Kon smirks, "If we find any, you're welcome to try.  I can't recommend it though."

Vostiun frowns at the water splashed on him.

"Well no time like the present to make an introduction," he says as he stands and shoulders his pack.

"Sorry, Vos." Samara mutters, then, "What, do you see something?" Samara scans around for evidence of a 'welcoming party', ears twitching.

At Vostiun's words, Saidou would be reaching an arm out to the branch Spirit was lounged in the crook of, allowing his companion to mount up for travel. "I think he means for us to go on the road and introduce ourselves if necessary. Daylight today will be less than before, and something tells me the goblins will be more active during storm and muck, rather than less. If he meant something hostile was here, he wouldn't have shouldered his pack."

"When the going gets bad, be prepared to run a loose rope between us that we can drop. Some of us can see a little better in the gloom than others, and we don't want anyone getting lost when conditions fade."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Tue 17 Jan 2023.

Kon nods and reaches back for his rope, "Good point.  We should start moving now to cover as much ground as we can before the rain starts and we actually need this."  He wraps his rope around his waist with a slip knot tosses the load end off to Saidou.

"It would surprise you so very much if he hit someone with that thing?" Samara gestures to the chest.

Travel continues to be a miserable slog, the mist does not dissipate as it would normally, the temperatures continue to drop as the sound of distant thunder draws nearer as the day grows longer. Crude carvings of a what looks like the face of a frog with the oversized toothy grin of a goblin appear on the trunks of trees or stained onto rocks in a blue pigment. More symbols of the Water Head tribe, Vostiun explains.

As the gray day becomes darker and the storm is all but upon you, a small path is found that leads off the main trail, such as it is. From where you stand, what looks like a tent at the end of this side trail, is barely visible through the fog and claustrophobic brush.

If you wish to make perception rolls, let me know and I will make them for you since there isn't any functionality for secret rolls in rpol.

Kon cautiously eyes the tent from down the bypath and frowns.  He turns and points it out to the others who might not have seen it.

[Kon would like to make a Perception check]

Vostiun gestures and mutters something.

[Vostiun casts Detect Magic. He and Sargon want to make a Perception check.]

"Hehehe... What do you think?  A merchant, selling supplies for excursions into GoblinLand? A Witch, ostracized by the tribe? A Trap, set here to lure in the unwary?"
Samara's ears cock back and forth as she sniffs the air.
"Should I go have a look?"

Samara would like to make a Perception check, looking and smelling for signs od fire or smoke, anything strung across the trail, etc.

Haznut sets down his chest, drawing his flail. “Whatever it is, out here, it can’t be but so friendly.” He whispers to his companions.

EDIT: Ignore this post


Saidou will probably be using a bit of stealth here, and would want to get closer before doing any perception. The intent would be to get within 'bout 30 feet of the tent or clearing, and to the side of it to see into any tent opening. you want me to make the roll?

In a hushed voice, "Are you quiet enough to keep up with me? I'm going around the side, to see what there is to see." Saidou would wait a few moments to give Samara time to respond or for anyone to halt him, before trying to pick himself a concealed route parallel to the bypath.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Fri 20 Jan 2023.

Before I make any perception rolls, let me clarify some things:

Moving through the undergrowth rather than following the side trail will be exceptionally difficult and slow going. There isn't anyway to do it without cutting your way through.

The tent, is barely visible from where you are at, not because it is far away, it is possibly 20-25' away, but because the side trail is barely wide enough for a medium sized creature to walk through without getting continuously hung up on branches and vines.

I’d like to instead just be ready to set down the chest when we get within 15 feet of the tent. Going to use my sword instead as well in these cramped conditions.

I'll be changing up. Invalidate my last.

In a hushed voice, "I don't see a way to see who it is without using the front door they made. Be careful if you want to go see more, but I don't think we can spare much time beyond basic greetings if we're going to make it anywhere before the rain. You're probably better announcing yourself, rather than getting bogged down in the brush."

Saidou would wait a few moments to give others time to decide what they'd like to do. He'll keep an eye out up and down the main trail, leaning against a tree.

"I think two things:  First, goblins who smear paint on rocks and nail dogs to trees don't use tents.  Second, they're probably in an out of the way alcove like this because they want to be left alone.  I'm not going to be of any use sneaking in there myself."  Kon looks up the main trail, and back at the storm coming, "I don't much like the idea of stopping to investigate someone's camp when we know there's a storm on our heels.  If we're going to ingratiate ourselves of their hospitality to find a well tucked away spot to ride out the weather, fine, let's just march in and say hello."

Samara nods at Kon's words, "I'll go say 'Hi,' and see what's up. Maybe they need help, maybe they tell me to get lost. I'm probably fastest running away back down this path if it comes to that.  I'll just see who's there, and if they're friendly or not, then we can go find some nasty Goblins or whatever.  I don't think there's room for all - or maybe any - of us in there, so I'll make it quick."
Samara will wait a moment to see if someone is against the plan, then (pending actions of other characters) will proceed quietly a few paces toward the tent and then call out in a tone pitched to reach no further than the tent, "Hello, in the tent, anyone home?"

Saidou, responding to Samara's intent to 'to go say Hi and see what's up,' would quietly note out from his place at the trail keeping watch. "Careful Samara, don't go down the hewn trail. If you're going to bother them, do so from the main path."

Haznut places his hand on Samara’s shoulder before they head down the path. “Just one moment, let me stand in front of you. Just in case.” He sets his chest down and keeps his hand on the pommel of his sword, taking just a couple steps ahead of Samara.“I know you’re quick, but I’m not.” He chuckles under his breath.

"Aw, Haz, you DO care!" Samara teases, then, once the positions are set, proceeds to call out as described before, in a tone pitched to reach no further than the tent, "Hello, in the tent, anyone home?"

Haznut and Samara make their way a few steps up the side trail, picking their way cautiously before Samara calls out to the small camp. Heartbeats pass, but no response comes from the camp.


Spirit speaks for the first time in a soft voice that sounds odd for the language it uses, [Language unknown: "Ni p reit arhach, nietel. Enloce ectha."]

Haznut mutters to himself before taking a knee, looking at the path and feeling around a little. 14:56, Today: Haznut Ingut rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Searching the tracks on the ground to identify them.

Looking at the tracks.

Haznut stands up, drawing his sword and turning his head back to Samara. “Goblins. Whoever setup that camp met a grizzly end would be my guess. Be on guard.” Haznut speaks loudly and clearly, making sure the others can hear him over the wind.

Kon grumbles about savages and looks up and down the trail for figures peeking out of the brush, drawing his main gauche.  Taking a couple steps forward, Kon calls back, "Any indication of age?  Are the tracks fresh or old?"