|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 11, 2024 12:31:18 GMT -5
Hearne looks at Sor, then says, "What are you talking about?" "The land seems...different now. What is it that has changed? Do you know?" |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 16, 2024 0:19:47 GMT -5
Hearne tells you all as Holter looks on that you will continue traveling due west for another day and then you will turn southwest for another full day. At that point you will be as far out as they have ever traveled and from then on you will be traveling into new territory for all of them.
Hearne says that the campsite at the end of first day after we start traveling southwest is a very good site and a good place to linger a few days while they smoke/dry a lot of meat and fish for the journey into the unknown. It won't do to run low on food and this will a good location to lay in stores. Also that will allow them to scout a route that can be used by the wagon.
After saying this, Hearne and Holter take to the road. A half-hour later all of you are on the road.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 16, 2024 0:27:51 GMT -5
A little after midday you could to another stream where a break is taken and the livestock allowed to drink and to graze for a while. Those who wish to (probably all of you) eat most or perhaps all of the remaining meat and tubers from the last camp. By this time the trees are beginning to thin and it looks like you are going to be entering a more open landscape.
As you travel on you see tracks as though a large herd of some animal has crossed the trail and it appears that they are grazing as they go.
Several hours later Holter appears and tells you that you have about 2 hours of travel to reach the new campsite. He speaks to Mort and to Slim and then turns and leaves again.
Some of you may be a little sore after two days of constant walking.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 16, 2024 0:37:53 GMT -5
Later that evening you come to a small grove of trees and a stream winds its way across the terrain and through the grove of trees. You see two beds of hot coals. One is being allowed to cool down and the other are being kept hot and has meat roasting over it on improvised spits.
After camp has been made and the livestock set to grazing. Hearne and Holter tell you again that you will spend several days at the next camp, one is to lay up more food for the journey and two because it may be good to have something to trade depending on what type of peoples we may encounter. We don't know who or what lives beyond this point, but if there are other peoples ahead, we want to try to be peaceful if possible. That will make coming back easier too.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 16, 2024 0:45:41 GMT -5
That night passes uneventfully and the next day as before you travel on.
The area you are traveling through is grassland with an occasional clump of trees. During mid afternoon you see traveling towards you from the north a large herd of creatures that look a lot like domestic cattle although larger with very wicked looking horns, you are right in their path and they will soon be on you. They are not running but are walking briskly and they will soon be all around you.
What do you do?
|
|
|
|
Post by arjen on Mar 16, 2024 9:36:48 GMT -5
Is there a clump of trees we can reach before the herd is upon us? If not, is there a feature in the landscape (hillock, boulder, clump of brambles, stream etc.) we can park the wagon behind so the herd might 'naturally' divert around that feature and we are in 'the wake' of it. Barring that, we could use one of the pots/cauldrons to make a small fire using a little oil and some grasses to create a smoldering fire that emits some nasty burnt smell that could divert the herd to walk around it, not alarming enough to cause a stampede but enough to want them to step 3-9 feet away from the source.
Question; do we see any carrion birds or other signs of predatory or opportunistic lifeforms following the herd ready to pick on stragglers or other opportunities?
|
|
|
|
Post by arjen on Mar 16, 2024 9:44:10 GMT -5
A rough sketch of how I see the scene. Note: you can see Bosco smoking his pipe on the back of the wagon.   |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 16, 2024 12:31:25 GMT -5
Is there a clump of trees we can reach before the herd is upon us? If not, is there a feature in the landscape (hillock, boulder, clump of brambles, stream etc.) we can park the wagon behind so the herd might 'naturally' divert around that feature and we are in 'the wake' of it. Barring that, we could use one of the pots/cauldrons to make a small fire using a little oil and some grasses to create a smoldering fire that emits some nasty burnt smell that could divert the herd to walk around it, not alarming enough to cause a stampede but enough to want them to step 3-9 feet away from the source. Question; do we see any carrion birds or other signs of predatory or opportunistic lifeforms following the herd ready to pick on stragglers or other opportunities? |
|
|
|
Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Mar 16, 2024 19:11:12 GMT -5
Brother Thomas looks at the approaching herd inquisitively while scanning from side to side in hopes of finding some nearby trees relocate to while the herd passes. He mutters, "By the One True God are these animals driven by something unseen or are they naturally grazing?". Pausing in thought, Thomas speaks louder as he asks the nearby travelling companions, "I'm not an animal herder of any sort. What manner of beast is this?".
|
|
|
|
Post by arjen on Mar 16, 2024 19:47:56 GMT -5
Brother Thomas looks at the approaching herd inquisitively while scanning from side to side in hopes of finding some nearby trees relocate to while the herd passes. He mutters, "By the One True God are these animals driven by something unseen or are they naturally grazing?". Pausing in thought, Thomas speaks louder as he asks the nearby travelling companions, "I'm not an animal herder of any sort. What manner of beast is this?". Roderic: these are Bovinicus Ubiquitus , they are common feral bovine herds, a force of nature, it is best to let them be. the most advantage we could get of them is to shake off pursuers and I think we don't have any. If we can fing away to let them pass without incidents it would be good. especially in the case we might be worried about possible parties venturing to the same goal. |
|
|
|
Post by arjen on Mar 16, 2024 19:54:24 GMT -5
BTW: describe a scene and I will try to sketch it fast and dirty. I'm not an artist but recently found some notebooks with sketches I did in pubs in Amsterdam and want to get into that again. I like a sketch to be fast and recognizable, almost like an in-joke, if you know you (or your PC) is part of the sketch you'll know
|
|
|
|
Post by JMiskimen on Mar 17, 2024 8:54:27 GMT -5
Peering around the wagon side, the Hobbit puffed nervously on his Briar-made Pipe; it's lovingly carved details hidden by his slender fingered grasp. He settled back onto his stoop and furrowed his brow under the shade of his dark hood. He considered the sketch left in the wagon for all to see and regarded it with some disgust as the artist failed to capture his more rugged and attractive side.
Bosco: Perhaps if we remain still and unthreatening they'll pass around us as so many trees?
Anexos considers for a moment an arcane solution to our obstacle, however he's nearly certain not so many of the beasts would succumb to the mystical slumber he'd cast upon them to increase positivity to our dilemma.
JM.
|
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 17, 2024 9:58:32 GMT -5
Sor and Ferdinand are suddenly together conferring, then Sor stays where he is and Ferdinand rides off in the direction of the herd, turning to the right so as to sweep around to that side well before actually coming in contact with them.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Mar 17, 2024 10:32:02 GMT -5
BTW: describe a scene and I will try to sketch it fast and dirty. I'm not an artist but recently found some notebooks with sketches I did in pubs in Amsterdam and want to get into that again. I like a sketch to be fast and recognizable, almost like an in-joke, if you know you (or your PC) is part of the sketch you'll know
|
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 17, 2024 15:43:54 GMT -5
BTW: describe a scene and I will try to sketch it fast and dirty. I'm not an artist but recently found some notebooks with sketches I did in pubs in Amsterdam and want to get into that again. I like a sketch to be fast and recognizable, almost like an in-joke, if you know you (or your PC) is part of the sketch you'll know
Agreed! |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 17, 2024 16:24:04 GMT -5
Mort and his friends quickly turn the wagon sideways to the coming herd and lead the mules behind the wagon and tie them up and blindfold them to keep them quiet and in place. They grab the six ten foot poles that have been made and stake 3 on either side of the wagon and tie blankets to them to make a makeshift wall. Then the eight men butt spears into the ground at an angle in front of the wagon facing the herd. Then taking up their javelins they prepare to throw a couple each, before hunkering down with the spears.
Mort says to the party, any of you with bows or spears should join us, our only hope is to get them to split and go around us. I doubt we can drop any of them with the bows or hold any of them off with the spears, we can but try. Any of you that have bows should shoot from on top of the wagon. I wish Hearne and Holter were here, there bows would really help. Unless there is something that you mages can do.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 17, 2024 16:27:45 GMT -5
Sor and Ferdinand are suddenly together conferring, then Sor stays where he is and Ferdinand rides off in the direction of the herd, turning to the right so as to sweep around to that side well before actually coming in contact with them. |
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 17, 2024 20:00:44 GMT -5
Sor and Ferdinand are suddenly together conferring, then Sor stays where he is and Ferdinand rides off in the direction of the herd, turning to the right so as to sweep around to that side well before actually coming in contact with them. Player: Thanks for the clarification, The Perilous Dreamer. Sor and Ferdinand confer and Ferdinand rides toward them at a walk, then turns his mount around and gives it its head, letting it move as it will, moving in the same direction now as the herd, hoping to blend with them as they slowly surround him... |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 18, 2024 11:14:42 GMT -5
Ref: Ferdinand can ride toward them, but he cannot get around them, they stretch from one side of your visual field to the other. At the speed they are moving you realize they will be on top of you within about a minute or no more than two.OCC: Melee rounds are 6 seconds long. Player: Thanks for the clarification, The Perilous Dreamer. Sor and Ferdinand confer and Ferdinand rides toward them at a walk, then turns his mount around and gives it its head, letting it move as it will, moving in the same direction now as the herd, hoping to blend with them as they slowly surround him... |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 18, 2024 11:16:34 GMT -5
OOC: is anyone else going to take any action to aid the 8 townsmen in trying to split the herd around the little group?
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 18, 2024 11:27:34 GMT -5
Peering around the wagon side, the Hobbit puffed nervously on his Briar-made Pipe; it's lovingly carved details hidden by his slender fingered grasp. He settled back onto his stoop and furrowed his brow under the shade of his dark hood. He considered the sketch left in the wagon for all to see and regarded it with some disgust as the artist failed to capture his more rugged and attractive side. Bosco: Perhaps if we remain still and unthreatening they'll pass around us as so many trees? Anexos considers for a moment an arcane solution to our obstacle, however he's nearly certain not so many of the beasts would succumb to the mystical slumber he'd cast upon them to increase positivity to our dilemma. JM. |
|
|
|
Post by JMiskimen on Mar 18, 2024 12:55:50 GMT -5
The whims of Fate can be fickle and the Winds of Magic cruel, but Anexos carefully observes the desperate words and actions of his companions. He jogs forward toward Sor and his mount, slowing to a stroll, then after several paces ahead of them; he begins an incantation. His deep voice rumbles around the unknowable syllables of the Arcane Tongue, growing in intensity as he raises his hand; fingers outstretched. Boscobar turns his head in his hood to the wagon side, certain he can hear the soft tinkle of tiny bells ringing a haunting and dreary tune ... Anexos focuses his Spell of Sleeping upon the beasties on course for our small caravan in hopes that the obstacle they will create will begin to split the herd around us. JM. |
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 18, 2024 15:20:01 GMT -5
Sor just stares at Anexos as he casts his spell.
[In the future, absent any other events, Ferdinand will indeed ride back and try to see what happened to the rest of the group.]
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 18, 2024 15:42:43 GMT -5
The whims of Fate can be fickle and the Winds of Magic cruel, but Anexos carefully observes the desperate words and actions of his companions. He jogs forward toward Sor and his mount, slowing to a stroll, then after several paces ahead of them; he begins an incantation. His deep voice rumbles around the unknowable syllables of the Arcane Tongue, growing in intensity as he raises his hand; fingers outstretched. Boscobar turns his head in his hood to the wagon side, certain he can hear the soft tinkle of tiny bells ringing a haunting and dreary tune ... Anexos focuses his Spell of Sleeping upon the beasties on course for our small caravan in hopes that the obstacle they will create will begin to split the herd around us. JM.
45 minutes later the rest of the herd passes by. What are you doing?
Over an hour after that Ferdinand comes riding up. The eight cast angry glances his way. How do the PCs react? |
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 18, 2024 16:49:25 GMT -5
Sor shakes his head. "It was a good try."
Ferdinand replies, looking more focused and sober than anyone has seen him yet, "I could think of nothing else in the moment. Somehow it seemed if I could become one of them, I might lead them away in another direction. But there were too many, and I was more swept up than I could have foreseen." He looks more disappointed than dismayed as he turns to everyone, making no distinction between the hired men and the adventurers, offering his apologies for not appearing to stand with them as they were nearly trampled.
|
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 18, 2024 16:51:04 GMT -5
OOC: is anyone else going to take any action to aid the 8 townsmen in trying to split the herd around the little group? OOC: Missed this, will try to be more careful with posts as we go on. |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 18, 2024 17:56:16 GMT -5
Immediately after the herd passed by, you all saw several large predators to the east and west pursuing the herd and even saw a couple of stragglers taken down. Mort said we will butcher these beasts, but the rest of you need to gather firewood, as much as possible, by the time darkness falls we will become a target for these predators. We need to build at least two fires and three would be better. You two mages, if you have any more spells like the one Anexos used, keep them ready we are certain to need them tonight.
A couple of hours later, Holter shows up. He talks with Mort and then says, this was unforeseen, but I need to get back to Hearne for the night. You should all be OK, but gather wood in groups, but once it nears dusk, don't leave the camp. I suggest that you split into only two watches tonight with half of you on each watch, try to be ready to bed down at just past dusk and get all the sleep you can before the second half of the night. Keep all of your weapons handy and keep those fires going. Dig three holes and bury all the meat you can just a few inches below the fire, build the fires over here at least 50 feet from the offal and save the hides if you can.
|
|
|
|
Post by hengest on Mar 18, 2024 18:17:42 GMT -5
Sor does exactly as Holter says, coordinating with the other men, after inquiring after Hearne. "I did hope to show you both some of what I know with the sling on this journey."
Ferdinand, still looking more or less on-task, seems surprisingly willing and able to help with the most pressing tasks.
OOC: Did Ferdinand observe anything else noteworthy on his excursion?
Edit: Ferdinand also offers, at Sor's private urging, to keep an extra watch tonight so someone else can get a full night's rest.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 19, 2024 14:04:13 GMT -5
Sor does exactly as Holter says, coordinating with the other men, after inquiring after Hearne. "I did hope to show you both some of what I know with the sling on this journey." Ferdinand, still looking more or less on-task, seems surprisingly willing and able to help with the most pressing tasks. OOC: Did Ferdinand observe anything else noteworthy on his excursion?Edit: Ferdinand also offers, at Sor's private urging, to keep an extra watch tonight so someone else can get a full night's rest.
REF: No, he noticed nothing of note. |
|
|
|
Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 19, 2024 14:17:13 GMT -5
During the night you hear various predators fighting over the remains just outside visual range, then later several large cats circle the camp at the edge of the firelight, eventually they leave and then a dozen very large wolves circle the camp for a while, but they leave before daylight.
After dawn you all work to rake the hot coals outward into three new piles and add more wood to them. As you dig up the clay coated large chunks of meat you find them well-roasted and all of you eat as much as you want. Then the remaining meat is sliced and hung to dry after being salted. More wood is gathered since another night you will be there. The hides are staked out raw side up and scraped well and dried in the sun.
Hearne shows up during the day and sees that all is well, speaks with Mort and then departs, saying he will expect to see you a little before noon tomorrow.
Once all is set to rights for the day and plenty of wood has been gathered. What do you do for the remaining five hours before dusk?
|
|
