glances down at his arm, and soon he is sobbing.  His shoulders shake.

After a moment, he catches his breath.  "I hate it.  I hate them.  I hate what we do.  But I can't get outta here.  I can't leave Macy."

He starts blubbering again.

This is getting rich. =)

"Why don't we head back to my boat and you explain everything to us. If I can, I'll help you and Macy get to safety. There is always a way for things to work out. Come."

Varen waits patiently for the young elf to gather himself. He remembers being this young, although that was many seasons (many! seasons!) ago. This one must be especially young.

"Tell me about them as we walk. And tell me about Macy."

As they walk, Varen thinks about how someone so inexperienced could possibly have gotten caught in a situation like this. He must have lost his parents early, or perhaps been kidnapped or taken the wrong turn. This stripling should not even be out of an elven village yet, far less be acting as a spy for what might be a band of brigands. There was a good chance to make things right here, to stop whoever is behind this and to help this young elf. Varen thought things were looking up. He was in good spirits.

But he was still careful. He didn't let the young elf out of his sight.

As he began on the road back, he picked up the elf's axe but rested the haft on his shoulder instead. He didn't return it to him.

OOC: Alright, all's well that ends well, and unless this kid is better at Duping than Varen, this course of action looks alright to me. Is there a skill that can tell if you are getting Duped? Bamboozled? =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 57):

He walks beside you, leading the horse.  He finally stops crying after a bit.  He wipes his eyes with the back of the hand that isn't holding on to the horse's rein.

"Sorry.  I'm...I'm Aldo."

He says this in a very tired voice.  The boy sounds much more exhausted than he looks.

"Me an' Macy...she's my sister.  We're from a village up in the Blue Duke's lands.  Our...our folks. And most of the elders.  They all got killed by the Mourning Cloaks.  The Cloaks...they said we hadda work for 'em.  They took Macy away.  And she's all I got.  So.."

He shrugs, watching the ground, not meeting your eye.

"I gotta do what they say.  And they told us we gotta ambush this caravan.  They want us to kill everyone and take the stuff."

He grabs the reins tighter.  "Sorry. But I gotta...She's my sister."

Varen listens to the young elf's story. Not the best outcome for a kinsman, considering the possibilities out here in the world.

"Aldo. Well met. My name is Varen. I hail from Ishhadel in the Shaothyr.

The Mourning Cloaks stormed your village and took everyone prisoner? Look, Aldo, I know I can trust you. You have courage. You already demonstrated that when you fought me. You are capable, since you are out here scouting. And you consider the well-being of others before your own, especially your sister. There is nobility in that.

Here is what I propose to you, if you are willing to trust me. I want to create an ambush for the ones sent for this barge, and capture or kill them all. Preferably capture them so they face a magistrate and go to prison. If we can get these out of the way, there will be fewer guards in your village. When that is complete, we will make our way to your village and free them. But it is important that we know as much as we can from you about their numbers and their weapons. If you know the layout we can surprise them and make it that much easier. We'll get Macy out of their hands.

But first, we need to deal with these. And it may take a few days for me to finish my agreement with my current employer. If you help us, I am sure he will treat you well, specially knowing your circumstances.

What do you say?"

Varen extends his hand inviting him to accept the agreement.


OOC: Diplomacy Roll
20:34, Today: Varen rolled 31 using 1d100+15 ((16)).

Ouch! This is terrible. Well, he still needs to make a Resistance Roll.

In reply to Varen (msg # 59):

Aldo keeps his eyes ahead as he listens.  He wipes his eyes dry.

After a moment, he mutters, "We both know I'm not brave.  And we both know I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

He sighs.  "I'm your prisoner.  So...I'll go along with whatever.  But please.  Don't let them see me.  If they think I got captured or am betraying them, they'll kill my sister."

"Aldo, what do you mean? You fought me! If you had not been brave, you would have run. But you stood your ground. That's bravery. And you did it for your sister, so I know you have heart. You could use a bit more practice, but you did well for your skill. Don't underestimate yourself."


"That's it, though, Aldo. I don't want you to be my prisoner. I want you to be my ally. I understand the position you are in, and I want to help you get your sister back. You won't have to do any of this any more if we succeed. And, not to understate the issue, by doing all of this we are also helping my employer and keeping these people out of business.

It's a path that benefits us all.

Are you with me?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:01, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

In reply to Varen (msg # 61):

He stops and looks at you.  "Honestly?  I don't know what to think these days.  I'm...

"I appreciate it.  Really.  But...the Cloaks are strong.  Really strong.  Teth and Viyor especially.  I just..."

He shakes his head and starts moving forward again.  "It's hard to have hope when it's been beaten out of you once.  Ya know?"

You can try another diplomacy roll after a while.

You can see the camp up ahead.  As you come into sight, something large suddenly steps in front of you.  It's Rosa.  She glances at you, then at Aldo, and nods.  "Sellows is waitin' for your report."

Sellows is squatting with Gantry and the Rockdust ladies by a small fire that's been set up.  He sees you and stands quickly, trotting over.  He nods at Aldo.  "Who's this?"

Varen nods to Rosa with a smile and moves along. "Thank you."

Approaching the camp, Varen presents Aldo to the gathered folk. He nods politely to the dwarven ladies.

"Sellows, this is Aldo, the elf who was spying on us. A group called the Mourning Cloaks invaded his village, took them prisoner, and are holding his sister hostage. He is willing to work with us if we can help him get his sister out of there. I believe this to be a reasonable course of action and a good outcome for all involved: we can get rid of this bandit group here, making passage safer for everyone, and we work to remove the Mourning Cloaks from his village.

Aldo here is willing to tell us what the plan was if we can hide him for the foreseeable future. He fears that if they know he was captured, they might kill his sister outright, or, at the very least, threaten her to get him to cooperate with them. But I think Aldo can help us to ambush the bandits and we can turn the tables around on them.

I know this is moving fast, but I think we if we take the opportunity that is before us, we can solve this bandit problem quickly... and permanently."

After Varen finishes explaining his ideas, he waits for Sellows' reaction.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

In reply to Varen (msg # 63):

Sellows seems to consider.  He glances Aldo's way. "What's the name of your village?"

"Slow Mound."

Sellows sighs.  He nods at you to follow him, leaving Rosa to secure Aldo.

After making sure you and he are out of Aldo's ear shot, Sellows shakes his head.  "Slow Mound is up in the Duke's land.  We're about ten days out from it.  And Gantry isn't gonna want to get involved.  You might be able to talk to some of the others about goin' with ya after the job is done.  But gettin' the caravan to Green Bluff is gonna be priority number one.  Sorry.

"That bein' said..."  Sellows scratches his chin.  "I'm completely down for takin' this bandit group out.  I'd like to capture whoever is in charge of it.  Why in the hell would a group operatin' out of Slow Mound target us?  I can sell Gantry on that.  And if we take out this bandit group quick and get to Green Bluff in a hurry, These Mourning Cloaks won't know their boys failed."

He chuckles.  "They can't be too tough.  They've named themselves after butterflies after all.

"Think you can talk the kind into giving us troop strength and details on who and where these guys were plannin' to jump us?"

Varen leans in to hear, and follows Sellows' words with attention.

He nods, "I was not expecting us to slow the caravan for the bandits, but I think if we treat this young kinsman right, he will work with us. He is young and inexperienced, and is only acting out of desperation. If we offer him safety, a good promise of action, and a chance to recover his sister, we can get the Cloaks after this 'shipment' is safely delivered. Besides, it would also pay in reputation in the Duke's eyes if we can get rid of them at some point. Might even make for a good name for Gantry, and bring in more business.

But... you are right. First things first. Our commitment right now is to Green Bluff."

He pauses for a moment to consider.

"As for what next, I think it would do us well to try to ambush the ambushers. We can get a measure of how strong they are, and if we capture a few, we can get even better information from them.

And you do have a point. Ten days out is a long ways away for bandits to be operating. There might be something more going on here. Perhaps someone's out for vengeance."

He leans a little bit closer, and adds.

"Aldo mentioned that he overheard that their goal to was to kill everyone on board. I don't think regular bandits would be that murderous. They might have been paid off to assasinate someone. And if that is so, this might be more political than just plain stealing cargo for profit. I hope I am wrong. You may need to warn your passengers."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

In reply to Varen (msg # 65):

Sellows frowns much more deeply.  "Hmmm.  Kill everyone?  I would think they'd want to take Gantry hostage for a ransom.  And definitely the two Rockdust ladies.  But maybe they don't know they're with us..."

He shakes his head.  "It just seems odd.  The rest of us I get.  But killing Gantry is like giving away a bag of coins.  I can't see bandits doing that."

He glances Aldo's way.  Rosa has tied his hands together, but they are in front of him and she's allowing him to set near the guard's fire.  Moontoad is examining him.

"See if you can pump the boy for more information.  Anything.  But especially about how many there are."

He grins evilly.  "Then...let's talk about next steps.  I have an idea."

Varen nods in agreement with Sellows, and returns to Aldo by the fire. He watches Moontoad work.

"Aldo, feeling better?"

He picks a spot to sit down and nods to Moontoad as she cleans Aldo's cuts.

"It is as I suspected, Aldo. We need to follow our agreed-upon responsibilities first. For that, it would be useful to be able to fend off that ambush you talked about. We'll keep you hidden until we can return to get your sister. But for that, we are going to need to know where they planned it and how many hands they are bringing to the fight. If we make sure that no one returns, then no news will go back to the Cloaks, and they will send another group out to find out what happened. That will thin their numbers out and we'll have an easy time getting your sister out from the village. But it is a long ways, as you know, and it will be a while before we can get there. That is to our advantage, however, as news of whatever happens here will take a long time to get back to them, if at all. This gives us plenty of opportunity to come up with a good plan without arousing any suspicions.

Can you help us with a place and numbers?"

Varen hoped that Aldo was beginning to trust them. He didn't like the idea of keeping him bound, but he could not expect everyone else to trust the man who was trying to walk them into an ambush, no matter what tragic story he was telling. He would have to play along and hope that Aldo was good on his word.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

In reply to Varen (msg # 67):

Moon Toad gives him a kind smile while she treats his wounds as you talk.  She seems to be trying to help you encourage him.

Aldo glances at both you and her and sighs.

"We were gonna hit you when you came ashore to camp tonight.  They said they knew where you guys planned on stoppin'.

"There's five beside me.  Three of 'em are just the ones who swing the swords.  Pervis is their archer, and he's really good though.

"But you probably need to worry most about Kina.  She can do magic.  I don't really know what kind or such.  But she can make you hurt by looking at you and sayin' some words."

He swallows in a dry throat.  "I know that for damn sure."

Sellows frowns when you tell him.  "How in the hell do they know our itinerary?"

Varen looked at Sellows, then scanned the collected crew and guests of the barge.

"Sellows, I don't think is a common highway robbery. If they know what we have planned, maybe there is a spy among us. Just consider this: I have no idea what the exact itinerary is. How many would know this? And who would be able to give it away?"

Varen considered the possibilities. There was a chance this was political. There was a chance this was a vendetta against a single person, or group. Who would want to kill everyone on a barge? Granted, the passengers were of value, but it would bring more to take them for ransom than to murder them. Unless, of course, the price for their lives was high enough. And who would want them dead? And who would have enough coin to make it worth someone's while? And they have a mage.

"We are going to need a plan. How many can we count on in this fight? I can bring a bow to the fight, and a blade as backup."

Waiting for Sellows to begin to build a battle plan, Varen mused to himself,

... for someone to give away the itinerary, they would have had to know it before they left... and who would have had a chance... wait!... Castor?... would he have given the details away in order to have his life spared?... his debts paid off?...

Varen's eyes scanned the assembled crew. Where was Castor right now? He kept his suspicions to himself until, and if, he got enough evidence to show he needed to be a suspect.


OOC: Just checking to see how Castor is doing, and any 'unusual' reactions. Varen will make sure to keep both eyes on him during the coming hours. If he's the 'mole', then Varen will want to make sure that news of Aldo's defection does NOT make it to the Cloaks.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Sellows sighs, looking at the ground, and shaking his head.  "Damnit.  Yeah.  I think you're right. Shit."

He glances around to make sure no one can hear the two of you.  "Frankly.  Everyone who's ever sailed with Gantry knows our route.  We tend to take the same one each year.  And for the river part of the trip, there are only so many places you can stop.  There are sections of the river you can't beach on."

He glances around the camp.  "I don't know if Gantry told the Rockdusts about the itinerary. I can't see where they would care other than how long the trip took.  But he may have.  I'll ask him.  I don't know anything about their guard, Alber.  Never laid eyes on him until an hour before we set out.

"Ryx, Rosa, and Moontoad have made the trip with us several times.  I...I hate to suspect any of 'em.  But I suppose I have to.  Ryx and Rosa are cousins.  They've been trying to bring their family up here from the south for years.  They have a big family and they want them all to resettle up this way.  That takes a lot of coins.

"Moontoad's family also has some money issues.  Not sure how severe though.

"That leaves Gantry.  Can't see him sabotaging himself.  And Evens."  Sellows glances at the young gnome.  Evens hasn't spoken much at all on this trip.  He's seated by the campfire now, ignoring everyone else as he studies a ledger.  "Gantry just hired him this season.  He's not the most social of sorts.  But then again Gantry keeps him hoping.  So the guy doesn't have a lot of time to be friendly." Sellows shrugs.  "He mostly keeps to himself.

"I guess we have to count Castor too.  Even if he isn't here, he woulda known our itinerary from past trips.  He could have sold us out and then...well.  I don't know why he'd let himself get beaten up.

"I would agree that you're really the only one who wouldn't be suspicous.  If you were somehow involved, that kid would be dead now.  At least that's what I'd think."

Sellows sighs.  "What a mess.  You.  Me.  Ryx and Rosa are the fighters.  Moontoad mostly knows healing.  I guess we could count Alber.  But if any of the names I just threw out there are a spy, that changes our headcount."

The halfling stares at the sky.  "For now, rest up. Don't say anything to anyone but keep your eyes and ears open.  Lemme talk to Gantry and see what he wants to do.  I'll come find you tonight when it's your turn at watch.  We can talk about next steps then."

Castor is still, as far as you know, back in town.  He said he would catch up.  But as of now, you haven't seen him.

If you want to interact with any NPCs, now is a good time.  You can approach two NPCs of your choice and chat 'em up.  Otherwise, I will move us on to your watch.

Thanks

OOC: Oh darn. I didn't remember that Castor was not on the boat. My bad. That might make him slightly less of a suspect, but still, a suspect.

Before Sellows leaves, Varen adds one more observation.

"There might be a silver lining to our situation. When I ran into Aldo out there, he attacked me first, but I was able to quickly overpower him. I have to admit it was luck as well a skill. But I can tell you this: he lacks preparation, perhaps some skill. If the Cloaks have sent him out as an spotter, and they trust him and his skills, that speaks ill of their overall competency. If this is in any way true, I think that our ambushers will be ... how can I say it... not much of a threat. If we can ambush them, we will be able to overcome one or two of them before the rest can react. That will make the fight easy. And if any spies in our midst try to warn them after that, we should still have the upper hand."

With those words Varen nods to Sellows and proceeds to meet Ryx and Rosa.

OOC: Going to talk to the guards. Can you tell me where they are and what they are doing? Don't want to make any mistaken assumptions here.

In reply to Varen (msg # 71):

Rosa seems to have pulled Aldo duty.  She's leaning against a tree, watching him as Moontoad feeds him some bread.

Ryx is patrolling along the river edge.  He's keeping an eye on the boatmen.

Varen walks casually to the barge's edge and onto the shore. He picks a spot where he understands Ryx will walk by again.

When he's in casual earshot, he'll look at him and ask,

"Ryx, have you been in the guarding business for long? Is it a lucrative endeavor?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 73):

Sorry.  Thought I had posted my response Monday.

Ryx raises and eyebrow and barks a chuckle.  You've obviously said something really funny.

"Keep walkin' while we're talkin'.  I like to keep my perimeter clear."

He starts walking inland, forming a square around the camping area.

"You gonna retire and live rich after this job?  You think we're getting paid any better?  Funny guy."  He turns to left in a precise manner, having reached the end of his boundary going north.

"So?  Whaddya wanna ask me about?  I doubt you just wanted to shoot the shit."

Varen stepped up to the grix's tempo, and began to walk the perimeter with him.

"I am new to these lands, and learning. You are here with your sister as guards, not rich, I suppose, but you do it anyway. It provides for enough coin that shelter and food need not trouble you. The same for me.

I have been wanting to get a measure of how others train in sword craft. My mentor taught me many things, and while I've had a good teachers, I would rather not make any unnecessary mistakes too many times, or even once. Learning the styles of these lands will help me with that.

I'd like to learn of your sword craft, so that I can see the different styles. It pays to be prepared, and to remain in practice.

How about a practice bout? After your shift?"


OOC: No worries, I've been out of things for a while as well, work being what it is.

In reply to Varen (msg # 75):

Ryx gives you a side look, eyebrow raised.  He finally barks out a laugh.

"Didn't see that comin'.  You struck me as more the I-prefer-to-shoot-at-you-from-a-distance type.  Serves me right for making assumptions, huh?

"Sure!  I get tired of always sparring with Rosa.  But you know I'm more of an axe man myself.  That alright?"

He gives you a grin.

"What's gonna happen with that kid?"

Now it was Varen's turn to smile.

"That would be correct. I am as practiced at the bow as I am with the blade, and, to be forthright, it is my preference. The thing with bows is that your target does not often strike back. But with blades, you always have to expect an upset customer."

He grinned at the simplification of the realities of warfare.

"I would gladly see your axe craft."

Looking back at Aldo, his expression turns more somber.

"He's a good kid, stuck in a bad place. His sister was taken prisoner, and his village taken for hostages. He looks like he's willing to help us out. And he is kin, so I am glad to help him. I hope that his information is correct. If so, I'd like to see him freed and on his way. But for now, he's with us, watched, and hopefully safe."

Turning back to Ryx, he adds, "And what is Rosa's preference of weapon?"

In reply to Varen (msg # 77):

"Rosa's more an' all rounder.  But watch out when she gets a hammer in her hands.  She'll treat you like bad scrap metal."

He laughs and slaps you on the back.  It's playful but...ow.

"Lemme finish my patrol.  I'll find ya once I'm done."

Anyone else you want to speak with?  If not, we'll spar.  Thanks

OOC: No, the sparring is more Varen trying to get a good measure of how good a pair of warriors he has on his side. He knows they are guards for hire, but can he rely on them in a fight? So he wants to measure just how well they can hold their line.

If you want to do the sparring as a combat exercise, we can. But if not, we can move on to the part of the story where the ambush happens, and you can tell me how well they are comparatively speaking. Up to you.

In reply to Varen (msg # 79):

Just on the off chance one of us fumbles or crits, let's skip the sparring

Ryx seems a fairly confident warrior.  He definitely can outmatch you blade on axe.  Is he the best you've ever seen?  Not even close.  But you don't feel you have to worry if he's at your back.  You would guess Rosa is at least at the same skill level.

Sellows comes to find you in the morning.

"Alright.  I talked to Gantry.  Here's the plan.  We'll leave this morning like nothing's wrong.  There's a sandbar about a mile upstream from the planned stopping point.  We'll beach on that.  Gantry, the Rockdusts, their guard, and Rosa will disembark.  I'd like to have her with us, but I can't leave Gantry and the shipment unguarded.

"I want you to go ahead of us and scout things out, then meet us at the sandbar.  If things look good, Ryx and I will take the raft downstream to the usual camping spot.  Like we're gonna camp.  You'll come up behind them and start peppering them with arrows.  I'll do so from the raft and Ryx will wade ashore.  Once he's in the middle of them, you and I will charge in.

"If things don't look good...well.  We'll figure that out when we talk at the sandbar.  Concerns?"

Varen listens to the plan. As Sellows explains, he interjects, "Who'll be watching Aldo?"

Then, as the plan concludes, he furrows his brows.

"I hope that is not too few of us, but it will have to do. Let's do it."

Varen begins to prepare for a fight. He works on his armor, his shield, and makes sure spare bow strings are available. He packs his arrows, and hones the edge of his sword.

By the time they arrive at the sandbar, he's fully armed and armored, and ready to go.

In reply to Varen (msg # 81):

Sellows needs you to go ahead and scout my friend.

Stalking roll to see how quiet you are please.  You'll get a bonus due to the circumstance of +15.

Tracking roll if you want to look for any signs of passage.

And let me have three Perception tests please.  You may arrange the results in any order you want.

As a general rule, unless I state otherwise, whenever I ask for multiple rolls like that, you may order them in any way you wish.  So if you rolled a 28, 87, and 56 you could present them as a 87, 28, 56.  I will assume whatever order you write them down in on your post is the order I should use.

Let me know what questions.  Thanks

In order of mention:

Stalking & Hiding
15:46, Today: Varen rolled 90 using 1d100+68 ((22)).

Pretty decent. Let's see how that works out.


Tracking
15:47, Today: Varen rolled 72 using 1d100+33 ((39)).

That's alright. But could have been better.


Perception
15:51, Today: Varen rolled 58 using 1d100+38 ((20)).
15:52, Today: Varen rolled 41 using 1d100+38 ((3)).
15:52, Today: Varen rolled 75 using 1d100+38 ((37)).

Ack, that was rough. I will select: 41, 58, 75.

In reply to Varen (msg # 83):

You start up the river bank, then move into the woods, running parallel.  Autumn is just rounding the bend into the colder months.  You would guess it won't be a week before you'll need a heavier coat.

Because you aren't as familiar with the area, you need to check your position with the river bank every so often.  The spot that Gantry's barge would normally bank on is a open place with  a tree that spreads it's branches over the water.  Wayfarers tie strips of ribbon around the branches as a sort of prayer for good luck.  So you are on the look out for those ribbons.

You come back into the woods after your third such check, thinking it should only be another half hour before you reach the spot when you almost walk into a man's back.

He is standing on the other side of a tree you were rounding.  If you had taken one more step, you'd have bowled into him.

He seems to be watching ahead, his hands gripping an unsheathed sword.  He hasn't looked back over his shoulder.  He has not seen you, despite the fact you're close enough to blow on the back of his neck.

For the one moment you freeze up, your mind processing the situation, you can see someone else.  A woman with a bow.  She's up in the branches of a tree about thirty feet away.  She seems to be too busy looking towards the river to see you.  But if she does look over, you will be caught.

Just to sum up:

Your Stalk roll worked.  That second Perception check...not so much.

You have a guy standing with his back to you, literally about a foot away.

A sniper in a tree thirty feet ahead and fifteen feet or so up.

Neither has seen you.  Yet.

Unless you just stand there and hope for the best, I will need another Stalk/Hide roll.

You may take any action you see fit.

... by the gods... how?...

Varen remembers his training, and ducks... sneaking away slowly backwards and around the tree. He is not concerned so much about the man, who, if he didn't hear or see him by now, would never see or hear him. The woman on top was probably more observant, so his goal was to put tree between himself and her, and then to back away to a place were he could hide and listen.

Once there, he will prepare his bow and wait for a while until they either said something or took action. It would not do well to simply attack them without any evidence that these were the ambushers. Besides, Aldo had mentiond there would be more of them, and a spell caster of some sort. He only saw two of them right now. And he still needed to get back to the barge to report.


OOC:

New Hiding roll to get away silently and unobserved
11:44, Today: Varen rolled 83 using 1d100+68 ((15)).

Wow, crappy roll. Good thing he's actually pretty decent at this.


Full Perception Roll to see if he spotted anyone else. He has reason to believe there should more than two.
11:45, Today: Varen rolled 81 using 1d100+38 ((43)).

Oh well, they are decent rolls, but can be well easily overcome. =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 85):

As you step back around the tree, you hear that unmistakable sound of a bow string being pulled.  You duck around the tree as an arrow fills the space you were just in.

Your roll wasn't bad.  Hers was just really good.  Except the one to hit you.  That one sucked.

You hear the man hiss, "Melva?  What the hell- Huh?  Behind me?"

You have a moment.  You can run for it or brace for the attack.

Or whatever else you can think of

Varen understood the situation was now against him. Trapped in melee with one opponent, and being subject to the shots of an out-of-range archer was precisely the position he wanted to have "them" in, not the other way around. In the end, the fact that this was a 'scouting' mission took precedence, and it was important that he return to the barge with the information.

Taking advantage of the cover of the tree to keep it between himself and the archer, he rushed back into the undergrowth and speed away from the two as fast as possible. If he could lose them, he might try again, but it would be that much harder now that they knew he was around.

OOC: Stalking & Hiding roll to get (technical term) "the hell out of there".
13:34, Today: Varen rolled 152 using 1d100+68 ((84)).

That is a good roll. I am hoping this lets him at least make some distance, or at minimum make it moderately hard to shoot at him.

In reply to Varen (msg # 87):

You disappear into the underbrush...

Yep.  A 152 is good enough.

You are heading back to the barge now, correct?

OOC: Actually, no. He will run for a while and gauge if they are pursuing him. If they are not, he will stop and gently circle about for another approach. Knowing that they are there, he will take it extra slow and careful. He wants to hear from them, see if they give any details away that they are part of the Cloaks, since he can't be sure these are the people that are planning to ambush them.

If they are pursuing him, then, yes, he will run to the barge.

In reply to Varen (msg # 89):

Gotcha. Thanks

You plunge into the undergrowth, tossing yourself through thickets to try to throw off pursuit.  You stop after a while, standing completely still, waiting to see if you were successful.

It seems like it.  Either these guys are better at stealth than you are or you did lose them.


New round of rolls please.

Perception.

Stalk/Hide

Tracking.

Thanks

Varen stood silently, listening to the wind, the bugs, the sky. It was quiet. Or at least as quiet as it needed to be to convince him that he had lost his pursuers. He gently released the tension of the flight in a slow but long drawn-out breath.

Didn't Aldo mention two Cloaks that were "very strong"? He didn't remember the names he used, but he did remember that the man called the woman "Melva". He would have to confirm with Aldo when he got back.

Without moving, he focused his senses again towards his scouting task. This was going to need to be very precise. They knew he was around, and he knew they were around. The first one to give himself away would probably lose, and if it was him, it could be his life.

With extreme caution, as if stalking a wounded wild boar, Varen began the slow trek of circling about and approaching again.

OOC:

Perception
18:57, Today: Varen rolled 130 using 1d100+38 ((92)).
Oh, wow, this is a great roll.

Stalking & Hiding
18:58, Today: Varen rolled 162 using 1d100+68 ((94)).
Followed by an even better one. Varen is almost invisible.

Tracking
18:58, Today: Varen rolled 91 using 1d100+33 ((58)).
Well, I can't complain about this one. It's pretty decent.

Overall, the dice roller has been good to me so far. =)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

In reply to Varen (msg # 91):

Those are much better rolls.  And since you mention Varen thinking back to what Aldo said...

You hurry through the underbrush, not so fast that you make the mistake of stepping on this twig or bat aside that branch.  But you make some good time.

Aldo did mention two people.  But he said the bandit's archer was a man.  Named Pavis you think.  And that the spell tosser of the group was a woman named Kina.

He didn't mention another archer.  No Melba.  Aldo had said Pavis was the good shot.

Melba shot over her partner's shoulder and only missed you because you had stepped around the tree. And her shot was fast.  She had nocked, turned, aimed, and released in the space of a breath.  From an odd angle.

In other words, she's good.  And if Pavis is the 'good' archer among the bandits, then to be better than Melba, Pavis would have to be amazing.

Before you can think more about it, you hear some movement ahead.

Ahead is the river.  Four people are crouched behind some bushes, studying the water.

There are two dwarfs, a halfling, and a human woman.  You recognize the halfling.  He's the one you saw back in town where you were looking for Castor.

One of the dwarfs mumbles something to the woman.  You think you hear the name Kina in what he says.

The woman shakes her head.  "No.  We wait.  If we attack too soon, we risk them heading back into the river.  We have to let them get ashore and make camp.  That's when they'll be vulnerable.

"Pavis will signal once they pass his position.  Dexy, you'll stay here.  The rest of us will pull back once we see it.  Dexy, let us know when they start eatting.  That's when we move."

And just to be clear:  Mebla and her partner are not in this group here.

This was enough for Varen. It is clear to him that this group was the one waiting for them. Whether the other two are part of the group or not can be debated, but this was not the time or the place for that.

With the confirmation in place, he turned and carefully started the trip back to the barge.

... this might be harder than we think... perhaps we can avoid the entire situation if we skip this spot... maybe the other edge of the river?...

Keeping his thoughts in check, he focused on making the distance silently.

In reply to Varen (msg # 93):

Sellows listens to your report when you get back.

I am assuming you tell him everything.  If not, let me know what you leave out.

Aldo seems confused about Melba and her friend. "I swear to you.  Never met none of the Cloaks who sound like either of them.  I...no one like that traveled down here with us."

Sellows nods at Rosa when he's done talking/you're done asking any questions, and she moves Aldo back towards the raft and out of earshot.

Sellows sighs.

"So we have not only one group but maybe two groups to deal with.  Lovely.

"We still got a long way to go to get ta Green Bluff.  And its not like we're gonna get a lot of help on the way.  Even when we stop at the Fine Point or Hollow Hill," he adds, naming the two trading posts the caravan will stop at on the way upstream.

"These guys are gonna be dogging our steps all the way home.  I don't think we can avoid crossing swords with 'em.  It's just a matter of where and when we do it."

He seems to consider a moment and then looks at you. "What are your thoughts?"

Varen considers the possibility of Aldo's words. This whole thing with the two hunters may have been just a coincidence. After all, they weren't there when he discovered the actual Cloak's gathering.

"If we could get one or two more hands in here, I think we could do it. Otherwise it will be an even fight and that might mean a loss for us as well. I don't like the odds. But if we can surprise them, perhaps...", he trails off in thought.

"I would consider the last resort of a night time raid. Don't move the barge and have them wait. They will either gather themselves to find us, or give up and withdraw to their camp. My desire is for them to withdraw. If we can then ambush them while they sleep, it will be much easier for us to overcome them. If they gather to find us, then perhaps we can ambush them while they attempt to find us.

Either way, if we must confront them, I still favor it on our terms and ground. We still have the advantage that we know of them, but they do not know of us."

"Also... what do you make of the halfling? He was part of the group accosting Castor back in town. My thoughts return to the idea that this was planned ahead before we left."

Sellows blinks when you bring up the halfling and Castor.

"What?  Really?  Shit.  Yeah.  Sounds like they've been birddogging us ever since we left then.

"If they've been after us all this time, the odds they'll just give up and go back to their camp are low.  They want us bad enough to follow us all this way after all.

"And we have two people whose allegiances are uncertain.  Because why wouldn't we need further complications?"

He thinks.

"Alright.  The way I see it, we can play it one of three ways.

"One, we can try to whittle them down.  See if we can take out one or two of them.  Pick at them.  Preferably that spell caster first.

"Two.  We try to reach out to those two you ran into.  If they're not against us, maybe they're for us.  That might give us those extra hands you were talking about.

"Three.  We try to find a good ambush spot.  Get it set up.  And try to lead them in.

"Whaddya think?"

Varen keeps his council, looking to examine the options. Since it is his skin on the line, it is his risk to take.

"Let us whittle them down. They will know right away that we are on to them, but I think we can minimize the risk to our 'cargo' and make it to our destination if we can sow doubt and confusion in their midst. But you will have to keep a good watch, because they may feel their hand has been called, and they may either try to force the issues by attacking, or withdraw and reevaluate."

Varen doesn't like any of the solutions, but this one is better than hoping to trust a set of strangers, and, besides, it falls on his forestry skills, so he's good at it.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. I've been feeling pretty crappy lately, between medical issues and lots of work. All my games are suffering from my delayed posting.

In reply to Varen (msg # 99):

No worries.  As long as I know what's going on, I can be patient.  Take the time you need to get better.

Sellows considers and then nods.  "Okay.  That's what we'll do.

"Take one of the sibs..." He motions at Ryx and Rosa.  "See if you can pick one of them off.  Hightail it back here if there's no opening or things go south.  I'll see if I can fortify our position."

After discussing things with the Gryx, he picks the one that has the best subterfuge skills, as well as some training in bows, preferably. (Assuming they have a bow on them.)

With another set of hands, Varen feels a bit more confident of the success of their venture. They may be able to dispatch one, or perhaps injure two. Either way, it will be shift the odds in their favor should they try to pull the ambush anyway.

OOC: Based on the selection criteria, which one is best suited to go with Varen?

In reply to Varen (msg # 101):

Gryx looks at the bow in his hands with an oddly nostalgic expression.  "So I'll tell ya now...it's been a while since I shot one of these.  But I'm still better than Rosa.  She can't hit the broadside of a barn."

While that may not be reassuring, he at least seems to know how to move quietly.

Neither is great with a bow.  He's the better shot.  Also he's much stealthier.

So you want to go at it with any specific kind of approach?  Head in after dark? Try to lure one away from the others?  Scout out their position?

If you don't have any specific plan of action in mind, let's do some scouting.  A tracking roll please.

Thanks