kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
|
Post by kipper on Jun 1, 2012 15:05:28 GMT -6
OK then, here's a tentative set up (since I haven't heard any objections to bringing the two barded brontos with us)
Big Mama (9HD): Minion (& his 4 henchmen?) + room for 7 more (= Fated's 6 henchmen?) Big Daddy (9HD): Gunnery (& his 3 henchmen)? + room for 2 more Giganotosaurus, unnnamed (9HD): Shade & Deep One henchman Princess (4HD): 2 of Breath's henchwomen (Dream Stalker & Serpent's Scion) Psionic veliciraptor, unnamed (2HD): Fated Little Brother (8HD, barded): room for 3 riders (unassigned) Junior (7HD, barded), Breath + 2 of Breath's henchwomen (Blasphemous Blade, Devil Maw)
Then, since our slowest members are Barded (6"), we should head for the forested area inside the swamp on the first day (if we can make it???), then to the northern end of the swamp on the second day. 3rd day cross water (2 hexes) to the north.
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 1, 2012 15:31:37 GMT -6
That all looks really good to me, so far. I like having three 9HD dinos, just in case something happens to one of them.
And I'm very happy with a 9HD killing machine that seats two. Seems very appropriate for Shade and his stinky minion.
I shot an e-mail over to Migellito today; hopefully that will stir him up out of his nest and get him to the forums.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 2, 2012 9:20:32 GMT -6
I will start you off on the mainland tile across the channel from the Dino Paddock. This will put you in the mid-swamp forest by Night 1. Kind of busy this weekend so I will get things started on Monday.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 4, 2012 12:22:09 GMT -6
April 22
Our heroes inspect the dinosaurs and sign the requisite rental forms while the Quarry Brothers load the expedition gear onto the brontosauruses. A quick splash across the narrow channel and you are ready to depart north to the haunted swamp.
The local clammers (all green men, you notice) are astonished by the armored dinosaur parade. Soon your convoy is followed by a green gaggle of local children, who make a game of daring each other how close to get to the scary carnosaurs.
As morning passes to afternoon, you leave behind the Fall River beach communities and enter the marsh. The marshlands are a disgusting place for humans but delightful for the brontosaurs. The only signs of human inhabitants are lonely fishing shacks leaning on their stilts. You reach a wooded knoll just before sunset and are relieved to sleep on dry ground tonight.
The herbivores get to work stripping the leaves from the trees while the scouts fan out to find a good campsite. Breath of New Moon (riding Spuds) enters a clearing in the trees and sees a large pteranodon carcass (you estimate at least 4HD) being digested to the bones by 4 dolm-colored oozing creatures!!!
Neither side is surprised. Initiative: Breath 6, oozes 1! Spuds screeches in alarm and it is the bone warrior's turn to act!
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 5, 2012 7:18:25 GMT -6
[The other party members hear the velociraptor's shriek of surprise and may investigate if they wish!]
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 5, 2012 7:30:48 GMT -6
(lol... sorry. Been distracted at work with pesky deadlines.)
OOC: Will come up with descriptive stuff for the Gigantosaurus later today. In the mean time...Shade, in his unnaturally confined form, wearing armour and wielding his boom stick, with the Alpha minion riding behind him, leads his Gigantosaurus to investigate the velociraptor's high-pitched cry.
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 5, 2012 8:09:09 GMT -6
Fated is geared up and heads over to see what's up. He circles around from the rear side.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 5, 2012 8:28:28 GMT -6
The party converges on the clearing and surrounds the oozes, which continue slurping on the pteranodon carcass. Whether or not they've noticed you is impossible to say due to their mindless protozoal biology.
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 5, 2012 9:07:35 GMT -6
**We could always just make a wide birth around them...**
|
|
kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
|
Post by kipper on Jun 5, 2012 13:16:38 GMT -6
The herbivores get to work stripping the leaves from the trees while the scouts fan out to find a good campsite. Breath of New Moon (riding Spuds) enters a clearing in the trees and sees a large pteranodon carcass (you estimate at least 4HD) being digested to the bones by 4 dolm-colored oozing creatures!!!((OOC: Actually, Breath is now upon Junior. Fated is our velociraptor-mounted scout (although he's on his own psionic velociraptor, not Spuds).)) Big Mama (9HD): Minion (& his 4 henchmen?) + room for 7 more (= Fated's 6 henchmen?) Big Daddy (9HD): Gunnery (& his 3 henchmen)? + room for 2 more Giganotosaurus, unnnamed (9HD): Shade & Deep One henchman Princess (4HD): 2 of Breath's henchwomen (Dream Stalker & Serpent's Scion) Psionic veliciraptor, unnamed (2HD): Fated Little Brother (8HD, barded): room for 3 riders (unassigned) Junior (7HD, barded), Breath + 2 of Breath's henchwomen (Blasphemous Blade, Devil Maw. ((So shall we carry on, assuming it was Fated who stumbled upon the carcass scene, or was Breath scouting on Junior, or ... ?)) ~~~ In Character: "Yes, let us set up camp a goodly distance from here."
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 5, 2012 13:50:20 GMT -6
((My mistake... getting back into the game after a long weekend. Let us assume everyone is gathered around on their dinos, and it appears the slow-moving dolm oozes are no immediate threat.))
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 5, 2012 14:03:50 GMT -6
As long as their rate of travel is slower than 6 Hexes/Day, I concur. No use fighting the natural garbage cleaners of the planet just for doing their job.
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 5, 2012 14:29:56 GMT -6
Fated concurs and gets back to work being all sneaky and scouty up front.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 5, 2012 15:57:45 GMT -6
The party continues another mile past the oozes to the edge of the forest. Your scouts find a promising campsite, free of oozes, on a northern slope of the knoll. In the failing light of day, you survey the landscape. X marks the spot: Rain clouds are rapidly approaching from the west and it looks like you are in for a soggy night. The Quarry Brothers get to work gathering wood for a campfire. The herbivores relax and chow down on the the vegetation. The carnivores are looking grumpy and hungry. (Have you ever heard a 9HD gigantosaur's stomach rumble? Scary!) Please describe your camp preparations and standing orders for your PC and henchmen through the night.
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 6, 2012 21:34:18 GMT -6
Fated will take the first three-hour watch with his crew of six.
|
|
kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
|
Post by kipper on Jun 6, 2012 23:36:26 GMT -6
Princess will keep near Big Mama, well protected near the centre of camp. Giganotosaurus should keep near the edges, being nocturnal by preference it will likely be best able to detect any intruders. Junior and Little Brother will also take outer positions, being more expendable than Big Daddy. Big Daddy should be on high ground, where his turret will be most useful if need be. Velociraptor, I have no good ideas for specific placement.
Whoever is on watch should patrol around the camp, on the lookout for oozes among other more standard threats.
Breath will take a watch with her four henchwomen, let's say the morning watch.
Minion may want to continue studying the rituals in lieu of taking a watch?
That leaves Shade and Gunnery to choose their respective watches...
((PS: If Fated and Shade don't name their dinos soon, I'm going to go ahead and name them Valerie and Laura respectively ;D... (anyone with small children should get the reference.))
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 7, 2012 0:07:01 GMT -6
Shade can take second watch.
Ummm... do I need to worry about feeding my Gigantosaurus? Can I take it hunting in the morning? Or should I do that before we start watches? Or while first watch is going on?
Maybe the latter... Let's do that.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 7, 2012 8:13:05 GMT -6
Shade uses the twilight hour to take his Gigantosaurus hunting. [OOC: Didn't fully think through the logistics of a 9HD carnivore, did you? You are outfitted with a few days of emergency dino rations, but fresh meat is better for morale and vigor.] Bushcraft check = 1! A nest of colossal cobras is discovered! To a man-sized creature, they would be terrifying, but the gigantosaur slurps them down like spaghetti and goes to sleep with a full belly. The velociraptors scavenge a few cobra scraps and are only a little bit grumpy. The camping equipment provided by the University is like nothing you've ever seen before; the tents are made from an impossibly thin and finely-woven fabric, held up by flexible poles that easily snap together, and the bedrolls are made from a lightweight material that is surprisingly warm. Fated takes first watch, Shade takes second, and Breath greets the dawn (each supported by their henchmen). Gunnery refuses a tent and sleeps fitfully in the howdah with one finger on the radio-cannon trigger, and Minion, who is completely exhausted from learning The Accursed Pits of Sighing (a ritual to Imprison the Shambler of the Endless Night), builds a claustrophobic "fort" from various expedition supplies and sleeps protected by his henchmen. [Wandering monster check...] The night passes uneventfully. [Boring I know, but thanks for establishing a standard campsite layout and order of watch; shall we assume that's your standard nighttime procedure unless otherwise stated?] It the morning of April 23 and the campsite is soaked. But your tents kept you dry and there is plenty of firewood; soon you are eating MRE's by a crackling fire and planning the day's trek. The weather is foggy and visibility is poor, but you remember the terrain well from yesterday afternoon. I assume you will be heading north towards the marshy peninsula? I need a marching order...
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 7, 2012 10:31:22 GMT -6
Fated leads the way, on the dino he names "Snarf."
[Snarf is psionic or something? Can he scan ahead for any signs of intelligent life? Can I communicate that to him? Is he a he?]
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 7, 2012 10:46:19 GMT -6
Fated leads the way, on the dino he names "Snarf." [Snarf is psionic or something? Can he scan ahead for any signs of intelligent life? Can I communicate that to him? Is he a he?] Thanks for reminding me that psionic powers must be randomized each day! Today Snarf has the following abilities. He can use up to 2 powers total per day (each power once or the same one twice). Precognition Telepathy ehiker has asked me in the past whether he can use Shade's telepathy to scan for life forms, and my answer was no--it can only be used to communicate with beings that are known to you. In the interest of fairness I must say the same for Snarf. On the days Snarf rolls telepathy, he may communicate mentally with his rider (right now he is saying "what's for breakfast?"); otherwise, you must rely on simple verbal commands. Keep in mind that despite his psionic abilities, Snarf is only animal intelligence. I say "he," but Snarf can be male or female as you prefer. Is Fated "leading the way" as in "marching at the front of the column" or as in "scouting a distance ahead"?
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 7, 2012 10:47:38 GMT -6
Shade names his dinosaur...
Andre.
Andre the Gigantosaurus.
(OOC: I have a small child (22 mos old) and I don't get the reference to Valerie and Laura...)
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 7, 2012 10:49:14 GMT -6
Andre the Gigantosaurus has a posse!
|
|
kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
|
Post by kipper on Jun 7, 2012 13:53:00 GMT -6
Yes, we'll be heading north towards the marshy peninsula and will need to camp in the swamp before crossing the water the following morning if all goes to plan Breath, upon Junior, takes the lead position among the brontos. Princess remains in the middle near Big Mama. Little Brother will be rear-guard (unless a PC chooses this position). I'll let the other PCs choose their own positions. ((OOC: "Laura Giganotosaurus", "Valerie Velociraptor" ;D. Maybe my son is just dino-mad. ))
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 7, 2012 14:19:42 GMT -6
Shade will take second position on Andre.
(OOC: Nope, still no idea. But we've never let our son watch any normal TV in our house. We check out DVDs from the library for certain shows (most of them end up being older things, like Richard Scarry cartoons or Muppets and the like). We're undecided yet if we're doing him harm or good by keeping him from normal TV. I guess we'll find out some day!)
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 7, 2012 14:29:16 GMT -6
(Kids today have it easy. When I was a kid, we played dinosaurs OR we played trains. We played lego OR we played star wars.)
|
|
|
Post by ehiker133 on Jun 7, 2012 14:37:29 GMT -6
(Kids today have it easy. When I was a kid, we played dinosaurs OR we played trains. We played lego OR we played star wars.) lol. We did have it rough, didn't we? I'm already teaching mine the wonders of Star Wars... He's now regularly saying, "Luke, I am Dadda..." and just last night he changed it to, "Luke, I am pappa..." when we were driving home from work/school. I can't incorporate SW legos into the mix until he meets that pesky age limit. And quits sticking small objects into his mouth.
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 7, 2012 15:23:56 GMT -6
Fated goes out, like, fifty yards ahead... but never out of sight unless he forewarns everyone.
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 8, 2012 7:35:08 GMT -6
April 23
The dinos are loaded and the party is ready to descend into the marshland. Breath casts a wistful look at the environmental damage to the campsite: trees stripped bare of leaves, vegetation trampled, huge piles of dino-dung. We can forget about stealth insertion; a blind man could track us, she rues.
The morning sun burns off the fog and reveals a strange landscape. The brontosaurs are at home in the marsh and plod forward in a straight line, while the light raptors must travel two steps forward, one step back to find a dry path and avoid getting stuck in the muck.
Shortly before noon, Fated spies a group of 9 dolm women. Their wild dreadlocks and the mud-runes drawn on their skin immediately identify them as swamp-dwellers. They are clad in monokinis, wide-brim straw hats, and snowshoe-like mud-walking contraptions, and carry wicker baskets slung across their backs for gathering wild edibles. They appear neither surprised by nor afraid of the handsome Ulfire stranger on his dinosaur steed.
The leader of the dolm women hails Fated and raises her hands in greeting to show she is unarmed...
[The other PC's are right behind Fated, he wasn't scouting very far ahead.]
|
|
|
Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 8, 2012 13:45:31 GMT -6
Fated jumps down and signals Snarf telepathically: "Easy boy... let me talk to the ladies."
He bows low and puts on the charm...
[If I have any languages left to choose, I'll take Dolm now. Otherwise, lots of pantomiming.]
"Maidens, how farest thee? Thou locks inspire dread, but thy faces conjure admiration of things beautiful. What do ya know, Flo?"
|
|
|
Post by Mushgnome on Jun 8, 2012 14:16:52 GMT -6
[OOC: Fated knows Babel (Common), Ulfire, and 6 bonus languages; he now knows Green and Dolm plus 4 empty slots.]
The dolm women appear to be in their late teens and 20s, except for their leader, whose skin is bronzed from 30 cycles of the sun.
"I am called Festive. Who seeks to enter our territory--The Flower of Sublime Wisdom--and what is your quest?" She tosses her dreads playfully, in the way of the Dolm people, to indicate her question is not intended as a threat.
|
|