(002) To the Ruins!

[waysoftheearth]

With packs and weaponry stowed, Victor, Rodrick, Anwyn, Mads, Ulric, Olaf, Caine and Dieter depart Ket as unobtrusively as any armed party is able. Little doubt remains that numerous eyes noted your passing, not least among them the guards stationed at the side gate, who granted you a gruff "Godspeed.".

You begin your march southward in the early afternoon. The sky is thatched with dark clouds running ahead of a pushy breeze, only intermittently revealing glimpses of blue air and sunshine.

The terrain about is mostly good going; an undulating plain of coarse but sparse bristles and grasses whipping about in the wind. There is naught but the gentle swell of low ridges and shallow gullies for cover, and you spot few signs of any game. Looking back toward Ket, it is apparent that the ground is rising gradually as you progress. On the far horizon out to your left you glipse the craggy haze of the Hinterlands, while to your right looms the everpresent shadow of the Elderbough Forest.

You are almost an hour gone out of Ket when Anwyn, with her sharp Elvish eyes, declares, "Those must be the ruins, ahead,", and Olaf is soon in agreement. Half an hour more is behind you before the rest of are certain you can make out the destination, but as the day's light is beginning to wain in the west, you can clearly see a crumbling fortification atop a raised hillock. It seems almost aglow as golden shafts of light catch its walls while the lands about it begin to recede into evening shadow.

Dusk is probably an hour or so away, and the air is beginning to chill. You suspect the night will be cool if not cold, and there is an even chance of drizzle or rain. There is nothing in particular to recommend your present location -- nor any you have seen all afternoon -- as a campsite.

Gentlemen, I require a marching order, and your plans for the remainder of the day.

Caine, you are fatigued and footsore. You will not be able to maintain this pace tomorrow unless you lighten your load.

[makofan]

Caine wonders if he caches his crowbar and torches at their campsite if that would be enough

[billhooks]

Victor:
1. can pick up some of Caine's load for the time being -- maybe the crowbar and grappling hook.
2. suggests going on to the ruins by night -- "may not be safe, exactly, but at least we'll have a roof over our heads."
3.suggests some variation of the following marching order:

Victor * Roderick * Olaf
Anwyn * Ulric * Caine
Dieter * Mads

For scouting purposes, Caine or Anwyn can be sent ahead of the party 30 feet or so; or, in a wilderness context, they can rove even farther.

[makofan]

Caine is willing to be a scout

[eris]

Apr 1, 2010 8:09:01 GMT -6 makofan said:

Caine wonders if he caches his crowbar and torches at their campsite if that would be enough

Olaf says, "Caine, I can stow your torches with mine if you want, no reason for both of us to be carrying them out here in the open."

Olaf is walking with his bow in hand, quiver of arrows at his left hip and sword sheathed at his right. He turns and looks to the rear, standing for a few seconds each time scanning for movement, from time to time...just to make sure the group isn't being followed. He also looks for the group's trail left in the grasses. If he sees the trail he'll comment on it to the others...

"We are leaving a trail a nonce could follow. I sure hope no brigands take it upon themselves to do so."

[eris]

Apr 1, 2010 9:34:38 GMT -6 billhooks said:

Victor:
1. can pick up some of Caine's load for the time being -- maybe the crowbar and grappling hook.
2. suggests going on to the ruins by night -- "may not be safe, exactly, but at least we'll have a roof over our heads."
3.suggests some variation of the following marching order:

Victor * Roderick * Olaf
Anwyn * Ulric * Caine
Dieter * Mads

For scouting purposes, Caine or Anwyn can be sent ahead of the party 30 feet or so; or, in a wilderness context, they can rove even farther.

I've no objection to your marching order, but Olaf will peel off to the side and stand watching the rear and sides from time to time, though, before moving back to the fore. Olaf has good eyes and he is tall, so it makes sense for him to keep watch for anyone trailing the party.

I don't like the idea of marching on to the ruins in the dark, though. The ruins might be occupied, and a fight in the dark while we are tired is not a good idea.

I'd rather we find a hollow in the rolling plain, march on for a hundred yards or so, then loop back to the hollow to make a cold, dark, camp. If we are being tracked, and I wouldn't doubt we are, they might pass us by in the dark as they follow our trail. This would allow us to ambush them.

[tombowings]

"No matter where we sleep, I suggest two-man watches."

[billhooks]

Olaf seems like Mister Outdoors, so Victor assents to his plan.

[eris]

Apr 1, 2010 10:41:00 GMT -6 tombowings said:

"No matter where we sleep, I suggest two-man watches."

Olaf nods, "I agree, two-man watches...with our sharpest night eyes on the darkest watches."

[eris]

Apr 1, 2010 10:49:51 GMT -6 billhooks said:

Olaf seems like Mister Outdoors, so Victor assents to his plan.

OOC: That's just the DM in me thinking, "What better way to bloody these guys than to hit them the first night with goblins following their trail from the town!"

If we do go with the "loop-back" plan, Olaf will do his best to obscure the return trail after the party loops back.

I think the best place to camp would be in a low gully up on the side of a hill where the party can overlook their trail passing below them. That's what Olaf will be looking for as the afternoon shadows begin to stretch out and the sun approaches the tops of the trees to the west.

[danhem]

Ulric nods at Olaf's suggestions from the safety of the middle of the group.

"Your notion of looping-back to our campsite is very wise Olaf. I think that is the best course of action. I also do not like the idea of entering the ruins at night. There are many dark and fell beasts that come out at night. It would be best if we had sunlight to retreat to if we stumble upon any such horrors within those crumbling walls. Let us get as far as we can then make camp just before nightfall."

[coffee]

Dieter volunteers for the middle watch.

[verhaden]

Mads the Fair

Mads doesn't object to the marching order. It gives him a great deal of freedom and versatility, while providing protection to our rear if necessary. He's also favorable to the campsite idea. However, Mads has no qualms about traversing the ruins in the dark. "We can expect danger regardless of the time of day."

[TheMyth]

As they walk towards the ruins, Anwyn will keep her eyes to the horizon, in all directions, so as to best spot those who might be approaching.

She will also volunteer for watch during the darkest hours.

[billhooks]

Victor suggests that Olaf be made leader of overland operations, and have authority over setting the watch, choosing campsites and routes, and ordering halts.

(I'm just thinking it might cut the time we need to spend hashing out the mundanities of travel . . . )

[tombowings]

Rodrick agrees in Olaf setting the watch schedule and choosing campsite. Rodrick offers for last watch, preferring to rise before the sun.

[eris]

Apr 1, 2010 13:37:53 GMT -6 billhooks said:

Victor suggests that Olaf be made leader of overland operations, and have authority over setting the watch, choosing campsites and routes, and ordering halts.

(I'm just thinking it might cut the time we need to spend hashing out the mundanities of travel . . . )

OOC: If it is the group's decision, I'll do it.

[waysoftheearth]

Caine, the most cumbersome thing you are carrying is 60ft of hemp rope, followed by the half dozen torches and the crowbar. If you were to offload those you would be far more comfortable. If you don't, it will be impractical for you to scout ahead for you will be lagging behind.

Mads, you would also be happier if relieved of either the two score arrows, or the 60ft of hemp rope you are carrying.

Ulric, you carrying as much as you can manage -- with no less than five flasks of lantern oil bouncing about your person on leather straps.

Dieter, on the other hand, is as strong as a horse and could carry all of your excess baggages without complaint.

[eris]

As dusk approaches, Olaf points out a good spot for the night's camp. The party marches on for a hundred years and then doubles back to the camp site from a different direction. We will do everything we can to obscure our path back to the camp site.

"How about four watches, each of two hours length?" Olaf suggests, and listens as Dieter, Anwyn and Rodrick speak up...volunteering for various watches.

Early watch - Mads and Ulric.
Mid watch - Dieter and Caine.
Dark watch - Anwyn and Victor.
Last watch - Rodrick and Olaf.

This gives the Magic-User and the Templar long stretches of sleep needed for their classes, plus we have a fighter on every watch, our Elf (thief) on dark watch, and a thief on the mid watch. I know an Elf has superior night vision, but Anwyn hasn't shown herself as an Elf yet. I'm not sure, but I'd think thieves would have better than normal night-vision so I wanted them on the darkest watches. How does that look to everyone?

[waysoftheearth]

Very well. The group falls into a loose 3 x 3 formation along the march, with Rodrick front and center, flanked by Victor and Olaf.

Anwyn and Caine flank Ulric in the middle rank, with Dieter and Mads bringing up the rear.

Anwyn and Olaf have the best eyes, and take it in turns to peel off and venture out 50 yards or so to surmount the nearest ridge and look about for any signs of movement. Beyond the meager outskirts of Ket you have seen little more than a hand full of scampering rabbits and a few lofty, circling birds.

Looking back, Olaf is reasonably satisfied that the party is not leaving an overtly obvious trail, as the grasses are forced to gradually conceal signs of your passage by the wind. There is little doubt that an experienced tracker could follow you, however.

Caine is too encumbered to scout ahead, even after Olaf relieves him of half a dozen torches.

[waysoftheearth]

The party agrees to follow young Olaf's plan.

As the dusk light is failing, Olaf [wisdom 8] finally settles on a good spot to make camp.

As agreed, you push on for a further hundred yards and are about to double back to your elected camp site when Anwyn warns, "Look there!"

Out to your left some 70 or so yards, a group of hunched Man-like figures come loping over a ridge and scamper toward you. They number roughly as many as you do, and spread out in a wide line as they close. You see they carry round shields, spears and curved swords, though they do not brandish their weapons or cry out as if to charge you -- yet.

Neither party is surprised.

Dusk is almost spent. The others approach from your front and left, range 70 yards.

Please declare your intent.

[tombowings]

Rodrick readies his flail, prepared to *follow* an ally into the heat of battle. For now, Rodrick waits to see what the oncoming do.

[billhooks]

Victor lines up alongside Rodrick, with an eye towards keeping the majority of the strangers to our front.

[TheMyth]

Anwyn makes sure her bow is well-strung but does not nock an arrow.

She slips behind Rodrick & Victor (and any other Men who have their weapons drawn).

Once she is behind the Men, she scans the other directions to see if another group might be trying to corner them.

[danhem]

Ulric decides to err on the side of caution and begins his incantation of The Baleful Somnolence of Morpheus (aka Sleep) directed at the approaching armed figures.

[makofan]

Caine dumps his encumbrance at his feet, and palms a few daggers. He is ready to throw them if things turn hostile

[waysoftheearth]

Rodrick, Victor, Dieter, Mads and Olaf form a line of imposing muscle protecting Anwyn, Ulric and Caine as the hunched-men lope forward in the demi-darkness.

Anwyn scans the flanks and rear but doesn't spot any further movement in the deepening gloom, while Caine dumps his heavy pack and rope and gets ready a couple of blades, and Ulric begins to invoke his magic...

Meanwhile, ten hunched man-like figures have drawn to a pause only 20 yards to your front, growling and cussing. In the half-dark you can see their gleaming yellow wolf eyes glaring from beneath helms, the steely glint of their ring shirts, and their clawed hands hungrily clasped about sword hilts and spear shafts.

By now Ulric has commenced his utterance in the unsettling Draconic tongue which Men were never meant to speak. The gruesome phrases are more hissed, spat and snarled than bespoke as he teases at an unseen web of mysteries with his fingers...

One creature, near the center of the line, demands in the common tounge with a nasal rasp, "By whose leave do you brigands roam these lands?" just as Ulric completes his spell, and [2d6 = 2, 1] three of the creatures along the line suddenly fall comatose upon their very feet! Their comrades hiss in shock "What sorcery is this?!", but the herald glares directly at Ulric and yells "Get them!".

[billhooks]

"Obliging of you to leave us something to do, Ulric," quips Victor, as he readies his morningstar for head-smashin'.

[tombowings]

Rodrick readies himself for the oncoming charge, waving his flair around to build up some momentum. "Hold the line guys. Don't let them pass."

[waysoftheearth]

Caine flings a dagger through the dark air to meet the charging enemy and strikes with uncanny precion [1d20 = 18] even in the near dark. The enraged brute suffers a slash across his face [1dd = 2] for 2 hit-points, but is not slowed. Anwyn is almost as quick; she puts arrow to string, draws and fires in a flash, but her deadly missile only pierces a foeman's stout shield [1d20 = 12].

Two of the enemy hang back to hurl their wickedly barbed spears over the heads of their charging fellows. These missiles are aimed at Rodrick [1d20=14] and Victor [1d20=4], front and center of the line, but that aimed at Rodrick clangs loudly off his shield, and that cast at Victor is harmlessly under-pitched.

The snarling herald and three of his burliest men (including the one wounded by Caine) assault the wall of steel with curved and notched blades. Initiative is rolled -- Mads 1d6=6(+1), Victor 1d6=3, Rodrick 1d6=2(-1), Dieter 1d6=3(+1), Olaf 1d6=5, the enemy 1d6=3.

The impact is brutal.

Mads, Dieter and Olaf strike the opening blows [1d20 = 17, 3, and 5 respectively], but only Mads aims true in the cacophonous night-fight, his antique battle-axe -- a colder piece of dark -- strikes a staggering blow [2dd = 5, 6] of 6 hit points against the Herald's right-hand-man, but doesn't drop him.

The enemy reposte with feral savagery at the same moment as Victor attacks. Dieter finds himself against the canny herald, who hisses, "Sorcerers and brigands are not welcome here," as he fients, then lunges with frightening speed and strikes a murderous blow [1d20 = 17], [2dd = 3, 3] of 6 hit-points. Victor sees the fient, and anticipates the lunge, and swings his morning-star in a brutal arc [1d20 = 10] but clear misses his target in the semi-dark.

The herald's right-hand-man lashes back at Mads [1d20 = 7] though in his sorely wounded state his attack is little more than a defensive feint. The remaining two brutes target Olaf and Rodrick [1d20 = 1, 16 respectively]. Olaf is too clever for his opponent by far (previously injured by Caine), and stays well out of harm's way, but Rodrick takes a ringing blow to the chest [2dd = 4, 3] for 4 hit-points, which but for Thuul's Grace may have been fatal.

At last Rodrick brings his unwieldly flail to bear [1d20 = 18] landing a perfectly weighted blow which crushes helm and splits skull with all the unstoppable force of Thuul's Mighty Heel [2dd = 6,6] 13 hit-points.